OPTICAL DISTANCE MEASUREMENT -

TACHEOMETRY
BUDDHIKA WEERASINGHE
INTRODUCTION

 Tacheometry is a branch of angular surveying in which the horizontal and

vertical distances are obtained by optical means as opposed to the ordinary
process of chain and tape.
 This is done with the help of two special type of instruments- Theodolite and
Stadia rod.
 The stadia lines engraved on the theodolite telescope diaphragm is used for
measurements.
 Alternatively, a sighting bar of known length, known as the Subtense bar can
be used for measurements as well.

Wild T2 theodolite
 THEODOLITES

Theodolite in 1851 1958 Soviet Theodolite Cross section of Wild Typical modern Theodolite
Theodolite
THEODOLITE INSTRUMENTS

Stadia rod/
levelling staff

Subtense Bar
THEODOLITE THEORY

 For tachometry surveying the levelling staff/stadia rod is viewed through

the theodolite telescope
 The two horizontal lines (stadia hairs/ stadia lines) observed are shown
in figure
 The stadia lines define a fixed angle and the measurement process
involves observing the staff intercepts subtended by this fixed angle.

Stadia lines
 v u
TACHEOMETRY THEORY
Considering triangles AOB and aOb,

𝑂𝐶 𝑢 𝐴𝐵 𝑠
= = =
𝑜𝑐 𝑣 𝑎𝑏 𝑖
From lens formula,
1 1 1
+ =
𝑣 𝑢 𝑓

i.e. 𝑢𝑓 + 𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑢 f = focal length of object glass

Thus, i = stadia interval (=ab)
𝑠
𝑢 = 𝑓+𝑓 s = staff intercept (=AB)
𝑖
The horizontal distance D from vertical axis of c = distance from O to the vertical axis of the instrument
tachometer to staff = u + c u = distance from O to the staff
D=u+c v = distance from O to the plane of the diaphragm
D = horizontal distance from the vertical axis to the staff
 v u
TACHEOMETRY THEORY
𝑠
𝐷 = 𝑓+𝑓+𝑐
𝑖
𝑓
𝐷= 𝑠+ 𝑓+𝑐
𝑖
Thus if f, i, c are known and ‘s’ is observed,
distance ‘D’ can be calculated.
Note: In practice, K may vary somewhat for short sights,
For convenience,
(e.g. less than 25m), but unless great accuracy is
 (f/i) term is equated to a round figure. i.e. 100 required, no correction is necessary
 (f + c) term is removed by configuring the set Where,
up such that (f + c) = 0 D = horizontal distance from the vertical axis to the staff

Hence when the instrument is set up s = Staff interval intercepted by the stadia lines
horizontally the horizontal distance ‘D’ K = the additive constant
𝑫 = 𝑪𝒔 + 𝑲 Generally, C = 100 and K = 0
ADVANTAGES OF TACHEOMETRY

 It is one of the fastest methods of surveying.

 The accuracy of tacheometric surveying in uneven or difficult terrain
is quite satisfactory.
 Does not require any tedious jobs with tapes and chains.
 Cost efficient with respect to time.
 Useful where chain survey or plane table survey cannot be
conducted (hilly areas, hydrographic sites).
 It can be used to gain a better check for previously done chain
surveying results.
 TACHEOMETRY – INCLINED SIGHTS
 The distance equation is modified when measurements are taken
using inclined sights
 Inclined sights are a great advantage when fieldwork is carried
out in broken and hilly terrains
A, C and B are readings given by the three lines, with the staff
vertical
A’, C and B’ would be the readings if the staff is held normal to the
line of collimation
𝐷 = 𝐶 𝐴′ 𝐵′ + 𝐾
𝐴’𝐵’ = 𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃 (Assuming angles AA’C & BB’C are 90˚)
A′ B′ = 𝑠 cos 𝜃
∴ 𝐷 = 𝐶𝑠 cos 𝜃 + 𝐾
But, 𝐻 = 𝐷 cos 𝜃
∴ 𝐻 = 𝐶𝑠 cos 2 𝜃 + 𝐾 cos 𝜃
 TACHEOMETRY – INCLINED SIGHTS
𝑉 = 𝐷 sin 𝜃
i.e. 𝑉 = 𝐶𝑠 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 + 𝐾 sin 𝜃
1
𝑉 = 𝐶𝑠 sin 2𝜃 + 𝐾 sin 𝜃
2
Since additive constant ‘K’ is zero in modern instruments, the
formulae can be written as,
𝑯 = 𝑪𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜽
𝟏
𝑽 = 𝑪𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝜽
𝟐
θ is the vertical reading of the instrument when the reading is taken.
The convention of θ angle;
For elevation θ  (+)ve
For depression θ  (-)ve
TACHEOMETRY – INCLINED SIGHTS

 The level at staff station X is given by:

 Sight uphill level at X = Height of instrument + V –
midreading CX + MSL at instrument station
 Sight downhill level at X = Height of instrument – V –
midreading CX + MSL at instrument station
TACHEOMETRIC PROCEDURE EXAMPLE

Tacheometry can be used for contour surveys since levels and radial
locations of can be measured.
1. Instrument is set up at point A, and oriented by setting
horizontal circle to zero while pointing at B.
2. Next, a sight is taken to a TBM. By doing so the height of
collimation is set and reduced levels of points can be
calculated
3. The staff is placed at points 1 – 6 and readings are taken
4. Finally, the staff can be kept at point B to check if horizontal
reading is zero. Further the reduced level of B can be
calculated
5. If required, the instrument can be transferred to point B and
further observations can be taken from that point
 TACHEOMETRY - ACCURACY
Principle sources of errors:
1. Staff reading:
Given that C = 100, for each error of ±1mm in staff reading the error in horizontal distance is multiplied
by 100 giving an error of ±100mm
Since the accuracy of staff readings decrease with distance, the sight distances should not be more than
150m, preferably less than 100m.
Further it is recommended that the lower reading be kept above 1m to minimize the effects of
differential refraction. (Happens due to unequal refraction of rays of light When they pass through layers
of air of different densities)
Even though stadia tacheometry is a
2. Non-verticality of staff: very easy and cheap method of optical
distance measurement, the accuracy of
This error is dependent upon both the inclination of the telescope θ and the length of sight ‘D’ the method is severely limited.
Generally, distances will have an
By using a circular bubble fitted to the staff the verticality of the staff can be checked accuracy of 1 in 500 and levels will
have an accuracy in the order of
3. Measurement of vertical angle: ±40mm

This is a relatively minor error compared to other errors. Can occur when measuring the vertical angle θ
 SUBTENSE TACHEOMETRY

 Place the theodolite at point O.

 Horizontal distance D,
𝒔
𝑫 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜶/𝟐 ; where s = length of subtense bar
𝟐
 If vertical angle θ is measured to sighting mark in the hinge,
difference in levels V,
𝑽 = 𝑯 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜽
EXAMPLE 1

The Following Reading were taken with a tacheometer on to a vertical staff, Calculate
tacheometric constant
EXAMPLE 2

The stadia reading with horizontal sight at a vertical staff held 50

m away from the tacheometer were 1.385 and 2.380. the focal
length of the object glass was 25cm. The distance between the
object glass and trunnion axis of a tacheometer was 15 cm.
Calculate the stadia interval.
 EXAMPLE 3
In a tachometric traverse of which first three station are A, B and C, it is found that the upper and lower readings
had not been recorded above the peg A. Find from the tabulated reading below the missing readings and the reduced
level of the ground at C, if the reduced level of the ground at A is 76.5 m. The instruments constant are 100 and 0.

Station point Vertical circle Stadia readings(m) Instrument

reading height(m)

A B +5o 35’ 00” ? 2.07 ? 1.75

B A -4o 20’ 00” 1.68 1.34 1.00 1.58

B C -4o 20’ 00” 1.68 1.44 1.20 1.58

EXAMPLE 4
To determine the gradient between two point P and Q a tacheometer was set up at a R
station and the following observation where taken keeping the staff held vertical, if the
horizontal angle PRQ is 36020’ determine the avg. Gradient between P and Q Point
take K = 100 and C = 0 and RL of HI = 100m
EXAMPLE 5
Find out the distance between P and Q by using the bellow data given in table, the staff
held normal to the line of sight in both the cases value of the tacheometer constant is
100 and 0.3
 EXAMPLE 6
The vertical angles to vanes fixed at 1m and 3m above the foot of the staff held vertically
at station Q were + 3020’ and + 6040’ respectively from instrument station P. if the
elevation of the instrument axis at station P is 101.520m calculate
(1) the Horizontal distance between P & Q and
(2) the elevation of the staff station Q)
 EXAMPLE 7
The vertical angles to vanes fixed at 1m and 3m above the foot of the staff held vertically
at station Q were - 3020’ and - 6040’ respectively from instrument station P. If the
elevation of the instrument axis at station P is 101.520m calculate
(1) the Horizontal distance between P & Q and
(2) the elevation of the staff station Q
THANK YOU!