REPORT NO.

1 CONTROL NETWORKS
HORIZONTAL

HORIZONTAL CONTROL NETWORKS

Control surveys serve as a basis for detailed surveys or for work
construction. Measurements must be made with a degree of accuracy such that the sum of the
random errors that inevitably arise do not exceed the limits of precision
specified for the project, because if not, the errors will propagate making that the
The localization of details has an even lower order of precision.

CONTROL HORIZONTAL:
The horizontal control consists of points, in which their positions have been established through
of a polygonal, triangulation, trilateration or combinations of these techniques. Also,
can be carried out using the new technologies of satellite systems.
Next, we will refer to traditional methods.

Triangulation:

Triangulation consists of dividing the area to be surveyed into a set of geometric figures.
figures are a series of triangles that form quadrilaterals or polygons in which each vertex is
a control station that must be located with great precision. Usually, the stations are
they are found at great distances and at the highest points of the area.

The principle of this method is based on very simple trigonometric procedures. It is performed the
measurement of the horizontal angles of the triangles and of some of their sides called
baseline lines and using these measurements, the triangles are solved trigonometrically for
determine the location of the stations.
The baseline lines are sides of the triangle that must be measured directly with great
precision, previously these measurements were made with a tape measure but currently they are used
electronic equipment due to its high precision.
In each triangle, all its angles and one side are measured, which is the baseline; when it
they use chains of triangles, quadrilaterals or figures with a central point are used lines
additional. The calculations of the other sides are carried out based on the angles and the baseline
measurements.

Sometimes only the baseline and the angles at each end of the line are measured,
knowing these measures, the other two sides and the remaining angle can be determined, but in the
it is preferable to measure all angles to have more information when making
the calculations.
The angles of each triangle must sum to 180°, due to small unavoidable errors, this does not
it is achieved exactly and, thus, a small error is presented in each triangle (closing at an angle).
According to the desired degree of precision, this error has a maximum tolerable value.
You can also find the closing error on the side or the closure of the base, that is, the difference that
it is found between the calculated base, once the angles have been adjusted, and the measured base, expressed
unitarily.
According to the type of topographic work to be carried out, the vertices of the triangles
They can join together to form a chain, a mesh, a quadrilateral, or polygons with a central point.
The chains of quadrilaterals, also called arcs, are the most common and simplest, furthermore
allow for closing checks, adjustments of errors made in the field and the
calculation of the position of points using two independent methods. In quadrilaterals
It is always about having its diagonals intersect at right angles or having the four vertices remain.
about a semicircle and originate from one or more fixed position stations and need the azimuth
of at least one line. Currently, there are fixed starting stations and azimuth.
that come from control surveys conducted earlier.
Quadrilaterals are advantageous for long and narrow chains.
The chains of triangles are not suitable for high precision work, since they do not
they allow the rigid adjustments obtained with quadrilaterals and more complicated figures.
Polygons with a central point are used for wide areas and sometimes for cities.
large, where stations can be established on building terraces.
Triangulation is one of the most commonly used methods for planimetric surveys.
vertices located at great distances due to their high precision, especially when not yet
Electronic devices for measuring distances existed and were the preferred method.
especially for large areas.
With this method, mistakes and errors in the field data can be found thanks to
which has many closure and verification conditions thus obtaining a greater
precision.

When creating a chain or mesh of triangles, the vertices of these must be located by making
It's possible that all or two sides of the triangles are approximately equal.
According to its accuracy and tolerance, triangulation is classified into:

Primary triangulation: It is a coordinate transport network that has the highest accuracy.
It supports other triangulations or secondary networks for transporting coordinates.
that the coordinates defining each vertex must be of high precision and must ensure
its permanence for as long as necessary to ensure the quality of the project.

Secondary triangulation: It is the one that serves to densify the support network established by a
primary triangulation.
Tertiary triangulation: It serves to densify the support network of a secondary triangulation.
they are used for densification of local control networks and to indicate topographical details
Hydrographic maps of the area can also be used to expand the support network of a triangulation.
primary, as long as such densification is carried out over a small area.

The recognition of the terrain and the selection of the stations' location are very important factors.
important in this type of surveys, the stations must be visible to each other, so that
that there should be no obstacles and have easy access.

This method consists of plotting a polygonal to carry out the control survey.
A polygonal is a sequence of straight lines that connect points, which are the stations of the
polygonal, the adjacent stations must be intervisible. The survey includes the
measurement of the lines and the horizontal angles formed between them.
If the starting point of the polygon connects with the endpoint or if the two points have the same
The polygonal coordinates are closed when the polygonal returns to the point where it started; if it does not, it is open.
open.
The two types of polygons have their applications, but the closed one is more advisable since
this has angular and linear controls and therefore the measurement errors can
to correct oneself.
Closed polygons can be used as a control network in surveys for sites of
places and buildings, for determining the perimeters of lakes, it is used in tunnel construction
that pass through built areas, to establish the boundaries of a construction project.

Polygons are not as useful as triangulation for establishing control over large areas.
areas since they generally only follow an itinerary formed by successive lines, it is more common
its employment in limited magnitude jobs and due to the fact that these do not have verifications
Automated systems require great care in observations in order to avoid errors.
Tape lifts and traffic provide control for limited size areas, so
As for the final results in topographical work on properties, routes, and others. The
Surveys with residency are good enough for the topography of small areas.
when they adjust to a superior type of control. Faster and more precise polygons can
achieve with electronic devices for distance measurement as well as with theodolites of
direct readings to seconds and much lighter than the old and bulky devices.
The coordinates of all the points of the polygon can be determined if the
coordinates of a point and the azimuth of a line, if neither of the two measurements is known
you can assign coordinates and an arbitrary heading to represent the relative position of the
stations.

Operations for the raising of a polygonal

Work team:
The team consists of one operator and one or two assistants, the operator is responsible for reading and
to annotate the angles and distances, while the assistants have the role of placing signals in
each of the seasons.
Selection of the stations:
The selection of the polygonal stations is carried out considering the following:
the objectives of the work to be done.

measurement.

places that are free from flooding, displacement, etc. in order to prevent destruction
the marker point, at times angles and distances to nearby permanent points are measured
to be able to reconsider their position in the event that it were to be destroyed.

later.

Linear measurements:
The measurement of the sides of the polygon is carried out with electronic instruments, using tapes of
steel or by means of the tachymetry with a sight. Each side must be measured at least two
times to have control and check if the first measure was correct.

Angular measurements:
The angles are measured in each season following the same direction of rotation in each one, whether in
clockwise or counterclockwise and the course or the azimuth of any of the sides must be measured to
that the polygon remains oriented.

Triangulation:

Trilateration is a method that is based solely on measuring horizontal distances.

not of the angles, the angles that are needed must be calculated, in this way the
surveys of this type can be carried out more quickly and with the same precision as others
methods such as polygonation and triangulation, their use has spread due to the emergence of
electronic instruments for distance measurement.

Trilateration uses geometric shapes similar to those used in triangulation, so

that their stations must be visible between them and located at the highest points. It's better
that the triangles do not have too sharp angles to avoid the occurrence of errors.
Networks that cover basically square areas yield better results than other shapes.
thin, as they provide uniform precision and in this way the lifting is more reliable.
Trilateration is ideal for increasing control in metropolitan areas and large infrastructures.
engineering. In special situations where the terrain, or other conditions require narrow shapes and
elongated, the net can be reinforced by measuring some horizontal angles.
Just like in triangulation, this type of surveying can be extended from one or more.
known position points.

INSTRUMENTS:

theodolite

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.gps

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