What are temperature corrections applied to?

Temperature corrections are particularly applicable to measurements made using a steel tape because the length of the tape can expand or contract with changes in temperature. Steel tapes are generally calibrated under standard temperature conditions, often around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). If a measurement is taken in significantly different temperatures, the actual distance measured can be inaccurate due to the thermal expansion or contraction of the material. Therefore, in surveying, it is important to apply temperature corrections to account for these variations, ensuring that measurements are accurate and reliable.

In contrast, while temperature can affect other measurement methods, the explicit need for temperature corrections is most critical for steel tape measurements, due to their physical properties. Laser range measurements, electronic distance measurements, and optical level readings may have more advanced technology that compensates for environmental factors, but they are not directly influenced by thermal changes in the same way as steel tapes.