DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL

ENGINEERING
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
CEVB 211 SURVEYING ENGINEERING
LABORATORY

SECTION

GROUP NO

GROUP MEMBERS

:
1 AMMAR BIN MD DENI
(CE095821)

DATE OF LABORATORY SESSION

: 26 NOVEMBER 2015 (THURSDAY)

DATE OF SUBMISSION

: 3 DISEMBER 2015 (THURSDAY)

LAB INSTRUCTOR

: DR MAHFOODH ALI NAJAH AHMED

TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENT

PAGE

Summary/Abstract

Introduction & Objective

Materials or Equipments

Procedure

4-6

Results & Calculations

Discussion

Conclusion

References

PROBLEM STATEMENT
As a civil engineer, I am required to understand the function of a digital
theodolite to carry out traversing.

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY
The contour is the relative position of points in a plan that is represented
by a map.
Contouring is defined as a contour line joining points of equal heights or
altitude. The vertical distance between successive contours is known as
the vertical interval.
Contour lines are continuous lines and cannot meet or cross any other
contour line, nor can any one line split or join any other line, except in
the case of a cliff.
The height between the successive contours is called the vertical
interval or contour interval and is always constant over a map or plan.

INTRODUCTION

1
A theodolite is an instrument which is capable of measuring angles to the
nearest whole second. This can be done for both vertical and horizontal
angles. Vertical angles are required for the calculation of the elevation of
points for example, the reduction of slope distance to the horizontal.
Eliminates the manual reading of scales on graduated circles.

In this method the points located and surveyed are not necessarily on the
contour lines but the spot levels are taken along the series of lines
laid out over the area. The spot levels of the several representative
points representing hills, depressions, ridge and valley lines and the
changes in the slope all over the area to be contoured are also
observed. Their positions are then plotted on the plan and the contours
are drawn by interpolation. This method of contouring is also known as
contouring by spot levels where the Grid Method is classified as one of the
Indirect Method of Contouring.

OBJECTIVE

To practice using the Digital Theodolite, observation of angle and

procedure of data booking.

Apparatus
1.
2.
3.
4.

Digital Theodolite (1 unit) + A1 size batteries (6 units)

Traversing Target (2 unit)
Tripod (3 units)
Hammer, nails and spray

3
Procedure

Setting Up the Theodolite:a. Setting the tripod

The tripod legs are spread out and rested lightly on the ground
around the survey point. Judging by eye, the legs are moved to
bring the tripod head over the point, keeping the tripod head as
level as possible.

b. Mounting the instrument

The theodolite is carefully removed from the box and screwed to the
tripod.
A sight is taken through the optical plummet to view the survey peg.
The footscrews are turned to bring the instrument exactly over the
peg. The theodolite is now centred but, of course, is not level.
c. Levelling
Levelling is accomplished by raising or lowering the pegs of the
tripod, using the sliding leg arrangement, until the circular spirit
level is centred. Refinements to the centring and levelling of the
instruments must now be made:i)
ii)
iii)

Set the plate spirit level over two screws and centralize the
bubble.
Turn the instrument through 90 and recentralize the bubble.
Repeat operation (i) and (ii) until the bubble remains central
for both positions.

d. Centring

The centring motion is released and its head is moved until the
survey point is centred on the cross-wires of the optical plummet.
The centring motion is then tightened. This operation will have
resulted in movement of the spirit level bubble from its central
position. The operation of levelling and centring are repeated until
both conditions are satisfied.

4
Setting up the Target:The procedure of setting up the target is almost equal as the
procedure of setting up the theodolite.

Measuring Horizontal Angles

a. The theodolite is set to face left position.
b. The upper plate clamp and telescope clamp are released. The
station B is sighted using slow motion screws, accurately bisect the
target.
c. The zero set is pressed on the keypad. The horizontal circle reading
will be reset to zero degrees.
d. In Table 1, the reading 000000 is entered in column 2 lines 1.
e. The upper plate clamp and telescope clamp are opened.
f. The instrument is carefully turned towards the right and the right
hand target is sighted.
g. Both clamps are locked, and the bisect is carefully targeted using
upper plate slow motion screw and telescope slow motion screw.
h. The horizontal circle is read and the reading is entered in column 3
lines 1.
i. The telescope is transit to set the instrument on the face right.
j. The target B is observed again and the reading is noted which
should be 1800000 if no errors have made and if the instrument
is in adjustment. Reading in column 2 lines 2 is recorded.
k. The station C is observed again and the reading is recorded in
column 3 lines 2.
l. The mean angle is calculated and the value is entered in column 4
line 1.
Note:When exactly set over a survey mark and properly levelled, the theodolite
can be used in two positions, namely:
i)
ii)

Face left or circle left

Face right or circle right

The instrument is said to be facing left when the vertical circle is on the
observers left as an object is sighted. In order to sight the same object on
face right, the observer must turn the instrument horizontally through
180 until the eyepiece is approximately pointing to the target. The

telescope is then rotated about the transit axis, thus making the objective
end of the telescope face the target. The vertical circle will now be found
on the observers right. This operation is known as transitting the
telescope.

5
Measurement of Zenith Angles
a. The instrument is set to face left.
b. The telescope clamp and one of the horizontal plate clamps are
released.
c. The target is observed using the finder sights. The microscope
clamp and plate clamp are locked.
d. The telescope is focused on the target. The cross-wires will not be
on the target but should be close. The slow motion screw is used to
bisect the target accurately. Zenith angle is then observed. The
reading is recorded in column 8 line 1.
e. The instrument is changed to face right and the operations b, c and
d are repeated.

Important Note:Do not turn the instrument while the upper plate clamp and the telescope
clamp are tightened. This will damage the instrument and cause large
error in your readings!

RESULT

Station

A
B

Horizontal Angle
Face Left
Face Right

Mean

Zenith/Vertical Angle
Face Left
Face Right

00000
901200

00025
923740

925230
2673740

1800050
2701140

Final Horizontal Angle : BAC = 901115

Final Vertical Angle : B = -05020, C = -23740

CALCULATION
Horizontal Angle :
Mean horizontal Angle = FL + (FR - 1800000)
2
Final Horizontal Angle = Mean C Mean B

Target B = 1800050 - 00000 = 1800050

Target C = 2701120 - 901200 = 1795920
The values are acceptable as the values are consistent.

Vertical Angle :
Reduced Face Left = 900000 FL
Reduced Face Right = FR - 2700000
Final Vertical Angle = Reduced FL Reduced FR
2
Target B = 905230 + 2691150 = 3600420
Target C = 923740 + 2672220 = 3600000
The values are acceptable as the values are consistent.

7
DISCUSSION

2691150
2672220

Reduced
Face Left
-05230
-23740

Reduced
Face Right
-04810
-23740

From the fieldwork that been done, there are some errors that occurred such as the signal of
theodolite is weak or absent of return signal when signal is sent to the target. This problem
can be resolved properly as the batteries is used during fieldwork should be checked or
replaced with a new batteries. Moreover, the tripod should been set up properly as the tripod
must center to the peg. By using pendulum, we could make sure the instrument is exactly
over the point. The prism is also been checked to make sure it is center.
The horizontal and vertical reading also shows that the result is very consistent. The
differences between FL and FR of 1800000 at B and 1795902 at C are close to 180.
Besides that, the differences between FL and FR of 3600420 at B and 3600000 at C
which are close to 360. Therefore, the results show the consistency in horizontal angle and
vertical angle. Meaning that the result is acceptable.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the understanding of theodolite and its function is very clear and well
understood. Theodolite is used to measure the horizontal and vertical angle. From what we
observed, the final of horizontal angle of is 901115, final vertical angle of B is -05020
and final vertical angle of C is -23740. The theodolite is considered as very accurate with
only a small neglectable differences.

REFERENCE

Open Ended Lab Handout For Surveying Practical Training (CEVB211) Universiti Tenaga
Nasional page 15 19.
http://surveyingconstruction.com