What Is Traversing? Different Types Of Traversing

What is traversing?

The series of connected lines in surveying is known as traversing. The sides of the traverse are known as the traversing leg. Traversing is the most important factors of surveying.

Traversing is used to know the nature of the land, the height, and the distance of the object located at different places.

In traversing, the length of the lines is measured by chain or tape and the direction is fixed by compass or theodolite or by forming angles with chain or tape. A traverse may be of two types Closed traverse and Open traverse.

Explain different types of traversing

Basically, there are two types of the traverse.

Closed traverse
Open Traverse

When a series of connected lines form a close circuit i.e finishing points coincide with the starting point of the survey then the traverse is known as a closed traverse. The closed survey is suitable for ponds, states, forests etc.

When a series of connected lines do not forms a close circuit i.e finishing points do not consider the starting point of the survey then the survey is known as an open traverse.

Closed traverse example

You can see in the figure below, The starting point of the traverse is (A) and the ending point is also (A). So, this makes a close line. This type of traverse is known as closed traverse.

What is traversing? Different types of traversing

Open traverse example

In the figure below, the starting point of the river never meets the ending point of the river. So, this type of traverse is known as open traverse.

How to do a traverse survey?

Traverse survey is done with the help of instrument called total station. The co-ordinate of the starting point should be provided to the total station and then the location of other points are located by burrying peg of wood and steel.

The ordinate of different pegs is noted or saved in the total station. Finally, if the traverse is closed, then the coordinate of the initial and final coordinate should coincide with each other. Otherwise, there may be errors in finding traverse.