ESci 121 – Fundamentals of Surveying

Exercise No. 3: Taping over Even and Uneven Ground Surfaces

I. Introduction
Measuring horizontal distances is one of the essential operations in surveying. Of all
the methods of measuring horizontal distances, taping is the most common and usually done
by surveyors in the absence of more advanced measuring instruments with acceptable
accuracy and precision. The taping process is accomplished with the use of a calibrated tape.
Therefore, the measurement process requires a well-trained taping team and possesses the
necessary skills to achieve acceptable and reliable results.
Perhaps taping over a smooth and level ground is easier to perform than measurement
done in uneven and sloping ground surfaces. Taping performed on the latter ground type is a
challenging task for surveyors and tapemen. Due to the terrain configuration and the weight
of the tape itself, the taping operation is a method that needs extra care and attention and is
employed by the breaking-the-tape method. This taping method is a standard practice to hold
the tape horizontally above ground and plumb at one or both ends when taping on sloping or
uneven ground terrain surfaces (La Putt, 2008). The measured short distances along the
course of the intended measurement are then added to accumulate the total length. Thus, in
the absence of more advanced equipment, skills in taping a sloping ground should be acquired
to achieve higher accuracy and precision.

II. Learning Outcomes

1. To measure the horizontal length of the line using a measuring tape over an even and
level ground surface supported throughout its length;

2. To measure the horizontal length of a line using a measuring tape over an uneven and
sloping ground surface by the method of breaking tape; and

3. To acquire an acceptable relative precision of the measured horizontal length of a line in

surveying operations.

III. Materials
Steel tape/measuring tape, chaining pins, range poles, pegs or hubs, chalk or marking
crayons, and plumb bob.
 IV. Procedure

A. Taping over an even or level ground surface

1. Two points approximately 100 to 200 meters long will be identified and designated on a level
or even ground as points A and B, marked with chaining pins, or with the use of marking
chalk/crayons for concrete pavements. 
2. Position the range poles at the already identified points, A and B. The range poles at each
endpoint help ensure maintaining a straight line of sight during the measurement.  
3. At the start of measurement, the rear tapeman positions himself at Point A or the point of
beginning carrying the terminal mark of the tape, the head tapeman holding the zero end of
the tape walks toward the direction of measurement (Point B). 
4. A third range pole is positioned at the zero end of the tape (along the head tapeman) to check
the line of sight with the other two range poles at the ends (Points A and B). When viewing at
each end, the third range pole in between will not be seen, then the direction of measurement
is in a straight line. 
5. Put a mark/chaining pin or mark with chalk at the zero mark (or the end of the tape) and
record your measurement, say the full tape length. 
6. The head tapeman then pulls the tape towards the direction of Point B, and the rear tapeman
positions himself at the previously occupied point by the head tapeman. The process is
repeated, and measurement is recorded for the next full tape length. 
7. Measure the last full tape length towards the end of the line at Point B. The remaining partial
length is also measured at Point B with the head tapeman pulls the tape taut and record
correspondingly the fractional measurement read from the tape end. 
8. After completing the measurement from Point A to Point B, do the same process in the
opposite direction, Point B to Point A. The mean of the two measures is taken as the most
probable value (MPV) of the length of the line. 
9. Tabulate the observed and computed values using Table 1. 
 

Table 1. Measured horizontal distances of an even or level ground by taping

Trial Line Length Discrepancy Mean Relative Precision

1 AB
2 BA

Computations:

a. The discrepancy for the measurement is the absolute value difference between the two
measurements (AB and BA).

Discrepancy=|Length AB−Length BA|

b. The mean length of the measured line is the average value of the two measurements and is the
most probable value or MPV.

Measured Length AB + Measured Length BA

Mean Length=MPV =
2
 c. The relative precision of the measurement is determined by dividing the discrepancy by the
mean length, where the numerator is reduced to unity or 1. The relative precision is expressed
in fractional form and the denominator is rounded to the nearest hundredth.
Discrepancy
Relative Precision=
Mean Length

d. The acceptable precision should be at least 1/1,000. If this is not attained the measurement
should be repeated.

B. Taping over an uneven and sloping ground surface

B.1 Measuring Uphill (C to D)

1. Two points approximately 100 to 200 meters long will be identified and designated on a
sloping or uneven ground as Point C (Downhill) and Point D (Uphill), marked with chaining
pins, or with the use of marking chalk/crayons for concrete pavements. 
2. Position two ranges poles at both points (C and D) and measure the horizontal distance
employing the breaking-the-tape method.
3. The head tapeman pulls the zero mark of the tape uphill towards Point D, leaving the other
end positioned and fixed at Point C with the rear tapeman. At the head tapeman, another
range pole is placed at the zero-meter mark end of the tape to ensure a straight line path along
the course CD. When viewed from either Point (C or D), the intermediate range-pole should
not be seen.  
4. The rear tapeman raises the terminal mark of the tape (say the 30-meter or 50-meter mark)
breast-high while the head tapeman positions the zero-meter mark end of the tape on the
ground surface as high as the other raised end of the tape. Another member of the team/group
stays by the side of the line measured and ensures that the tape is held horizontal and the three
range poles (at Point C, D, and the intermediate point) in alignment. 
5. With the tape held horizontal and the alignment attained, the rear tapeman plumbs from Point
C to the terminal mark of the tape with a plumb bob and maintains this plumb bob steady over
Point C while the head tapeman pulls the tape taut. 
6. Record the measurement and mark the points on the ground by chaining pins or marking
chalk/crayons. 
7. The head tapeman advances uphill towards Point D, and the rear tapeman leaves his end of
the tape, moves up the slope, and gets hold of the tape at the point previously held by the head
tapeman. The subsequent measurement is made horizontally from the pin stuck in the ground
or the marked point with chalk/crayons by the head tapeman, and the whole process is
repeated until Point D is reached. 
8. The horizontal length of line CD is the sum of the short measurements using the breaking-the-
tape method (Figure 1). 
 
 Figure 1. An illustration of the breaking-the-tape method in downhill measurement

B.2 Measuring Downhill (D to C)

1. The measurement downhill starts at Point D with the rear tapeman holding the terminal
meter mark of the tape. The tape is reversed with the head tapeman holding the zero end
and moving forward down the slope in the direction of Point C.
2. The head tapeman holds the plumb bob and align it with the range pole positioned in
between Points D and C where the first horizontal distance will be measured.
3. With the plumb bob dropped on the ground, indicate a mark using chalk/crayons and
proceed to reading the horizontal distance when the tape is already held horizontal and
the range poles alignment is attained. Record the measurement.
4. The head tapeman then advances downward in the direction of Point C while the rear
tapeman positions himself at the previously occupied point by the head tapeman.
Repeat the process of measurement until Point C is reached.
5. The horizontal length of line DC is the total of the short measurements using the
breaking-the-tape method (Figure 1).
6. Tabulate observed and computed values accordingly using Table 2.

Table 2. Measured horizontal distances of an uneven or sloping ground by taping

Trial Line Length Difference Mean Relative Precision
1 CD
2 DC

Computations:

a. The discrepancy for the measurement is the absolute value difference between the two
measurements (CD and DC).

Discrepancy=|Length CD −Length DC|

b. The mean length of the measured line is the average value of the two measurements and
is the most probable value or MPV.
 Measured Length CD+ Measured Length DC
Mean Length=MPV =
2

c. The relative precision of the measurement is determined by dividing the discrepancy by

the mean length, where the numerator is reduced to unity or 1. The relative precision is
expressed in fractional form and the denominator is rounded to the nearest hundredth.
Discrepancy
Relative Precision=
Mean Length

d. The acceptable precision should be at least 1/1,000. If this is not attained the
measurement should be repeated.

Guide Questions:
1. What are the common sources of errors in taping using the breaking tape method and
how would you lessen if not eliminate these errors?
The common sources of errors in taping using the breaking tape method are incorrect
tape length and sag. These errors can be lessen by detecting the corrections and applying it
to the observed length.

2. How would you eliminate the effect of sag in taping a sloping ground?
Sag shortens the horizontal distance between end graduations since the tape length
remains the same. Thus, when a stretched tape sags, the actual distance between the points
is something less than the reading on the tape. The correction due to sag is difference in
length between the arc formed by the tape and the subtending chord.

V. Results and Discussion

A. Taping over an even or level ground surface
A to B

Measurement Distance
1 30.00 m
2 30.00 m
3 30.00 m
4 30.00 m
5 24.75 m

Length of AB:

30+30+30+30+24.75 = Length AB

Length AB = 144.75 m
 B to A

Measurement Distance

1 30.00 m
30+30+30+30+24.65 = Length BA
2 30.00 m AB+ BA
Mean = Length BA = 144.65 m
2
3 30.00 m
Discrepancy 144.75+ 144.65
4 30.00 m = = |Length AB−Length BA|
2
5 24.65 m = |144.75m - 144.65m|
Mean = 144.70 m
= 0.10 m
Discrepancy 0.10
Relative Precision = =
Mean Length 144.70
1
Relative Precision =
1447

Table 1. Measured horizontal distances of an even or level ground by taping

Trial Line Length Discrepancy Mean Relative

Precision
1 AB 144.75m
2 BA 144.65m 0.10m 144.70m 1
1447

Table 1 shows that the gathered data for line AB & BA is précised because of its high relative
precision value which is 1/4447. The most probable value or the most probable distance of line AB is
144.75 m & line BA is 144.65 m, computed as what the computations stated. It is good and acceptable
data.

B. Taping over an uneven or sloping ground surface

Uphill (C to D)

Measurement Distance

1 20.50 m 5 22.75 m

2 15.65 m 6 19.48 m

3 13.72 m 7 17.45 m

4 10.45 m 8 10.50 m
Length of CD:

20.50+15.65+13.72+10.45+22.75+19.48+17.45+10.50 = LengthCD

LengthCD = 130.5 m

Downhill (D to C)

Measurement Distance

1 20.50 m

2 15.65 m

3 13.72 m

4 10.45 m

5 22.75 m

6 19.48 m

7 17.45 m

8 10.50 m

20.5+15.65+13.72+10.45+22.75+19.48+17.45+10.50 = Length DC

Length DC = 130.5 m

Discrepancy = |Length CD−Length DC|

= |130.50m - 130.50m|

= 0m

CD+ DC Discrepancy
Mean = Relative Precision =
2 Mean Length

130.50+ 130.50 0
= =
2 130.50

= 130.50 m =0

Table 2. Measured horizontal distances of an uneven or sloping ground by taping

Trial Line Length Difference Mean Relative Precision
1 CD 130.50m
 2 DC 130.50m 0 130.50m 0

Table 2 shows that the gathered data for line CD & DC has a relative precision value of 0,
which means the values of the trials were not precise and cannot be accepted as the Relative Precision
due to its value where it doesn’t meet the minimum 1/1,000 value. Both line CD & DC has a probable
distance of 130.50 m, computed as what the computations stated.

VI. Sketch

VII. Conclusion and Recommendations

This fieldwork is all about taping a desirable distance, this can only be effective and
efficient if the surveyors know the situation. Location meaning, the weather is nice and
not crowded because taping a selected distance during a huge area is pretty serious. Errors
may additionally appear during this fieldwork not only in pacing, finding the specified
distance with the utilization of taping needs instruments, and right procedures. I learned
that taping in a very location with leveled and unleveled ground may get its distance
using the talents of the surveyors and with the employment of the tech equipment.
Personal errors are from incorrect setting pins, holding, and reading the equipment.
Lastly, the sag, when a tape is suspended from each end and not supported along its
length, the burden of the chain causes it to sag and pull the 2 ends toward one another.
One recommendation is that when the tape is checked against a known distance; the
applied tension should be controlled, personal errors are common but make certain to test
the sets of the equipment before recording or setting the pins, lastly sagging, it's
impossible to exert enough outward force to totally overcome the sag. For all
measurements, adequate tension should be applied to reduce the effective shortening of
the tape.

VIII. References
 Ghilani, C.D., and Wolf, P.R. (2012). Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to
Geomatics. Thirteenth Edition. Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-255434-3.

La Putt, J.P. (1985). Elementary Surveying Lab Manual. Baguio Research and Publishing
Center. Baguio City, Philippines.

La Putt, J.P. (2008). Elementary Surveying. 3rd Edition. National Book Store. Philippines.
Reprint. ISBN 971-08-5581-6.

Schofield, W. and Breach, M. (2007). Engineering Surveying. 6 th Edition. Elsevier Ltd.

ISBN–13: 978-0-7506-6949-8.

Instructions to Students:
1. Make a Laboratory Report based on the data given below. Use A4 size bond paper. Copy
the Introduction, Learning Outcomes, Materials, and Procedure.
2. Complete the table and discuss this in the “Results and Discussion” section.
3. Show sample computations only.
4. Make a sketch of the taping process.
5. Answer the guide questions.
6. Make your conclusion and recommendations.
7. Include your references.
8. Submit your Laboratory Report in Word File/Document through email to your
instructor/professor.
Data for Exercise No.3
A. Taping over an even or level ground surface
A to B

Measurement Distance
1 30.00 m
2 30.00 m
3 30.00 m
4 30.00 m
5 24.75 m

B to A

Measurement Distance
1 30.00 m
2 30.00 m
3 30.00 m
4 30.00 m
5 24.65 m

B. Taping over an uneven or sloping ground surface

Uphill (C to D)

Measurement Distance
 1 20.50 m
2 15.65 m
3 13.72 m
4 10.45 m
5 22.75 m
6 19.48 m
7 17.45 m
8 10.50 m

Downhill (D to C)

Measurement Distance
1 20.50 m
2 15.65 m
3 13.72 m
4 10.45 m
5 22.75 m
6 19.48 m
7 17.45 m
8 10.50 m