Survey Manual

Chapter 8

Resources

Colorado Department of Transportation

October, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 8 Resources

8.1 General............................................................................................................................................3

8.2 Resources........................................................................................................................................4
8.2.1 Simple Curve............................................................................................................................4
8.2.2 Simple Curve Computations....................................................................................................5
8.2.3 Simple Curve Computations....................................................................................................6
8.2.4 Vertical Curve..........................................................................................................................9
8.2.5 Spiral Curve............................................................................................................................11
8.2.6 Compound Curve...................................................................................................................17
8.2.7 Reverse Curve........................................................................................................................18
8.2.8 Short Radius Curve................................................................................................................19
8.2.9 Deflections for Spiral Transition Between Simple Curves.....................................................20
8.2.10 Inaccessible PI Procedure......................................................................................................21
8.2.11 Alignment & Curve Abbreviations & Symbols.......................................................................22
8.2.12 Area Calculations of Earthwork by Double Meridian Distance.............................................24
8.2.13 Earthwork Volume Calculations by Average End Area..........................................................28
8.2.14 Area of Plane Figures.............................................................................................................30
8.2.15 Volume and Surface Areas of Solids......................................................................................34
8.2.16 Abbreviations.........................................................................................................................38
8.2.17 Weights, Measures & Equivalents..........................................................................................45
8.2.18 Glossary.................................................................................................................................49
8.2.19 Conversion Tables..................................................................................................................53
8.2.20 Temperature Correction Table Chaining................................................................................54
8.2.21 Trigonometric Formulas & Functions....................................................................................55
8.2.22 Computation of Unknown Bearings.......................................................................................56
8.2.23 Standard Arm Signals.............................................................................................................57

8.3 References.....................................................................................................................................59

CDOT Survey Manual 2 October, 2003

8.1 General
The purpose of this chapter is to provide the surveyor with an easy to use resource of information that
will enable the user of this manual to reduce her/his library of reference material needed in the field.

This chapter is not intended as a textbook on surveying, rather it provides a reference source for
formulas, tables and information. No representation is made or warranty given as to its content.
User assumes all risk of use. CDOT assumes no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting
from such use.

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8.2 Resources
8.2.1 Simple Curve

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8.2.2 Simple Curve Computations

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8.2.3 Simple Curve Computations

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8.2.4 Vertical Curve

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8.2.5 Spiral Curve

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(SPIRAL CURVE EXAMPLE CONTINUED)

Compute Simple Curve Deflection as shown in Example for Simple Curves

Station Deflection

S.T. 692+48.26 00000

692+00 00416
691+50 01742
691+00 04018
690+50 11204
690+00 05300
689+50 24305
C.S. 689+48.26 24500

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8.2.6 Compound Curve

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8.2.7 Reverse Curve

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8.2.8 Short Radius Curve

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8.2.9 Deflections for Spiral Transition Between Simple Curves

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8.2.10 Inaccessible PI Procedure

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8.2.11 Alignment & Curve Abbreviations & Symbols

ALIGNMENT & CURVE

ABBREVIATIONS & SYMBOLS

C.S. Point of change from circular curve to spiral.

d (For Simple and Spiral Curves) Deflection angle. Intersection angle formed by a
tangent and a chord. (For Vertical Curves) The tangent offset from the grade line to a point
on the curve.
(For Inaccessible P.I. Procedure) Distance from the midpoint of the long chord to the P.I.

Dc Degree of circular curve.

Es External distance, P.I. to center of circular curve.

K Distance from T.S. to point tangent opposite the P.C. of the circular
curve produced.

I Length between T.S. and S.T. and any other point on the spiral.

L.C. Straight line chord distance between T.S. & S.C. (long chord).

Ls Length of spiral between T.S. & S.C.

L.T. Long tangent distance of spiral only

P Offset distance from the tangent of P.C. of circular curve produced.

P.C. Point of change from tangent to circular curve.

P.C.C. Point of compound curve.

P.I. Point of intersection of the main tangents.

P.O.C Point on a circular curve.

P.O.S. Point on a spiral curve

P.O.S.T. Point on a semi-tangent.

P.O.T. Point on a tangent

P.R.C. Point on reverse curve.

P.T. Point of change from circular curve to tangent.

S.C. Point of change from spiral to circular curve.

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 ALIGNMENT & CURVE
ABBREVIATIONS & SYMBOLS

Point of change from on spiral curve to the next spiral cure.

Point of change from spiral to tangent.
Tangent distance from P.I. to T.S. or S.T.
Point of change from tangent to spiral.
Coordinate of S.C. from T.S. or C.S. from S.T.
Angle.
Right Angle.
Intersection angle between tangents of entire curve.
Intersection angle between tangents at the S.C. and at the C.S. or the central angle of circular curve
portion of the curve.
Intersection angle between tangents of complete curve and tangent at any other point on the spiral.

Intersection angle between tangents of complete curve and tangent at the S.C.

Deflection angle from tangent at T.S. to S.C.

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8.2.12 Area Calculations of Earthwork by Double Meridian Distance

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CDOT Survey Manual 27 October,
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8.2.13 Earthwork Volume Calculations by Average End Area

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8.2.14 Area of Plane Figures

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8.2.15 Volume and Surface Areas of Solids

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8.2.16 Abbreviations

A A

ABC aggregate base course

Abn abandon
Abut abutment
Adj adjusted
AC asphalt cement
Ah ahead
AHW allowable headwater
Alt alternate
Approx approximate
Asph asphalt
Assy assembly
Att attenuator
Ave avenue
Avg average
@ at

B B

BCR begin curb return

Beg begin
Bit Ctd bituminous coated
Bit SL bituminous seal
Bit Surf bituminous surfacing
Bk back
Bkf backfill
BL base line
Bldg building
Blvd boulevard
BM bench mark
Bot bottom
Br bridge
BS backsight
BT beginning of transition
BW barbed wire

C C

C cut
CAA cable anchor assembly
Calc calculated
CAP corrugated aluminum pipe
CBC concrete box culvert
CCS Colorado Coordinate System
CDOH Colorado Department of Highways
CF or Cu.Ft cubic feet (foot)
C&G curb and gutter
Chnl channel
Cl class
CL chain link
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 Chainman
CL centerline or control line
Clr clear, clearance
Co county
Conc concrete
Cond conduit
Conn connector
Const construction
Cont continued
Coord coordinate
CPS concrete pipe sewer
Cr creek
CSP corrugated steel pipe
CSPA corrugated steel pipe arch
CSPS corrugated steel pipe sewer
CTB cement treated base
Culv culvert
CY or Cu.Yd. cubic yard(s)

D D

Dbl double
Def deflection
Deg degree
Del delineator
Det detour
DHW design headwater
Dl drop inlet
Dia or diameter
Dim dimension
Dist distance or district
Dr drive
Dwy driveway

E E

E east
Ea each
Easmt easement
ECR end curb return
EDM electronic distance meter
Elev elevation
Emb embankment
EO edge of oil
EP edge of pavement
Eq equation
ES edge of shoulder
ET end of transition
ETW edge of traveled way
Exc excavation
Exist existing

F F
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F fill
Fdn foundation
Fe fence
FH fire hydrant
Flr flare
FL or FL low line
FP fence post
FR frontage road
FS foresight
Ft foot (feet)
Ftg footing
Fwy freeway
F&C frame and cover
F&G frame and grate
FG finish grade

G G

G gutter
Ga gauge, gage
Galv galvanized
GL gas line
GM guard marker
GR guard rail
GSP galvanized steel pipe
GV gas valve

H H

H height
HBP hot bituminous pavement
Hdwl headwall
Hl height of instrument
Horiz horizontal
HP hinge point
Hwy highway
H&T hub and tack

I I

IB imported borrow
In inch
Inst. Or instrument or instrument man
Int intersection
Intch interchange
Inv invert
Irr irrigation

J J

K K

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L L

Ln lane
L length
LF or Lin.Ft. linear feet (foot)
Loc location
Lt left

M M

Matl material
Max maximum
MB mail box
MDS maximum design speed
Med median
MES metal end section
MH manhole
Mi mile(s)
Min minimum
Misc miscellaneous
Mkr marker
Mod modified or modify
Mon monument
MP mile post(s)
MPH miles per hour
MS minor structure

N N

N north
NGS National Geodetic Survey
No. or # number
note keeper

O O

Oblr obliterate
OG original ground
OH overhead
O/S offset

P P

P page
PB pull box
PC party chief
PCSP perforated corrugated steel pipe
P & Abn plug and abandon
Ped pedestrian
PGL profile grade line
PK Nail Parker-Kalon nail
PL property line
PMBB plant mix bituminous base
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PP power pole
Proj. projected, project
PSP perforated steel pipe
PSS point of slope selection
Pt point
Pvmt pavement
PVPP polyvinyl plastic pipe

Q Q

Q volumetric flow rate

R R

R radius
RCP reinforced concrete pipe
RCPA reinforced concrete pipe arch
RD road
Rdwy roadway
RE Resident Engineer
Reinf reinforced
Rel relocate
Riv river
ROW right of way
RP radius point or reference point
RR railroad
Rt right
Rte route
RW retaining wall
rod man

S S

S south
Salv salvage
San.Swr. sanitary sewer
SB Fe sound barrier fence
SD storm drain
Sec section
SES steel end section
SF or Sq. Ft. square foot (feet)
SG sub grade
Shld shoulder
Sht sheet
SL survey line
Sl Coat seal coat
Spec special, specification
Sp spillway
SS slope stake
Sta station
Std standard
St street
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Stm Swr storm sewer
Str structure
Surf surfacing
SW sidewalk
Swr sewer
SY or Sq. Yd. Square yard(s)

T T

Tan tangent
Tbr timber
TCB traffic control box
Temp temporary
TP turning point
Trans transition
Trav traverse
TT transmission tower
TY type
Typ typical
Typ.Sec. typical section

U U

UD under drain
USGS United States Geological Survey

V V

V valve
Var variable
VC vertical curve
VCP vitrified clay pipe
Vel velocity
Vert vertical
VP vent pipe

W W

W West
WH weep hole
WL work line
WM wire mesh
WSP welded steel pipe
WV wing wall

X X

Xing crossing
X-Sec cross section

Y Y

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Z Z

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8.2.17 Weights, Measures & Equivalents

WEIGHTS, MEASURES & EQUIVALENTS

Acre= 43560 square feet

4840 square yards
160 square yards
4047 square meters
.4047 hectares
10 square chains

Acre Foot= 43560 cubic feet

325,829 gallons

Acre= 100 square meters

Barrel of Cement= 376 pounds

Celsius= (C x 9/5) +32 Fahrenheit

o
C + 273.18 Kelvin

Centimeter= .03937 inches

.01 meters

Centimeter of Mercury= .1934 pound/square inch

Chain= 792 inches

(surveyors) 20.12 meters
66 feet
4 rods
22 yards
100 links

Circumference of Circle= 2R

Cubic Centimeter= 3.531 x 105

.06102 cubic inches
1 X 106 cubic meters
2.642 x 104 gallons

Cubic Foot= 28,320 cubic centimeters

1728 cubic inches
.02832 cubic meters
.03704 cubic yards
7.48052 gallons
62.4 pounds of water

Cubic Foot/Second= 0.646317 million gallons/day

.0005787 cubic feet

Cubic Meter= 1 x 106 cubic centimeters

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 35.31 cubic feet
1.308 cubic yards
264.2 gallons

Cubic Yard= 27 cubic feet

0.7646 cubic meters
202 gallons
46,656 cubic inches

Degree= .0174533 radians

60 minutes
3600 seconds

Fahrenheit (degree)= (F 32) 5/9 Celsius

(F 32) 5/9 + 273.18 Kelvin

Foot (U.S. Survey)= 1200/3937= 0.30480061 meters

304.80061 millimeters
30.480061 centimeters

Foot (International)= 0.3048 meters

3048 millimeters
30.48 centimeters

Foot of Water= 43.35 pounds/square inch

Foot/Second= .06818 miles/hour

1.097 kilometers/hour

Gallon= 3,785 cubic centimeters

.1337 cubic feet
231 cubic inches
3.785 liters
8.337 pounds of water

Gallon/Minute= .002228 cubic feet/second

Gram= .002205 pounds

.001 kilograms
.03527 ounces

Hectare= 2.471 acres

100 acres
10,000 square meters

Inch= 2.54 centimeters

.08333 feet

Inch of Mercury= .4912 pounds/square inch

Kilogram= 2.2046 pounds

35.274 ounces
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Kilometer= 1 x 103 meters
3281 feet

Link= 7.92 inches

.66 feet
1/100 chain

Liter= 1 x 103 cubic centimeters

.03531 cubic feet
61.02 cubic inches
.2642 gallons

Meter= 100 centimeters

3.2808 feet
39.37 inches
.001 kilometers
.0006214 miles
1.094 yards

Mile= 5280 feet

63360 inches
1760 yards
1609 meters

Mile/Hour= 1.467 feet/second

1.6093 kilometers/hour

Mil= .001 inches

Minute= .01667 degrees

60 seconds

Ounce= 28.35 grams

.0625 pounds

Ounce (fluid)= 1.805 cubic inches

.02957 liters
.0078 gallons

Pound= 453.59 grams

.0005 tons
16 ounces

Pound of Water= 27.68 cubic inches

.1198 gallons

Pound/Square Inch= 2.036 inches of mercury

Quart= .25 gallons

.9463 liters

Radian= 57.296 degrees

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Rods= 5.5 yards
16.5 feet
.003125 miles

Seconds= .0003778 degrees

.01667 minutes

Square Centimeter= .001076 square feet

.155 square inches
.0001 square meters

Square Feet= .1111 square yards

.0929 square meters
144 square inches

Square Inch= .006944 square feet

6.452 square centimeters

Square Meter= .0002471 acres

10.76 square feet
1.196 square yards

Square Mile= 640 acres

2.59 x 106 square meters

Square Yard= .0002066 acres

9 square feet
1296 square inches
.8361 square meters

Ton= 2000 pounds

907.18 kilograms

Yard= 3 feet
.9144 meters
36 inches
.0005682 miles

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8.2.18 Glossary

GLOSSARY

Alignment- A formation of points, lines, angles, and curves showing the direction
and components of the centerline.

Backsight- The transit or level sight back on survey line. (Stationing decreases back.)

Bench Marks- A semi-permanent or permanent physical mark or object of known

elevation.

Blue Tops- Grade stakes marked with blue keel, whiskers, or paint denoting top
of sub grade.

Blunders- An unpredictable human mistake.

Centerline or
Control line- The line midway between the sidelines of an alignment, to which the
survey is tied.

Chain-
(Engineers) A steel tape, 100 feet in length. The last foot on each end of the tape
is divided in tenths of foot. The last tenth is usually calibrated in hundredths of a
foot.

Control Monuments
(Primary)- CDOT Type 2 monuments established on the ground as the
framework for the Primary Control Survey Network. This includes the existing
control monuments used as reference for the establishment of the primary control
network, and is used to control all horizontal and vertical components of the
survey.

Control Monuments
(Secondary)- Monuments established from the approved Primary Control
Monuments. The secondary control monuments are typically established as
survey work points in areas that require additional control be set at a lesser
accuracy than that of the Primary Control Network.

Control Network
(Primary)- A network of Primary Control Monuments permanently monumented
on the ground as the framework for the Primary Control Survey.

Control Points- Points on an alignment which are necessary to re-establish the alignment.

Control Survey
(Primary)- The survey performed to obtain the final horizontal and vertical data
for the Primary Control Monuments used to control all horizontal and vertical
components of the survey and any future surveys in and along the highway
corridor.

Corner, Lost- When the original corner cannot be determined beyond reasonable
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 doubt, it is a lost corner.

Corner, Meander- A corner placed at the mean high water mark on a surveyed line, where the
body of water is greater than 3 chains in width on the surveyed line.

Corner, Obliterated- If the monument or marker of the existing corner can not be found, it is
obliterated, but not necessarily lost.

Cross Sections- Profiles at the right angle to the centerline or control line of a survey
showing all breaks in grade of the ground line to truly reflect the ground
situation.

Differential
Leveling- Used for setting bench marks by determining the differences of
elevation between two points of which the first points elevation is known.
Theory and application is expressed as:

Elev. A + B.S. = H.I.

H.I. F.S. =Elev. B

Electronic Distance
Meter- An instrument which uses microwaves, modulated light beams or
laser light to measure distances.

Error- The difference (after blunders have been eliminated) between a

measured or calculated value of a quantity and the true or established value of the
quantity.

Field Notes- A permanent written or electronic record of the survey including all
pertinent information, measurements, calculations and observations made during
the course of the survey.

Foresight- The transit or level sight ahead on survey line. Stationing increases ahead.

Guard- A stake placed to protect a hub, marked with the information

describing the point.

Hand Level- A small hand instrument with a small bubble periscoped so that it shows
in the field of view. The instrument is level when the reflected bubble is on the
cross hair.

Height of instrument- The known elevation of the instrument at the center of the telescope.

Hub- A stake driven flush or even with the ground, denoting elevation and/or line.

Inverted Transit- The transit with the telescope reversed and level bubble on top.

Level- A precision instrument used to establish elevation. Consists of an

adjustable telescope with horizontal and vertical cross hairs. A bubble and
adjustable tangent screws level the instrument.

Level Rods- Rod marked in feet, tenths of a foot and hundredths of a foot to be used
in conjunction with the level in establishing elevations and stadia.
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Normal Transit- Transit telescope in erect position, level bubble below. Sometimes referred
to as direct.

0+00- Denotes the starting point or beginning of stationing. Any

designation with 00 after it is a full, complete, or even station. Any designation
after the + sign is a fraction of a station.

Plus Fifties- (Half Station) The fifty foot interval between stations.

Pole, Range- Also called range rod or picket. A metal or wood pole with a steel
point, usually banded in alternate red and white sections, one foot wide. Usually
six to eight feet long, range rods are used to give sight to the transit man.

Profile Leveling- Determining existing ground surface elevations along a definite line by
means of a level and a direct reading rod. These elevations are then plotted to
show a graphical representation of the intersection of a vertical surface. Usually a
much larger vertical scale than horizontal scale is used to accentuate the
differences of elevation.

Reference
Monuments- When two or more monuments are established to accurately perpetuate
the true monument they become reference monuments and are set as close as
practicable to the true monument, and meet the same physical standards required
to set the true monument. (See Witness Corner)

Reference Points- A point that gives information so that another point can be re-established.

Right of Way- Area of land required to construct a road.

Right of Way
Monument- CDOT Type 1 monument established on the ground set to define the
Departments land boundaries in the field.

Slope Stakes- Stakes set to mark the outside limits of the grading operation giving
information as to the construction of the road.

Station- A full chain or steel tape distance of 100 feet. Locations along the
alignment are designated as stations. New stationing is consecutively numbered
from West to East and from South to North.

Super elevation- Adjusting the slope perpendicular to centerline for the purpose of
counteracting centrifugal force.

Tangent- The straight line of a survey.

Tangent of a Curve- The distance from the P.I. to the P.C. and P.T. or T.S. and S.T.

Theodolite/ Transit- Precision instruments used for the establishment and location of lines upon the
earths surface. They consist of an adjustable telescope with horizontal and
vertical cross hairs, stadia hairs and vertical and horizontal vernier plates for
determining the angular measurements. The term transit is limited to an
instrument which has open verniers that must be read directly with the naked eye
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 or with the aid of a hand held magnifier. Theodolites have closed, optical reading
verniers.

Topography- A surveying process in which the positions with respect to the horizontal
control line and description of the natural and artificial features of a given locality
are obtained and recorded.

Turning Point- A point used between bench marks as a temporary turning elevation.

Vernier- A device used to obtain readings smaller than the smallest division on a scale.

Witness Monument- When only one reference monument is established to perpetuate the location
of the true monument, it becomes a witness monument and is to be set within 660
feet, preferably in one of the surveyed lines leading to the true monument
location. However, the witness monument can be set in any direction within a
distance of 330 feet. (See Reference Corner)

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8.2.19 Conversion Tables

CDOT Survey Manual 53 October,

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8.2.20 Temperature Correction Table Chaining

CDOT Survey Manual 54 October,

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8.2.21 Trigonometric Formulas & Functions

CDOT Survey Manual 55 October,

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8.2.22 Computation of Unknown Bearings

CDOT Survey Manual 56 October,

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8.2.23 Standard Arm Signals

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CDOT Survey Manual 58 October,
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8.3 References
CDOT Survey Manual CDOT, 1992

CDOT Survey Manual CDOT, 1984

CDOT Survey Manual CDOT, 1966

Memorandum of Understanding between the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors and the Colorado Department of Transportation July 1, 1985, Revised January 13,
1995.

Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, Land Surveying Laws and Board
Rules July, 2002
@ http://www.dora.state.co.us/engineers_surveyors/

Definitions of Surveying and Associated Terms ACSM / ASCE, 1978 (rev), Reprinted 1984.

Second Edition Surveying with Construction Applications by Barry F. Kavanagh

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