Compass Surveying

• Angle
• Bearing
• Systems of bearing measurement
• Types of bearing
• Compass
• Types of compass
 Angular Measurement
Angle :Direction of a line relative to another line
or relative direction between two lines.
Bearing : Direction of a line relative to a given
meridian.
Meridian : Any reference direction .
Types of meridian : The following meridians are
used for taking bearing of a line under different
situations.
(a) True meridian (b) Magnetic meridian
(c) Arbitrary meridian (d) Grid meridian
Continued…

(a) True meridian: Line or plane passing through

geographical north pole and geographical south
pole. The north and south poles of earth are
established by astronomical observations.
(b) Magnetic meridian: When the magnetic
needle is suspended freely and balanced
properly, unaffected by magnetic substances, it
indicates a direction. This direction is known as
magnetic meridian. The angle between the
magnetic meridian and a line is known as
magnetic bearing or simple bearing of the line.
Continued…

(c) Arbitrary meridian or Assumed meridian :

Any convenient direction towards a permanent
point /object.
• Designation or System of bearing :
– Whole circle bearing (WCB)
– Quadrantal bearing (QB)
Whole Circle Bearing : The magnetic bearing of a
line measured clockwise from the North Pole
towards the line is known as WCB. The values
Varies 0-360°
Quadrantal Bearing or Reduced Bearing: The
magnetic bearing of a line measured clockwise or
anticlockwise from NP or SP towards the east or
west (whichever is nearer to the line) is known as
QB. This system consists of four quadrants NE, SE,
NW, SW. The values lie between 0-90°
Continued…

Whole Circle Bearing System

W.C.B. of AB = 1

W.C.B. of AC = 2

W.C.B. of AD = 3

W.C.B. of AE = 4
Continued…

Quadrantal Bearings System

– QB of AB = N  E

– QB of AC = S  E

– QB of AD = S W

– QB of AE= N  W
Conversion of W.C.B. to Q.B.
Conversion of Q.B. to W.C.B.
• Types of bearing
(a)Based on reference meridian :
(i) True bearing
(ii) Magnetic bearing
(iii)Arbitrary bearing or Assumed bearing

(b) Based on direction of measurement :

(i) Fore bearing
(ii) Back bearing
• Magnetic declination:
The horizontal angle between the
magnetic meridian(MM) and true
meridian(TM) is known as magnetic
declination. If ‘MN’ is towards east of ‘TN’ is
known as Eastern Declination & if ‘MN’ is
towards west of ‘TN’ is known as Western
Declination
• Angle of Dip :
If the needle is perfectly balanced before
magnification, it does not remain in the
balanced position after it is magnetized.
This is due to the magnetic influence of the
earth. The needle is found to be inclined
towards the pole. This inclination of the
needle with the horizontal is known as
‘Angle of dip’.
Continued....

Relation between True Bearing&Magnetic Bearing

True Bearnig=Magnetic Bearing  Angle ofDeclination
 In [Link] & NE(I),SW(III) True Magnetic bearing
Magnetic North
Quadrant in Q.B. or [Link]. North
Use‘+’sign when angle True bearing

of Declination is Eastern. True meridian

 In [Link] and SE(II),
Magnetic meridian
NW(IV)Quadrant in Q.B. or
[Link]. Line Magnetic
Use‘ - ’sign when angle of Declination

Declination is Western.
Fore and Back Bearing :

Relation Between Fore&BackBearing

In [Link]

Back Bearing = Fore Bearing 180

Use the +ve sign when FB<180°
Use the –ve sign when FB> 180°
Continued...

In [Link] QB System

Back Bearing = Fore Bearing (Only by changing

quadrants, from NE to SW or SW to NE
&
NW to SE or SE to NW
 Instruments used to measure bearings
In [Link]
Prismatic compass
Continued....
In [Link] QB System
Surveyor’s Compass
Continued....
Continued....
 LECTURE - 10
• Problems in compass survey
• Calculation of angle from bearings of line
• Calculation of bearings of lines from angles
between lines
• Local attraction
 Types of Angles in a traverse
1) Direct angle
-Included angle
-Excluded angle

2) Deflection angle
Checks on traverse:
[Link] traverse

• Check on closed traverse:

– Sum of the measured interior angles (2n-4) x 90°
– Sum of the measured exterior angles (2n+4) x 90 °
– The algebraic sum of the deflection angles should
be equal to 360°.
Right hand deflection is considered +ve, left
hand deflection –ve
2. Open traverse
• Checks on Open traverse

-Taking cut-off lines: measured the

bearings and lengths of cut off
lines after plotting and tally with
actual values.

-Taking an auxiliary point: Take P

permanent point as auxiliary
point measured bearings and
lengths of P from each traverse
point. If survey is accurate,
while plotting all the measured
bearing of P should meet at P.
 •Problems in compass survey :
1. Calculation of angles from bearings of lines :
By drawing rough sketch of given
traverse based on bearings of lines.
Apply check for sum of the angles in a
closed traverse-

- Sum of included angles = ( 2 N  4)90
- Sum of excluded angles = ( 2 N  4)90 


- Algebaric Sum of deflection angle = 360
Continued…
2. Calculation of bearings from angles between lines,
provided that bearing of any one line is known :

By applying thumb rules (Valid for [Link] ) –

(a) F =P + clockwise angle (For anti-clockwise traverse)

(b) F = P – Anti-clockwise angle (For clockwise traverse)

where, F = Bearing of required line

P = Bearing of previous line
Continued…

If the given bearing of a line is in R.B.

system –
- Convert given R.B. to W.C.B.
- Find out the bearing of other lines in W.C.B. &
convert to R.B.
Also bearings of the lines can be calculated
by drawing rough sketch of given traverse on
the bases of given bearing of a line, angles
between the lines & direction of traverse.
Continued…
3. Detection & elimination of “Local Attraction”
Local Attraction
A magnetic needle indicates the north and south
direction when freely suspended or pivoted. But if the
needle comes near some magnetic substances, such
as iron ore, steel structures, under ground iron pipe
line, keys, metal buttons, electric cables conveying
current, etc.; it is found to be deflected from its true
direction, and does not show the actual north and
south .
This disturbing influence, due to which magnetic
needle deviates from its true direction is known as
“Local attraction” .
Continued…

Local Attraction Error:

Error in measurement of magnetic bearing due
to Local Attraction . The angle between true magnetic
meridian an actual magnetic meridian is called ‘Error
due to Local Attraction’ in measurement of magnetic
bearing.
Continued…

Instrumental error / Observational error :

Error in measurement of magnetic bearing
due to error in instrument (Magnetic
Compass)/Observation.
i. Due to unequal graduations in the chord
of compass .
ii. Incorrect reading taken by surveyor in
field.
iii. Due to incorrect bisection of target
Continued…

Detection of Local attraction :

By observing the difference between fore

bearings & back bearings, if difference is 180 , both
stations are free from Local attraction or Local
attraction is equal in both the stations points, but
chances of equal Local attraction is vary-vary rare &
assumed to be zero.

If the F.B. and B.B. of a line do not differ by 180
then the needle is said to be affected by local
attraction, provided there is no instrumental error.
Continued…

Elimination of Local attraction or Method of

application of correction:
(a)First Method : The interior angles of a traverse
are calculated from the observed bearings.
Then apply check for sum of included angles
or excluded angles or deflection angles. If it
not so, the total error is equally distributed
among all the angles of the traverse.
Then stating from the unaffected line, the
bearings of all the lines may be corrected
interior angles.
Continued…

(b) Second Method: In this method, first detect the

unaffected line. Then, starting from the unaffected
line, the bearings of the other affected lines are
corrected by finding the amount of correction at
each station.
NOTE : If all the lines of a traverse are
found to be affected by local attraction, the line
with minimum error is identified. The FB and BB of
this line are adjusted by distributing the error
equally. Then, starting from this adjusted line, the
FB and BB of other lines are corrected.
Continued…

• Local Attraction : It is an Influence, due to which

magnetic needle deviates from its true position. Some
of the sources of local attraction are presence of
magnetite in ground, wire carrying current, steel
structure, under ground iron pipe line, keys, metal
buttons, steel instruments etc. nearby compass.
 Types of Problems in Compass Survey
• Convert the following:
i. WCB to QB
ii. QB to WCB
• Fore bearing of the following lines are given. Find
back bearing
• Back bearing of the following lines are given. Find
fore bearing
• The magnetic bearing of a line AB is given. what will
be the true bearing ?
• The true bearing of a line AB is given. what will be the
magnetic bearing ?
• Detection & elimination of “Local Attraction”
Problems
Contd…
Problems

Included angle at A= 280-180-40=60

=FB of DA-180-FB of AB
Included angle at B= 40+180-70= 150
=FB of AB+180-FB of BC
Included angle at C= 70+180-210
=FB of BC+180-FB of CD

Formula: FB of previous line+/-180-

FB of next line
 LECTURE - 11
• Theodolite
• Classification of Theodolite
• Size of Theodolite
• Parts of a Theodolite
• Terms/Operations used in a Transit Theodolite
• Adjustment of a Theodolite
• Uses of Theodolite
 Theodolite
Introduction: So far we have been measuring
horizontal angles by using a Compass with
respect to meridian, which is less accurate and
also it is not possible to measure vertical
angles with a Compass.
So when the objects are at a
considerable distance or situated at a
considerable elevation or depression ,it
becomes necessary to measure horizontal and
vertical angles more precisely. So these
measurements are taken by an instrument
known as a Theodolite.
Continued…

• Theodolite is an instrument to measure the

horizontal and vertical angles.
• Theodolite is more precise than magnetic
compass.
• Magnetic compass measures the angle up to an
accuracy of 30’. However, a Theodolite
measures the angles up to an accuracy of 10’’,
20”.
 CLASSIFICATION OF THEODOLITE
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.
Non-Transit Theodolite : A Theodolite is called
a non-transit Theodolite when its telescope
cannot be transited. They are inferior in utility
and have now become obsolete.
 SIZE OF A THEODOLITE
A Theodolite is designated by diameter
of the graduated circle on the lower plate.
The common sizes are 8cm to 12 cm
while 14 cm to 25 cm instrument are used
for triangulation work.
Greater accuracy is achieved with
larger Theodolites as they have bigger
graduated circle with larger divisions hence
used where the survey works require high
degree of accuracy.
Parts of a Theodolite
Continued…
Details of Parts:

Telescope with Vertical Circle

T-Frame
Continued…

Upper & Lower Plates

Continued…

Vertical Circle Graduation

Assemblies
of a
Theodolite
TERMS/OPERATIONS USED IN A TRANSIT
THEODOLITE
[Link] : Centering means setting the
Theodolite exactly over an instrument- station
so that its vertical axis lies immediately above
the station- mark. It can be done by means of
plumb bob suspended from a small hook
attached to the vertical axis of the Theodolite.
The centre shifting
arrangement (centering device ) if provided
with the instrument helps in easy and rapid
performance of the centering.
 Continued…

2. Transiting :
Transiting is also known as plunging or
reversing. It is the process of turning the
telescope about its horizontal axis through 1800
in the vertical plane thus bringing it upside down
and making it point , exactly in opposite
direction.
 Continued…

3. Swinging the telescope

It means turning the telescope about its
vertical axis in the horizontal plane.
A swing is called right or left according as
the telescope is rotated clockwise or counter
clockwise.
 Continued…

4. Face Left :
If the vertical circle of the instrument is on
the left side of the observer while taking a
reading ,the position is called the face left and
the observation taken on the horizontal or
vertical circle in this position, is known as the
face left observation
 Continued…
5. Face Right
If the vertical circle of the instrument is on
the right side of the observer while taking a
reading ,the position is called the face right
and
the observation taken on the horizontal or
vertical circle in this position, is known as the
face right observation.
 Continued…

6. Changing Face
It is the operation of bringing the vertical
circle to the right of the observer ,if originally it
is to the left , and vice – versa.
It is done in two steps; Firstly revolve the
telescope through 1800 in a vertical plane and
then rotate it through 1800 in the horizontal
plane i.e first transit the telescope and then
swing it through 1800.
 Continued…
7. Line of Collimation
DIAPHRAGM
LINE OF
COLLIMATION

TELESCOPE

It is also known as the line of sight .It is an

imaginary line joining the intersection of the
cross- hairs of the diaphragm to the optical
centre of the object- glass and its
continuation.
 Continued…

Patterns of Cross-hair in the Diaphragm

 Continued…
8. Axis of the telescope
OBJECT GLASS

AXIS OF THE TELESCOPE

.

TELESCOPE

It is also known an imaginary line joining the

optical centre of the object- glass to the
centre of eye piece.
 Continued…

9. Axis of the Level Tube

It is also called the bubble line.
It is a straight line tangential to the
longitudinal curve of the level tube at the
centre of the tube. It is horizontal when the
bubble is in the centre.
 Continued…

10. Vertical Axis

It is the axis about which the telescope
can be rotated in the horizontal plane.
11. Horizontal Axis
It is the axis about which the telescope
can be rotated in the vertical plane.
It is also called the trunion axis.
 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.
Axes of Theodolite
Line of sight, Circles and Axes of Theodolite
 Continued…

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.
 Continued…
iii) Horizontal axis adjustment. The horizontal
axis must be perpendicular to the vertical
axis.
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.
 Continued…
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.
 LECTURE - 12
• Uses of Theodolite
 Uses of Theodolite
• Measurement of horizontal angle.
i. Direct angle (Included angle & Excluded
angle)
ii. Deflection angle.
• Measuring vertical angles.
• Locating points on a line (Ranging survey
lines).
• Prolonging survey lines.
• Finding difference of level.
•Vertical angle

•Direct angle

•Deflection angle
MEASUREMENT OF HORIZONTAL
ANGLES:

There are three methods of measuring

horizontal angles:-
I) Ordinary Method.
II) Repetition Method.
III) Reiteration Method.
I) Ordinary Method to measure horizontal
angle AOB:
A B

i) Set up the theodolite at

station point ‘O’ and level
it accurately.
o
ii) Set the vernier ‘A’ to the
HORIZONTAL ANGLE
zero or 3600 of the AOB
horizontal circle. Tighten
the upper clamp.
 Continued…

iii) Loosen the lower clamp. Turn the

instrument and direct the telescope
towards ‘A’ to bisect it accurately with the
use of tangent screw. After bisecting
accurately check the reading which must
still read zero. Read the vernier ‘B’ and
record both the readings.
 Continued…
A B
iv) Loosen the upper clamp
and turn the telescope
clockwise until line of sight
bisects point B on the right
hand side. Then tighten the
o
upper clamp and bisect it
HORIZONTAL ANGLE
accurately by turning its AOB
tangent screw.
 Continued…

v) Read both verniers. The reading of the

vernier a which was initially set at zero
gives the value of the angle AOB directly
and that of the other vernier B by
deducting 1800 .The mean of the two
vernier readings gives the value of the
required angle AOB.
 Continued…
A B

vi) Change the face of the

instrument and repeat the
whole process. The mean
of the two vernier readings
gives the second value of o
the angle AOB which HORIZONTAL ANGLE
should be approximately or AOB

exactly equal to the

previous value.
 Continued…

vii) The mean of the two values of the

angle AOB ,one with face left and the
other with face right ,gives the required
angle free from all instrumental errors.
II) Repetition Method to measure horizontal
angle AOB:
A B

This method is used for

very accurate work. In this
method ,the same angle is
added several times
mechanically and the o
correct value of the angle is HORIZONTAL ANGLE
obtained by dividing the AOB
accumulated reading by the
no. of repetitions.
 Continued…
The No. of repetitions made usually
in this method is six, three with the face
left and three with the face right .In this
way ,angles can be measured to a finer
degree of accuracy than that obtainable
with the least count of the vernier.
 Continued…
Procedure/Steps to measure A B

horizontal angle by repetition

method :
i) Set up the theodolite at
starting point O and level it o
accurately. HORIZONTAL ANGLE
AOB
ii) Measure The horizontal
angle AOB.
 Continued…
iii) Loosen the lower clamp and turn the
telescope clock – wise until the object (A) is
sighted again. Bisect B accurately by using the
upper tangent screw. The verniers will now
read the twice the value of the angle now.
iv) Repeat the process until the angle is repeated
the required number of times (usually 3). Read
again both verniers . The final reading after n
repetitions should be approximately n x(angle).
Divide the sum by the number of repetitions
and the result thus obtained gives the correct
value of the angle AOB.
 Continued…
v) Change the face of the A B

instrument. Repeat exactly in

the same manner and find
another value of the angle
AOB. The average of two
readings gives the required o
precise value of the angle HORIZONTAL ANGLE
AOB
AOB.
III) Reiteration Method to measure horizontal
angle :
This method is another A
B
precise and comparatively
less tedious method of
measuring the horizontal
angles. o
D
It is generally preferred
when several angles are to
be measured at a particular C
Reiteration Method
station.
 Continued…
This method consists in measuring several
angles successively and finally closing the
horizon at the starting point. The final reading
of the vernier A should be same as its initial
reading.
If not ,the discrepancy is equally
distributed among all the measured angles.
 Continued…
Reiteration Method:
Procedure: A
B

Suppose it is required to
measure the angles
AOB,BOC and COD. Then to
measure these angles by C o
repetition method :
i) Set up the instrument over
station point O and level it
D
Reiteration Method
accurately.
 Continued…
ii) Direct the telescope
towards point A which is A
B
known as referring object.
Bisect it accurately and check
the reading of vernier as 0 or
3600 . Loosen the lower o
clamp and turn the telescope
C

clockwise to sight point B

exactly. Read the verniers
D
again and The mean reading Reiteration Method
will give the value of angle
AOB.
 Continued…

iii) Similarly bisect C & D successively, read

both verniers at each bisection, find the value
of the angle BOC and COD.
iv) Finally close the horizon by sighting
towards the referring object (point A).
v) The vernier A should now read 3600. If not
note down the error .This error occurs due to
slip etc.
 Continued…

A
B
vi) If the error is small, it is
equally distributed among the
several angles .If large the
readings should be discarded D o
and a new set of readings be
taken.
C
Reiteration Method
MEASUREMENT OF VERTICAL ANGLES:
Vertical Angle : A vertical angle is an angle between
the inclined line of sight and the horizontal. It may be
an angle of elevation or depression according as the
object is above or below the horizontal plane.
A
A
AOB= α + β α
B
AOB= α - β
α
HORI. LINE β HORI. LINE
O O
O HORI. LINE β
β
Fig. b Fig. c

Fig.a B B
α

A
VERTICAL ANGLE
MEASUREMENT OF VERTICAL ANGLES:
To Measure the Vertical Angle of an object A
at a station O:
(i) Set up the theodolite at station point O and
level it accurately with reference to the
altitude bubble.
(ii) Set the zero of vertical vernier exactly to
the zero of the vertical circle clamp and
tangent screw.
 Continued…

(iii)Bring the bubble of the altitude level in the

central position by using clip screw. The line
of sight is thus made horizontal and vernier
still reads zero.
(iv)Loosen the vertical circle clamp screw and
direct the telescope towards the object A and
sight it exactly by using the vertical circle
tangent screw.
 Continued…
(v) Read both verniers on the vertical circle,
The mean of the two vernier readings gives the
value of the required angle.
(vi) Change the face of the instrument and
repeat the process. The mean of of the two
vernier readings gives the second value of the
required angle.
(vii) The average of the two values of the
angles thus obtained, is the required value of
the angle free from instrumental errors.
For measuring Vertical Angle between two
points A &B
i) Sight A as before , and take the mean of the
two vernier readings at the vertical circle. Let it
be α ‘α’
ii) Similarly, sight B and take the mean of the
two vernier readings at the vertical circle. Let
it be ‘β’
iii) The sum or difference of these dings will give
the value of the vertical angle between A and B
according as one of the points is above and the
other below the horizontal plane. or both points
are on the same side of the horizontal plane Fig b
&c
READING MAGNETIC BEARING OF A LINE
To find the bearing of a line AB as
shown in fig .below
i) Set up the instrument over A and
N
level it accurately B

ii)Set the vernier to the zero of the

horizontal circle. A

iii) Release the magnetic

needle and loosen the
lower clamp. Fig.
Magnetic Bearing of a Line
 Continued…

iv) Rotate the instrument till magnetic needle

points to North. Now clamp the lower clamp
with the help of lower tangent screw .Bring the
needle exactly against the mark in order to
bring it in magnetic meridian. At this stage the
line of sight will also be in magnetic meridian.
 Continued…
v) Now loose the upper clamp and
point the telescope towards B ,with
the help of upper tangent screw,
N
bisect B accurately and read both B
the verniers. The mean of the two
readings will be recorded as
magnetic bearing of line. A

vi) Change the face of the

instrument for accurate magnetic
bearing of the line and repeat the Fig.

mean of the two values will give Magnetic Bearing

of a Line
the correct bearing of the line AB.
 PROLONGING A STRAIGHT LINE AB:

There are two methods of prolonging a given

line such as AB
(1)Fore sight method ,and
(2) Back Sight Method
(I) Fore Sight Method:
As shown in the fig. below

A B C D Z

Fig.

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.
 Continued…

ii) Shift the instrument to B ,take a fore

sight on C and establish a point D in line
beyond C.
iii) Repeat the process until the last point Z
is reached.
(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.
 Continued…

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.
PROLONGING A STRAIGHT A LINE
Double reversing Method
When the line is to be prolonged with high precision or
when the instrument is in imperfect adjustment, the process of
double sighting or double reversing, is used.
Suppose the line AB is to be prolonged to a point Z.
Procedure: As shown below:
C1 D1

A B C D Z

C2 D2

Double Sighting / Reversing Method

 Continued…

Double reversing Method:

i) Set up the Theodolite at B and level it
accurately.
ii) With the face of instrument left, back
sight on A and clamp both the upper and lower
motions.
iii) Transit the telescope and set a point C1
ahead in line.
 Continued…

iv) Loosen the lower clamp ,revolve the

telescope in the horizontal plane and back sight
on A .Bisect A exactly by using the lower clamp
and its tangent screw. Now the face of
instrument is right.
v) Transit the telescope and establish a point
C2 in line beside the point C1.
vi) The exact position of the true point C
must be mid-way between C1 and C2 .
 Continued…
vii)Measure C1 C2 and establish a point C exactly
mid-way, which lies on the true prolongation
of AB.
viii) Shift the instrument to C, double sight on B
,establish the point D1 and D2 and locate the
true point D as before .
ix) Continue the process until the last point Z
is established.
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.
PROLONGING A STRAIGHT A LINE
Double reversing Method
i) Set up the theodolite at B and level it accurately.
ii) With the face of instrument left, back sight on A and
…. clamp both the upper and lower motions.
iii) Transit the telescope and set a point C1 ahead in line.
C1 D1

A B C D Z

C2 D2
Double Sighting / Reversing Method

THEODOLITE SURVEYING 48
PROLONGING A STRAIGHT A LINE
Double reversing Method (contd.)
iv) Loosen the lower clamp ,revolve the telescope in the
horizontal plane and back sight on A .Bisect A exactly by
using the lower clamp and its tangent screw. Now the face of
instrument is right.
v) Transit the telescope and establish a point C2 in line
beside the point C1. C1 D1

A B C D Z

C2 D2
Double Sighting / Reversing Method

THEODOLITE SURVEYING 49
PROLONGING A STRAIGHT A LINE
Double reversing Method (contd.)
vi) The exact position of the true point C must be mid-way
…..between C1 and C2 .
vii) Measure C1 C2 and establish a point C exactly mid-way,
….which lies on the true prolongation of AB.

C1 D1

A B C D Z

C2 D2
Fig. Double Sighting / Reversing Method

THEODOLITE SURVEYING 50
PROLONGING A STRAIGHT A LINE
Double reversing Method (contd.)
viii) Shift the instrument to C, double sight on B ,establish the
…..point D1 and D2 and locate the true point D as before .
ix) Continue the process until the last point Z is established.

C1 D1

A B C D Z

C2 D2
Double Sighting / Reversing Method

THEODOLITE SURVEYING 51
HOME ASSIGNMENT

Q1. Enumerate the temporary and permanent adjustments

of a theodolite.
Q2. What are various methods used in measuring horizontal
angles and when?
Q3. Define following :-
i) Swinging the telescope.
ii) Plunging or reversing.
iii) Changing face.
iv) Face left.
v) Face right.
Q4. Draw a neat sketch of theodolite and name all the parts.

Q5. What are fundamental lines of a theodolite.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING 52
 Continued…
Grid meridian : Grid meridian
is the reference meridian for
a country on a national
survey map. For survey of a
country, the true meridian of
a central place is regarded as
the reference meridian. All
the other meridians in the
country are assumed to be
parallel to the true meridian
known as Grid meridian.