Chainage
The term 'chainage' is used in surveying to refer to a distance measured in metres along an imaginary line, such as the centre line of a road or railway.
The term originated in 1620, when 66 feet chains (Gunter’s chains, named after mathematician Edmund Gunter) were first used to for the measurement of linear features such as roads or railways. The chain typically included 100 links, and 10 square chains was 1 acre. Cricket pitches are also generally 1 chain long, and a mile is 80 chains.
Ramsden's chains were longer chains of 100 feet developed in the 18th century.
Whilst this technique is no longer used, the name has remained, in particular in relation to railways, where it may be used to define the location of bridges and stations. A datum will be set as 0 at one point along the railway, and cumulative longitudinal distances measured using a device such as an odometer and then quoted along the length of the railway from that datum. This is generally sufficient to uniquely identify features such as bridges and stations.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding..
Comments
Thank you for the article. I work in the water industry and chainage seems to always refer to the distance on plan, neglecting the vertical component. I'm curious, are there standard terms for change that includes the vertical component of the ground and out of the pipeline, tunnel etc that is being constructed? Given the history the original chainage measurements would have included the vertical component of the ground. Was there/is there a different term for the chainage measurement of the ground before work began, and the finished chainage with cuttings and embankments in place? Many thanks