Module 9: Corrections in Taping
Author/Contributor: George P. Palada, RCE
To the students:
Please read pages 90-108 on the book of La Putt. Afterwards, answer the self
assessment questions below.
Corrections in Taping
As what was mentioned in the previous modules, steel tapes are favored over fiberglass
tapes because of its accuracy. Steel tapes, of course, being made of steel, has
properties that can get easily affected by temperature and tension, not to mention that
when a tape is suspended above the ground, it sags and creates a shape called a
catenary.
These, among other things needs to be rectified in order for us to get the most exact
measurements done with a steel tape. In this module, we will learn about tape
corrections, how to calculate them and how to apply them to measurements.
The following are the corrections in taping:
a. Correction due to Temperature
b. Correction due to Tension
c. Correction due to Sag
RULES IN APPLYING CORRECTIONS.
1. When measuring an unknown distance, if the tape is too short, subtract the
correction; if the tape is too long, add the correction.
2. When laying out a given distance, if the tape is too short, add the
correction. (and vice versa)
Correction due to Temperature
Back then, tapes that are made of steel are most commonly used during tape
surveying. During surveying work, the tapes are exposed to the heat of the sun, and
according to physics, some materials tend to expand when heated.
The thermal coefficient of the expansion of steel (k) is 0.00000645 per unit length per
degree Fahrenheit (°F), or 0.0000116 per unit length per degree Celsius (°C).
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE Course Guide Author AY 2020 - 2021
Example
You must lay out two points in the field that will be exactly 100.000 m apart. Field
conditions indicate that the temperature of the tape is 27°C. What distance will be laid
out? Standard tape temperature is 20°C.
Solution:
���� = 11.6 × 10−6(27 − 20)(100) = 0.008 ��
Because we are laying out, we need to subtract this value.
Hence,
D = 100.000 – 0.008 = 99.992 m
Correction due to Tension
When used in the field during taping, the tape elongates, depending on the amount of
pull applied to it (tape material is elastic). If a tension other than standard is applied, a
tension (pull) error exists.
Example
A 30-m tape is used with a 100-N force, instead of the standard tension of 50 N. If the
cross-sectional area of the tape is 0.02 cm2, what is the tension error of the tape?
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE Course Guide Author AY 2020 - 2021
Solution:
Modulus of elasticity of steel = 200 GPa = 200(109) N/m2
Since our tape length is in meters, it is better to convert first the area to m2for
convenience. Converting the cross-sectional area of the steel tape, 0.02 cm2is
–
equivalent to 0.000002 m2 or 2(10 6) m2.
���� =(100 − 50)(30)
[2(10−6)][200(109)]= ��. ������ ��
Correction due to Sag
If a tape has been standardized while fully supported and is being used without
full support, an error called sag occurs. The force of gravity pulls the center of the
unsupported section downward in the shape of a catenary, thus creating an error.
A catenary is a curve a hanging flexible wire or chain assumes when supported at its
ends and acted upon by a uniform gravitational force.
Note that the error due to sag is always negative.
Example
Calculate the length between two supports if the measured length is 50.000 m, the
mass of the tape is 1.63 kg, and the applied tension is 100 N.
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE Course Guide Author AY 2020 - 2021
Solution
Since we are using the weight of the tape, we will use the formula on the right side, the
one with an uppercase W. Convert first the weight of the tape in newtons, hence W =
1.63(9.81) = 16 N
���� = −(16)2(50)
2
24(100) = −��. ������ ��
Because sag has a downward effect on the tape, the actual measurement is 100
– 0.053 = 99.947 m.
Combined Corrections
This is the combined effects of temperature, tape pull and sag on the tape that affects
the measurements being taken. Combined corrections are obtained by adding up all the
corrections computed from temperature, tension and sag.
Normal Tension
The application of the tensile force increases the length of the tape, whereas the sag
decreases its length.
The normal tension neutralizes both corrections, therefore no correction is necessary.
Therefore, the normal tension is the tension which is applied to a tape supported over
two supports which balances the correction due to pull and due to sag.
Example
A steel tape weighing 0.85 kg has a cross sectional area of 0.05 cm2. The tape
measures exactly 30 m when supported throughout its entire length under a
standard pull of 5.5 kg. If the modulus of elasticity is 2.10×106 kg/cm2, determine the
tension required to make the tape equal to its nominal length when supported only
at the end points.
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE Course Guide Author AY 2020 - 2021
Solution
���� =��√����
√24(���� – ����)
���� =(0.85)√(0.05)(2.10 × 106)
√24(���� – 5.5)
Solving for Pn:
Pn = 16.75 kg
Self-Assessment Questions
1. What shape does a sagging tape take?
2. What is the thermal coefficient of steel in metric units?
3. What is the golden rule in applying tape corrections?
Activity
Answer the problem below.
1. The taped distance of a line is 99.182 m using a 100 m steel tape
weighing 2 kg at standard pull of 10 kg and temperature of 32 C. The
difference in elevation between the end points is 45 cm. the tape is
exactly 100 m at a temp of 28 C. if the coefficient of expansion is 11.8(10–
6)/ C, and a pull of 10 kg is applied supported at 25 m interval during the
measurement, find the following:
a. Correction due to temperature
b. Correction due to sag
c. Correction due to tension
d. Correction due to slope
e. The correct horizontal distance of the line.
Write down your solution on a long bond paper. Afterwards, use an app called
CamScanner, Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens to take a photo of your solution; the app
will convert the file to pdf file format. Upload the resulting pdf file to our google drive.
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE Course Guide Author AY 2020 - 2021
References
Nathanson, Jerry, et al. (2011). Surveying fundamentals and practices, 6th Ed. New
Jersey: Pearson.
Kavanagh, Barry, et al. (2014). Surveying: principles and applications, 9th Ed. New
Jersey: Pearson.
Chandra, A. M., (2005). Surveying. New Delhi: New Age International Ltd.
La Putt, J. (2007). Elementary surveying, (3rd ed.). Mandaluyong City: National
Bookstore. (Original work published 1987)
Ghilani, Charles, et al. (2012). Elementary surveying: an introduction to geomatics (13th
Ed.) New Jersey: Pearson.
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE Course Guide Author AY 2020 - 2021