GEE 141

FUNDAMENTALS OF
SURVEYING
MODULE 2 – TAPE CORRECTION
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. SOFYAN M. CASANGUAN
 GEE 141 FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

AT THE END OF THIS MODULE THE STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO KNOW:

• How to correct erroneous tape length.

• Correction of length due to temperature.

• Correction of length due to pull.

• Correction of length due to sag.

• Correction of length due to slope.

• Correction of length due to sea level.

• Compute individual pace factor.

Tape manufacturers, noting that steel tapes will behave differently under various
temperature, tension, and support situations, specify the accuracy of their tapes under the
following standard conditions:

English System (100ft steel tape) Metric System (30m steel tape)
1. Temperature = 68°F 1. Temperature = 20°C
2. Tape fully supported throughout 2. Tape fully supported throughout
3. Under a tension of 10lbs 3. Under a tension of 50N

If one or more of these standard conditions cannot be met, suitable corrections or

techniques must be used to account for the errors that will result from nonstandard use.

For all but precise work, tapes supplied by the manufacturer are considered to be correct
under standard conditions. Through extensive use, tapes do become kinked and stretched,
and in need of repair. The length can become something other than that specified. When
this occurs, the tape must be corrected, or the measurements taken with the erroneous
tape must be corrected.
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1. ERRONEOUS TAPE LENGTH CORRECTION
Illustration 1: A measurement was recorded as 171.278m with a 30m tape that was
only 29.996m under standard conditions. What is the corrected measurement?

Solution:
Correction per tape length = -0.004
171.278
Number of times the tape was used =
30
171.278
Total correction = -0.004 x
30
= -0.023

Corrected distance = 171.278 – 0.023

(True Distance) = 171.255m

Notes:
➢ Correction per tape length = (actual length of tape) – (length of tape @ standard condition).
It is stated in the problem that the actual length of tape measure was 29.996m, while @
standard condition it was 30m. Applying the equation we have 29.996m – 30m = – 0.004m.
➢ Number of times the tape was used = “the number of times we use the standard tape to
arrive a distance of 171.278. In mathematical expression we just divide the length
171.278m by 30m.
➢ Total correction = “the number of times the tape was used, multiplied by the correction per
tape length”.
➢ Corrected distance = the measured distance of 171.278m, minus the total correction.
➢ The measured distance of 171.278m was measured using 29.996m tape; which is why the
corrected distance of 171.255m is smaller because 30m tape was used.

Let us rephrase this traditional problem into a board examination problem, consider this
example.

Illustration 2: A measurement was recorded as 171.278m. It is then found out that

the 30m tape used is 0.004 too short during the measurement. Determine the
corrected measurement?

Solution:
Summarizing the process in Illustration 1. We derive an equation:
e
True Distance = (Measured Distance)(1 ± ) -for MeasuredDistance
L
e
True Distance = (Laid Distance)(1 ± ) -for Laid Distance
L
2
 Where: e = error
L = length of tape measure

Signs of error, e: Too long Too short

Measured Distance + −
Laid Distance − +

e
True Distance = (Measured Distance)(1 ± )
L
0.004
True Distance = (171.278) (1 − )
30
True Distance = 171.255m

Notes:
➢ The word “too short” in the problem means that “the actual tape is shorter by 0.004 than
the 30m standard tape.”
➢ It is mentioned in the problem that the distance 171.278m was measured, so we use the
table above for “Measured Distance; too short”. Thus, e is “negative”.
➢ As you can observe, the approach in illustration 1 is different in illustration 2. However they
arrived with the same answer but in different solution. Illustration 2 is the approach in
board examination so you have to understand it properly.

EXAMPLE 1. You must lay out the side of a building, a distance of 512.21m. It is then
found out that the 50m tape used is 0.04m too long during the measurement.
Determine the true length of the line.

Solution:
𝑒
True Distance = (Laid Distance)(1 – )
𝐿
0.04
True Distance = (512.21)(1 – )
50
True Distance = 512.800m

Notes:
➢ Using the table in the previous slide and the equation for Laid Distance, we compute for the
True Distance.
➢ Laid Distance = (True Distance ± Total Error). For True Distance, that is, what Distance is
needed to be added or subtracted to arrive a Laid Distance of 512.21m. Since +0.04m is
error, we should subtract it to Laid Distance.
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1.1 TEMPERATURE CORRECTION

One of the characteristics of steel tape is when exposed to heat it expands and when
subjected to lower temperature it contracts. When either of these happen, a resulting
error should be adjusted.
etemp = α(T − Ts )L
Where:
etemp = correction due to temperature
T = actual temperature
Ts = standard temp at 20°C or 68°F
α = thermal coefficient of expansion of steel (0.0000116 m/m°C)
L = length of distance measured

EXAMPLE 2. A 30m tape, which is of standard length at a temperature of 20°C is used

to measure a line with a measured distance of 412m. The temp during the time of
measurement was 52°C. if the coefficient of thermal expansion of the tape is
0.0000116 m/m°C, determine the corrected length of the line.

Solution:
etemp = α(T − Ts )
etemp = 0.0000116(52 – 20)(412)
etemp = 0.153 m

Corrected length = 412 + 0.153

Corrected length = 412.153 m

Note:
➢ The first sentence in the problem states “The measured distance at a temperature 20C was
412m”. Now, what is asked in the problem is “What is the standard length of the tape at
temperature 52C?”. So, we want to find the corrected length at 52C.
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1.2 PULL CORRECTION

If a tension other than standard is applied, a tension (pull) error exists.

(P − Ps )L
epull =
AE
Where:
𝑒𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙 = correction due to pull
P = actual pull during measurement
𝑃𝑠 = standard pull on the tape
𝐿 = Length of distance measured
𝐴 = cross-sectional area of tape
𝐸 = Modulus of elasticity of tape

EXAMPLE 3. A line was determined to be 2395.25 m when measured with 30 m steel

tape supported throughout its length under a pull of 4. Tape used is of standard
length under a pull of 5 kg. cross-sectional are of the tape is 0.03 𝑐𝑚2 . Determine the
corrected length of line due to tension. E = 2 x 106 kg/𝑐𝑚2 .

Solution:
(P− Ps )L
etemp = AE
(4−5)(2395.25)
etemp =
(0.03)(2x106 )
etemp = −0.0399 m
Corrected length = 2395.25 − 0.0399
Corrected length = 2395.21 m
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1.3 SAG CORRECTION (always to be subtracted)

The force of gravity pulls the center of the unsupported length downward in the
shape of catenary (sag). Thus, an error will exist.
ω2 L3
esag =
24P 2
Where:
esag = error due to sag
ω = weight of tape in (kg/m) or (lb/ft)
P = actual pull or tension applied
L = unsupported length of tape

EXAMPLE 4. A 100 m tape weighing 0.03 kg/m is used to measure distance AB. The
tape is supported at both end points at its quarter points. The applied tension is 6
kg. Determine the total sag correction.

Solution:

ω2 L3
esag =
24P 2
(0.03kg/m)2 (25m)3
esag =
24(6)2
esag = 0.0164m

Total esag = (4 x 0.0164m)

𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐠 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝟔𝟏 𝐦
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1.4 SLOPE CORRECTION (always to be subtracted)

h2
eslope =
2S
H = S − eslope
Where: θ
eslope = error due to slope
h = difference in elevation
S = distance of the line (inclined line)
H = corrected horizontal distance

EXAMPLE 5. If the corrected distance of a line AB is 3,240.72 m and the difference

of elevation of the two points is 2m, what is the corrected horizontal distance due
to slope?

Solution:
h2 22
eslope = = = 6.17 x 10−4
2S 2(3,240.72)

H = S − eslope = 3,240.72 − 6.17 x 10−4

𝐇 = 𝟑𝟐𝟒𝟎. 𝟕𝟏𝟗 𝐦

Another Solution:
H 2 = S 2 − h2 (Pythagorean Theorem)
H 2 = 3,240.722 − 22
𝐇 = 𝟑, 𝟐𝟒𝟎. 𝟕𝟏𝟗 𝐦
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1.5 SEA LEVEL CORRECTION
h
Reduction Factor: RF = 1 −
R
h
Sea Level Distance: L(RF) = L(1 − )
R
Where:
Sea Level Distance = equivalent/proportional distance of the line at Mean Sea
Level
L = distance of the line
h = elevation of the line with respect to Mean Sea Level
R = radius of the earth

EXAMPLE 6. The distance from A to B taken elevation 1,200 m above sea level is
6,570 m. Determine the sea level distance, in meters assume that the average radius
of earth is 6,400 km.

Solution:
h
Sea Level Distance = L(1 − )
R
1,200
Sea Level Distance = 6,570(1 − )
6,400,000
𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 = 𝟔, 𝟓𝟔𝟖. 𝟕𝟕 𝐦

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2. PACE FACTOR

True Length
Pace Factor =
Average Paces

EXAMPLE 7. The line 100 m long was paced by a surveyor for 4 times with the
following data: 142, 145, 145.5 and 146. Then another line was paced for 4 times
again with the following results: 893, 893.5, 891 and 895.5. Determine the length of
the line.

Solution:
It is of common sense that when a person walks at an average of more or less 140
paces, the distance he might cover is close to 100 meters.

True Length
Pace Factor =
Average Paces
100
Pace Factor =
(142+145+145.5+146)/4
Pace Factor = 0.691

It is asked in the problem that the length of the line should be determined if the
average paces were 890 paces or more. Thus,

True Length
Pace Factor =
Average Paces
True Length
0.691 =
(893+893.5+891+895.5)/4

𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 = 𝟔𝟏𝟕. 𝟔𝟑 𝐦

Therefore, we can compute an approximate distance by taking 4 trials and compute

for our individual pace factor.
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EXERCISES:

1. A line was determined to be 2395.25 m when measured with a 30 m steel tape supported
throughout its length under a pull of 4 kg at mean temperature of 35 °C. Tape used is of
standard length at 20 °C under a pull of 5 kg. Cross-sectional area of tape is 0.03 𝑐𝑚2 .
Coefficient of thermal expansion is 0.0000116 m/m°C, Modulus of elasticity of tape is 2 x
106 kg/𝑐𝑚2 .
Determine the following:
a. Error of the tape due to change in temperature
b. Error due to tension
c. Corrected length of the line
ANWERS: +0.4168 m, -0.0399 m, 2395.6269 m

2. A 50m steel tape was standardized and supported throughout its whole length and found
to be 0.00205 m longer at an observed temperature of 31.8 °C and a pull of 10 kg. this tape
was used to measure a line which was found to be 662.702 m at an average temperature
of 24.6 °C using the same pull. Use coefficient of expansion of 0.0000116 m/m°C.
Determine the following:
a. Standard Temperature, 𝑇𝑠
b. Total Temperature Correction
c. Corrected Length of Line
ANSWERS: 28.27 °C, +0.0282 m, 662.6737m

3. A line is recorded as 472.90 m long. It is measured with a 0.65 kg tape which is 30m long
at 20 °C under a 50 N pull supported at both ends. During measurement, the temperature
is 5 °C and the tape is suspended under a 75 N pull. The line is measured on 3% grade. E =
200x109 N/𝑚2 , A = 3 𝑚𝑚2 , and coefficient of linear expansion is 0.0000116 m/m°C.
Determine the following:
a. Compute the actual length of tape during measurement
b. Compute the total error to be corrected
c. What is the true horizontal distance.
ANSWERS: 29.987m, -0.2049m, 472.4825m
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REFERENCES:
• Kavanagh, B. and Mastin, T. (2014). Surveying: Principles and Applications.
New Jersey: Pearson, Inc.
• Kavanagh, B. and Bird, S. J. G. (1996). Surveying: Principles and Applications.
New Jersey: Pearson, Inc.
• Besavilla, V. (1987). Surveying for Civil and Geodetic Licensure Exam. Cebu:
VIB Press.

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