TACHEOMETRY

Unit 1
Tacheometry
• Defined as a procedure of 
obtaining horizontal distances 
and differences in elevation 
based on the optical geometry 
of the instrument employed
of the instrument employed
• compared to taping and 
differential leveling, the 
g,
distances and elevations 
obtained by tacheometric 
methods are usually of a lower
methods are usually of a lower 
degree of accuracy
 Uses of Tacheometric Methods
Uses of Tacheometric Methods
• Check the more accurate taped distances to uncover 
p
errors or mistakes
• Determine differences of elevation between points
• Carry lines of levels where low order accuracy is 
required
• Measure the lengths of traverse lines
M th l th f t li
• Compile planimetric and topographic maps
• Complete field survey for photographic map
Complete field survey for photographic map
• Locate details for hydrographic survey
 THE STADIA METHOD
THE STADIA METHOD
• this method employs 
p y
the sighting telescope 
of an instrument in 
reading a small angle
reading a small angle 
along a vertical plane 
and in determining the 
g
length which the angle  • the word stadia denoted
subtends on a  600 Greek units, or 184
graduated rod held
graduated rod held  m 93 cm (606 ft 9 in) by
vertical on the distant  present-day international
point standards
THE STADIA METHOD
ƒ the term is now applied to the cross hairs and
rod used in making measurements, as well as to
the method itself
ƒ the equipment for stadia measurements
consists of a telescope with two horizontal hairs
called stadia hairs and a graduated rod called a
stadia rod
ƒ distances can be measured veryy rapidly
p y byy the
stadia method
THE STADIA METHOD
PRINCIPLE OF THE STADIA
Since ab is equal to a’b’, by similar triangles
q y g
f/i = d/s
And d = (f/i)s

also D = d + (f + c)
D = (f/i)s + C
D = Ks + C
STADIA CONSTANTS
ƒ the stadia constant, the distance from the center of
the instrument to the pprincipal
p focus
ƒ the quantity is composed of the the focal length (f),
which remains constant, and the distance (c) from the
center of the instrument to the center of the objective
lens
ƒ in the older instruments,
instruments C varies from about 0.18
0 18 to
0.43 m
ƒ in present
present‐day
day surveying instruments, C may be
considered 0.30 for external‐focusing telescopes, 0 for
internal‐focusing telescopes
STADIA INTERVAL FACTOR
ƒ the ratio f/I is called the stadia interval factor
ƒ for any given instrument, the value remains
constant and depends only on the spacing
between the stadia hairs
ƒ the most common value of K is 100
 Sample Problem
Sample Problem
• Stadia Interval Factor
Stadia Interval Factor
A theodolite is set up at one end of a level base 
line 150 0m long The line is marked by stakes at
line 150.0m long. The line is marked by stakes at 
every 30.0m and a stadia rod is held at each stake. 
The stadia intercept at each location is observed 
as follows: 0.302, 0.600, 0.899, 1.207, and 1.506 
meters, respectively. Compute the stadia interval 
f
factor (K) for each distance and also determine 
(K) f h di d l d i
the average value of K.
 Solution
k=D/s
k1 = 30/ 0.302 = 99.3
k2 = 60/ 0.600 = 100.0
60/ 0 600 00 0
k3 = 90/ 0.899 = 100.1
k4 = 120/1.207 = 99.4
k5  
5 = 150/1.506 
150/1 506 = 99.6
99 6
kave = 99.7  
 Sample Problem
Sample Problem
• Horizontal Stadia Sights
Horizontal Stadia Sights
An automatic level with an internal focusing 
telescope was set up somewhere at mid‐length
telescope was set up somewhere at mid length of 
of
a long‐span steel bridge. The rod readings 
tabulated below were observed on a stadia rod 
held successively at the vicinity of the concrete 
abutments in the southern and northern 
approaches of the bridge. If the stadia interval 
h f h b id If h di i l
factor of the instrument is 98.5, determine the 
length of the bridge
length of the bridge.
 Sample Problem
Sample Problem

Rod Hair Readings

Position
Upper (a) Middle (c) Lower (b)
Rod at 2.98 m 1.68 m 0.38 m
Southern
Approach
Rod at 3 54 m
3.54 2 02 m
2.02 0 49 m
0.49
Northern
Approach
 Solution
ss= 2.98 
= 2 98 ‐ 0.38 =2.60
0 38 =2 60
Ds= 98.5 * 2.60 = 256.1 m
sn= 3.54  ‐
3 0 9 30
0.49 = 3.05
Dn= 98.5 * 3.05 = 300.4 m
D = 256.1 + 300.4 = 556.5 m
INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS
INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS
INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS
INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS
ID = ks cos α + C (eq 2)
ID = ks cos α + C (eq 2)

HD = ks cos
k 2 α + C cos α
2  C ( 3)
(eq 3)

VD = ks cos α sin α + C sin α (eq 4)

DE = HI + VD ‐ RR
 Sample Problem
Sample Problem
The following data were obtained by stadia observations: 
vertical angle = +9º25’, upper stadia hair and lower stadia hair 
readings are 2.352m and 0.995m, respectively. The stadia 
interval factor is known to be 99.0 and C is 0.381m. The height 
of the instrument above the instrument station (point A) is 
1.496m and rod reading is taken at 1.589m. Determine the 
g
following:
a) horizontal, vertical, and inclined distances by exact stadia 
formulas
b) elevation of the point sighted (point B) is the elevation of
b) elevation of the point sighted (point B) is the elevation of 
point A is 776.545m.
c) difference in elevation between the two points.