ENGINEERING SURVEYING I (GLS150)

Ts. Gs. Dr. Ernieza Suhana Mokhtar

Revised Date: 25 June 2021
 LESSON OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson students should be able to:

 explain about terminologies and concepts of

tacheometric surveying
 calculate distances and reduced level of different types of
tacheometric system
 explain the detail point criteria for plotting
 explain basic plotting in tacheometry survey
 INTRODUCTION
◼ TACHEOMETRY is a method of angular surveying in which to
get the horizontal and vertical distance.

◼ Therefore, the positions (coordinates) and vertical

(reduced level) of points on the earth surface relatively to one
another are determined simultenaously without using a
chain or tape or a separate levelling instrument.

◼ Tacheometric surveying (also called stadia surveying) are

divided into 2 systems;
i. a. Stadia System
ii. - Fixed Hair Method
iii. - Movable Hair Method
iv. b. Tangential System
v. c. Electronic Tacheometry
 PURPOSE OF TACHEOMETRY
O Tacheometric surveys are usually performed to measure the
3D location of points on the landscape so as to produce
contour and detail plans for further work, or to produce
coordinates for area and volume calculations.

O Observations are usually performed from known survey

stations, often established by traversing.

O Applications
O Detailed/Topographic Surveying
O Measuring detailed points & earth surface to produce
topo/detailed map.
O Setting Out
O To mark construction points such as building, road, etc..
O To determine land profile & volume of earthwork.
 STADIA TACHEOMETRY
O The most optical method of tacheometry
O Equipment:
O Theodolite
O Levelling Staff
O Suitable for distance measurement (< 50m)
O Relative precision is usually only 1 in 500.
O Used to survey the natural features such as
trees, river banks, etc..
O End product: site plans, spot height,
contours
 Distance & Elevation Formulae using
Stadia Method (Fixed Hair)
O In tacheometry, a levelling staff is held vertically at one end
of the line being measured and a level or theodolite is set
up above the other.

O The staff is read using the stadia lines engraved on the

telescope diaphragm.

O The vertical angle along the line of sight is also recorded.

(on 1 face only)

O If a level is used, the line of sight will be horizontal

assuming that the level has no collimation error.

O If a theodolite is used, the line of sight can be either

horizontal or inclined.
 STADIA SYSTEM : FIXED HAIR METHOD

• Observations consist of a telescope fitted with two additional horizontal cross

hairs one above and the other below the central hair.

• These are placed equidistant from the central hair and are called stadia hairs.

• When a staff is viewed through the telescope, the stadia hairs are seen to
intercept a certain length of the staff, and this varies directly with the distance
between the instrument and the stations.

• As the distance between the stadia hair is fixed, this method is called the “fixed
hair method.”

• Used in several cases such as i) Line of sight is horizontal and staff is held
vertically (case 1), ii) line of sight inclined but staff is held vertically (case 2)

https://civilseek.com/tacheometric-
surveying/#:~:text=In%20the%20movable%20Hair%20method%20of%20tacheometric%20surveying%2C%20the%20instrument,the%20limits%20of
%20the%20diaphragm).
Principle of Stadia Tacheometry (CASE 1)
fC/AB = fO/a’b’
fC = (fO*AB) / (a’b’)
= (f*s) / i
Total Dist (D) = fC +f+d
= ((f*s) / i) +f+d
O
f
D = K*S+C where K = f/i =
multiplying constant

C = f+d = Additive constant

In practice, modern theodolite
f = focal length of lens (a constant for any particular compound objective as analectic, multiply constant
lens) 100 and the additive constant
i = spacing between stadia wires (ab) equals to 0. Therefore:
f/i stadia interval factor usually 100 and denoted by K
I = rod intercept (AB), also called stadia interval D = 100s
c = distance from instrument center (vertical axis) to objective lens center
(varies slightly when focusing the objective lens for different sight
lengths but is generally considered to be a constant)
C = stadia constant c + f
d =distance from the focal point F in front of telescope to face to rod
D = distance from instrument center to rod face C +d
https://civilseek.com/tacheometric-
surveying/
 Stadia Readings
O The field of view through the telescope of a typical theodolite shows the two
additional horizontal hairs (or lines) engraved on the diaphragm called stadia
lines intersecting the image of a staff.
O In effect, these lines define a fixed angle and the measurement process
involves observing the staff intercept subtended by this fixed angle over the
required distance.
In this view the staff reading is 2.993
Upper stadia = 3.040
Lower stadia = 2.946
Stadia difference = 0.094
Distance to staff = 0.094 x 100 = 9.4
metres
Note that stadia distances have a low level
of accuracy,
one mm error in staff reading gives a
distance error of 0.1 meter

D = 100s
 Distance & Elevation Formulae
using Stadia Method (CASE 2)
O Horizontal Distance (D) Line of sight
(slope distance)
Vertical
D = Ks cos2  + C cos  Horizontal
distance

distance

O Vertical Distance (V)

V = ½ Ks sin 2 + C sin 
O Reduced Level (X)

RLX = RLP + hi ± V – m
Where:
K = multiplying constant of the instrument
C = additive constant of the instrument
s = staff intercept (difference between 2 stadia readings)
 = vertical angle along the line of sight
m = middle staff reading
+V = used if there is an angle of elevation
- V = used if there is an angle of depression
 D = K s cos2  + C cos 
V = ½ K s sin 2 + C sin 
RLX = RLP + hi + V–m
s

Stadia lines m
V
RLx X
I


hi

RLP
P
D
 D = K s cos2  + C cos 
V = ½ K s sin 2 + C sin 
RLX = RLP + hi - V – m
 STADIA SYSTEM : MOVABLE HAIR METHOD
• Staff interval is kept constant by changing the distance between the stadia hairs.

• Targets on the staff are fixed at a known interval and the stadia hairs are
adjusted to bisect the upper target at the upper hair and the lower target at the
lower hair.

• Instruments used in this method are required to have provision for the
measurement of the variable interval between the stadia hairs.

• As it is inconvenient to measure the stadia interval accurately, the movable hair

method is rarely used.

• Eg. Subtense Method

https://aits-tpt.edu.in/wp-
content/uploads/2018/08/tacheometric-
surveying.pdf
 TANGENTIAL SYSTEM
• No stadia hairs

• This involves measurement of two vertical angles, and the instrument may get
disturbed between the two observations.

• Horizontal and vertical distances are measured by measuring the angles of

elevation or depression.

https://www.slideshare.net/arvindsainair69/su
eveying-advanced1
 Data / Field & Booking Procedure of Stadia
Tacheometric Surveying

DATA & EQUIPMENT

O Control survey (horizontal and vertical) are performed before
tacheometry survey is carried out.
O Data to be observed in stadia tacheometry:
O Hz angle/bearing
O Vertical angle/zenith
O Staff readings – top, center & lower stadia.
O Height of theodolite
O Equipment:
O Optical theodolite
O Levelling staff
O Applications:
O Ideally suited for detail surveying by radiation techniques.
O Best restricted to the production of contoured site plans & should
not be used to measures distances that required better
precisions.
 Radiation Techniques
O Most applicable method for detail collection.
O The process consist of measuring:
O the angles at a control station between the directions
to another control station and the points of detail
O the respective distances from the control station to the
points of detail
O the respective vertical angles substended at the control
station by these points
FIELD PROCEDURE

O Set up the theodolite at observation station and make a

temporary adjustment. Record the height of instrument.
O Set the value of station back bearing in the theodolite
and clamp(hold). Turn the telescope to the observation
station, release clamp(hold). Only use face left of the
theodolite.
O Turn the telescope and observe the staff at the selected
object.
O Record the staff readings (upper middle and lower
stadia), hz angle and vertical angle.
O Turn the telescope to another object, repeat step 3-4 for
all the point nearest until finish.
O Repeat the process for all the observation(control)
stations.
 Tree House
H1
T1

H2
H3

R5 R4 R3

R2 R1

Observation
Station

Reference station
 Instrument station :3
Reference station :2
Height of Instrument : 1.650m
Reduced Level at Inst. stn : 24.550m

Stadia
Vertical Distance
No Hz Angle S V R.L Remark
Angle Upper Lower Middle (HD)

2 198 15 20 Reference Stn (3)

3 82 15 00 88 05 00 RI (Road)

301 75 18 00 89 20 00 1.384 1.205 1.295 R2 (Road)

302 341 25 00 89 01 00 1.269 1.197 1.233 R3 (Curve)

303 330 54 00 89 15 00 1.355 1.243 1.299 R4 (Curve)

304 335 33 00 87 45 00 1.455 1.302 1.378 R5 (Curve)

305 353 28 00 91 10 00 1.020 0.787 0.904 T1 (Tree)

306 63 01 00 91 53 00 1.125 0.812 0.968 H1 (House)

307 68 42 00 91 32 00 1.184 0.931 1.057 H2 (House)

308 73 15 00 90 00 00 1.507 1.155 1.331 H3 (House)

 Example 1 (Fixed Stadia):
The data shown in Table Q.3 is taken from tacheometric field book.
Given that the multiplying constant and the additive constant of the
level are 100 and 0 respectively, calculate the vertical distances
between A to B and A to C. The height of instrument at station A was
measured as 1.250m while the Reduced Level of station A is 42.700m.
Compute the Reduced Level (RL) of station B and C.

Table Q.3

Instrument Staff Stadia readings Vertical

station station (m) angle
A B U = 2.230 + 4° 00’
M = 2.030
L = 1.830
A C U = 2.420 - 2° 00’
M = 2.120
L = 1.820
Instrument Staff Stadia readings Vertical
station station (m) angle
A B U = 2.230 + 4° 00’
M = 2.030
L = 1.830
A C U = 2.420 - 2° 00’
M = 2.120
L = 1.820
 Instrument Staff Stadia readings Vertical
station station (m) angle
1st step
A B U = 2.230 + 4° 00’
M = 2.030 1
L = 1.830 V = [ Ks.sin( 2 )] + C.sin 
A C U = 2.420 - 2° 00’ 2
M = 2.120
L = 1.820

1 1
VAB = [100.s. sin( 2)] + 0. sin  VAC = [100.s.sin(2 )] + 0.sin 
2 2
1 1
V AB = [100.(2.230 − 1.830). sin( 2.400' )] V AC = [100.(2.420 − 1.820).sin( 2. − 200' )]
2 2

1 1
V AB = [100.(0.4). sin( 800' )] V AC = [100.(0.6). sin( −400' )]
2 2

1 1
V AB = [100.(0.4).0.139] V AC = [100.(0.6). − 0.070]
2 2

V AB = 2.78m VAC = 2.09m

2nd step

RLB = RLA + hiA ± VAB - mAB

RL B = 42.700 + 1.250 + 2.780 − 2.030

RL B = 44.700m

3rd step

RLC = RLA + hiA + VAC + mAC

RLC = 42.700 + 1.250 − 2.090 − 2.120
RLC = 39.740m
 Example 2 (Fixed Stadia):
Table 1 shows the observation made in the stadia
tacheometric survey work. Given that the multiplying
constant (K) and additive constant (C) is 100 and 0
respectively. The reduced level of B is 185.16 m. Calculate
i) reduced level of point A and P, and ii) horizontal distance
AB.
RLB = 185.16 m. Calculate i) reduced level of point A and P, and ii) horizontal distance AB.
RLB = 185.16 m. Calculate i) reduced level of point A and P
RLB = 185.16 m. Calculate ii) horizontal distance AB.
 EXERCISE A
(Cognitive Level 2 & 4)
1. Describe errors involved in stadia system of tacheometry method (C2).

2. Explain any precautions needed to prevent inaccuracy of measurement

using stadia system (C2).

3. State a comparison between fixed and movable hair methods (C4).

Use your own words to explain the questions above. Find the answer from any
surveying book / social media. Add below your answer the sources of
information obtain. Write in a word document and submit through the GC,
including the calculation task.
 EXERCISE B Cognitive Level 3
The instrument was then setup over a station P with RL 1850.95 m and the
total height of instrument was 1.475m. The hair reading on a staff held vertically
at station Q were 1.050, 1.900 and 2.750 with the line of sight horizontal.
Calculate the horizontal distance of PQ and RL of Q.
EXERCISE C (Cognitive Level 3)
A tachometer was setup at a station A and the following readings were obtain
on a staff held vertically, draft diagram of the measurement, calculate the
horizontal distance AB, and RL of B, when the constant of instrument are
K=100 and C=0.15. Height instrument is 1.25m.
TO BE CONTINUED
 ELECTRONIC
TACHEOMETRY
O Electronic Stadia (EDM+Theodolite)
O EDM is attached together with theodolite and the distance
measured is slope distance.
O Based on observed vertical angle, horizontal and vertical
distance can be calculated.
O Total Station
O All total station will measure a slope distance, zenith
(vertical) angle recorded by the theodolite along the line of
sight to calculate the horizontal distance.
O Horizontal and vertical distance can be obtain without any
calculation.
O Data obtained will be recorded and processed in computer.
O Reduced level (elevation) can be calculated.
 Elevation Formulae
RLt = RLi + Hi + V – Ht
Sin  =Vd/SD, Vd = SD Sin 
Cos  = HD/SD, HD = SD Cos 

 Vd
Data / Field & Booking Procedure of
Electronic Tacheometric Surveying
DATA & EQUIPMENT

O Data to be observed in electronic tacheometry:

O Horizontal angle (bearing)

O Vertical angle/zenith
O Horizontal distance
O Slope distance
O Vertical distance
O Height of total station (height of tilting axis)
O Height of target (prism)

O Equipment:
O Total Station
O Mini prism/prism
 Control surveying is carried out first by traversing fieldwork for horizontal control and
levelling for vertical control.

FS
STN 3
CP
X, Y, Z
BS FS/BS STN 2
X, Y, Z

TRAVERSING

STN 4
TBM = 41m
X, Y, Z
STN 1
X, Y, Z STN 5
X, Y, Z
LEVELLING FROM SBM TO TBM
SBM = 32m WITH ADJUSTED RL
 X, Y, Z
X, Y, Z
X, Y, Z X, Y, Z

Building A X, Y, Z
X, Y, Z
X, Y, Z X, Y, Z
X, Y, Z
X, Y, Z X, Y, Z
HT

X, Y, Z X, Y, Z
X, Y, Z

HI
X, Y, Z

STN 3
CP
X, Y, Z RO
BS FS/BS STN 2
X, Y, Z

RO

HT

STN 4
TBM = 41m
X, Y, Z
STN 1
X, Y, Z STN 5
X, Y, Z
SBM = 32m
Set up instruments at stations in control network. Set RO of the station.
O Measure & record the instrument heights of the station(hi) and
height of target at observed features (center of the prism [reflector]
above the bottom of the detail pole).

O Select a nearby control station as reference (RO) sight this point and
record the horizontal circle reading.

O Data to be collected for features detail surveying using total station

are horizontal and vertical angles, horizontal and slope distances.
Detail surveying involves the surrounding features within the stations
such as trees, fence, building, etc.

O All collected data and type of observed detail must be booked or

recorded. The type of detail should be noted in the booking form.

O Repeat the process for all the observation (control) stations. Before
packing up, the final sighting should be back to the RO to check that
the setting of the horizontal circle has not been altered during
observations.
Table 1 shows the observation made in a electronic tacheometric survey work at station
3.
I) Sketch the diagram of survey work.
II) Compute the vertical distances and reduced levels of point A, B, C and D.

RLt = RLi + Hi + V – Ht

Sin  =Vd/SD, Vd = SD Sin 

Cos  = HD/SD, HD = SD Cos 

Height of Instrument : 1.78 m

Instrument Station : 3
Height of Target : 1.55 m
RL of Station : 48.450 m
Slope
Horizontal Circle Vertical Circle Remarks
Prism Point Distance
 ’ ”  ’ ”
2 (RO) 0 00 00 Station 2
A 51 19 50 91 09 10 51.750 Tree 3
B 124 44 10 89 12 40 21.485 Fence 2
C 143 15 20 87 35 30 15.030 Edge of Parking Lot 3
D 235 14 40 90 18 50 20.485 Tree 4
2 (RO) 0 00 00
Table 1 shows the observation made in an electronic tacheometric surveying work
with the staff held vertically, the reduce level of point BM is 35.550 m.

i) Compute the vertical distance of point SBM, SU and UV.

ii) Calculate reduced level of point S, U and V.

Instrument Instrument Staff Staff Bearing Vertical Slope

Stn. Height (m) Stn. Height circle Distance
(m) (m)
S 1.48 BM 1.55 312o 20' 30 91o 30' 21.485

S 1.48 U 1.55 185o 20' 20" 95o 10' 15.030

U 1.50 V 1.55 228o 20' 00" 87o 40' 20.485

 ERRORS & ACCURACY
O Errors in Tacheometry Surveying
O Instrumental Errors
O Field Errors
O Accuracy of ODM
O The overall accuracy expected for distance
measurement is 1 in 500.
O The best possible accuracy is only 1 in 1000
O Accuracy of EDM
O Depends on the accuracy of EDM /total
station.
O Usually its inherently high accuracy.
 MAPPING SURVEYS

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

AT THE END OF TOPIC, STUDENT SHOULD BE ABLE:

1. Understand the importance of planning a detail survey and preparing its

specifications well before any fieldwork begins

2. Appreciate the different types of detail that exist and how symbols and
abbreviations can be used in their representation

Source: Book of Elementary surveying : an introduction to geomatics / Charles D. Ghilani, Paul R.Wolf.— 13th ed.
 Mapping
O Mapping surveys = determine the locations (X, Y) of natural dan
cultural features on the relief of the Earth’s surface includes its hills,
valleys, plains, and represented on maps.

O Natural features = vegetation, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. Cultural

(artificial) features are the products of people and include roads,
railroads, buildings,

O Lines and symbols are used to depict features shown on maps.

O Names and legends are added to identify the different objects shown.

O Traditionally, maps were prepared using manual drafting methods.

Latest, computer-aided drafting (CAD) software.

O Mapping surveys: aerial (photogrammetric) / ground (field) or both

methods.
 Map Scale
O Map scale = ratio of the length of an object or feature on a map to the true length of the
object or feature (length of object / true length object).

O Example 1:2000 or 1/2000 or 1 in. = 200 ft. Scale 1 in./100 ft indicates that 1 in. on the map
is equivalent to 100 ft on the object.

O Choice of scale depends on the purpose, size, and required precision of the finished map.

O Large scale, 1 in. = 200 ft (1:2400) or larger (High accuracy work example subdivision
design and the design of engineering projects like roads, dams, airports, and water and
sewage systems.

O Medium scale, 1 in. = 200 ft to 1 in. = 1000 ft (1:2400 to 1:12,000) (moderate accuracy,
mapping the general layout of potential construction sites, proposed transportation systems,
and existing facilities.

O Small scale, 1 in. = 1000 ft (1:12,000) smaller (lower order of accuracy, topographic
coverage, applications in site-suitability analysis, special applications in forestry, geology,
environmental impact and management, etc
 O Shows large area such as O Shows a small area like village
countries or town.
O Cover large distance. For O Detail Information including
example 100km is shown as roads and building.
1cm O More information of the
O Less information about the places
places.

https://www.toppr.com/ask/content/story/amp/the-scale-of-a-map-109924/
 Details To Be Surveyed
O Used to describe the various features that are located in the survey
area. Implies features at ground level, above and below ground level.
O Criteria of Details
i. Hard details
❖ well-defined features (features have been constructed)
❖ Ex : buildings, road and walls.
ii. Soft details
❖ features that are not well defined (natural features)
❖ Ex : river banks, bushes, trees and other vegetation.
iii. Overhead detail
❖ features above the ground.
❖ Ex : power lines, telephone lines.
iv. Underground detail
❖ Features below the ground
❖ Ex : water pipes, sewer runs
O Details can be picked up from the control network by one of several
methods.
O When undertaking a detail survey, the amount and type of detail that is
located (or picked up) for any particular survey related with the scale
and the use of the plan.
 PLOTTING
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

1. Topographic data typically collected with a grid pattern

2. The size of the grid for spot height depends upon:

❖ The variation in slope
❖ The extent of the area
❖ Purpose of the survey
The recommended maximum spacings for spot heights are:
O 1:500 20 metre ground spacing (4 cm on plan)
O 1:200 20 metre ground spacing (8 cm on plan)
O 1:100 10 metre ground spacing (10 cm on plan)

Source: Book of Elementary surveying : an introduction to geomatics / Charles D. Ghilani, Paul R.Wolf.— 13th ed.
 PLOTTING PAPER SIZE

Source: Book of Elementary surveying : an introduction to geomatics / Charles D. Ghilani, Paul R.Wolf.— 13th ed.
Example Detail Plotting
 Good Drawing Practices

O All annotation (lettering and numbering) should be at such an orientation that it can
be read without having to turn the plan upside-down.

O If spot heights are to be shown, one method is to plot each as a small cross (+) with
the relevant reduced level written alongside. This will look much neater if the size
and orientation of all the crosses are the same.

O Control stations are often shown in case they are needed for future use. However,
the lines joining the control points are not usually shown since they do not actually
exist. The only imaginary lines normally included on survey drawings are contours.

O If contours are included, they should normally be on natural surfaces only and they
should not run through embankments and cuttings which have their own symbols.

Source: Book of Elementary surveying : an introduction to geomatics / Charles D. Ghilani, Paul R.Wolf.— 13th ed.
 Information to be included on the completed plan
i. A rectangular or square border surrounding the whole of the surveyed area. This
provides a neat boundary to the drawing.
ii. A title block, within the border and running along one edge of the drawing. This is
subdivided into smaller rectangles into which the additional information can be
slotted.
iii. The location of the survey. Sometimes a smaller scale locating map is included in
the title block to show the relationship of the survey to its surrounding area.
iv. The scale of the drawing, date of the survey, list of the coordinates and reduced
levels of the control stations.
v. A north direction. This may be arbitrary, magnetic or true north depending on the
type of survey
vi. A key (or a legend) illustrating any symbols, line-types and abbreviations used.

vii. The names of those who undertook the

fieldwork and those who produced the
drawing.

Source: Book of Elementary surveying : an introduction to geomatics /

Charles D. Ghilani, Paul R.Wolf.— 13th ed.
 Interpolation
O Interpolation is the process of computing intermediate
values between two related & known values
O With contours, interpolation is done to whole number
elevations
 Contour Interpolation (Cross Section Method)
1. Draw a series of 3
evenly spaced lines
1 above the line of 4
elevations to be
interpolated.
2
2. Label these
corresponding to the
range of spot
elevations.

3. Extrapolate those spot

elevations to their
proper elevation on
your lines.

4. connect these spot

elevations with straight
lines, representing the
slope between the spot
5 elevations.

5. Plot these intersection

points on the line of
interpolation

6. Repeat this process for 6

all rows and columns
in your interpolation
grid.
 Contour Interpolation

O Once
completed,
solving the
interpolation
should be a
matter of
connecting
the dots.
 SUMMARY
O TACHEOMETRY is an indirect method of distance
measurement to get the horizontal and vertical distance.
Distance measurement can be carried out rapidly since it is
an indirect method even the irregular earth surfaces or any
obstacle.
O Tacheometric surveying method can be divided into two (2)
system (i.e. ODM and EDM). Different system used different
instruments and different observed data in order to get the
distance of details.
O Thus the formula to calculate distances in tacheometric
surveying are different based on data observed.
O The term detail is used to describe the various features
that are located in the area; there are four (4) categories
of detail: hard, soft, overhead & underground
O Contour Interpolation is a method to generate intermediate
value based on known value.