C-304 Surveying II

Dr.C.RameshBabu M.E.,Ph.D.,
Dean/Civil Engineering,
Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering and
Technology
Chittoor
UNIT 1 Theodolite Survey
THEODOLITE SURVEYING
THEODOLITE SURVEYING

The system of surveying in which the angles are

measured with the help of a theodolite, is called
Theodolite surveying.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
THEODOLITE
The Theodolite is a most accurate surveying
instrument mainly used for :
• Measuring horizontal and vertical angles.
• Locating points on a line.
• Prolonging survey lines.
• Finding difference of level.
• Setting out grades
• Ranging curves
• Tacheometric Survey

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
TRANSIT VERNIER THEODOLITE

THEODOLITE
THEODOLITE SURVEYING
SURVEYING
CLASSIFICATION OF THEODOLITES
Theodolites may be classified as ;
A.
i) Transit Theodolite.
ii) Non Transit Theodolite.
B.
i) Vernier Theodolites.
ii) Micrometer Theodolites.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
CLASSIFICATION OF THEODOLITES

A. Transit Theodolite: A theodolite is called a transit

theodolite when its telescope can be transited i.e
revolved through a complete revolution about its
horizontal axis in the vertical plane, whereas in a-
Non-Transit type, the telescope cannot be
transited. They are inferior in utility and have now
become obsolete.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
CLASSIFICATION OF THEODOLITES
B. Vernier Theodolite: For reading the graduated
circle if verniers are used ,the theodolite is called as a
Vernier Theodolite.

Whereas, if a micrometer is provided to read

the graduated circle the same is called as a
Micrometer Theodolite.
Vernier type theodolites are commonly used .

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
DESCRIPTION OF A
TRANSIT VERNIER THEODOLITE
A Transit vernier theodolite essentially consist of the
following :
1. Levelling Head. 6. T- Frame.
2. Lower Circular Plate. 7. Plumb –bob.
3. Upper Plate. 8. Tripod Stand.
4. Telescope.
5. Vernier Scale.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
ADJUSTMENT OF A THEODOLITE

The adjustments of a theodolite are of two kinds :-

1. Permanent Adjustments.
2. Temporary Adjustments.

1) Permanent adjustments: The permanent

adjustments are made to establish the relationship
between the fundamental lines of the theodolite and ,
once made , they last for a long time. They are essential
for the accuracy of observations.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
ADJUSTMENT OF A THEODOLITE
1. Permanent adjustments: The permanent
adjustments in case of a transit theodolites are :-
i) Adjustment of Horizontal Plate Levels. The axis of
the plate levels must be perpendicular to the vertical
axis.
ii) Collimation Adjustment. The line of collimation
should coincide with the axis of the telescope and
the axis of the objective slide and should be at right
angles to the horizontal axis.
iii) Horizontal axis adjustment. The horizontal axis
must be perpendicular to the vertical axis.
THEODOLITE SURVEYING
ADJUSTMENT OF A THEODOLITE

iv) Adjustment of Telescope Level or the Altitude Level

Plate Levels. The axis of the telescope levels or the
altitude level must be parallel to the line of
collimation.
v) Vertical Circle Index Adjustment. The vertical
circle vernier must read zero when the line of
collimation is horizontal.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
ADJUSTMENT OF A THEODOLITE

2. Temporary Adjustment
The temporary adjustments are made at each set
up of the instrument before we start taking
observations with the instrument. There are three
temporary adjustments of a theodolite:-
i) Centering.
ii) Levelling.
iii) Focussing.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
MEASUREMENT OF HORIZONTAL ANGLES:

There are two methods of measuring horizontal

angles:-

i) Repetition Method.
ii) Reiteration Method.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
PROLONGING A STRAIGHT A LINE
There are two methods of prolonging a given line such as AB
(1) Fore sight method ,and (2) Back Sight Method

(1)Fore Sight Method. As shown in the fig. below

A B C D Z

i) Set up the theodolite at A and level it accurately .Bisect the

point b correctly. Establish a point C in the line beyond B
approximately by looking over the top of the telescope and
accurately by sighting through the telescope.
ii) Shift the instrument to B ,take a fore sight on C and establish
a point D in line beyond C.
Fig.
iii) Repeat the process until the last point Z is reached.
THEODOLITE SURVEYING
PROLONGING A STRAIGHT A LINE
(2) Back Sight Method. As shown in the fig. below
A B C D Z

C’
D’

i) Set up the instrument at B and level it accurately .

ii) Take a back sight on A.
iii) Tighten the upper and lower clamps, transit the telescope
and establish a point C in the line beyond B.
iv) Shift the theodolite to C ,back sight on B transit the telescope
and establish a point D in line beyond C. Repeat the process
until the last point ( Z) is established.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
PROLONGING A STRAIGHT A LINE
(2) Back Sight Method.(contd.) As shown in the fig. below
A B C D Z

C’
D’

Now if the instrument is in adjustment, the points

A,B,C,D and Z will be in one line, which is straight but if
it is not in adjustment i.e. line of collimation is not
perpendicular to the horizontal axis ,then C’, D’ and Z’
will not be in a straight line.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
Method of traversing

– Included angle method

– Deflection angle method
– Fast angle (or magnetic bearing method)
Computation of latitude and departure
• Latitude of a line is the distances measured parallel to
the north south of the North-South direction
• Departure of the line is the distance measured parallel
to the east-west direction
Computing latitude and departure
Sources of errors in theodolite

• Instrumental errors
– Non adjustment of plate bubble
– Line of collimation not being perpendicular
to horizontal axis
– Horizontal axis not being perpendicular to
vertical axis
– Line of collimation not being parallel to axis
of telescope
– Eccentricity of inner and outer axes
– Graduation not being uniform
– Verniers being eccentric
• . Personal errors
• Natural errors
– High temperature causes error due to irregular refraction.
– High winds cause vibration in the instrument, and this may lead to wrong
readings on verniers

• Closing error
Balancing of traverse

 1.Bowditch’s rule:
 Total error is distributed in proportion to the lengths of the traverse legs.
1) Theodolite Surveying: Theodolite, type of theodolite, temporary
adjustment, principle axes, relationship, measurement of horizontal
and vertical angles.

2) Traverse Computation: Consecutive and independent co-

ordinates, adjustment of closed traverse, area calculation by co-
ordinate.

47
List of Experiment : - (Min. 10 Experiment)
1) Measurement of bearing of sides of traverse with prismatic compass and computation of correct included
angles.

2) Locating given building by chain and compass traversing (1 full size drawing sheet)

3) Determination of elevation of various points with dumpy level by collimation plane method and rise and
fall method.

4) Fixing the bench mark with respect to temporary bench mark with dumpy level by fly leveling and check
leveling.

5) Measurement of horizontal angle with theodolite by method of repetition.

6) Measurement of vertical angle with theodolite.

7) Determination of horizontal distance between two inaccessible point with theodolite.

8) Locating given building by theodolite traversing. (One full size drawing sheet)

9) Determination of elevation of point by trigonometric leveling.

10) Determination of constants of Tacheometer.

11) Determination of elevation of points by Tacheometric surveying.

12) Determination of elevation of points and horizontal distance between them by Tacheometrical survey.

13) Determination of gradient of given length of road by Tacheometric survey.

48
•Theodolite Traversing:
•Theodolite is an intricate instrument used mainly for accurate measurement of
horizontal & vertical angles up to 10” or 20”, depending upon the least count of the
instrument. It is called universal instrument because of its various uses.
•Purpose of Theodolite :
1) Measurement of Horizontal angle.
2) Measurement of Vertical angle.
3) Measurement of Deflection angle.
4) Measurement of Magnetic Bearings.
5) Measurement of Horizontal distance between two points.
6) Finding of Vertical height of an object.
7) Finding the Difference of elevation between various points.
8) Ranging a line.
•Theodolite may be of following types:
1) Transit Theodolite: The telescope can be revolved through a complete
revolution about its horizontal axis in a vertical plane.
2) Non-transit Theodolite: The telescope can not be revolved through a complete
revolution in the vertical plane. But it can be revolved to a certain extent in the
vertical plane, in order to measure the angles of elevation or depression.
3) Vernier Theodolite: When fitted with vernier scale.
4) Micrometer Theodolite: When fitted with micrometer.
1) Centring: The setting of a theodolite exactly over a station mark by means of a
plumb-bob is known as centring. The plumb-bob is suspended from a hook fixed
below the vertical axis.
2) Transiting: The method of turning the telescope about its horizontal axis in a vertical
plane through 1800 is termed as transiting. Change in face
3) Face Left: Vertical circle of the theodolite is on the left of the observer at the time of
taking readings. Face left observation.
4) Face Right: When the vertical circle of the instrument is on the right of the observer
while taking reading. Face right observation.
5) Telescope Normal: The face left position is known as telescope normal or telescope
direct. It is also referred to as bubble up.
6) Telescope Inverted: The face right position is called telescope inverted or telescope
reversed. It is also termed bubble down.
7) Changing Face: Bringing the vertical circle from one side of the observer to the other
is known as changing face.
8) Swinging the Telescope: Turning of the telescope in a horizontal plane. When the
telescope is turned clockwise then it is called right swing. When the telescope is
turned anticlockwise then it is left swing.

9) Line of Collimation: Imaginary line passing through the intersection of cross hairs at
the diaphragm & the optical center of the object glass & its continuation.

10) Axis of the Telescope: Imaginary line passing through the optical center of the object
glass & the optical center of the eyepiece.

11) Vertical Axis: It is the axis of rotation of the telescope in the horizontal plane.

12) Horizontal Axis: Axis of rotation of the telescope in vertical plane. Turnnion Axis.

13) Temporary Adjustment: Setting of theodolite over a station at the time of taking any
observation.

14) Permanent Adjustment: When the desired relationship between the fundamental
lines of a theodolite is disturbed then some procedure are adopted to established this
relationship.
• Diaphragm :-
1) The diaphragm is a brass ring fitted inside the telescope, just in front of the eyepiece.

2) It can be adjusted by four screws.

3) The ring carries the cross hairs, which get magnified when viewed through the
eyepiece.

4) The cross-hairs consists of:

1) Two vertical hairs meant for maintaining the verticality of the staff

2) Middle horizontal hair representing the line of collimation

3) Upper stadia hair & lower stadia hair, both horizontal & short in length.

4) Stadia hairs are used to determine the horizontal distance between two points.
• Transit Theodolite:

1) Trivet: It is plate having a central, threaded hole for fixing the theodolite on the tripod
stand by a wing nut. It also called base plate. 3 foot screws are secured to this plate by
means of a ball & socket arrangement.

2) Foot Screws: These are for leveling the instrument. The lower part of the foot screws are
secured in the trivet by a ball & socket arrangement and upper threaded part passes through
the threaded hole in the tribrach plate.

3) Tribrach: It is a triangular plate carrying three foot screws at its ends.

4) Leveling Head: The trivet, foot screws & tribrach constituent a body which is known as
the leveling head.

5) Spindles: The theodolite consists of two spindles or axes, one inner & the other outer.
The inner axis is solid & conical and the outer is hollow.

6) Lower Plate: The lower plate is attached to the outer axis & is also known as the scale
plate. Scale is graduated from 0 to 3600 in a clockwise direction. The lower plate is
provided with clamp screw & tangent screw which control its movements.
• Transit Theodolite:

7) Upper Plate: The upper plate contains the vernier scales A & B. It is attached to the inner
axis. Its motion is controlled by the upper clamp screw & upper tangent screw.
8) Plate Bubble: Two plates bubbles are mounted at right angles to each other on the upper
surface of the vernier plate. One bubble is kept parallel to the horizontal axis of the
theodolite.
9) Standard or A-Frame: Two frames are provided on the upper plate to support the
telescope, the vertical circle & vernier scales.
10)Telescope: The telescope is pivoted between the A-frame at right angles to the horizontal
axis. Telescope is provided with a focusing screw, clamping screw & tangent screw.
11)Vernier Circle: The vertical circle is rigidly fixed with the telescope & moves with it. It is
divided into 4 quadrants & each quadrant is graduated from 0 to 900. The vertical circle can
be clamped or finely adjusted with the help of the clamping screw & the tangent screw
provided along with the telescope.
• Temporary Adjustment of Theodolite:
1) Setting the Theodolite over the Station: The tripod stand is placed over the
required station. The theodolite is then lifted from the box & fixed on top of the stand
by a wing nut.

2) Approximate Leveling by Tripod Stand: The legs of the tripod stand are placed
well apart & firmly fixed on the ground. Then, approximate leveling is done using
this stand. To do this, two legs are kept firmly fixed on the ground & the third is
moved in or out, clockwise or anticlockwise, so that the bubble is approximately at
the center.

3) Centering: Centering is the process of setting the instrument exactly over a

station. At the time of approximate leveling by tripod stand, it should be ensured that
the plumb bob suspended from the hook under the vertical axis lies approximately
over the station peg. With the help of the shifting head or moveable capstan nut, the
centering is done accurately so that plum bob is exactly over the station peg.
• Temporary Adjustment of Theodolite:
4) Leveling:
 Before starting the leveling operation, all the foot screws are brought to the
center of their run.
 The plate bubble is placed parallel to any pair of foot screws. By turning both
these screws equally inwards or outwards, the bubble is brought to the center.
 The plate bubble is turned through 900 so that it is perpendicular to the line
joining the first & second foot screws. Then by turning the third foot screw
either clockwise or anticlockwise to bring the bubble to the center.
 The process is repeated several times, so that the bubbles remains in the
central position of the plate bubble in both direction.
 The instrument is rotated through 3600 about its vertical axis. If the bubble
still remains in the central position, the adjustment of the bubble is perfect &
the vertical axis is truly vertical.
• Temporary Adjustment of Theodolite:
5) Focusing the Eye Piece: The eyepiece is focused so that the cross hairs can be
seen clearly. To do this, the telescope is directed towards the sky or a piece of
white paper is held in front of the object glass, & the eyepiece is moved in or out
by turning it clockwise or anticlockwise until the cross hairs appear distinct &
sharp.

6) Focusing the Object Glass: To bring a sharp image of the object or target in the
plane of cross hairs & to eliminate parallax. The telescope is directed towards the
object or target & the focusing screw is turned clockwise or anticlockwise until
the image appears clear & sharp. There is no relative movements between the
image & cross hairs. The absence of relative movement can be verified by
moving the eye up & down.
• Temporary Adjustment of Theodolite:
7) Setting the Vernier:
 The vernier A is set to 00 & vernier B to 1800.
 The lower clamp is fixed.
 The upper clamp is loosened & upper plate turned until the arrow of vernier
A approximately coincides with zero & that of vernier B approximately
coincides with the 1800 mark.
 Then the upper clamp is tightened & by turning the upper tangent screw, the
arrows are brought to a position of exact coincidence.
• Some Modern Theodolites:
1) Watt’s Micro-optic Theodolite:

2) Wild T-2 Theodolite:

3) Wild T-3 Precision Theodolite:

4) Wild T-4 Universal Theodolite:

5) The Tavistock Theodolite:

6) Electronic Theodolite:
 It consists of a moveable telescope mounted on two perpendicular axes, horizontal
& vertical axis.
 When the telescope is pointed at a desired object, the angle of each of these axes
can be measured with high precision with very short time.
 Charged couple device (CCD) sensors added to the focal plane of the telescope
allow auto-targeting & the automated measurement of the residential target offset.
 All these are possible by embedded software.
•Characteristics of Modern Theodolite or Electronic Theodolite:
1) More compact & light.

2) Observer can take readings accurate to 1 seconds. Least count = 1”

3) Instrument is waterproof & dustproof.

4) Electrically illuminated to facilitate work at night or in tunnels.

5) Magnification is higher.

6) Adjustment for micrometer are not required.

7) Digital read outs eliminate the personal error because of reading & interpolation of
scale & micrometer settings.
8) They can be upgraded to be a total station or have an EDM attached for distance
measurement.
9) Large dot matrix dual line LCD screen to display.

10)Unique linear focusing mechanism to simplifying focusing.

Vernier Scale Reading
•Direct Method of Measuring Horizontal Angle:
–Measurement of angle ∠AOB as below:

1) Set the instrument over ‘O’. Do the temporary adjustment & Keep instrument in
the face left position.

2) Fix the lower clamp & Loos the upper clamp. Turn the telescope clockwise to set
Vernier A & B at 00 & 1800 respectively. Tight the upper clamp. Now Turn the
upper tangent screw to set vernier A & B exactly at 00 & 1800.

3) Loose the lower clamp. Direct the telescope at object ‘A’ & bisect it
approximately & tight the lower clamp. Now by turning the lower tangent screw
bisect object ‘A’ accurately.

4) Loose the upper clamp. Turn the telescope clockwise & bisect ranging rod at ‘B’
approximately. Tight the upper clamp & bisect ranging rod at ‘B’ accurately by
turning the upper tangent screw.
•Direct Method of Measuring Horizontal Angle:
–Measurement of angle ∠AOB as below:

6) Note the readings on vernier A & B. Vernier ‘A’ gives the angle directly but for
vernier ‘B’ the angle is obtained by subtracting the initial reading from final
reading.
7) The face left of the instrument is changed & previous procedure is followed.
8) The mean of the observation is the actual angle AOB. It eliminate error due to
imperfect adjustment of instrument.
•Two methods of measuring horizontal angles:

•Repetition Method:
1) The angle is added a number of times. The total is divided by the number of
readings to get the angle.
2) The angle should be measured clockwise in the face left & face right positions,
with three repetition at each face.
3) The final reading of the first observation will be the initial reading of the second
observation & so on.
•Repetition Method:
1) The theodolite is set up at ‘O’ The instrument is centered & leveled properly.
Vernier-A is set to 00 & vernier-B to 1800.

2) The upper clamp is fixed & lower one loosened. By turning the telescope, the
ranging rod at ‘A’ is perfectly bisected with the help of the lower clamp screw &
lower tangent screw. Here the initial reading of vernier-A is 0 0

3) The upper clamp is loosened & the telescope is turned clockwise to perfectly bisect
the ranging rod at ‘B’ The upper clamp is clamped. Reading at vernier-A is 30 0

4) The lower clamp is loosened & the telescope turned anticlockwise to exactly bisect
the ranging rod at ‘A’. Here the initial reading is 30 0 for the 2nd observation.

5) Lower clamp is tightened. Upper one is loosened & telescope is turned clockwise
to exactly bisect the ranging rod at ‘B’. Reading on vernier-A is 60 0

6) The initial readings for 3rd observation is set to 600 angle AOB is again measured.
Reading on vernier-A is 900 which is the accumulated angle.
•Repetition Method:
–∠AOB = ( Accumulated Angle / No. of Readings)
–∠AOB = ( 90 / 3)
–∠AOB = 30

–The face of the instrument is changed & the previous procedure is followed.
–The mean of the two observation gives the actual angle ∠AOB.
•Repetition Method:
•Reiteration Method:
 Suitable when several angles are measured from a single station.
 All the angles are measured successively & finally the horizon is closed. (Angle
between the last station & first station is measured)
 So, the final reading of the leading vernier should be the same as its initial reading.
If the discrepancy is small, the error is equally distributed among all the observed
angles. If it is large, the readings should be cancelled & new sets taken.
 Measurement of ∠AOB & ∠BOC from station O is as below:
•Reiteration Method: First Set
1) Theodolite is perfectly centered over O & leveled properly. If observation is taken in the face
left position & the telescope is turned clockwise ( right swing)

2) Vernier A is set to 00 (ie 3600) & vernier B to 1800.

3) The upper clamp is fixed & lower clamp is loosened. The ranging rod at A is perfectly
bisected. Now the lower clamp is tightened.

4) The upper clamp is loosened & the ranging rod or object at B is bisected properly by
turning the telescope clockwise. The reading on both the vernier are taken. Angle AOB is
noted.

5) Similarly the object C is bisected properly & the readings on the verniers are noted. Angle
BOC is recorded.

6) Now the horizon is closed, ie the last angle COA is measured. The position of the leading
vernier is noted. At the leading vernier should show the initial reading on which it was set.

7) If it does not, the amount of discrepancy is noted. If it is small, the error is distributed among
•Reiteration Method: Second Set
1) The face of the instrument is changed. Again the verniers are set at their initial positions.
This time the angles are measured anticlockwise (left swing)

2) The upper clamp is fixed, and the lower one loosened. Then the object A is perfectly
bisected.

3) The lower clamp is tightened. The telescope is turned anticlockwise & the object C
bisected by loosening the upper clamp screw. The readings on both the verniers are
taken & Angle COA is noted.

4) Then object B is bisected by turning the telescope anticlockwise & the readings on the
vernier are taken. Angle BOC is recorded.

5) Finaly, the horizon is closed, ie the object A is bisected. Here, the leading vernier A
should show a reading of 00 . The last angle AOB is noted.

6) The mean angles of two sets give the actual values of the angles. If some error is found
after arithmetical check, it should be equally distributed among the angles. The
observation shown in table.
•Reiteration Method:
•Methods of Traversing :
1) Included Angle Method
2) Deflection Angle Method
3) Fast Angle or Magnetic Method
•Closing Error :
1) In a closed travers, the algebraic sum of latitudes must be equal to zero & so
should the algebraic sum of departure.

2) But due to the errors in the field measurements of angles & lengths, sometimes the
finishing point may not coincide with the starting point of a closed traverse.

3) The distance by which a traverse fails to close is known as closing error or error
of closure.

4) In fig. the traverse ABCDA1 fails to close by a distance AA1, which is the closing
error of this traverse.

5) Closing Error = √ ((∑ L)2) + ((∑ D)2)

6) tan ɵ = ∑ D / ∑ L

7) L = Latitude

8) D = Departure
•Computation of Latitude & Departure :
1) The theodolite traverse is not plotted according to interior angles or bearings.
Traverse is plotted by computing the latitudes & departure of the points (co-
ordinates) & then finding the independent coordinates of the points.
2) The latitudes of a line is the distance measured parallel to the North-South
line & the departure of a line is measured parallel to the East-West line.
•Consecutive Coordinates : The latitude & departure of a point calculated with
reference to the preceding point for what are called consecutive coordinates.
Consecutive coordinates may be positive or negative, depending upon the quadrant in
which they lie.

•Independent Coordinates : The coordinates of any point with respect to a common

origin are said to be the independent coordinates of that point. The origin may be a
station of the survey or a point entirely outside the traverse.

•Closing Error: The closing error is the actual distance by which the traverse fails to
close. Error in distance occurs when the end point does not coincides with the starting
point.

•Latitude: The distance measure parallel to the north & south line. Latitude = L cosɵ

•Departure: The distance measured parallel to the line perpendicular to the east &
west line. Departure = L sinɵ
•Balancing of Traverse :
 In case of a closed traverse, the algebraic sum of the latitudes must be equal to
zero & that of departure must also be equal to zero in the ideal condition.
 But in actual practice, some closing error is always found to exist while
computing the latitude & departure of the traverse stations.
 The total errors in latitude & departure are determined. These errors are then
distributed among the traverse stations proportionately according to the following
rules.

1) Bowditch’s Rule
2) Transit Rule
3) Third Rule
•
•
•Calculation of Traverse Area :
 Area of a closed traverse may be calculated from:

1) The Coordinates ( x & y )

2) The Latitudes & Double Meridian Distance

3) The Departure & Total Latitudes

• Calculation of Area From Coordinates:

The given consecutive coordinates of a traverse are converted into

independent coordinates with reference to the coordinates of the most
westerly station.
Thus the whole traverse is transferred to the first quadrant. ‘A’ is
•
•Problems on Latitude & Departure with Incomplete Data :
•1) The following records are obtained in a traverse survey, where the
length
Line & bearing ofLength,
the last
m line were not recorded:
WCB
AB 75.5 30024’
BC 180.5 110036’
CD 60.25 210030’
DA ? ?

•Compute the length & bearing of line DA?

•The calculation of latitudes & departure of the traverse are arranged in tabular
form as follows:
Line Length, m WCB RB Latitude = L cosɵ Departure = L sinɵ
AB 75.5 30024’ 30024’ 75.5 cos 30024’ 75.5 sin 30024’
NE = + 65.12 = + 38.21
BC 180.5 110036’ 69024’ 180.5 cos 69024’ 180.5 sin 69024’
SE = - 63.51 = + 168.95
CD 60.25 210030’ 30030’ 60.25 cos 30030’ 60.25 sin 30030’
SW = - 51.91 = - 30.60
DA L ɵ L cosɵ L sinɵ

•In a closed traverse, the algebraic sum of latitudes as also that of departure must
be equal to zero.
•+ 65.12 – 63.51 – 51.91 + L cosɵ = 0 L cosɵ = 50.3
•+38.21 + 168.95 – 30.60 + L sinɵ = 0 L sinɵ = - 176.56
•In a closed traverse, the algebraic sum of latitudes as also that of departure must be equal
to zero.

•+ 65.12 – 63.51 – 51.91 + L cosɵ = 0 L cosɵ = + 50.3

•+38.21 + 168.95 – 30.60 + L sinɵ = 0 L sinɵ = - 176.56

•Since the latitude is + ve & departure is – ve, the line DA will be in the NW quadrant.

•(L sinɵ / L cosɵ) = (176.56 / 50.30) (sign no need to considered here)

•tan ɵ = 3.5101

• ɵ = 7405’

•Bearing of DA = N 7405’ W

•Distance, DA = √ ( ( 50.32) + (176.562) ) Length of DA = 183.58 m

•2) An incomplete traverse table is obtained as follows:
Line Length, m WCB
AB 100 ?
BC 80.5 140030’
CD 60 220030’
DA ? 310015’

•Compute the length of DA & bearing of line AB?

•2) An incomplete traverse table is obtained as follows:
Departure = L sinɵ
Line Length, m WCB RB Latitude = L cosɵ

AB 100 ɵ ɵ 100 cos ɵ 100 sin ɵ

39030’ 80.5 cos 39030’ 80.5 sin 39030’
BC 80.5 140 30’
0
SE = - 60.12 = + 51.20
40030’ 60 cos 40030’ 60 sin 40030’
CD 60 220030’
SW = - 45.62 = - 38.97
49045’ L cos 49045’ L sin 49045’
DA L 310015’
NW = + 0.646 L = - 0.763 L

•In a closed traverse, the algebraic sum of latitudes as also that of departure must be
equal to zero.
•100 cos ɵ - 62.12 – 45.62 + 0.646 L = 0

•100 cos ɵ = 107.74 – 0.646 L ---------- eqn (1)

•100 sin ɵ + 51.20 – 38.97 – 0.763 L = 0
•
•3) The following particulars are given for a traverse survey, where
the
Line
length of the line ABLength,
is required
m
to be measured.
RB
Point A is 50m
from
PQ P, & B is 75m from125.5
R. N 30015’ E
QR 80.25 S 40030’ E
RS 150.75 S 60030’ W

•Sol.:- The given traverse is rearranged as a closed traverse AQRBA

•L = Length of BA
•ɵ = Bearing of BA
Line Length, m RB Latitude Departure
AQ 75.5 N 30015’ E 75.5 cos 30015’ 75.5 sin 30015’
= + 65.22 = + 38.03
QR 80.25 S 40030’ E 82.25 cos 40030’ 80.25 sin 40030’
= - 61.02 = + 52.12
RB 75 S 60030’ W 75 cos 60030’ 75 sin 60030’
= - 36.93 = - 65.28
BA L ɵ L cos ɵ L sin ɵ

•In a closed traverse, the algebraic sum of latitudes as also that of departure must be
equal to zero.
•+ 65.22 – 61.02 – 36.93 + L cos ɵ = 0 L cos ɵ = 32.73 -------Eqn (1)
•+ 38.03 + 52.12 – 65.28 + L sin ɵ = 0 L sin ɵ = - 24.87 -------Eqn (2)

•Squaring & adding above Eqn, we get

•L2 = (32.73)2 + (24.87)2

•L = 41.11 m Length of AB = 41.11 m

•Measuring Vertical Angles :
1) The vertical angel is the one between the horizontal line (line of collimation) &
the inclined line of sight. When it is above the horizontal line, it is known as the
angle of elevation. When this angel is below the horizontal line, it is called the
angel of depression.
2) Suppose the angel of elevation ∠AOC & that of depression ∠BOC are to be
measured.
3) The theodolite is set up at ‘O’ It is centered & leveled properly. The zeros of the
verniers (C & D) are set at the 00 – 00 mark of the vertical circle. The telescope is
then clamped.
•Measuring Vertical Angles :
4) The plate bubble is brought to the center with the help of foot screws. Then the
altitude bubble is brought to the center by means of clip screw. At this position
the line of collimation is exactly horizontal.

5) To measure the angles of elevation, the telescope is raised slowly to bisect the
point ‘A’ accurately. The readings on both verniers are noted, & angle of
elevation recorded.

6) The face of instrument is changed & the point A is again bisected. The readings
on the vernier are noted. The mean of the angles of the observed is assumed to be
the correct angle of elevation.

7) To measure the angle of depression, the telescope is lowered slowly & the point
‘B’ is bisected. The readings on the verniers are noted for the two observation
(face left & right). The mean angles of the observation is taken to be the correct
angles of depression. Then result is tabulated.
•Ranging a Line :
1) Ranging is the process of establishing intermediate points on a straight line between the
terminal points.

2) Let AB be the straight line on which intermediate points are to fixed by theodolite.

3) The theodolite is centered over ‘A’ & leveled properly. The upper clamp is fixed & the
lower clamp loosened. By turning the telescope the ranging rod at ‘B’ is perfectly bisected
with the help of the lower tangent screw. The lower clamp is now tightened.
4) Looking through telescope, the observer directs the assistant to move the ranging rod to
the left or right until it is on the straight line AB. Then the assistant fixes the ranging rod at
P1.

5) Then by lowering the telescope the observer finds the exact point P 1 on the ground which
is marked by a nail or stake. Similarly, the other points are fixed and marked on the line.