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Tangential Method
The tangential method of tacheometry is being used when stadia hairs are not present in the
diaphragm of the instrument or when the staff is too far to read.
In this method, the staff sighted is fitted with two big targets (or vanes) spaced at a fixed
vertical distances. Vertical angles corresponding to the vanes, say q1 and q2 are measured. The
horizontal distance, say D and vertical intercept, say V are computed from the values s (pre-
defined / known) q1 and q2. This method is less accurate than the stadia method.
Depending on the nature of vertical angles i.e, elevation or depression, three cases of tangential
methods are there.
When Both vertical Angles are Angles of Elevation
V=
D tan q1
where, h is the height of the instrument, r is the staff reading corresponding to lower vane.
V = D tan q1
where, h is the height of the instrument, r is the staff reading corresponding to lower vane.
V = D tan q1
and s - V = D tan q2
where, h is the height of the instrument, r is the staff reading corresponding to lower vane.
Examples
Ex24-1 In a tangential method of tacheometry two vanes were fixed 2 m apart, the lower vane
being 0.5 m above the foot of the staff held vertical at station A. The vertical angles measured
are +1° 12' and -1° 30'. find the horizontal distance of A and reduced level of A, if the R.L. of
the observation station is 101.365 m and height of instrument is 1.230 m.
Figure Ex24-1
Solution :
Let D be the horizontal distance between the observation station P and staff point A. Then, from
Figure Ex24.1,
V = D tana1
s - V = D tana1
Figure 24.5 shows a schematic diagram of a subtense bar having centre at C fitted with targets at
A and B. Let the separation between targets be s. A theodolite is set up at O. The bar is kept
perpendicular to the line of sight OC by means of a sighting device at the centre of the bar. The
horizontal angle between the two targets at the ends of the bar is measured, let it be q. The
horizontal distance
where dD is the error in the distance D; dq is the error in the angle q. The angle q is in radians.
It may be noted that the nature of error in computation of distance is opposite to the nature of
error in measurement of horizontal angle ie., a positive error in dq produces a negative error in
D and vice versa.
Examples
Ex24-2 The horizontal angle observed at a theodolite station by a subtense bar with vanes 2.0 m
apart, is 0° 30'. Find the horizontal distance between the theodolite station and subtense bar.
If the bar is 1° out from the normal direction to the line of sight, determine the error in the
measurement of horizontal distance.
Figure Ex24-2
Solution :
The horizontal distance between the subtense bar and the theodolite,
Exercise 24
Ex.24-1 What is tangential system of tacheometry? What are its advantages and disadvantages
over the stadia method?
Ex.24-3 The horizontal angle subtended at a theodolite station by a subtense bar with targets 2
m apart, is 15'40". Compute
The horizontal distance between the subtense bar and the theodolite.
The error in the horizontal distance if there is an error of +20" in the measurement of
horizontal angle, and
The error in the horizontal distance if the bar is 30' out from being normal to the line
joining the instrument and the subtense bar.
Answers
For Exercise 24