Chaining on slopes – stepping technique: For measuring distances down a steep hillside by stepping to improve accuracy, how should the step length (distance between steps along the slope) vary with slope?

Introduction / Context:
When chaining on sloping ground, direct measurement along the ground introduces slope errors. The stepping method projects the measurement into short, nearly horizontal segments. Choosing appropriate step lengths is crucial to reduce cumulative error and maintain control of the chain or tape.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Downhill measurement is being made using stepping with pegs or arrows.
• Human control, tension, and alignment become harder on steep slopes.
• Shorter steps improve approximation to horizontal distances and handling.

Concept / Approach:
As slope increases, maintaining straight alignment, correct tension, and level projection is more difficult. Shortening the step length reduces sag and alignment error, allows the chainman to hold the tape near-horizontal between points, and limits slip on the ground. Therefore, the distance between steps should decrease as the slope becomes steeper.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Survey practice manuals recommend short steps (even under one tape length) on steep ground, and allow longer steps on gentle slopes where control is easier.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Increase with increase of slope: opposite of good practice; it increases error risk.
• Decrease with decrease of slope: backward relation.
• Weight of chain is not the controlling parameter for step spacing.

Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting to keep the tape level at each step; inconsistent tension; poor alignment causing cumulative lateral error.

Final Answer:
Decrease with increase of slope (steeper ground → smaller steps)