INTRODUCTION

Stadia tacheometric survey is one of the survey parts which have to measure the
height and earth level which can get indirectly from calculation. Stadia tacheometric survey is
a branch of surveying in which horizontal and vertical distance of points are obtained by
optical measurement avoiding ordinary and slower process of measurement tape. Stadia
tacheometric surveyor usually performed to contour and details plans for further work or to
produce coordinates for area and volume calculation.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this laboratory is:

i. To introduce the traditional technique of collecting the stadia data such as stadia
readings to plot a topographic map.
ii. Plot a simple topographic map.

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Stadia is a method of surveying in which distances are read by noting the interval on a
graduated rod intercepted by two parallel cross hairs (stadia hairs or stadia wires) mounted in
the telescope of a surveying instrument, the rod being placed at one end of the distance to be
measured and the surveying instrument at the other.

Principle of Stadia hair method is that the ratio of the length of perpendicular to the base is
constant in case of similar triangles.

1. Fixed Hair Method

In the fixed hair method, the cross hairs of the diaphragm are kept at a constant
distance apart and the staff intercept varies with the horizontal and vertical position of
the staff with respect to the Theodolite.

In this method, the angle at the instrument at A subtended by a known short distance
along a staff kept at B is made with the help of a stadia diaphragm having stadia wires
at fixed or constant distance apart. The readings are on the staff corresponding to all
the three wires taken.
 The staff intercept, i.e., the difference of the readings corresponding to top and bottom
stadia wires will therefore depend on the distance of the staff from the instrument.
When the staff intercept is more than the length of the staff, only half intercept is read.

For inclined sight, readings may be taken by keeping the staff either vertical or
normal to the line of sight. This is the most common method is tacheometry and the
same ‘stadia method’ generally bears reference to this method.

2. Movable Hair Method

In this method the staff intercept between the lower hair and the upper hair is kept
constant by moving the horizontal cross hairs in the vertical plane.

This method is similar to the fixed hair method except that the stadia interval is
variable. Suitable arrangement is made to vary the distance between the stadia hair as
to set them against the two targets on the staff kept at the point under observation.

Thus, in this case, the staff intercept, i.e., the distance between the two targets is kept
fixed while the stadia interval, i.e., the distance between the stadia hair is variable. As
in the case of fixed hair method, inclined sights may also be taken.
APPARATUS
i. Theodolite
ii. Tripod
iii. Staff
iv. Nail
v. Spray
vi. Hammer
vii. Tape

PROCEDURE

1. The area for survey has been choose.

2. The base line near the feature that to be survey was created which is 5-4.
3. The bearing was defined which is 195o50’ and distance for base line was measured.
4. The theodolite was set up at point 5 and was target to back station (R.O).
5. The bearing was set to reading 195o50’ and aimed to back station.
6. The height of instrument was measured and the stadia data was recorded about 15
points.

Instrument Instrument Bearing Reduce level Distance (m) Back station

station height (m) (horizontal (m)
 angle)
5 1.1 195°50’00” 100 92.79 4
RESULT AND ANALYSIS

Poin Horizontal Vertical Stadia Horizonta Vertical Reduc Remarks

t angle angle l distance distance e level
top middle bottom
1 195°50’00” 356°31’40” 0.43 0.359 0.283 15.2 -0.919 99.82 Street
5 light
2 341°9’40” 354°31’00” 0.67 0.629 0.583 9.2 -0.875 99.60 Signboard
5
3 345°58’20” 359°42’40” 2.25 2.19 2.215 13 -0.0655 98.84 Tree
5
4 332°59’40” 359°42’40” 2.36 2.219 2.075 28.8 -0.148 98.73 Tree
3
5 13°58’4” 359°42’40” 2.78 2.688 2.593 19 -0.0976 98.31 Tree
3
6 28°14’40” 359°42’40” 2.78 2.628 2.470 31.5 -0.162 98.31 Street
5 light
7 29°30’20” 359°42’40” 2.32 2.128 1.935 38.5 -0.198 98.77 Street
0 light
8 37°51’20” 359°42’40” 1.05 0.88 0.705 35 -0.180 100.04 Street
5 light
9 39°41’20” 359°42’40” 1.17 0.907 0.638 53.7 -0.1276 99.92 Cottage
5
10 36°38’00” 359°42’40” 1.13 0.895 0.650 48 -0.247 99.96 Cottage
11 355°55’20” 359°17’00” 0.78 0.560 0.345 43.5 -0.544 100 Stairs
0
12 351°6’40” 358°48’00” 1.53 1.309 1.0853 44.8 -0.469 98.85 Stairs
3
13 0° 359°42’40” 1.10 0.840 0.570 53.9 -0.277 99.98 Cottage
9
14 357°4’40” 359°19’20” 0.69 0.43 0.16 53 -0.627 100.04 Cottage
15 0°3’40” 0°2’00” 1.65 1.36 1.06 59 0.0343 99.77 Pipe
HORIZONTAL DISTANCE , D = KS + C

=100(0.435-0.283) + 0

=15.2 m

VERTICAL DISTANCE , V = 1/2KS sin2θ + c sinθ

= ½ x 100 x 0.152 sin2 (356°31’40”)

= -0.919 m

REDUCE LEVEL , RL = 100 + Hi ± V –H

= 100 + 1.1 -0.919 -0.359

= 99.82 m

Where K,= constant 100

C =constant 0

HI =height of instrument

H =middle stadia from ground level

S =upper stadia – lower stadia

DISCUSSION
In this experiment, the parameter that we need to measure are the value of horizontal
angle and vertical angle by referring the 15 permanents objects that we shoot by using
theodolite. From the value of horizontal and vertical angle that we get, we can determine and
calculate the horizontal and vertical distance by using the formula. Next, from that we can
sketch the area on the graph paper by referring the value of horizontal angle and horizontal
distance.
During we conduct the experiment, it might have some errors that will occur. Firstly,
the staff readings and tilt of the pole or staff. Observer tends to make wrong observation
when observing the staff reading, they might misread the staff marking scales and this
brought to the crucial error along the booking process. So to avoid this error, during we read
the reading staff, we need to make sure the position of eyes and the marking line in the
theodolite must opposite with the scales of the staff.
Besides, the tilting of the staff rod can influence the accuracy of the height readings
taken from the staff. Then the staff is not truly vertical or almost to it, the reading taken is
incorrect and lead to the failure of tachometry process. This error can be avoid by choosing
the flatten surface before we put the staff or clear the surface of the ground first from other
barrier like rock that will effect the position of the staff. Other than that, the person that will
hold the staff must be in static during hold the staff to make sure the reading will be accurate
and easier for the another student read the reading from the theodolite.
Next, the errors encountered during tachometry also can be derived from
instrumental errors. They are those caused by the adjustment of the instruments used or faults
in them. Any errors in these measurements have serious implications in the heights and
distances measured with the instruments. To avoid such errors, during we setup the
instruments, we need to make sure all bubbles should be at the centre of its run and we need
to avoid from touch the tripod leg’s after the instrument have been in stabilize position.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we have achieved the objectives of this laboratory which are to
introduce the traditional technique of collecting the stadia data such as stadia readings to plot
a topographic map and to plot a simple topographic map. From this laboratory activity, we
had learnt how to use the theodolite and also familiar with the apparatus. We also get the
experience to conduct this laboratory which is stadia tacheometry. We also get the knowledge
on how to take the readings of top, bottom and middle of stadia hairs and also the reading of
the vertical and horizontal bearings.
REFERENCES

1. Surveying A.Bannster and R.Baker , Second edition

2. Surveying with construction and application,Barry F.Kavanagh Second edition
3. https://civilseek.com/tacheometric-surveying/
4. https://www.slideshare.net/arvindsainair69/sueveying-advanced1