THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING,
GEOMATICS DEPARTMENT.
Bwalya. J. Kawimbe
Room 06, Geomatic Engineering Building
Email: bwalya.kawimbe@unza.zm
Lab 2: Linear Measurements | GEE3721
Date: 27th March, 2025
Due Date: 3rd April, 2025
INTRODUCTION
Setting out or general linear measurement task is critical especially in positioning structural elements and also
for areal and volumetric analysis. It is therefore essential that applied methods match the accuracy requirements
of a particular project. In this field work, it has been intended that distance between two known points be
measured by three different methods (EDM, ODM & Taping) and compare them with the known.
OBJECTIVE
To determine and compare measured horizontal distance using three different methods. This is aimed at
introducing students to methods of carrying out distance measurement and also enable student apply all
principles learnt in class.
EQUIPMENT








Total Station
Tripod stand
Prism
Prism pole
Bracket bubble
Theodolite/level
Levelling Staff
50m measuring tape
FIELDWORK PROCEDURE
Carry out the following procedure in the field: In groups of 10.
 Part 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Consider points BM1 and UZ115
Set up the Total Station at one of the chosen Control Points (above in 1) and a Target (Prism) at the other.
Ensure a well levelled horizontal plate and vertical circle through the bubbles on the instrument
Create a work profile on the instrument
Observe the distance from the instrument to the target and keep a copy of the reading in your own field
book.
 Part 2
6.
7.
Again, consider control points BM1 and UZ115
Set up the Theodolite/automatic or dumpy Level (With known Instrument Constants) at one of the chosen
Control Points (above in 1) and the levelling staff at the other.
8. Ensure a well levelled horizontal plate and vertical circle (for theodolite) through the bubbles on the
instrument.
9. Create a work profile on the instrument
10. Target the staff towards one end of the two control points
11. Record the upper, middle and lower intercepts on the staff
 Part 3
12. Using a tape, measure the distance from point BM1 to UZ115
TASKS
The following should be done as desktop task:
Given the coordinates of the control points, in Easting and Northing:
1.
2.
3.
Compute the distance between the known coordinates from A to B
Analyse how the results relate/compare and assess the possible sources of errors if there are any differences
in the values obtained from the four methods.
To what extent would these errors affect your results over a long distance in kilometres?
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Report Structure [60]
1. Introduction (background and significance of problem) [05]
2. Objective (desired benefits or outcomes that you expect from the project) [05]
3. Instruments (listing of all instruments and accessories used) [00]
4. Methodology (description of the procedure used to arrive at desired outcome) [10]
5. Results (logical presentation of data collected in the field and calculations/design) [15]
6. Discussion (critically analyse the results, show your understanding of what the results mean) [30]
7. Conclusion (concise statement of findings) [10]
DELIVERABLES
Each Student should submit a TYPED report in STRICTLY in PDF format. Other Formats will NOT be
assessed.