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1
 Surveying- II
Lecture No. 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15

Tacheometric Surveying
2
Tacheometric Surveying
• Tacheometry is a branch of surveying in which horizontal and vertical distances
are determined by taking angular observations with an instrument known as a
tacheometer.
• The chaining operation is completely eliminated in such a survey.
• Tacheometric surveying is adopted in rough and difficult terrain where direct
levelling and chaining are either not possible or very tedious.
• It is also used in location survey for railways, roads, reservoirs, etc.
• Though not very accurate, tacheometric surveying is very rapid, and a
reasonable contour map can be prepared for investigation works within a short
time on the basis of such survey.

3
Instruments used in Tacheometry
The Tacheometer: It is nothing, but a transit theodolite fitted with a stadia
diaphragm and an anallatic lens.
• Following figure shows the different forms of stadia diaphragm commonly
used.

Upper Stadia

Central Central
Stadia Stadia

Lower Stadia 4
The Levelling Staff or Stadia Rod: For short distances, ordinary levelling staves
are used. The levelling staff is normally 4 m long and can be folded into three
parts. The graduations are so marked that a minimum reading of 0.005 or 0.001 m,
can be taken.

For long sights, a specially designed graduated

rod is used, which is known as a stadia rod.
It is also 4 m long and may be folded. The
graduations are comparatively bold and clear
and the minimum reading that can be taken is
0.001 m.

5
Principle of Tacheometry
The principle of tacheometry is based on the property of isosceles triangles, where the
ratio of the distance of the base from the apex and the length of the base is always
constant.

6
𝐷1 𝐷2 𝐷3 𝑓 𝑓
= = = 𝑖
is called Multiplying Constant.
𝑆1 𝑆2 𝑆3 𝑖
7
 The value of
multiplying constant
varies with the type of
lens used in theodolite.
For example, for
anallatic lens its value
is 100.

𝐷1 𝐷2 𝐷3 𝑓 𝑓
= = = is called Multiplying Constant.
𝑆1 𝑆2 𝑆3 𝑖 𝑖

f is focal length of objective lens i is stadia intercept

8
 If an anallatic lens is
used hence its value is
100.
??
𝐷1
= 𝑀𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑆1

𝐷1 = 𝑆1 × 100
9
 Multiplying constant For Analytic lens
𝑓
𝑓 = 100
𝐷= ×𝑆+ 𝑓+𝑑 𝑖
𝑖
Additive constant 𝑓+𝑑 =0
10
 𝑓
𝐷= ×𝑆+ 𝑓+𝑑
𝑖

𝑓
=𝑀 𝑓+𝑑 =𝐶
𝑖

𝐷 = 𝑀𝑆 + 𝐶

YouTube Video For Overview of this lecture:

https://youtu.be/HuJMSS3T070
11
Example
The following stadia readings are obtained with a tacheometer having analytic
lens. Calculate the horizontal distance.

Stadia readings: 1.150 m, 1.800 m, 2.450 m.

2.450 m
1.800 m
1.150 m

12
Methods of Tacheometry
Tacheometry involves mainly two methods:
1. The stadia method
2. The tangential method

13
1. The Stadia Method

• In this method, the diaphragm of the tacheometer is

provided with two stadia hairs (upper and lower).

• Looking through the telescope the stadia hair readings are taken.
• The difference in these readings gives the staff intercept.
• To determine the distance between the station and the staff, the staff intercept is
multiplied by the stadia constant (i.e., multiplying constant, 100).
• Both horizontal and vertical distances can be calculated.
• Commonly used method.
YouTube Video For Overview of this lecture:
14
https://youtu.be/WoL38Wf1FZk
 Case I When line of sight is horizontal, and staff is held vertical.

Horizontal Distance b/w A and B?

Vertical Distance or R.L of Point B?

U.S
H.I
C.S
B.S L.S h

A B
BM D

For Horizontal Distance For Vertical Distance

YouTube Video For Overview of this lecture:
𝑓 H.I = RL of BM + B.S
𝐷= ×𝑆+ 𝑓+𝑑 https://youtu.be/AS5INNhNTao
𝑖 R.L at point B = I.S = H.I - h 15
Example 1
Calculate the horizontal distance between point A and B and calculate the R.L at
point B. The data given in following sketch.

10.75
B.S = 4.5
9.62
8.5

A
RL of BM = 100 ft

B
D=?
16
Example 2 The following stadia readings are obtained with a tacheometer having
analytic lens placed at point A, when the line of sight is horizontal.
Calculate the horizontal distance between point A and B and R.L of point B.
Instrument Staff Stadia Readings
Remarks
Station Station (m)
A B.M 1.150, 1.80, 2.45 R.L of B.M = 50.55 m
A B 0.75, 1.15, 2.25 -

YouTube Video For Solution of this problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS5INNhNTao&t=213s
17
Case II When line of sight is inclined, 𝜃
and staff is held vertical.
A’ A
B
C’
C
𝜃
L

T
D=? 18
 𝑓
𝐿= × 𝐴′𝐶′ + 𝑓 + 𝑑 L 𝜃
𝑖
A’ A
𝜃
𝐷 𝑓 D=?
B
= × 𝐴𝐶 cos 𝜃 + 𝑓 + 𝑑 C’
cos 𝜃 𝑖 C
D=L Cos𝜃
𝜃
𝑓
𝐷= × 𝑆 cos2 𝜃 + 𝑓 + 𝑑 cos 𝜃 L
𝑖
P A
𝐷 = 𝑀𝑆 cos 2 𝜃 + 𝐶 cos 𝜃
A’
𝜃 𝜃
𝐴′ 𝐶′
cos 𝜃 =
𝐴𝐶 B

𝐴′ 𝐶′ = 𝐴𝐶 cos 𝜃 𝜃
C’
T C
D=? 19
Vertical Distance or R.L of Point P?
L
𝑓 ′ ′ V 𝜃
𝑉= 𝐴 𝐶 + 𝑓 + 𝑑 sin 𝜃
𝑖 𝜃 A
A’
B
𝑓 V=L S𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑉= 𝑆 cos 𝜃 + 𝑓 + 𝑑 sin 𝜃 C’
𝑖 C
𝜃 h
𝑓
𝑉= 𝑆 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 + 𝑓 + 𝑑 sin 𝜃 L
𝑖
V
P

𝜃 𝑓 sin 2𝜃
𝑉= 𝑆 + 𝑓 + 𝑑 sin 𝜃
𝑖 2
H.I

B.S
sin 2𝜃
𝑉 = 𝑀𝑆 + 𝐶 sin 𝜃
2
RL of BM T 20
Vertical Distance or R.L of Point P?
𝜃

R.L at P = R.L of axis of instrument + V - h A’ A

B
C’
C
𝜃 h
L

V
P

H.I

B.S
YouTube Video For Overview of this lecture:
T https://youtu.be/f76PqZCKWIg
RL of BM 21
Example 1
The following stadia readings are obtained with a tacheometer having
constants as 100 and 0.15 is placed at point A. The instrument station is in
between B and C. Calculate the horizontal distance between point B and C
and R.L of point C.

Instrument Staff Vertical

Stadia Readings (m) Remarks
Station Station Angle
A B (BM) - 4° 30’ 1.32, 1.73, 2.05 R.L of B.M = 30.12 m
A C +6° 11’ 0.83, 1.22, 1.95 -

YouTube Video For Solution of this problem.

https://youtu.be/RqN00_Zajsg

22
Example 2
The following readings were taken on a vertical held staff with a tacheometer
having constant 100. Compute the distance between station A and B. Also
determine the R.L of point B, if the reduced level of point A is 300 m.

Staff Station Vertical angle Stadia Readings (m)

A +8°30’ 2.45, 2.56, 2.68
B -5°15’ 1.58, 1.71, 1.92

23
 When line of sight is inclined,
Case III but staff normal to it.
A S
When angle is in elevation B
C
h

𝜃
L

h S𝑖𝑛𝜃

T
L Cos𝜃
D=? 24
 𝐷 = 𝐿 cos 𝜃 + ℎ sin 𝜃
𝑓
𝐿= ×𝑆+ 𝑓+𝑑 A S
𝑖
B
C h
𝑓
𝐷= × 𝑆 cos 𝜃 + 𝑓 + 𝑑 cos 𝜃 + ℎ sin 𝜃
𝑖 𝜃
L

h S𝑖𝑛𝜃

T
L Cos𝜃
D=? 25
R.L at P = R.L of axis of instrument + V - h Cos𝜃

𝑓 A
𝑉= 𝑆 + 𝑓 + 𝑑 sin 𝜃 S
𝑖 B
C
h

𝜃
L
V
P

h S𝑖𝑛𝜃
T
L Cos𝜃
D=? 26
 𝑓
When angle is in depression 𝐷= × 𝑆 cos 𝜃 + 𝑓 + 𝑑 cos 𝜃 − ℎ sin 𝜃
𝑖

R.L at P = R.L of axis of instrument - V - h Cos𝜃

𝜃 L
T

A
B S
YouTube Video For Overview of this lecture:
C
https://youtu.be/qXn-ZKAYTwY h
𝜃
h S𝑖𝑛𝜃
P
L Cos𝜃
D=? 27
Example
Two points A and B are on opposite sides of a summit. The tacheometer was set
up at point P on top of the summit, and the following readings were taken.

Height of
Inst. Station Staff Station Vertical angle Stadia Readings (m) Remarks
inst.
P 1.500 A -10°0’ 1.150, 2.050, 2.950 RL of P = 450.500
P 1.500 B -12°0’ 0.855, 1.605, 2.355 m

The tacheometer is fitted with an anallatic lens, the multiplying constant being
100. The staff was held normal to the line of site.
Find: (a) The distance between A and B, and
(b) The gradients of lines PA and PB.

28
2. The Tangential Method

• In this method the telescope doesn’t contain all stadia

lines, only a single horizontal line is provided in the
telescope.
• Horizontal and vertical distances are calculated by
measuring vertical angles (angle of elevation and angle
of depression).
• Not commonly used method.

YouTube Video For Overview of this lecture:

https://youtu.be/Vt0gh_NqghA 29
 Case I When both angles of target are angles of elevation.
A
From Triangle T’AP’ 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2 = 𝑆 S
B
𝑆+𝑉 𝑆
tan 𝜃1 = 𝐷=
𝐷 tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2 h
𝐷 tan 𝜃1 = 𝑆 + 𝑉
𝐷 tan 𝜃1 = 𝑆 + 𝐷 tan 𝜃2 V
P

𝐷 tan 𝜃1 − 𝐷 tan 𝜃2 = 𝑆
𝜃2
𝜃1
T’
P’

T
D=? 30
 From Triangle T’BP’
A
𝑉 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃2 S
B
𝑆 tan 𝜃2
𝑉=
tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2 h

YouTube Video For Overview of this lecture:

V
https://youtu.be/WjHxQQwDbGQ P

𝜃2
𝜃1
T’
P’

R.L at P = R.L of axis of instrument + V - h

T
D=? 31
Example
The following observations were taken with a transit theodolite.

Calculate the horizontal distance between the instrument station and staff, also
the RL of staff station A.

32
Case II When both angles of target are angles of depression.
From Triangle T’A’B From Triangle T’A’A
𝑉 𝑉−𝑆
tan 𝜃2 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃2 = 𝑉 tan 𝜃1 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 = 𝑉 − 𝑆
𝐷 𝐷
T’ A’

𝜃1
𝜃2

T V
A
S
B

D=? P 33
 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃2 − 𝑆 𝑉 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃2

𝑆 𝑆 tan 𝜃2
𝐷= 𝑉=
tan 𝜃2 − tan 𝜃1 tan 𝜃2 − tan 𝜃1

T’ A’

𝜃1
𝜃2

T V
A
YouTube Video For Overview of this lecture: S
https://youtu.be/RghwLvpLkVI B

h
R.L at P = R.L of axis of instrument - V - h

D=? P 34
Case III When one angle is that of elevation and the other that of depression.
From Triangle T’A’B
𝐷 tan 𝜃1 = 𝑆 − 𝐷 tan 𝜃2
𝑉
tan 𝜃2 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃2 = 𝑉
𝐷 𝑆
𝐷=
From Triangle T’A’A tan 𝜃1 + tan 𝜃2
𝑆−𝑉
tan 𝜃1 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 = 𝑆 − 𝑉
𝐷
A
T’ 𝜃1
A’ S
𝜃2 V
B

T h

D=? P 35
 𝐷 tan 𝜃2 = 𝑉
YouTube Video For Overview of this lecture:
𝑆 tan 𝜃2 https://youtu.be/bEH27YJyOGA
𝑉=
tan 𝜃1 + tan 𝜃2

R.L at P = R.L of axis of instrument - V - h

A
T’ 𝜃1
A’ S
𝜃2 V
B

T h

D=? P 36
Example
To find the RL of station B, two observations are taken by a theodolite from
station A—one to a BM and the other to the station B. The records are as
follows:

37