THEODOLITE SURVEYING

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CONTENTS

•Theodolite Surveying

•Study Of Vernier Theodolite

•Temporary And Permanent Adjustments

•Methods of Theodolite Surveying

 So far we have been measuring horizontal
angles by using a Compass with respect to
meridian, which is less accurate and also it is not
possible to measure vertical angles with a
Compass.
So when the objects are at a considerable
distance or situated at a considerable elevation or
depression ,it becomes necessary to measure
horizontal and vertical angles more precisely. So
these measurements are taken by an instrument
known as a theodolite.
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Uses or Purpose of Theodolite
• Measuring horizontal and vertical angles.
• Measuring the deflection angles.
• Measuring the magnetic bearing.
• Locating points on a line.
• Prolonging survey lines.
• Finding difference of level.
• Setting out grades
• Ranging curves
• Tacheometric Survey
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CLASSIFICATION OF THEODOLITES
A.
i) Transit Theodolite.
ii) Non Transit Theodolite.
B.
i) Vernier Theodolites.
ii) Micrometer Theodolites.

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CLASSIFICATION OF THEODOLITES

A. Transit Theodolite: A theodolite is called a transit

theodolite when its telescope can be transited i.e
revolved through a complete revolution about its
horizontal axis in the vertical plane.
Non-Transit type, the telescope cannot be transited.
They are inferior in utility and have now become no
longer in use.

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TRANSIT VERNIER THEODOLITE

THEODOLITE
THEODOLITE SURVEYING
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STUDY OF A TRANSIT VERNIER THEODOLITE

A Transit vernier theodolite essentially consist of the

following :
1. Levelling Head. 6. T- Frame.
2. Lower Circular Plate. 7. Plumb –bob.
3. Upper Plate. 8. Tripod Stand.
4. Telescope.
5. Vernier Scale.

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BASIC TERMS USED IN THEODOLITE SURVEYING

1. Centering :- Centering means setting the theodolite

exactly over an instrument- station so that its
vertical axis lies immediately above the station-
mark. It can be done by means of plumb bob
suspended from a small hook attached to the
vertical axis of the theodolite.
2. Transiting :- Transiting is also known as plunging
or reversing. It is the process of turning the telescope
about its horizontal axis through 1800 in the vertical
plane.

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3. Swinging the telescope
It means turning the telescope about its vertical
axis in the horizontal plane.
A swing is called right or left according as the
telescope is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise.

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4. Face Left
If the vertical circle of the instrument is on the
left side of the observer while taking a reading ,the
position is called the face left and
the observation taken in the face left position, is
known as the face left observation

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5. Face Right
If the vertical circle of the instrument is on the
right side of the observer while taking a reading ,the
position is called the face right and
the observation taken in the face right position, is
known as the face right observation.

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6. Changing Face
the operation of brining the vertical circle from
one side of the observer to the other is known as
chaining face.
It is done in two steps; Firstly revolve the
telescope through 1800 in a vertical plane and then
rotate it through 1800 in the horizontal plane i.e first
transit the telescope and then swing it through 1800.

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7. Line of Collimation

DIAPHRAGM
LINE OF
COLLIMATION

TELESCOPE

It is also known as the line of sight .It is an

imaginary line joining the intersection of the cross-
hairs of the diaphragm to the optical centre of the
object- glass and its continuation.
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8. Axis of the telescope
OBJECT GLASS

AXIS OF THE TELESCOPE

.

TELESCOPE

It is an imaginary line joining the optical centre of

the object- glass to the centre of eye piece.

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9. Axis of the Level Tube
It is also called the bubble line.
It is a straight line tangential to the longitudinal
curve of the level tube at the centre of the tube. It
is horizontal when the bubble is in the centre.

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10. Vertical Axis

It is the axis about which the telescope can be

rotated in the horizontal plane.
11. Horizontal Axis
It is the axis about which the telescope can be
rotated in the vertical plane.
It is also called the trunion axis.

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12. Telescope normal :- The face left position is known as
‘Telescope normal’ or ‘Telescope direct’ or ‘Bubble up’.
13. Telescope Inverted :- The face right position is known
as ‘Telescope Inverted’ or ‘Telescope reversed’ or ‘Bubble
down’.
14. Transit station :- A point over which the transit stands
and is centered when in use.
15. Transit line :- It is a straight line between two transit
stations.

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 ADJUSTMENT OF A THEODOLITE

The adjustments of a theodolite are of two kinds :-

1. Permanent Adjustments.
2. Temporary Adjustments.

Temporary Adjustment
The adjustments are made at each set up of the
instrument before we start the observations with the
instrument is known as Temporary adjustment.

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TEMPORARY OF A THEODOLITE
1. Setting the theodolite over the station.
2. Approximate levelling by tripod stand.
3. Centering
4. Levelling
5. Focussing the eye-piece
6. Focussing the object glass
7. Setting the vernier

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TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENTS OF A THEODOLITE
1. Setting the theodolite over the station :-
The tripod stand is placed over the required
station. The theodolite is then fixed on top of the
stand by wing nut.
2. Approximate levelling by tripod stand :-
The legs of the tripod are placed well apart and
firmly fixed on the ground, then approximate
levelling is done using this stand.

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TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENTS OF A THEODOLITE
3. Centering :- Centering is the process of setting the
instrument exactly over a station. At the time of
approximate levelling by means of the tripod stand
it should be ensured that the plumb bob suspended
from the hook under the vertical axis lies
approximately over the station peg, then with the
help of shifting head, the centering is done
accurately.

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 TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENTS OF A THEODOLITE
4. Levelling :- Before starting the levelling operation, all
the foot screws are brought to the centre of their run.
i) The plate bubble is placed parallel to any pair of foot
screws by turning both screws equally inwards or
outwards the bubble is brought to the centre.
ii) The plate bubble is placed perpendicular to the third
screw, then turning the third screw clockwise or anti-
clockwise the bubble is brought to the centre.
iii) The process is repeated several times, so that the
bubble remains in the central position both the
directions.

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Levelling
TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENTS OF A THEODOLITE
5. Focussing the eye-piece :- The eye-piece is
focussed so that the cross-hairs can be seen clearly.
To do this, the telescope is directed towards the
sky or a piece of water paper is held in front of the
object glass, and eye-piece is moved in or out by
turning it clockwise or anti-clockwise until the
cross-hairs appear distinct and sharp.

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TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENTS OF A THEODOLITE
6. Focussing the object glass :- This is done to bring
a sharp image of the object in the plane of cross-
hairs and to eliminate parallax. To do this, the
telescope is directed towards the object and
focussing screw is turned clockwise or anti-
clockwise until the image appears clear and sharp.
7. Setting the vernier :- The vernier A is set to 00 &
vernier B to 1800 by turning upper clamp & lower
clamp.

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PERMANENT ADJUSTMENTS OF A THEODOLITE

1. Adjustment of the Horizontal Plate Levels

(The axis of the horizontal plate levels must be perpendicular to the
vertical axis.)

2. Collimation Adjustment
( The line of collimation should coincide with the axis of the telescope
and axis of the objective slide and should be at right angles to the
horizontal axis.)

3. Horizontal Axis Adjustment

(The horizontal axis must be perpendicular to the vertical axis.)
PERMANENT ADJUSTMENTS OF A THEODOLITE

4.Adjustment of the Telescope Level

(The axis of the telescope level or altitude level must be parallel to the

line of collimation.)

5. Vertical Circle Index Adjustment

(The vertical circle vernier must read zero when the line of collimation is

horizontal.)
HOW TO READ A TRANSIT THEODOLITE

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MEASUREMENT OF HORIZONTAL ANGLES USING
THEODOLITE

1.Repetition method

2.Reiteration method
1.Repetition method

• This method is adopted for precise works

• Face left and face right observations are essential
• All the readings should be entered in field book
Procedure :
• Set up theodolite over station “O” and complete the temporary
adjustments accurately
• Bring the vernier “A” to zero degrees
• Release lower clamp screw and sight to object “P” and clamp it firmly
• Bisect the object “P” accurately with help of corresponding slow motion
screw
• Release the upper clamp screw and sight to object “Q” and clamp it
• Bisect the object “Q” accurately with help of corresponding slow motion
screw
• Read main scales and corresponding vernier scales “A” and “B”
• Enter the readings in the proforma shown in table below
• Take average of two readings. This reading is the required horizontal
angle “POQ”
• Change the face of the instrument, repeat the process as explained
above
• Take average of two readings. This reading is the required horizontal
angle “POQ”
• Take average of face left and face right to get further accurate horizontal
angle “POQ”
2. Reiteration method
• This method is used when several angles are to be measured at a point
• This method consists of measuring several angles successively and finally
closing (ending) on first station

Let
A,B,C,D are objects
“O” is an instrument station
Procedure :
• Set up theodolite over station “O” and complete the temporary adjustments
accurately
• Bring index of verniers “A” to zero degrees.
• Release lower clamp screw and sight to object “A” and clamp it firmly.
• Bisect the object “A” accurately with the help of corresponding slow motion
screw
• Release the upper clamp screw and sight to object “B” and clamp it
• Bisect the object “B” accurately with help of corresponding slow motion screw
• Read main scales and corresponding vernier scales “A” and “B”
• Enter the readings in the proforma shown in table above
• Release the upper clamp screw and sight to object “C” and clamp it
• Bisect the object “C” accurately with help of corresponding slow motion screw
• Read main scales and corresponding vernier scales “A” and “B”
• Enter the readings in the profarma shown in table -1
• Repeat the process until all objects are completed
• Enter the respective readings in the profarma shown in table -1
• Change the face of the instrument and repeat the process as explained
above
• Take average of face left and face right to get further accurate respective
angle
MEASUREMENT OF VERTICAL ANGLES USING
THEODOLITE
•A vertical angle is the angle between the inclined line of sight
and the horizontal line.
•If the angle is above the horizontal line it is called as angle of
elevation and it is always considered as +ve angle.
•If the angle is below the horizontal line it is called as angle of
depression and it is always considered as -ve angle.

B
Procedure :

•The temporary adjustment of the instrument is to be done on the

station.
•Level the theodolite using altitude level (the operations involved are
same as leveling using plate level).
•Loosen the vertical circle clamp, and direct the telescope towards the
object whose vertical angle is required to be measured. Clamp the
vertical circle, and bisect the point by turning the vertical tangent screw.
•Read and record the scale with vernier C and D in table given above
•Change the face of the instrument and read the vertical angle again.
•The required vertical angle is the average of the values in table