Total Station

Civil Engineering - Year 2

(Geomatics)
CIVL05I03
Dr Ahmed Ragheb

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics

Total Station Basic Definition

The Total station system consists of

an EDM embedded with an
electronic theodolite under the
control of a built-in microprocessor
Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 1
Total Station Total Station Components

Digital
Theodolite

Accessories EDM

Total
Station
Digital
Battery
Processor

Keyboard
Internal
+
Memory
Display

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 2

Total Station Main Parts

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 3

Total Station Main Parts

Eye piece view Objective lens view

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 4

Total Station Function of the Components

The total station consists of many components, each has its own
function and role. Some of them function in the observation of
surveying measurements, while the other function in data
computations and storing.

Digital Theodolite : For measuring horizontal and vertical angles.

EDM : For measuring slope distances from instrument to the reflector.
Digital Processor : For data computations, such as coordinates determination.
Internal Memory : For digital storing of data.
Input and output Units : Keyboard and display screen.
Battery : For power supply to generate the electromagnetic waves.
Accessories: External memory, Battery, Cables, Case, Cleaning tools and tripod.

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 5

Total Station Measurements

• Inclined distances
• Horizontal and vertical angles
• Height differences
• Station E, N, H coordinates

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 6

Total Station Reflector and Target

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 7

Total Station Configuration of reflectors

Paper
Prism

One Reflector Three Nine Reflectors 360

Reflectors Reflector
Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 8
Total Station Common Models

Topcon Leica

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 9

Total Station Common Models

Sokkia Nikon

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 10

Total Station Modern Total Stations
Water and dustproof Smart Station Reflectorless

Robotic Imaging

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 11

Total Station Robotic Total Stations
Some modern total stations are 'robotic' allowing
the operator to control the instrument from a
distance via remote control. This eliminates the
need for an assistant staff member to hold the
reflector prism over the point to be measured.
The operator holds the reflector himself and
controls the total station from the observed point.

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 12

Total Station Setting up the instrument

The temporary adjustment of the total station is performed

at each occupied station. It consists of :

Centering Leveling using circular and Orientation

plate bubbles

As in Theodolite

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 13

Total Station What is required?

P2 ( E2,N2,H2) known
P ( E,N, H) unknown
HCR

P1 ( E1,N1, H1) known

S Hr

V
Hi H
unknown

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 14

Total Station Field Procedure
1- Input the data of the occupied station 2- Input the data of the target station
Station name = Station name =
E_coor = E_coor =
N_coor = N_coor =
H_coor = H_coor =
Inst. Ht = Ref. Ht =

3- Set orientation by sighting the target station

 E E 
(backsight). This rotates the horizontal circle 12  tan-1  2 1 
and makes HCR of Total station = Bearing of  N 2  N1 
the Baseline

Bearing of any sighted direction is the horizontal circle

reading of the Total station.

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 15

Total Station Field Procedure
4- Sighting the required station and recording Station name =
The HCR, VCR and slope distance
Code =
Ref. Ht =

5- The total
station will
compute,
display and
record the
E,N,H
coordinates

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 16

Total Station Coordinate Computation

En  Eo  S * Cos(V ) * Sin( HCR)

Target Point Occupied Point Slope Vertical
Angle Bearing
Coordinates Coordinates Distance

N n  No  S * Cos(V ) * Cos( HCR)

Target Point Occupied Point Instrument
Elevation Elevation Height Reflector Height

H n  H o  H i  S * Sin(V )  H r
Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 17
Total Station Programs

Useful additional programs to the total

station software, used for frequent surveying
tasks saving extensive calculation time

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 18

Total Station Programs
1- Remote Elevation Measurement (REM)

1- Measuring the slope distance between A

the instrument and the prism “S”.
2- Measuring the vertical angle to the
reflector “v” and required point “Va”.
3- Compute the Elevation of point A Va
hi

P
H A  H p  hi  S * cos(v) * tan(Va )

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 19

Total Station Programs
2- Missing Line Measurement (MLM)

1- Measuring the line PA “dpa”.

A
2 - Measuring the line PB “dpb”.
3- Measuring the horizontal angle “w”.
4- Compute the length dab
P w B

d ab  d  d  2 * dpa * dp * cos(w)
2
pa
2
pb

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 20

Total Station Programs
3- Point Setting out

1- Enter the coordinates of the known occupied station

2- Enter the coordinates of the known target station
3- Set orientation
4- Enter the coordinates of the known required station
5- Set out the required point with angle and distance through trial
Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 21
Total Station Programs
4- Occupied Station Elevation (or coordinates)

(E, N coordinate Unknown)

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 22

Total Station Programs
5- Area Computation

Area computed using coordinates of points

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 23

Total Station Output Format

• Raw data file (FILE.RAW): includes raw information

pt. No, HCR, VCR, Slope distance, Ht
• Coordinates file (FILE.XYZ): includes the coordinates of points
pt. No, X, Y, Z, Description
• DXF file (FILE.DXF): (Drawing eXchange Format)
Can be used to support CAD graphics
• AutoCAD file (FILE.DWG): AutoCAD DraWinG files
Ready made AutoCAD drawings (only in specific models)

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 24

Total Station Communication with Computer

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 25

Total Station Communication with Computer

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 26

Total Station Raw Data File

Instrument Height
Pt. No.
Target Height

Code

Horizontal Circle Reading

Vertical Circle Reading

Slope Distance

Through a specific program depending on the Total Station

Model, e.g. T-COM for Topcon.

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 27

Total Station Coordinate XYZ file
Point Elevation
No. Northing
Easting
Code

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 28

Total Station Displaying Drawing Data file

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 29

Total Station Point Information

Point No.
Point Style

Elevation
Description

Dr Ahmed Ragheb Tutorial 1 CIVL05I03 – Geomatics 30