CHAPTER 7 f = focal length of the lens

f1 = image distance or length from the center of the objective lens to the plane of
TACHYMETRIC SURVEY the cross wires when the telescope is focused on some definite point
f2 = object distance or length from the center of the objective lens to a definite
Tacheometry is defined as measuring of horizontal distances and point when the telescope is focused on this point
differences in elevation based on the optical geometry of the instrument employed. I = distance or spacing between stadia hairs
This survey is an indirect method of measurement uses subtended intervals and c = distance from the center of the instrument to the center of the objective lens
angles observed with an instrument. Tacheometric methods are used to check the C = stadia constant or the distance from the center of the instrument to principal
more accurate taped distances, to determine the difference in elevation of two focus. C = c + f
points, to carry lines of levels where a relatively low order of accuracy is required, d = distance from the focal point in front of the telescope to the face of the rod
and in measuring the lengths of traverse lines. This method is usually used in D = distance from the instrument center to the face of the rod
planimetric and topographic maps, in the field of surveys for photogrammetric K = stadia interval factor or K = f/I
mapping and in the hydrographic surveys. There are two tacheometric method s = stadia intercept. The difference between the upper and lower hair readings
used in surveying, the subtense bar and stadia method.

7.1. THE STADIA METHOD

The line of sight of the telescope is horizontal and the rod is vertical. The
The Stadia Method of measuring distances is very rapid and convenient. stadia hairs are shown as points a and b, and the distance of this point is i. Light
The precision attained is such that under favorable conditions the error will not rays from points A and B passing through the lens center from a pair of similar
exceed 1/1000, and if the purpose of survey does not require greater accuracy, this triangles AxB and axb. Since ab is equal to a’b’, by similar triangles
method is unexcelled. The Stadia Method is based on the principle that in similar
triangles corresponding sides are proportional. The figure below illustrates the �: � = �: � and �=
�
�
�
principle of the stadia method.
We have:

�= �+ �+�

�
�= �
�+�

� = �� + �

The equation � = �� + � is employed in solving the horizontal distances

from stadia intervals when sights are horizontal. The stadia constant C is
composed of the focal length (f ), which remains constant, and the distance (c),
which varies such a small distance that it may be considered a constant. There
should be no problem in determining the value of C, it is usually indicated inside
Figure 7.1. Principle of Stadia Method
the instrument box. The ratio f/I is called the stadia interval factor or K. The most
common value of K is 100.
 In actual survey, most stadia measurements are inclined because of 7.2. A student set up an internal focusing telescope in the left side of the river and
uneven surface, but the interval is still read on vertically held rod. The inclined recorded the rod readings tabulated below, to determine the width of the river
measurement, which is also dependent to the observed vertical angle that reduced the stadia interval factor of the instrument is 99.
to horizontal and vertical measurement. The horizontal component of the inclined
distance may be determined as follows: Hair Readings
Rod Position Upper Middle Lower
�� = �� cos � (m) (m) (m)
Left Water Edge 1.992 1.883 1.774
�� = �� cos � + � cos � Right Water Edge 2.222 1.923 1.624
While the vertical component of the inclined distance is determined by: Solution:

�� = �� sin �
�� = �� cos � + � sin �

INSTRUCTIVE PROBLEM:
7.1. An engineer’s level with a stadia constant of 0.30 m was set up on the line
between two points, A and B, and the following hair readings were observed.
Hair Readings 7.3. A survey team observed the following data: vertical angle from point A to B
Rod Position Upper Middle Lower is +20°20’and the stadia intercept is 1.50 m. The stadia interval factor of the
(m) (m) (m) instrument is 101.95 and the stadia constant is 0.35. If the height of instrument
A 1.520 1.220 0.920 is 1.55 m and the rod reading is taken from point B is 2.01 m, determine the
B 1.725 1.504 1.283 following:
If the stadia interval factor of the level is 100, determine the horizontal length of a. Horizontal stadia distance
the line AB. b. Vertical stadia distance
Solution: c. Inclined stadia distance
d. Difference in elevation between point A and B
Solution:
7.4. A transit is set up between points A and B, from the tabulated data shown, (a) 7.3. STADIA TRAVERSE
determine the horizontal distance of line AB and (b) the difference of
elevation between point A and B, if the stadia constant is 0.21 and stadia In Stadia Traverse instead of measuring the traverse by tape, it determined
interval factor is 100. by stadia method. The distance of the traverse line is obtained by reading the
stadia intercept on a rod held on the station and reading the vertical angle. The
Hair Readings following three quantities are usually obtained from the results of a stadia traverse:
Rod Position Vertical Angle Upper Middle Lower
(m) (m) (m) 1. Horizontal length of the traverse line
Rod Held at A +12°54’ 1.550 1.285 1.020 2. Direction of each line
Rod Held at B -18°36’ 1.381 1.167 0.953 3. Elevations of the stations
Solution:

INSTRUCTIVE PROBLEM:
7.5. From the stadia level notes, the instrument used has a stadia interval factor of
99.5 and equipped with an internal focusing telescope. Complete the
tabulation and perform the customary arithmetic check.
Change
Backsight Foresight in Elev.
Sta. Elev.
Intercept Vert. Rod. Vert. Intercept Vert. Rod. Vert.
(s)
Angle Rdg. Dist. (s) Angle Rdg. Dist.
BMa 1.50 +3°22’ 1.42 10.00
TP1 0.92 -4°57’ 0.92 1.22 +12°12’ 1.22
TP2 1.39 -6°12’ 1.29 1.67 -8°35’ 1.27
TP3 1.18 +8°12’ 1.58 1.89 +5°48’ 0.99
TP4 1.38 +5°49’ 1.39 1.57 +6°59’ 1.11
BMb 1.41 -6°56’ 1.05
Solution:

7.2. STADIA LEVELING

Stadia Leveling is similar to Differential Leveling except that the line of
sight may be inclined from the horizontal, it is suited for rocky or hilly surface.
The tabulation of data are similar to differential leveling, the format and procedure
is also the same, the only thing added to the tabulation is the vertical angles
observed. In stadia leveling, large vertical angle should be avoided if possible so
that the effect of errors in angles is minimize.
7.6. The following stadia observations were made in a closed travers, using an 7.3. The length intercepted on the stadia rod is 2.83 m and the line of sight makes
instrument in which K = 100.99 and C = 0.30. Compute the mean horizontal an angle of 4°30’ with the horizontal. Find the vertical distance, from the center of
distance for each line and tabulate values accordingly. the instrument to the rod, if the stadia constant is 0.3 m and the stadia interval
factor is 100.
Sta. Sta. Interval 7.4. In order to determine the stadia interval factor of a transit on the field, the
Azimuth Vert. Angle
Occ. Obs. (s)
transit was set up at a certain point on the ground. Observations were made on the
D 119°54’ 1.291 +5°12’
A rod placed at a distance of 240 m from the instrument and the rod readings were
B 46°11’ 0.982 +4°46’
A 226°11’ 1.312 +7°18’ 4.505 and 2.105 for the upper and lower stadia hairs respectively. If instrument
B interval used has an interior focusing telescope, what would be the stadia interval
C 158°19’ 1.172 -3°59’
B 338°19’ 1.217 -5°47’ factor of the instrument?
C 7.5. The constant K and C for a certain instrument were 100 and 0 respectively.
D 210°48’ 1.376 +7°12’
C 30°48’ 1.529 -3°38’ The ground makes a uniform slope of 12% from point A to point B. With the
D instrument at A and staff at B, readings were taken but due to obstruction in the
A 299°54’ 1.144 -5°41’
Solution: line of sight, only the upper reading was recorded to be 1.915 m. If the vertical
angle of the instrument was 6°43’ and height of instrument above A was 1.82 m,
determine the horizontal distance between A and B.
7.6. Given the following stadia level notes: K = 100 and C = 0
Station Observation Stadia Intercept Vertical Angle
A 1.11 +3° on 1.50 m
B 1.36 -5° on 1.70 m
The instrument was set up at point C (point along line AB) with elevation 59
m. The height of instrument is 1.5 m. Compute the horizontal distance
between A and B, the elevation of point A and the difference in elevation
between A and B.
7.7. The slope distance and vertical angle between points A and B were measured
with a total station instrument as 9585.26 ft and 8°17’40”, respectively. The
height of instrument and rod reading were equal. If the elevation of A is 1238.42
ft above the mean sea level, compute the elevation of B.
7.8. The following tachemetric observations were made on two points P and Q
REVIEW EXERCISES: from station A. The height of the tacheometer at A above the ground was 1.55 m.
Elevation of A is 75.5 m. The stadia interval factor is 100 and the stadia constant
7.1. If the vertical angle from one station to another 100 m apart is 60°, the staff
is 0.
intercept for a tacheometer with K = 100 and C = 0, would be?
Vertical Staff Reading
7.2. With the transit at point B and the line of sight horizontal, the stadia intercept Staff at
Angle Upper Middle Lower
at C is 1.15 m. If the stadia interval factor is 100.32 and the stadia constant is 0.3, P -5°12’ 1.388 0.978 0.610
find the distance. Q +27°35’ 1.604 1.286 0.997
Determine the elevation of P and Q.