Reciprocal ranging is done when ends of survey line are not intervisible due to hill intervening or ends of survey line are at far distance apart.
Step wise procedure reciprocal ranging:
1. Let A and B be two survey station. They are not mutually visible due to high ground between them.
2. It is required to measure the distance between A and B. Let two chain-men stands at M1 and N1 as shown in fig.
3. The Chain-man at M1 can see both the ranging rods at N1 and B. The chain-men at ‘N1’ can see the ranging at M1 and A.
4. The two chain-men then direct each other alternately. The chain-man at ‘N1’ directs the chain-man at M1 to come in line with AN1 to occupy position M2
5. Then the chain-man at M2 directs the chain-man at N1 to come in line with M2 B to occupy position N2.
6. By successively directing each other, they finally occupy position ‘M’ and ‘N’ on line AB. Now, AMNB are exactly in the same line.
7. Other intermediate points can be fixed by direct ranging and the distance AB can be chained.
8. This method can also be used in ranging a line across a valley.