Theodolite Surveying

Chitti Babu Kapuganti

Upper Plate Lower Plate Theodolite Readings

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Theodolite
▪ Theodolite is an instrument used in surveying to measure
horizontal and vertical angles.
▪ It is also used for levelling, indirect measure of distances and
prolonging a line etc.
▪ The line of sight of theodolite can be rotated through 180o in
vertical plane about its horizontal axis.
Uses of Theodolite in Surveying
▪ Measuring horizontal and vertical angles
▪ Locating points on a line
▪ Finding the difference in the level
▪ Prolonging survey lines
▪ Ranging curves
▪ Setting out grades
▪ Tachometric surveying
Parts of Theodolite
▪ The trivet stage also known as
Base plate, forming the base of the
instrument, connects the theodolite to
the tripod.

▪ The tribrach supports the rest of the

instrument and, with reference to the
plate bubble, can be levelled using the
foot-screws acting against the fixed
trivet stage.
Parts of Theodolite
▪ The Lower Plate is graduated clockwise
from 0° to 360° and may be regarded as
a simple circular protractor for
measuring horizontal angles.
▪ The Upper Plate fits concentric with the
lower plate and may be regarded as the
index against which the lower plate is
read.
▪ The Standards support the vertical circle
and telescope by the transit axis. The
standards must be high enough to
permit rotation of the telescope in the
vertical plane.
Parts of Theodolite
▪ The Vertical Circle (used in the
measurement of vertical angles) is
rigidly fixed to, and rotates with, the
telescope.
▪ The Vertical Circle Vernier or Index
remains fixed relative to the vertical
circle and is the datum from which
vertical angles are measured.
▪ Finder-Collimator Device: The telescope
is fitted with a pair of external sights for
rough sighting towards the object. This
is also called Rifle Sights.
Parts of Theodolite
▪ Plate Bubble or Plate Level is mounted
on the upper plate. The bubble is
centered with help of Levelling screws.
It is used to make vertical axis of the
instrument truly vertical.

▪ The Altitude Bubble is attached to the

vertical circle index and it establishes
the index arm truly horizontal.
Definitions
▪ Centering means bringing the vertical
axis of the theodolite exactly over the
station mark. A plumb bob is used for
getting precise centering.
▪ Horizontal Axis is also called Trunnion
axis or Transverse axis. It is the axis
about which the telescope can be
rotated in vertical plane.
▪ Vertical Axis or Azimuth axis. It is the
axis which the telescope is can be
rotated in horizontal plane.
Definitions
▪ Line of Sight is the imaginary line
passing through the intersection of the
cross-hairs of the diaphragm and the
optical center of the objective.
When line of sight comes in horizontal
plane, it is called Line of Collimation.
Definitions
▪ Face Left: When the vertical circle of
theodolite is on left hand side of the
observer, the position is called face left
and the observation made is called face
left observation.
▪ Face Right: When the vertical circle of
theodolite is on right hand side of the
observer, the position is called face right
and the observation made is called face
right observation.
Definitions
▪ Telescope Normal: The telescope is said to
be normal or direct when its vertical circle is
to left hand side of the observer and the
bubble is up.
▪ Telescope Inverted: The telescope is said to
be inverted when its vertical circle is to
right hand side of the observer and the
bubble is down.
▪ Transit: It is also called as Plunging or
Reversing. This is the operation of revolving
the telescope by 180° in the vertical plane
about the horizontal axis, thus making it
point exactly in the opposite direction.
Definitions
▪ Swinging of Telescope: Revolving the
telescope in horizontal plane, about its
vertical axis is called swinging of
telescope or simply swing.
Right Swing means rotation of telescope in
clockwise direction.
Left Swing means rotation of telescope in
anticlockwise direction.
Thank You