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Total Station

Total Station is a surveying instrument that measures horizontal and vertical angles, as well as sloping distances, combining an electronic theodolite with an electromagnetic distance measuring device. It involves basic steps such as setting up the instrument, leveling, focusing, recording measurements, and processing data, while providing fundamental measurements of horizontal angle, vertical angle, and slope distance. Applications include general measurements, contour plotting, detailed mapping, controlled surveys, construction work, and remote measurements.

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27 views4 pages

Total Station

Total Station is a surveying instrument that measures horizontal and vertical angles, as well as sloping distances, combining an electronic theodolite with an electromagnetic distance measuring device. It involves basic steps such as setting up the instrument, leveling, focusing, recording measurements, and processing data, while providing fundamental measurements of horizontal angle, vertical angle, and slope distance. Applications include general measurements, contour plotting, detailed mapping, controlled surveys, construction work, and remote measurements.

Uploaded by

abhishekgs691
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Total Station

Total Station is an equipment used in surveying, designed for measuring horizontal and
vertical angles, inclusive of measuring sloping distance of object to the instrument. It is a
combination of electronic theodolite and electromagnetic distance measuring instrument. It also
consists of a micro-processor with a memory unit which deals with recordings, readings, and
the fundamental calculation of measurements.

Parts of a typical Total Station


Basic Steps involved in Total station surveying
Step-1: Setting up the of the instrument along with the tripod
Step-2: Levelling of the instrument approximately with the help of “bull’s eye bubble” and then
verifying the levelling electronically
Step-3: Adjustment of reticule focus and image.
Step-4: Recording all the measurements
Step-5: Data Processing

Fundamental measurements
When aimed at an appropriate target, a total station measures three parameters, namely,
a) Horizontal Angle: the rotation of the instrument’s optical axis from the instrument north
in a horizontal plane.
b) Vertical Angle: the inclination of the optical axis from the local vertical.
c) Slope Distance: the distance between the instrument and the target.
All the numbers that may be provided by the total station are derived from these three
fundamental measurements.

Functions of Total-Station
a) Angle Measurement:
The electronic theodolite part of total station is used for measuring vertical and horizontal
angle. For measurement of horizontal angles any convenient direction may be taken as
reference direction. For vertical angle measurement vertical upward (zenith) direction is taken
as reference direction. The accuracy of angle measurement varies from 2 to 6 seconds. When the
slope distance L and slope angle φ is measured by EDM, if the elevation of point A is the
reference point, we can find the elevation of point B by the formula,
Elevation of Point B = Elevation of Point A + HI ± L sinφ - HR
b) Distance Measurement:
Electronic distance measuring (EDM) instrument is a major part of total station. Its range
varies from 2.8 km to 4.2 km. The accuracy of measurement varies from 5 mm to 10 mm per km
measurement. They are used with automatic target recognizers. The distance measured is
always sloping distance from instrument to the object.
Both the phase shift and pulsed laser methods will measure a slope distance L from the
total station along the line of sight to a reflector or target. For most surveys the horizontal
distance D is required as well as the vertical component V of the slope distance.

Horizontal Distance D = L cosα = L sin z


Vertical Distance = V = L sinα = L cos z
Where, α is the vertical angle and z is the zenith angle.

c) Data Processing:
This instrument is provided with an inbuilt microprocessor. The microprocessor averages
multiple observations. With the help of slope distance and vertical and horizontal angles
measured, when height of axis of instrument and targets are supplied, the microprocessor
computes the horizontal distance and X, Y, Z coordinates. The processor is capable of applying
temperature and pressure corrections to the measurements, if atmospheric temperature and
pressures are supplied.

d) Display:
Electronic display unit is capable of displaying various values when respective keys are
pressed. The system is capable of displaying horizontal distance, vertical distance, horizontal
and vertical angles, difference in elevations of two observed points and all the three coordinates
of the observed points.
e) Electronic Book:
Each point data can be stored in an electronic note book (like compact disc). The
capacity of electronic note book varies from 2000 points to 4000 points data. Surveyor can
unload the data stored in note book to computer and reuse the note book.

Applications of Total station


1) General purpose of angle and distance measurements
2) Plotting of contours
3) Illustration of detailed maps
4) Carrying out controlled surveys
5) Setting out and construction work
6) Remote Distance Measurement (RDM)
7) Remote elevation measurement (REM)
8) Missing Line Measurement (MLM)

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