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INVESTIGATION OF THE ACCURACY OF SURVEYING AND BUILDINGS WITH THE

PULSE (NON PRISM) TOTAL STATION

Article  in  International Journal of Advanced Research · January 2016

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ISSN 2320-5407 International Journal of Advanced Research (2016), Volume 4, Issue 3, 1518-1528

Journal homepage:http://www.journalijar.com INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL

OF ADVANCED RESEARCH

RESEARCH ARTICLE

INVESTIGATION OF THE ACCURACY OF SURVEYING AND BUILDINGS WITH THE PULSE (NON
PRISM) TOTAL STATION.

Sami H. Ali1, *Najat Qader Omar2, Sohaib K. M. Abujayyab3.

1. Dept. of Civil Engineering College of engineering, University of Tikrit, Tikrit-Iraq.
2. Dept. of Civil Engineering College of engineering, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk-Iraq.
3. School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, UniversitiSains Malaysia, 14300 NibongTebal, P. Pinang.
Malaysia.

Manuscript Info Abstract

Manuscript History:
Received: 14 January 2016
Final Accepted: 16 February 2016
Published Online: March 2016
Key words:
Reflectorless Total Station,
Accurate Investigations, Surveying
of Buildings, External corners,
Internal corners, Wall points, Angle
of incidence, Field Surveying Time,
Least squares theory, Computer
adjustment programs.
*Corresponding Author
NajatQaderOmar.
The recent technological developments have provided surveyors with new
―high-tech‖ surveying equipment, such as, prismless total station
instruments. These instruments require investigating their basic technical
parameters to improve the engineering, surveying measurements (e.g.,
surveying the buildings).Refectrorless total station observation provides
rapid measurement in terms of saving time and labor for surveyors since this
instrument requires no reflecting prism or tape and can measure distances
without using reflecting prism. With using this device, the surveying crew
does not need to hold the reflector at the place where each observation will
be made (i.e., one- person survey operation).For surveyors, the accuracy of
these types of observations is under concerns because of the variety of
constraints that affect the observations. This research has been carried out on
various field tests, two fields surveying, building experiments with prisms
and prismless modes using the pulse (non-prism) TOPCON GPT-2006 Total
Station to evaluate the limitations and accuracy of this instrument in
surveying the buildings. Analysis of the theoretical study results of the
accuracy of station coordinates from non-prism total station is also included.
As a result, the present study has confirmed that the error vectors increase as
the distance from the instrument position increases. For external corner
points, the values of the errors of most points are not within the instrument
specification accuracy (±10 mm), but they are within the plottable accuracy
(±0.2 mm) at the engineering plan scale 1/500 or smaller. It can also be
noticed that the external corners are always measured long. However, for
internal corner points, the error vectors of most of these points are within the
specified instrument accuracy (±10mm) and plottable accuracy of the
automatic plotting (±0.2 mm). Moreover, all the horizontal angles of
incidence to these points are between 10 to 44 degrees. However, the
measurements of these points are always measured short as stated above. In
addition, for wall points, the displacements (error vectors ) between 40 mm
to 60 mm are not within the instrument accuracy specifications, but they are
within the plottable accuracy for plotting the engineering plan at scale 1/500
or smaller. Therefore, it is advisable to establish a control network point near
the required building with a multitude of separate instrument setups and the
horizontal angles of incidence to the detail survey points between –36 to
+36 degrees from the normal. Moreover, if the external and internal corners
of a building are only observed, we can plot the plan at scale 1/250 or
smaller.

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The field time for surveying the building in each case was estimated using
prismatic and the non-prism mode. The results of the trials showed a
considerable savings in the field time required to complete the surveying of
the detail points of the building. There is a savings up to 35% of the field
time when the reflectorless total station was used compared to the prismatic
total station. This will lead to a reduction in both the overall production time
and cost to complete the final engineering plan. When other total station
equipment is used, the results of the current study can be used as a general
guide only. The results of the current practical field experiments,
computations and analysis of these tests using various calculations and least
squares theory (computer adjustment programs, Excel and AutoCAD 2010)
are also presented in digital and/or graphical forms.

Copy Right, IJAR, 2016,. All rights reserved.

Introduction:-
Nowadays, there are a large number of total station makes and models available that can take measurements to a
prism and in prismless modes using the phase shift or pulsed methods (Kavanagh,2009; Uren et al.,2006). The basic
difference between electronic total stations and reflectorless total stations is that reflectorless total station may be
used without a retroprism (Paiva,2005). There are two types of measuring signals, ' phase shift' and 'time of flight'
(TOF), which is also known as 'pulse'. Although phase shift is considered the most accurate and has narrow beam, it
has the disadvantage of a small range. Conversely, TOF has a greater distance with a wider signal causing a
reduction of accuracy (Kavanagh,2009; Key et al., 2005). Only a small amount of energy is required to measure a
distance to a prism using this technology. The TOF technology measures the distance directly by converting the time
taken for the laser signal (Light Amplification by Simulated Emission of Radiation) to return to the instrument from
the prism. While phase shift uses a set of different wavelengths to compute the distance (Key et al.,2005). The recent
technological developments have provided surveyors with new ―high-tech‖ surveying equipment such as prismless
total station measuring technique. Manufacturers refer to this technology as "reflectorless", "prismless" or "direct
reflex". The range, accuracy and other specifications may vary slightly, but all sufficient for use on the job site (e.g.
civil engineering construction work).

Initially, range and measuring beam width issues limited this technology. However, now most of these limitations
have been overcome. Reflectorless range has been extended up to 2000 m. Accuracy of Reflectorless total station is
as good as ± (1 mm + 1ppm). However, for the ranges of several hundred meters, it is difficult to accurately point
the instrument towards the target and beam divergence can become a problem ( Hahn,2013).The electronic total
station has been used for surveying the engineering work (e.g., production of the engineering plan) (Ali et al.,2011;
Abid, 2013). For many applications in construction and surveying, it is often difficult or inconvenient to place a
reflector at one end of the distance to be measured. In reflector less mode, a total station can measure distances
without using a reflector (Eiteljorg,1994; Abid,2003 and 2005). However, the current project involved the use of the
pulse ' time of flight' (TOF) total station (Key et al.,2005) to survey the engineering work in order to produce the
engineering plan at scale 1/500 or smaller. This total station requires no prism or reflecting tape. The great
advantage for using a total station that requires no prism is simple. The survey team does not need to hold a prism,
reflecting-tape target or special paper target at the place where each measurement will be made. Moreover, the
measurements can be taken by one person (one-person survey operation), which helps to save labor costs. In
addition, the work needs shorter time as there is no need to wait whilst the reflector is moving from one point to
another without a long and tedious search of the prism. This will lead to increase the productivity and saving field
surveying time. Consequently, a prismless total station makes survey easier and faster rather than the electronic
(prism) total station, where it is often difficult or inconvenient to place a reflector vertically at the point to be
measured (e.g., a corner of a building ), unless using a special reflector ( paper reflector or 1mm flat prism) or
offset methods. Other applications, where measurements have to be taken at difficult targets that are inaccessible or
dangerous to reach.

The reflectorless total station offers new opportunities to surveyors to be used in the field but it demands knowledge
of the technology, not only to gain the benefits of efficiency and speed, but also to ensure that correct measurements
are being made. Reflectorless total station measurement process requires a basic understanding of how these
measurements are done. This will lead to the key of successful measurement of the instrument. From the basic

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principles of the laws of reflection that the incident ray, the reflected ray emitted from the prismless total station and
the normal to the reflection surface at the point of the incidence lies in the same plane and the angle which the
incident ray makes with the normal is equal to the angle which the reflected rays makes to the same normal
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflection). Therefore, the problems of using the prismless total station are object
range, angle of incidence; beam divergence and reflectivity of the surface object (Coaker, 2009). The accuracy of
this instrument depends mainly on these factors. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the effect of these factors on the
accuracy of instrument observations. The effects of distance from total station to the object, horizontal and vertical
angles of incidence of the reflecting surface, the colors and types of measuring surface on the accuracy of
reflectorless total station measurements were previously investigated. Moreover, a direct measurement to internal
and external corners (e.g., a building) was performed (Coaker,2009; Beshret al., 2011; Reda et al.,2012; Ali, 2012).
Their results show that the accuracy of observed slope distance to the white surface is higher than the accuracy of
any other surface color; hence, this surface has the strongest reflectivity for prismless total station signal beam (ray)
as compared with any other surface. The surface of the black target has a very low-reflectivity, so it absorbs more
energy. The results also show that increasing the inclination angle of incidence leads to increase the errors in the
slope (slant) distance measured in reflectorless mode. However, different reflectorless total stations makes and
models have been used for investigating the accuracy of this equipment, but the final results can be used as a general
guide only. The previous study by (Ali, 2012) that has been conducted with various surveying fields surveying tests
was using the pulse (prismless) TOPCON GPT-2006 Total station to evaluate the limitations and accuracy of this
instrument.

This previous study has confirmed that observations at right angles to an object (building are generally well within
manufacturer specifications (σ =10mm) and observations to surfaces of a building from a position that is not at right
angles to the surface of the building (signal beam) can introduce errors. In addition, this study suggests that the angle
of incidence of the measuring signal to the building points (external and internal corners and wall surface points) has
a large influence on the accuracy of the measurement. It is recommended to use horizontal angle of incidence for
measuring the detail survey points between -36 to + 36 degrees from the normal. In addition, in case of
measurements to a vertical surface, the maximum measured vertical angles of incidence were about forty degrees
when a prismatic observation was used and fifty degrees for reflector less measurements. In addition, the internal
corner always measured short, while the external corner always measured long. Finally, the resulting error of
measuring distances for white color target (Al Capony) is less than the error of any other target color. Hence, the
surface has the strongest reflectivity for the reflectorless Total Station beam as compared with any other surface
color target. In general, the total station can measure and record the horizontal and vertical angles together with
slope distance. Then, the three-dimensional coordinates (N, E, Z) will be computed by the on board microprocessor
(computer) using trigonometrical calculations. Therefore, if the distance is measured incorrectly, then the resultant
calculated coordinates will also be wrong. For this reason, distance measurement will represent the essential
component of instrument accuracy.

The objectives of the present research are as follows:-

 An analysis of theoretical study of the accuracy of station coordinates from reflectorless total station TOPCON
GPT-2006.
 Making a comparison study of the accuracy and field survey time of the measurements of a concrete white
building to produce the final engineering plan by using prismlessand prism modes.
 In addition, a number surveying techniques and recommendations is included with special applications to
surveying the buildings. The results of the present field experiments are summarized and illustrated graphically.

In the current study, Pulse Total Station TOPCONGPT-2006 was used for the accuracy investigations. The specified
accuracy of this instrument in Non-prism mode is m.s.e. = ± (10mm) at 3 to 25 m andm.s.e. = (±5mm + 2ppmxD)
at 25m or more, where D is the measured distance in Km. The m.s.e. in prism mode is ± (3mm +2ppmxD) and the
horizontal and vertical beam divergence is 10mm of a distance (30-50)m (TOPCON, 2000).

Research methodology:-
In this section, an analysis of the theoretical study of the accuracy station coordinates from prismless total station
TOPCON GPT-2006 is performed. Also, a presentation of two fields surveying will be given with building tests
carried out by means of the prism and prismless Total Station TOPCON GPT-2006 in order to assess the accuracy of
the instrument measurements.

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Basic principle and accuracy of point coordinates of prismless total station:-

The basic principle for the working of the reflectorless total station is computing the position of any station (B) in
three dimensional coordinates ( EB , NB , ZB ) from its basic observations ( horizontal and vertical angles together
with slope (slant) distances without using prisms (reflectors), where, the occupied (instrument) station is A as
shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1:.Geometry of the Reflectorless Total Station Measurements.

The coordinates of any station (B) can be calculated by using the total station as follows:

cos 𝛾 sin 𝛼

𝑆 cos 𝛾 cos 𝛼
sin 𝛾

Where: EB, NB, ZB - the coordinates of measured station (B); EA, NA, ZA - the coordinates of occupied station (A);
and α γ s - the horizontal, vertical angles and slope (slant) distance respectively. Eqs.1 to 3 have three unknown
parameters (EB, NB, ZB) and three observations. Thus, there is no redundancy of observations, and then this situation
has a unique solution. Therefore, the multivariate technique (Jacobean method) will be used to determine the accuracy
of coordinates of the station (B). By differentiating Eqs. 1 to 3, and using multivariate propagation technique (taking the
probability), expectation method (Beshr et al.,2011; Mikhail et al.,1981), the following formulae can be derived:

𝜎𝐸2 = ( cos 𝛾 sin 𝛼) 2 𝜎𝑆2 + (Scos 𝛾 cos 𝛼) 2 𝜎𝛼2 + (−𝑆 sin 𝛾 sin 𝛼 ) 2 𝜎𝛾2 (4)
𝜎𝑁2 = (cos 𝛾 cos 𝛼) 2 𝜎𝑆2 + (- S cos 𝛾 sin 𝛼) 2𝜎𝛼2 + (- S sin 𝛾 cos 𝛼) 2 𝜎𝛾2 (5)
𝜎𝑍2 =(sin 𝛾) 2𝜎𝑆2 + ( S cos 𝛾 ) 2 𝜎𝛾2 (6)

Accuracy (𝜎hi) are equal to ±2mm. Assuming the coordinates of the occupied station (A) are (0,0,0). Three cases were
studied to calculate the coordinates of the point (B) and its accuracy as follows:

(a) 𝛼 = 0, 𝛾= 0 and S = variable.Where𝜎𝑆 ,𝜎𝛼 ,and 𝜎𝛾 the standard deviation (accuracy) of measured slope (slant)
distance, horizontal and vertical angles of the instrument respectively. These values can be taken from the
specifications of the instrument or from experiment tests. The optimum results of the positional accuracy (𝜎P ) of the
observed station can be obtained if 𝜎E = minimum, 𝜎N = minimum, 𝜎Z = minimum, Where 𝜎P =
2 2 2
𝜎𝐸 + 𝜎𝑁 + 𝜎𝑍 . From the analysis of the criteria of the positional accuracy (𝜎P), the minimum value of (𝜎P)
willbe obtained when the parameters 𝛼 = 0 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛾 = 0 . Moreover, for distance (S), as the distance between the

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total station and the measured station increases, the standard deviations will increase. Then, the positional accuracy
(𝜎P) will decrease. Where, it is clear that there is no optimum value for distance (S). A theoretical study was executed
to check the effect of error in instrument position, distance, horizontal and vertical angles on the accuracy of point
coordinates. Assuming that 𝜎𝛼 = ±𝜎𝛾 = ± 6" and

𝜎𝑆 = ±10𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑡 3 𝑡𝑜 25 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝜎𝑆 = ±(5 + 2𝑝𝑝𝑚)at 25m or more. These values of the mean square errors were
taken from the specifications of the instrument (TOPCON, 2000). Also, assume that the instrument centering accuracy
(𝜎i) and height of the instrument. The following cases are performed:

(a) 𝛼 = 0, 𝛾= 0 and S = variable.

(b) 𝛼 = 0, 𝛾= variable and S = variable.
(c)𝛼 = 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒, 𝛾= 0 and S = variable.

From the analysis of theoretical study results, the following points can be stated:-
 For (σE), the standard deviation in Easting direction, the effect in instrument position, and distance on the
standard deviation (σE) is less than the change of horizontal angles of incidence. However, when the horizontal
angle of incidence (α) is close to zero, the accuracy will increase.
 For (σ_N), the standard deviation in Northing direction, the effect of change in instrument position on the
standard deviation (σ_N) is greater than the change of horizontal angles of incidence.
 For (σ_Z ), the standard deviation in Z- direction, the effect of the error in vertical angle of incidence on the
standard deviation (σ_Z) is large but the error in horizontal angle is very small.

In the current study, Pulse Total Station TOPCON GPT-2006 was used for the accuracy investigations. The
specified accuracy of this instrument in Non-prism mode is m.s.e. = ± ( 10mm) at 3 to 25 m and m.s.e. =
±(5mm + 2ppmxD) at 25m or more, where D is the measured distance in Km. The m.s.e. in prism mode is ±
(3mm +2ppmxD) and the horizontal and vertical beam divergence is 10mm of a distance (30-50)m (TOPCON,
2000).

Field Surveying Tests:-

Two field surveying building tests have been conducted with special application to surveying buildings and to see
how the reflector-less results vary. These include surveying the concrete white building using prismatic and
prismless measurement modes to establish what accuracy results from the surveying systems of observations.

Surveying the building by using the pulse total station instruments:-

The concrete white building of the civil engineering department at the University of Kirkuk was selected as the
measurement test survey area. In the current field experiment, the specifications and objectives, control traverse
network, detail surveying observations have been conducted. The surveying system was carried out by the authors at
the college of engineering survey test area in 2015 using the pulse total station equipment TOPCON GPT -2006
with prism and non-prism modes, which is available at the laboratory of the university. All total station programs
require that the instrument (occupied) station and at least a reference station (back sight) to be identified so that their
E (easting), N (northing), and Z (height) can define all subsequent tied-in stations coordinates. The instrument
station's coordinates and height, together with azimuth to the back sight reference station (or its coordinates), can be
entered in the field or uploaded prior to going out to the field.

After setup, and before the instrument has been oriented for surveying the height of the instrument above the
instrument station and prism height must be measured and recorded. The horizontal control network was established
around the survey area in order to pick up the detail survey points. The surveying of these control stations was
executed by traversing. A total station loop (closed) traverse has been done as shown in Fig. 2. Generally, the
control network system covers (in a conceptual sense) circular areas. In addition, additional minor control points
have been observed using the side shot and resection (free stationing) methods. These minor control points can be
fixed prior to or in conjunction with the detailed survey. The observed coordinates (N,E,Z) for the traverse control
stations are stored in the internal memory of the total station. These coordinates are downloaded to the computer for
subsequent processing and adjustment. The coordinates of the detail traverse stations were adjusted by approximate
and/or least squares methods (see Section 3.1). The resulting coordinates and height may be stored, on a control file,
for subsequent automatic access during further control and detail survey system calculations. The detail survey

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system consists of the surveying of a building (test survey area). All detail fixation is made using the prismatic and
prismless modes i.e., with a flat paper reflector and without reflector (reflectorless).
As an alternative to reflecting prism (target) and at short distance (Uren et al.,2006), special plan targets, or foil can
be used. They are made in various sizes, formats and colors, and are self -adhesive and available in sheet or roll
form. These targets will work with most total station. The measuring range and accuracy can be obtained depends on
their size and the angle of intersection of the target. A 25-30 mm square target will generally suffice to measure up
to 100 m (Uren et al.,2006). The line of sight of the telescope should be as close as possible and normal to the target
surface. In the current research, a 40x40 mm square paper targets were used (hand-positioned targets), because it is
difficult to set up the prism centrally, e.g., over a vertical edge of a building, unless offset methods can be used.
Also, the care that must be exercised in positioning the targets on the corner points. It was proved that the measuring
range up to 100 m was obtained. The process involves that the total station is set up at each station of the control
traverse network in turn and used to pick up the detail points from them as required, using the radial method. This
will speed up the field surveying of the detail points. The sequence of observing the detail points is picked up at
random (i.e., not string order). Each detail point was measured twice of face left and face right in order to cancel out
or reduce the instrument errors and the mean value was computed. However, the sequential numbering system of
each feature was used for joining the detail points at the subsequent automatic plotting stage. This method will give
the surveyor more flexibility in the field and later at the automatic plotting stage. The walls of the building are made
of precast concrete and painted with white color. Twenty-four corners of the building and four wall points were
observed in the study area.

However, the corners of the building are nearly sharp (well- defined) points (= ± 5mm).The detail points are marked
with a cross at the corners of the walls of the building. These points are observed by the pulse total station
equipment using reflector (flat plastic prism)) mode. The same field procedure as described above was used to locate
the same marked detail survey points of the building using the Total Station in prismless mode in order to compare
the final resulting coordinate of these survey points and the field survey time by the two different modes. In order to
speed up the fieldwork, automatic point number incrementation option was used; where most total station equipment
have this option. As far as coding system is concerned, a simple sequential numbering system was used for coding
the traverse control stations. For detail points, all physical ground features are grouped into classes and subclasses
for purposes of identification, processing and digital plotting. The alphanumeric code system is used for coding the
detail features, where each code consists of a main code and a sub-code. However, if this code is purely numeric, it
is unnatural to use and difficult to remember. Alphabetic characters allow logical abbreviations to be used,
permitting the identification of an entire library of ground feature types. Therefore, a coding system of the first and
last letters of the name of a feature works adequately, with few exceptions. For example, RD represents road, KB
kerb, BG building, etc. Double-barrelled descriptions such as lamp post can be represented as an LP, etc.

This type of coding system is easier to understand for the surveyor and computer operator. Sub-codes are assigned
numeric codes using sequential numbers. Moreover, the sequential numbering system was assigned to the detail
points of each ground feature. In this way, each detail point in the field is given a unique number. Moreover, the
special code sheet was designed for field use (Kavanagh,2009; Ali,2006; Ibid, 2013). However, this coding system
shows up on the printout and can (if desired) show up on the computer plot. The captured data from the total station
(internal memory) instruments are downloaded into the computer using the TOPCON download program (T-COM)
(TOPCON, 2000). The resulting coordinates and height may be stored on a survey file for subsequent computer
plotting and/or digital Ground modeling (digital data bank). The digital data bank has been created to allow easy
access, retrieval and updating the information and to satisfy the user needs. This will enable the engineer to design
and cost his construction projects. In the current research, the following information is stored in the digital data
bank:
1. Traverse control stations coordinates with their reference numbers.
2. Detail survey points data (Point number, The coordinates (N, E, Z), Feature Codes and Accuracy Codes).

In this study, sequential file system was used. The random access file system should be used in order to speed up the
retrieval process of the data from the data bank. Various retrieval and manipulation facilities from the digital data
bank can be used easily, such as identification of data by means of feature codes, station number and coordinates. In
addition, plotting specific information at any required scale, orientation and content were performed. Auto Cad 2005
and 2010 have been used for plotting the Total station survey. The computer graphics softwareswere used for
plotting the traverse control network, grid model, error ellipses, texts, symbols and plotting the detail survey points
(see Figs. 2 and 3). The layering technique was used successfully in the current research, where specific types of

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detail points can be stored in layers, which can be turned on and off as required. This enables users to set up layers
of details and allows them to select only those of particular interest. Computer Plots the survey from data in a survey
file to any desired scale and orientation were executed. Options including the plotting of points with height and/or
point number and/or feature codes and/or joining lines and feature macros (symbols) were used. The information
required from the survey can be obtained. Usually, this is either in a graphical form as drawings produced on the
CRT and internal printer for checking, addition and correction and/or on a digital plotter or textual form as a listing
of data on a printer or on a screen. However, output information can also be in the form of data files stored on a disc
for subsequent use.

Analysis of the Results:-

Firstly, the corners and walls points of the building were surveyed by the pulse total station in prism mode and
secondly, the same building points were surveyed by the pulse Total station in prismless mode. Therefore, a simple
comparison of the two sets of data has been made. Where, the measured coordinates of the total station in prism
mode of the test area were used as the standard to which other data in reflectorless mode must be compared.
However, 24 corners and 4 wall points of the building have been surveyed (section 2.1.1). The analysis of the results
can be broken as follows.

Traverse network and engineering plan results.

The following optional adjustment computer programs by (1) Bowditch, (2) Equal shift (adjustment), and (3) Least
squares (Variation of Coordinates) methods are used to adjust the field observations of the horizontal control (loop
traverse) network. In addition, the least squares program calculates the absolute of each control station and relative
error ellipses between the adjacent control stations (Ali,2011;Ibid, 2013; Mikhail et al.,1981, Wolf et al.,2008). The
parameters of these ellipses were derived from the variance-covariance matrix of the total station field observations.
Each program will print out the degree of precision of the calculations and error messages will show up if the results
are outside the specified tolerances. Moreover, additional minor control points were computed and added to the
main control file, using the intersection, resection (free- stationing) and interpolation techniques.

A typical printout is shown in Tables 2 to 4. The diagram of the control traverse, error ellipses, grid lines and other
annotations are plotted on the graphic screens, printer and /or an automatic digital plotter (Fig. 2). Auto Cad 2010
has been used for plotting the total station detail points, using the layering technique facility. Typical output results
of the engineering plan for the building are shown in Fig. 3.

Table 1:Output results from the adjustment computer programs of the traverse controlnetwork.

BOWDITCH'S EQUAL SHIFT LEAST

METHOD METHOD SQUARES
METHOD
NORTHING

NORTHING

NORTHING
EASTING

EASTING
EASTING

(m)

(m)
(m)

(m)

(m)
(m)

100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000

100.018 119.289 100.015 119.288 100.015 119.288

171.180 118.735 171.180 118.736 171.178 118.746

170.998 99.464 170.995 99.463 170.996 99.461

RELATIVE 1 /10,600
ACCURACY
= 1 / 10,600

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Table2: Absolute error ellipses parameters traverse control network.

SEMI-MAJOR SEMI-MINOR BEARING OF

STATION AXIS (m) AXIS (m) SEMI-MAJOR AXIS (Degrees)
No.
1 FIXED - -
POINT
2 FIXED - -
POINT
3 0.015 0.002 270.528
4 0.015 0.002 270.349

Table 3: Relative error ellipses parameters traverse control network.

LINE SEMI- SEMI- BEARING OF
MAJOR MINOR SEMI-MAJOR
FROM TO AXIS AXIS AXIS (Degrees)
(m) (m)
2 3 0.015 0.002 270.528
3 4 0.002 0.001 0.539
4 1 0.015 0.002 270.349

Fig.2.Absolute and relative errors of the traverse network.

The results of the surveying the building by reflector and reflectorless modes:-
Firstly, the corners and walls points of the building were surveyed by the pulse total station in prism mode and
secondly, the same building points were surveyed by the pulse Total station in prismless mode. Therefore, a simple
comparison of the two sets of data has been made. Where, the measured coordinates of the total station in prism
mode of the test area were used as the standard to which other data in reflectorless mode must be compared.

Fig. 3.Computer plot for the engineering plan at scale 1/1000.

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However, 24 corners and 4 wall points of the building has been surveyed (see Section (2.2.1)). A summary of the
results from the surveying field experiment is shown in Fig. 4. This figure illustrates the graphical representation of
the error vectors (displacements) of the measurements at each observed point for the current test. The following
points can be stated:
1. Generally, the error vectors are increasing as the distance from the instrument position increases. Other factors
that affect the values of these errors are the horizontal and vertical angles of incidence, signal beam divergence
and the reflectivity of the surface.
2. For external corner points, the errors at point No. 1, 2, 3,5,6,8 are between 10 mm to 60 mm. The horizontal
angles of incidence to these points are 9, 15, 44, 77 and 87 degrees respectively. As the horizontal angle of
incidence exceeds 77 degrees, the error vectors increase. However, the values of these errors are not within the
instrument specification accuracy (± 10 mm), but they are within the plottable accuracy (± 0.2 mm) at the
engineering plan scale 1/500 or smaller. It can also be noticed that the external corners are always measured
long. As far as the reflection of the returning signal is concerned, except points No. 6 and 8, for all other points,
the beam signal is reflected from the right side edge of the emitted beam signal for the survey point. These
reflection positions of the signal beam depend mainly on the horizontal angle of incidence and the observed
distance.
3. For internal corner points, the error vectors of these points are within the specified instrument accuracy
(±10mm) and plottable accuracy of the automatic plotting (± 0.2 mm). Moreover, all the horizontal angles of
incidence to these points are between 10 to 44 degrees. However, the measurements of these points are always
measured short. Except point No. 4, 22, for all other points, the beam signal is reflected from the right side edge
of the beam signal.
4. For wall points, the errors at points 7, 12, 19 and 28 are between 40 mm to 60 mm at horizontal angles of
incidence between 70 and 82 degrees. The displacements (error vectors) are not within the instrument accuracy
specifications, but they are within the plottable accuracy for plotting the engineering plan at scale 1/500 or
smaller.
One possible cause of these errors is due to the large horizontal angle of incidence of the reflected signal and
signal beam divergence. Other possible causes could be the reflectivity of the surface and the positioning of the
targets. It can be noticed that as the angle of incidence and the distance increase, the error vectors increase. In
addition, the reflected beam signal is reflected from the right side edge of the beam and those parts of the signal
will return quickly and give a reading that is furthest than it truly is ( for the positive angle of incidence
measurements ). While the signal is reflected from the left side of the beam signal (for the negative angle of
incidence measurements) and those parts of the signal will return quickly and give reading that is closer than it
truly looks.

In both cases, the observations are taken from the right and left sides of the instrument to the object. Additionally, as
was proved that the maximum horizontal angle of incidence of the reflector (positive or negative) is between -36 to
+36 degrees by the square, where the measurements of the instrument were not executed. However, for angles more
than ± 36 degrees from the normal, the paper reflector target was positioned on the wall points, but it was rotated
with approximately perpendicular to the signal beam angle. In this case, errors can be introduced in the distance
measurements. There are two parts to the errors caused by laser beam divergence, the size of the ' dot' (footprint) on
the reflected surface and the angle of incidence with the surface.

Unfortunately, by moving the instrument to a more distant position to lower the angle of incidence also has the
effect of increasing the size of the laser 'dot'. The ideal would be to set up the instrument at a perpendicular angle for
each measurement. This would allow for measurement that is more reliable but this is often either impossible or
impracticable in surveying the buildings.

Therefore, it is advisable to establish a control network point near the required building and the horizontal angles of
incidence to the detail survey points are between –36 to +36 degrees from the normal. The field time for surveying
the building of each case, using prisms and the non-prism mode was estimated. The results of the trials showed a
considerable savings in the field time required to complete the surveying of the detail points of the building. There is
a savings up to 35% of the field time by using the reflectorless total station as compared with the prismatic total
station. This will lead to a reduction in the overall production time to complete the final engineering plan.

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Fig. 4.Error vectors for the plan of the building.

Conclusions and Recommendations:-

The current study has been carried out only on the TOPCON Pulse (Prismless) Total Station GPT- 2006 with special
application for surveying the buildings. However, a non-prism measurement technology is quite similar between all
Total Station equipment; it is likely these conclusions can also apply to other instruments in general. The following
points can be concluded:
1. It can be concluded from the results of the surveying of the white concrete building by a reflector and
reflectorless modes, the error vectors are increasing as the distance from the instrument position increases. For
external corner points, the values of the errors of the most points are not within the instrument specification
accuracy (± 10 mm), but they are within the plottableaccuracy (± 0.2 mm) at the engineering plan scale 1/1000
or larger. It can also be noticed that the external corners are always measured long. However, for internal
corner points, the error vectors of the most of these points are within the specified instrument accuracy
(±10mm) and plottable accuracy of the automatic plotting (± 0.2 mm). Moreover, all the horizontal angles of
incidence to these points are between 10 to 44 degrees. However, the measurements of these points are always
measured short as stated above. In addition, for wall points, the displacements (error vectors) are not within the
instrument accuracy specifications, but they are within the plottable accuracy for plotting the engineering plan
at scale 1/1000 or larger. Therefore, it is advisable to establish a control network point near the required
building with a multitude of separate instrument setups and the horizontal angles of incidence to the detail
survey points are between –36 to +36 degrees from the normal.
2. The above field surveying tests for accuracy has been checked with the claim instrument's specifications.
Further investigations will be required to check the results of these tests with the analysis of the theoretical
study on the accuracy of the reflectorless total station, where the number of measurements for each point can be
taken between 10 to 15 in order to calculate their standard deviations. The field time for surveying the building
in each case, using prismatic and the non-prism mode was estimated.
3. The results of the trials showed a considerable savings in the field time required to complete the surveying of
the detail points of the building. There is a savings up to 35% of the field time by using the reflectorless total

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station as compared with the prismatic total station. This will lead to a reduction in the overall production time
to complete the final engineering plan. In order to speed up the field data acquisition and processing time, it is
recommended to combine the reflectorless distance measurements capability to a motorized Total Station
(scanning) technique with the clever application software.
4. Further investigations will be required, such as, the use of other reflectorless Total Station equipment, models
and different makes. Other variables include surveying the buildings covered with AL-Capony of different
colors and different buildings which are covered with marble, stone, concrete, brick, dressed timber and
metallic (Stainless steel, aluminum …etc.) finished surfaces. In addition, higher distances should be used for
each test, especially, in the case of measuring to a vertical surface.
One important thing is for all users of the prismless equipment to realize that just because the instrument can
take a distance reading, it does not necessarily mean that it is correct. The use of non-reflective measurements
must be checked. As always, the surveyor needs to check any observations taken by the equipment, which must
be within the specified tolerance for a particular survey work to satisfy the clients’ demands.

References:-
1. Ali, S. H., (2011).―The Practical Applications of the Electronic Total Station and Computerized System in
Engineering Surveying", European journal of scientific research ( ejsr), vol. 55, issue 1, u.k.
2. Ali, S. H., (2012). ― An Investigation into the Accuracy of the Distance Measurements to an Object with the
Pulse(Non-Prism) Total Station ―, Sulaimanijournal for engineering sciences, university of Sulaimani, faculty of
engineering, Kurdistan region, Iraq, accepted for publication in the next issue, December , 2015. Technology
(kth), Stockholm, Sweden.
3. Beshr, A. A. A., and Elnaga, I., M., (2011). ― Investigatingthe Accuracy of Digital Levels and Reflectorless Total
Stations for Purposes of Geodetic Engineering‖, Alexandria engineering journal, Alexandra university, 50.
4. Coaker, L. H., (2009)." Reflector-Less Total Station Measurements and Their Accuracy, Precision and
Reliability",B.Sc. Dissertation, courses eng4111 and 4112 research project, university of southern Queensland,
Australia.
5. Eiteljorg, H., (1994). "Using a Total Station", CSA newsletter vii,2,ii, August.
6. Hahn, P. F., (2013)." Reflectorless Total Stations & Their Applications ", the bottom line , newsletter, August.
7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/reflection_(physics).
8. Ibid, (2005)." Surveying with a Total Station and No Prism—A Reconsideration of Surveying without Targets",
CSA newsletter, vol. Xvi, no. 3, Winter.
9. Ibid, (2013)." A Comparison Study Between the Manual and Computerized Surveying Systems in Engineering,
Surveying ", Iraqi journal of civil engineering, univ. Of al-Anbar, college of engineering, vol. 9 ,no.1.
10. Ibid., (2003). "Surveying the Northwest Wing of the Propylaea – A Pilot Project", vol. Xvi, no.1 ,Spring.
11. Kavanagh, B. F., (2009)." Surveying : Principles and Applications ", Pearson, prentice hall, 8th edition.
12. Key,h. Andlemmens, m. (2005). "reflector-less laser distance measurement", giminternational , vol. 19.
13. Mikhail, e. M.AndGraceie, g., (1981). "Analysis and Adjustment of Survey Measurements ", van
nostrandReinholdcompany, New York.
14. Paiva, J.V.R., (2005)." Operational Aspects of Reflectorlessedm Total Stations ", Trimble, 7403 church ranch
blvd., suite 100, Westminster, co 80021, (720) 887-4260.
15. Reda, A., Dedada, B., (2012).―Accuracy Analysis and Calibration of Total Station Based on the
Reflectorlessdistancemeasurements‖, M.Sc. Thesis in geodesy, school of architecture and built environment,
Royal institute of technology.
16. Topcon instruction manual, gpt-2006 pulse total station, topcon, Japan, 2000.
17. Uren, J.,Price ,W.F. (2006)." Surveying for Engineers ", Palgrave Macmillan, fourth edition.
18. Wolf, R.,Ghilani, C. (2008)." Elementary Surveying : An Introduction to Geomatics", 12thedition, prentice hall.
19. Wunderlich, T. A. (2004)." Geodetic Monitoring with Prismless Polar Methods ", ingeo 2004 and fig regional
central and eastern European conference on engineering surveying, Bratislava, Slovakia, November 11-13.

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