CHAPTER 5

Total Stations and

Theodolites
 Introduction
• The term theodolite or transit (transiting
theodolite) can be used to describe those
survey instruments designed to precisely
measure horizontal and vertical angles.
• Total station contains all the components of
an electronic theodolite in addition to a
microprocessor that monitors, manages,
stores and processes measurement and
attribute data.
 Types of Theodolites

• Open-faced, vernier-equipped engineer’s

transit
• Optical theodolites with direct digital read-
outs or micrometer-equipped read-outs (for
more precise readings)
• Electronic theodolites
 Theodolite Adjustments
• Vertical cross hair
• Plate bubble
• Line-of-sight
• Horizontal axis perpendicular to vertical axis
• Optical plummet
Geometry of the Theodolite
Geometry of Total Station
Single Prism Holder
360° Reflector Prism
Approximate Leveling
Precise Leveling
 Leica Smart Station
• Total station with integrated GPS receiver
 Doubling an Angle
• Angles are read left to right (unless laying out)
• Zero is set on the left side target
• Theodolite is turned right and angle is noted
• Telescope is transited and the “hold” button is
pressed to preserve the angle reading
• The left side target is sighted again and the “hold” is
released. Right side target is re-sighted.
Field Notes for Repeated Angles
Prolonging a Straight Line
(Double Centering)
Bucking-in or Interlining
Triangulation Example
Prolonging a Line Past an Obstacle
(Right-angle offset Method)
Prolonging a Line Past an Obstacle
(Random-line Method)
Prolonging a Line Past an Obstacle
(Triangulation Method)