S. N.

PATEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY &

RESEARCH CENTRE, Umrakh
(A Vidyabharti Trust Institution)

ESSENTIAL NOTES ON:

* Theodolite Surveying
* Computation of Area
* Setting out of works
By:
Prof. H. A. Rathod
Civil Engineering Department
SNPIT & RC, UMRAKH

| This work is licensed under the creative commons attribution-noncommercial 4.0

International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
or send a letter to creative commons, PO box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.
 S. N. PATEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY &
RESEARCH CENTRE, Umrakh
(A Vidyabharti Trust Institution)

THEODOLITE
SURVEYING
By:
Prof. H. A. Rathod
Civil Engineering Department
SNPIT & RC, UMRAKH

| This work is licensed under the creative commons attribution-noncommercial 4.0

International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
or send a letter to creative commons, PO box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.
Contents
• Definition & Introduction to SURVEYING
• Introduction to theodolite
• Uses / Purpose of theodolite
• Classification of theodolite
• Components / Description of theodolite with sketch
• Terminologies / Definition
• Setting up the theodolite (Temporary Adjustment)
• Measuring Horizontal Angle with theodolite
i. General Method
ii. Repetition Method
iii. Reiteration Method
• Measuring Vertical Angle with theodolite
• Measuring Deflection Angle with theodolite
• Measuring Direct Angle with theodolite
• Measuring Magnetic Bearing with theodolite
• Prolongation of line with theodolite
i. Fore sight method
ii. Back Sight Method, and
iii. Double reversing Method
• Errors in theodolite
i. Instrumental
ii. Personal, and
iii. Natural
• Theodolite Traversing
i. Fast Angle (OR Magnetic Bearing)
ii. Loose Needle Method
iii. Included Angle Method
iv. Direct Angle Method
v. Deflection Angle Method
• Closing Error
• Latitude & Departure
• Balancing the Traverse
i. Bowditch’s Rule
ii. Transit Rule
• Gale’s Traverse Table
• Omitted Measurements
SURVEYING
 Surveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and
science of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional
position of points and the distances and angles between them.
 Examine and record the area and features of an area of land so
as to construct a map, plan, or description.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
The system of surveying in which the angles are measured with the
help of a theodolite , is called Theodolite surveying.

The Theodolite is a most accurate surveying

instrument mainly used for: (Uses of theodolite)
 Measuring horizontal and vertical angles.
 Locating points on a line.
 Prolonging survey lines.
 Finding difference of level.
 Establishing grades.
 Setting out curves.
 Measure height & depths.
 Measure distance.
 Alignment of various civil works.
 Measure slope. & etc.
 CLASSIFICATION OF THEODOLITES
Theodolites may be classified as ;
A. Based on movement of telescope:
i) Transit Theodolite
ii) Non Transit Theodolite

• Transit Theodolite • Non-Transit type

• The telescope can be transited
i.e. revolved through a
complete revolution (180○)
about its horizontal axis in the
vertical plane.
• The position of theodolite can
be changed from face left to
face right.
• Ranging of line can be done by
back sighting.
• Deflection angles can be
measured easily.
• These are widely used in
surveying.
• The telescope cannot be
transited.
• The position of theodolite can
not be changed from face left
to face right.
• Ranging of line can not be
done by back sighting.
• Deflection angles can not be
measured easily.
• These are now become
obsolete.
B. Based on arrangement to measure angles:
i) Vernier Theodolite
ii) Micrometer Theodolite
iii) Electronic Theodolite

 Vernier Theodolite:
For reading the graduated circle if Vernier are used, the theodolite
is called as a Vernier Theodolite. It can measure an angle up-to 20”.
This theodolites are commonly used.
 Micrometer Theodolite:
If Micrometer is provided to read the graduated circle then it is
called as a Micrometer Theodolite. It can measure an angle up-to
1”.
 Electronic Theodolite:
In Electronic Theodolite, the readings of angle is obtained in digital
form. When EDM instrument is attached with Electronic Theodolite
it becomes Total Station.
SIZE OF THEODOLITE
 A theodolite is designated by diameter of the graduated
circle on the lower plate.
 The common sizes are 8cm to 12 cm while 14 cm to 25 cm
instrument are used for triangulation work.
 Greater accuracy is achieved with larger theodolites as they
have bigger graduated circle with larger divisions hence
used where the survey works require high degree of
accuracy.

TYPE OF THEODOLITE
TRANSIT VERNIER THEODOLITE
 DESCRIPTION OF TRANSIT VERNIER THEODOLITE
Transit vernier theodolite essentially consist of the
following essential parts:
• Telescope
• Vertical circle
• A-Frame
• Levelling Head
• Two spindles OR Axes
• Lower Circular Plate
• Upper Plate
• Upper & Lower clamp screw
• Upper & Lower tangential screw
• Plumb –bob
• Tripod Stand
• Vernier Scale
• Shifting head
• Clip screw
• Level tubes OR Plate levels
• Altitude level tube
 FUNDAMENTAL AXES OF THEODOLITE & THEIR RELATIONSHIP

FUNDAMENTAL AXES / LINES OF THEODOLITE :

1. Vertical axis
2. Horizontal axis OR trunion axis
3. Line of collimation OR Line of sight
4. Axis of plate level
5. Axis of altitude level

THEIR RELATIONSHIP
a. The axis of the plate level must lie in a plane perpendicular to the
vertical axis.
b. The line of collimation must be perpendicular to the horizontal axis.
Vertical axis, Horizontal axis and Line of collimation must intersect
at a point.
c. The Horizontal axis must be perpendicular to the Vertical axis.
d. The Axis of altitude level must be parallel to the line of collimation.
 TERMS USED IN TRANSIT VERNIER THEODOLITE
1. Centering: Centering means setting the theodolite exactly over an
instrument station so that its vertical axis lies immediately above the
station mark.
2. Transiting: Transiting is also known as plunging or reversing. It is the
process of turning the telescope about its horizontal axis through
1800 in the vertical plane.
3. Swinging the telescope: It means turning the telescope about its
vertical axis in the horizontal plane. A swing is called right or left
according as the telescope is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise.
4. Face Left: If the vertical circle of the instrument is on the left side of
the observer while taking a reading ,the position is called the face
left; and the observation taken on the horizontal or vertical circle in
this position, is known as the face left observation.
5. Face Right: If the vertical circle of the instrument is on the right side
of the observer while taking a reading ,the position is called the face
right; and the observation taken on the horizontal or vertical circle in
this position, is known as the face right observation.
6. Changing Face: It is the operation of bringing the vertical circle to the
right of the observer ,if originally it is to the left , and vice – versa.
7. Axis of the Level Tube / Bubble Line: It is a straight line tangential to
the longitudinal curve of the level tube at the center of the tube. It
is horizontal when the bubble is in the center.
8. Vertical Axis: It is the axis about which the telescope can be rotated
in the horizontal plane.
9. Horizontal Axis / Trunnion Axis: It is the axis about which the
telescope can be rotated in the vertical plane.
10. Line of Collimation (LOC) / Line Of Sight (LOS): It is an imaginary
line joining the intersection of the cross- hairs of the diaphragm
to the optical center of the object- glass and its continuation.
DIAPHRAGM
LINE OF COLLIMATION

TELESCOPE

11. Axis Of The Telescope: It is also known an imaginary line joining

the optical center of the object- glass to the center of eye piece.
OBJECT GLASS

AXIS OF THE TELESCOPE

.

TELESCOPE

ADJUSTMENT OF A THEODOLITE

The adjustments of a theodolite are of two kinds :-

1. Permanent Adjustments.
2. Temporary Adjustments.

1) Permanent adjustments: The permanent adjustments are made

to establish the relationship between the fundamental lines of the
theodolite and , once made , they last for a long time. They are
essential for the accuracy of observations.
1) Permanent adjustments:
The permanent adjustments are made to establish the relationship
between the fundamental lines of the theodolite and , once made ,
they last for a long time. They are essential for the accuracy of
observations.
The permanent adjustments in case of a transit theodolites are :-
 Adjustment of Horizontal Plate Levels. The axis of the plate levels
must be perpendicular to the vertical axis.
 Horizontal axis adjustment. The horizontal axis must be
perpendicular to the vertical axis.
 Collimation Adjustment. The line of collimation should coincide
with the axis of the telescope and the axis of the objective slide
and should be at right angles to the horizontal axis.
 Adjustment of Telescope Level or the Altitude Level Plate Levels.
The axis of the telescope levels or the altitude level must be
parallel to the line of collimation.
 Vertical Circle Index Adjustment. The vertical circle vernier must
read zero when the line of collimation is horizontal.

2) Temporary Adjustment
The temporary adjustments are made at each set up of the
instrument before we start taking observations with the
instrument.
There are three temporary adjustments of a theodolite:-
i) Setting up and Centering
ii) Levelling
iii) Elimination of parallax
 MEASUREMENT OF HORIZONTAL ANGLES:

There are three methods of measuring horizontal angles:-

i) Ordinary Method.
ii) Repetition Method.
iii) Reiteration Method.

1. Ordinary Method:
To measure horizontal angle AOB:-
A B
1. Set up the theodolite at station point O and level
it accurately.
2. Set the vernier A to the zero of the horizontal
circle. Tighten the upper clamp.
3. Loosen the lower clamp. Turn the instrument and
direct the telescope towards A to bisect it
accurately with the use of tangent screw. After o
bisecting accurately check the reading which HORIZONTAL ANGLE
must still read zero. Read the vernier B and AOB
record both the readings.
4. Loosen the upper clamp and turn the telescope clockwise until line of
sight bisects point B on the right hand side. Then tighten the upper
clamp and bisect it accurately by turning its tangent screw.
5. Read both vernier. The reading of the vernier A which was initially set at
zero gives the value of the angle AOB directly and that of the other
vernier B by deducting 1800 .The mean of the two vernier readings gives
the value of the required angle AOB.
6. Change the face of the instrument and repeat the whole process. The
mean of the two vernier readings gives the second value of the angle
AOB which should be approximately or exactly equal to the previous
value.
7. The mean of the two values of the angle AOB ,one with face left and the
other with face right, gives the required angle free from all instrumental
errors.
2. Repetition Method:
To measure horizontal angle AOB:-
 This method is used for very accurate work. In this A B
method, the same angle is added several times
mechanically and the correct value of the angle is
obtained by dividing the accumulated reading by
the number of repetitions.
 The number of repetitions made usually in this
method is six, three with the face left and three
with the face right. In this way, angles can be
measured to a finer degree of accuracy than that o
obtainable with the least count of the vernier. HORIZONTAL ANGLE
AOB
To measure horizontal angle by repetitions:-
1) Set up the theodolite at starting point O and level it accurately.
2) Measure The horizontal angle AOB.
3) Loosen the lower clamp and turn the telescope clock – wise until the
object (A) is sighted again. Bisect B accurately by using the upper
tangent screw. The vernier will now read the twice the value of the
angle now.
4) Repeat the process until the angle is repeated the required number of
times (usually 3). Read again both vernier . The final reading after n
repetitions should be approximately n X (angle). Divide the sum by the
number of repetitions and the result thus obtained gives the correct
value of the angle AOB.
5) Change the face of the instrument. Repeat exactly in the same manner
and find another value of the angle AOB. The average of two readings
gives the required precise value of the angle AOB.
3. Reiteration Method:
A
 This method is another precise and B
comparatively less tedious method of
measuring the horizontal angles.
 It is generally preferred when several
angles are to be measured at a
particular station. o
D
 This method consists in measuring
several angles successively and finally
closing the horizon at the starting point.
The final reading of the vernier A should C
be same as its initial reading. If not, the Reiteration Method
discrepancy is equally distributed
among all the measured angles.
Procedure:
1) Suppose it is required to measure the angles AOB, BOC and COD. Then
to measure these angles by repetition method :
2) Set up the instrument over station point O and level it accurately.
3) Direct the telescope towards point A which is known as referring
object. Bisect it accurately and check the reading of vernier as 0.
Loosen the lower clamp and turn the telescope clockwise to sight
point B exactly. Read the vernier again and the mean reading will give
the value of angle AOB.
4) Similarly bisect C & D successively.
5) Finally, close the horizon by sighting the object A again. The vernier A
should now read zero degree. If it does not, note down the reading
and find the total error in closing the horizon and distribute it equally
among all the angles respectively.
6) Now change the face and repeat the whole procedure to obtain the
individual angle in anticlockwise direction.
7) Determine the final value of each angle by taking average of the value
obtained by face left and face right.
 MEASUREMENT OF VERTICAL ANGLES:
A vertical angle is an angle between the inclined line of sight and the
horizontal line. It may be an angle of elevation or depression
according as the object is above or below the horizontal plane.
A
A
AOB= α +
β B
α AOB= α - β
α
HORI. β HORI. LINE
O O
LINE O HORI. LINE β
β
Fig. b α Fig. c
Fig.a B B
VERTICAL ANGLE
A
 To Measure the Vertical Angle of an object A at a station O:
1. Set up the theodolite at station point O and level it accurately with
reference to the altitude bubble.
2. Set the zero of vertical vernier exactly to the zero of the vertical circle
clamp and tangent screw.
3. Bring the bubble of the altitude level in the central position by using clip
screw. The line of sight is thus made horizontal and vernier still reads
zero.
4. Loosen the vertical circle clamp screw and direct the telescope towards
the object A and sight it exactly by using the vertical circle tangent screw.
5. Read both vernier on the vertical circle. The mean of the two vernier
readings gives the value of the required angle.
6. Change the face of the instrument and repeat the process. The mean of
the two vernier readings gives the second value of the required angle.
7. The average of the two values of the angles thus obtained, is the
required value of the angle free from instrumental errors.
 READING MAGNETIC BEARING OF A LINE

To find the bearing of a line AB as shown in fig. : N

1. Set up the instrument over A and level it accurately. B

2. Set the vernier to the zero of the horizontal circle.

3. Release the magnetic needle and loosen the lower
A
clamp.
4. Rotate the instrument till magnetic needle points to
North.
5. Now clamp the lower clamp with the help of lower Fig.
tangent screw. Bring the needle exactly against the Magnetic
mark in order to bring it in magnetic meridian. At Bearing
this stage the line of sight will also be in magnetic of a Line
meridian.
6. Now loose the upper clamp and point the telescope towards B. With the
help of upper tangent screw, bisect B accurately and read both the
vernier. The mean of the two readings will be recorded as magnetic
bearing of line.
7. Change the face of the instrument for accurate magnetic bearing of the
line and repeat.
8. The mean of the two values will give the correct bearing of the line AB.
 PROLONGING A STRAIGHT LINE

There are three methods of prolonging a given line such as AB

(1) Fore sight method,
(2) Back Sight Method, and
(3) Double reversing Method

(1) Fore sight method:

As shown in the fig. below

A B C D Z

(2) Back Sight Method:

As shown in the fig. below

A B C D Z

C
’ D’

(3) Double reversing Method:

As shown in the fig. below

C1 D
1

A B C D Z

C2 D2
ERRORS IN THEODOLITE

A. INSTRUMENTAL
 Imperfect level of plate level,
 LOC not perpendicular to horizontal axis,
 Horizontal axis not perpendicular to vertical axis,
 LOC & axis of telescope not parallel,
 Eccentricity of inner & outer axis,
 Imperfect graduation,
 Eccentricity of vernier.
B. PERSONAL
Errors in Manipulation
 Inaccurate centering,
 Inaccurate leveling,
 Slip,
 Wrong tangent screw.
Errors in Sighting & Reading
 Inaccurate sighting,
 Ranging rod is not vertical,
 Parallax.
C. NATURAL
 Unequal expansion due to temperature change,
 Atmospheric refraction due to high temperature,
 Strong winds,
 Unequal settlement.
 Theodolite Traversing
Included Angle Method

 In this method, the magnetic bearing of any line is measured with

theodolite. All the included angles are also measured. The bearing of all
other lines are determined from the bearing of the initial line and included
angles.
 If traversing is done in anti-clockwise direction, interior angles are
measured. And if traversing is done in clockwise direction exterior angles
are measured.
 The following procedure is adopted for traversing in anti-clockwise
direction.
1. Select survey stations P, Q, R.... and insert peg at each station in to the
ground.
2. Set up the instrument over the station P and level it.
3. Orient the telescope in the magnetic meridian and determine the bearing
of the initial line PQ.
4. Set the vernier A to zero using the upper clamp and tangent screws. Take a
back sight on station T. Loosen the upper plate. Turn the telescope
clockwise and take a foresight to station Q. The vernier reading will give
interior angle TPQ.
5. Similarly set the theodolite on station Q, R, S... and measure included
angles PQR, QRS, RST.
6. Using measured included angles and the bearing of line PQ, find the
bearings of the other lines.
7. Measure the length of survey lines PQ, QR, RS... one in front direction and
then in reverse direction.
8. Record the details of objects on each side of the survey lines by taking
offsets.
 Closing Error
 Due to the errors in field measurements of angles and lengths, sometimes
the finishing point may not coincide with the starting point of a closed
traverse. The distance by which a traverse fails to close is known as closing
error OR error of closure.
 Relative error of closure = Closing error (e) / Perimeter of traverse (p)
Latitude & Departure
-0.16 -0.55
Balancing the Traverse
Transit Rule

Balancing the Traverse

Bowditch’s Rule / Compass Rule
Omitted Measurements
I. Length / Bearing / Length & Bearing of a line omitted.
II. Length of one line & Bearing of adjacent line omitted.
III. Length of two adjacent line omitted.
IV. Bearing of two adjacent line omitted.
Case 2
 S. N. PATEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY &
RESEARCH CENTRE, Umrakh
(A Vidyabharti Trust Institution)

AREA

By:
Prof. H. A. Rathod
Civil Engineering Department
SNPIT & RC, UMRAKH

| This work is licensed under the creative commons attribution-noncommercial 4.0

International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
or send a letter to creative commons, PO box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.
AREA
4. Simpson’s One Third Rule
PLANIMETER

The essential parts of a planimeter are:

• Anchor: It is a heavy block with a fine anchor pin at its base. It is used to
anchor the instrument at a desired point on the plan.
• Anchor arm: It is a bar with one end attached to anchor block and the
other connected to an integrating unit. Its arm length is generally fixed
but some planimeter are provided with variable arms length also.
• Tracing arm: It is a bar carrying a tracer point at one end connected to
the integrating unit at the other end. The anchor arm and tracer arms
are connected by a hinge. The length of this arm can be varied by means
of fixed screw and slow motion screw.
• Tracing point: This is a needle point connected to the end of tracer arm,
which is to be moved over the out line of the area to be measured.
• Integrating unit: It consists of a hard steel roller and a disc. The axis of
roller coincides with the axis of tracer arm hence it rolls only at right
angles to the tracer arm. The roller carries a concentric drum which has
100 divisions and is provided with a vernier to read tenth of
roller division. A suitable gear system moves a pointer on disc by one
division for every one revolution of the roller. Since the disc is provided
with 10 such equal divisions, the reading on the integrating unit has four
digits:

(i) Unit read on the disc

(ii) Tenth and hundredth of a unit read on the roller
(iii) Thousandth read on the vernier.

• Thus if reading on disc is 2, reading on roller is 42 and vernier reads 6,

then the total reading F = 2.426

• Area = M (F – I + 10 N + C)
where,
M = A multiplying constant
F = Final reading
I = Initial reading.
N = The number of completed revolutions of disc. Plus sign to be used if
the zero mark of the dial passes index mark in clockwise direction and
minus sign if it passes in anticlockwise direction.
C = Constant of the instrument, which when multiplied with M, gives the
area of zero circle.
The constant C is added only when the anchor point is inside the area.
Multiplying constant M and C are normally written on the planimeter.
 ZERO CIRCLE IN PLANIMETER

A=MC
 S. N. PATEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY &
RESEARCH CENTRE, Umrakh
(A Vidyabharti Trust Institution)

SETTING OUT
OF WORK
By:
Prof. H. A. Rathod
Civil Engineering Department
SNPIT & RC, UMRAKH

| This work is licensed under the creative commons attribution-noncommercial 4.0

International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
or send a letter to creative commons, PO box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.