Chainage
The term 'chainage' is used in surveying to refer to a distance measured in meters 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 Wiki
Featured articles and news
Can net zero and levelling-up align?
Gaining green support from the carbon giants.
Medieval passageways with spiritual, transport and economic purposes.
CIOB applauded for people management leadership
Organisation receives accreditation from Investors in People.
Receive the Designing Buildings newsletter
Click the button to subscribe.
The importance of successful crisis messaging
Communicating the right information at the right time.
Angular selective shading systems
Materials can take on different properties to control heat and glare.
Challenges in the construction sector and beyond.
Exploring brick and timber construction techniques.
On wheels or on platforms, micro dwellings are popping up everywhere.
Electrical safety in the private rented sector
Landlords must now comply with new repair regulations.
Check out our A-Z of equality, diversity and inclusion.
We now have more than 12,000 articles
You can add articles and help improve knowledge in the construction industry.
Ayo Sokale explains the struggles of being neurodiverse.
Communities, heritage and architecture. Book review.
The voluntary sector continues to shape the debate.
Comments