Mahatma Gandhi Mission’s

College of Engineering and Technology.

Noida, U.P., India

Survey camp presentation

on
THEODOLITE SURVEYING

PRESENTED BY – GROUP 5
Kailash Submitted to
Ayush kumar Mrs D. D Nandini
Ajit sharma
Vivek maurya
Sumit yadav
Navneet
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.INTRODUCTION
2.CLASSIFICATION OF THEODOLITE
3.COMPONENTS OF TRANSIT THEODOLITE
& THEIR FUNCTION
4. TERMS USED IN MANIPULATING A
TRANSIT THEODOLITE (VERNIER TYPE)
5. ADJUSTMENT OF VERNIER
THEODOLITE
6. MEASUREMENT OF ANGLES
a. To Measure a Horizontal angle
b. To Measure a Vertical Angle
c. To Measure Height of an object
7. SOURCES OF ERROR IN THEODOLITE
SURVEY
8. APPLICATION OF VERNIER
THEODOLITE
9. CONCLUSION
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.
THEODOLITE SURVEYING

The system of surveying in which the angles are

measured with the help of a theodolite, is called
Theodolite surveying.
CLASSIFICATION OF THEODOLITES
Theodolites may be classified as ;
A. Primary
i) Transit Theodolite.
ii) Non Transit Theodolite.
B. Secondary
i) Vernier Theodolites.
ii) Micrometer Theodolites.
iii) Modern Theodolite
A. 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.
B. Non-Transit type- In this type the telescope is
cannot be transited. They are inferior in utility and
have now become obsolete.
Transit Theodolite & Non-
Transit
 B. Vernier Theodolite: For reading the graduated
circle if verniers are used ,the theodolite is called as a
Vernier Theodolite.
Micrometer Theodolite - If a micrometer is provided
to read the graduated circle the same is called as a
Micrometer Theodolite.
Vernier type theodolites are commonly used .
C. Modern Theodolite- It is compact, light in weight ,
simple in design and can be used easily, Virtually
dust and moisture proof.
COMPONENTS OF TRANSIT OR
VERNIER THEODOLITE
DESCRIPTION OF A
TRANSIT VERNIER THEODOLITE
A Transit vernier theodolite essentially consist of the
following :
1. Levelling Head. 7. T- Frame.
2. Lower Circular Plate. 8. Plumb –bob.
3. Upper Plate. 9. Tripod Stand.
4. Plate level 10. Telescope.
5. Compass
6. Diaphragm.
Fig. Details if Upper & Lower Plates.
• Compass- Some theodolites are provided with a compass which
can be either tubular type or trough type.
• Diaphragm- Diaphragm with cross hair is provided in telescope
to give a definite line of sight.
• Vernier Frame Also called T -frame or index frame, consists of a
vertical leg known as clipping arm and a horizontal bar called
the index arm engraved with verniers C and D at its ends.
• Telescope – the function of telescope is to provide line of
sight. The length of telescope varies from 100mm to 175mm.
• Plumb bob – To center the instrument exactly over a station
mark, a plumb bob is suspended from the hook fitted to the
bottom of the central vertical axis.
• Tripod Stand - The theodolite is mounted on a strong tripod
when being used in the field. The legs of the tripod are solid
or framed.
• Others parts
1. Level tube 11. Foot Plate
2. Standard Frame 12. Upper Clamp
3. Turnnion Axis 13. Lower Clamp
4. Vernier Frame
5. Inner Axis
6. Outer Axis
7. Altitude Level
8. Levelling Screw
9. Clamp Screw
10. Tangent Screw
 Difinitions
Least Count of the vernier
• This is the difference between the value of the smallest
division of the main scale and that of the smallest division of
the vernier scale. It is the smallest value that can be measured
by a theodolite.
• V = d
n
Where, v= Value of smallest division of vernier Scale
d= Value of the smallest division of main
scale
n= no of small divisions on vernier scale.
Least count of theodolites are generally 20” and 15”
and so on.
AXIS OF VERNIER THEODOLITE
METHOD OF READING VERNIER
TERMS USED IN MANIPULATING A TRANSIT VERNIER THEODOLITE.

1. Centering : Centering means setting the theodolite

exactly over an instrument. It can be done by means of
plumb bob suspended from a small hook attached to the
vertical axis of the theodolite.
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.
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.
5. Leveling - Leveling of an instrument is done to make the
vertical axis of the instrument truly vertical. Generally,
there are three leveling screws and two plate levels are
present in a theodolite instrument.
CENTERING

LEVELLING
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
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.
7.Line of Collimation - 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.
8. Axis of the telescope It is also known an imaginary line
joining the optical centre of the object- glass to the centre of
eye piece.
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.
1. Permanent adjustments: 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.
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.
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.
MEASUREMENT OF HORIZONTAL ANGLES:

There are three methods of measuring horizontal

angles:-
i) Ordinary Method.
ii) Repetition Method.
iii) Reiteration Method.
METHOD ADOPTED FOR MEASUREMENT OF
HORIZONTAL ANGLES:
Reiteration Method.

This method is another precise and A

B
comparatively less tedious method
of measuring the horizontal angles.
It is generally preferred when
several angles are to be measured
at a particular station. o
C
This method consists in measuring
several angles successively and
finally closing the horizon at the
starting point. The final reading of D
Reiteration Method
the vernier A should be same as its
initial reading.
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
B
α AOB= α - β
α
HORI. LINE β HORI. LINE
O O
O HORI. LINE β
β
Fig. b α Fig. c

Fig.a B B
VERTICAL ANGLE
A
 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.
(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.
(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.
MEASUREMENT OF HORZ. ANGLE
Sr no. Face Vernier Reading Mean

1. Left 18⁰22ʹ20″ 18⁰27ʹ20’’ 18⁰21ʹ50″

Right 18⁰18ʹ20″ 18⁰19ʹ20″

2. Left 22⁰16ʹ20’’ 22⁰24ʹ40 22⁰11ʹ00″

Right 22⁰01ʹ20’’ 22⁰01ʹ40

3. Left 08⁰30’ 8⁰35ʹ0’’ 08⁰31ʹ30″

Right 08⁰26ʹ 8⁰35ʹ0″
4. Left 25⁰40ʹ 25⁰40ʹ0″ 23⁰00ʹ00″

Right 20⁰20ʹ 20⁰20ʹ0’’

 Measurement of
Height of tree.

L= D Tanϴ
Lowest point of tree = 26⁰20’ + 3⁰20”
ϴ1 =26⁰23’20”
Highest point of tree (base) = 24⁰40’ + 10’0”
ϴ2 = 24⁰50’

Distance = 14.2 m
ϴ = ϴ1 + ϴ2 = 51⁰13’20”
Length = 17.67 m
MEASUREMENT OF VERTICAL HEIGHT OF BUILDING

When the base of the object is “Inaccessible” (single plane method)

Calculation:
D = ( d tan θ1) / ( tan θ1 – tan θ2 )
h = 1.460
d = 7m
D= ?
θ1=10·2’20” , θ2=9· 4’0’’
Dtan θ1 = (D+ 7) tan θ2
D ( tan θ1 - tan θ2 ) = 7 tan θ2
D= 7 tan θ2 /(tan θ1 + tan θ2) = 166.9 m
Height of building = Dtan θ1 + 1.46 = 32m
 Sources of Error in
Theodolite
1. Instrument Errors
a)Non-adjustment of plate bubble
b) Line of collimation not being perpendicular
to horizontal axis .
c) Horizontal axis not being perpendicular to
vertical axis.
d) Eccentricity of Inner and Outer axes
e) Graduation not being Uniform.
2.Personal Errors
3. Natural Errors
APPLICATIONS
• Measuring horizontal and vertical angles.
• Locating points on a line.
• Prolonging survey lines.
• Finding difference of level.
• Setting out grades
• Ranging curves
• Tacheometric Survey
• Mesurement of Bearings
CONCLUSION:

The theodolite surveying helps us a great in surveying

work.
This instrument plays a major role in measuring horz
angle , vertical angle , bearing etc.
THANK YOU
ANY
QUERIES ???

38