Compass surveying

 TRAVERSE 

In traverse  surveying  the direction of  survey  lines are  fixed by  angular  measurements  and not by  forming a network of triangles as  is done  in chain surveying. 

A traverse  may  be 

(a) Closed or 

(b)  Unclosed. 

(a) Closed Traverse 

             A traverse  is  said to  be  closed  when  a complete  circuit  is  made, i.e. when it  returns to  the starting  point forming  a closed  polygon as in  (Fig. 1), or  when it begins and  ends  at points whose positions on plan  are known (Fig. 2). 

It is particularly  suitable  for locating  the boundaries  of lakes,  woods, etc, and for  the survey of  moderately  large  areas. 

1. Closed traverse 

2. Link traverse

          

(b) Unclosed or open traverse

                       A traverse  is said to  be  open  or unclosed  when it  does not  form  a closed polygon.  It  consists of a series of  lines  extending in  the  same  general direction  and not returning to  the  starting point. 

3. Open traverse