CVEN 2300: Surveying

LAB #8 Measure heights using total stations

 Objective:
To become familiar with how to measure the height of points on the ground and the height of a
building.
 Equipment:
Total station, tripod, flags, and tape

Task 1: Measuring the height of hydrology building and business building

Note: In your total station, do not enter your rod height and height of instrument for this task
1. Set up your total station.
2. The rod person locates a point close to the floor level of the business building. Record your
height of the rod to the center of the prism. Shoot the prsim, document zenith angle V, and

calculate the vertical distance to the rod VD1 (using the triangular law) and horizontal

distance HD.
3. Shoot the top of the building. Document zenith angle V and calculate vertical (triangular)

distance to the top of the building VD2.

4. Calculate the height of the building.
5. Following the same procedure to measure the height of the Hydrology Building.
6. Document your results in field book. Perform the same procedure for Business School.
How to calculate the height of a building?

H=?
Hr VD2
VD1

HD

Write down the equation here:

𝐻 = 𝐻𝑟 + 𝑉𝐷2 − 𝑉𝐷1

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Task 2: Measuring the elevation of points on the ground
1. Place flags on five points with elevational differences on the ground.
2. Set up your instrument on one point (say, A). Assume that the elevation of Point A HA is 500 ft.
Place the rod on a different point (say, B). In Quick Survey, click on “Station” button, then
enter your height of instrument hi measured from ground to the cross on the side of the
telescope with a tape and the elevation of Point A HA (which is Ho on the screen). Click on
“continue”, then enter your height of the rod (hr) measured from ground to the center of
prism with a tape. You can adjust the height using the nob on the side. Click on “measure”,
then click on the page button twice, it will report the elevation of Point B.

Thought question: How is the elevation of Point B (HB) calculated by total station?

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3. Keep the total station remaining at point A. Move the rod to other points and shoot the
elevation of each point. Document your results and sketch the locations of the points.