FIELD WORK NO. 1

PACING ON LEVEL GROUND

Definition of terms:

Pacing

The method of measuring distance with the help of pace length is known as pacing. This type of method is used where approximate results are required. The length of the pace (generally vary from person to person) is multiplied by the number of paces to measure the total distance. Fundamental to successful land based design is the practice of surveying - the measurement of distance, angle, height and position. The easiest and quickest way to measure distance is to walk or pace the distance and record the number of paces

Figure 1: A mind map showing the notes on the concept of pacing

A person can determine the value of his or her average pace by counting the number of paces necessary to walk a distance that has been previously measured accurately.

Distances obtained by pacing are sufficiently accurate for many purposes in surveying, engineering, geology, agriculture, forestry, and military field sketching. Pacing is also used to detect blunders that may occur in making distance observations by more accurate methods.

Pacing is one of the most valuable things learned in surveying since it has practical applications for everybody and requires no equipment. If the terrain is open and reasonably

level, experienced pacers can measure distances of 100ft or longer with an accuracy of 1/50 to 1/100 of the distance.

Procedure in Determination of Individual Pace Factor (P.F.)

1. The professor measures and designates a 50m course on a level ground. (Remember to remove the tape while the students will be pacing on the course to prevent them from using the tape as a basis for a straight course.)

2. The ends of the assigned course are marked with either hubs or marking pins or, by chalk marks if on pavements. Designate the points as A and B.

3. Set or hold range poles behind points A and B or outside the course AB. These poles will aid the students to travel in a straight path.

4. Each student should take turn pacing the course from A to B starting with heel or toe over A, keeping their eyes focus on the range pole behind point B to keep themselves on the straight path. One has to walk in their natural unaffected manner, and has to keep counting their number of paces for the entire course being covered. A partial pace at the end of the course should be figured out to the nearest one fourth of a pace. Record this as the number of paces for Trial No. 1.

5. For Trial No.2, each student should walk from B to A in the same manner as in the first trial.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for subsequent trials to comply with the number of trials required by the professor.

7. Data should be entered in the preliminary data sheet.

Procedure in Determining of an Unknown Distance of the Assigned Course by Pacing:

1. The professor marks the ends of a level course to be paced by each student.

2. Range poles are to be set up outside the level course to straighten the path of the student.

3. Each student paces the course with the minimum number of trials as required, recording the number of paces for each trial.

4. The professor, after all field notes shall have been submitted assigns two students to make an actual taping of the course to determine its actual taped distance.

Computations:

The computation of sample field notes is done in accordance with the steps listed hereunder:

A.) Computation of P.F.

1. Get the sum of the five trials and divide this sum by number of trials to get the mean.

N = mean . number . of . paces

= (sum . of . the . number . of . paces / number . of . trials)

2. Divide the length of the course by the mean of number of paces to get the individual Pace Factor P.F.

P.F. = (length . of . the . course / mean . number . of . paces) . m/pace

B.) Computation of an unknown distance and percent error:

1. Get the sum of the number of paces in each trial and divide this sum by the number of trials performed to get the mean.

N = mean . number . of . paces

= (sum . of . the . number . of . paces / number . of . trials)

2. Multiply the mean number of the unknown distance by the Pace Factor (P.F.) to obtain the paced distance.

P.D. = (N) * (P.F.)

3. Divide the difference between the taped distance and the paced distance by the taped distance and multiply the quotient by 100 to get the percent of error.

Percentage . of . error

= ((/ Taped . Distance - Paced . Distance/) / Taped . Distance) x 100%

Principle:

A pace maybe measured from heel to heel of from toe to toe. While half a pace is from the toe of one foot to the heel of the other foot. To keep one on the line while pacing, it is good to practice to fix his eyes on a distant object at the range behind the pole on the farther end of the line being paced. Since the accepted precision of measuring distance by pacing is 1/300, it should be used only for estimating distances such as those used for sketching and making reconnaissance surveys.

Figure 2: An illustration of heel to heel.

Figure 3: An illustration of heel to toe.

Figure 4: An illustration of individual’s foot length.

Figure 5: An illustration of toe to toe.

Precision of Pacing A Distance:

The precision of measuring a distance by pacing is only 1/300

Precision . of . pacing . a . distance = 1 / 300

Exact Copy of the Data result:

Observation:

During the fieldwork some problems and difficulties might encounter by an individual, some of these are: Irregular

elevation of the location being measured, errors in counting the footsteps that could affect the pace factor, and unstable path while walking that could affect the exact measurement of the pacing on the course. The stated examples for the source of errors could be prevented by simply concentrating with the fieldwork, having a backup in counting and recording, and having a guide during passing to the course to prevent irregularities in the course taking.

All in all, the first field work is an application in order to know one’s own pace factor and an introduction in doing field work.

Interpretation:

Field work number one is about getting the distance using one’s face factor. The pacing is not really a big part of the course itself but is a big help in determining on one’s face factor that could be used in approximation of measurements. Getting one’s pace factor would be an advantage in acquiring knowledge in measuring without any tool. Getting the face factor is the basic way in doing a survey, but a great help in doing quick overview on the measurement of the course.