UNIT-4_ NUMERICAL SURVEYING

Compiled by: Er. Sijan Bhandari

4.1 Introduction to Numerical Surveying
• Method of surveying in which the relative position of the features existing on the
ground are determined by ;
marking or symbolizing the points on the ground
 measuring angle, distance, and bearing and compute co-ordinates (E,N,Z)
• Modern Surveying Equipment’s (Digital Theodolite, Total Station, DGPS) are mainly
used in this type of surveying .
• After collecting the coordinates value of the required points Office work are
proceed for data processing, analysis and mapping with appropriate software.
(Digital Survey)
• However, in the traditional theodolite or tachometric surveying the A,B,D are
measured and coordinate are computed later during office work. (Analytical
Survey)
 Cont…
• Surveying equipment's are exactly placed over the marked point on the
monumentation structure (concrete pillar, brass plate, wooden peg etc.)
• Major features of Numerical surveying;
Accurate method since expensive equipment's are used.
Points are marked in the surveying area
Used where high degree accuracy is essential
Highly skilled manpower is needed
Accuracy of this surveying depends upon the Least count of the equipment's
(Theodolite, Total station, EDM)
4.2 Principle of Numerical Surveying
• To measure the bearing (distance (D) and computing the co-ordinates
(E,N,Z) of the details existing on the surface of earth.
 4.3 Methods in Numerical Surveying
• Analytical Method; This is the method of the numerical surveying in
which distance and bearing are observed through optical means as
opposed to the advanced digital process in order to compute the
position of the features existing on the earth surface. Example;
Optical Theodolite, Tacheometer
• Digital Method; Latest digital technologies of the numerical
surveying in which distances and positions of the features existing on
the earth surface are computed through use of electromagnetic
waves. Example; EDM, Total Station, DGPS, GNSS
 Theodolite
• Theodolite is a measurement instrument utilized in surveying to determine horizontal and
vertical angles with the tiny low telescope that may move within the horizontal and vertical
planes.

• Theodolite uses for many purposes, but mainly it is used for measuring angles. Followings are
the major uses of theodolite:

 Measuring horizontal and vertical angles

 Locating points on a line
 Finding the difference in the level
 Prolonging survey lines
 Ranging curves
 Setting out grades
 Tachometric surveying
Tacheometer
• It will be discuss separately through slides
 Total Station
• Sometimes referred to as “Electronic
Tacheometer”. Integrates capabilities of
theodolite, EDM and microprocessor.
• Using co-ordinate of occupied station,
back sight station, horizontal and vertical
angles, calculates 3- dimensional position
of other points and stores them

EDM + Theodolite + Microprocessor

Total Station
Concept and Principle (Total Station)
A total station is a digital theodolite with an EDM and microprocessor.
 First of all total station joins the angle (vertical and horizontal) measuring
capabilities of a survey instrument called a theodolite with the distance
measuring ability of an electronic distance meter(EDM).
 Person operating the total station looks through its eyepiece to find and
focus on the prism.
The theodolite measures Horizontal Angle (Hz), vertical angle (V).
 The EDM measures the slope distance between center of total station and
center of prism.
 The microprocessor calculates the coordinates(E,N,H) in a rectangular
system of the point under the target,
Advantages of Total Station over
Conventional instruments
• Traditional survey methods are laborious and time consuming
• Fully automatic electronic measurement
• Digital display of staff reading and distance
• Data storage in instrument possible
• Direct transfer to personal computer of data stored in instruments
• Online operation through integrated interface to computer
• Eliminate reading error, writing error and error during data transfer
Disadvantages
• Total stations are not rugged instruments.
• The LCD screen does not work well when it is cold.
• Batteries and electronics both do not work well when wet.
• Loss of data is an important consideration.
• Difficulty in remote areas where there is not electricity
• Battery life is also short.
• Initial cost is higher than Plane table , Chain or Tacheometer.
Functions of the Total Station
The software applications available on many total stations include the
following:
• Slope corrections and reduced levels
• Horizontal circle orientation
• Coordinate measurement
• Traverse measurements -Resection (or free stationing)
• Missing line measurement
• Remote elevation measurement
• Areas
• Setting out
Disadvantages
• Total stations are not rugged instruments.
• The LCD screen does not work well when it is cold.
• Batteries and electronics both do not work well when wet.  Loss of
data is an important consideration.
• Difficulty in remote areas where there is not electricity .
• Battery life is also short.
• Initial cost is higher than Plane table , Chain or Tacheometer.
Total Station Survey Error Sources and
How to Avoid Them
• Pointing Error: Due to both human error to point the instrument and
environmental conditions limiting clear vision of the observed target.
The best way to minimize it is to repeat the observation and use the
average as the result
• Uneven Heating of the Instrument: Direct Sunlight may heat one side
of the instrument which cause small errors. So shaded spot should be
picked for instrument
• Vibration: Avoid instrument location that vibrate  Collimation Errors:
Check the instrument regularly for collimation errors
Cont.…
• Atmospheric Correction
• Vertical Angles and Elevation: When using total station to measure
precise elevations , the adjustment of the electronic tilt sensor and
the reticule of the telescope is very important
• Optical Plummet Errors : The optical plummet or tribachs must be
periodically checked for misalignment.
• Adjustment of Prism Pole
• Recording Error: Reading an angle incorrectly, using wrong code,
using incorrect rod height
EDM (Electronic Distance Measurement)
 Cont…
• An EDM uses electromagnetic (EM) energy to determine
the length of a line.
• The energy originates at an instrument at one end of a
line and is transmitted to a "reflector" at the other end
from where it is returned to the originating instrument.
• The nature of the "reflector" is dependent on the type of
EM.
• If electro-optical (infrared or laser) EM is used then the
"reflector" is typically a passive medium which bounces
the signal back.
• If the EM is microwave, then the reflector is a second
instrument which captures the incoming energy and
retransmits it back to the originating instrument
Cont…
Two methods of measurement

• In pulse method a short intensive pulse of radiation is transmitted to a

reflector target which immediately bounces it back along a parallel
path to the receiver .
• In phase difference method the instruments measure the amount by
which the reflected signal is out of phase with the emitted signal
 A. Pulse method
D =C.t/2
• Thus the distance is dependent on the velocity of light in the medium & accuracy of its
transit time
• Let us take C = 3x 108 m/s the accuracy of distance for 10-10 sec precision of time will
give 15 mm of distance
B
Global Positioning System (GPS)
• GPS is a positioning system based on a network of satellites that
continuously transmit coded information. The information
transmitted from the satellites can be interpreted by receivers to
precisely identify locations on earth by measuring distances from the
satellites. GPS is funded by and controlled by the U.S. Department of
Defense (DOD). The system is called NAVSTAR.
Precisely identify locations on earth by measuring distances from the
satellites
NAVSTAR – Navigational Satellite Timing And Ranging
 GPS Constellation
• The nominal GPS Operational
Constellation consists of roughly
24 satellites. Each satellite has a
number on your GPS screen.
• Each satellite orbits the earth in
about 12 hours.
4.4 Use of Numerical Surveying
• Total Station/ Theodolite are used to measure the precise angles (H &
V) in the traversing and triangulation.
• Numerical surveying can be used to prepare the Up-to-date and high
positional accurate Topographic Base Map of any area.
• To pick up the co-ordinates (E,N,Z) details on the construction Sites
such as; Road, Bridges, Canal, Hydropower development etc.
• Cadastral Survey ( Digital Cadastre)
• Latest GNSS technologies are used for establishment of the accurate
control points