WHAT IS CHAIN SURVEING ?
• Chain surveying is the type of surveying in which only
linear measurements are taken in the field.
• This type of surveying is done for surveys of small
extent to describe the boundaries of plot of land to
locate the existing features on them.
• It is the method of surveying in which the area is
divided into network of triangles and the sides of the
various triangles are measured directly in the field with
a chain or a tape and no angular measurements are
taken.
PRINCIPAL OF CHAIN SURVEYING
• The principal of chain surveying is to divide the area into a number
of triangles of suitable sides.
• As a triangles is the only simple plane of geometrical figure
which can be plotted from the lengths of the three sides even if the
angels are not known.
• A network of triangles (triangulation) is preferred to in chain
surveying .
• If the area to be surveyed is triangular in shape and if the lengths
and sequence of its three sides are recorded the plane of area can be
easily drawn.
TERMS RELATED WITH CHAIN SURVEYING
(1) SURVEY STATIONS
Survey stations are the points at the beginning and at the end of the
chain line. They may also occur at any convenient position on the
chain line. Such stations may be :
(a)Main stations
(b)Subsidiary stations
(c)Tie stations
(a) Main stations :
Stations taken along the boundary of an area as controlling points
known as ‘main stations’.The lines joining the main stations are called
‘main survey lines’. The main survey lines should be cover the whole
area to be surveyed. The main stations are denoted by with letters
A,B,C,D, etc.
(b) Subsidiary stations :
Stations which are on the main survey lines or any other survey lines are
known as ‘Subsidiary stations’. These stations are taken to run
subsidiary lines for dividing the area into triangles , for checking the
accuracy of triangles and for locating interior details.
these stations are denoted by ‘ ‘ with letters S1, S2, S3, etc.
(c) Tie stations :
These are also subsidiary stations taken on the main survey lines. Lines
joining the tie stations are known as ‘tie lines’.
Tie lines are taken to locate interior details. The stations are denoted by
‘ ’ with letters T1 , T2 , T3 , etc.
(2) MAIN SURVEY LINES :
The lines joining the main stations are called ‘main survey lines’ or
chain lines in fig. AB,BC,CD and DA are the main survey lines.
(3) BASE LINE :
The line on which the framework of the survey is built is known as the ‘base
line’ . It is the most important line of the survey . Generally , the longest of
the main survey line is considered as the base line. This line should be
measured very carefully and accurately. In fig. BD is the base line.
(4) CHECK LINE :
The line joining the apex point of a triangle to some fixed points on its
base is known as the ‘check line’. It is taken to check the accuracy of
the triangle . Sometimes this line is helps to locate interior details . In
fig. CS1 , AS2 are the check lines.
(5) TIE – LINE :
A line joining tie stations is termed as a tie line. It is run to take the
interior details which are far away from the main lines and also to
avoid long offsets. It can also serve as check line. In Fig. T1 T2 is the tie
PROCEDURE
OPERATION IN CHAIN SURVEYING
The following operations are involved in chain surveying.
• CHAINING
• RANGING
• OFFSETTING
These three operations are done simultaneously during chain
Surveying.
1. Fix station A and B at some distance by fixing wooden peg to
determine horizontal distance between them.
2. Position of station A and B is fixed by measuring their position
from at least three permanent objects and location sketch of station A
and B are drawn.
3. The follower holds one handle of the chain in contact with peg at
station A.
4. The leader takes the other handle of the chain, arrows and ranging
rod & walks in the forward direction dragging chain with him.
SELECTION OF SURVEY STATION
The following points should be considered while selecting survey
stations:
• It should be visible from at least two or more stations.
• As far as possible main lines should run on level ground.
• All triangles should be well conditioned (No angle less than 30º).
• Main network should have as few lines as possible.
• Obstacles to ranging and chaining should be avoided.
•Each main triangle should have at least one check line.
• Sides of the larger triangles should pass as close to boundary lines as
possible.
• Base line should be longest survey line.
• Survey line should be taken close to boundary so that they can be
located by short offset.
