CVEN 2200: Surveying

LAB #9 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 heights of the 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 and level it.
2. The rod person locates a point close to the floor level of the business building. Record your
height of the rod (Hr) to the center of the prism. Shoot the prism, document zenith angle V,

horizontal distance HD (on page 1 of the screen), and the vertical distance to the prism

VD1 (on page 2 of the screen).

3. Shoot the top of the building. Document zenith angle V and vertical distance to the top of the

building VD2 (on page 2 of the screen).

4. Calculate the height of the Business Building. See the equation below
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

The height of the building equals:

𝐻 = 𝐻𝑟 + 𝑉𝐷2 − 𝑉𝐷1

1
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. Click on “measure”, then click on the page button to go to Page 3, it will
report the elevation of Point B.

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

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.

2
 Enter Hr, then press F1 under Station Enter Hi and Ho (elevation of station A: HA ), press continue.

Page
button
Turn to the
next page
Zenith
angle (z) VD

Elevation of B