10 / 1 6 /2 0 2 2

TACHEOMETRY
STADIA METHOD
Engr. Miguel G. Cabanit

AGENDA
Tacheometry
Stadia Method
1

Horizontal Stadia Sights

Inclined Stadia Sights
 10 / 1 6 /2 0 2 2

Fundamentals of Surveying 1 3

TACHEOMETRY
• In surveying, tacheometry is defined as a
procedure of obtaining horizontal distances and
differences in elevation based on the optical
geometry of the instrument employed.
• This rapid and indirect method of measurement
uses subtended intervals and angles observed
with an instrument, such as transit or theodolite,
on a graduated rod or scale.
• When compared to taping and differential
leveling, the distances and elevations obtained
by tacheometric methods are usually of a lower
order of accuracy.

Fundamentals of Surveying 1 4

STADIA METHOD
• The word stadia is the plural of stadium. It comes
from the Greek word for a unit of length
originally applied in measuring distances for
athletic contests.
• A stadia denoted 600 Greek units, or 184 m 93
2

cm (606 ft 9 in) by present-day international

standards. The word stadia, as it is used now in
surveying, was derived from the latter.
• The term is now applied to the cross hairs and
rod used in making measurements, as well as to
the method itself.
 10 / 1 6 /2 0 2 2

Fundamentals of Surveying 1 5

STADIA METHOD
• The equipment for stadia measurements consists
of a telescope with two horizontal hairs called
stadia hairs and a graduated rod called a
stadia rod. When the stadia hairs and the cross
hairs are simultaneously visible and in focus, they
are called fixed stadia hairs. Distances can be
measured very rapidly by the stadia method.
• The stadia method is especially well adapted to
mapping requirements and is widely used for
locating details and contour points in
topographic surveys. It is far more rapid than
taping, and under certain conditions could be
made as precise.

PRINCIPLE OF STADIA
The stadia method is based on the
principle that in similar triangles
corresponding sides are similar. Figure
shown beside illustrated the principle
upon which the stadia method is
based. The stadia hairs are shown as
3

points a and b; the distance between

the hairs is i. For this particular set up,
the line of sight of the telescope is
horizontal and the stadia rod is held
vertical at the distant point.
 10 / 1 6 /2 0 2 2

PRINCIPLE OF STADIA
The apparent locations of the stadia
hairs on the rod are points A and B and
the stadia interval is s. Light rays from
points A and B passing through the lens
center form a pair of similar triangles
AmB and amb. Since ab is equal to
a’b’, by similar triangles,

f/i = d/s so, d = (f/i)s

D = d + (f+c) D = (f/i)s + C

D = Ks + C

PRINCIPLE OF STADIA

D = Ks + C

Where: 4

K – Stadia Interval Factor

C – Stadia Constant
s – Stadia Intercept
s=a–b
 10 / 1 6 /2 0 2 2

STADIA CONSTANT (C)

The distance C is termed the stadia constant. It is the distance from the
center of the instrument to the principal focus. The quantity is composed
of the focal length (f), which remains constant, and the distance (c)
from the center of the instrument to the center of the objective lens. The
distance, c, varies such a small amount that essentially it may be
considered a constant.

In the older instruments, the value of C varies from about 0.18 to 0.43 m.
These older models, which contain movable objective lens, are now
being replaced by internal-focusing lens. In the newer telescopes, the
geometry of the optics is such that the values of the stadia interval factor
changes slightly when focusing the internal lens.

STADIA CONSTANT (C)

With present-day instruments, and under ordinary conditions, C may be
considered as 0.30 m for external focusing telescopes. The important
advantage of internal-focusing telescopes used in stadia work is that
they are so constructed that C is either ZERO or small enough to be
neglected. 5
 10 / 1 6 /2 0 2 2

STADIA INTERVAL FACTOR (K)

The ratio f/i is called the stadia interval factor and is designated by the
letter K. For any given measurement, this value remains constant and
depends only on the spacing between the stadia hairs. The
manufacturer of the instrument can space the stadia hairs with relation
to the focal length so as to obtain any convenient value of K desired.

The most common value of K, however, is 100.

HORIZONTAL STADIA
12

SIGHTS

Where: HD – horizontal distance

HD = Ks + C K - Stadia Interval Factor
C - Stadia Constant
a - Upper Stadia Hair Reading
b - Lower Stadia Hair Reading
c - Horizontal Cross Hair Reading
s - Stadia Intercept
 10 / 1 6 /2 0 2 2

HORIZONTAL STADIA SIGHTS 13

1. Given below are the field observations of successive rod reading at

each point as shown. Determine the stadia interval factor K of the
instrument used. Assume that the stadia constant is zero.

D from Theo Stadia Hair Reading

Point
to Rod (m) Upper (m) Lower (m)
A 30 0.96 0.66
B 45 1.10 0.64
C 60 1.21 0.60
D 75 1.35 0.58
E 90 1.47 0.56
F 105 1.57 0.53
G 120 1.72 0.50

HORIZONTAL STADIA SIGHTS 14

2. 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. If the stadia interval factors of the level is 99.5,
determine the length of the line AB.
Rod Stadia Hair Reading
Position Upper (a) Middle (c) Lower (b)
7

A 1.330 m 1.175 m 1.020 m

B 1.972 m 1.854 m 1.736 m
 10 / 1 6 /2 0 2 2

INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS

15

ID = Ks cosα + C HD = Ks cos²α + C cosα

VD = Ks cosα sinα + C sinα

INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS

16

ID = Ks cosα + C

HD = Ks cos²α + C cosα

VD = Ks cosα sinα + C sinα 8

Where, K = stadia interval factor

C = stadia constant
a = upper stadia hair reading
b = lower stadia hair reading
RR = horizontal cross hair reading or (c)
s = stadia intercept, s = a – b
α = observed vertical angle of elevation or depression
DE = difference in elevation bet. instrument and rod
DE = HI + VD – RR
 10 / 1 6 /2 0 2 2

INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS 17

1. 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 99.50. The height of instrument above station A is 1.45 m and the
rod reading is taken at 2.25 m. If the vertical angle observed is -23°34’,
determine the:
a. Horizontal, vertical, and inclined
distances from the instrument to the
station sighted.
b. Difference in elevation between
stations A & B.
c. Elevation of station B, if the elevation
of station A is 155.54 m amsl

INCLINED STADIA SIGHTS 18

2. A transit with a stadia interval factor of 100.8 was set at C on the line
between points A and B, and the following stadia readings were
observed
If the stadia constant is 0.381m, determine the:
a. Length of line AB
b. Difference in elevation between points A and 9

B.
c. If point C is at elevation 150m and HI = 1.58 m,
compute the elevation at stations A and B.

Rod Vertical Stadia Hair Reading

Position Angle Upper (a) Middle (c) Lower (b)
A +15⁰35’ 1.330 m 1.175 m 1.020 m
B -08⁰08’ 1.972 m 1.854 m 1.736 m