Whole Circle Bearing and Quadrantal Bearing (Reduced Bearing) are two different types of bearing measurement used in surveying. The difference between these types are mentioned below.
Whole Circle Bearing
- The horizontal angle made by a line with the magnetic north in the clockwise direction is the whole circle bearing of the line.
- Only the magnetic north line is considered as reference line in whole circle bearing system.
- The clockwise angle from the reference line is only taken.
- The value of the whole circle bearing varies from 0° to 360°.
- Examples are 26°, 121°, 245°, 350° etc.
Quadrantal Bearing (Reduced Bearing)
- The horizontal angle made by a line with the magnetic north or south (whichever is closer from the line) in the eastward or westward direction is the Quadrantal Bearing or Reduced Bearing of the line.
- Both magnetic north and south lines are considered as reference line in quadrantal bearing system.
- Both clockwise and anticlockwise angle from the reference line is only taken.
- The value of the reduced bearing varies from 0° to 90°.
- Examples are N26°E, S59°E, S65°W, N10°W etc.
