DBT123

FUNDAMNETAL OF SITE SURVEY

CHAPTER 3:
TACHEOMETRY

Lecturer: Gs. Saiful Anuar bin Jaafar@Ibrahim

Department
LECTURE CONTENTS

 Introduction to Tacheometry
 Purpose of Tacheometry
 Instrumentation
 Methods of Tacheometry
 Errors & Accuracy
INTRODUCTION
 TACHEOMETRY is an indirect method of distance measurement to get
the horizontal and vertical distance.
 The word of “Tacheometry” is derived from the Greek Tacns, meaning
‘swift’ and metrot meaning ‘a measure’ or (quick measurement).
 It also can be describe as detail surveys.
What is tacheometry??
 Means “fast measurement”; rapid and efficient way of indirectly
measuring distances and elevation differences.

 Easy and cheap method of collecting topographic data

 Tacheometric surveying is divided into 2 systems; Optical Distance

Measurement (ODM) and Electromagnetic Distance Measurement (EDM).

MATI
INEE

GEO
ENG

ERT
RIN

247
CS
G
 PURPOSE OF TACHEOMETRY

 Purposes of performing tacheometry include:

 To measure the three dimensional locations of points,

so as to produce contour lines and detail plans for
further work
 To produce coordinates for area and volume
calculations.

 Observations are usually performed from known survey stations, often

established via traversing.
 APPLICATION OF TACHEOMETRY

 Applications of tacheometry:

 Detailed / Topographic Survey

 Measuring detailed points & earth surface to
produce topographic / detailed map.

 Setting Out
 To mark construction points such as building, road,
etc.
INSTRUMENTATION
 ODM system:
• Levelling instrument, theodolite or specialized equipment such as
self reducing tacheometers and substance bars to make cross
hair intercept readings on a levelling staff. As the angle
subtended by the crosshairs is known, the distance can be
calculated.

Auto Level Theodolite

 INSTRUMENTATION

 EDM system:
• Uses a Total Station which contains an EDM, able to read
distance by reflecting off a prism.

Total Station Mini Prism

 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EDM AND ODM
EDM ODM
 Use Total Station and Prism  Use Theodolite and leveling
to get the data. staff to get the data.

 Data obtained consists of hz,  Data obtained consists of

slope and vertical distances. upper, lower and middle
reading of stadia.

 Calculation is only for RL.  Calculation involve are

horizontal,vertical distances
and RL.

 More accurate, quick  Less accurate, laborious and

measurement and practical not practical for big area.
for big area.
METHODS OF TACHEOMETRY

1. Optical Distance Measurement (ODM)

 Stadia Tacheometry
 Tangential Tacheometry
 Optical Wedge Tacheometry
 Substance Bar Tacheometry

2. Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM)

 Direct Tacheometry
Stadia Readings

Upper
???

Middle
???

Lower
???
Stadia Readings

Upper
1.466

Middle
1.437

Lower
1.405
 Staff

Stadia lines m
V
RLx X


hi

RLP
P
D

Figure 1. The set-up of a tacheometry measurement.

 WHY TACHEOMETRY??

How do we want to survey this large area??

Why Tacheometry??
Tacheometry Survey Illustration
 PURPOSE OF TACHEOMETRY

Tacheometry Measurement Detail Plan/Contour Plan

METHODS OF TACHEOMETRY

1. Optical Distance Measurement (ODM)

 Normally used Stadia Tacheometry technique. Most

used method.
 Instrument used:
 Theodolite
 Levelling Staff
 Suitable for distance measurement < 50 m.
 Used to observe natural features such as trees,
hedges and river banks.
 Relative precision is 1 in 500.
 End product : site plans, spot height and contours.
Field Data & Booking Procedure of
Stadia Tacheometry Survey
Data & Equipment:
 Control survey (horizontal and vertical) are performed before
tacheometry survey is carried out.
 Data to be observed in stadia tacheometry:
 Hz angle/bearing
 Vertical angle/zenith
 Staff readings – upper, middle & lower stadia.
 Height of theodolite
 Equipment:
 Optical theodolite
 Levelling staff
 Applications:
 Ideally suited for detail surveying by radiation techniques.
 Best restricted to the production of contoured site plans & should not
be used to measure distances that require higher precisions.
Field Procedure:

1. Set up the theodolite at observation station and perform

temporary adjustment. Record the instrument height
(Hi).
2. Set the horizontal angle (0º/90º), backsight to the
reference station and clamp (hold).
3. Radiate the telescope to the observed point and
release clamp (hold). Only use face left of the
theodolite.
4. Record the staff readings (upper, middle and lower
stadia), hz angle and vertical angle.
5. Radiate the telescope to another objects, repeat step 3-
4 for all point (nearest-farthest).
6. Repeat the process for another reference point.
Observation
H1
T1
Tree
House
H2
H3

R5 R4 R3

R2 R1

Observation
4
Station

Reference station
 Booking
Instrument station :4
Reference station :3
Height of Instrument : 1.550m
Reduced Level at Inst. Stn : 21.550m
Stadia
Vertical
No Hz Angle S V Distance R.L Remark
Angle Upper Lower Middle
3 198 15 20 Reference Stn
(3)
4 82 15 00 88 05 00 1.655 1.335 1.495 RI (Road)
401 75 18 00 89 20 00 1.384 1.205 1.295 R2 (Road)
402 341 25 00 89 01 00 1.269 1.197 1.233 R3 (Curve)
403 330 54 00 89 15 00 1.355 1.243 1.299 R4 (Curve)
404 335 33 00 87 45 00 1.455 1.302 1.378 R5 (Curve)
405 353 28 00 91 10 00 1.020 0.787 0.904 T1 (Tree)
406 63 01 00 91 53 00 1.125 0.812 0.968 H1 (House)
407 68 42 00 91 32 00 1.184 0.931 1.057 H2 (House)
408 73 15 00 90 00 00 1.507 1.155 1.331 H3 (House)
 D = K s cos2  + C cos 
V = ½ K s sin 2 + C sin 
RLX = RLP + hi + V – m
s

Stadia lines m
V
RLx X
I


hi

RLP
P
D
 Data Processing for Stadia
Tacheometry Method
 In stadia tacheometry, a levelling staff is held vertically at one end of the
line being measured and a level or theodolite is set up on the other.
 The staff is read using the stadia lines engraved on the telescope
diaphragm.

 The vertical angle along the line of sight is also recorded. (on 1 face only)

 If a level is used, the line of sight will be horizontal assuming that the level
has no collimation error.

 If a theodolite is used, the line of sight can be either horizontal or inclined.

 Horizontal Distance (D)

D = K s cos2  + C cos 
 Vertical Distance (V) Line of sight
(slope distance)
Vertical

V = ½ K s sin 2 + C sin  Horizontal

distance
distance

 Reduced Level (X)

RLX = RLP + hi + V – m
Where:
K = multiplying constant of the instrument
C = additive constant of the instrument
s = staff intercept (difference between 2 stadia readings)
Hi = height of the instrument
 = vertical angle along the line of sight
m = middle staff reading
+V = used if there is an angle of elevation
- V = used if there is an angle of depression
CALCULATION EXAMPLE

The data shown in Table 1 is taken from tacheometric field book. Given
that the multiplying constant and the additive constant of the level are
100 and 0 respectively, calculate the vertical distances between A to B and
A to C. The height of instrument at station A was measured as 1.250m and
the Reduced Level of station B is 42.700m. Compute the Reduce Level (RL)
of station A and C.

Table 1

Instrument Staff Stadia readings Vertical

station station (m) angle
A B U = 2.230 + 4° 00’
M = 2.030
L = 1.830
A C U = 2.420 - 2° 00’
M = 2.120
L = 1.820
 1st step

1
V  [ Ks.sin( 2 )]  C.sin 
2
1
V AB
1
 [100.s. sin( 2 )]  0. sin  VAC  [100.s.sin( 2 )]  0.sin 
2 2

1 1
V AB  [100.(2.230  1.830). sin( 2.400' )] VAC  [100.(2.420  1.820).sin( 2.  200' )]
2 2

1 1
V AB  [100.(0.4). sin(800' )] V AC  [100.(0.6). sin( 400' )]
2 2

1 1
V AB  [100.(0.4).0.139] V AC  [100.(0.6).  0.070]
2 2

VAB  2.78m V AC  2.1m

2nd step

RLA  RLB  hiB  VAB  mA

RLA  42.700  2.030  2.780  1.250
RLA  40.7m
3rd step

RLC  RLA  hiA  VAC  mC

RLC  40.7  1.250  2.100  2.120
RLC  37.730 m
 METHODS OF TACHEOMETRY
2. Electronic Distance Measurement

 Electronic Stadia (EDM + Theodolite)

 EDM is attached together with theodolite and the measured distance
is slope distance.
 Based on observed vertical angle, horizontal and vertical distance
can be calculated.

 Total Station
 Measure the Slope Distance, Zenith (Vertical) Angle recorded by the
theodolite along the line of sight to calculate the Horizontal Distance.
 Horizontal and Vertical Distance can be obtained without any
calculation.
 Data obtained will be recorded and processed in computer.
 Reduced level (elevation) can be calculated.
 Field Data & Booking Procedure of
Electronic Tacheometric Surveying
Data n Equipment:

 Data to be observed in electronic tacheometry:

 Horizontal angle (bearing)
 Horizontal distance
 Slope distance
 Vertical distance or vertical angle/zenith
 Height of total station
 Height of target (prism)
 Equipment:
 Total Station
 Mini prism/prism
Field Procedure:

 Control survey is carried out first by traversing for horizontal

control and leveling for vertical control.
 Detail survey involves extraction of the surrounding features
nearby the stations such as trees, fences, buildings, etc.
 Set-up TS on the station in the control network and set RO.
Measure instrument height (Hi) and target height (Ht) of the
observed features (center of the prism (reflector).
 Data to be collected for detail surveying using total station are
horizontal and vertical angles, horizontal and slope distances.
 All collected data and type of detail must be booked or recorded.
The type of detail should be noted in the booking form.
 Repeat the process for other observation (control) stations.
Booking Procedure
Project Name : Date :
Observer : Page :
RL at Inst. stn : 21.550m Ht of Inst : 1.550m
Inst. Station : 4 Ref. Station : 3

Ht
STN/Point Bearing Vertical Slope
V of Pc R.L Remark
Pt# (Hz Cir) (Vt Cir) Distance
Target (m)
3 198 15 20 Reference Stn (3)
4 82 15 00 88 05 00 5.024 1.200 RI (Road)
401 75 18 00 89 20 00 4.232 1.200 R2 (Road)
402 341 25 00 89 01 00 4.536 1.200 R3 (Curve)
403 330 54 00 89 15 00 5.092 1.200 R4 (Curve)
404 335 33 00 87 45 00 4.623 1.200 R5 (Curve)
405 353 28 00 91 10 00 5.223 1.200 T1 (Tree)
406 63 01 00 91 53 00 5.012 1.200 H1 (House)
407 68 42 00 91 32 00 4.123 1.200 H2 (House)
408 73 15 00 90 00 00 4.908 1.200 H3 (House)
CALCULATION FORMULA

RLt = RLx + H i + V – Ht

V = L Sin 
L V

D
Ht
Hi

RLt RLy
RLx

Datum
 ERRORS AND ACCURACY

 Errors in Tacheometry Surveying

 Instrumental Errors
 Field Errors

 Accuracy of Tacheometry
 The overall accuracy expected for distance
measurement is 1 in 500.
 The best possible accuracy is only 1 in 1000