National Diploma: Civil engineering Technology

B.Eng: Civil Engineering Science

OPM3B CISB Civil Engineering Surveying

Module 9 Tutorial 1 Practical Tacheometry

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Complete all the exercises

The purpose of this tutorial is to provide the student with the background to make
the correct observations, reduce these observations and use the reduced
observations to calculate and adjust observations made to obtain the elevation of
“spot heights” using a total station.

1. Tacheometry enables you to find the position (co-ordinates

ordinates and elevation) of
features and topography relative to the position of a MINIMUM OF TWO known
points. The accuracy of observations will determine the precision and accuracy
of your calculations. The observations thus obtain will assist you to construct a
plan and indicate features such as contour lines and surface features such as
buildings roads, bridges, drainage features etc..

2. You need to understand the following terms:

• Station – a known point at which the surveyor will set up his instrument to
make observations to a second known point (BACKSIGHT)) for orientation
purposes. Observations are made from the STATION to a new point
(FORESIGHT) to determine the co-ordinates
co and elevation of such a point

• Backsight or Reference Object observation -- an observation taken to a

point of known co-ordinates
ordinates and elevation, taken to orientate the instrument
and determine the angle between the reference object and new point. It is
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ADVISEABLE to always check your reference object before moving to

a new station!

• Foresight - an observation taken to a point of unknown co-ordinates and

elevation, taken to orientate the instrument and determine the angle
between the reference object and new point.

• Spot height – an observation taken to a point to determine the elevation for

the purpose of calculating the elevation of the ground at that point for
contour lines or volumetric calculations.

• Arc of observation – a set of observations made to the backsight and

foresight. The arc will include two sets of observations to each point, called
a Face Left and Face Right observation.

• Face Left (F/L) or “Direct” implies that the horizontal screw of the
instrument is located on the right-hand side of the instrument (when using a
Leica Total station)

• Face Right (F/R) or “Transit” implies that the instrument telescope is

rotated in the vertical plane through 180 degrees and the instrument
rotated on the horizontal axis through 180 degrees.

• Tacheometric calculation - the calculation of the elevation of a new point

from the vertical angles observed as well as the measured distances
between the station and foresight.

• Base or Baseline refers to the direction and distance between TWO

KNOWN points. This can be the starting point for a traverse or the
reference bearing to a known point from which all the tache observations
will be made. If the direction is not given, it can be calculated from the co-
ordinates using a JOIN or POLAR calculation. It is essential for accurate
surveying to ensure that this information is available before starting the
traverse.

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• Interpolation the method of calculating specific contour line values from

spot heights observed. The elevations determined at each spot height are
compared and the position of the pre-determined contour value is
calculated.

• Target or “Bob” refers to the target placed over or under the fixed point,
used to observe the angles and distances to the BACKSIGHT or
FORESIGHT. It is a common mistake to omit taking this

measurement! If this measurement is not taken it means that your

observations will be of no use and you will have to repeat the
observations again!

• Target or bob Height refers to the vertical distance measured from the
survey station to the optical centre of the prism to the tip of the prism pole
or in the case of a plumb bob to the knot or button signifying the sighting
point on the bob string. The value of this height may be positive if the
reference point is in the ground or negative if the reference point is in the
roof of a tunnel. It is a common mistake to omit taking this

measurement! If this measurement is not taken it means that your

observations will be of no use and you will have to repeat the
observations again!

• Instrument Height refers to the vertical distance measured from the survey
station to the optical centre of the instrument. The value of this height may
be positive if the reference point is in the ground or negative if the reference
point is in the roof of a tunnel. It is a common mistake to omit
taking this measurement! If this measurement is not taken it
means that your observations will be of no use and you will have to
repeat the observations again!

3. You will be required to complete tacheometric observations

from the points you established from the CLOSED traverse. The

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process will be explained in detail in the Practical Project

Tutorial.
3.1. Adhere to all safety regulations! ZERO HARM!
3.1.1. Take extra precautions between the vehicles!
3.1.2. Do not leave the instruments unattended!

3.2. Work in a team. PLAY NICE!

3.3. Give the other groups a chance, you will be sharing observation points

4. Observation Methodology: Please refer to the detailed

slideshow indicating the sequence of observation and booking
of observations.
5. PLEASE remember to make use of good observation practice:
5.1.1. Early morning or late afternoon
5.1.2. Cool overcast conditions are best
5.1.3. Stop a little ahead of the point and then slowly bring the cross hairs
onto the point.
5.1.4. MARK your control points!
5.1.5. Always observe a minimum of two arcs, one in the “face left”
and one in the “face right” position.

6. Project Requirements
6.1. A co-ordinate list will be supplied. Should your assigned/chosen base NOT
have co-ordinates and Elevation, please select an alternative base as your
starting point. If this is not possible, assume the elevation of your starting
point to be 1000.000m above mean Sea Level.(if the elevations are not
available).
6.2. You will use the points you traversed during the closed traverse exercise.
• UJ DFC survey stations are a red pin on a yellow washer over a gray disk
that will have the station number written on it (DFC)
• UJ APK survey stations will be a numbered brass disk with a silver Hilti pin

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6.3. Take observations to determine the position of features and contours in

your allocated project area.
6.4. EVERY TIME before taking the theodolite and tripod down, check that all
the entries have been made in the field book and that the differences and
additions are correct. Having satisfied yourself that all the entries in the
field book have been made, are in order and are correct, remove the
theodolite from the tripod and replace it carefully in this carrying case or
box.
6.5. CLOSE your traverse on your starting point or a point with KNOWN Co-
ordinates and Elevation
i) Reduce the observed directions from your fieldwork
ii) Calculate the final co-ordinates of the points using the required traverse
LAYOUT and CALCULATION method.
iii) Show the following in your project portfolio:
(1) Original field notes. A Fieldbook page is NOT the same thing as a
calculation!
(2) All reductions done to observations
(3) All the completed traverse calculations including the check
(4) The Bowditch calculation (if required, if not STATE your results
and comment why the balance was not required)
ii) A plan of the project area indicating the baseline and the traverse
points to a suitable scale.

6.6. AT NO STAGE WILL ANY EQUIPMENT BE LEFT

UNATTENDED FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER!

6.7. Hand in equipment back in a better /cleaner

condition than you received it in.

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7. Specific Outcomes

Outcome Demonstrated Skill

Demonstrate the correct layout in

7.1. Use the approved layout for the
calculations
booking and manual
calculation of Tacheometric
observations

7.2. Check the accuracy of Check back to the reference object

Horizontal angle observations and make sure that the reference
bearing is booked and correct!

7.3. Check the accuracy of Vertical Calculate the sum of angles to

observations ensure that it adds up to 360

degrees, within a 2minute limit of

tolerance

7.4. Calculate the horizontal Calculate the Horizontal Distance .

distance and directions to each HD=Cos θ * SD
point

7.5. Calculate the average Vertical Calculate the vertical distance for
distance for each spot height each spot height . VD=Sin θ * SD

7.6. Plot each spot height using the Plot each point and annotate the
reference bearing feature as well as the elevation
next to each spot height

7.7. Interpolate the “intermediate” Calculate the intermediate

elevations between adjacent elevations between spotheights

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spotheights and show with feint marks on the

plan

7.8. Determine contour interval Check that:

values and join all the points
with similar elevations
No lines cross
No lines intersect
Points have the correct values
between contour lines (You cannot
have a value of 1000 between two
contour lines such as 1002 and
1003

8. Observation method:
8.1. Set up the instrument at a known point
8.2. Reference a known object or point
8.3. Book the Horizontal angle, Vertical angle and SLOPE
distance with a description of the orientation point’s
description (eg. UJ221)
8.4. Find the next spot height to observe.
8.5. Book the Horizontal angle, Vertical angle and SLOPE distance with a
description of the point observed
8.6. REPEAT
8.7. Before moving to the next point, RE-ORIENTATE
RE ORIENTATE to the reference po
point .
Make sure your orientation has remained unchanged.
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9. Calculation method:
9.1. In the case where you have a complete sheet of tache observations (YOU
ARE REQUIRED TO PLOT ALL THE OBSERVATIONS YOUR ENTIRE
GROUP OBSERVED!) with a number of set-ups it will be necessary to
calculate the elevations and horizontal distances to every spot height
observed.
9.2. Please refer to the slideshow tutorial and notes.
9.3. It is REQUIRED that you adhere in the strictest detail to the

calculation layout.

10. Example of the Field observations:

11. CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLAN.

11.1. Construct a rectangular grid to a convenient scale. This means that
the grid should be large enough to plot all your observed points, in such a
manner that the entire sheet will be covered with information
11.2. Remember to leave a 1/5th of the left-hand side of the sheet open for
the title block. Your title block should have the following essential items:
11.2.1. YOUR NAME, student number and Team name
11.2.2. North arrow
11.2.3. Scale
11.2.4. Key or Legend of any symbols used
11.2.5. Key plan if possible (showing your project area in reference to
the entire campus)

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11.3. Constructing the grid lines:

11.3.1. The gridlines should be spaced in such a manner that there is
at least four Y co-ordinate lines and four X co-ordinate lines
11.3.2. Must be a constant distance apart
11.3.3. Depends on your scale and the size of the plan area say20m?
11.3.4. Label the grid lines on either side with the co-ordinate values
and describe if “Y” or “X” value
11.3.5. Lines MUST be parallel
11.3.6. Lines must be PERPENDICULAR.

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12. You must plot all your closed traverse reference stations on a plan.

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13. Step 1. Calculate the spot heights for each point from the field observations. It
is good surveying practice to calculate these observations in the field at the
survey station
14. Step 2. Calculate the True Vertical Angle from the circle graduation. But be very
careful! The angles are still in a raw format and needs to be converted into a
TRUE Vertical Angle referenced from the horizontal plane. Most Survey
instruments are graduated in the same manner, with the vertical angle reading
0:00:00 if pointed up exactly vertical and 180:00:00 when pointed down
exactly vertical. That implies that if the instrument is properly levelled, that the
instrument line of sight will be exactly horizontal if the angle reading is
90:00:00 or 270:00:00.
14.1.1. If the observed Angle (θ) is:
θ < 90º then 90º- Angle = + Vertical Angle (positive)
θ > 90º then 90º- Angle = - Vertical Angle (negative)

14.1.2. Similarly if the observed Angle (θ) is:

θ < 270º then 270º- Angle = + Vertical Angle (positive)
θ > 270º then 270º- Angle = - Vertical Angle (negative)

Please refer to the sketch:

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14.1.2.1. IF Angle A1 is 91:12:34 > 90º the Vertical Angle will be

Negative , thus: 91:12:34 - 90:00:00 = - 01:12:34

14.1.2.2. IF Angle A2 is 268:47:22 < 270º the Vertical Angle will be

Negative , thus: 270:00:00 - 268:47:22 = - 01:12:38, and ;

14.1.2.3. Average Angle A = (01:12:34 01:12:38) / 2 = - 01:12:36
14.1.3. YOU WILL NOTE THAT in this example the angles
are only averaged out AFTER the calculation. It is your
choice if you want to do it.

14.1.4. A further example:

14.1.4.1. Angle B1 is 66:46:30 < 90º the Vertical Angle will be Positive

, thus: 90:00:00 – 66:46:30 = + 23:13:30, and

14.1.4.2. Angle B2 is 293:13:10 > 270º the Vertical Angle will be

Positive, thus: 293:13:10 – 270:00:00 = + 23:13:10

14.1.4.3. Average Angle B = (23:13:30 + 23:13:10) / 2 = +

23:13:20.
14.1.4.4. Your calculation should look like this by now:

14.2. Step 6. Calculate the Vertical Distance and Horizontal Distance for
each spotheight:
14.2.1. Vertical Distance (VD) = Sin θ * Slope distance
This is why you are required to only book the SLOPE DISTANCE in your
Fieldbook!

14.2.2. Horizontal Distance (HD) = Cos θ * Slope distance

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An independent check can be done to check if the calculation is correct

2 2 2
using Pythagoras SD = VD + HD

14.2.3. Your calculation should look like this by now:

14.3. You now have all the information to calculate the elevation and co-
ordinates of the BACKSIGHT and FORESIGHT.
15. Step 8. . Calculate the Elevation of the NEW point, using the KNOWN
elevation, Instrument height, Vertical Difference and Target height.
15.1.1. Please remember that the target and Instrument height will
have different signs depending on the location of the survey station.
15.1.1.1. If the survey station is located in the ground, the
INSTRUMENT HEIGHT will be POSITIVE, if the survey station is
located in the roof of an excavation the INSTRUMENT HEIGHT
will be NEGATIVE.
15.1.1.2. If the survey station is located in the ground, the TARGET
HEIGHT will be NEGATIVE, if the survey station is located in the
roof of an excavation the TARGET HEIGHT will be. POSITIVE

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15.1.2. If in doubt, always make a sketch similar to the sketch below.

Ask yourself the question, where is the known elevation and where did

you sight the target?

15.1.3. Calculate the Elevation of EACH SPOT HEIGHT!

Remember that :
• the INSTRUMENT HEIGHT in this case is positive +1.565m
• The TARGET HEIGHT is negative -1.600m and;
• The VERTICAL DIFFERENCE was calculated positive as -1.589
1.589m for
the first observation

15.2. Remember to use the correct TARGET HEIGHT and VERTICAL

DIFFERENCE.. Check the results with the given information!
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15.3. Your calculation should

shoul look like this by now:

16. Step 10. Plot the spot heights on the plan

16.1. Some software will ccalculate the co-ordinates for each of the
observed points
• ∆yy = Sin α * HD
• ∆xx = Cos α * HD
16.2. Place a 360 degree protractor on the station point.
16.3. object
16.4. Plot each observation based on the horizontal observation and the
calculated horizontal distance.
16.5. Annotate each point with the description of the point and the
elevation.
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Interpolate the elevations between spot heights and the features observed. You
have been shown two methods of interpolation. Use a convenient method to
determine the intermediate values.
a. Construct a random line from A
b. Divide the random line into equal parts
equal to the total elevation difference
between point A and B (use any unit)
c. Elevation difference is 1.5m, I am using 15
units on the line
d. for the 34.5m contour is 34.5 - 33.6 =
0.9m
e. Construct a line between the end of the
random line and point B
f. Draw a parallel line through 9 , where the
parallel line intersects Line A
B, it will
indicate the 34.5m contour line

17. REFER TO THE SLIDESHOW AND CLASS NOTES for the

process of plotting and interpolating.

18. Join all the points of similar elevation for contour lines. Contour lines must be
smooth and curved, do not join the points with straight lines.

19. Join all the points of features such as roads, buildings etc.

20. KEEP your rough work and hand it in with your project.

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21. Project:
21.1. Each team member must take a minimum of 20 tacheometric
observations.
21.1.1. These observations must include spot heights and
observations to features.
21.1.2. These features must be representative of the project area.

21.2. Adjust and PLOT the entire team’s observations.

21.3. Calculate the co-ordinates and Elevation of all the unknown points
21.4. Summarize your results (all the surveyed points in a TABLE), similar
to this format
21.5. Draw a plan and hand it as well as your rough work in as part of the
project
21.6. Fold the plan into the project

Your plan should look something like this:

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22. Self evaluation exercises

22.1. Attempt the following question using the template
provided. The answer is provided at the bottom of the page.
22.2. Attempt the following calculation using a blank piece of
paper and do the calculation according to the required layout.
Do only the forward calculation, but CHECK your work!
22.3. Interpolation

22.4. Tache calculations

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PLEASE MAKE USE OF THE PROVIDED FIELDBOOK!

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SITE PLAN

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References

1. Talbot-Bowe P., Some examples of calculation methods approved

by the Board of Examiners, the Mine Surveyors certificate of
Competency, Journal of the Institute of Mine Surveyors of South
Africa, Vol. XXIV No.4 December, 1987

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