Compass surveying
Compass surveying is the branch of surveying in which the position of an object is located using angular measurements determined by a compass and linear measurements using a chain or tape. Compass surveying is used in following circumstances:
- If the surveying area is large, chain surveying is not adopted for surveying rather compass surveying is employed.
- If the plot for surveying has numerous obstacles and undulations which prevents chaining.
- If there is a time limit for surveying, compass surveying is usually adopted.
Compass surveying is not used in places which contain iron core, power lines etc which usually attracts magnets due to their natural properties and electromagnetic properties respectively. Compass surveying is done by using traversing. A traverse is formed by connecting the points in the plot by means of a series of straight lines.
Magnetic compass
Magnetic compass is used to find out the magnetic bearing of survey lines. The bearings may either measured in Whole Circle Bearing (W.C.B) system or in Quadrantal Bearing (Q.B) system based on the type of compass used. The basic principle of magnetic compass is if a strip of steel or iron is magnetized and pivoted exactly at centre so that it can swing freely, then it will establish itself in the magnetic meridian at the place of arrangement.
Major types of magnetic compass are:
- Prismatic compass
- Surveyor’s compass
- Level compass
Prismatic compass
Prismatic compass is a portable magnetic compass which can be either used as a hand instrument or can be fitted on a tripod. It contains a prism which is used for accurate measurement of readings. The greatest advantage of this compass is both sighting and reading can be done simultaneously without changing the position.
Major parts of a Prismatic Compass are:
- Magnetic needle
- Graduated ring
- Adjustable mirror
- Sliding arrangement for mirror
- Object vane
- Eye vane
- Metal box
- Glass cover
- Horse hair
Adjustments of prismatic compass
Two types of adjustments:
- Temporary adjustment
- Permanent adjustment
Temporary adjustments
- Centering: it is the process of fixing the compass exactly over the station. Centering is usually done by adjusting the tripod legs. Also a plumb-bob is used to judge the accurate centering of instruments over the station.
- Leveling: the instrument has to be leveled if it is used as in hand or mounted over a tripod. If it is used as in hand, the graduated disc should swing freely and appears to be completely level in reference to the top edge of the case. If the tripod is used, they usually have a ball and socket arrangement for leveling purpose.
- Focusing the prism: Prism can be slide up or down for focusing to make the readings clear and readable.
Permanent adjustments are same as in the Surveyor’s compass.
Surveyor’s compass
Surveyor’s compass consists of a circular brass box containing a magnetic needle which swings freely over a brass circle which is divided into 360 degrees. The horizontal angle is measured using a pair of sights located on north – south axis of the compass. They are usually mounted over a tripod and leveled using a ball and socket mechanism.
Surveyor’s compass (National Museum of American History)
They also have two types of adjustments, temporary and permanent. Temporary adjustments are same as described in prismatic compass.
Permanent adjustments
They are done only in the circumstances where the internal parts of the prism is disturbed or damaged. They are:
- Adjustments in levels
- Adjustment of pivot point
- Adjustment of sight vanes
- Adjustment of needle
Advantages & Disadvantages of Compass surveying
Advantages
- They are portable and light weight.
- They have fewer settings to fix it on a station
- The error in direction produced in a single survey line does not affect other lines.
- It is suitable to retrace old surveys.
Disadvantages
- It is less precise compared to other advanced methods of surveying.
- It is easily subjected to various errors such as errors adjoining to magnetic meridian, local attraction etc.
- Imperfect sighting of the ranging rods and inaccurate leveling also causes error.
Errors in compass survey
Errors can be arising due to various reasons during the process of surveying, they are classified as:
- Instrumental errors
- Personal errors
- Natural errors
Instrumental errors
As the name suggests they are arise due to the wrong adjustments of the instruments. Some other reasons are:
- If the plane of sight not being vertical, it causes error in sighting and reading.
- If the magnetic needle is not perfectly straight or if it is sluggish, readings may not be accurate.
Personal errors
They arise mainly due to the carelessness of the surveyor. They are:
- Inaccurate leveling
- Inaccurate reading
- Inaccurate centering
Natural errors
Natural errors are occurring due to the various natural causes which affect the working of compass. It has nothing to do with the surveyor and to minimize them, some corrections in calculations applied. They are:
- Local attraction
- Proximity to the magnetic storms
- declination