CE 102

HIGHER SURVEYING
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
TACHEOMETRY

This is a procedure of obtaining horizontal distances

and differences in elevation based on the optical

geometry of the instrument employed

The line of sight of the tacheometer may be kept

horizontal or inclined depending upon the field

conditions
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STADIA METHOD

Horizontal Stadia Sights: D = Ks + C

where:
D = distance from the instrument center to the face of the rod
K = stadia interval factor
s = stadia intercept; the difference between the upper stadia
hair reading and the lower stadia hair reading
C = stadia constant or the distance from the center of the
instrument to principal focus; C = 0 for internal focusing
telescope
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
STADIA METHOD

Horizontal Stadia Sights:

TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
STADIA METHOD
Horizontal Stadia Sights:

where:
hi = height of the instrument axis above the ground
at A
hA , hB = elevations of A and B
SM = middle hair reading

H.I. = height of the instrument

H.I. = hA + hi
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
STADIA METHOD
Inclined Stadia Sights:

ID = Ks cos α + C

HD = Ks cos2 α + C cos α

VD = Ks cos α sin α + C sin α

TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
STADIA METHOD
Inclined Stadia Sights:

where:
ID = the inclined or slope distance from the center of instrument
to the horizontal cross hair reading or rod reading
HD = the horizontal distance between the instrument and the rod
VD = the vertical distance between the telescope axis and the
horizontal cross hair reading

α = observed vertical angle of elevation or depression;

(+) for angle of elevation, (-) for angle of depression
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
STADIA METHOD
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
SAMPLE PROBLEMS

An engineer’s level with a stadia constant of 0.30 m was set-up on the line
between two points, A and B, and the following hair readings were
observed.
Hair Readings

Rod Position
Upper (a) Middle (c) Lower (b)

Rod held at A 1.330 m 1.175 m 1.020 m

Rod held at B 1.972 m 1.854 m 1.736 m

If the stadia interval factor of the level is 99.5, determine the length of the
line AB.
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
SAMPLE PROBLEMS

A dumpy level with an internal focusing telescope was set up on the left
bank of the river and the rod readings tabulated below were taken on a
stadia rod held successively at the left and right water edges. If the stadia
interval factor of the instrument is 100, determine the width of the river.
Hair Readings

Rod Position
Upper (a) Middle (c) Lower (b)

Rod held at LWE 2.189 m 2.172 m 2.155 m

Rod held at RWE 2.277 m 2.173 m 2.069 m

d
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

The following data were obtained by stadia measurement:

vertical angle = + 18˚ 23’, and observed stadia intercept =

2.20 m. The stadia interval factor of the instrument is 95.5 and the

rod reading is taken at 1.95 m, determine the horizontal, vertical

and inclined stadia distances, and the difference in elevation

between points A and B if the height of the instrument is 1.62 m.

TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
SAMPLE PROBLEMS

The upper and lower stadia hair readings on a stadia rod held at
station B were observed as 3.50 m and 1.00 m, respectively, with the
use of a transit with an internal focusing telescope and having a
stadia interval factor of 99.5. The height of the instrument above
station A is 1.45 m and the rod reading taken at 2.25 m. If the
vertical angle observed is - 23˚ 34’, determine the following:

a) horizontal, vertical, and inclined stadia distances

b) difference in elevation between the two stations
c) the elevation of station B, if the elevation of station A is
155.54 m above the mean sea level
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
SAMPLE PROBLEMS

A transit with a stadia interval factor of 100.8 was set at point C on the line
between points A and B, and the following stadia readings were observed:

Hair Readings

Position of Rod Vertical Angle

Upper (a) Middle (c) Lower (b)

Rod held at A + 15˚ 35’ 1.330 m 1.175 m 1.020 m

Rod held at B - 8˚ 08’ 1.972 m 1.854 m 1.736 m

If the stadia constant is 0.381 m, determine the length of line AB and the
difference in elevation between points A and B.
TACHYMETRIC SURVEYING
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Indirect Leveling by Inclined Stadia Sights

Given the following set of stadia level notes. The instrument used has a stadia interval
factor of 100 and equipped with an internal focusing telescope. Complete the
tabulation and perform the customary arithmetic check.

BACKSIGHT FORESIGHT Change

ELEV
STA in
s α RR VD s α RR VD Elev (m)

BMa 1.55 - 5˚ 35’ 1.50 550.50

TP1 1.74 + 8˚ 15’ 1.68 1.76 + 5˚ 35’ 1.48
TP2 0.95 - 4˚ 48’ 1.77 1.98 + 12˚ 08’ 1.66
BMb 2.49 - 12˚ 50’ 2.53 1.06 + 7˚ 22’ 2.05
TP
g 2.14 + 14˚ 05’ 1.79 2.67 - 15˚ 32’ 1.92
3

TP4 1.92 - 9˚ 41’ 1.33 2.16 - 7˚ 59’ 1.25

BMc 2.65 + 7˚ 32’ 1.88