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 covered including stressing the importance of the direction in which the magnetic needle points with respect to true north, not just the angular difference. Various types of problems are worked on, concluding with a set of problems for the learner to solve on their own. Worked solutions are provided. Running time 43 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
- The many types of problems on compass surveying you may encounter in practice and in the CST and FS exams, and learn the techniques for solving them
