Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Pablo Borbon Main II
Alangilan, Batangas City

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE & FINE ARTS

Civil Engineering Department

CE 404 FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

LAB EXERCISE 16: INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS

Anilao, Khristine E.
Ayaay, Rannie Waji
Bagayawa, Gerald L.
Balagao, Renz Jover Q.
Balmaceda, Pola Bianca Donia C.
Balongga, Angelica L.
Bustos, Jeric Greg L.
Caaway, Ara May R.
Escamillas, Hannah Joy M.
Pangilinan, Abel Francis A.
Perono, Martella Nicole C.
Roxas, Kurt Jethro S.
Villanueva, John Thomas C.

GROUP 2
CE-2203

Submitted to:
Engr. Marcelo Teñoso Jr.

May , 2020
 LAB EXERCISE 16: INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS
I. INTRODUCTION

Stadia had been one of the methods in surveying used to determine the
distance from one point to another. In this method, distances are read by
noting the interval on a graduated rod intercepted by two parallel cross hairs
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. If the line of sight is inclined, the vertical angle is also measured and
can be used to reduce the results to horizontal and vertical distances. Stadia
can give results correct to about 1 foot under the best conditions, which is
often sufficient, and can also serve as a check on more precise
measurements.

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

III. MEMBERS DESIGNATION

POSITION NAME
CHIEF OF PARTY Balmaceda, Pola Bianca Donia C.
ASSISTANT CHIEF OF PARTY Balongga, Angelica L.
Roxas, Kurt Jethro S.
COMPUTER Villanueva, John Thomas C.
Anilao, Khristine E.
Caaway, Ara May R.
RECORDER
Bustos, Jeric Greg L.
Balagao, Renz Jover Q.
INSTRUMENTMEN Bagayawa, Gerald L.
Perono, Martella Nicole C.
Ayaay, Rannie Waji
RODMEN Escamillas, Hannah Joy M.
Pangilinan, Abel Francis A.

IV. EQUIPMENT / INSTRUMENTS

1. Any surveying instrument with a telescope and stadia hairs
2. Leveling or Stadia Rod
3. Stakes or Pegs

V. METHODOLOGY
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 this 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.

VI. DATA

HI: - Elevation of Point A: 0 K: 100

STA STA HAIR READINGS VERT STADIA DISTANCE

S
OCC OBS UPPER HOR LOWER ANGLE HD VD ID
A B 1.65 m 1.45 m 11°24’35”
C = 0.3
Table 1. Data obtained

VII. SKETCH
VIII. 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.
Solution:
s=a–b
s = 1.65 – 1.45
s = 0.2 m

RR = (s / 2) + b
RR = (0.2 / 2) + 1.45
RR = 1.55 m

2. The horizontal, vertical, and inclined distances are determined by the

following formula:
HD = Kscos 2 (α ) + Ccos (α )
VD = Kscos (α )sin(α ) + Csin( α )
ID = Kscos ( α ) + C
Where: HD = horizontal distance from the center of the instrument at A to the rod held at
B.

VD = vertical distance from the instrument’s 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 = Given 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 telescopes, 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.
Solution:
HD = Kscos 2 ( α ) + Ccos ( α )
 HD = (100)(0.2 m)cos 2 (11° 24 ’ 35”) + (0.3 m)cos (11° 24 ’ 35 ”)
HD = 19.21731588 m + 0.2940712863 m
HD = 19.51138717 m

VD = Kscos (α )sin(α ) + Csin( α )

VD =(100)(0.2 m)cos (11° 24 ’ 35 ”)sin(11 ° 24 ’ 35 ”) + (0.3 m)sin(11° 24 ’ 35 ”)
VD = 3.878284164 m + 0.05934710239 m
VD = 3.937631267 m

ID = Kscos ( α ) + C
ID = (100) (0.2 m)cos ( 11° 24 ’ 35 ” ) + 0.3 m
ID = 19.60475242 m + 0.3 m
ID = 19.90475242 m

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

Solution:
Assuming that HI = 1.62 m
DE = HI + VD – RR
DE = 1.62 m + 3.937631267 m – 1.55 m
DE = 4.007631267 m

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

Solution:
Assuming that Elev of A = 0
Elev of B = Elev of A + DE
Elev of B = 0 + 4.007631267 m
Elev of B = 4.007631267 m

HI: 1.62 m Elevation of Point A: 0 K: 100

STA STA HAIR READINGS S VERT STADIA DISTANCE
OC ANGLE
OBS
C UPPER HOR LOWER HD VD ID
11°24’35
A B 1.65m 1.55 m 1.45 m 0.2 m 19.51 m 3.94 m 19.90 m
”
Table 2. Observed and Computed Field Data

IX. RESULTS / REMARKS

1. The determination of horizontal distances and differences in elevation by
the stadia method is common in traverse and leveling for topographic
surveys, field completion surveys employing photogrammetric procedures,
and in route and hydrographic surveys.
2. The two end points (A & B) should be so selected such that a
considerable difference in elevation is apparent between these points.
3. Using the stadia method, horizontal distances may be determined with a
relative accuracy to about 1/500. Similarly, differences in elevation can be
obtained to within plus or minus 3 cm.
4. The elevation of the instrument point (A) may be assumed if it is not
known or predetermined.
5. The stadia interval (s) is usually determined by setting the lower stadia
hair on a whole meter (or foot) mark and then reading the location of the
upper stadia hair. By this process, the stadia interval is mentally computed
more easily and with less chance of mistakes than if the lower stadia hair
were allowed to take a random position on the rod.
6. Whenever possible, it is convenient to read the vertical angle when the rod
reading equals the height of instrument. Since the rod reading and HI are
opposite in sign, if equal in magnitude the two qualities cancel each other
and may be omitted from the computation of difference in elevation.
7. The setting of the horizontal cross hair on a full meter (or foot) mark on the
rod also simplifies the arithmetic involved.
8. Whenever the staid interval is in excess of the length of the rod used, the
separate half intervals are observed and their sum is taken.

X. CONCLUSION
Using the given data and applying the formula, we are able to determine
the distance of the inclined stadia as well as its horizontal and vertical
components. Given the predetermined stadia K = 100 and the computed
stadia interval s = 0.2 m, the computed inclined stadia distance is
19.90475242 m with horizontal and vertical components of 19.51138717 m
and 3.937631267 m, respectively. Lastly, assuming that the height of the
instrument is 1.62 m, we are able to compute the difference in elevation,
which is 4.007631267 m.