SURVEYING

LECTURE 5.1
Theodolite Surveying

Kenchugundu Srikanth
Assistant Professor
Civil Engineering Department
RGUKT- Ongole Campus
 Theodolite Surveying
Introduction:
➢ The theodolite is an intricate instrument used mainly for accurate measurement of horizontal
and vertical angles up to 10″ or 20″, depending upon the least count of the instrument
➢ Because of its various uses, the theodolite is sometimes known as a universal instrument
 Types of Theodolite
Transit theodolite:
In the transit theodolite, the telescope can be revolved through a complete
revolution about its horizontal axis in a vertical plane
Non-Transit theodolite:
In the non-transit theodolite, the telescope cannot be revolved through a complete revolution in
the vertical plane. But it can be revolved to a certain extent in the vertical plane, in order to
measure the angle of elevation or depression.
Vernier theodolite:
Theodolites when fitted with a vernier scale for reading graduated circle

Micrometer theodolites:
when fitted with a micrometer for reading graduated circle

➢ The size of the theodolite is defined according to the diameter of the main horizontal
graduated circle. For example, in a “10 cm theodolite”, the diameter of the main graduated
circle is 10 cm, In engineering survey, 8 cm to 12 cm theodolites are generally used.
 Temporary Adjustments of theodolite
1. Setting the Theodolite over the Station
➢ The tripod stand is placed over the required station. The theodolite is then lifted from the
box and fixed on top of the stand by means of a wing nut or according to the fixing
arrangement provided along with the instrument
2. Approximate Levelling by Tripod Stand
➢ The legs of the tripod stand are placed well apart and firmly fixed on the ground. Then,
approximate levelling is done using this stand. To do this, two legs are kept firmly fixed
on the ground and the third is moved in or out, clockwise or anticlockwise, so that the
bubble is approximately at the centre of its run
3. Centring
➢ Centring is the process of setting the instrument exactly over a station. At the time of
approximate levelling by means of the tripod stand, it should be ensured that the plumb
bob suspended from the hook under the vertical axis lies approximately over the station
peg. Then, with the help of the shifting head (movable capstan nut), the centering is done
accurately so that the plumb bob is exactly over the nail of the station peg.
 Temporary Adjustments of theodolite
4. Levelling:
➢ Before starting the levelling operation, all the foot screws are brought to the centre of
their run. Then the following procedure is adopted:
(a) The plate bubble is placed parallel to any pair of foot screws (say the first and second
foot screws). By turning both these screws equally inwards or outwards, the bubble is
brought to the centre
(b) The plate bubble is turned through 90° so that it is perpendicular to the line joining the
first and second foot screws. Then by turning the third foot screw either clockwise or
anticlockwise the bubble is brought to the . Some instruments may have two plate
bubbles perpendicular to each other
(c) The process is repeated several times, so that the bubble remains in the central position
of the plate bubble, both directions perpendicular to each other
(d) The instrument is rotated through 360° about its vertical axis. If the bubble still remains
in the central position, the adjustment of the bubble is perfect and the vertical axis is
truly vertical.
 Temporary Adjustments of theodolite
4. Levelling:
 Temporary Adjustments of theodolite
5. Focussing the Eyepiece:
➢ The eyepiece is focussed so that the cross-hairs can be seen clearly
➢ To do this, the telescope is directed towards the sky or a piece of white paper is held in
front of the object glass, and the eyepiece is moved in or out by turning it clockwise or
anticlockwise until the cross-hairs appear distinct and sharp
6. Focussing the Object Glass:
➢ This is done to bring a sharp image of the object or target in the plane of cross-hairs and
to eliminate parallax
➢ To do this, the telescope is directed towards the object or target and the focussing screw
is turned clockwise or anticlockwise until the image appears clear and sharp and there is
no relative movement between the image and cross-hairs. The absence of relative
movement can be verified by moving the eye up and down
 Temporary Adjustments of theodolite
7. Setting the Vernier
➢ The vernier A is set to 0° and vernier B to 180°. To do this, the lower clamp is fixed. The
upper clamp is loosened and the upper plate turned until the arrow of vernier A
approximately coincides with zero (i.e. the 360° mark) and that of vernier B approximately
coincides with the 180° mark
➢ Then the upper clamp is tightened, and by turning the upper tangent screw, the arrows are
brought to a position of exact coincidence
➢ This completes the temporary adjustment required for taking readings with the theodolite.
Parts of theodolite

Parts of theodolite
https://youtu.be/CBlhQ76LAyI
 Reading the Vernier theodolite
1. The least count of the vernier is to be determined first. Let it be 20″
2. After making the final adjustment for measuring the angle, the position of the arrow of the
vernier scale is noted. Suppose the arrow crosses 10° and 20′, which is the direct reading
obtained from the main scale
3. Suppose, again, that the first small division after 12 big divisions exactly coincides with
any of the main scale divisions. Then, the vernier reading 12′20″
4. Final angle = 10°20′ + 12′20″ = 10°32′20′
Reading the Vernier theodolite
 Methods of measuring horizontal angle with Theodolite
1. Repetition Method
➢ In this method, the angle is added a number of times. The total is divided by the number of
readings to get the angle
➢ The angle should be measured clockwise in the face left and face right positions, with three
repetition at each face
➢ The final reading of the first observation will be the initial reading of the second
observation, and so on
Procedure:
1. Suppose the angle ∠AOB is to be measured by the repetition process
2. The theodolite is set up at O. The instrument is centered and levelled properly
3. Vernier A is set to 0° and vernier B to 180°
4. The upper clamp is fixed, and the lower one loosened. By turning the telescope, the ranging
rod at A is perfectly bisected with the help of the lower clamp screw and the lower tangent
screw. Here, the initial reading of vernier A is 0°
 Methods of measuring horizontal angle with Theodolite
Procedure:
5. The upper clamp is loosened and the telescope is turned clockwise to perfectly bisect the
ranging rod at B. The upper clamp is clamped. Suppose the reading on vernier A is 30°
6. The lower clamp is loosened and the telescope turned anticlockwise to exactly bisect the
ranging rod at A. Here, the initial reading is 30° for the second observation
7. The lower clamp is tightened. The upper one is loosened and the telescope is turned
clockwise to exactly bisect the ranging rod at B. Let the reading on vernier A be 60°
8. The initial reading for the third observation is set to 60°∠AOB is again measured. Let the
final reading on the vernier A be 90°, which is the accumulated angle

𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 90
∠AOB = = = 30°
𝑁𝑜.𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 3

9. The face of the instrument is changed and the previous procedure is followed
10. The mean of the two observations gives the actual angle ∠AOB
 Methods of measuring horizontal angle with Theodolite
Procedure:
 Methods of measuring horizontal angle with Theodolite
2. Reiteration Method
➢ Method of reiteration for measurement of horizontal angle is usually adopted in case
several angles of well distributed points/ objects are to be measured from the same
instrument station with high precision
➢ In this method, angles are measured successively starting from a point termed as initial
station
➢ The angle between the terminating station and the initial station is the last observation
during a set of measurement of horizontal angle by method of reiteration
➢ This process of measuring the angles at an instrument station round the point is to obtain a
check on their sum being equal to 360° and is called closing the horizon
➢ When the horizon is closed, the final reading of the vernier should be the same as its initial
reading if there is no discrepancy
 Methods of measuring horizontal angle with Theodolite
2. Reiteration Method
 Methods of measuring horizontal angle with Theodolite
Procedure:
1.Two points one on each of the lines, say P and Q, are to be marked.
2.A transit theodolite is to be set at the point of intersection of the lines, say at O. Initially, the
instrument is in the face left condition and its temporary adjustment is to be done over the point
O.
3.Both the lower and upper plate main screws are to released and get the vernier A set to 0° (or
360°) mark on the main scale
4.After clamping the upper main screw, index of vernier A is to be brought exactly to the zero of
the main scale using the upper plate tangent screw, at this stage the reading of the vernier B
should be 180°.
5.Swing the telescope in the horizontal plane and point it to the left station, say P. Tighten the
lower plate clamp screw, and bisect the signal at P exactly using the lower plate tangent screw.
Record the readings in the form of table
 Methods of measuring horizontal angle with Theodolite
Procedure:
6. Loosen the upper plate main screw and turn the telescope the signal at Q is sighted. Tighten
the upper clamp screw and bisect the ranging pole at Q exactly using the upper plate
tangent screw
7. Read both the verniers A and B and record the readings. The reading of the vernier A is the
angle POQ. The vernier B gives the value of angle POQ after deducting from it 180°. The
mean of two values of the angles obtained from the verniers A and B is the required angle
P'O’Q’
8. Loosen the upper plate clamp screw and turn the telescope clockwise until the station R is
sighted. Tighten the upper clamp screw. Use the upper tangent screw for placing the object
R on the vertical cross hair. Read both the verniers, and record readings in the table
Compute the angle QOR, and note down in the table. Likewise, determine the angle ROS.
9. Finally, close the horizon by sighting the reference object P again. Note down the readings.
The vernier A should now read zero (or 360°).
 Methods of measuring horizontal angle with Theodolite
Procedure:
10. Finally, close the horizon by sighting the reference object P again. Note down the readings.
The vernier A should now read zero (or 360°)
11. Now change the face left of the instrument to the face right by transiting (plunging) the
telescope and swinging it through 180°. Repeat steps 3 to 10 in the anti-clockwise direction
12. The average value of each angle obtained with the face left and the face right provides the
observed values of the angles
 Methods of measuring horizontal angle with Theodolite
Procedure:
 Uses of Theodolite
Uses of theodolite:
1.Measuring horizontal angles
2. Measuring vertical angles
3. Measuring deflection angles
4. Measuring magnetic bearings
5. Measuring the horizontal distance between two points
6. Finding the vertical height of an object
7. Finding the difference of elevation between various points
8. Ranging a line