PIECE OF LAND TO BE DIVIDED EQUALLY

SURCON QUESTION: THE FIGURE BELOW IS A PLOT OF LAND BELONGING TO MR. JOHN AKPEGHE. HE HAS APPROACHED YOU FOR THE PIECE OF LAND TO BE DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN HIS TWO SONS SUCH THAT THEY HAVE EQUAL FRONTAGE ON ONE BOUNDARY LINE (DE) ABUTTING EDO TEXTILE MILL ROAD.

(A)  EXPLAIN IN DETAIL WITH DIAGRAM, HOW YOU WOULD ACCOMPLISH THE TASK UP TO THE POINT OF SETTING OUT THE DATA ON THE GROUND

(B)   LIST THE INFORMATION THAT SHOULD APPEAR ON THE DEED PLANS TO BE PRODUCED

ASSUMPTION: THE PIECE OF LAND IS A CLOSED TRAVERSE WITH KNOWN AREA AND THE BOUNDARY BEACONS ARE PLOTTED TO SCALE BY COORDINATES.

We establish a point F, midpoint between D and E. A line FA is drawn to corner A. so that the two plots have equal frontage as shown in the diagram below.

The coordinates of F can be derived from direction DE (az) and length DF (d), thus

 Distance and bearing of FA can be calculated from

Area ABCDFA is calculated by coordinate method. Assuming the area is greater than the required area, we move line FA to FG, being the correct position of the dividing line. It then means that triangle FAG is the excess area, which is known.

Angle FAG (ά) can be derived from bearings of FA and FB. Therefore,

 The coordinates of G can be derived from direction AB (az) and length AG (d), thus

Setting out G in the field can be done from A. setting instrument at A, we take orientation from E or B and so set out G. position of G can be checked by finding out if it falls in line AB, and if the computed distances AG and BG agree with measured distances.

Information that should appear on the title deed plans include:

1.      Title and location

2.      Scale

3.      Origin / Datum used

4.      North arrow

5.      Size (Area or Length)

6.      Contour interval

7.      Coordinates of control

8.      Coordinates system

9.      Beacons

10.  Boundary colour (in Red)

11.  Bearing and distance colour and location on boundary line

12.  Units (metre, degree, etc)

13.  Contour colour (in brown)

14.  Connection survey (key plan in blue)

15.  Features drawn

16.  Water body (in blue)

17.  Drawn by who?

DISCLAIMER: This material is only an attempt to answer an examination question, though written from a background of solid knowledge and practical experience in Surveying and Geoinformatics. It has not gone through peer review. Therefore, all views and opinions expressed therein remain the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent that of any institution.  Feedback on corrections and constructive criticisms are welcome. Thank you.