Surveying--I

Surveying
CE
CE--205 (T)

Tacheometry
Lecture 8

Department of civil engineering

UET Peshawar

Lecturer
Engr. Muhammad Rizwan

1
 Tacheometry
• Tacheometry is a branch of angular
surveying in which the horizontal and
vertical distances of points are
obtained by instrumental observations,
chaining thus entirely eliminated.
• Tacheometry is an optical solution to
the measurement of distance.

• The method is most rapid but less

accurate.
• The accuracy of Tacheometry is less
than that of chaining, but is far more
rapid in rough and difficult surfaces,
which make chaining difficult or
impossible.
Lecture 8 Tacheometry 2
 Tacheometry
• This method of survey consists of using either a level,
theodolite or specially constructed Tacheometer to
make cross hair intercept readings on a leveling staff.
As the angle subtended by the crosshairs is known,
the distance can be calculated.

• The primary object of Tacheometry is the

preparation of contoured maps or plans requiring
both the horizontal as well as Vertical Points. Also, on
surveys of higher accuracy, it provides a check on
distances measured with the tape.

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 3
 Uses of Tacheometry
• The Tacheometric methods of surveying are used with
advantage over the direct methods of measurement of
horizontal distances and differences in elevations.
Some of the uses are:
• Preparation of topographic maps which require both
elevations and horizontal distances.
• Survey work in difficult terrain where direct methods are
inconvenient.
• Detail filling
• Reconnaissance surveys for highways, railways, etc.
• Checking of already measured distances
• Hydrographic surveys Establishing secondary control.
• Check the more accurate taped distances to uncover
errors or mistakes.
• Carry lines of levels where low order accuracy is
required.
• Measure the lengths of traverse lines.
Lecture 8 Tacheometry 4
 INSTRUMENTS
• The instruments usually consist of
1) Tacheometer 2) Leveling or Stadia Rod

A Tacheometer is a general sense, is a transit theodolite having

stadia telescope i.e telescope fitted with a stadia diaphragm i.e
a telescope equipped with two horizontal hairs called Stadia
Hairs, in addition to the regular cross- hairs.

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 5
 INSTRUMENTS
• The instruments usually consist of
1) Tacheometer 2) Leveling or Stadia Rod

• The telescope used in stadia surveying are of

three kinds:
(1) The simple external-focusing telescope
(2) The external-focusing anallactic telescope
(3) The internal-focusing telescope.

• A stadia rod is usually of one piece, having 3 – 5

meters length.
• A stadia rod graduated in 5 mm (i.e. 0.005 m) for
smaller distances and while for longer distances,
the rod may be graduated in 1 cm (i.e. 0.01 m).
• For small distances (say up to 100 meters),
ordinary leveling staff may be used. For greater
distances a stadia rod may be used.

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 6
10' 7"

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 7
 Tacheometric Methods
• Different systems of Tacheometric Measurement:

• The various systems of Tacheometric survey may be classified as

follows:
Ø The stadia System
(a) Fixed Hair method of Stadia method
(b) Movable hair method, or Subtense method
Ø The tangential system
Ø Measurements by means of special instruments.

The principle common to all the systems is to calculate the horizontal

distance between two points A and B and their distances in
elevation, by observing
(i) The angle at the instrument at A subtended by a known short
distance along a staff kept at B, and
(ii) the vertical angle to B from A.
Lecture 8 Tacheometry 8
 Tacheometric Methods
• Fixed hair method
• In this method, the angle at the instrument at A subtended by a
known short distance along a staff kept at B is made with the help
of a stadia diaphragm having stadia wires at fixed or constant
distance apart.
• The readings are on the staff corresponding to all the three wires
taken.
• The staff intercept, i.e., the difference of the readings
corresponding to top and bottom stadia wires will therefore
depend on the distance of the staff from the instrument.
• For inclined sight, readings may be taken by keeping the staff
either vertical or normal to the line of sight.

• This is the most common method is tacheometry and the same

‘stadia method’ generally bears reference to this method.

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 9
 Tacheometric Methods
• Movable Hair method
• The interval between the stadia hairs being variable.
• In this method stadia lines are not fixed, but can moved by means
of micrometer screws. The staff is provided with two targets fixed
at known distance apart.
• The variable interval is measured and from this value the required
horizontal distance may be computed.
• This method rarely used.

• Tangential Method
• In this method a staff with two targets are provided, and vertical
angles to the two targets are observed with a theodolite.
• This method is used when the telescope of instrument is not
equipped with a stadia diaphragm.

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 10
 PRINCIPLE OF STADIA METHOD
The stadia method is based on the principle that the ratio of the
perpendicular to the base is constant in similar isosceles triangles.
A
A1
A2

O )
β C2 C1 C
B2
B1
B

• In figure, let two rays OA and OB be equally inclined to central ray

OC.
• Let A2B2, A1B1 and AB be the staff intercepts. Evidently,

OC2 OC1 OC
= = AB
A2B2 A1B1

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 11
In actual practice, observations may be made with either horizontal line
of sight or with inclined line of sight.
In the later case the staff may be kept either vertically or normal to the
line of sight.

Horizontal Sights: CASE 1

(When the line of sight is horizontal and the staff is held vertical.)

f2 f1
A

i c
. O C s
M
a
d
D B

Consider the figure, in which O is the optical Centre of the objective of

an external focusing telescope.
Let A, C, and B = the points cut by the three lines of sight corresponding
to three wires.
Lecture 8 Tacheometry 12
 f1
f2
A
Horizontal Sights:
CASE 1 :
b

. O C s
i c
M
a
d
B
D

b, c, and a = top, axial and bottom hairs of the diaphragm.

ab = i = interval b/w the stadia hairs (stadia interval)
AB = s = staff intercept
f = focal length of the objective
f1 = horizontal distance of the staff from the optical centre of the
objective
f2 = horizontal distance of the cross-wires from O.
d = distance of the vertical axis of the instrument from O.
D = horizontal distance of the staff from the vertical axis of the
instruments.
M = Centre of the instrument, corresponding to the vertical axis.
Lecture 8 Tacheometry 13
 f1
f2
Horizontal Sights: A
CASE 1 :

. O C s
i c
M
a
d
B
D

• Since the rays BOb and AOa pass through the optical
Center, they are straight so that AOB and aOb are
similar. Hence, f s 1
=
f2 i

• Again, since f1 and f2 are conjugate focal distances,

we have from lens formula,
1 1 1
= +
Lecture 8
f f2 f1 Tacheometry 14
Horizontal Sights: f2 f1
CASE 1 : A
b
i
a
c .
M
d
O C s

D B

Multiplying throughout by ff1, we get f1 = f1 f + f

f2
f1 s
Substituting the values of = in the above, we get
f2 i
s
f1 = f+f
i
Horizontal distance between the axis and the staff is
D = f1 + d
f
D= s + (f + d) = k . s + C
i
Above equation is known as the distance equation. In order to get the
horizontal distance, therefore, the staff intercept s is to be found by
subtracting the staff readings corresponding to the top and bottom stadia
hairs.
The constant k = f/i is known as the multiplying constant or stadia interval
factor and the constant (f + d) = C is known as the additive constant of the
15
instrument.
 Determination of Tacheometric
Constants
• Two methods available for determining the value of
constant (f/i) and (f+d)

1) First Method
2) Second method

• Home Assignment

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 16
CASE 1 : Horizontal Sights:

• Horizontal distance (D) of the staff from the vertical axis of the
instrument is given
f
D= s + (f + d) = k.s+C
i
• Elevation (R.L) of the staff station = elevation of Inst. Axis – Axial
hair reading

• Elevation of Inst. Axis = elevation of B.M + Backsight or

= elevation of B.M + HI

f2 f1
A

i c .
M
O C s
a
d
Lecture 8 D B Tacheometry 17
Inclined Sights:

• When the ground is rough, horizontal sights are not

possible and therefore inclined sights must betaken.
• In this case the staff may be held either vertical or
normal to the line of collimation(sight).
• CASE 11:
• When the line of collimation (sight) is inclined to the
horizontal and the staff is held vertical.
A` Ө A
C

B r
B`
β V
Q
O Ө
M
Q`
h

P
Lecture 8 D Tacheometry 18
Inclined Sights:
CASE 11
• Let P = Instrument station;
• Q = Staff station
• M = position of instruments axis;
• O = Optical Centre of the objective
• A, C, B = Points corresponding to
the readings of the three hairs
• s = AB = Staff intercept;
• L = Length MC measured along the line of
sight
• D = MQ’ = Horizontal distance between
the instrument and the staff
• V = Vertical intercept at Q, between the
line of sight and the horizontal line
• h = height of the instrument;
• r = central hair reading
• β = angle between the two extreme rays
corresponding to stadia hairs.

• i = Stadia interval
• Ө = Inclination of the line of sight
from the horizontal A` Ө A
C

B r
B`
β V
Q
O Ө
M
Q`
h

Lecture 8 P Tacheometry 19
D
Inclined Sights:
CASE 11
• Draw a line A’CB’ normal to the line of sight OC.

• Angle AA`C = 900 + β/2, being the exterior angle of

the ∆COA`. A` A
Ө
• Similarly, from ∆COB`, angle OB`C = angle BB`C = 900 C
– β/2.

B r
B`

β V
Q
O
Ө
M
Q`

P
D
Lecture 8 Tacheometry 20
Since β/2 is very, angle AA’C and angle BB’C may be approximately taken equal to 900.

∟AA’C = ∟BB’C = 900

From ∆ ACA’, A’C = AC cos Ө or A’B’ = AB cos Ө = s cos Ө ……….(a)

Since the line A’B’ is perpendicular to the line of sight OC, equation D = k s + C is
directly applicable. Hence, we have

MC = L = k . A’B’ + C = k s cosӨ + C . . . . . . . (b)

The horizontal distance
D = L cosӨ = (k s cosӨ + C) cosӨ

D = k s cos2Ө + C cosӨ . . . . . . (1)

Similarly, V = L sin Ө = (k s cosӨ + C) sinӨ = k s cosӨ . sinӨ + C sinӨ

. . . . . . (2)
sin2Ө
V=ks + C sinӨ
2
Thus equations (1) and (2) are the distance and elevation formulae for inclined line of
sight. 21
(a) Elevation of the staff station for angle of elevation
If the line of sight has an angle of elevation Ө, as shown in the figure, we
have

Elevation of staff station = Elevation of instrument station + h + V – r.

(b) Elevation of the staff station for the angle of depression:

Elevation of Q = Elevation of P + h – V - r

A`ӨA
C O
B B`r V
β Q V
O S
M Ө
Q`
h
r
P D
D 22
Lecture 8 Tacheometry
Inclined Sights:
CASE 111:
• When the line of collimation (sight) is inclined to the horizontal
and the staff is held normal to the line of collimation.
• Case (a): Line of Sight at an angle of elevation Ө

C
Ө
rcosӨ
B
β Q V

O
Ө
M C`
Q`

L cosӨ rsinӨ
P
D 23
Lecture 8 Tacheometry
Inclined Sights:
Case 111
Case (a): Line of Sight at an angle of elevation Ө

Let AB = s = staff intercept;

CQ = r = axial hair reading

With the same notations as in the last case, we have

MC = L = K s + C
The horizontal distance between P and Q is given by

D = MC’ + C’Q’ = L cosӨ + r sinӨ

. . . . . (3)
= (k s + C) cosӨ + r sinӨ

Similarly, V = L sinӨ = (k s + C) sinӨ . . . . . (4)

Elevation of Q = Elevation of P + h + V – r cosӨ

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 24
Inclined Sights:
CASE 111:
• When the line of collimation (sight) is inclined to the horizontal
and the staff is held normal to the line of collimation.
• Case (b): Line of Sight at an angle of depression Ө

M Q’ C’
Ө
O
h
V
P A

C1 C

B rcosӨ

Q
D
L cosӨ rsinӨ

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 25
Inclined Sights:
.
Case 111
• Case (b): Line of Sight at an angle of depression Ө

MC = L = k s + C
D = MQ’ = MC’ – Q’C’
= L cosӨ - r sinӨ
D = (k s + C) cosӨ - r sinӨ . . . . . (5)

. . . . . (6)
V = L sinӨ = (k s + C) sinӨ

Elevation of Q = Elevation of P + h – V – r cosӨ

M Q’ C’
Ө
h O
V
P A

C1 C
B rcosӨ

Q
D
L cosӨ rsinӨ
Lecture 8 Tacheometry 26
Example 1:
• A tacheometer was setup at a station P and following
readings were obtained on vertically held staff.
Station Staff Vertical Hair Readings Remarks
Station Angle
P B.M - 4o 22’ 1.050 1.103 1.156 RL of
Q + 10o 0’ 0.952 1.055 1.158 BM=
1958.500

• The constants of the instruments were (k= f/i)100 and (C= f+d)
0.1.
• Find Horizontal distance between P and Q and R.L of Q.
Solution:
• D = k s cos2Ө + C cosӨ

Sin2Ө
• V=ks + C sinӨ
2

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 27
Solution:
Station Staff Vertical Hair Readings Remarks
Station Angle
P B.M - 4o 22’ 1.050 1.103 1.156 RL of
Q + 10o 0’ 0.952 1.055 1.158 BM=
1958.500
First observation:
S1 = 1.156 – 1.050 = 0.106 , O = - 4o 22’
V1= 100 x 0.106 x sin(2x 4o 22)/2 + 0.1 x sin 4o 22 = 0.812 m
Second Observation:
S2 = 1.158 – 0.952 = 0.206 , O = + 10o 0’
V2 = 100 X 0.206 x sin(2x + 10o 0’)/2 + 0.1 x sin + 10o 0’= 0.354 m
D2 = 100 x 0.206 x cos2 10o 0’+ 0.1 + sin 10o 0’ = 20.078 m (distance
PQ)

RL of inst. Axis = RL of BM + Backsight + V1

= 1958.500 + 1.103 + 0.812 = 1960.215m

RL of Q = RL of inst. Axis + V2 – foresight

=1960.215 + 0.354 – 1.055 = 1959.514 m
Lecture 8 Tacheometry 28
Example 2:
• To determined the elevation of station A, the following
observation were taken , the rod held vertically. The
instrument fitted with Anallatic lens and value of constant was
100 .
Inst. Height Staff Vertical Staff Reading Remarks
Station of Station angle
instrum
ent
O 1.440 B.M - 5o40’ 1.332 1.896 2.460 R.L of BM
B 1.440 C.P +8o 20’ 0.780 1.263 1.746 = 158.205
m
A 1.380 C.P -6o 24’ 1.158 1.617 2.076
Solution:
• Since instrument fitted with anallatic lens, the additive
constant (f+d) = C = 0 and multiplying constant (f/i) = k =100
Sin2Ө
• V=ks + C sinӨ
2
• V = k s Sin2Ө
2
Lecture 8 Tacheometry 29
 Inst. Height of Staff Vertica Staff Reading Remark
Station instrument Station l angle s
O 1.440 B.M - 5o40’ 1.332 1.896 2.460 R.L of
1.440 C.P +8o 20’ 0.780 1.263 1.746 BM =
158.205
A 1.380 C.P -6o 24’ 1.158 1.617 2.076 m
Solution:
Vertical distances above or below the inst. Axis.
V1= 100(2.460 – 1.332) x sin(11o20’)/2 = 11.082 m
V2= 100(1.746 – 0.780) x sin (16o40’)/2 = 13.854 m
V3 = 100 (2.076 – 1.158 ) x sin(12o 48’)/2 = 10.170 m

R.L of O inst. Axis = R.L of B.M + axial reading + V1

= 158.205 + 1.896 + 11.082 = 171.183

R.L of C.P = R.L of inst. Axis + V2 – axial reading

= 171.183 + 13.854 – 1.263 = 183.774 m

R.L of inst. Axis at A = R.L of C.P + axial reading + V3

= 183.774 + 1.617 + 10.70 = 195.561 m

R.L of A = R.L of inst. Axis at A – hi

= 195.561 – 1.380 = 194.181 m
Lecture 8 Tacheometry 30
 Home Assignment

Example 3 to 10 page 91 to 99

Lecture 8 Tacheometry 31
 References
• Surveying & Leveling (part 1) by T P Kanetkar & S V Kulkarni
(Part 11 )

Lecture 8 Tacheometry
32