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1. Salahaddin University
College of Engineering
Geomatics department
supervised By: Dr.Ashty
2021- 2022

2. Surveying Chains

3. Hello!
I am Suhayb Hazim
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4. Surveying Chains
Chains are the measuring instrument
used in surveying formed by the 100
links of 4mm galvanized mild steel wire.
These links are joined by 3 circular or oval wire rings.
These rings provide the flexibility to the chains.
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5. Parts of Chains used in Surveying
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The chain consists of many small parts used for handling or
reading the measurements.
▷ At the ends chain is provided with brass handle with swivel
joint so that it can be easy to roll or unroll the chain without
twisting and knots.
▷ At every 10th link is provided with a tally of one teeth,
20th link with a tally of two teeth and so on till 40th link. This
is provided for the easy reading of measurements.
▷ At the center of the chain is provided with a circular talley
used for easy reading.

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7. Types of Chains used in Surveying
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Depending upon the length of the chain, these are divide into
following types,
 Metric chains
 Steel band or Band chain
 Gunter's chain or surveyor’s chain
 Engineer’s chain
 Revenue chain

8. Metric chains
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Metric chains are the most commonly used chain in India.
These types of chains comes in many lengths such as 5, 10,
20 and 30 meters. Most commonly used is 20m chain. Tallies
are provided at every 2m of the chain for quick reading. Every
link of this type of chain is 0.2m. The total length of the chain
is marked on the brass handle at the ends.

9. Steel band or Band chain
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These types of chain consist of a long narrow strip of steel of
uniform width of 12 to 16 mm and thickness of 0.3 to 0.6 mm.
this chain is divides by brass studs at every 20cm or instead of
brass studs, band chain may have graduated engraving as
centimeter. For easy use and workability band chains are
wound on steel crosses or metal reels from which they can be
easily unrolled. These steel bands are available in 20m and
30m length and the width of about 12-16mm.

10. Gunter's chain or surveyor’s chain
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Gunter chain comes in standard 66ft. These chain consists of
100links, each link being 0.66ft or 7.92inches. The length 66ft is
selected because it is convenient in land measurements. 10
square Gunter’s chains = 1 Acre 10 Gunter chains = 1 Furlong
80 Gunter chains = 1 mile

11. Engineer’s chain
This chain comes in 100ft length. Its consist of 100 links each
link being 1ft long. At every 10 links a brass ring or tags are
provided for indication of 10 links. Readings are taken in feet
and decimal.
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12. Revenue Chain
The standard size of this type of chain is 33ft. The number
of links are 16, each link being 2 ft. This chain is
commonly used in cadastral survey.
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13. Testing and Adjustment of Chain
As the chain is a metal made, it may undergo many changes due
to temperature effect or human error and etc. So for all lengths
of chain a tolerance is given, 5m chain = + or – 3mm 10m chain =
+ or – 3mm 20m chain = + or – 5mm 30m chain = + or – 8mm
Chain lengthincreases dueto
▷ Opening of small rings.
▷ Wearing of surfaces.
Chain lengthshorten dueto
▷ Bending of links.
▷ Sticking of mud in the rings
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14. Chains may be tested with respect to
▷ Steel tape
▷ Permanent test gauge
▷ Pegs driven in the field at required distances
▷ Permanent test gauge made with dressed stones
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15. If chain is found long, then
▷ Close the joins of the rings
▷ Reshape the elongated rings
▷ Remove one or two rings
▷ Replace worn out rings
If chain is found short, then
▷ Straighten the links
▷ Replace the small rings with big one
▷ Insert additional rings
▷ Flattening the circular rings
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Errors in chain Surveying
Errors in chaining may be classified as:
▷ Personal errors
▷ Compensating errors
▷ Cumulating errors

16. Advantages of Chains in Surveying
▷ Chain survey is simplest and commonest method used in surveying
exercises.
▷ The equipment used to conduct chain survey are simple to use,
▷ The equipment used in chain survey can easily be replaced. For example
measuring rods can be replaced with measuring tape.
▷ This method does not involve complicated mathematical calculation. I know
this is the relief to those who are afraid of mathematics.
▷ In chain survey few people are needed to conduct the survey. Normally
chain survey team has three people Booker, leader and follower.
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17. Disadvantages of Chains in Surveying
▷ Simple chain survey cannot be conducted in built up areas and large areas.
▷ Simple chain survey is subject to several chances of errors of accumulation
which may cause by problem of chain. The chain linkage may fail to stretch
up properly and result in inaccurate data. Also clogging of chain may read to
error in reading.
▷ It is time consuming.
▷ It may not be conducted in areas with steep slopes or water logged areas.
Chain survey is usually conducted in dry areas with gentle slopes. It
becomes more complicated when survey is conducted in areas that are too
wet.
▷ Chain survey becomes more complicated method when there are raised
points (obstacles) in between areas to be surveyed.
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18. References
 https://www.slideshare.net/mirzafarullah/chain-surveying-and-offset?qid=02fa9ee2-
8efe-4443-92dc-05cd22440a3b&v=&b=&from_search=4
 https://theconstructor.org/surveying/types-of-chains-surveying/13889/
 https://expertcivil.com/5-types-of-chains-and-tapes-in-civil-surveying-engineering /
 https://civiljungle.com/chain-surveying/

19. Thanks!
Any questions?