Field Work No.

8 [DETERMINATION OF THE HEIGHT OF A REMOTE POINT]

FIELD WORK NO. 8

Determination Of The Height Of A Remote Point

OBJECTIVES:

1. To develop the skills in determining the distance of north building.

2. To acquire the knowledge of plotting the profile along the center of
the parking lot tangently equal to the building.
3. To develop the technical know-how to use precise level theodolite.
4. To apply the value of teamwork to simplify the organization of the
jobs/role.
5. To to apply the value of excellence and patience in measuring the
height of the building .

REASERCH
Using the Theodolite

In Surveying 2 we use a theodolite to determine (read) both horizontal and

vertical angles to an accuracy of 20" and mark out the buildings on College
ground using theodolite and tape (Module requirements)

A theodolite is an instrument for

measuring both horizontal and
vertical angles. It consists of a
telescope mounted movably
within two perpendicular axes,
the horizontal and vertical axis.
All students have to use
the Sokkia instrument. as that is
the only one in our department.
Using the same instrument
students can learn from each

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 Field Work No. 8 [DETERMINATION OF THE HEIGHT OF A REMOTE POINT]

other how to read scales and use all the feature of the theodolite.
The left instrument in the opposit figure shows a Wild Theodolite and the
right instrument shows a Sokkia Theodolite.

All features of the Sokkia Theodolite are described below:

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 Field Work No. 8 [DETERMINATION OF THE HEIGHT OF A REMOTE POINT]

The axes and circles of a theodolite

A theodolite can measure angles in both the horizontal and vertical planes.
How accurately this can be will depend partly on the quality of the
instrument, and partly on the competence of the student.

A theodolite may not be in perfect adjustment and the lines and planes
should be checked. To minimise error as much as possible, an angle is
measured a number of times with instrument: face left (vertical circle on
the left of the telescope) and face right (vertical circle on the right of the
telescope). Reading an angle face right and face left will eliminate the
errors due to the non adjustment of the line of collimation and the trunnion
axis.

We won't do any adjustment and assume the instrument is calibrated.

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 Field Work No. 8 [DETERMINATION OF THE HEIGHT OF A REMOTE POINT]

Both axes of a theodolite are

equipped with graduated circles
that can be read out through
microscopes. The vertical circle
(the one associated with the
horizontal axis!) should read 90
when the sight axis is horizontal.

A theodolite, like the Level is

mounted on a tripod by means of
a forced centering plate or
tribrach, containing three
thumbscrews for rapid levelling.
Before use, a theodolite must be
placed precisely and vertically
over the point to be measured.

back to top

Reading scales

Theodolites have different reading scales. A theodolite can read, depending

on the accuracy,
a) degrees, b) degrees and minmutes or c) degrees, minutes and seconds.

c) digital reading
a) scale can read b) scale can read (electronically)

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 Field Work No. 8 [DETERMINATION OF THE HEIGHT OF A REMOTE POINT]

degrees & minutes degrees, minutes & reads degrees, minutes

seconds & seconds

Modern theodolites read the horizontal and vertical circles electronically

and display readings digitally as inc) above.

How to read the micro-scales on the

Sokkia Theodolite

The opposite figure shows a typical

view through the microscope eye
piece. The microscope eyepiece is
located adjacent (right) to the
telescope eye piece. Two set of parallel
lines (0 and 360} are seen in the H
window. If the
observed reading
in the H-window
is245 sitting between 50' and 60' divisions you need
to turn the mircometer knob until the parallel 245
lines are biseced by the 50' line as shown in figure. Then the window
above the H window will shows in the top row the minute and below the
seconds. The final reading as shown in the figure is 245 53' 18". (The
seconds reading is scaled and not precise.)
The vertical circle (V-window) is read in a similar manner.

Using the Vertical Angles and the distances to determine the height.
The measured vertical angle combined with the distance to any object can
be used to determine the height of an object. Most modern theodolites will
automatically set the reference direction for the vertical circle once the
theodolite is leveled. Zero degrees for the vertical circle is usually set at the
zenith (vertically above the theodolite) and the telescpoe reading is 90
when it is horizontal. The vertical angle is then the angle from the zenith
down to the line of observation. Points on equal elevation (horizontal
plane) to the theodolite will therefore be at 90 degrees. Basically the

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precision for our vertical angle measurement will determine the accuracy of
measured positions.

Procedures to measure vertical and horizontal angles

Aim at the first specified corner

of the building and zero the
horizontal circle reading.
Readings for horizontal angles
should be either in a clock wise
or anti clock wise direction. Do
not change directions and close
the cirle at 360. Then read the
vertical angles (angle of elevation
& angle of depression) to
determine the height of the
corner of the building. Make sure the sighting points are verticle above
each other. After that sight the next specified corner and read the
horizontal angle, and note the reading of the vertical angles.The horizontal
distance between all specified building corners must be exactly measured.
(Note the distance to angle A is different to angle A.) Continue reading
horizontal and vertical angles as well as distance measures until the
specified corners of all buildings are completed.

back to top

Height calculations
We use the tan-function to calculate the height. As shown in the figure
above the height is determined by measuring two angles (angle of
elevation & angle of depression). To calculate the Height A multiply the
horizontal distance on for your first height reading by the tan of the related
angle.

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 Field Work No. 8 [DETERMINATION OF THE HEIGHT OF A REMOTE POINT]

Height A = horizontal distance x tan 90- A

Height B = horizontal distance x tan B- 90

Now add both distances together. Add this measurent to the known
reduced level (RL) at the bottom to obtain the new height level (RL gutter
or fascia) at the top.

Make up a template for recording angles and measurements.

The reading precision of the instrument and the accuracy of your angle
reading and horizontal measured distance will determine the correct height
distance.

INSTRUMENTS NEEDED:

Qty. Material Illustration description

is a precisioninstrument
for measuring angles in
the horizontal and
1 pc. theodolite vertical planes.
Theodolites are mainly
used for surveying
applications, and have
been adapted for
specialized purposes in
fields like metrology and
rocket launch technology.
A modern theodolite
consists of a movable
telescope mounted within
two perpendicular axes
the horizontal or trunnion
axis, and the vertical

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 Field Work No. 8 [DETERMINATION OF THE HEIGHT OF A REMOTE POINT]

axis. When the telescope

is pointed at a target
object, the angle of each
of these axes can be
measured with great
precision, typically to
seconds of arc.
Transit refers to a
specialized type of
theodolite developed in
the early 19th century. It
featured a telescope that
could "flip over" ("transit
the scope") to allow easy
back-sighting and
doubling of angles for
error reduction. Some
transit instruments were
capable of reading angles
directly to thirty seconds.
In the middle of the 20th
century, "transit" came to
refer to a simple form of
theodolite with less
precision, lacking
features such as scale
magnification and
micrometers.
is a soft, white, porous
sedimentary rock, a form
3 pcs. Chalk of limestone composed of
the mineral calcite. This
is used in marking
measurements on
ground.

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A plumb bob is a tool

used to ensure that a
2 Pcs. Plumb building structure like a
bobs door frame or a shelving
support is as vertical as
possible. It is also used
to measure if an object is
placed directly under a
point above it, such as
placing a shower drain
relative to some point on
the ceiling, or putting
something right under a
lighting fixture.
A graduated pole or stick
with a movable marker,
2 pcs. Levelling used with a surveyor's
rod level to measure
differences in elevation.
Also called leveling pole,
leveling staff. Levelling
rods can be one piece,
but many are sectional
and can be shortened for
storage and transport or
lengthened for use.
Aluminum rods may
adjust length by
telescoping sections
inside each other, while
wooden rod sections are
attached to each other
with sliding connections
or slip joints.

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 Field Work No. 8 [DETERMINATION OF THE HEIGHT OF A REMOTE POINT]

A range pole, which may

also be called a lining
Range pole, is a pole painted
2pcs. with alternating stripes of
poles
different colors in
consistent widths used
often to site
measurements. The tool
may be a common one
for surveyors, where the
colors for the stripes are
usually red and white or
red and yellow. The
colors are picked based
on their visibility. One
end of the pole will
typically have either a
pointed tip or gripping
shoe to aid in standing it
on edge. Longer range
poles may be equipped
with a tripod or stand.
A tape measure or
measuring tape is a
2pcs 50 meter flexible form of ruler. It
tape consists of a ribbon of
cloth, plastic, fiber glass,
or metal strip with linear-
measurement markings.
It is a common
measuring tool. Its
flexibility allows for a
measure of great length
to be easily carried in
pocket or toolkit and
permits one to measure
around curves or corners.
Today it is ubiquitous,

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 Field Work No. 8 [DETERMINATION OF THE HEIGHT OF A REMOTE POINT]

even appearing in
miniature form as a
keychain fob, or novelty
item. Surveyors use tape
measures in lengths of
over 100 m (300+ ft).

PROCEDURE:

A. Determination the height of the north building.

1. The students designates the first point at the parking lot of

mapua.
2. Level the theodolite to its desired position, level the bubbles.
3. Then measure the height of the instrument by using the
theodolite and the levelling rod.
4. Then angle the theodolite to horizontal position or until 90.
5. Measure the angle of the theodolite by simply pointing the
crosshair to the vent of north building and get the angle.
6. Use the distance and the angle formed and compute the height
of the building by using phytagorean theorem.
7. Repeat instructions 2-7 for the 2nd trial but move the theodolite
to farther distance.
8. Get the mean of the two height and this will be the fina height.

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Computations

When surveying using a "level" instrument , the "level" instrument is set-up

and adjusted to level by adjusting the screws. When surveying you have an
instrument person and a rod person. When trying to find the height of the
instrument, the rod person places there rod over a "known" elevation,
either a benchmark or a temporary benchmark that has a known elevation.
To get the height of the instrument, you need to "shoot" the level to the
rod person holding the rod on the known elevation, this is called the
"Backsight". This elevation will be read by the instrument person, and
recorded in the survey field book. This value backsight elevation will then
be added to the known elevation of the benchmark or the temporary
benchmark, to get the height of instrument.

HI = known elevation + BS Height

+
=
sin( )
2
=


= =

PRINCIPLE

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Principle

In an oblique triangle the ratio of the length of any side and the sine
function of the the angle opposite this side is proportiona.This levelling
process is best applied for running long lines of levels on routes where no
established benchmarks are available for checking. Extra care should be
taken when setting up the level so as settlement will be avoided. The
instruments legs must be firmly anchored on the ground before sigthing
levelling rod especially on soft soil during rainy days. The term double
rodded does not really mean that the party will use two rods, it is really
preferred that only one rod is used must follow different routes.

Questions and problems

1.What are the advantages/disadvantages of breaking the
tape method in measuring horizontal distance of a sloping
terrain.
Its advantage is, more accurate but also depends on the difficulty
of the terrain. And as an add breaking the tape method is faster and
less mathematical based data. Its disadvantages are breaking the
tape method is hard when there is such a sloping in a terrain or a
substance that hindrances the straight path.
2. give other methods in measuring the horizontal distance
between two points.
The most accurate is the measurement of TDS total distance
system, we can also use the Pythagorean theorem in determining the
angle, we can also use law of cos, law of sin, break the tape
method,abney hand level, parallel distance measurement and many
other formulas.

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Final Data Sheet

Station BS HI FS IFS ELEVATION REMARKS

BM-1 1.79 501.79 500.00
0+000 1.63 500.16
0+015 1.265 500.525
0+030 1.79 502.57 1.01 500.78
0+045 1.535 501.035
0+060 1.23 501.34
0+075 1.65 503.24 0.98 501.59
0+090 1.475 501.765
0+105 1.28 501.96
0+120 1.555 503.715 1.08 502.16
0+135 1.40 502.315
0+150 1.55 504.03 1.235 502.48
0+165 1.455 502.575
0+180 1.35 502.68
0+195 1.44 504.165 1.305 502.725
0+210 1.405 502.76
0+225 1.385 502.78
0+240 1.275 503.96 1.48 502.685
0+255 1.275 502.685
0+270 1.36 504 1.32 502.64
0+285 1.37 502.63
0+300 1.17 503.62 1.65 502.45
0+315 1.715 501.905
0+330 0.20 501.3 2.52 501.1
0+345 1.56 499.74
0+360 0.91 499.445 2.765 498.535
0+375 1.42 498.025

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0+390 1.345 499.33 1.46 497.985

0+405 1.09 498.24
0+420 BS HI FS IFS ELEVATION REMARKS
0+435 2.445 501.345 0.43 498.9
0+450 1.26 500.085
0+465 1.985 503.08 0.26 501.095
0+480 1.36 501.72
0+495 1.50 503.55 1.03 502.05
0+510 1.385 502.165
0+525 0.685 502.775 1.46 502.09
0+540 1.25 501.525
0+555 0.53 501.325 1.98 500.795
0+570 1.345 499.98
0+585 2.085 499.24
0+600 0.67 499.19 2.805 498.52
0+615 1.31 497.88
0+630 0.76 497.98 1.97 497.22
0+645 1.34 496.64
0+660 1.72 496.26

ILLUSTRATION

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CONCLUSION

Based on my own observation to get more accurate results you

need to measure the BS, FS and IFS slowly and carefully to
obtain better results. Use the precise level carefully and never
forget to align the bubble to the center to have a accurate
levelling. You will need to correct these ground measurements
afterwards by using correct mathematical formulas . Learn also to
focus the precise level to the levelling rod and the diameter as
well and never forget to apply plumb bob to a vertical position. As
additional information we must also apply the value of patience in
making the task because the location is outside so expect
extreme heat or rain. Calculate all solutions properly and make
the distance measured more accurate. We need to be patient and
follow all the procedures carefully to make the measurement
accurate.

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