LESSON 1:

TACHYMETRIC
SURVEYS
 TACHEOMET
RY
Is defined as a procedure of obtaining horizontal
distances and differences in elevation based on
the optical geometry of the instrument employed.
When compared to taping and differential
leveling, the distances and elevations obtained
by the tacheometric methods are usually of the
lower order of accuracy.
SUBTENSE
BARhorizontally on a tripod and

It consists of a 2-meter long bar
mounted
aligned perpendicular to the line by
means of a sighting device on top of the
bar.
 STADIA
METHOD
This method employs the sighting telescope of an
instrument in reading a small angle along a vertical
plane and in determining the length which the
subtends on a graduated rod held vertical on the
distant point.
Tacheometric methods are used to check the
more accurate taped distances to uncover gross
errors or mistakes, to determine differences of
elevation between points, to carry lines of levels
where a relatively long order of accuracy is
required, and in measuring the lengths of
traverse lines.
 THE STADIA
METHOD
“STADIA” is the plural form of stadium.
• Denoted 600 Greek units, or 184 m 93 m (606 ft
9 in) by present-day international standards.
• Can be taken with most surveying instruments
such as the engineer’s level, alidade, theodolite,
and the engineer’s transit.
The equipment for stadia measurements consists
of a telescope with two horizontal hairs called
stadia hairs and a graduated rod called stadia
rods.
The process of taking a stadia measurement
consists in observing through the telescope the
apparent locations of the two stadia hairs on a
vertical held rod.
STADIA
HAIRS
When the stadia hairs and the cross hairs are
simultaneously visible and in focus, they are
called fixed stadia hairs.
In the disappearing type of stadia hairs, the hairs
are mounted in a different plane slightly behind
the rear of the cross hairs.
STADIA
RODS
Usually graduated in decimals of a foot but may be
graduated in decimals of a meter or a yard.
Vary in width from about 6 to 12 cm and are usually
made in two sections, and hinged together in the
middle.
It should be made of well seasoned and straight-
grained wood and preferably light but tough.
PRINCIPLE OF
THE

The STADIA
stadia method is based on the principle
in similar triangle corresponding sides are
that

proportional.
The equation 𝐷 = 𝐾𝑠 + 𝐶 is employed in
computing horizontal distance from stadia
intervals when sights are horizontal.
STADIA
CONSTANTS
 “distance C”
It is the distance from the center of the instrument
to the principal focus.
The quantity is composed of the focal length (f)
and the distance © from the center of the
instrument to the center of the objective lens.
Value varies from about 0.18 to 0.43 m.
STADIA INTERVAL
FACTOR
 The ratio “f/i” and designated by letter “K”.
 For any given instrument, this value remains constant
depends only on the spacing between the stadia hairs.
 The most common value of K is 100. It can be easily
made by moving the hairs until their rod interval is
1/100 of the distance such that the horizontal hair lies
exactly equidistant from the upper and lower stadia
hair.
 LESSON 2:
TACHYMETRIC
SURVEYS
DETERMINATION OF
STADIA
 CONSTANT
Stadia Constant © is readily determined by setting
up the instrument, focusing on a distant point at
least 300 m away, and measuring precisely the
distance between reticule and the objective lens.
 The telescope is next pointed and focused on
another object about 90 m away, and the distance
from the objective lens to the center of the
instrument is measured.
Formula:
𝐶 =𝑐÷𝑓
Where:
C = Stadia Constant
c = distance from the center of the instrument
to the center of the objective.
f = focal length of the lens (constant)
DETERMINATION OF STADIA
INTERVAL FACTOR
It can be determined when a straight line about
100 to 200 m long is laid off the ground. The
selected site should preferably be nearly level as
practicable.
Points are next set on the line using stakes at
intervals of about 20 m, then the distances
𝑑1 , 𝑑2 ,𝑑3 and so on are measured for point A to the
successive points in their order of placement.
FORMULA:
𝐾 = 𝑓/𝑖
Where:
K = Stadia interval factor
f = focal length of the lens
i = distance or spacing between stadia hairs
OBSERVATION OF
STADIA INTERVAL
On transit-stadia surveys, the stadia interval (or
intercept) is more conveniently determined by
setting the lower stadia hair on the nearest with
a centimeter (or foot) mark then reading the
location of the upper stadia hair.
Stadia interval is the distance on the rod between
the apparent positions of the two stadia hairs.
It can be determined by subtracting the whole
centimeter value from the reading at the upper
stadia hair.
It may happen that it is more than the length of
the rod. By using the middle hair, you may
observe a half-interval and multiply it by 2 to
get the stadia interval.
The observed stadia interval should always be
checked by reading the interval between the
horizontal cross hair and a stadia hair and
observing if this is about one-half of the whole
interval.
 LESSON 3:
TACHYMETRIC
INCLINED
STADIA SIGHTS
In actual field practice, most stadia measurements
are inclined because varying topography, but the
interval still read on a vertically held rod.
Itis usual that the line of sight of the tacheometer
is inclined to the horizontal. Thus, it is frequently
required to reduce the inclined observations into
distance and difference in elevation.
FORMULAS FOR INCLINED
STADIA SIGHTS:
𝐼𝐷 = 𝐾𝑠 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝛼+𝐶

2
𝐻𝐷 = 𝐾𝑠 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝛼 + 𝐶 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝛼

𝑉𝐷 = 𝐾𝑠 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝛼 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝛼 + 𝐶 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝛼

𝐷𝐸 = 𝐻𝐼 + 𝑉𝐷 − 𝑅𝑅
 LESSON 4:
TACHYMETRIC
FIELDS METHODS
OF REDUCING
STADIA
1. STADIA
REDUCTION
These tables gives horizontal distances and

TABLES
elevation differences for different vertical angles
where the stadia interval factor is 100 and the
stadia interval is 100.
For other K and s values, the required stadia
distances simply equal to Ks times the number
given in the table divided by 100.
For external focusing telescopes, corresponding
values of the instrument constant are also
tabulated.
These multiplications are usually rounded off to
the nearest centimeter for horizontal distances
and to the nearest 0.1 m for the elevation
differences.
BEAMAN
STADIA ARC
This device is a specially graduated are that may
either be part of the vertical circle of the transit or
alidade, or may be in a separate Plate.
The H and V scales of the arc are graduated in
percent of the slope to give readings for the direct
computation of the horizontal and vertical distance
from the rod intercept.
STADIA SLIDE
RULE
This device consists of a scale of numbers of the
logarithms of the distances plus two special scales,
one with log cos ^2 𝛼 values and the other with log
sin 𝛼 cos 𝛼 values.
The rule provides a rapid means of stadia
reduction for obtaining horizontal and vertical
distances from rod intercepts taken at any angle.
COX STADIA
COMPUTER
 Device for reducing stadia observations.
 The computed is used by simply setting the arrow
marked 0 on the disc opposite rod reading on the
other scale.
 The horizontal distance is then read on the outer
scale opposite the vertical angle indicated on the disc.
 The difference in elevation is also read on the outer
scale opposite the vertical angle which is simply
indicated on the disc.
STADIA
DIAGRAM
To use the diagram, the inclined line
corresponding to the vertical angle is intersected
with the vertical line corresponding to the distance
reading.
By reading the scale on the right and interpolating
between the horizontal lines, the difference in
elevation is determined.
 SELF- REDUCING STADIA
INSTRUMENTS
The lower curve is referred to as the zero curve
and is placed on a convenient full meter (or foot)
graduation.
The upper is used to determine the horizontal
distance interval
The middle curve is used to determine the vertical
distance interval together with the factor for the
part of the curve this is being used
 LESSON 5:
TACHYMETRIC
SURVEYS
ERRORS IN STADIA
MEASUREMENTS
When extra long sights are involved the error depends on
the magnifying power of the telescope, the coarseness of
the stadia hairs, the existing weather condition, and the
type of rod used.
 The rod should always be held plumb. A relatively small
inclination of the rod from the vertical may introduce an
error or few thousandths of a meter in reading the stadia
interval.
 Natural errors such as wind, moisture and temperature
changes also affect stadia measurements.
STADIA
LEVELING
Similar to those differential leveling except that in
the line of sight may be inclined from the
horizontal.
This rapid method of indirect leveling is well
suited in rolling or hilly country where a relatively
low order of accuracy is acceptable.
Adaptable to trigonometric leveling.
 LESSON 6:
TACHYMETRIC
STADIA
TRAVERSE
The principal characteristic of a stadia traverse is
the use of the stadia method in measuring the
length of the traverse lines instead of tape.
Specially useful when the amount of time to be
spent on the survey is limited.
The following quantities are
obtained:
Horizontal length of each line of the traverse.
Direction of each line which may be a
bearing of an azimuth.
Elevation of the stations of the traverse and
their differences in elevation.
SUBTENSE BAR
is a convenient and practical device used for
quick and accurate measurement of distances.
A horizontal held bar of precisely determined
length, used to measure distances by observing
the angle it subtends at the distance to be
measured.
Subtense Bar
Method
 Inthis method, a bar of fixed length, called a
subtense bar is placed in horizontal position. The
angle subtended by two target points,
corresponding to a fixed distance on the subtense
bar, at the instrument station is measured. The
horizontal distance between the subtense bar and
the instrument is computer from the known distance
between the targets and the measured horizontal
angles.
FORMULA:
1
𝐻𝐷 = 𝜃
𝑇𝑎𝑛( )
2
THANK
YOU! 
 Group
1:Jan Dryl
Aquende,
Cervan, Brent Kane
Malabanan, Mikkaela A.
Manalo, Eljohn
Reyes, Kenneth