Field work in Chain survey | Surveying in Civil Engineering

Field work in Chain surveying | Surveying and Levelling

Earlier, we discussed “Principles of Chain Surveying” and the considerations that are taken for carrying out Chain Surveying… In this article, we will discuss various instruments that are essential for carrying out Chain Surveying.

Here are the steps to be followed for carrying out Chain Surveying:

1. Reconnaissance Survey
2. Marking stations
3. Running survey lines
4. Taking offsets

Instruments used in Chain Survey

1. Chain, 20m or 30m long
2. Tape
3. Arrows
4. Ranging rods
5. Wooden or Iron Pegs
6. Plumb bob
7. Cross staff

Chain used for Surveying

20m chain – 100 links

30m chain – 150 links

1 links – 20cm

Links of chain are made by mild steel wire – 4mm diameter.

Each link at the end is bent into a loop and is connected to adjoiningly by means of three oval rings which offers flexibility to the chain. Ends of chains carry brass handle.

The length of chain is the distance between the outside of handles.

Brass tags are fixed at every 5m length.

Tape used for Chain Surveying

Metallic Tape

Cloth tapes reinforced with brass, copper and bronze wires to prevent it from stretching.

They are available in lengths 10, 15, 20 and 30m.

Tape is provided in leather case fitted with winding device.

It is used for small linear measurements and for taking offsets.

Steel Tapes

Outer end of the tape carries better links for its easy handling and the length of tape is inclusive of this ring.

It is provided in a leather case or a rust-proof metal case with a suitable winding device.

Steel tapes are light, delicate and are used for measurements of distance with high degree of accuracy.

Arrows

Arrows or marking pins or chaining pins are used to mark the end of each chain during the process of chaining.

400mm in length are pointed at one end for intersecting into the ground and bend into a ring at the other end for facility of carrying.

A piece of white or red tape tied to the ring so that they can be made easily visible at a distance.

Ranging Rods

2m to 3m length and 2.5m diameter painted alternately with black or white.

An iron shoe provided at its bottom enable it to the fixed at a required point in the ground.

A coloured flag is provided at its tops so that it can be easily seen from a long distance.

They are used for ranging intermediate points along a given survey line and are also used to mark the positions of survey stations clearly.

Wooden or iron pegs

15cm long and 25mm to 30mm square cross-section prevail into the ground by wooden or steel hammer.

Iron peg – 15cm long (1cm diameter)