3. Examples

Although we carried an additional digit in all previous computations, we'll carry a few more extra here. We'll discuss the area error at the end of the chapter but for now we want to over-compute the area accuracy then report it to an appropriate resolution after we analyze it. If we don't carry additional digits, we could easily increase error due to rounding. To be on the safe side, we'll carry the computations to 0.1 which should be less than the expected error.

a. Example 1

Figure G-7 is a continuation of the Bearing Traverse example we have been using in the past few chapters.

img15
Point North (ft) East (ft)
A 500.000 2000.000
B 323.614 1561.426
C 526.996 1488.321
D 719.336 1686.956       
Figure G-7
Example 1 Traverse
 

 

 Step (1) Start at point A and going clockwise around the traverse list the coordinates:

Point

N (ft)

E (ft)

   

A

500.000

2000.000

   

B

323.614

1561.426

   

C

526.996

1488.321

   

D

719.336

1686.956

   

A

500.000

2000.000

  remember to return to A   

 

Step (2) Cross multiply in one direction:

Point

N (ft)

E (ft)

(blue arrow), sq ft

 

A

500.000

2000.000

647,228.0

 

B

323.614

1561.426

822,865.2

 

C

526.996

1488.321

1,070,602.9

 

D

719.336

1686.956

843,478.0

 

A

500.000

2000.000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step (3) Cross multiply in the other direction

Point

N (ft)

E (ft)

(blue arrow), sq ft

 (red arrow), sq ft

A

500.000

2000.000

647,228.0

 

B

323.614

1561.426

822,865.2

780,713.0

C

526.996

1488.321

1,070,602.9

481,641.5

D

719.336

1686.956

843,478.0

889,019.1

A

500.000

2000.000

 

1,438,672.0

 

Step (4) Add up the columns

Point

N (ft)

E (ft)

(blue arrow), sq ft

(red arrow), sq ft

A

500.000

2000.000

647,228.0

 

B

323.614

1561.426

822,865.2

780,713.0

C

526.996

1488.321

1,070,602.9

481,641.5

D

719.336

1686.956

843,478.0

889,019.1

A

500.000

2000.000

 

1,438,672.0

 

 

sums:

3,384,174.1

3,590,045.6

 

Step (5) Using Equation G-3 compute the area

img37

Until we discuss area accuracy more fully, we'll state the area as 102,935.8 sq ft.

There's nothing magical or sacred about point A. We could have stated our list at point C and traveled counter-clockwise around the traverse. As long as we remember to repeat the initial point at the bottom of the list, we will come up with the same area although one could be positive and the other negative.

 

b. Example 2

Figure G-8 shows the Crossing Traverse we've been using as another running example.

img17

Point North (ft) East (ft)
E 1000.000 200.000
F 689.206 532.694
G 896.890 627.584
H 692.474 257.460
Figure G-8
Crossing Traverse
 

 

With a crossing traverse, one must be careful when listing the coordinates. In this case, if you list the coordinates along the original traverse path, E-F-G-H-E, you will be able to compute an area but it will be nonsensical. The traverse turns itself inside out.

Recall that this survey was on a four-sided parcel having two obstructed lines, Figure G-9.

Figure G-9
Parcel With Obstructions

 

We want the the area of the parcel, not the traverse.

Step (1) Start at point E and going clockwise around the parcel, list the coordinates.

Point

N (ft)

E (ft)

   

E

1000.000

200.000

   

G

896.890

627.584

   

F

689.206

532.694

   

H

692.474

257.460

   

E

1000.000

200.000

  remember to return to E
                   

 

Step (2)-(4) Cross multiply in both directions; sum the columns.

Point

N (ft)

E (ft)

(blue arrow), sq ft

(red arrow), sq ft

E

1000.000

200.000

179,378.0

 

G

896.890

627.584

432,534.7

624,584.0

F

689.206

532.694

368,876.7

477,767.9

H

692.474

257.460

257,460.0

177,443.0

E

1000.000

200.000

 

138,494.8

 

 

 

1,238,252.4

1,418,289.7

 

Step (5) Use Equation (G-3) to compute the area