CVEN 2200: Surveying

LAB #5: Determine the length and Azimuth of one side of an open traverse

 Objectives:
1. Understand how to use total stations to measure horizontal distances and interior angles
2. Understand how to measure the distance and Azimuth of a course which cannot be measured directly.
 Equipment:
 Total station, tripod, and compass, prism, prism pole, flags.
 Instructions:
Preparation: Pick one point (A) on one side of the business building with a flag on and pick another point
(E) on other side of the building which cannot be seen directly from A. Assume A’s coordinate is (10,000,
10,000) with the unit of ft.
1. Have your compass locate at A, use your compass to locate a point with an Azimuth that your team
decides (say, due North). Mark this point and name it U. Document the Azimuth AZAU.
2. Set up your total station at A (make sure your red laser points to A) and shoot Point U. Set Hz = 0.
3. Turn the angle to the right to Point B, and document Hz and distance AB.
4. Have your station located at B and shoot Point A. Set Hz = 0.
5. Turn the angle to the right to Point C, and document Hz and distance BC.
6. Follow the same procedure for Point C and Point D. Shoot E from D.
7. Document your results in the following format.
8. Calculate the Azimuth, Departure, and Latitude of AB, BC, CD, and DE.
9. Determine the coordinates of B, C, D, and E.
10. Determine the length and Azimuth of AE based on the coordinates of E and A.
11. Sketch the locations of your surveyed points in your field book.

E
Example of an open traverse
D
Building
C

B
A

1
 The open-traverse traverse table (example)

Point Course Azimuth Length Angle to the Departure Latitude X (ft) Y (ft)
right
U - - - - - - - -
AU - - - - - -
A 10,000 10,000
AB
B
BC
C
CD
D
DE
E

Show all your calculation work in detail for these parameters.

AZAB =
AZBC =
AZCD =
AZDE =
AZAE =
LAE =