ENGINEERING SURVEYING

UNIT – 4

Theodolite
 Theodolite Traversing
• Traversing is a method of establishing control points,
with their positions determined by measuring the
distances between the traverse stations and the angles
subtended at the various stations.

• The angles are measured by the theodolite and the

distances by the chain of tape.

Closed Traverse
 Methods of Traversing
Two Methods
1. Based on direct observation of angles i.e. by measurement of
angles between the survey lines
– Traversing by Direct method
– Traversing by Included angle method
– Traversing by Deflection angle method

2. Method based on measurement of the bearings of lines

– Traversing by Fast/Loose Needle or magnetic bearing
method
– Back bearing Method
 1. Traversing by Direct Method
• This method is commonly used for open traverses. In running the traverse
as shown in fig. below.

Procedure:
•Set up the theodolite at the starting station. A and observe the bearing of
line AB.
•Shift the theodolite to B. Set the vernier A to zero, take a back sight on the
preceding station A.
•Unclamp the upper plate, turn the telescope clockwise, take a fore sight on
the following station C, and read both verniers.
•The mean of the two vernier readings is the required direct angle ABC. Take
other angles in the similar manner.
•Chain the lines AB, BC etc, to find their lengths.
 2. Included Angle Method
• This method is more suited for closed traverse, which can be
taken clockwise or anti clockwise.
• Generally a closed traverse is taken anti clockwise.
• In this case, the bearing of the initial line is first noted and then
included angles of the traverse are computed.
• These angles can be interior or exterior.

Procedure:
•Consider the traverse shown in Fig. 1
•The theodolite is set up and centred over A.
the plate bubble is levelled. Vernier A is set
at 0° & Vernier B at 180°. The upper clamp
is fixed.
Fig. 1
 2. Included Angle Method
• The telescope is oriented along the north line by trough
compass. The magnetic bearing of AB is measured.
• Again Vernier A is set at 0°and upper clamp is fixed.
• The lower clamp is loosened and ranging rod at E is bisected.
Now, the upper clamp is loosened and telescope is rotated
clockwise to sight B. the mean of the readings of both
Vernier's will give the angle A.
• The face of the instrument is changed and mean of the two
observations is taken which gives the correct angle A.
• Similarly, the other angles are measured by centring the
theodolite at B, C, D and E.
• The arithmetic check is applied as:-
Sum of interior angles = (2n-4). 90°
 3. Deflection Angle Method
• Deflection Angle:
• Deflection angle is the horizontal angle measured by the
prolongation of preceding line with succeeding line clockwise or
anticlockwise.
• It varies from 00 to 1800 & is equal to included angle - 1800
 3. Deflection Angle Method
• This method is used for open traverses and is suitable when the
survey lines make small deflection angles with each other as in the
case of surveys for roads, railways, pipe lines etc.
• In running a traverse as in figure below, set up the theodolite at the
starting station A and observe the bearing of line AB.
• Shift the instrument to station B, set the vernier A to zero and take
a back sight on A.
 3. Deflection Angle Method

• Then transit the - telescope, loosen the upper clamp, turn the telescope
clockwise and take a fore sight on C.
• Read both verniers, the mean of these readings is the required deflection angle
of BC from AB. Also note down its direction.
• In this case, it is α1 R (i.e. α1 Right). Then set up the theodolite at each of the
successive stations C, D, E, etc., and observe the deflection angles.
• Chaining and offsetting is done in the usual manner.
 Direct or Fast Needle Method
• This is direct method in which the telescope is transited from one station
to another for taking alternate back and fore bearings of lines alternately.

Procedure:
• Set up the transit at A and level it. Set the vernier A to zero. Point the
telescope to the magnetic north as indicated by the magnetic needle by
using the lower clamp and tangent screw.

• Loosen the upper clamp and bisect B exactly by using the upper clamp
and its tangent screw. Read the vernier A which gives the bearing of AB
say 50°.
 4. Fast Needle Method
• If the traverse is closed one, then the back bearing of the last line (EA) is also
taken, which will serve as a check.
• Shift the instrument and set it up at B. Check whether the vernier A still reads
the bearing of AB i.e. 50°. If due to slip the readings differs, correct it with the
upper tangent screw.
• Using the lower clamp and tangent screws, back sight on A.
• The line of sight is thus directed towards AB produced and the vernier A still
reads the bearing of AB.
 4. Fast Needle Method
• Transit the Telescope:
• Loosen the upper clamp, turn the telescope, and bisect C exactly by using
the upper clamp and tangent screw.
• Read vernier A, which now gives the bearing of line BC, say, 115°.
• With the vernier A clamped at 115°, transfer the instrument to C and repeat
the process.
• As a check upon the accuracy of work in a closed traverse, the back
bearing of the last line (EA) observed earlier at the first station A and its
fore bearing taken at the last station (E) must differ exactly by 180°.
• It should be noted that in this method, the telescope is transited for
alternate back and fore readings.
 5. Magnetic Bearing Method
• The magnetic bearing method is also known as fast needle method
because it requires to know magnetic bearing of the every station
that is taken at the traverse and it is usually done in short time.

• In magnetic bearing method, the magnetic meridian is established

only the starting point of station.
 Questions
1. Which of the following is an integral part of the
theodolite and is mounted on a spindle known as a
horizontal axis?
a) Telescope
b) Index frame
c) Horizontal plane Vernier
d) Horizontal circle
 Questions
2. Which of the following methods of theodolite traversing
is suitable for locating the details which are far away from
transit stations?
a) Measuring angle and distance from one transit
station
b) Measuring angles to the point from at least two
stations.
c) Measuring angle at one station and distance from
other
d) Measuring distance from two points on traverse line
 Questions
3. Horizontal axis is also known as
a) Inner axis
b) Outer axis
c) Trunnion axis
d) Line of sight