Traverses
 Fieldwork In Traversing
 Control By Traversing
 Angular Closure
 Linear Closure
 Adjustment Of Traverses
 Function Of Traverses
 Missing Data
 Bearing And Distance Of
    One Line
 Bearing Of One Line,
    Distance Of Another
 Lengths Or Bearings Of
    Two Lines

Traverse Calculations

If you have already learnt about the use of the magnetic compass and the theodolite, this section looks at how these instruments are used in field surveys. If you wish to review either the magnetic compass or theodolites, before continuing onto the rest of the 'Traverse Calculations' section, follow the links below:

Introduction

The survey procedure known as traversing is fundamental to much survey measurement. The procedure consists of using a variety of instrument combinations to create polar vectors in space, that is 'lines' with a magnitude (distance) and direction (bearing). These vectors are generally contiguous and create a polygon which conforms to various mathematical and geometrical rules (which can be used to check the fieldwork and computations). The equipment used generally consists of something to determine direction like a compass or theodolite, and something to determine distance like a tape or Electromagnetic Distance Meter (EDM).

There are orderly field methods and standardised booking procedures to minimise the likelihood of mistakes, and routine methods of data reduction again to reduce the possible occurrence of errors. The most fundamental of these checks is to perform a closed traverse, that is a traverse that starts and finishes on either the same point or known points, (similar in concept to a level run).