THEODOLITE TRAVERSE

1.0 INTRODUCTION
A traverse consists a series of straight line of known length related
one another by known angles between the line. The points defining
the ends of the traverse lines are called traverse stations.
Theodolite traverse survey is a method of establishing
control points, their position being determined by measuring the
distances between the traverse station which serve as control points
and the angles subtended at the various stations by their adjacent
stations. The angles are measured using theodolite and the distance
measured by the method of traverse. We also measured the distance
used the measurement tape.
There are two(2) types of traverse, namely the open
traverse and the closed traverse [Figure 1.1]. An open traverse
originates at a point of known positions and terminates at a point of
unknown position, where as a closed traverse originates and
terminates at the same points and we were using an closed traverse
in this survey. For establishing control points, a closed traverse is
preferred since it is provides different checked for included angles,
deflection angles and bearing for adjusting the traverse. That why
we use this method in this project. When an open traverse is used
the work should be checked by providing cut off lines and by making
observations on some prominent point visible forms as many
stations as possible.
Traversing surveys is very fundamental and has become one
of the most common methods in geomatic engineering work such
as:- general purpose angle measurement, provision of control
surveys, contour and detail mapping and setting out and
construction work.
1.1 OBJECTIVES
To make a traverse survey, reduce the field data, adjusting a
traverse and plot the results graphically.
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Figure 1.1 : Open travers & Closed traverse

2.0 THEODOLITE PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS

A theodolite is an instrument which is capable of measuring angles
to the nearest whole second [Figure 2.1]. This can be done for both
vertical and horizontal angles. Vertical angles are required for the
calculation of elevation of points for example the reduction of slope
distance to the horizontal.
Horizontal angles are required to obtain the relative direction
to a survey control station or points of detail. Basically there are two
types of modern theodolite which are in use today. These are the:
(i)Optical theodolite; and
(ii)Electronic Digital theodolite.
Both types of instrument can be made to read to the nearest
whole 1 which is considered accurate enough for most engineering
purposes. With the advancement of modern electronics, most of the
theodolites made today are of the electronic digital type. But the
older optical types are still being used except that it will take longer
time to read the angles than with an electronic one.
The value of the angle observed however will be the same.
Electronic theodolites are more versatile than the optical type.
Useful features in the form of software can be added to an electronic

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theodolite. Thus modern instruments can be used in a variety of

surveying situations.

Optical theodolite
Electronic Digital theodolite
Figure 2.1 : Optical theodolite & Electronic Digital
theodolite

3.0 CONSTRUCTION OF A THEODOLITE

All theodolites have the same common features [Figure 3.1] which
can be described as follows:
1.Tribrach
Allows the instrument to be connected to the top of a tripod and
also allows the instrument to be levelled with respect to a plate
bubble.
2.Horizontal Circle Compartment
This compartment is comprised of:
(i)

The lower plate that carries the horizontal circle. In most

instruments it is made of glass with the graduations from
0to 360photographicallyetched around the edge.
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(ii) The upper plate that carries the horizontal circle indexing
device and fits concentric with the lower plate. Attached to the
upper plate is the plate bubble. When centered, the plate bubble
ensures that the instrument axis is vertical. In modern electronic
theodolites, the spirit bubble has been replaced with an electronic
one. This electronic means of levelling has made initial levelling of
the instrument a less time consuming task.

3.Vertical Circle Compartment

The vertical circle is similar to the horizontal circle but is fixed to the
telescope. Thus it revolves with the rotation of the telescope. This
compartment has the vertical circle index. Most modern theodolites
employ an automatic compensator but some of the more elderly
instruments use an altitude bubble.
4.Horizontal Motion Clamp/Vertical Motion Clamp
This clamp ensures that when engaged the horizontal circle is fixed.
The slow motion screws allow for the movement of the instrument
around the horizontal axis. There is also a similar slow motion screw
and plate clamp for the vertical circle.
5.Optical Plummet
Built in the base of the instrument to allow the instrument to be
precisely centered over the station. The line of sight through the
optical plummet is exactly the same as the vertical axis of the
theodolite.

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Figure 3.1 : Theodolite construction

4.0 TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENTS OF THEODOLITE

The temporary adjustments are steps that must be carried out every
time at theodolite is used. It is a procedure of setting up a theodolite
that involves the following process:
a) centering;
b) leveling; and
c) removing parallax.
4.1 CENTERING THE THEODOLITE
The instrument must be vertically above the survey station to
ensure that horizontal angle observations are correct. The steps are
as follows:
1.Start with a plumbob to get it approximately right above the
survey station [Figure 4.1].
2.Using the foot screws, move the optical plummet cross hairs on to
the survey station.
3.Roughly level the instrument using the legs of the tripod the
theodolite should stay almost on target.
4.Level with foot screws. Move instrument above target; repeat level
and move until done.
4.2 LEVELLING THE THEODOLITE

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1.Turn bubble parallel to two foot screws A and B [Figure 4.2], to

bring the horizontal bubble to the centre of its run by moving the
foot screws in opposite directions (the bubble moves in the direction
of your left humb).
2.Turn the instrument through 90 and bring the bubble to the centre
of its run by adjusting the third foot screw C only.
3.Turn the instrument through a further 90 to check the adjustment
of the plate bubble.
4.If the bubble remains in centre, then it is adjusted.
5.If not, move it back one-half of the movement from the centre and
re-adjust for a further 90 turn.
6.Repeat the whole procedure; assuming this is the correct, the
bubble will stay in a stationary position.
7.The bubble must remain in the same place in the tube during a
360rotation of the instrument.
8.If the stationary position of the bubble is still off the centre, then a
permanent adjustment should be made.
4.3 REMOVING THE PARALLAX
Parallax is a condition happen when the image formed by the
objective is not in the plane of the cross-hairs. Parallax should be
eliminated in order to have accurate sighting. There are two ways to
overcome or eliminate the parallax. There are by accurately focusing
the cross-hairs against a light background and focusing the
instrument on a distant target or by focusing the eye-piece for
distinct vision of the cross hairs.

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Figure 4.1 : Centering the theodolite

Levelling the theodolite

Figure 4.2 :

5.0 PERMANENT ADJUSTMENTS OF THEODOLITE

These adjustments are carried out once and will not alter unless it is
being roughly handled or tampered with. There are certain basic
requirements for a theodolite that must be established particularly
when using it. The basic requirements are as follows:
(a) The vertical axis of a theodolite should be truly vertical.
(b) The line of sight should be perpendicular to the horizontal axis.
(c) The horizontal axis should be truly horizontal.
(d) The cross hairs should be truly vertical and horizontal.
(e) The vertical circle should be at zero when the line of sight is
horizontal.
For this study it is appropriate to know only the basic requirements
for permanent adjustments. The steps in carrying out the
adjustments should be handled by the qualified person at the
laboratory.

6.0 TRAVERSE FIELD WORK

Traversing is carried out with one(1) tripod and two(2) wooden
stands with plumbob. Tripod is for the instrument and the other
two(2) wooden stands are for the back and front stations. A
minimum of three people is required in a traversing team.
The leader of the team, setting up and reads the instrument,
while the 2nd person has the important job of recording the readings
on the booking sheet. The 3rd person has the task of moving and
setting up the wooden stands with plumbob as the traverse
progresses. There are several steps which should be followed that
will lead to a smooth traverse [Figure 6.1].
1.Three picket(station) were established at the proposed site.(peg 1,
peg 2 & peg 3).
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2.The theodolite was plumbed over peg 2 and accurately leveled.

Wooden stands were plumbed over peg 1&3.
3.Level and center the instrument.
4.Set the theodolite to read zero.
5.Distance was measured by collimating the center of peg 1 by
measuring tape. The reading was taken and entered in the field
book. Distance between peg 2 and 3 also done with the same
technique.
6.Record face left horizontal reading to back station(peg 1).
7.Turn instrument and sight front station.
8.Record face left horizontal reading to front station(peg 3).
9.Transit the instrument to change to the face right setting.
10.Record face right horizontal reading to front station(peg 3).
11.Turn instrument to face back station.
12.Record face right horizontal reading to back station(peg 1).
13.The theodolite was moved to peg 3. Wooden stands were
plumbed over peg 1 and 2. Peg2 was sighted on face left with
theodolite set to the reading taken from step 10.
14.Peg 1 was sighted and the horizontal angle was taken. The
instrument was set to face right and peg 1 was sighted again. Then
peg 2 was sighted and the reading was taken.
15.Step 13-14 was repeated on peg 1.All readings were observed
and recorded.

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Figure 6.1 : Field traversing

7.0 TRAVERSING ERRORS

Traversing errors normally falls into three categories, i.e. centering,
angular and distance. By taking precautions during the field work, it
is possible to reduce their effect.
1.Centering
It is important to ensure that the theodolite instrument and targets
are centered correctly over each survey station. Remember that
angles and distances may be required from or to a known station.
This will not be the case if the theodolite or targets are not centered
correctly.
2.Angles
When clamping the instrument, apply light clamp to the vertical and
horizontal locks. Hard clamping can affect the pointing of the
instrument and is not necessary. Failure to eliminate parallax and
poor focusing can affect accurate pointing.
Always keep the target in the center of the field of view. All
movement of the theodolite should be kept as smooth as possible
and all movement around the instrument should be kept to a
minimum.
3.Distances
When recording these, all distances should be obtained to 3 decimal
places and three readings should be taken and the mean calculated.
There is a possibility that that some of the errors outlined below
will occur from time to time, so be aware of them. Dont rush and
hopefully you will not forget to record any information which is
required.
a)Turning the wrong screw.
b)Sighting the wrong target.
c)Using the stadia instead of the cross-hairs.
d)Forgetting to set the micrometer reading before taking a reading.
e)Misreading the circles.
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f)Transposing the figures when booking the data.

8.0 DISCUSSION
1. Before doing the survey, there are a few things that must be
considered. There are:
All screw must be parallel to the centre line
Tripod stand must be in a straight line with the
picket(station).
After setting out, wooden adjustment legs and
theodolite must be in a straight line to the picket.
Value from bearing must be entered correctly.
Distance between one point to the others must clearly
seen.
2. When survey was taking on, there are several things that
must be clearly taking place which are:
The cross hair must be clearly seen by observer.
The parallax error might be occur when reading was
taken.Therefore the observer must be the same person
and very sure that the reading taken was correctly.
During the changing of left face and right face, be sure
tahat the position of tripod did not change.
Distance between one point to another was taken
correctly.
3. After field wprk was complete, proceed with analyzing data.
The correction between latitude and departure must be
placed with correct sign and value.
4. A closed traverse enables a check by plotting or computation
with a gap called the linear misclosure.

9.0 CONCLUSION
Traversing is a form of a control survey that requires the
establishment of a series of stations that are linked together by the
angles and distances. The angles are measured by theodolites, and
the distances are measured conventionally by tapes or electronic
distance measuring equipment.

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A theodolite is an instrument which is capable of measuring

both vertical and horizontal angles to the nearest whole seconds.
Basically there are two types of modern theodolite i.e. the
optical theodolite and electronic digital theodolite. But both have the
same common features in terms of their construction.
The theodolite system is comprised of the horizontal circle
where it is perpendicular to the vertical axis and the vertical circle
where it is perpendicular to the horizontal axis. Theodolites in
correct adjustment have their axes and line of sight of the telescope
mutually perpendicular. All three should intersect at one point.

10.0 REFERENCE
1.
2.
3.
4.

http://www.southgeosystems.com/index.html
http://www.geomaticsurveys.systems.com
http://www.scribd.com/doc/38971159/Traverse-Survey
http://www.ce.memphis.edu/1112/notes/traverse/Surveying_t
raverse

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