Curvature and Refraction

When correcting a traverse for curvature and refraction, TPC applies the curvature and refraction correction to each control point following the Initial point up to and including the Closing point. The Initial point itself is not affected by this correction. Side shots are also adjusted. TPC even applies C&R to benchmark observations in order to compute a more accurate height of instrument equivalent.

TPC uses the following equations to adjust for C&R:

HD = (SD*SIN(ZA)) - [(1-(0.5*COEF)) / RADIUS * (SD*COS(ZA)) * (SD*SIN(ZA))]

VD = (SD*COS(ZA)) + [(1-COEF) / (2*RADIUS) * (SD*SIN(ZA)) * (SD*SIN(ZA))]

Where:

HD= computed horizontal distance

VD= computed vertical distance

SD= measured slope distance

ZA= measured zenith angle

COEF= 0.13 = est. coefficient of refraction

RADIUS= 20,906,000 ft or 6,372,200 m

= estimated radius of the earth

Although these equations do not incorporate height of instrument in the radius, they give very good estimates under typical conditions.

TPC will not apply this adjustment if raw data does not exist.

Related Topics

Applying Curvature and Refraction
Balancing Coordinates
Balancing Angles
Applying a Scale Factor
Applying Precision
Adjusting a Traverse
Closure View

Editions

Premium, Professional