CE 010

Fundamentals of Surveying
(ENSE21S1)
Module 5
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Tacheometry or tachymetry or telemetry is a branch of angular

surveying in which the horizontal and vertical distances of points
are obtained by optical means as opposed to the ordinary slower
process of measurements by tape or chain. 

•The method is very rapid and convenient.

•It is best adapted in obstacles such as steep and broken ground,
deep revines, stretches of water or swamp and so on, which make
chaining difficult or impossible,
•The primary object of tacheometry is the preparation of contoured
maps or plans requiring both the horizontal as well as vertical
control.

Tacheometry (from Greek, quick measure), is a system of rapid

surveying, by which the positions, both horizontal and vertical, of
points on the earth surface relatively to one another are determined
without using a chain or tape or a separate leveling instrument. 
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Stadia Method
 a surveying method for determination of distances and
differences of elevation by means of a telescopic
instrument having two horizontal lines through which
the marks on a graduated rod are observed

Stadia
borrowed from French, "rod with graduated
measurements," borrowed from Italian, probably
borrowed from plural of New Latin stadium "stage,
gradation," going back to Latin, "unit of length"

Instruments
An ordinary transit theodolite fitted with a stadia diaphragm is
generally used for tacheometric survey. 
 
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

The stadia diaphragm essentially consists of one

stadia hair above and the other an equal distance
below the horizontal cross-hair, the stadia hairs
being mounted in the ring and on the same
vertical plane as the horizontal and vertical cross-
hairs. 
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

The stadia diaphragm essentially consists of one

stadia hair above and the other an equal distance
below the horizontal cross-hair, the stadia hairs
being mounted in the ring and on the same
vertical plane as the horizontal and vertical cross-
hairs. 
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

PRINCIPLE OF STADIA METHOD

 The stadia method is based on the principle that the ratio of the
perpendicular to the base is constant in similar isosceles
triangles. vertical cross hair

upper stadia

Level cross hair

horizontal distance (D) upper stadia lower stadia

stadia interval
C lower stadia

D = distance from the instrument to the rod

D =kS + C C = stadia constant; distance from the center of instrument to
the principal focus; usually 0 for internal focusing instrument
k = (D2-D1) /(S2-S1) k = stadia interval factor of the instrument (usually 100)
S = stadia interval
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem:

A stadia rod held at a distant point B is sighted by

Solution:
an instrument set up at A. The upper and lower
stadia hair reading were observed as 1.300 m and
D = kS + C
0.900 m respectively. If the stadia interval factor is
D = [100x(1.300-0.900)] + 100
100, and the instrument constant is 100,
D = 140.00 meters
determine the length of the line AB
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem:

A survey party proceeded to do their stadia

survey work as follows: the transit was set up at a
point A and with the line of sight horizontal, took
rod reading with the rod at point B and C which
were then measured to have a taped distance
from a to 200 m and 60 m respectively. Compute
the stadia interval factor.

B C
Stadia Interval 2.001 m 0.006 m
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem:

A survey party proceeded to do their stadia

survey work as follows: the transit was set up at a
point A and with the line of sight horizontal, took
rod reading with the rod at point B and C which
were then measured to have a taped distance
from a to 200 m and 60 m respectively. Compute
B C
the stadia interval factor.

S1 = 2.001
S2 = 0.600
B C
Stadia 2.001 m 0.600 m
Interval

D1 = 60 m
D2 = 200 m
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem:
Solution:
A survey party proceeded to do their stadia
survey work as follows: the transit was set up at a k = (D2-D1) /(S2-S1)
point A and with the line of sight horizontal, took k = (200-60) / (2.001 – 0.600)
rod reading with the rod at point B and C which k = 99.9286
were then measured to have a taped distance
from a to 200 m and 60 m respectively. Compute
B C
the stadia interval factor.

S1 = 0.600
S2 = 2.001
B C
Stadia 0.600 m 2.001 m
Interval

D1 = 60 m
D2 = 200 m
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem:

A survey party proceeded to do their stadia

survey work as follows: the transit was set up at a
point A and with the line of sight horizontal, took
rod reading with the rod at point B and C which
were then measured. If the stadia interval factor
is 100. What is the distance of B and C from A
respectively.

B C
Stadia Interval 0.600 m 2.001 m
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem:

A survey party proceeded to do their stadia

survey work as follows: the transit was set up at a
point A and with the line of sight horizontal, took
rod reading with the rod at point B and C which
were then measured. If the stadia interval factor
is 100. What is the distance of B and C from A
B C
respectively.

S1 = 0.600
S2 = 2.001
B C
Stadia 0.600 m 2.001 m
Interval

D1 = ? m
D2 = ? m
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Solution:
Sample Problem:
Distance AB
D = kS + C
A survey party proceeded to do their stadia D =[(100x0.600) + C
survey work as follows: the transit was set up at a D = 60 m
point A and with the line of sight horizontal, took
rod reading with the rod at point B and C which Distance BC
were then measured. If the stadia interval factor D = [(100x2.001)] + C
is 100. What is the distance of B and C from A D = 200.10 m
B C
respectively.

S1 = 0.600
S2 = 2.001
B C
Stadia 0.600 m 2.001 m
Interval

D1 = ? m
D2 = ? m
 TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Inclined Sight
Let
P = Instrument station;     
Q = Staff station
M = position of instruments axis;
O = Optical centre of the objective
A, C, B = Points corresponding to the readings of
the three hairs
s = AB = Staff intercept;      
i = Stadia interval
Ө = Inclination of the line of sight from the
horizontal
L = Length MC measured along the line of sight
D = MQ’ = Horizontal distance between the
instrument and the staff
V = Vertical intercept at Q, between the line of
sight and the horizontal line β = angle between the two extreme rays corresponding to
h = height of the instrument;    stadia hairs.
r = central hair reading •Draw a line A’CB’ normal to the line of sight OC.
•Angle AA`C = 90 + β/2, being the exterior angle of the ∆COA`.
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

The horizontal distance,

                                                             
HD = L cosӨ = (k s cosӨ + C) cosӨ    
               
 Similarly vertical distance,         

VD = L sin Ө = (k s cosӨ + C) sinӨ = k s cosӨ . sinӨ + C sinӨ

(a) Elevation of the staff station for angle of elevation

  = Elevation of instrument station + h + V – r

(b) Elevation of the staff station for the angle of depression: 

= Elevation of P + h – V - r
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem:

Two buildings, Building A and B, of different

elevation were surveyed in between. K=100,
C=0

Building Vertical Angle Upper Stadia Lower Stadia

A 12°15’30” 1.83 1.18
B 09°53’35” 1.73 1.27

1. What is the Horizontal and Vertical distance of Building A

2. What is the Horizontal and Vertical distance of Building B
3. What is the difference in Elevation between buildings
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem: U =1.83

L = 1.18

U =1.73
L = 1.27

VDA
A VDB
Ɵ =12° 15’ 30”
Ɵ =9° 53’ 35”
B

HDA HDB
HI

VDA = [100x(1.83-1.18)] Cos 12°15’30” Sin 12°15’30”] + C Sin 12°15’30”

But C = 0
VDA = 13.49 m

HDA = [100x (1.83-1.18)] (Cos 12°15’30”) + C] Cos 12°15’30”

HDA = 62.07 m
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem: U =1.83

L = 1.18

U =1.73
L = 1.27

VDA
A VDB
Ɵ =12° 15’ 30”
Ɵ =9° 53’ 35”
B

HDA HDB
HI

VDB = [100x(1.73-1.27)] Cos 9°53’35” Sin 9°53’35”] + C Sin 9°53’35”

But C = 0
VDB = 7.79 m

HDB = [100x (1.73-1.27)] (Cos 9°53’35”) + C] Cos 9°53’35”

HDB = 44.64 m
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem: U =1.83

L = 1.18

U =1.73
L = 1.27

VDA
A VDB
Ɵ =12° 15’ 30”
Ɵ =9° 53’ 35”
B

HDA HDB
HI

Difference in Elevation of Bldg A and B,

VDA - VDB = 13.49 – 7.79 m = 5.70 m

TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem:
A transit with a stadia constant equal to 0.30 is
used to determine the horizontal distance
between point B and C, with a stadia intercept
reading of 1.85m. The distance BC is equal to
182.87 m. Compute for the stadia interval factor
of the instrument.

Using the same instrument, it was used to

determine the difference in elevation between
B and D having a stadia intercept reading of
2.42 m at D at a vertical angle at 6°30”.
Compute the difference in elevation between B
and D

Compute also the horizontal distance between

B and D
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem:
A transit with a stadia constant equal to 0.30 is Solution:
used to determine the horizontal distance
between point B and C, with a stadia intercept First Statement:
reading of 1.85m. The distance BC is equal to D =kS + C
182.87 m. Compute for the stadia interval factor 182.87 m = k (1.85) + 0.30
of the instrument. k = 98.69

Using the same instrument, it was used to

determine the difference in elevation between
B and D having a stadia intercept reading of
2.42 m at D at a vertical angle at 6°30”.
Compute the difference in elevation between B
and D

Compute also the horizontal distance between

B and D
TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING

Sample Problem: Solution:

A transit with a stadia constant equal to 0.30 is
used to determine the horizontal distance Second Statement:
between point B and C, with a stadia intercept S =2.42
reading of 1.85m. The distance BC is equal to
182.87 m. Compute for the stadia interval factor
of the instrument. Ɵ =6° 30’ D VD
HD
Using the same instrument, it was used to
determine the difference in elevation between B
B and D having a stadia intercept reading of VD = k s cosӨ . sinӨ + C sinӨ
2.42 m at D at a vertical angle at 6°30”. VD = [98.69x2.42xCos 6°30” Sin 6°30” + (0.30 Sin 6°30”)
Compute the difference in elevation between B VD = 26.90 m
and D
HD = (k s cosӨ + C) cosӨ
Compute also the horizontal distance between HD = [(98.69 x 2.42 Cos 6°30”)+ 0.30 ] Cos 6°30”
B and D HD = 236.07 m
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

Earthwork computation is involved in the

excavation of channels, digging of trenches for
laying underground pipelines, formation of
bunds, earthen embankments, digging farm
ponds, land levelling and smoothening.

]It involves the loosening, removal and handling

of earth quantities in the construction process
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

Area Calculation

Calculation of area is carried out by any one of

the following methods:

a) Mid-ordinate method
b) Average ordinate method
c) Trapezoidal rule
d) Simpson’s rule
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

a. Mid-ordinate Method

The ordinate are measured at the midpoint of each

division and the area is calculated by the formula:
5.0
3.5 4.6
2.5 3.2
A = average of mid-ordinates x d 0 0
10
L
d = common distance between ordinates
M1 = (0+2.5)/2 = 1.25 L = 10 x 6 =60 m
Mid-ordinates = (h1 +h2)/2
M2 = (2.5+3.5)/2 = 3.0
M3 = (3.5+5.0)/2 = 4.25
h-= height of each ordinates
M4= (5+4.6)/2 = 4.80
M5 = (4.6+3.2)/2 = 3.90 A = (1.25+3.0+4.25+4.80+3.90+1.60) x 60
M6 =(3.2+0)/2 = 1.60 6
A = 188 m2
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

b. Average ordinate Method

The ordinates are drawn and scaled at each

of the points of division of the base line and
the area is calculated by the formula 5.0
3.5 4.6
2.5 3.2
0 0
10
Area = (Sum of ordinates) x L L
n+ 1

L = length of the base line

n = number of equal ordinates into which the A = (0+2.5+3.5+5.0+4.6+3.2+0) x 60
baseline is divided (6+1)

A = 161.14 m2
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

c. Trapezoidal Method

This method is more accurate than the

other two. In this method, boundaries 5.0
3.5 4.6
2.5 3.2
between the end of ordinates are assumed 0 0
to be straight. Thus, the areas enclosed 10
between the baseline and the irregular L
boundary line are considered as trapezoids.

A = 10 [ ((0 +0)/2))+ 2.5 + 3.5 + 5.0 +4.6 +3.2]

A = d [ ((h1 +hn)/2))+ h2 + h3 + h4]
A = 188 m2
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

d. Simpson’s Rule 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

In this rule, the boundaries between ordinates are

assumed to form an arc or parabola. Hence, 5.0
3.5 4.6
Simpson’s Rule are sometimes called as Parabolic 2.5 3.2
0 0
Rule. 10
L

A = (d/3) [(h1+hn) + (4 x (odd))+ (2x(even))

A = (10/3) [(0+0)+(4x(2.5+5.0+3.2))+(2x(3.5+4.6))]

A = 196.67 m2
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

Volume Calculation

Calculation of volume is carried out by any

one of the following methods:

a) Trapezoidal formula
b) Prismoidal formula
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

a. Trapezoidal Method

A3=5.0
A2=3.5 A4=4.6
A5=3.2
V = d [ ((A1 +An)/2))+ A2 + A3 + A4] A1 =2.5 A6=2.2
10
L

V = 10 [((2.5+2.2)/2)+3.5+5.0+4.6+3.2]

V = 186.50 m3
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

b. Prismoidal Method 0 1 2 3 4 5

A3=5.0
A2=3.5 A4=4.6
A5=3.2
A1 =2.5 A6=2.2
10
L
V = (d/3) [ (A1 +An)+ 4 (sum of odd) + 2 (sum of even)]

V = (10/3) [(2.5+2.2)+4(3.5+4.6) + 2 (5.0+3.2)]

V = 178.33 m3
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

Area Calculation

a. Area by Triangle
b. Area by Coordinate Method
c. Area by DMD and latitude
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

a. Triangle Method

B
It is computation of areas individually a=5 m
mathematically by dividing the track in to triangles.
If length of two sides and included angle of any c=4 m
triangle are known Ɵ =30 C

b=4 m
B A
a
A = (1/2)(5x4)Sin 30 = 5 m2
c
Ɵ C
s = (1/2)(5+4+4)
b
A s = 6.50 m
A = (1/2) ab sin Ɵ
A = s (s-a)(s-b)(s-c)
A = s (s-a)(s-b)(s-c)
A = 6.5 (6.5-5)(6.5-4)(6.5-4)
where, s = (1/2)(a+b+c) A = 7.81 m2
Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

b. Coordinate Method

The calculation involves finding the areas of X3=4

trapezoids formed by projecting the line up on X2=3
a parallel at right angle to this X1=1

y2=3
A = [(1/2) (x3+x1) (y2-y1) ] y1=1

A = [(1/2) (4+1) (3-1)]

A = 5 m2
 Module 6. Area and Volume Computation

c. DMD (Double Meridian Distance)/ DPD (Double Parallel Method) and Latitude Method

Line Lat(A) Dep(B) DMD(C) Double Line Lat (A) Dep (B) DPD(C) Double
Area(AxC) Area(BxC)
1-2 60 -30 -30 -1800 1-2 60 -30 60 -1800
2-3 -20 20 -40 800 2-3 -20 20 100 2000
3-4 -80 60 40 -3200 3-4 -80 60 0 0
4-1 40 -50 50 2000 4-1 40 -50 -40 2000

Total (2A) = -2200 Total (2A) = 2200

A =-1100 m2 A =1100 m2

Add
Sum