Tribhuvan University

Center for Energy Studies

Lecture on
Microhydropower
(Field Survey)
Tri Ratna Bajracharya, Ph.D.
Director, CES

March 2010
FIELD SURVEY FOR MHP
Focused to preliminary survey of Micro Hydro Power
Project :-
The technique or methods of Engineering Field Survey
works for different projects depends on the nature of
geographical terrain. The methods applicable for
hilly/mountainous terrain will not be applicable for plain
region and same way the methods applicable at plain
region will not be applicable for hilly/mountainous
regions. The methods applicable for hilly regions also
differ from place to place according to the geographical
conditions as accessible and inaccessible.
The survey work can be divided in two stages :-
(1) Preliminary or Pre-feasibility survey
(2) Detailed survey

The methods shortly briefed below 2 to 5 are mostly

applicable for hilly region to conduct preliminary survey.
1. STUDY OF TOPOGRAPHIC MAP
It is a primary stage to study about the
project site to determine approximately
the intake site, catchments area, length of
canal, location of fore bay and
powerhouse as well as tentative head.
Approximate height difference between
intake site, fore bay and power house can
be determined studying the Topographic
Map. The map developed by Survey
Department, Ministry of Land Reform
and Management and also some private
sector are available in market in different
scale 1:25000 and 50000.
2. USING ALTIMETER AND
MEASURING TAPE
It is a stage of preliminary study at the
proposed project site for field survey work.
Altimeter is used to determine tentatively
the height difference between power
house, fore bay and intake site. It is
better to take the readings of Barometric
Altimeter within the same weather
condition. The distance along the route
(canal) is measured by metric measuring
tape.
3. USING MEASURING TAPE AND
RANGING ROD
The horizontal distance and vertical height
at the fore bay and power house site can
be measured by measuring tape and
Ranging Rod if the site is easy accessible.
The method is known as Direct Method of
linear measurement. {Figure:- 1 }
3. USING MEASURING TAPE AND
RANGING ROD

H1
Ranging Rod with
V1
measuring graduation
VerticalDistance VD=V1+V2+V3+V4+V5+V6

H2
holding vertical

V2
Measuring Tape
holding horizontal
H3

V3
VD

H4
V4
H5

V5

H6

V6

Horizontal Distance HD=H1+H2+H3+H4+H5+H6

HD

[ 3 ] Fig:- 1 Using Measuring tape and Ranging Rod

4. USING ABNEY LEVEL AND
MEASURING TAPE
The horizontal distance and vertical height
at the intake site. fore bay and power house
site can be measured by using Abney
Level and measuring tape if the site is easy
accessible. In this method the sloping
distance of ground (SD) is measured by
measuring tape and the sloping vertical
angle (Q) of the ground surface is taken by
Abney Level. The horizontal distance (HD)
and vertical height (VD) is computed using
trigonometric function as HD=SDxCosQ
and VD=SDxSinQ. This method is known
as Indirect Method of linear
measurement. {Figure:- 2 }
4. USING ABNEY LEVEL AND
MEASURING TAPE
VD=SD1xSinQ+SD2xSinQ+.................

45°
Vertical Angle (-Q)

Line of sight
Parrallel to ground slope

Horizontal Line
Sl
VD

op

SD ista
e
D
nc
e
VerticalDistance

Vertical Angle (+Q)

40°
Horizontal Distance HD=SD1xCosQ+SD2xCosQ+....................
HD

[ 4 ] Fig:- 2 Using Abney Level and Measuring tape

5. USING HAND-HELD GPS
(GLOBAL POSITIONING
SYSTEM)
5. In short briefing GPS System is a network of
satellites that continuously transmit coded
information (radio wave) for locating a point on earth
by measuring the distance from the satellites
receiver. This is the latest advanced technology. The
use of Hand-held GPS unit replaces the above
mentioned items 2, 3, 4 with easy and efficiently
adding extra facilities as mapping, distance
measurement, compass bearing and more. Now a
days the use of Hand-held GPS unit is increasing
day by day for preliminary survey works.

It has three segments:-

(1) Space segments = 24 Satellites in space 12000 miles
above earth
(2) Control segment = Ground control (monitoring) station
on earth
(3) User segment = GPS receiver unit using by a person on
earth
6. USING THEODOLITE
(TACHOMETRIC METHOD) STADIA
SYSTEM
Theodolite is used for mostly detailed
field survey works. Tacheometry is a
branch of surveying in which
horizontal distances and vertical
heights (distance) of required points
are determined indirectly by means of
optical systems, generally known as
stadia principles. The observations
of horizontal angle, vertical angle,
subtended intervals of stadia readings
on vertically held graduated rods
taken by Transit, Theodolite or
Tacheometer.
6. THEODOLITE CONTINUE…….
 Itis very rapid, convenient and
efficient way of measuring indirectly
the horizontal and vertical distances
and compute elevations of the required
points. It is extremely useful for rough
terrains, hilly regions, steep slopes,
valleys, undulated grounds etc, where
other methods of survey would be
difficult or impossible, only the staff
man should be able to reach at the
required points. In some inaccessible
cases where staff man could not reach
at the points, theodolits can work
applying Trigonometrical Principles.
6. THEODOLITE CONTINUE…….
 But sufficient precautions are to be
taken in Tacheometry Survey, because
there are so many significant factors
affecting the accuracy of the works.
Only using a Theodolite is not
sufficient for a detailed survey work in
concern to precision in vertical height.
To control it, BM survey should be
carried out using Spirit Level
throughout the theodolite stations.
( Fig :- 3 )
6. THEODOLITE CONTINUE…….
held vertically

Vertical Line
M

M B ZA
49°

V(+)
P Zenithal Angle ZA

(+)VA

41°
Horizontal Line

11
0°
(-)Vertical Angle VA
hi

20°
V(-)
K = 100 Inst Stn
T
S = Top - Bottom
M S

HD B
M
Horizontal Distance HD=K.S.Cos 2 V angle
HD
or = K.S.Sin 2 Z angle

Vertical Distance VD=(1/2)K.S.Sin(2xV angle) + or -

or = K.S.Sin(2xZ angle) Find the R L of P= R L of Inst Stn + hi +V-M Q
Find the R L of Q= R L of Inst Stn + hi -V-M

[ 4 ] Fig:- 3 Using Theodolite (Tacheometry Survey)

7. USING LEVELING
INSTRUMENTS
In hilly region Spirit Leveling instrument
can be used for BM survey along the
accessible route. But it will not applicable
on steep, undulated, ascend and descend
ground. In terai/plain region use of spirit
level is must to determine elevation of the
points. Use of other methods as mentioned
above 2, 3, 4, 5 in plain region is almost
not applicable in concern to precision of
height difference.
STATION
(COMPUTERIZED SURVEY
SYSTEM)
It is the latest highly upgraded
technology of Theodolite system in
composition of electronic distance
measurement (EDM) with electronic
field book, data logger (memory card)
and mapping software. Now it is further
developed with GPS-Total Station.
This instrument is highly applicable for
both hilly and terai region. It has a high
precision performance around more
than 1: 100000. Now a days the
professional surveyors, engineers
mostly refer to use Total Station due
to its highly efficient performance.
THE COST OF SURVEY WORKS
DEPEND ON THE USE OF TYPES OF
INSTRUMENTS & SITE CONDITION.
 If the site is easy, accessible the method 3 or 4 will be
sufficient,
but repeated measurement should be taken to get precision
1:200 to 500. The method 3 will be more precise and reliable
under sincere measurement and thus cost will be very low.

 The methods 2 and 5 are suitable for rough preliminary

survey at inaccessible, undulated, hilly, steepy land. The
altitude readings of the Barometric Altimeter depends on
the weather condition and GPS depends on satellite contact.
The height difference fluctuate to 15 to 30 meters. It is bit
costly than the method 3 and 4. The Altimeter cost around $
80 to 200 and hand-held GPS Unit cost around $ 220 to 1200
depending on the precision.

 The methods 6 and 8 are mostly for detailed survey, but if

the project site is highly inaccessible and impossible to get
measurement by other methods during the preliminary
survey, Theodolite or Total Station instruments should be
used . It cost around $ 2200 to 7500.
PLEASE ANY
QUESTION ?