What are Instruments ?

Instruments are the tools or devices which are used to carry out various jobs in a field.

In every field, you need some tools (some devices) to perform different operations. Without proper
instruments one cannot perform his job accurately and efficiently.

Why do we need Instruments In Surveying ?

Instruments are used in surveying for different purposes.

The main key points for which we use instruments in survey are:

For Finding Distances

For Finding Angles

For Knowing Elevations

To Find Unknown Coordinates

For Finding Inaccessible Heights

For Setting out of Curves

Making Contour Maps

Marking National Boundaries

Area and Volume Computation

Istruments Used In Survey

Stretched Rope

Initially a stretched rope was used to measure distances between two places or points. But it was not an
accurate method as it contained a lot of error and also it was a very slow process.

As the rope contained a lot of sags, so the distance was not measured accurately.

Moreover, due to the short Ilength of the rope it was very difficult to measure a long distance in a single
span.
To overcome this problem, a chain was developed to measure the distances between two points. This
chain was known as Gunter's chain.

Gunter's Chain

Gunter's chain a distance measuring device used for surveying. It was designed and introduced in 1620
by Edmund Gunter. It enabled plots of land to be accurately surveyed and plotted, for legal and
commercial purposes.

The 66-feet chain is divided into 100 links. Each link is thus 7.92 inches long ( 0.66 feet).

Although Gunter's chain was later superseded by the steel tape. Because the chain was to heavy to carry
and also it contained a lot of sags due to its heavy load while taking measurements. So, a great care was
to be taken while taking measurements with Gunter's chain.

Measuring Tape

As the Gunter's chain had a number of limitations. To overcome these difficulties, measuring tape was
developed.

Measuring tape is a flexible ruler used to measure distances.

It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings.

Tapes come in a variety of lengths and materials. For engineering work the lengths are generally 10m,
30m, 50m and 100m.

Perambulator

It is also another distance measuring device. Also known as surveyor's wheel.

They are often used by road maintenance or underground utility workers and by farmers for fast
measures Over distances.

It is wheeled along the line whose length is desired. The distance traversed is automatically registered in
terms of miles, furlongs, and yards to the nearest yard on the dial.

As the wheel turns during measurement, it is seen that the wheel sweeps out at an angle of %T radians
which is equal to 135 degrees.

Surveyor's wheels are used primarily for lower accuracy surveys.

Electron Distance Measurement

EDM stands for Electronic Distance Measurement.

EDM is a surveying instrument used for measuring distance electronically between two points through
electromagnetic waves.

The distance measured by EDM is more precise than measured with chain or tape. The wave emitted
from the EDM reaches the reflector and return back to the EDM. Then the distance is measured with the
help of time taken for the above process time taken by the wave for the emission and retun.

The following equation is used to measure the distance. Distance = Velocity X time

Graphometer

The graphometer or semi-circumferentor is a surveying instrument used for angle measurements.

It consists of a semicircular limb divided into 180 degrees and sometimes subdivided into minutes.

The form was introduced in Philippe Danfrie's, (Paris, 1597).

The limb is subtended by the diameter with two sights at its ends. In the middle of the diameter a "box
and needle" (compass) is fixed.

Inclinometer

An inclinometer or dlinometer is an instrument used for measuring angles of slope, elevation, or

depression of an object with respect to gravity's direction.

It is also known as a tilt indicator, tilt sensor, gradient meter and pitch & roll indicator. Clinometers
measure both inclines and declines

Uses

In land surveying and mapping, a clinometer can provide a rapid measurement of the slope of a
geographic feature, or used for cave survey.

In prospecting for minerals, clinometers are used to measure the strike and dip of geologic formations.

In forestry, tree height measurement can be done with a clinometer using standardized methods.

Major artillery guns may have an associated clinometer used to facilitate aiming of shells over long
distances.

Abney Level

The Abney Level is an engineering instrument which can be used to determine height.
It is moderately expensive and of medium size and weight.

Abney levels are made with square tubular bodies so that they may also be used to directly measure the
slopes of plane surfaces by simply placing the body of the level on the surface, adjusting the level, and
then reading the angle off of the scale.

Common Uses

In topographic surveying, to place high precision surveying equipment, particularly in rough terrain.

In forestry, for tree height measurement.

In mining and mine safety inspection, to measure the grades of haulage roads.

In geology, in measurements of rock outcrops and fault scarps

Auto Level

Alevel an optical instrument used to establish or verify points in the same horizontal plane in a process
known as levelling.

It is used in conjunction with a levelling staff to establish the relative heights levels of objects or marks.

It is widely used in surveying and construction to measure height differences and to transfer, measure,
and set heights of known objects or marks.

The complete unit is normally mounted on a tripod, and the telescope can freely rotate 360° in a
horizontal plane.

It is also known as a Surveyors level, Builders level, Dumpy level.

Applications of Auto level

To measure height differences

Used in a Road Profile

For excavation of canals, roads, pipelines, railroads, etc

Setting height of known objects

Finding height and horizontal angle between different objects

Helps in making contour maps, contour lines, etc.

Theodolite

Joshua Habermel created a theodolite with a compass and tripod in 1576.

It is an instrument for measuring angles in the horizontal and vertical planes.

Initially the theodolite had a number of limitations and could not measure angle with great accuracy and
precision.

With the advancement in the field of technology, scientists made a number of modifications in older
theodolites for measuring angles with great accuracy and precision.

Modern theodolites are designed in such a way to perform all the necessary angular and distance
calculations and to read the measurement upto seconds of levels

Applications of Theodolite

Measuring horizontal and Vertical angles

Locating points on a line

Difference of level

Setting out of Curves

Measurement of Bearings

Setting out of Grades(Slopes)

Total Station

Initially theodolites were used to measure angles. Distances were measured either with the tapes or
chains.

With the advancement in technology, EDM (Electron Distance Measurement) was mounted on
theodolites. Total stations became combination of theodolite, level and measuring tape.

It is equally good in measuring horizontal and vertical angles, sloping distances and three dimensional
coordinate's computation.

Data collected from total station can be downloaded into computer/laptops for further processing of
information.

Applications of Total Station

Used for topographic, Hydrographic, cadastral, project and construction surveys.

Computing coordinates of survey points from horizontal angle and horizontal distance.
Area calculations

Volume Calculations

Stake out Coordinates

Setting out Curves

Remote distance measurement (RDM) or Missing line measurement (MLM)

Uses of Total Station

The uses of Total Station are as follows:

Mine Survey

Cadastral Survey

Engineering Survey

Large Scale Survey

Road/ Rail Canal

Survey

GPS (Global Positioning System)

As the technology is advancing day by day, several new methods are introduced by developers to help
the surveyors in performing different operations in field more accurately and precisely.

Initially GPS was developed for military use but there is a wide variety of equipment and techniques that
can be used for

surveying.

GPS was rapidly adapted for surveying, as it can give a position (Latitude, Longitude and Height) directly,
without the need to measure angles and distances between intermediate points.

Survey control points could now be established almost anywhere and it is only necessary to have a clear
view of the sky so the signal from the GPS satellites could be received clearly.

Applications and Benefits

GPS provides surveying and mapping data of the highest accuracy.

GPS is especially useful in surveying coasts and waterways, where there are few land-based reference
points.
Bridge builders and offshore oil rigs also depend on GPS for accurate hydrographic surveys.

Significant productivity gains in terms of time, equipment, and labor required.

Fewer operational limitations compared to conventional techniques.

Accurate positioning of physical features that can be used in maps and models.

Faster delivery of geographic information needed by decision makers.