Theodolite Surveying

Posted on 22 September 2014 at 14:18

THEODOLITE SURVEYING
Setting out the curves, etc. Carry out Leveling Laying the horizontal angles Locating the points on the
ground or on a line or circle / curve Prolonging the survey lines Establishing the grades (gradient) Has the
wide application in surveying: Mostly used for the measurement of horizontal and vertical angles It is a
most precise instrument designed for the surveying. Theodolite (Theod.):
A theodolite may be a Transit Theod. or Non-Transit Theod Transit Theod: Line of Sight (LOS) can be reversed
through 180o in the vertical plane Non-Transit Theod: It cannot, i.e. LOS cannot be transited. Therefore, the
latter type has become obsolete.
Components of Theodolite V.C (iii) Vernier Frame: It supports the V.C from outside. (iv) A-Frame: It is an Ashaped outer-most vertical frame which supports whole the measuring assembly). (v) Levelling Head and Foot
Plate (these are the two horizontal plates parallel to each other; Levelling Head lies above the Foot Plate). (vi)
Two Spindles or Two Axes: These are the two inner and outer vertical supports which holds the assembly lying
above the Horizontal Circle which also serves as a horizontal frame.
: (i) Telescope (ii) Vertical Circle (or Vernier Circle)

Important Definitions of Theodolite Work

Taking the mean of the said two observations eliminates the Collimation Error. (iii) Transiting a Telescope or
(simply) Transiting: Operation of turning the telescope through 180o about the Trunnion Axis. It is also called
Reversing or Plunging of the telescope; LOS entirely gets reversed by the transiting. (iv) Telescope Normal:
The telescope is said to be Normal or Direct when the Vertical Circle is to the left of the observer and Bubble is
upward. (v) Telescope Inverted: The telescope is said to be Inverted when the Vertical Circle is to the right of
the observer and Bubble is downward.(vi) Changing the Face: Operation of changing the face of telescope
from Face Left to Face Right and vice-versa.(vii) A Set: It is a set of Horizontal Observati : (i) Face Left: When
the Vertical Circle of a Theod is situated on the left of the observer and the observation or reading taken with
this face is called Face Left Observation or Reading.(ii) Face Right: When the Vertical Circle of a Theod is

situated on the right of the observer and the observation or reading taken with this face is called Face Right
Observation or Reading. ons and (set) comprises two horizontal measurements one with Face Left and second
with Face Right.(ix) Double Sighting: Process of measurement of horizontal or vertical angle twice; once with
telescope in Normal Position and once with telescope in Inverted Position.

Temporary Adjustments of Theodolite Both the methods have the same techniques of levelling
(i) Rotate the two screws inside (of the instrument) with both the hands at a time and level the bubble of Spirit
Level in the centre (by keeping the Spirit Level towards you, between the two screws)
(ii) Then turn the Upper Plate through 90o, use the above technique
(iii) Return to the first position, use the above technique
(iv) Then turn the Upper Plate through 180o, use the above technique
(v) Return to the first position and use whole the above-said method until the instrument has been completely
levelled
To make the vertical axis of Theod. truly vertical Levelling is done by (rotating) the Foot Screws with respect to
the Plates Level (determined by the Spirit Bubble)Levelling Method: Levelling with Three Screws OR Levelling
with Four Screws (if a Theod. has got the four screws; depending upon the provision of the screws). Second
levelling is done by Bull-Eye centering(ii) Levelling the Theodolite: Second centering is done by Unclamping
the Spindles and Rough levelling of whole the instrument with adjusting the Tripod Legs Centering over the
station is done by a Plumb Bob or Plummet (in case of Electronic Theodolite) : (i) Setting over a Station and
(ii) Levelling the Theodolite Temporary Adjustments of Theodolite: (i) Setting over a Station:

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.Measurement of Angles with Theodolite:

(i) Measurement of Horizontal Angles (ii) Measurement of Vertical Angles (iii) Measurement of Miscellaneous
(other observations)(i) Measurement of Horizontal Angles:
(a) Direct Procedure Centre and Level it(ii) Release the clamp of Upper Plate; set vernier to read zero; clamp
the plate(iii) Loosen the Lower Plate and sight (say) point A. Clamp the Lower Plate and accurately bisect A by
using the Lower Tangent Screw. Read both the verniers and take the mean of two readings. (iv) Unclamp the
Upper Plate and swing the telescope in clockwise direction until point C is sighted. Tighten the Upper Clamp
and accurately bisect C by using the Upper Tangent Screw. (v) Again read both the verniers and take the mean
of two readings. Difference in the mean of the reading noted at A and that at C is the angle ABC.(vi) Change
the face of the instrument and repeat the steps from (ii) to (v) to measure the angle ABC on Face Right. (vii)
Now take the mean of the two measurements for the angle ABC with Face Left and with Face Right; it will give
the correct required angle ABC.Measurement of Angles with Theodolite: : (i) Set up the instrument, say at
point B
(b) Repetition Method
: For a good accuracy, this method is used. Average horizontal angle is obtained by diving the final reading by
the number of repetitions done. It is important that a small error in the Sine of angle causes a considerable
error in the lengths of the sides. Consider an angle ABC.(i) Level and centre the instrument (keeping Face Left)
over the point B.(ii) Set vernier to read zero. Loosen Lower Plate and move the telescope in azimuth (in

clockwise direction; to measure the horizontal angle). Sight point A; accurately bisect point A by using the
Lower Tangent Screw. (iii) Read both the verniers and take the mean of two readings. (iv) Unclamp the Upper
Plate and swing the instrument in clockwise direction until point C is sighted. Tighten the Upper Clamp and
accurately bisect C by using the Upper Tangent Screw. Note down the readings of verniers A and B to get
approx value of angle ABC. (v) Unclamp the Lower Plate and swing the telescope clockwise to sight A again
and accurately bisect A by using the Lower Tangent Screw. (vi) Unclamp the Upper Plate and swing the
telescope clockwise to sight C again and accurately bisect C by using the Upper Tangent Screw. ) Repeat
whole the process until the angle is repeated the required number of times Find out the average value with
Face Right by dividing the final reading by 3.(viii) The average horizontal angle is obtained by taking the
average of the two angles measured by the Face Left and Face Right.