ESURV 211 — Fundamentals of Surveying
Individual Assignment: Traverse Adjustment and Area Computation in Excel
Objective
This assignment aims to strengthen your understanding of error detection and correction in
closed traverses using the Compass Rule and Transit Rule. You will create an Excel-based
program that computes the corrected latitudes and departures and determines the area of the
traverse using both the Double Meridian Distance (DMD) and Double Parallel Distance (DPD)
methods. All numerical results in the Excel file must be rounded to four (4) decimal places.
Input Data
Your Excel program should accept the following inputs for a six-station closed traverse:
AB, BC, CD, DE, EF, and FA — each with observed (uncorrected) latitude and departure values
obtained from field measurements.
Program Requirements
Your Excel program must automatically perform the following computations:
1. Error Detection
Compute the sum of all latitudes (ΣLat) and all departures (ΣDep). Determine the latitude
error, departure error, and the linear error of closure (LEC). Compute the precision ratio
of the traverse.
2. Error Correction
Apply both the Compass Rule and the Transit Rule to compute the corrections.
Determine the corrections to latitude and departure for each line. Compute the corrected
latitudes and departures for each traverse line under both methods. Display all correction
and adjusted values rounded to four (4) decimal places.
3. Area Computation
Using the corrected latitudes and departures, compute the area of the traverse using both
the Double Meridian Distance (DMD) method and the Double Parallel Distance (DPD)
method. Display both computed areas clearly, rounded to four (4) decimal places.
4. Program Design
The Excel program should be automatic: once the inputs are entered, all computations
update instantly. Label all columns and results clearly, and organize the worksheet for
easy readability. Ensure consistent rounding of all computed values to four (4) decimal
places using Excel formatting.
Written Report
Each student must submit a comprehensive written report together with the Excel program. The
report should include the following sections:
1. Introduction
State the purpose of the assignment and explain its relevance to surveying computations.
2. Program Development
Describe how you created your Excel program step by step. Explain the logic, formulas,
and thought process behind your design. Discuss any difficulties encountered and how
you solved them.
3. Sample Problem and Manual Solution
Present one sample traverse problem solved using your program. Provide the manual
solution (by hand) for verification. Show that your manual and Excel results match up to
four (4) decimal places.
4. Results and Discussion
Compare the results of the Compass Rule and Transit Rule adjustments. Discuss which
method gave smaller corrections and why. Reflect on what you learned about traverse
misclosure and precision.
5. Conclusion
Summarize your insights and learning outcomes from this activity.
Expected Outputs
Your Excel program must display the following results:
• Input (Observed) Latitudes and Departures
• Sum of Latitudes and Departures
• Latitude Error and Departure Error
• Linear Error of Closure (LEC)
• Precision Ratio
• Corrections to Latitudes and Departures (Compass and Transit)
• Corrected Latitudes and Departures (Compass and Transit)
• Computed Area using DMD
• Computed Area using DPD
All displayed values must be rounded to four (4) decimal places.
Scoring Rubric
Program Accuracy — 40 points
Program Design — 20 points
Write-up Quality — 20 points
Manual Verification — 10 points
Analysis and Reflection — 10 points
Total: 100 points
SAMPLE EXCEL OUTPUT