Chain surveying in progress using metric chain and ranging rods.
📘 What is Chain Surveying?
Chain Surveying is the simplest and oldest method of land surveying where only linear measurements (distance) are taken using a chain or tape. No angles or directions are measured in this method.
It is ideally used for:
- Small, open, flat areas
- Fields with very few obstacles
- Preliminary survey work
✅ JKSSB Tip: Chain surveying is a common question topic in JKSSB JE Civil and Assistant Engineer exams. Focus on definitions, instruments, and procedure.
📌 Basic Principle of Chain Surveying
The principle of chain surveying is to:
- Divide the area into triangles (called triangulation),
- Measure the sides of triangles using a chain,
- Ensure the triangles are as close to equilateral as possible for accuracy.
📏 Instruments Used in Chain Surveying
| Instrument | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Metric Chain | For measuring distances (20m or 30m) |
| Ranging Rods | For aligning straight lines |
| Arrows | Mark the end of chain length |
| Tape | For checking short distances |
| Cross Staff | To find right angles at survey points |
| Plumb Bob | For transferring points to/from the ground |
🔍 JKSSB Exam Tip: Know the length of a metric chain (20m or 30m) and number of links in a chain (100).
🛠️ Types of Chains in Chain Surveying
- Metric Chain – Used in modern surveys (20m or 30m).
- Gunter’s Chain – 66 feet long (used in acres).
- Engineer’s Chain – 100 feet long (used in imperial units).
- Revenue Chain – 33 feet long (used in cadastral surveys).
📝 Procedure of Chain Surveying (Step-by-step)
- Reconnaissance (Inspection)
- Surveyor visits the site, understands the terrain, and prepares a rough sketch (called index sketch).
- Station Marking
- Survey stations are marked with pegs or flags. They are the points where measurements are taken.
- Ranging
- Ensures that the chain is aligned straight between two stations using ranging rods.
- Chaining
- The chain is laid along the line, and the distance is measured.
- Offsetting
- Distances from the main survey line to nearby features (like buildings, trees) are recorded.
- Booking and Plotting
- All observations are recorded in the field book and later plotted on paper.
📊 Types of Offsets
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Perpendicular | Offset taken at 90° from main survey line |
| Oblique | Offset taken at any other angle |
| Short Offset | Less than 15 m, for nearby features |
| Long Offset | More than 15 m, for distant objects |
✅ Advantages of Chain Surveying
- Simple and inexpensive
- Requires less technical skill
- Suitable for small and flat areas
- Accurate for short distances
❌ Limitations of Chain Surveying
- Not suitable for hilly or forested areas
- Only linear measurements; no angles
- Human errors in chaining and ranging
📌 Common Errors in Chain Surveying
| Error Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Personal | Incorrect reading or recording |
| Instrumental | Incorrect chain length due to damage |
| Natural | Temperature changes, wind, slope effect |
🧠 JKSSB Tip: Be ready to match error types with their examples.
📚 Chain Surveying – Important Points for JKSSB Exam
- Metric chain = 100 links = 20 or 30 meters
- Arrows = 10 per chain, used to mark chain length
- Chain length may vary due to wear, kinks, temperature
- Ranging rods are 2m or 3m long, painted in red/white bands
🧾 Conclusion
Chain surveying is the foundation of surveying techniques, especially useful for small area measurement. For JKSSB Civil Engineering exams, this topic is a high-scoring area with frequent objective and short answer questions.
Understanding chain surveying not only helps in cracking the exam but also forms the base for advanced surveying methods like compass surveying, plane table surveying, and theodolite work.
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