Site Surveying & Set Out 2

Using the Theodolite

In Surveying 2 we use a theodolite to determine (read) both horizontal and vertical angles to an accuracy of 20" and mark out the buildings on College ground using theodolite and tape (Module requirements)

A theodolite is an instrument for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles. It consists of a telescope mounted movably within two perpendicular axes, the horizontal and vertical axis.
All students have to use the Sokkia instrument. as that is the only one in our department. Using the same instrument students can learn from each other how to read scales and use all the feature of the theodolite.
The left instrument in the opposit figure shows a Wild Theodolite and the right instrument shows a Sokkia Theodolite

Checking a theodolite

A theodolite can measure angles in both the horizontal and vertic

al planes. How accurately this can be will depend partly on the quality of the instrument, and partly on the competence of the student.

A theodolite may not be in perfect adjustment and the lines and planes should be checked. To minimise error as much as possible, an angle is measured a number of times with instrument: ►face left (vertical circle on the left of the telescope) and ►face right (vertical circle on the right of the telescope). Reading an angle face right and face left will eliminate the errors due to the non adjustment of the line of collimation and the trunnion axis.

We won't do any adjustment and assume the instrument is calibrated.

A theodolite, like the Level is mounted on a tripod by means of a forced centering plate or tribrach, containing three thumbscrews for rapid levelling. Before use, a theodolite must be placed precisely and vertically over the point to be measured.

Reading scales

Theodolites have different reading scales. A theodolite can read, depending on the accuracy,
a) degrees, b) degrees and minmutes or c) degrees, minutes and seconds.

a) scale can read degrees & minutes

b) scale can read degrees, minutes & seconds

c) digital reading (electronically) reads degrees, minutes & seconds

Modern theodolites read the horizontal and vertical circles electronically and display readings digitally as in c) above.

How to read the micro-scales on the Sokkia Theodolite

The opposite figure shows a typical view through the microscope eye piece. The microscope eyepiece is located adjacent (right) to the telescope eye piece. Two set of parallel lines (0° and 360°} are seen in the H window. If the observed reading in the H-window is 245° sitting between 50' and 60' divisions you need to turn the mircometer knob until the parallel 245° lines are biseced by the 50' line as shown in figure. Then the window above the H window will shows in the top row the minute and below the seconds. The final reading as shown in the figure is 245° 53' 18". (The seconds reading is scaled and not precise.)
The vertical circle (V-window) is read in a similar manner.

Using the Vertical Angles and the distances to determine the height.
The measured vertical angle combined with the distance to any object can be used to determine the height of an object. Most modern theodolites will automatically set the reference direction for the vertical circle once the theodolite is leveled. Zero degrees for the vertical circle is usually set at the zenith (vertically above the theodolite) and the telescpoe reading is 90° when it is horizontal. The vertical angle is then the angle from the zenith down to the line of observation. Points on equal elevation (horizontal plane) to the theodolite will therefore be at 90 degrees. Basically the precision for our vertical angle measurement will determine the accuracy of measured positions.

Procedures to measure vertical and horizontal angles

Aim at the first specified corner of the building and zero the horizontal circle reading. Readings for horizontal angles should be either in a clock wise or anti clock wise direction. Do not change directions and close the cirle at 360°. Then read the vertical angles (angle of elevation & angle of depression) to determine the height of the corner of the building. Make sure the sighting points are verticle above each other. After that sight the next specified corner and read the horizontal angle, and note the reading of the vertical angles.The horizontal distance between all specified building corners must be exactly measured. (Note the distance to angle A is different to angle A.) Continue reading horizontal and vertical angles as well as distance measures until the specified corners of all buildings are completed.

Height calculations

Using an double prism optical square

The total station