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TACHEOMETRY
Definition, Purpose and Principle of Tachy

Tacheometry or Tachy as popularly known in geomatic circles is a rapid surveying and

mapping technique, by which the positions, both horizontal and vertical, of points on the earth
surface relatively to one another are determined without using a chain or tape or a separate
levelling instrument. It is particularly a cost-effective topographical mapping technique in bushy
large areas of step and broken terrain where levelling process would be slow and expensive. The
method is very rapid and convenient. Other challenges that make chain surveying slow and
expensive and which are easily addressed by tachy include deep ravines, stretches of water or
swamps/ ponds, and wetlands.

The primary objective of tachy is the preparation of contoured maps or plans requiring both the
horizontal as well as vertical control. Also, on surveys of higher accuracy, it provides a check on
distances measured with the tape e.g. baselines and other long obstructed lines

Tachy equipments comprise of tacheometer (e.g. an optical theodolite) and a level staff. The
observables are the three stadia readings; the vertical angle and the horizontal angle to a
particular staff position.

A set of tacheometric/ tachy equations are used to compute the horizontal distance between the
tacheometer and the staff and also the reduced level of the staff position. Where large data is to
be generated, the equations could be programmed to ease manual computations.

The difference of height is computed from the angle of depression or elevation of a fixed point
on the staff and the horizontal distance already obtained. Thus all the measurements requisite to
locate a point both vertically and horizontally with reference to the point where the tacheometer
is centered are determined by an observer at the instrument without any assistance beyond that of
a man to hold the staff.

However, the traditional tachy where an optical theodolite and a level staff are used is quickly
being replaced by use of total stations or Global Navigation Satellite System commonly referred

Surveying Chapter Notes by Magondu G,M

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as the GPS to achieve similar or better results without the need to invoke tachy equations.
Diagram illustrating the Principle of StadiaTacheometry (staff held vertical)

Stadia Readings
(U, M, L)

Vertical
Displacement (V)

P Terrain
H.C S

H R.LP

Datum

By setting up a tacheometer on survey station S and determining its H.C and observing
staff/stadia reading to a level staff held vertically at ground station P and V.A (Ɵ)
and H.A of line of sight, then the horizontal distance (H) between the tacheometer (S) and the
staff (ground point) position P can be determined optically via tachy equations:
H= M s cos2 θ +A cos θ
R.L = H.C + V- Hm Where V = ½ M S sin 2 θ
Where: H = Horizontal distance between tacheometer station and staff station
S = staff/stadia intercept = (Upper –Lower) stadia reading
θ = vertical angle of inclination (+ve for elevation and –ve for depression)
M =Multiplying constant of the instrument (usually set to be 100) unless otherwise stated
A = Additive constant of the instrument (usually set to be 0 for implying use of anallactic lens)
R.L = Reduced Level of staff station

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Hm =Mid staff reading [Also computed if not read as ½(U+L)]

V = Vertical displacement of line of sight from horizontal (+ve or –ve depending on sign of θ)
The following tachy data was collected in order to determine certain surveying parameters on a
site.

Tacheometer Observed Horizontal Vertical Stadia Readings

Station S Station Circle Angle
Lower Middle Upper
H.C=2145.845m
T 158˚ 10΄30˝ +4˚ 10΄ 30˝ 1.480 2.110 2.740
R 232˚ 08΄24˝ - 5˚ 05΄ 00˝ 1.110 2.110 3.110
Adopting the multiplying constant and the additive constant of the tacheometer used as 100 and
0 respectively,
(i) Determine the horizontal distance between S and T
(ii) Determine the horizontal distance between S and R (Student Assignment)
(iii) Establish the height above the mean sea level of station R
(iv) Establish the height above the mean sea level of station T (Student Assignment)
(v) Calculate the plan area enclosed by stations STR (Student Assignment)
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H= M s cos θ +A cos θ
HST = 100 [2.740-1.480] cos2 +4˚ 10΄ 30˝ + 0 = 125.332m
( ii) Establish the height above the mean sea level of station R
R.L = H.C + V- Hm Where V = ½ M S Sin 2 θ
VR = ½ * 100 [3.110-1.110] Sin (2x- 5˚ 05΄ 00˝) = -17.651m
Thus R.LR = 2145.845 + -17.651 = 2128.194m

By measuring or calculating the horizontal distance between stations T and R, the mean gradient
between the can be computed in the normal way.

Other Types of Tacheometry:

Whereas stadia tachy described above is the most commonly used in practice, other types exist to
address specific situations.

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Tangential Tacheometry: Observations made for vertical angles and staff intercepts are
obtained using cross-hairs only. Stadia hairs are not used at all (Some tacheometers simply don’t
have them). Tangential tachy is similar to trigonometrical levelling.

Subtense Tacheometry: Make use of Subtense bar (horizontal stave) to measure angles
subtended by the bar targets from the tacheometer. The Subtense bar is of fixed length and is
mounted on a tripod and levelled for horizontality. The required horizontal and vertical distances
are computed using the measured and known parameters. This type of tachy finds application
where chaining is impossible because of undulating and rough nature of the terrain.

Thus, tacheometry techniques could be applied to solve various surveying/ trigonometric/

geometric problems in real life.

The tacheometric methods of surveying are used with advantage over the direct methods of
measurement of horizontal distances and differences in elevations. Some of the uses are:
Preparation of topographic maps which require both elevations and horizontal distances
Survey work in difficult terrain where direct methods are inconvenient

Reconnaissance surveys for highways, railways, etc.

Checking of already measured distances
Hydrographic surveys and
Establishing secondary control

Etc.

Surveying Chapter Notes by Magondu G,M