Simple Surveying Engineering Exercises     

 

Pacing

 

1) Layout a line using a long tape (25', 50' or 100'). Mark both ends of the line.

 

2) Beginning at one end of the line, count the number of steps to reach the marker at the other end of the line. Do this at least 3 times and average the number of steps needed. Take normal, steady steps.

 

3) Divide the distance measured by the average number of steps. This is how long one step measures.           

 

4) Find a building or field. Measure how many steps it takes to go along the length of the building or field. Multiply the number of steps by the length of one step to get the approximate length of the building or field.

 

Measuring the height of a pole (1) - Angle method

 

1) Get a I-foot ruler and a 3-foot yardstick.

 

2) Pace a distance from the pole. Compute the distance in feet using the pacing exercise above.

 

3) Place the end of the yardstick at the end of the pacing with the zero end at the end of the pacing and the 3-foot mark pointing back to the pole.

 

4) Put your eye on the ground at the zero end of the yardstick. Take the I-foot ruler and place in vertically on top of the 3-foot end of the yardstick. Move the ruler back until the top of the ruler lines up with the top of the pole. (If the top of the pole is too high when the ruler is on top of the 3-foot end of the yardstick, you will need to pace a further distance from the pole).       

 

5) Note the distance on the yardstick where the I-foot ruler rests. Convert the distance into decimal feet (e.g. 2' 3" = 2.25').

 

6) Compute the height of the pole by the relationship:

 

1 ft. / yardstick reading in ft. = height of pole / pacing distance in ft.

                                                            Or

1 foot / (yardstick reading in ft. * pacing) = height of pole.  

 

Alternative: You can keep the yardstick reading in inches and use the relationship

12" / (yardstick reading in inches) = height of pole / pacing distance (in feet).

 

This method can also be used to measure the heights of buildings, trees or cliffs.

 

If you cannot get far enough away to use a I-foot ruler, use a yardstick and a pocket tape Set the end of the pocket tape at the end of the pacing and have someone move back towards the pole with the pocket tape. Set the yardstick perpendicularly and find the angle where the top of the yardstick lines up with the top of the pole.

 

Use the relationship:  

 

(3 feet / pocket tape) * pacing = height of pole.

 

Measuring the height of a pole (2) - Shadow method

 

1) Go near the pole when there is a shadow. Stand next to the pole and cast a separate shadow.

 

2) Measure the length of the pole's shadow, and then measure the length of the person's shadow. Make all measurements in inches or in feet. If made in feet and inches, convert to decimal feet.

 

3) Measure the height of the person.

 

4) Compute the height of the pole by the relationship (pole's shadow / person's shadow) = (pole's height / person's height). Or (pole's shadow / person's shadow) * person's height = pole's height.

 

Setting out a rectangle or square

 

1) Takes 3 pieces of string. Cut the first piece a little longer than 3 feet and tie knots at both ends so that the knots measure exactly 3 feet apart. Cut the second piece and tie the knots exactly 4 feet apart. Cut the third piece and tie the knots at exactly 5 feet apart.

 

2) Set the 3-feet piece of string on the ground and pull it tight. From the end of the 3-fee" piece, connect the beginning of the 4- feet piece of string. From the end of the 4- feet piece of string connect the 5-feet piece of string. Connect the end of the 5-feet piece of string to the beginning of the 3- feet piece of string.

 

3) This forms a right angle using the 3-4-5 triangle rule.

 

4) For larger squares, cut the strings in lengths of 6, 8 and 10 feet. For very large squares, cut the string in lengths of 30, 40 and 50 feet.

 

Setting out a Simple Mini Racetrack

 

1) Get a yardstick or pocket tape and some small stakes or large nails. Tie ribbon around the ends of the stakes or nails that will stick out of the ground.

 

2) Put one stake (or nail) in the ground. Measure 6 feet from the first stake (or nail) and set the second stake (or nail) in the ground.

 

3) Using the yardstick or pocket tape, scribe a 3-foot radius semi-circle around each stake (or nail) so that the open ends of the circles face on another.

 

4) Connect the two semi-circles to one another with straight lines. This is the inside ed. of your mini racetrack.

 

5) Scribe a 6 foot radius semi-circle as in Step 3.

 

6) Connect the two semi-circles as in Step 4. This is the outside edge of your mini racetrack.

 

Designing and Setting Out a Complex Racetrack

 

1) Get a yardstick and several small stakes or nails. Tie ribbon around the ends of the stakes or nails that will stick out of the ground. From 3 to 6 stakes or nails would be best.

Having string will make this exercise easier as well.

 

2) Place the stakes or nails in several random spots at least 5 feet apart from each of the other stakes and nails.

 

3) Scribe 3 foot circles around each of the stakes or nails.

 

4) Using the string, connect the outside edges of the circles to one another to form the

inside edge of your track.

 

5) Scribe 6 foot arcs around each of the stakes or nails so that each arch begins and ends opposite the connecting string lines.

 

6) Connect the ends of the 6 foot arcs with more string lines. This is the outside edge of your track.