Unit 1.A.

Geodetic Surveying

By. Piyush Bhandari

 Contents
 Intervisisbility and height of stations
 Captain G.T. McCaw’s Method for profile of intervening ground
 Difference between Plane surveying & Geodetic surveying
 Accuracy of triangulation
 Strength of Figures
 Station Mark
 Importance of Signals
 Towers
 Intervisisbility and height of stations
• The stations should be selected in commanding position so they are
intervisible.
• If distance between stations is more and difference in elevation is less,
calculations necessary to determine whether to elevate the stations to
get the intervisisbility or not.
• The height of instrument as well as signal depends upon the following
factors.
1. The distance between the stations
2. The relative elevations of stations
3. The profile of the intervening ground
 1. The distance between the stations
• there
If   is no obstruction due to intervening ground, the distance of the visible horizon
from the station of known elevation above station is calculated from the following
formula:
h = ………………..(1)
Where,
h = height of the station above datum,
D = distance of visible horizon,
R = earth’s mean radius, and
m = mean coefficient of refraction taken as 0.07 for sights over land, and 0.08 for sights
over sea.
If ‘m’ is 0.071 and ‘R’ as 6370 km in Eq. (1), the value of ‘h’ in meters is given by
h = 0.06735 D2 …………….... (2)
where ‘D’ is in kilometers.
 2. The relative elevation of stations
• no
If   obstruction due to intervening ground
h = or h = 0.06735 D2
This may be used to get the necessary elevation of station at distance so as to
make it visible

Here,
h1 = known elevation of station A above datum
h2 = required elevation of station B above datum
d1 = distance from station A to the point of tangency
d2= distance from station B to the point of tangency
D= the known distance between A and B
•   = 0.06728
=
Where, D1 is in km and h1 is in meters
Now, D = +
=D-
= 0.06728
Required elevation is calculated. If actual ground level at B is known. Then
it can be found whether it is necessary to elevate the station B above
ground or not. If so required height of tower can be calculated.
 3. Profile of the intervening ground
• If there is intervening peak between stations it is necessary to
determine their positions and elevations.
• The elevation of proposed line of sight at such peak is determined and is
compared with elevations of peaks to check whether the line of sight
clears or fails to clear the intervening obstructions.
 Captain G. T. McCaw’s Method
•Let, 
h1= height of station A above datum
h2 = height of station B above datum
h = height of line of sight at the obstruction C
2S = distance between the two stations A & B
(S+x) = distance of obstruction C from A
(S-x) = distance of obstruction C from B
ξ = Zenith distance from A to B
Height of line of sight at obstruction,
h= +
•  
Note:
1. Zenith distance of B from A is approximately equal to 90⁰. The value of
=
2. The value of = 0.0673
Where, m = coefficient of refraction
R = 6371 km = radius of earth
X, S & R taken in km and h1& h2 are in meters
 Difference between
Plane surveying Geodetic surveying
1. Mean surface of earth is 1. Curvature or earth is considered
considered as plane &
spheroidal shape is neglected
2. Used to measure area of plot 2. Used to obtain accurate map of
large are & “control point”
3. Has engineering, commercial & 3. Obtain precise position &
navigation use elevation of point above m. s. l.
 Accuracy of triangulation
• Frame work should consists equilateral triangles.
• No angle should be smaller than 30 degree and not greater than 120
degree.
• To avoid accumulation of error provide check lines in large triangulation
network
 Strength of figures
• Accuracy of triangulation system depends on:
(a) Method used in making observations and
(b) Strength of figures
• It decides layout of triangles in system and gives degree of accuracy
• In triangulation system all three angles and length of one side is used
to find unknown sides using sine rule
• Strength
  of figure is found using equation:
R=
• Where,
C = No. of conditions satisfied in each figure
D = No. of directions observed
= difference in 6th place of logarithm of sine of angles A and B
 Station mark
• It is made of copper or bronze material.
• These markers are cemented into concrete or rock to from a pedestal
• Reference mark is buried below station to fix its location.
• Station is referred by atleast two reference distances and bearing
readings
 Signals
• An object erected at certain height above GL to locates station mark.
• Classification of signals:
1. Opaque signal: for less accuracy with 30 km range. It is economical
e.g.: Pole signals, target signals, stone cairn, pole & brush signal, becon
signal
2. Luminous signal: span larger than 30 km. For day as well as night work
Eg: Sun signals, Night signals
Fig. (a) Pole signals, (b) target signals, (c) stone cairn,
(d) pole & brush signal, (e) becon signal
Fig. Sun signal (Heliotrope)
 Towers
• Platform erected over station mark to raise height of signal
• E.g.: Bilby tower can raise signal upto 40 to 55 m height