MEASUREMENTS 



13 



Chaining. The common method of determining distances 

 between points in measuring lands, roads, and fields is by 

 passing between the points with a measuring line of standard 



Fig. 1. (j) Surveyors' chain; (2) engineers' steel tape; (3) metallic tape 



length. These lines are known as metallic tapes, steel 

 tapes, chains, etc. (Fig. i). They vary in length from a 

 few feet up to 300 feet. 



Metallic tape. A metallic tape is usually 50 feet in length 

 and can be wound up in a small sole-leather case. It derives 

 its name from the fact that there is a number of metal 

 threads running lengthwise through the body of the tape, 

 which is a woven fabric. The object of the metal threads is 

 to prevent stretching. Similar tapes without metal threads 

 are known as linen tapes. They are much cheaper and will 

 stretch with use. 



Steel tape. Steel tape is a narrow ribbon of steel similar 

 to a watch spring. For engineering measurements it is 



