When performing boundary surveys, the retracement exercise may include following old surveys that were either surveyed with a magnetic compass or even if surveyed with more modern instruments, show evidence of magnetic directions being used. In this course, what appears to be an obsolete topic is given much credence as it deserves the attention of any surveyor preparing for the FS exam or some of the CST exams. In the U.S. it is a fact that having to work with compass surveying concepts is inevitable. So we cover terms, the physical impact of those terms on the compass and the survey maps that resulted and learn to be on your guard to determine which direction is which (old magnetic bearing,“true” bearing, or magnetic bearing at some other time) and how to convert between them. Naming the parts of a compass is the first part of this course, then, understanding the functions or purpose of each. Important concepts like declination are briefly covered in this free course and expanded in the extended version. A single, simple magnetic declination problem is covered in this course and several more are presented in the expanded version. A work-your-own problem set with solutions is also presented in the expanded version. Running time 21 minutes.
You will learn…
- Importance of the compass and magnetic bearings in the sum total of knowledge that a surveyor must-have, particularly when retracing old surveys
- The principal parts of a surveying compass and the role they play in the measurement of bearings
- Declination and what it means and how to apply it when retracing a survey made with a compass
