Traverse Surveying | Definition, Types, Methods, Checks

Traverse Surveying is a popular method of surveying. This article includes the definition of traverse surveying along with its classification, errors in traversing, checks, the completed method of traversing and plotting of traverse surveys.

Definition

Traversing is the type of survey in which a number of connected survey lines form the framework and the directions and lengths of the survey lines are measured with the help of an angle measuring instrument and tape or chain respectively.

Types of Surveying

There are two types of traverse surveying. They are:

1. Closed traverse: When the lines form a circuit that ends at the starting point, it is known as a closed traverse.
2. Open traverse: When the lines form a circuit ends elsewhere except the starting point, it is said to be an open traverse.

Suitability

The closed traverse is suitable for locating the boundaries of lakes, woods, etc and for a survey of large areas. the open traverse is suitable for surveying a long narrow strip of land as required for a road of the canal or the coastline.

Methods of Traversing

There are several methods of traversing, depending on the instruments used in determining the relative directions of the traverse lines. The following are the principal methods:

1. Chain traversing
2. Chain and compass traversing
3. Transit type traversing a)By fast needle method b)By measurement of angles between the lines
4. Plane table traversing