Visayas State University

College of Engineering
Department of Geodetic Engineering
Visca, Baybay City, 6521-A, Leyte, Philippines

ESci 121n – Fundamentals of Surveying

Laboratory Exercise No. 5

INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS

Name: van Steenhuyse, Tylo Junior Date Performed: 07 MARCH 2019 Score: ________
Course and Year: BSABE-1 Date Submitted: 21 MARCH 2019

I. INTRODUCTION

The Stadia is a method of measuring distances rapidly with a telescope (usually

on an engineer's transit or an alidade) and a graduated rod. (Breed&Hosmer, 1977)
A typical surveyor's instrument reticle has two pairs of stadia marks. One pair are on
the horizontal centerline and the other on the vertical cross hair. Each functions in
the same manner and are placed for measuring on either axis. The stadia marks are
set a specific distance apart. The distance is chosen so that there is a fixed, integer
ratio between the distance observed between the marks and the distance from the
telescope to the measuring device observed. This is known as the stadia
constant or stadia interval factor. For example, a typical stadia mark pair is set so
that the ratio is 100. (Davis,Foote,&Kelly, 1966)
The term stadia comes from the plural of the Greek stadion, the word for a distance
of 185 to 192 metres (607-630 ft). A very similar length is the modern furlong, or
eighth of a mile, 660 ft. A "stadion" was also an athletic venue, with lengths laid out
for competition and seats for spectators. The Latin stadium, stadia was a direct
borrowing with the same meaning.Distance over the ground was traditionally
measured by long poles or rods laid successively end to end. The ancient Egyptians
used rope for the same purpose. This practice is reflected in the traditional rod, pole
or perch of 16.5 feet. This odd length came from dividing down an English mile of
5280 ft, first into furlongs of 1/8 mile or 660 ft, then into tenths, or chains, of 66 ft,
and finally into quarters of this, or 16.5 feet. Four rods make a chain, ten chains a
furlong, and 80 chains a mile. (Breed&Hosmer, 1977)
Distances are now conveniently measured by timing modulated laser beams
returned by retroreflectors. Large distances can be covered at one leap, and the
intervening ground does not have to be traversed on foot. Stadia shares these
advantages. Microwaves were first used for this purpose, but have now been
superseded by lasers. The main errors are in estimating propagation conditions,
temperature and humidity, which affect the velocity of light, and are often poorly
known or vary over the path. Even without consideration of these uncertainties, laser
ranging is more accurate than stadia, but is also much more expensive. We also
have Global Positioning System location, which is accurate to roughly 1 metre (with
special care, centimetre accuracy is possible, but it requires work). In spite of these
excellent alternatives, it is still interesting to know the stadia method, which is often
applicable in unusual circumstances. (Breed&Hosmer, 1977)

II. OBJECTIVES
a) To determine inclined stadia distance and its horizontal and vertical
components
b) To determine the elevation of a distant point.

III. INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Any surveying instrument with a telescope and stadia hairs, Stadia or Leveling
Rod, Stakes or Pegs

IV. PROCEDURE
A.
1. On one end of the designated line set up and level the instrument such
as at point A
2. Direct the rodman to hold vertically a leveling or stadia rod at the other
end of the line (point B) and take a foresight on the rod.
3. Observe through the telescope the apparent location of the stadia hairs
on the rod and record the upper stadia hair reading (a) and the lower
stadia hair reading (b).
 4. Also note the apparent location of the horizontal cross hair on the rod
and record this as the rod reading (c or RR).
5. Read the vertical angle (alpha) and record the quantity. Indicate its
corresponding sign. An angle of elevation is a plus (+) angle and an angle
of depression is a minus (-) angle.
6. With the use of the graduated level (or stadia) rod, measure the actual
height of the instrument above the occupied point and record this as the
HI.
7. Tabulate all measured and computed values accordingly. Refer to the
accompanying sample format for the tabulation of field data.
HI: Elevation of Point A: K:
Sta. Sta. Hair Reading S Vert. Stadia Distance
Occ. Obs. Upper Hor. Lower Angl HD VD ID
e
A B 1.56 1.40 1.245 0.315 14.1 -29.6 -7.4 -30.6
B. COMPUTATIONS:
1. The stadia interval (s) is the apparent distance between the points on
the rod where the upper and lower stadia hairs intersect the rod. It is
determined by subtracting the lower stadia hair reading (b) from the
upper stadia hair reading (a) or, s= a – b.
2. The horizontal, vertical, and inclined distances are determined by the
following formulas:

HD= KsCos2(α) + CCos(α)

VD= KsCos(α)Sin(α) + CSin(α)
ID= KsCos(α) + C
 Where: HD= horizontal distance from the center of the A to
the rod held at B
VD= vertical distance from the instruments horizontal
line of sight to the apparent position of the horizontal
cross hair on the rod held at B.
ID= inclined distance from the center of the instrument
to the apparent position of the horizontal cross hair on
the rod held at B. as a computational check the
inclined distances may also be computed by adding
the square of HD to the square of VD and extracting
the square root.
K= give or predetermined stadia interval factor of the
instrument used and is usually equal to 100.
C= distance from the center of the instrument to the
principal focus. For external focusing telescope, C
may be considered as 30 cm (1.0 ft.), and for internal
focusing telescopes, C is negligible and assumed to
be zero.
α = the observed vertical angle (alpha) when the rod
reading (c or RR) is taken
3. The difference in elevation (DE) between points A and B will be
obvious if a sketch is correctly drawn.
a) For positive (+) sights: DE= HI + VD – RR
b) For negative (-) sights: DE= VD + RR – HI
4. From the prepared sketch, the elevation of the distant point B will also
be obvious.
a) For positive (+) sights: Elev of B= Elev of A + DE
b) For negative (-) sights: Elev of B= Elev of A – DE

V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

HI: Elevation of Point A: K: 100

 Sta. Sta. Hair Reading S Vert. Stadia Distance
Occ. Obs. Upper Hor. Lower Angl HD VD ID
e
A B 1.56 1.40 1.245 0.315 14.1 29.6 7.4 30.6

s=upper−lower
s=1.56−1.245=0.315
HD=( Ks cos α +C ) ( cos α )
HD=29.6 m
ID=Ks cos α +C
ID=30.6 m
VD=( Ks cos α +C ) ¿
VD=7.4 m
DE=HI +VD −RR
DE=¿
The data was collected at the VSU upper amphitheatre where the instrument was
situated on the bottom steps and the rod was located beside the statues. The stadia
interval was calculated by subtracting the recorded upper and lower reading which
resulted to 0.315 and the stadia interval factor was assumed to be 100m.
The horizontal distance was calculated using trigonometric principles resulting in
the formula: HD= IDcos α, where ID= (Kscos α + C) and C was assumed to be 0. The
horizontal distance calculated was 29.6m. The vertical distance was calculated using
the same principles with the formula: VD= IDsin α. The vertical distance calculated was
7.4m. The inclined distance was the slopping distance from the two points and was
calculated to be 30.6m. Since the rod was situated above the instrument during
recording, the resulting formula for the difference in elevation would be: DE= HI + VD –
RR, where VD was the earlier calculated vertical distance, RR is the rod reading or the
horizontal reading, and HI is the height of the instrument.

VI. CONCLUSION
 To determine inclined stadia distance and its horizontal and vertical components,
the following formulas will be used: HD= KsCos2(α) + CCos(α); VD= KsCos(α)Sin(α)
+ CSin(α); ID= KsCos(α) + C, where ID is the inclined stadia distance, HD and VD
are the horizontal and vertical components respectively. The formulas rely on
determining the stadia interval factor (K), distance to principal focus (C), stadia
interval (s), and the observed vertical angle (α). These formulas are derived from
different trigonometric principles such as similar triangles. The stadia interval factor
and distance to principal focus are usually given by the instrument itself and the only
variables that require actual readings are the vertical angle and the stadia interval or
intercept. Both the vertical angle and stadia interval can be determined by using the
instrument and once both of these are correctly decided on, inclined, vertical, and
horizontal distances can all be calculated.
To determine the elevation of a distant point, formulas will also be used. First, the
difference in elevation between the rod and the instrument should be determined.
This can be calculated by subtracting the horizontal reading from the sum of the
height of the instrument and the previously calculated vertical distance (if the rod is
located above the instrument) or subtracting the height of the instrument from the
sum of previously calculated vertical distance and the horizontal reading. Knowing
the difference in elevation, the elevation of the distance point can be determined
based on the elevation of the point where the observer is reading (either known or
assumed). Point A, or the point where the instrument reads, has either a known or
assumed elevation. This elevation would be added (if the rod is above the
instrument) or subtracted (if the rod is below the instrument) to the difference in
elevation in order to determine the elevation of the distant point, or the point where
the rod reading is taken.

VI. REFERENCES

The Principles and Practice of Surveying- C. B. Breed and G. L. Hosmer,

1977
Surveying, Theory and Practice- Raymond Davis, Francis Foote, Joe
Kelly, 1966