REDUCTION OF HEIGHTS:

Given that the reduced level of the instrument station is known, i.e.
RLx, and the height of the instrument is also known, i.e i and that it is
required to find the RL of the staff position i.e RLy.
The height difference between X and Y, ∆Hxy is given as (ref. Fig.3).
∆Hxy = I ± V - M,
where
I = The height of the instrument (always +ve)
V = The vertical component ( +ve for angles of elevation & -ve for
angles of depression )
M = Centre hair reading(always applied as -ve)
Thus:
RLy = RLx + i ±V-M …………………………………….vii
i.e RLs = RLI + i ±V-M
where
RLS = reduced level of the staff position.
RLI = reduced. level of the instrument position.
Note:
For internal focusing lens (.i.e. modern instrument), the
constant k = d + f = 0
Thus: D = CS, for horizontal line of sight.
H = CSCos2θ, for inclined line of sight with staff vertical.
V = l/2KSSin2θ, for inclined line of sight with staff vertical
Example1: Stations M, N and P are for a right angled triangle at station
M as shown below. A theodolite whose constants are K= 100, and C=0
was used to determine the following tacheometric data.
Instrument station M
Height of instrument i 1.410m
Reduced level of the station 129.600m
Target Vertical Stadia hair readings
station angle lower middle upper

N -5040/ 1.170 1.500 1.830

P 2030/ 2.410 2.610 2.810
Calculate:
(a). Horizontal length MN and MP
(b). Horizontal length NP
(c). Reduced level of N and P
(d). Slope between p and N in form of 1 in n
Solution:
(a). Horizontal length MN (HMN)
HMN = CSCos2θ + KCosθ where C=100, S = 1.830-1.170 = 0.660m
k=0
HMN =100x 0.66Cos25040` = 65.36m
Horizontal length MP (HMp)
 
HMp = CSCos2θ + KCosθ
where C=100, S = 2.810-2.410 =0.400m
 
HMp =100x 0.40Cos22030` = 39.92m
(b). Horizontal length NP = ( MN2 + MP2)
= (65.362 + 39.922)
= 76.59m
( c ). Reduced level at N
Using RLs = RLI + i ±V-M
RLN = RLm + I ±V-m, Where RLm = 129.600m, I = 1.410m
M = 1.500m
V= ½(CSSin2θ) + ksinθ =1/2x 100x0.66Sin2(-5040`) = -6.49m
Therefore,
the Reduced level at N = 129.60 + 1.41 – 6.49- 1.5 = 123.020m
Reduced level at P =RLm + I ±V-m
Where RLm = 129.600m
I = 1.410m
M = 2.610m
V= ½(CSSin2θ) =1/2x 100x0.40Sin2(2030`) = 1.743m
Therefore, the Reduced level at P = 129.60 + 1.41 +1.743- 2.610
=130.143m
(d). Slope between p and N in form of 1 in n

Slope = = = 0.093 = 1in n = 1in10.75

ACCURACY AND SOURCES OF ERRORS IN VERTICAL
STAFF STADIA TACHEOMETRY:
The accuracy depends on the instrumental and field errors:
Instrumental errors.
May be due to incorrectly assumed value for C. (the multiplying
constant) due to an error in the construction of the diaphragm.
Due to assumption that modern telescopes are anallactic, when both K
and C are Variables
Field errors:
Incorrect reading may be recorded and result in an error in the staff
intercept, S.
N.B Since the reading accuracy decreases as D increases, the maximum
length of a tacheometric sight should be in the range of 100-I20m.
Non verticality of the staff is another serious source of error in D
Another source of error is caused by reading the vertical circle of the
theodolite in error.
 
FIELD WORK/PROCEDURE
A net- work of ground stations to be occupied by the instrument is set
out on the ground, coordinated by traversing and their RLs obtained.
It must be remembered that on unrestricted sites, the maximum
distance in tacheometric observations should be between I00-I20m.
Set the instrument over a station, centre and have all the necessary
temporary adjustments done. Vertical and horizontal angles are
measured on one face only.
Measure and record the height of the trunnion axis above the station
mark (Hi)
Select a suitable Station as a reference object (OR) ,sight the point
and record the horizontal angle set for this direction. All the detail in
the radiation pattern will be fixed in relation to the direction of the
RO.
N.B The direction of the RO is set to 0° if details are to be plotted from
radiation OR the bearing of the RO is set if details are to be plotted
from co-ordinates.
The staff man takes the first point of detail, and the telescope is
rotated clockwise to bisect the staff with the vertical hair in the field
of view. Read and record the upper, middle and lower hair readings.
A check can be applied to the stadia readings. Since the centre or
middle reading should be the mean of the lower and upper reading to
within ± 2 mm.
Still in this direction of the detail point, read and record the vertical
and horizontal angles. The angles can be taken to the accuracy of ± l`
only.
Signal the staff man to move to the new detail point.
The procedure is repeated until when observations of points near the
instrument position is completed
N.B: It is better to select each detail point in a clockwise direction in
order to minimize the movement of the staff man.
Check: The final sighting before the instrument is transferred should
be to the RO to check that the setting of the horizontal circle has not
been altered during observations.
Should any alteration be discovered, then all the horizontal circle
readings are unreliable And should be premeasured. It is therefore
advisable that, during a long tachometric observation a sighting to the
RO be made after say every 20 points of detail.
TACHEOMENTR1C FIELD BOOK
Various methods can be used, but a suitable method for most work is as
shown in the table (attached)
Add: All the information in the columns of Bearing, V.A, U.H& LH,
MH, and Remarks are recorded in the field .The remainder are then
computed in the office at a later stage.
 Vertical circle readings are those read directly on the instrument, the
reduction for θ is then done later in the office to determine the angle
of elevation or depression.
The vertical angle system of the instrument must therefore be
understood at the beginning; either it's a vertical angle type or a zenith
type.
A sketch is necessary during the booking. The sketch should include
information such as type of vegetation, widths of roads and railways,
diameter of trees, heights and types of fences, etc
 Int.station Bearing V.A L.H M.H U.H S=UH H V RL ∆N ∆E N E Remark
-LH s
                             
                             
                             
PLOTTING
If radian method is to be used, then a network of control stations is
first plotted on the coordinate grid. The details and spot heights are then
plotted using protractor and a scale rule, with the protractor oriented to
the direction of the RO. Each point of detail is then plotted by scaling
the appropriate distance along each direction.
If coordinates method is to be used, then the details are plotted from
their coordinates that were computed.
The plotted points are shown on the plan by a circled dot against RL.
Using the field sketches, the details are filled in between these points
and contours drawn by interpolation.