THE ADJUSTMENT OF TRAVERSE NETS

Abstract

The weakest point in a straight traverse between two fixed points is well known to be in the middle. The uncertainty or p.e. perpendicular to the general direction of the traverse can be shown to be a maximum at the midpoint. Yet subsidiary traverses are usually tied in at or near this point, and consequently may show closing errors which are well in excess of what may be expected. A rigorous least squares solution would overcome this difficulty but only at the cost of a very laborious computation if the network is at all extensive. A compromise between rigour and labour can be achieved, however, which retains the major advantage of a fully rigorous solution, namely that the subsidiary traverses are not tied in at the weakest points of the main traverse system.