Types of Surveying Chains and Their Applications with Examples

 

Types of Chains Used in Surveying

1. Metric Chain

• Measures distances in the metric system.
• Available in 5m, 10m, 20m, and 30m lengths.
• 5m & 10m chains have tallies at every 1m.
• 20m & 30m chains have tallies every 5m, with rings at each meter.
• Made of galvanized mild steel wire with brass handles.

2. Gunter's Chain

• Length: 66 feet (100 links, each 0.66 feet).
• Commonly used for land measurement.
• Conversion:
  • 10 square chains = 1 Acre
  • 10 chains = 1 Furlong
  • 80 chains = 1 Mile
  • 8 Furlongs = 1 Mile

3. Engineer's Chain

• Length: 100 feet (100 links, each 1 foot).
• Tally marks at every 10 links (10 feet).
• Central tally is round for easy identification.

4. Revenue Chain

• Length: 33 feet (16 links, each ~2.06 feet).
• Used mainly in cadastral surveys for land records.

5. Steel Band Chain (Band Chain)

• Made of steel with 12mm–16mm width and 0.32mm–0.66mm thickness.
• Available in 20m & 30m lengths.
• Brass handles at both ends.
• Marked in meters, decimeters, or centimeters.
• Used in projects requiring high accuracy.

Types of Chains Used in Surveying with Examples

1. Metric Chain

• Description: Measures distances in the metric system.
• Sizes: Available in 5m, 10m, 20m, and 30m lengths.
• Markings:
  • 5m & 10m chains: Tallies at every 1m.
  • 20m & 30m chains: Tallies every 5m, with rings at each meter.
• Material: Made of galvanized mild steel wire with brass handles.
• Example: Used for small land surveys like marking building foundations.

2. Gunter's Chain

• Description: Measures distances in imperial units (feet).
• Size: 66 feet (100 links, each 0.66 feet).
• Conversions:
  • 10 square chains = 1 Acre
  • 10 chains = 1 Furlong
  • 80 chains = 1 Mile
  • 8 Furlongs = 1 Mile
• Example: Used in agricultural land measurement (e.g., determining farmland area).

3. Engineer's Chain

• Description: Measures distances in imperial units (feet).
• Size: 100 feet (100 links, each 1 foot).
• Markings: Tally marks at every 10 links (10 feet), with a round central tally.
• Example: Used for road construction to measure distances between points.

4. Revenue Chain

• Description: Measures distances for land records and property surveys.
• Size: 33 feet (16 links, each ~2.06 feet).
• Example: Used in cadastral surveys for village land demarcation.

5. Steel Band Chain (Band Chain)

• Description: A steel strip used for high-accuracy measurements.
• Size: Available in 20m & 30m lengths.
• Material: Steel, 12mm–16mm width, 0.32mm–0.66mm thickness.
• Markings: Graduations in meters, decimeters, or centimeters.
• Example: Used in bridge construction for precise alignment measurements.