I had this on a homework assignment a few weeks ago. I would like to see what the community thinks.
"A call in a description reads; from a #5 rebar at the corner of 5th and Vine streets; thence 10 degrees West 250 feet to a 2 inch iron pipe. You recover the rebar and determine it appears to be the original; however, when measuring from the rebar you find nothing at the called bearing and distance but do find a badly corroded pipe that measures N 9 degrees W 248.95 feet. Would you accept the pipe or set a new monument at the called bearing and distance? Explain your decision."
First thing I would do is back up 1.05 feet to see if there is another #5 present.
Monuments found would control over bearing and distance unless there is evidence to indicate they are not what was called for or not where originally placed.
Given 10 degrees and 250 ft, not 10d 00' 00" and 250.00, it seems very reasonable to assign the difference to measurement error, and not evidence against the monuments.
That's all we were given to work with. There could be more evidence. See HC post above and consider how well the rest of the parcel boundary checks out for the real answer.
Here again one can get into a debate over exactly where NORTH is now and where it might have been so long ago that a 2" pipe is badly corroded.
9 degrees and 31 minutes is 10 degrees
9 degrees and 29 minutes is 9 degrees
The original measurement was probably in chains and links or in rods and links instead of feet
Having a starting point as Fifth and Vine is crude from the get go.
This is how our assignments typically are. I think the point is to only use the information given and not assume.?ÿ
If that is all the allowable info, hold the corroded pipe.
Do a happy dance and accept the pipe!!!
10 degrees and 250' type calls are as much descriptions as they are measurements. More a rough help to find the monument than a precise location. When I see that type of description I know before heading to the field how it will go.?ÿ
9 degrees and 248.95' is right on, no need to sweat it.
This is how our assignments typically are. I think the point is to only use the information given and not assume.?ÿ
And that is the textbook answer.?ÿ Never "Assume" anything in surveying!?ÿ Go back and do more research.?ÿ?ÿ
....but in the real world you would hold the iron pipe.?ÿ ????
Case law decrees that a monument called for in a deed prevails over conflicting distance and bearing.?ÿ
The science of measurement teaches us that a measurement made today is not expected to exactly match any other field measurement or record measurement
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The art of identification suggests that if a pipe is corroded lends merrit to its authenticity as an original monument?ÿ
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To further flesh it out with real world experiences. 250' means somewhere between 245 and 255 feet, simply a function of significant figures. North, East calls don't mean N0-00-00E or N90-00-00E, 10d means somewhere between 5 and 15. I can't recall any non subdivision descriptions where 250 and 10d would be used for proration, normally missing corners in those type of stand alone descriptions are replaced with evidence on the ground and in the title sequence.?ÿ?ÿ
What has been identified here is that textbook questions are aimed at educating one thing, not the 50 other things that come about with experience in the field.?ÿ Thus, as you say, no thinking outside the box.?ÿ Take the limited data given in the textbook question, apply what has been asserted in lecture or in reading assignments.?ÿ That is the answer being sought.?ÿ One question, one answer.
"Explain your decision." Is the important part of the question.?ÿ The instructor is looking to see how much understanding you have of the material covered through your discussion of possibilities and principles.?ÿ Can be a better way to assess than multiple choice.?ÿ You're being asked to discuss things such as posted above, the more the better.?ÿ
If you answer yes I would hold the pipe, or yes I would set one, with minimal discussion, you would fail the assignment in my courses.?ÿ It's one of those questions with no correct answer, but only a correct response.
Good way to answer these is with a few separate paragraphs using an if, then, because format.
The description calls for a pipe which was found, albiet being at a not-so-good distance, not an IR. Had the pipe not been found throws a whole new perspective on the situation. ?????ÿ
I'd also check around the POB for any "other" #5 rebars.
The first part of the answer, no matter how well the observed distance agrees with the call, is FIND OTHER EVIDENCE FOR CORROBORATION.
Things to find include other pipes, how the other calls scale to the observed, occupation, how the parent parcel and daughters measure up, the history of the previous surveyor(s), among others.
When doing a boundary survey your job is that of a detective and weigher of facts.
If the evidence given in the question is all the surveyor has, he probably hasn't yet finished his due diligence.
JAC
Let me guess, the next question has to do with how to distribute the deficiency in the lot & block??ÿ Good times!
