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.- .

- Plane Tcbl.: SU""~'ing 505

Orientation This is done: byrotatingthe planetable such that plotted lines in the
plane table sheet are: :lll parallel to the corresponding lines on me ground. This is
essential when more t.1.ln one instrument station is to be used. Orientatlon is done
by (i) Trough compass, (ii) Back si£hting.

Orientation bj' trough compass

This is an approximate but quick method of orienting the: plane table. The usual
method is to place the trough compass on the plane table sheet and 10 rotate the
plane table: till the: needle 110.m centrally, This is the direction of magnetic north

ww
, r'·~'·: .:
and a line pencilline is ruled ag3inst the long side of the box. At any other
station. where the tableIs to be oriented. the compass is placed agai.nst this line
and the table is turned till the needle freely floats in the middle. The table is then
w.E
said to be oriented.

asy
Orientation by back sightillg
This is a more accurate method and two cases rna)' arise depending on whether
En
it is possible to set the plane table on a point already plotted on the sheet by way

gin
of observation from previous station or not In the first case orientation is done
by back sighting. Suppose the line ab has been 'plotted on the plane table

eer
corresponding to the ground line AB. After shifting the plane table from A to B,
orientation will be: done by (i) placing the point b exactly over the Station B with

in
the help ofU fork.(ii) by rotating the plane table such that. from station B, alidade

g.n
which is placed on ba sights the pole a.t A. When this is achieved, the line ba
coincides with the- ground line 13.4. and orientation is achieved. The table is then
clamped in position.
et
When 'the plane table cannot be placed over a plotted point method of
resection has to be applied. This has been explained in subsequent sections.

16.4 DIFFERE~T.METHODS OF PLANE TABLE WORK

There are four methods of plane table work: (i) Radiation. (ii) Intersection,
.
(iii) Traversing. and. (iv)
' . , '.
Resection.

16.4.1 RADIATION - '.

Here plane table is placed over station point P and alidades are pointed -townrds
A. B, C, D, E and F. The lengths are measured and points 0. b. c. d. e and fare
plotted as shown in Fig. 16.6. ­

16A.2 l:\TERSECTION
One of the great advantages of plane table: is the ease.with which a point can be
located by intersection. Here P and Q are known stations and the plane table is
first placed over station P and alidade points towards PQ;-The line PQ is measured.
and pq is plotted on the sheet (Fig. 16.7). To locate points A and B rays are drawn
from p towards A and B. The instrument is then shifted to Q and it is so placed

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506 Fllndall/elllels of Surveying

B' I - - ­
" c
,
, ,,
,
, ,,
,
, ,,

--- - .. ­ D
,. ,. L..-_ _.......~ _ - - '

E
Fig. 16.6 Radiation method,

ww A
I" "
B

w I
. I

I
I
I

.Ea
"
"
,
.......... . :
_ .,.,.
,
,"
" ,

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, ,", I
I ' , ,
I ,," ""'.....,

·.~I~~
ng
P . 0 ine
Fig] 6.7 Method of intersection
eri
that q is over Q and pq corresponds to the line PQ. In such a case the plane table
is properly oriented at Q., With the alidade pivoted at q, rays are drawn toward A ng.
and B on the plane table sheet. The intersection of corresponding two rays defines
the map position of A and B. The difference in elevation between A and P anc that
between A and Q can be obtained if the vertical angle to .-t' has been measured
net
from each set up. The product of the distance APt scaled from the map-and the
tangent of the vertical angle at P is the difference in elevation between the alidade
at P and A. The difference in elevation between the alidade at Q and the point A
can be determined in the same manner.
,. ".
16A.3 TRAVERSl;-.1G
A traverse consists of a series of straight lines connected together. In a plane table
traverse, the angles are directly plotted without measuring them (Fig. 16.8). Here
initial station A is occupied and then :\Bis sighted a~d measured. Then station B

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Plane Table Surveying. 507

d 0
c

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·Y./'.
Fig. 16.8 Traversing,

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'.~.• >.

is occupied and BA. sighted. The distance BA is measured and the average of A8
and 804. used in laying out ab. The next point C is observed with t!'le blade
a syE
touching b, distance BC ang"CB -measured and.average value ploned :IS be. In
similar fashion, succeeding points can be occupied and traverse lines plotted.
Whenever possible, check sights should' be taken over previously occupied points.
ngi
Small discrepancies are adjusted but ira plotted point is missedby an appreciable'

nee
distance, some or ali measurements must be repeated.

16.4.4 RES ECTlO:S

rin
Resection is a method of orientation used when the table occupies a position not

g.n
yet located on the map. There are two field conditions: (i) the three point problem,
and (ii) the' t\VO point problem, . .

Tile three-point problem et

Here three points in the field and their corresponding positions in the plane are
known. The plane table.is placed in an arbitrary position from where the three
points are visible. It is necessary to locate the position of the observer. The
solution enables the surveyor to place the plane table at any suitable position for
taking details. The point can then be located by observing three known points
such as church steeples. water towers, flag poles or any other prominent object.
The three-point problem has long been employed in navigation to ascertain 0.
ship's position b)' observing with a sextant on three recognizable features on the
shore. There are man)' methods for solving the three-point problem. They are:
(a) Tracing paper method,
(b) Lehmann's method,
(c) Analytical method,
(d) Graphical solution.

Treeing paper method This method consists of the following steps.

(a) Here A. B. C are three known stations and G. b. e arc their plotted points
on 0. drawing sheet.
(b) I:1s!~u:ne:;! is set up atpoint P. It is required to locate the corresponding
point p on the sheet. .

J
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508 Fundamelita!s of SlII1'Cyillg

(c) Orientth, table approximntely with eye or compass so that AB is parallel

to abo .
(d) Fix a tracing paper on the sheet and locate the point P approximately as
p' by means of plumbing fork.
(e) Sight the stations A, B and C and draw p'd, p'h' and p'c' on the tracing .' .
paper.
(f) The tracing paper is then moved above the drawing sheet until the three
radiating lines p'd, p'b' and p'c' pass through corresponding points a, band c
previously plotted on the map.
(g) This point is marked and the board turned to make the lines radiate to
the signals A, B, and C. on the ground.
(h) The board is then clamped (Fig. 16.9).

A B
,~ .I·
I
\ ,,
,
.

I
I
,

,. ~' C
I
, ,
,, ,,
, I
I
'1
, ,
I

,,
"
,,
ww
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, I
I ,
\ I

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a \ I a' , b ' b' . C
"
,
I. 'I
I'
( "

"
I,"
C

a
\\
0( I'
I" ~
p' P

Fig. 16,9 Tracing paper method.

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Lehmann's method This is the easiest and quickest solution. The principles of ngi
the method arc as follows:
(a) When the board is properly oriented and the alidade sighted to each nee
control signals A. B nnd C. rays drawn from their respective signals will intersect
at a unique point . rin
(b) When rays are drawn from control signals, the angles at their intersections
g.n
are true angles whether or not the board is properly oriented.

Procedure
et
1. Set the table over the new station P and approximately orient it.
2. With alidade on a sight A. similarly sight Band C. The three rays Aa. Bb
and Cc will meet at a point if the orientation is correct. Usually, however. they
will not meet but will form a small triangle known as the triangle of error.
3. To reduce the triangle of err~rto zero. another point p' is chosen as per
Lehmann's rule. ,
4.' Keep the alidade along p' a and rotate the table to sight A. Clamp the

.. SI4... . D. -
"

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Ptan« Table S/tr\·t)";ng S09

table, This will give next approximate orientation (but more accurate t,!un the
pervious one). Then sight B with alidade at b and C w ith alidade at c. The rays
will again form a tri:lOgle of error but much smaller.
5. The method has to be repeated till the triangle of error reduces to zero.

Lehmann s rilles There are three rules to help in proper choice of the point p'..
1. If the plane table is set up in the triangle formed b)' the three points (l.e.
P lies within the triangle ABC) then the position of the instrumenton the plan w ill
be inside the triangle of error, if not it w ill be ouuide.
2. The point p' should be so chosen thaI its distance (rom the rays A.a. Bb

wwand Cc is proportional to the distance of P from A. B :I:1d C respectively. Since.

the rotation of the t:lble must have the same effect on each ray,

w.E 3. The point p' should be: so chosen that it lies either 10 the right of 311 three
rays or to the left of :111 three r3)'S. since the table is rotated in one direction to
locate P.
asy c
En
gin
e eri
ng.
, p
net
... Fig. 16.10 , Triangle of error.

Referring to the Fig. 16.10:. . ..

By rule 1 p is outside the small triangle as P is outside the triangle ABC.
Byrule 2. using the proportions for the perpendiculars given by scaling the
distances PA. PB and PC, it must be in the lett hand sector as shown.
By rule 3. it cannot be in either of the sectors contained by the r:lysPA. PE
and PC

'Failure of the fix When the three points A, Band C and the instrument position
P are so chosen that they nil lie on the circumference of a circle, there is failure
of the fix and the solution becomes indeterminate. This is because no matter how
the board is oriented. the rays will meet at a point. though not at the same point.
Because the two angles subtended by the three points at the circumference of the
cirucurnscribing circle will always be the same. Hence the rays will always meet
. at a point. Hence the observer should choose the prominent points such that they
do not lie on a circle.
Analytical and Graphical Solutions are given in Section 16,7.

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510 Fundamentals of Surveying

The two point problem Here two points .4 and B are visible from the instrument
station C and the corresponding points a and b are given in the plane table sheet.
Two cases can arise either the points can be occupied by the plane table, or the .
points cannot be occupied.

Case I When the points can be occupied by the plane table; Let a and b be the
corresponding points of the ground points A and R
(a) The plane table is set up at B and oriented by sighting A. From B a line
bx is drawn towards C..
(b) The table is then shifted to C and oriented by back sighting B along xb
and clamped. '­
. (c) To locate potnt C which is on the line bx, the alidade is placed over a
and A is sighted. The line Aa when produced backward cuts the line bx at c to fix
the point C (Fig. 16.11). .

ww
w.E
a syE
A
n
a'----='-"'i----------+----'=-----'"
gin B

Fig. 16.11 Two-point problem. case 1.

e eri
·lflg. 16.12): "ng.
Case. II When the plane table cannot be placed in the controlling stations,

in such a way that ab is approximately parallel to AB. Clamp the table. n

(a) An auxilliary station point D is to be chosen near C. Set the table :It D

(b) With alidade at a, sight A and draw a line. Similarly with alidade at b et
sight B. The two rays intersect at point d.
.(c) From station D and keeping the alidade at d sight C. Measure DC by
estimation and ~ark CJ.
(d) Shift the table to C, take back sight to D with reference to C).
(e) With alidade at a, sight A. This ray intersects the previously drawn ray
from D in c~. Thus C2 represents C with reference to the approximate orientation
m~em~· .
(f) From C2 sight B. Draw the ray to intersect the ray drawn from d to b in
b', Thus b' is the approx.imate location of B with respect to the orientation made
at D. ' .
(gl The angle between ab and ab' is the error in orientation. The board

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Plane TableSurW)';J1g 511

I
'I' • A
!
I
I

" .

ww a 1----7'
""i--'T""""- P
Required tum

w.Ed

D asy c

En Fig. 16.12 Two-point problem. case II.

gin
should be rotated. through the angle bab', This is' done by fixing a pole at P such
that it is in line with ab'. The plane table is then rotated till ab comes in line with

eer
P. The table is thus'correctly oriented.
(h) From this new position draw rays Aa and Bb, They will intersect at c
ing
(not shown) which will be the point corresponding to C.
Two 'point problem does not give accurate result as with finite distance of
.ne
the point P'it is difficult to rotate and orient the table at C. Moreover. thesetting

t
up of an auxilliary station involves more work in a two point problem compared
to the three point problem.

16.5 ERRORS 1:\ PLANE TABLE

. ,

. Three types of errors are involved: (i) Instrumental errors. (i'i) Errors in plotting.
(iii) Error due to manipulation and sighting.

Instrumental errors

These may consists of the following:

(a) The top surface of the' plane table may not be perfectly plane.
(b) The fiducial edge of the alidade may not be stralght, .
(c) The plane table may not be Stable due to loose fittings'
(d) If the magnetic needle is sluggish accurate orientation may not be possible.
(e) If the sight vane is not perpendicular to the base of the alidade, there will
be error in sighting.
(f) With defective level tube. plane table will not be horizontal even if the
bubble is in the centre of its run.

'. "J

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512 Fundamentals of Surveying

Errors ill plotting

(a) If the drawing paper is not of good quality, with temperature changes it
will shrink or expand and there will be errors in plotting,
(blPlouing error will occur if the alidade is not properly pivoted against the
point or if thicker pencils are used. This is particularly so if the scale of drawing
is small.

Errors ill sighting and manipulation

(a) If the plane table is not exactly over the station point, centring error will
occur.
(b) If the plane table is not properly oriented there will be angular error in
location of points '
(c) If the plane table is not properly clamped, between observations it will
move and there will be error. ' '
(d) Sighting error will occur if the object is not bisected at the middle.

16.6 ,ADVANTAGES A~D DISADVANTAGES OF PLAj\E TABL,E

SURVEY
ww
Advantages
w.E
(a) The map is made while looking at the area. Hence minutest detail can
be ploued.
(b) 1'\0 field book is necessary,
asy
(c) Irregular lines such as stream banks and contours can be checked.
En
(d) The plane table can be,used even in magnetically sensitive areas where
compass survey is not possible.
(e) It is very rapid and less costly, ' gin
Disadvantages eer
(a) The method is not very accurate,
ing
(b) It is not possible [0 work under rain or scorching sun.'

.ne
(c) Without any field data, it is not possible to replot the plan in a different
scale,

t
(d) Morefield time is required as the plotting has to bedone in the field itself.
(e) The control points are usually fixed by triangulation and interior fillings
only are done by plane table.
(f) The workers are to be very skilled :IS field work and plotting has to be
done slmultaneously and necessary computations have to be done in the field
itself.

Example 16.1 The plane table operator sets over an unknown ground-point and
measures a distance of 1.:!9 m from the ground to the alidade, The rod man holds
the rod on :I point whose elevation is ~S2.7S m. The plane table operator reads
a stadia interval of 1.664 m, a V-scale reading of + 8. and a centre crosshair
reading ,of \.78 m on the rod. Compute the elevation of the unknown ground
point.

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