UNIT 5 PLANE TABLE SURVEYING

Structure
5.1 5.2 Introduction
Objectives

Plane Table Surveying

Plane Table
5.2.1 5.2.2 5.2.3 5.2.4 Basic Principle Equipment Accessories Advantages and Disadvantages

5.3 5.4 5.5

Setting Up the Plane Table Adjustments of Plane Table Recording Observations

5.5.1 5.5.2 5.5.3 Radiation Intersection Traversing

5.6

Resection
5.6.1 5.6.2 5.6.3 Simple Problem (Back Ray Method) Two-point Problem Three-point Problem

5.7

Errors in Plane Tabling

5.7.1 5.7.2 5.7.3 5.7.4 Faulty Instrument Adjustments Quality of Drawing Paper Surveyors Errors in Table Setting Surveyors Error in Observing and Plotting

5.8 5.9

Summary Answers to SAQs

5.1 INTRODUCTION
The plane table is an instrument used for surveying by a graphical method in which the field work and plotting are done simultaneously. In plane table surveying, an unknown point of interest is established by measuring its directions from known points. The main advantage of plane tabling is that the topographic features to be mapped are in full view. Plane table surveying is most suitable for small and medium scale mapping.

Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to understand the basic principle of plane table surveying, its advantages and disadvantages, identify the equipment and accessories used in plane tabling, describe the adjustments of plane table, describe the procedure of setting up the plane table, 93

Elements of Survey

understand the procedures of recording observations, understand various methods of resection, and describe the possible errors in plane tabling.

5.2 PLANE TABLE

5.2.1 Basic Principle
For quick and approximate surveying, when great precision and accuracy is not needed, plane table surveying techniques is very suitable. It is particularly convenient for filling the details between the stations already fixed and surveyed by more precise method of triangulation or theodolite traversing. For small area surveys, plane table is recommended. The great advantage of this technique is that field work and map plotting is achieved simultaneously by use of graphical surveying. The principle used in plane table surveying is that an unknown point of interest can be established by measuring its directions from known points.

5.2.2 Equipment
The plane table essentially consists of a simple drawing board mounted on a tripod similar to a compass or a level. The drawing board usually made from well seasoned teak or pine wood. The size can vary from 400 300 mm to 750 600 mm. Sometimes square boards of 500 500 mm or 600 600 mm are also used but size of square boards is rather uncommon. Another important constituent of plane table is a straight edge called Alidade. It is made of a metal (brass or gunmetal) or seasoned wood about 500 mm long with a straight ruled edge which is bevelled. This edge is termed fiducial edge. It may be provided with sight vanes, at both ends in a plain alidade or (Figure 5.1(a)) with a telescope for better accuracy as shown in Figures 5.1. In plain alidade one of the sight vanes is provided with a narrow slit and the other is provided with cross and stadia wires. Like a level, two bubble tubes placed orthogonally are provided for keeping the plane table horizontal. The bevelled edge is graduated so that it can be used as a scale for plotting distances directly on the map.

(a)

(b)

94

Figure 5.1(a) and (b) : Equipment of Plane Table

Plane Table Surveying

(c) Figure 5.1 : Plane Table

5.2.3 Accessories
The additional equipment to be used for surveying with plane table could be as given below : Trough Compass It is usually 15 cm long, shown in Figure 5.2(a), and is provided to plot the magnetic meridian (N-S direction) to facilitate orientation of the plane table in the magnetic meridian. Spirit Level Circular spirit level is used to check the level of the board and make it horizontal by placing it on the board in two positions mutually at right angles and centering the bubble in each position. Plumbing Fork It is also known as U frame. It is a hairpin shaped brass frame having two arms of equal length as depicted in Figure 5.2(b). One end of the frame is pointed and is kept over the drawing sheet touching the plotted position of the instrument station. The other end of the frame carries a plumb bob. The position of the plane table is adjusted until the plumb bob hangs over the station occupied by the instrument.

(a) Trough Compass

(b) Plumbing Fork Figure 5.2 : Accessories

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Elements of Survey

Drawing Sheet Drawing paper should be of best quality and well seasoned to minimize the effect of climatic variations. The paper should be tinted green or grey for reducing glaring in sun and eye strains. Drawing paper is fixed on board with drawing pins, clamps etc. For drawing rays and other detail quality pencils, dustless rubber and precision scales are used. A water-proof cover is also an essential accessories to protect drawing paper from dampness and rain.

5.2.4 Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages (a) (b) Plane table survey is most suitable for preparing small-scale maps. It is most rapid. The field book is not necessary as plotting is done in field concurrently with the field work, and hence the mistakes in booking the field notes are avoided. The surveyor can compare the plotted work with the actual features of the area surveyed and, thus, cannot overlook any essential features. There is no possibility of omitting the necessary measurements as the map is plotted in the field. Errors of measurements and plotting may be readily detected by check lines. Contours and irregular objects may be represented accurately, since the tract is in view. It is particularly advantageous in magnetic area where compass survey is not reliable. It is less costly than a theodolite survey. No great skill is required to prepare a satisfactory map. The plane table is essentially a tropical instrument. It is not suitable for work in a wet climate. It is heavy, cumbersome, and awkward to carry. There are several accessories to be carried and, therefore, they are likely to be lost. It is not intended for accurate work. If the survey is to be re-plotted to a different scale or quantities are to be computed, it is of great inconvenience in absence of the field notes.

(c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

Disadvantages

5.3 SETTING UP THE PLANE TABLE

The survey details of ground features are normally obtained by sighting the object through sight vane or telescope of the alidade and drawing a radial line. On this line the object stations distance is marked to scale. The objects position on map can also be plotted by sighting the object from two different plane table stations and locating the object by intersection of radial lines. 96

Since survey is carried out by sighting, the table should be set up to provide drawing board at convenient height about 1m above ground. The table shall also be stable and levelled. The legs of the table are spread well apart to provide stability and adjusted to provide the table in horizontal plane by means of the levelling screws with reference to a level tube. The table is centered over the station accurately with the help of a plumbing fork or U frame. The upper leg of the fork coinciding with the point on paper while a plumb bob is hung from the other leg directly over the peg. The other essential step in setting up the table is its orientation. It ensures that the table is kept parallel to its original direction as it is moved from station to station. This step is necessary to make the lines on the map parallel to the lines on the ground represented by them. This is achieved either by the use of a compass or by the process of back sighting. Using the compass, a line is drawn on map at first station in the direction of magnetic meridian. Whenever the table is required to be set up at a new station, the compass is placed in the direction of already drawn magnetic meridian and table rotated to bring the needle ends on zero reading of scale. The table clamped in this position ensures accurate table orientation if no local attraction is present at station. A more reliable and preferred method of orientation is by back sighting. Whenever the table is required to be shifted from instrument station O1 to O2, the O2 is sighted by placing a ranging rod at O2 and line of sight along O1 O2. A line O1 O2 is then drawn on map. When the instrument is shifted to O2, the alidade is kept along O1 O2 and ranging rod placed at O1 is sighted from O2. The board is rotated until the line of sight bisects the ranging rod at O1.

Plane Table Surveying

5.4 ADJUSTMENTS OF PLANE TABLE

For a plane table survey to be adequate and accurate, following precautions shall be observed and adjustment made accordingly. (a) The table board surface shall be as perfectly plane as possible, otherwise the rays drawn on the drawing map will experience several obstructions and hence will not be accurate and straight. The planeness of the board can be checked by using the straight edge in several directions and removing ridges and higher spots by sand papering. Planing can be undertaken if roughness is acute. In addition to being plane and smooth, the board surface should also be horizontal, i.e. perpendicular to the vertical axis of rotation of the table. The horizontality is checked by using the spirit level. The level is placed repeatedly in perpendicular positions and bubble checked for center. Any deviation from horizontality is corrected using washer/packing between the board and the supports. The bubble of the level shall remain central even when the table is slowly revolved through 360o. In order to draw the rays in perfect straight lines, the ruling edge of the alidade shall be maintained straight. Any deviations shall be straightened by filing accurately. The sight vanes provided on the alidade should be normal to the ruler base. This will ensure that the line of sight of the instrument is parallel to the ruling edge so that the rays drawn represent the direction of the line of sight. 97

(b)

(c)

(d)

Elements of Survey

This requirement can be tested by hanging a plumb line at a distance from the instrument and bisect it with the sight vanes of the alidade. The error will be indicated by hair line of vane tilting with respect to the plumb line. Necessary adjustment can be made either by filling or placing some packing under the alidade base as required. (e) The spirit level axes shall be parallel to the alidade base axes. Similar accuracy requirements and adjustment are necessary for telescopic alidade.

SAQ 1
(a) State the advantages and disadvantages of plane table surveying. In that conditions would you recommend the adoption of this method of surveying? State various adjustments required to be carried out on a plane table.

(b)

5.5 RECORDING OBSERVATIONS

Once the table is set and oriented at any instrument station, the details of important ground features can be observed and recorded on map. This is generally carried out by three procedures namely radiation, intersection, and traversing.

5.5.1 Radiation
This is most direct and simple method of recording observations during plane table surveying. The instrument station O is selected and instrument is set and oriented at this station. The point of interest, representing important ground features, natural or created, is located on map plan by drawing a ray from the plane table station to that point with the help of alidade and plotting to scale the measured distance as shown in Figure 5.3.
F E

A
f a

d c

B D C Ground

Figure 5.3 : Radial Lines Method

98

Small land areas can be surveyed from a single instrument station on one table setting at a predetermined and located position. The instrument station is selected such that entire area is visible and approachable from this position for distance measuring and sighting. The instrument station designated O1 is plotted on drawing sheet exactly oriented and levelled at ground station O1 with the help of U frame as depicted in Figure 5.2(b). The various survey target points A, B, C etc. are sighted by centering the alidade on O1 and rays drawn along its edge. The distances O1A, O1 B etc. can be measured by chain/tape and plotted as O1 a, O1 b, on the sheet. The N-line is marked at top of sheet with the help of compass. This way the traverse abcdef can be plotted. Accuracy can be checked by measuring ground distances AB, BC etc. and comparing with map distances ab, bc etc.

Plane Table Surveying

5.5.2 Intersection
In place of one ground station O1, as in radial method, two ground stations O1 and O2 are selected on ground, such that all important features of area to be surveyed are sightable from both stations. The line joining instrument station O1 and O2 is termed base line. It is the only distance which is required to be measured linearly on ground. With plane table positioned at one station (say O1) the point is transferred on sheet as O1 as in last method. With alidade pivoted at O1 different survey points A, B, C are sighted and radial lines O1a, O1b, O1c are drawn. Next the plane table is shifted and positioned at O2. With alidade pivoted at O2, survey points A, B, C are sighted again and radial line O2A, O2B, O2C are drawn on sheet. The intersection of radial lines, e.g. (O1a and O2a) will give the location of A on sheet as a and so on, without making any linear measurement as shown in Figure 5.4.
B

a o1

c d o2

b a o1 f e c
o2

e f O1

d o2

Figure 5.4 : Method of Intersection

This method is generally preferred for plotting the details of ground, objects, which are far away or difficult to access, rivers etc., and the survey stations which can be subsequently used as instrument stations. It is particularly useful in rough and uneven regions where accurate linear measurements are tedious, or difficult or even impossible in some cases.

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Elements of Survey

5.5.3 Traversing
The method of radials or intersection (from a base line O1O2) can be used preferably for small level surveys. However, plane table can also be used for traversing surveys of wide and large areas similar to chain and compass surveys, for both closed and open traversing. Survey lines O1 O2 O3 can be run between stations which are already predecided by other methods. The topographical details are fixed by plane table traversing. The step-by-step procedure can be described as follows : (a) (b) Traverse stations O1, O2 . . . , O3 are predecided on ground. Set and level the table at O1 and mark o1 on sheet exactly above O1 using U frame. Centering the alidade at O1, other traverse stations O2, O3 . . . etc. which can be sighted from O1, are observed and rays O1 O2 , O1 O3, O1 O4, . . . , etc. are drawn. For topographical details stations A, B, C, . . . , etc. are sighted and rays drawn (Figure 5.4). (c) The table is then shifted to next station O2, fixed levelled and oriented. Position of station O2 is marked on sheet. Radial rays O2 O1, O2 O3, O2 O4 are then drawn with alidade centered on O2. The intersection of rays O1 O3 and O2 O3 will give the location of station O3 on sheet and so on. The ground features A, B, C, . . . etc. can be similarly located on map by drawing rays from station O2. Details can also be located by method of radials. (d) The process is continued till completion of survey.
O1 o1 o4 O2 o2 o3
es Lin eck Ch
Ch ec kL ine s

o1 o4

o2 o3

o1 o4 O4

o2 o3

o1 o4

o2 o3 O3

Figure 5.5 : Traversing

(e)

Accuracy is checked by sighting station O1, O2 . . . etc. from more than two stations so that three radial lines merge at referred station. However, if a particular traverse point is not observable from more than two traverse stations, some well defined object on area can be temporarily chosen as instrument station for checking.

5.6 RESECTION
It is a method of orientation employed when the table occupies a position which is not yet located on the drawing sheet. Position of instrument station occupied by

100

the plane table can be drawn on sheet (or map) with the help of two or more well defined points which are visible from instrument station and whose positions have already been drawn on plan map.

Plane Table Surveying

5.6.1

Simple Problem (Back Ray Method)

This method is very useful when one of the plotted stations in accessible from the station to be plotted. The procedure of resection after orientation by back ray is given below : (a) Base line O1 O2 is selected on ground as distance between two well defined points O1 and O2 on ground whose positions are measured and plotted accurately on the plan map. Set, level and orient table at O1. Alidade is placed along O1 O2 such that signal at O2 is bisected. With alidade at O1 another station O3 is sighted, which is required to be located, draw a line O1 O3, station O3 is marked on map along this ray approximately. Shift the table and set it afresh at O3 and orient it by backsight on O1. Place alidade at O2 on map, sight O2 on ground and draw the ray O2 O3. The point of intersection of rays O1 O3 and O2 O3 will give or locate the position of O3 on map.

(b)

(c) (d)

This process is repeated to obtain positions of all instrument stations O4, O5 . . . etc. on map.

5.6.2

Two-point Problem

The back ray method requires drawing the ray from preceding stations (O1 and O2) to the station to be occupied by plane table (say O3). Errors of centering thus are inevitable. The two-point problem consists of locating the position of a plane table station on the drawing sheet by observation of two well defined points, whose positions have already been plotted on plan. The procedure of resection after orientation by two points is given below. (a) (b) Let O1 O2 be the two stations plotted as o1 and o2 on the drawing sheet. It is required to plot station O3 for plane tabling work. An auxiliary point A on ground is selected such that AO3 is approximately parallel to O1 O2 and the angle O3 O1 A and O3 O2 A are balanced angles, i.e. these are neither too acute or too obtuse. The table is set and levelled at A, and so oriented that line O1 O2 on ground is nearly parallel to line o1 o2 plotted on table map. Alidade, touching o2 and sighting O2 on ground, a ray is drawn through o2. In the same way, draw a ray by touching alidade to o1 and sighting O1 on ground. This ray will intersect the first ray at a1 on the map. With alidade touching a1, sight O3 and draw the ray a1 o3. Mark the estimated position of O3 on the map as o3. The table is removed from A and set at O3 with marked position of o3 over O3, properly levelled and similarly oriented. This is achieved by back sighting A from O3. Now with table at O3, keep alidade touching o1 and sight O1 and draw a back ray resecting the line a1 o3 in o3. Here o3 is the point 101

(c)

(d) (e)

(f)

Elements of Survey

representing the station O3 with reference to the approximate orientation made at A. (g) With alidade touching o3, sight O2 and draw a ray to O2. If the ray passes through the plotted point o2, the orientation of the table is correct and o3 is the correct position of O3. Whereas, if this ray cuts the previously plotted line a1 o2 at some other point, say o2, then the position o3 is not the correct position of O3.
O1 O2

o2o1o2 is Orientation Error '

o1 a1 A

o2 o'3

o1 a1

o2

o'2

o3 O3

Rotation of Table at O3.

Figure 5.6 : Two-point Problem

(h)

The orientation error will be equal to o2 o1 o2 between the lines o1 o2 and o1 o2. This error can be eliminated by rotating the table through the angle o2 o1 o2. This table rotation can be achieved by taking the following steps. (i) (ii) The alidade is placed along line o1 o2 and a ranging rod B is fixed in line with o1 o2, far away from the plane table. Alidade is now kept along true line o1 o2 and table is rotated so that ranging rod B is bisected. The table is clamped in new position.

(iii) The true location of O3 on map is now marked by : (a) (b) orienting alidade along o1 O1 and drawing the ray o1 O1, and orienting alidade along o2 O2 and drawing the ray o2 O2.

The point of intersection of the two rays will give the correct position of O3 (the new table position) on map. The new position of table station O3 is, thus, correctly marked on map with the help of two previous table stations O1 and O2 already marked on map. The procedure followed is termed two-point problem in plane table survey.

5.6.3

Three-point Problem

102

The position of new plane table station on the map can be correctly located with the help of three well defined points on ground whose positions are already plotted on map. Such a procedure is called three-point problem. It is obvious that locating the position of table by this process is more accurate. However, it is more involved and complex.

Let there are three ground stations A, B and C whose positions are marked as a, b and c on the plan map and let these stations are visible from new table station O. It is required to plot the position of O on map as o. This can be achieved by any of the following methods : (a) Mechanical (b) Graphical (c) Trial and Error Mechanical or Tracing Paper Method The process of mechanical method is applied using a tracing paper or cloth. The table is stationed, set and levelled at station O and is oriented as nearly as possible in its correct position either by visual judgment or by use of compass. A tracing cloth/paper is spread and stretched over the table. The position of O is guesstimated and fixed on the tracing to approximately locate the table station O on the map as o. With alidade centered at o, stations A, B and C are bisected and rays oa, ob and oc are drawn on the tracing. The tracing is then un-stretched and rotated until the three new drawn rays pass through plotted positions of a, b and c on the map. This will provide a new position of station O on map as o. This is transferred to map by a pin of a fine needle point. The alidade is then placed along oa and station A is bisected by rotating the table and then clamping it in new position. Stations B and C are then sighted and rays drawn as check. The new rays shall pass through o if new table orientation is correct. However, a small triangle of error may be formed as table orientation was only approximate. The above process is then repeated by trial and error till the triangle of error vanishes.
A B C A B C

Plane Table Surveying

o'

Figure 5.7 : Mechanical or Tracing Paper Method

Graphical Method Several graphical methods are suggested to solve the three-point problem. However, the Bessels solution is the most commonly used method in practice being the simplest. The Bessels solution can be described in the following steps : (a) The plane table is set up and levelled at new station O. The alidade is placed along known line (say ba on the map) and table is rotated until A is sighted with a pointing towards A as shown in Figure 5.8(a), clamp the table and sight C with alidade centered on b, draw a line x-x along alidade edge. (b) The alidade is now placed along ab and table turned to bisect B with b towards B as in Figure 5.8(b). Clamp the table and centre the alidade at a, bisect C by drawing the ray aC intersecting the previously drawn ray x-x at point c (say). Join cc.

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Elements of Survey

(c)

Alidade is now placed along cc as in Figure 5.8(c) and table turned till C is bisected and clamped in new position. The table is correctly oriented. The alidade is centered at b and B is bisected. Draw the ray to intersect cc in o. Similarly, if alidade is pivoted about a and A is sighted, the ray will pass through o if the process is accurate. Any minor error is corrected accordingly.
A B C

(d)

a x b c

O x

(a)
B

O
x

(b)
A B C

x a b

c o x

(c)

104

Figure 5.8 : Graphical Method

Trial and Error Method or Lehmanns Method This method is very commonly used in field and is quite quick and very accurate. The plane table is stationed, set and levelled at station O and is oriented as nearly as possible into correct position either by visual judgment or by use of compass. Rays Aa, Bb and Cc through plotted points a, b and c are drawn sighting stations A, B and C along aA, bB and cC respectively. If the table was oriented correctly to start with, all these rays will intersect at common point o on the map indicating correct position of station O. However, since the initial orientation was only approximate, a small triangle o1 o2 o3 will be formed in place of a common point o. This triangle is called triangle of error and is shown in Figure 5.9(b). This triangle is attempted to shrink to a point by trial and error, so that in final positions lines aA, bB and cC pass through a single point o. The process applied to achieve this object is known as Lehmanns rule. The triangle formed by joining stations A, B and C is termed great triangle while the circle passing through A, B and C as great circle (Figure 5.9a).
Great Circle B b

Plane Table Surveying

Great Triangle a o1

o2 o3 c Triangle of Error

(a)
b

(b)

b a c a t o o Triangle of Error c

(c)

(d)

e o

(e) Figure 5.9 : Lehmanns Rule

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Elements of Survey

Lehmanns Rule The Lehmanns rule can be stated as follow : (a) The distance of true position of o from each of ray aA, bB and cC is proportional to the distance of O from ground stations A, B and C respectively. If we look in the directions of stations A, B or C, the true position of station O is on the same side of the three rays aA, bB or cC, i.e. if the table station O is outside the great triangle ABC, the triangle of error will be outside the triangle abc and o will be outside of abc. Similarly, if table station O is within the triangle ABC, the triangle of error will be inside abc and o will be inside the triangle of error. If the table station O is outside the great triangle but inside the great circle, the ray to middle station B, bB in Figure 5.9(d) lies between the true station position o and intersection of other two rays (i.e. aA and cC). When table station is outside the great circle, the table position O in Figure 5.9(e) is on the same side of ray towards most distant point (aA) as the intersection of other two rays, e.

(b)

(c)

(d)

Using above rules, the triangle of error is sought to be shrunk to a point quickly. The first triangle of error is used to locate new trial position of O (say o1) and placing alidade along o1 and the one of the known point (say a) and then rotating the table so that A is sighted. Clamping the table in new position, B and C are sighted and rays drawn. The new triangle of error is generated which is much smaller than the first triangle of error. New position of table station (say o2) is marked using Lehmanns rules. The process is repeated until all the rays aA, bB and cC intersect at single point o.

SAQ 2
(a) (b) Explain in detail with the help of sketches how you would accurately orient the instrument at a station using two-point problem technique. Explain clearly the three-point problem and describe various methods of its solution. Which method will you adopt in your case and why?

5.7 ERRORS IN PLANE TABLING

The main sources of errors in a plane table survey can be broadly classified as follows : (a) (b) 106 Due to faulty instrument adjustments Due to quality of drawing paper used in map plotting

(c) (d)

Human errors of surveyor in centering and orienting the table Surveyors error in observing and plotting.

Plane Table Surveying

5.7.1

Faulty Instrument Adjustments

The instrument, if not properly adjusted, will introduce many errors in plane table survey. These adjustments, which are normally required, their methods of testing and subsequently correcting are described in detail in Section 5.4.

5.7.2

Quality of Drawing Paper

The drawing paper stretched on the plane table board for recording the survey details and plotting the plan shall be of good quality. The expansion, contraction and shrinking of paper due to temperature and moisture changes can cause errors in survey map reading even if it is prepared error free. The errors due to these can be minimized by using the plotted scale.

5.7.3
(a) (b)

Surveyors Errors in Table Setting

inaccurate centering of table, and inaccurate orientation of table.

There can be primarily two types of errors which are :

Inaccurate Centering The position of instrumentation station on map shall be exactly over the station on ground it represents. The importance of accurate centering can be best emphasized by explaining the nature and impact of error on survey accuracy. Let OG be the instrument station over which the instrument is required to be set up and OP its plotted position on map plan as shown in Figure 5.10. AOGB is the desired angle to be plotted, while AOPB is corresponding angle obtained by drawing rays AOP and BOP with alidade centered at OP.
A B

a b 2

b O P

1 2

Figure 5.10 : Effect of Inaccurate Centering

The angular difference ( AOGB AOPB) represents the error introduced due to inaccurate centering. The magnitude of error will be inversely proportional to the distance of reference stations A and B from instrument station OG. Instead of OG and OP being coincident, an angle (= OG AOP) is introduced and hence similarity an angle (= G BOP) for station 107

Elements of Survey

B. Let us also draw perpendiculars from OG on ray OP B at b2 and on ray OP A at a2. It can then be observed that

sin = or,

OG a2 OG A

= sin 1 sin =

OG a2 OG A

and or,

OG b2 OG B OG b2 OG B

= sin 1

The angular error GB PB would be equal to + . It can also be observed that the position of A on the map marked as a1 is not accurate. It will be some position a on the map left of a1. Similarly, the true position of B on the map represented by b will be on the right of plotted position b1. The deviations of positions of A and B would be a1 a = a1 a2 and b1 b = b1 b2 respectively. These errors will depend on the scale of map chosen. Thus, if scale chosen is 1 cm on scale = n meters on ground, the A OG plotted length OP a1= cm n and

Op b1=

B OG cms. n

Actual distance aa1 =

AOG cm = e1 (say), and n

BOG cm = e2 (say). n

and

bb1 =

Usually, during ploting, the maximum accuracy of plotting which can be achieved by even an experienced surveyor could be of a millimeter, i.e. (1/40) cm; hence deviation aa1 or bb1 which could cause error in plotting would be noticeable only when it is equal to or more than (1/40) cm. Thus, minimum value of or e= n 40 e to be noticed will be 1/40. n

In other words, e must not exceed n/40. It can also be observed that normal size of the plane table is such that maximum area on drawing sheet used for plotting could be 100 cm 60 cm. Hence, in general, the perpendiculars OBGa2 and OGb2 cannot exceed 50 cm in x-direction and 30 cm in y-direction. From this, a table can be prepared for different length of sights to get an idea of angular error which can be introduced due to inaccurate centering.

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Length of Sight (m) 50 100 200 500 1000

Length of OGa2 or OGb2 (m) 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Value of or 0o 34 22.6 0o 17 11.3 0o 8 35.7 0o 3 26.3 0o 1 43.1

Angular Error + 1o 81 45.4 0o 34 22.6 0o 17 11.3 0o 6 52.5 0o 3 26.3

Plane Table Surveying

From the observations made above, it can be seen that if a smaller land area is being surveyed and plotted with scale factor n of smaller magnitude, the error due to inaccurate centering of table will be more critical, the importance factor gradually decreasing with larger and larger values of n.
Inaccurate Orientation

When the table is set at new instrument station, the correct orientation is rather more important than correct centering. The position of instrument station should be accurately corresponding to its plotted position on the map. The survey details already plotted on the map from previous instrument stations can synchronize with details to be plotted on map from new instrument station only when the plane table is accurately centered and oriented in new position. The correct orientation can be achieved by checking the orientation by two-point or three-point problem as described in Sections 5.6.2 and 5.6.3. Preferably the orientation of the table should be checked from as many stations as possible by sighting two distant and prominent reference stations which are already plotted on the map, thereby eliminating the triangle of errors. The orientation of table shall also be checked after observations, preferably after recording each observation to eliminate any chance rotation of table during the observation process due to improper clamping of table.

5.7.4

Surveyors Error in Observing and Plotting

Human error can be introduced during observation and plotting of details by the surveyor. These could be due to objects not being sighted and bisected in sight vanes accurately, the centering of alidade on the desired station point on paper may not be accurate, the radiating ray towards the desired object may not be correctly drawn through the referred station point, and plotting of details may not be properly done or recorded.

Care should be exercised during observation process to eliminate these types of errors. Random rechecking of some details recorded at referred instrument station is desirable.
Example 5.1

A plane table is set up at instrument station O and centered. After recording the details of object point A, it was observed that point OP, the plotted position of station O is not exactly above ground position of O.

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Elements of Survey

It is observed that displacement of O normal to ray OP A is 21 cms. Find the consequent displacement of a the plotted position of A from its true position with reference to following data : (a) (b)
Solution

Scale of the plan 1 cm = 100 m Actual ground distance OA = 3000 m

Also calculate the same if OA = 10 m and scale is 1 cm = 1 m. 3000 cm 100 0.21 radians 3000 3000 0.21 100 3000 = 0.0021 cms. 0.21 o Angular error = + = 2 sin 1 = O O 14.44 3000 (b) Displacement of a from true position = 0.21 10 = 0.21 cm 10 1

(a)

Distance OP a =

Error in direction =

Displacement of a from its true position =

0.21 o Angular error = + = 2 sin 1 = 1 12 11.8 10

SAQ 3
What are the various sources of error in plane table surveying? How these can be eliminated in real life projects?

5.8 SUMMARY
Plane table is most suitable for the filling in of the details between the stations previously fixed by triangulation or theodolite traversing. The plane table consists essentially of a drawing board and alidade. Trough compass, plumbing fork, spirit level and drawing sheet are the accessories that are required in plane table survey. Proper centering and orientation of plane table are the two important operations that are necessary to get accuracy in plane table survey work. Inaccurate centering and orientation of table will lead to erroneous survey work.

5.9 ANSWERS TO SAQs

Refer the relevant preceding text in the unit or other useful books on the topic listed in the section Further Reading given at the end to get the answers of the SAQs.

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