Merebrook LLC
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Merebrook LLC
Land Surveying

ColeJ@MerebrookLLC.com     (573) 777-3564
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Definitions

The following are some of the most common definitions used in land surveying.

General

Adjoiner              A parcel of land very near or butting up against your parcel of land

Abutter                A parcel of land directly in contact with your parcel of land with no space in-between,

Lot                       A parcel of land that has passed through a legal subdivision process created by the state and the local jurisdiction

Parcel                   A generic term for a piece of land

Tract                    A generic term for a piece of land that sometimes has a legal definition that makes it something other than a lot,
                              but still having many of the legal characteristics of a lot.

Area

Acre (ac.)            An area of land = 43,560 square feet = 10 square chains (i.e. 1 chain x 10 chains) = about 208.71 feet x 208.71 feet
 

Distance

Feet (‘, ft.)           Depending on where you are, the length of a foot may change.  U.S. Feet (most common) and International Feet
                              (occasionally called for) are the most common in the U.S.
 
Chain (ch., chn.)  A full chain = 66 feet = 100 links = 4 rods
                             A half chain = 33 feet = 50 links = 2 rods
                             Beware that occasionally a half chain is erroneously referred to as a ‘full chain’, or simply a ‘chain’
 
Rod                      16.5 feet = 1/4 chain = 25 links
 

Curves

Radius (R)          The distance from the center point of a curve to the arc of a curve.
 
Arc  (A)              Arc length.  The distance along a curve.  -- Imagine you are walking along a curved sidewalk. the ditance you walk on the
                             sidewalk is the arc length.  I you were to take the shortcut across the grass, the distance will be shorter and that shorter
                             distance is the chord length. -- Easily confused with chord length.
 
Chord Bearing     The direction from one end of a curve to the other end of a curve.
(chord, ch)
 
Chord Length      The straight-line distance from one end of a curve to the other end of a curve. Often confused with arc length.
(len., ch. len., ch)
 
Delta (∆)             The angular change along a curve, from the beginning of the curve to the end of a curve.  It is based on using the radius
                               point of the curve as the reference point.
                               Delta = 2 x tangent
 
Length                 Arc length.  The length of a curve along the arc.  It is always longer than the
(L, Len.)              chord length. Easily confused with arc length.
 
Tangent                A line that perfectly transitions to a curve.  This means that at the point where
(T, tan.)               the arc transitions to a straight line (the tangent line), the tangent line is 90° (at a right angle) to the line drawn to the
                               radius point.
 
                             A measurement of the deflection (change in angle) from the tangent line coming into a curve to the endpoint of the
                             tangent line leaving a curve.
                             Tangent = 1/2 delta


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  • Home
  • What Surveyors Do
  • Why A Survey
  • Types Of Surveys
  • Contact Us
  • The Person In Charge
  • Choosing A Surveyor
  • Survey Pricing
  • Advice For Clients
  • Preserving Your Survey
  • Monuments I Have Known
  • Surveyor's Right Of Entry
  • Reading Descriptions
  • Definitions
  • Surveyor History
  • Disclaimer
  • Useful Links
  • Abbreviations