NATIONAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Amafel Bldg. Aguinaldo Highway, Dasmarinas, Cavite

College of Engineering and Architecture

Billones, Ramil Jr. M.

BSARCH 22M1

THEODOLITE

Theodolite is a measurement instrument utilized in surveying to determine horizontal and

vertical angles with the tiny low telescope that may move within the horizontal and
vertical planes.

Types of Theodolite

 Repeating Theodolite

Many angle readings are taken on a graduated scale. The average angle
measurement is obtained by dividing the accumulated sum readings by the
number of observed readings. The results of these theodolites are good. These
instruments are confined for locations where the support is not stable, or space
for using other such instruments is limited.

 Direction Theodolites

The circle is arranged to be fixed, while the telescope is aimed on a number of

signals. Readings on the circle are read for every direction. Direction theodolites
are ideal instruments for triangulation.

 Electrical Digital Theodolite

Naturally interprets and records horizontal and vertical angles. Eliminates the
standard reading of scales on graduated circles
This type of theodolite provides the worth of observation directly within the
viewing panel. The exactitude of this sort of instrument varies within the order of
1" to 10". It has also two types:
1. Vernier Theodolites: For reading the graduated circle, verniers are used to
correct reading of measuring points and this theodolite is termed as a Vernier
theodolite.
2. Micrometer Theodolites: A micrometer provides to browse the graduated
circle identical be termed as a Micrometer theodolite.

 Total Station
 NATIONAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Amafel Bldg. Aguinaldo Highway, Dasmarinas, Cavite
College of Engineering and Architecture

The total Station accommodates the functions of a theodolite for measuring

angles, an EDM for measuring gaps, digital data, and information
documentation. Examples of Total Stations are the Nikon DTM 801, Topcon, and
Geodimeter 400 series.
Primary Theodolite can be two types.
 Transit Theodolites: A theodolite is named a transit theodolite once its telescope
will be transited i.e. rotated through a whole revolution regarding its horizontal
axis within the vertical plane.
 Non-Transit Theodolite In this kind, the telescope cannot be transited. They are
inferior in utility and have currently become obsolete.

Parts of Theodolite and its Functions:

 Telescope- It is used to see the object. It rotates about a horizontal axis

in the vertical plane. It can be u p to an accuracy of 20 degrees.
 Horizontal plate (Circle) - It is used for measuring the horizontal angle.
 Vertical Circle- It is used for measuring the vertical angle.
 Index frame- The frame consists of horizontal and vertical wings. This
frame is additionally called a t-frame or vernier frame. The horizontal
wing helps to require the measurement of vertical angles and the
vertical wing helps to grip the telescope at the wanted leve l.
 The standards- Standards look like 'A' shaped and for that, it is known
as A-frame. The standards’ frames support the telescope and allow it
to spin about the vertical axis.
 The upper plate- It is the bottom on that standard and vertical settled.
It also helps to rotate the standards and telescope regularly for correct
measurement. the upper plate must be horizontal to the alidade axis
and coordinate to the trunnion axis. The instrument must be leveled
and this leveled is achieved by adjustment of three -foot screws and
perceptive an explicit tube bubble. The bubble is understood as a
plate bubble and located within the upper plate.
 The lower plate- The lower plate is that the base of the entire
instrument. It homes the foot screws and the carrying for the vertical
axis. it is strictly connected to the tripod -escalating assembly and does
not modifier or shift. Horizontal angles are measured with thi s plate.
 NATIONAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Amafel Bldg. Aguinaldo Highway, Dasmarinas, Cavite
College of Engineering and Architecture

 Plate level- Plate levels are lifting by the upper plate that is the proper
angles to every different with one they are coordinate to trunnion axis.
Plate levels facilitate the telescope to mend incorrect vertical points.
 The leveling head- The leveling head consists of two parallel triangular
plates called tribrach plates. The upper one is called as upper tribrach
plate and is used to level the upper plate and telescope with the help
of equalizing screws provided at its three ends. The lower one i s called
a lower tribrach plate and is connected to the tripod stand.
 The shifting head-Shifting head conjointly consists of two parallel plates
that are modified one over the opposite among a limited range.
Shifting head lies below the lower plate. It is helpful to centralize the
complete instrument over the positioning.
 Magnetic compass- A circular box compass or magnetic compass is
mounted on the vernier scale between the standards. It is provided for
taking the magnetic bearing points.
 Tripod- The theodolite is mounted on a powerful tripod once getting
used within the field. The tripod’s legs are sturdy or framed. At the
lower ends of the legs, pointed steel shoes are provided to urge them
pushed into the bottom. The tripod head has male screws on that t he
trivet of the leveling head is screwed.
 Plumb bob- To center the instrument precisely over a station mark, a
plumb bob is suspended from the hook fitted to the rock bottom of the
central vertical axis.
 Level Tube- Two spirit levels which are called the plate levels are fixed on the
upper surface of the vernier plate. These are at right angles to each other, and
one of them is parallel to the horizontal axis.
 Foot plate- Also called as trivel, is a large thread-hole in the center. It enables the
instrument to be installed on the tripod stand and get it screwed. The central
aperture of trivel gives a way for hanging a plumb bob
 Standards or A-Frame- The frames supporting telescope are in the form of English
letter ‘A’. This frame allows telescope to rotate on its trunnian axis in vertical
frame. The T-frame and the clamps are also fixed to this frame.
 Lower plate Clamp Screw - The clamp screw attached to the lower plate of a
theodolite is called lower plate clamp screw. When it is tightened, the outer
spindle gets fixed with the tribrach, and, thus, the lower plate gets fixed in
position.
 Upper plate Clamp Screw - The clamp screw attached with the upper plate of a
theodolite is called upper plate clamp screw. When it is tightened, the inner
 NATIONAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Amafel Bldg. Aguinaldo Highway, Dasmarinas, Cavite
College of Engineering and Architecture

spindle gets fixed with the outer spindle and, thus, the upper plate gets fixed in
position.
 Trunnion Axis- The horizontal axis about which the telescope of a theodolite can
be rotated.
 Vernier Frame- It is a T-shaped frame (Fig. 16.3) consisting of a vertical arm and a
horizontal arm. With the help of the climping screws the vertical frame and
hence the telescope can be clamped at desired angle. Vertical frame is also
known as T-frame or index frame. The vernier arm is known as index arm. At the
ends it carries verniers C and D so as to read graduations on vertical circle. They
are provided with glass magnifiers. Altitude bubble tube is fitted over the
horizontal arm.
 The inner axis- is solid and conical
 Outer axis - is hollow.
 Altitude Level- It is the straight line tangential to the longitudinal curve of the
altitude level tube at its centre. The axis of the altitude level tube is horizontal
when the bubble is centred.
 Leveling Screws- These are present in the leveling head of a theodolite in
between trivet and tribrach. These work in threaded holes in the tribrach arms
and their lower ends rest in recesses in the trivet. These screws are used for
leveling the instrument i.e., to make plate level axis truly horizontal.
 clamp screw - attached with the upper plate of a theodolite is called upper
plate clamp screw. When it is tightened, the inner spindle gets fixed with the
outer spindle and, thus, the upper plate gets fixed in position.
 tangent screw- A very fine, slow-motion screw giving a tangential movement for
making the final setting to a precision surveying instrument (such as for
completing the alignment of sight on a theodolite or transit by gentle rotation of
the reading circle about its axis).