Surveying For the Homestead

(Page 4 of 6)

September/October 1975
By Aimee Gelwick  
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

RELATED CONTENT

When you're working with a long distance which requires several turning points between corners, a check for accuracy can be made as you go along. Just add up the elevations for backsights between, say, Corner No. 1 and Corner No. 2, do the same with the foresights, and compare the totals. The difference between the total backsight elevation and the total foresight elevation should equal the difference between the elevations of the first and second corners. (For example, total B.S. = 15.60 feet, total F.S. = 20.15 feet, difference = 4.55 feet . . . which should also be the difference between the elevation at Corner No. 1 and the elevation at Corner No. 2.)

ANGLES

The following equipment is needed to lay out angles on the land:

[1] Engineer's transit and tripod (see Fig. 13). The transit resembles a level in having a telescope which is rotated on one plane . . . but instead of sighting elevations on target rods, it records the angle traveled as the telescope is turned between two points. This instrument comes in handy for making square corners or (more creative) acute or obtuse angles.
[2] Two range poles.
[3] A set of 11 chaining pins.
[4] A 100-foot steel or metallic woven tape (optional).
[5] Notebook and pencil.

The method of turning angles with a transit will be of special interest to any reader of MOTHER who wants to construct a dome . . . particularly a large dome. A structure such as a barn, for instance, would require support beams placed around the sides at equal intervals, and the strength of the shelter would depend partly on the accuracy of their location. That accuracy is no problem if you have access to-and can use-one of these instruments. A transit set up in the dome's center can give you the desired spacing by dividing the 360 degrees of the circle into equal angles (see Fig. 14).

Let's assume for convenience that you plan to place 36 beams . . . in which case the angles must be 10 degrees each.

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Next >>
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.