Tacheometry

Concept
Determine distances indirectly using triangle geometry

Methods
Stadia
Establish constant angle and measure length of
opposite side
Length increases with distance from angle vertex

ERE 371

Tacheometry: Stadia

L2

L1

0.5L1
d1
tan(0.5 )

d1
d2

0.5L 2
d2
tan(0.5 )
ERE 371

Stadia Principles
Need simple method for establishing
Constant angle
Intercepted length

Method
Establish angle using telescope with supplementary cross
(stadia) hairs
Intercepted length found by reading where stadia hairs
intersect rod

ERE 371

Stadia Readings
Upper Hair

Middle Hair

Lower Hair

ERE 371

Stadia Principles
C

c
b
a

b'
a'

S
F
B
D

A,B rod intercepts

a, b stadia hairs
S = rod intercept
F = principal focus of
objective lens

f = focal length
i = stadia hair spacing
c = distance from instrument
center to objective lens
center

ERE 371

C = stadia constant
K = f/i = stadia interval factor
d = distance from focal point
to rod
D = distance from instrument
center to rod

Stadia Equations
From similar triangles
d S

f
i

f
d S KS
i

D KS C

Horizontal sights
H KS C
usually k 100,C 0
H 100S

V 0

Inclined sights
H KScos2 Ccos
H 100Scos2

V KS 12 sin2 Csin
V 100S 12 sin2

ERE 371

Issues with Stadia Measurements

Stadia common for map data collection
Read all three stadia hairs horizontal distance
Read vertical angle vertical distance
Read horizontal angle direction

Accuracy of stadia
Directly related to refinement of rod reading
Refinement of rod reading related to sight length
Very long sights not possible

Current situation
Reduced application since advent of total stations

ERE 371

Tacheometry
Concept
Determine distances indirectly using triangle geometry

Methods
Stadia
Establish constant angle and measure length of
opposite side
Length increases with distance from angle vertex
Subtense
Establish constant length and measure angle subtended
Value of angle decreases as length moves farther away

ERE 371

Tacheometry: Subtense

0.5L
d1
tan(0.51 )

d1
d2

0.5L
d2
tan(0.52 )
ERE 371

Subtense Principles
Need simple method for establishing
Constant length
Intercepted angle

Issues
Measure horizontal angle to instrument termed subtense bar
Bar must be horizontal
Bar must be orthogonal to line
Angle subtended must be accurately measured

ERE 371

Subtense Equation
Derive equation for computing distance by subtense

/2
d
d

0.5L
0.5Lcot( 2)
tan( 2)

What value would you choose for L?

ERE 371

L
L/2

Issues with Subtense Measurement

Principles still useful in many situations
Accuracy of subtense
Directly related to how well angle is measured
Also depends on size of angle

Current situation
Reduced application since advent of total stations

ERE 371

Readings
Chapter 6 sections 6.6, 6.7, 6.14 6.16
Chapter 16 section 16.9.2

ERE 371