Stadia Tachometry
5.1 Principles Stadia Tachometry
All measuring methods with which position and elevation of terrain points is determined from one
station with an instrument providing direction, elevation difference and distance are considered as
tacheometry. The stadia method is a speedy method of collecting topographic data of intermediate
accuracy and was the most applied method for topographic surveying until the EDM (Electronic
Distance Measurement)-technology was introduced. It can also effectively be used for the
measurement of longitudinal profiles and cross sections.
Stadia tacheometry makes use of the optical properties of the telescope and may be carried out
using either a theodolite or level. It involves the use of the two short lines marked on the diaphragm
of the majority of theodolite and level telescopes (see figure 1).
These lines are called stadia hairs or stadia lines. The
distance between the stadia hairs is fixed and is called
stadia interval.
Figure 1: Stadia hairs
The following equipment is needed for stadia tacheometry:
• Level or theodolite, both equipped with stadia hairs, and
• Levelling staff (staff rod)
Computation of horizontal distances and elevations
1. Horizontal sights
Figure 2: Horizontal sight
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Either a level or a theodolite with the telescope set exactly in the horizontal position can be used.
The distance D can be computed as follows:
Modern levels or theodolites are manufactured in such a way that the so-called multiplying factor M
equals 100 and the additive factor C is zero.
However, one should always make sure to use the correct values for M and C as stated in the
instrument manuals!
If the level is equipped with a horizontal circle and the terrain to be mapped is flat one can carry out
a topographic survey using level and staff rod.
2. Inclined sights
More frequently the ground is not flat, and it will be necessary to use a theodolite taking inclined
Figure 3: Inclined sights
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Errors in stadia tacheometry and obtainable accuracy possible errors in
stadia tacheometry can be divided into two categories:
• Instrumental error, and
• Field errors
Instrumental error:
• Incorrectly assuming the values for the multiplying factor M and the additive factor C.
Countermeasure: Use the values for M and C as stated in the Manu
Field errors:
• Incorrectly reading the staff rod.
Countermeasure: 1. Take your time while reading the staff and the angles.
2. The observer should not act as booker.
3. Apply the following check for each set of readings immediately in the field:
The difference should not exceed 2mm!!
• Staff rod does not stand vertical.
Countermeasure: Use a rod level for every sight!
This is the error that most seriously affects the accuracy of the stadia method. Therefore great
care has to be taken while holding the staff rod vertically.
• Differential refraction.
Countermeasure: The lower staff reading should not be less than 1 meter.
The maximum accuracy obtainable by the stadia method is 1/500 for distances. That means a
distance of, say 100 meters, can be determined with an accuracy of about 20 cm. The determination
of the elevation is about 10 times more accurate than the one for the distance determination. For
example, if the distance accuracy is, say 20 cm, the obtainable accuracy for the height of this point
is 2 cm.
Since the staff reading accuracy decreases while the distance increases, the maximum length of a
tachometric sight should be 120 meters.
The radial positioning method for topographic surveying
The determination of the location of a point by measuring the angle and the distance to that
point is called radial positioning.
The principle is very easy and is illustrated in figure 4. On the instrument station the angle between
any reference point and the new point, as well as the distance between the instrument station and
the new point are determined in the field.
Figure 4: Angle and distance
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The illustration below (figure 5) shows an application of the radial positioning method:
BM 101
BM 102
road
Building
Figure 5: Radial Positioning
The benchmarks BM 101 and BM 102 are surveying stations with known three-dimensional
coordinates (Easting, Northing and Elevation). The instrument is set up over (say) BM 101 and
a reference direction is measured to another visible benchmark BM 102. The reference
target is occupied with a ranging pole standing in a vertical position exactly over the point. To
save manpower the ranging pole can be supported by a ranging pole tripod. For vertically
setting up the ranging pole a rod level or a plumb bob can be used.
To each point to be measured, except to the reference direction where only the reference
direction is taken, the following data are measured and booked:
Point number of the point to be surveyed
Instrument height (can be determined with a tape or with the staff rod)
Horizontal angle
Vertical angle (most commonly the zenith angle)
Upper, middle and lower staff reading
Before leaving now the station BM 101 it is very important to take a check reading on BM 102.
This assures that during the survey, done on BM 101, the instrument has not been disturbed.
The check reading to the reference point is also booked and is immediately compared with the
initially measured reference direction.
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The two-dimensional coordinates of each surveyed point can be computed as follows:
XNEW = XINSTRUMENT STATION + D * SINAZIMUTH YNEW
= YINSTRUMENT STATION + D * COSAZIMUTH
With AZIMUTH= AZIMUTH from the instrument station to the new point
Exercise: Complete the computation of the data given in figure 6 (column 5-8). Subsequently
Calculate the two-dimensional coordinates of the points 201-210 and list them.
The benchmarks have the following coordinates:
BM 2: X=5839.42 Y=6000.94
BM 3: X=5802.16 Y=6065.09
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