CE 102.

Higher Surveying

Chapter 2. Tachymetry

Instructor: Engr. Ma. Bernadeth B. Lim 1

 Tachymetry

 derived from the Greek “takhus metron” meaning

‘swift measurement’
 branch of surveying where horizontal distance and
vertical distance can be obtained through stadia line by
using teodoliteia line by using

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 Tachymetry

distance between marks can be obtained

without using a tape or chain
suitable to use in valley, river and area
where many obstructed

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 Uses in Civil Engineering

 To measure on the ground details : nature

detail (e.g. tree, river, etc..) or human creation
(e.g. building, manhole, culvert, road etc...)
 To produce topographic maps contain detailed
information and contour lines for the purpose of
planning a construction project such as roads,
buildings and others
 To obtain the reduce level (RL) between points
on the surface of the earth
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 Tachymetry Systems

Main purpose: to calculate the horizontal

and vertical distance between two
pointston and adjustments are different for
each system
 Stadia System - Fixed & Variable angle
 Tangent System
 Contact Line System and Substance
 "Optical Wedge" or "Double Image"
Systems
 EDM System 5
 Stadia System

 This method using optical means which is

measuring distance using a telescope with
cross line and a staff rod (see figure).

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 Stadia System

 Contains two additional

horizontal lines known
as stadia lines
 It’s placed in the
middle of main
horizontal cross line
(which is above and
below)
 Distance between
these stadia line:
stadia interval
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 Stadia System: Fixed &
Variable Angle
 Fixed angle stadia system
 Stadia lines set at a certain position on the diaphragm

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 Stadia System: Fixed &
Variable Angle
 Variable angle stadia system
 Stadia lines may be altered in position
 The interval distance can be measured using
micrometer
 Therefore it called as variable stadia

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 Stadia System: Fixed &
Variable Angle
2 Methods:

normal staff Inclined staff

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 Tangent System

 Need 2 observation using tachymetry tool to a

staff
 distance can be obtained by computation

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 Contact Line System and
Substance
 Use theodolite with 1” reading to get precise
internal angle.
 Need 2 observation to compute a distance

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 Wedge Optic or Double Image
System
 A special theodolite were design to use with a
measurement tool.
 The theodolite is directly towards a special staff
 A sets of measurements can be done to compute
a distance.

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 EDM System
 Use EDM or total station to get a distance.
 Prism use as target.

 This class will focus on:

 fixed stadia with vertical staff
 EDM system

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 Stadia:
Horizontal sights

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Basic principle of odm

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Basic Structure of Optical
Theodolite

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 Optical Teodolite

 Similar triangles
 d=D-(f+c)

 Therefore, stadia formula:

 f / i is a constant in the
stadia formula and
denoted by K
 ( f + c) is known as the
constant and may be
denoted by C
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 Optical Teodolite

reduced stadia formula: simple

linear equation:
• D = Ks + C
 Where:
• K = stadia interval factor Note: Typically, the value K =
100 and C = 0

D = 100s
• s = staff intercept
• C = stadia constant
• D = the distance measured
•
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 Stadia Distance: Example

From the table below, calculate the actual

distance for each point. K = 100, C = 0
Point Top Stadia Middle Below Stadia
Stadia Stadia difference,
s
A 1.983 1.583 1.183
B 2.205 1.405 0.605
C 2.187 1.287 0.387
D 2.445 1.945 1.445
E 1.387 1.187 0.987
S = top stadia-below stadia 20
 Stadia Distance: Example

Point Top Middle Below Stadia Distance,

Stadia Stadia Stadia differenc D
e, s
A 1.983 1.583 1.183 0.800
B 2.205 1.405 0.605 1.600
C 2.187 1.287 0.387 1.800
D 2.445 1.945 1.445 1.000
E 1.387 1.187 0.987 0.400

D = 100S
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 Stadia Distance: Example

Point Calculation Distance

A 0.800x100 80.000
B 1.600x100 160.000

C 1.800x100 180.000

D 1.000x100 100.000

E 0.400x100 40.000

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 Stadia Interval Factor
Determination: Example 1
In determining the stadia interval factor, K
of a transit, a stadia rod was held vertically
at several points along measured distances
from the instrument (see figure), and the
corresponding stadia hair readings were
observed. The distances and the observed
readings were recorded as shown in the
table. Determine the stadia interval factor of
the instrument. Assume that the stadia
constant, C = 0.
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 Stadia Interval Factor
Determination: Example 1

Point Distance from Stadia hair readings

transit to rod (m)
Upper (m) Lower (m)
a 30 0.96 0.66
b 45 1.10 0.64
c 60 1.21 0.60
d 75 1.35 0.58
e 90 1.47 0.56
f 105 1.57 0.53
g 120 1.72 0.50

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 Stadia Interval Factor
Determination: Example 1
Figure 2-2

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 Stadia Interval Factor
Determination: Example 2
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. If the stadia
interval factor of the level is 99.5, determine
the length of the line AB.

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 Stadia Interval Factor
Determination: Example 2

Rod position Hair readings

Upper (a) Middle (c) Lower (b)

Rod held at A 1.330 1.175 1.020

Rod held at B 1.972 1.854 1.736

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 Stadia Interval Factor
Determination: Example 2
Figure 2-3

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 Horizontal Stadia Sights:
Example 3
A dumpy level with an internal focusing
telescope was set up on the left bank of a
river and the rod readings tabulated below
were taken on a stadia rod held
successively at the left and right water
edges. If the stadia interval factor of the
instrument is 100, determine the width of
the river.

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 Horizontal Stadia Sights:
Example 3

Rod position Hair readings

Upper (a) Middle (c) Lower (b)

Rod held at 2.189 2.172 2.155
LWE

Rod held at 2.277 2.173 2.069

RWE

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 Stadia Interval Factor
Determination: Example 2
Figure 2-4

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 Fixed Stadia with Vertical Staff

 Fixed stadia vertical staff suitable for

details survey
 This method used by surveyor for
tachymetry work manually
 Equipment: Teodolite & staff

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 Stadia:
Inclined sights

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Variable Stadia: Inclined sights

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 Variable Stadia: Inclined sights

Where:
K= stadia interval factor
a = upper stadia hair reading
b= lower stadia hair reading
P = horizontal cross hair reading, RR
S = stadia interval or difference between
upper and lower hair readings
Alpha = observed vertical angle of elevation
or depression
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C = stadia constant
 Variable Stadia: Inclined sights

ID = Ks cos (alpha) + C
HD = Ks cos2 (alpha) + C cos (alpha)
VD = Ks cos (alpha) sin (alpha) + C sin
(alpha)
DE = HI + VD - RR

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 Inclined Stadia Sights:
Example 1
The following data were obtained by stadia
measurement: vertical angle = +18o23',
and observed stadia intercept = 2.20 m.
The stadia interval factor of the instrument
used is 95.5 and C=0.30 m. If the height of
the instrument is 1.62m, and the rod
reading is taken at 1.95m, determine the
following:

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 Inclined Stadia Sights:
Example 1
a) horizontal stadia distance (HD) from the
instrument set up at A to the rod at point B
b) vertical stadia distance (VD) from the center
of the instrument to the point of the rod
bisected by the horizontal cross hair
c) inclined or slope distance (ID) from the
instrument center to the point on the rod
bisected by the horizontal cross hair
d) difference in elevation (DE) between the
point over which the instrument is set up and
the point on which the rod was held. 38
 Inclined Stadia Sights:
Example 1
Figure 3-2

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 Inclined Stadia Sights:
Example 2
a)horizontal, vertical and inclined stadia
distances
b)difference in elevation between the two
stations
c) the elevation of station B, if the elevation of
station A is 155.54m above mean sea level

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 Inclined Stadia Sights: SW1

A transit with stadia interval factor of 98.5 was

set at C on the line between points A and B,
and the following stadia readings were
observed.
Position of Vertical Hair readings
rod angle
Upper (a) Middle (c) Lower (b)3

Rod held at +26o 1.550 m 1.300 m 1.120 m

A
Rod held at -10o 2.360 m 2.180 m 1.972 m
B

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 Inclined Stadia Sights: SW1

If the stadia constant is 0.32m, determine

the following:
a) Horizontal distance between A and B if
the height of the instrument is 1.5 m
b) difference in elevation between points A
and B
c)Elevation of B if A’s elevation is 150m

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