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CH.6.

THEODOLITE SURVEYING:
6.0. GENERAL: Theodolite is a scientific most precise and versatile surveying instrument used for measuring angles (directions) in the horizontal and vertical planes. All Theodolites have similar constructional features regardless of their age or level of technology, and all perform basically the same functions. It has wide applicality in surveying like laying of horizontal angles, locating points on line, prolonging survey lines, establishing grades, determining difference in elevation, setting out curves, aligning tunnels etc. It enables the surveyor to measure angles to an accuracy ranging from 1 to 0.1 (based on manufacture) 6.0.1. History: The name Theodolite was invented by Leonard Digges, whose description of the instrument was published by his son Thomas Digges in 1571 A.D. - lots of attention was paid for the development of this instrument in England. - Ramsden made his famous telescopic Theodolite in 1785 A.D. with a three (3) feet dia. Horizontal circle, but angle could measure to an accuracy of one second, no vertical circle was provided during this period. - later in nineteenth century less accurate instrument with vertical circle were devised. - In Europe this nineteenth century devised Theodolite was called simple Theodolite while in North America, it was known as the transit. - During this developing period other Theodolite like Wye and Everest were also developed, but they have now become obsolete and are of academic interest only. 6.1. TYPES & USES OF THEODOLITES: 6.1.1. Types : Theodolite may be classified as: Primary Classification: i. Transit Theodolite and ii. Non- transit Theodolite i. Transit Theodolite: The Theodolite whose telescope can be transited is called a transit Theodolite. In which the line of sight can be reversed by revolving the telescope through 180 in the vertical plane. ii. Non-transit Theodolite: The Theodolite in which the telescope cannot be transited, is called a non- transit Theodolite. A non- transit telescope cannot be revolved through a complete revolution about its horizontal axis in vertical plane. Non- transit Theodolite are much inferior as compared to transit Theodolite. A plain theodolites or Ytheodolite is the example of non-transit Theodolite. These have become almost obsolete now days. Classification on the basis of some special features, special use or name of the manufacturing firm: 1. Wye Theodolite : A non-transit type in which the telescope is supported on Wyes. Now obsolete 2. Vernier Theodolite: In which verniers are provided for reading horizontal and vertical graduated circles. 3. Glass arc or micrometer Theodolite : In this type of theodolites, micrometer are provided for reading horizontal and vertical graduated circles. 4. Double reading Theodolite : In which the images of diametrically opposite parts of the graduated circle are brought into the field of view by a suitable optical arrangement and are read and averaged in one stroke. 5. Railway transit : A transit Theodolite without the means for measuring vertical angles, it is used specially in railway work. 6. Mining transit : A transit designed specifically for mine surveys. Large vertical angles can be measured without the difficulty experienced with ordinary transits. 7. Photo- Theodolite : A Theodolite combined with a camera. It is used specifically in photographic surveying (photogrammetry) 8. Tavistock Theodolite : A double reading, micrometer type which was manufactured by the Tavistock company of London.

9. Watts microscopic Theodolite : A micrometer theodolyte made by Hilger and Watts of London. Accuracy range 1 to 0.2. 10. Wild universal Theodolite : Micrometer Theodolite of the double reading type, extensively used in geodesy. 11. Zeiss Theodolite : A modern Theodolite designed by the Karl Zeiss company of Germany for accurate work. 12. Total Station : A total station is an electronic/optical instrument used in modern surveying. The total station is an electronic theodolite (transit) integrated with an electronic distance meter (EDM) to read distances from the instrument to a particular point. : Coordinate Measurement, Angle measurement, Distance Measurement, Data Processing, Total stations are mainly used by land surveyors. They are also used by archaeologists to record excavations and by police, crime scene investigators, private accident reconstructionists and insurance companies to take measurements of scenes Total stations are the primary survey instrument used in mining surveying. A total station is used to record the absolute location of the tunnel walls (stopes), ceilings (backs), and floors as the drifts of an underground mine are driven. The recorded data is then downloaded into a CAD program, and compared to the designed layout of the tunnel. The survey party installs control stations at regular intervals. These are small steel plugs installed in pairs in holes drilled into walls or the back. For wall stations, two plugs are installed in opposite walls, forming a line perpendicular to the drift. For back stations, two plugs are installed in the back, forming a line parallel to the drift. A set of plugs can be used to locate the total station set up in a drift or tunnel by processing measurements to the plugs by intersection and resection. 6.1.2. Uses of Theodolite: Measurement of Horizontal and vertical angle Measurement of magnetic bearing of lines Laying off horizontal angles Locating points on line Prolonging survey lines Establishing grades Determining difference in elevation Setting out curves Aligning tunnels Mining works etc.

Uses of Total Station

6.1.3. The main components of different Theodolites are illustrated in Figure :

Use of the Theodolite


Care of the Instrument
The Theodolite is a precision scientific instrument. It is fairly robust, but care should be taken to avoid harsh treatment. There are several moving parts and it is quite heavy, so it is easy to inadvertently drop it when removing it from its case.

It is designed to be used in all weathers, but if it gets wet it should be dried out at the earliest opportunity (best by leaving in a warm room). The case lining also holds water, so dont forget to dry the case as well.

Please remember to unlock a clamp before you try to rotate it.

The Controls

Upper rough sight I minutes and seconds adjuster

Small eyepiece (scales) Main eyepiece (viewing) G vertical clamp and fine adjuster The mirror light source for the scale can be seen on the left of the picture Horizontal bubble [Fine adjustment]

E upper horizontal clamp and fine adjuster The theodolites controls are labelled A to I and are as follows D lower horizontal clamp and fine adjuster

A ,B,C three levelling screws. D

Circular spirit level [Rough adjustment]

lower horizontal clamp (outer ring) and fine adjuster (inner). Used to align on the reference north. A,B,C three levelling screw

E F G H I

upper horizontal clamp and fine adjuster. Used to align on the object to be measured. vertical sighting to align the theodolite over a set point on the ground. vertical clamp and fine adjuster. Used when measuring vertical angles. mirror. Supplies a source of light to the internal scales. minutes and seconds adjuster. Used to align the degree scale so angles to a resolution of minutes and seconds of arc can be made

In addition, the telescope has upper and lower rough sights and a small eyepiece on the right to view the scales.

Setting up the Theodolite.


The Theodolite is mounted on a tripod. First, extend the tripod legs, splay them fully and push the ends firmly into the ground. Next look at the Theodolite mounting platform. This should be reasonably level and not too high nor too low for the users. Adjust the leg lengths until it is right then screw the theodolite onto the platform.

You may wish to set the theodolite up over a reference point on the ground. In this case, you can use the sight (F) on the front of the instrument to view the point and adjust the theodolites position by slightly unscrewing the mounting screw and moving the theodolite sideways. Alternatively, you can ask a helper to push a nail or peg into the ground under your guidance to fix a new reference point.

Levelling the Theodolite.


There are 3 levelling screws (labelled A, B and C) at the base of the instrument. These should be used with the round spirit level to obtain a coarse adjustment. When this is done, line the long spirit level with 2 of the levelling screws and make the first fine adjustment. Then turn the theodolite through 90 degrees so the long spirit level is pointing at the 3rd levelling screw and adjust that until it is level. Recheck the fine adjustment if necessary. If there is not enough adjustment in the levelling screws, then the theodolite table is not level enough and you will have to adjust the leg heights until it is.

This method for levelling also applies to the EDM.

Zero the scales


Release clamps D and E. Align the red mark on the upper part of the theodolite with the white mark on the black ring and lock the upper horizontal clamp (E). This roughly sets the theodolite optics to zero on the horizontal scale.

Open the mirror (H) and adjust until you see a bright patch of light falling on the window underneath it. Now if you look through the small eyepiece, you will see some illuminated scales.

A view through the small eyepiece shows the vertical and horizontal degree scales and the minutes and seconds scale.

95
|

93
|| | . . . 0 00 || | . 0 20

V 0

HH

Adjust the fine adjuster (I) so the mark in the right hand scale is aligned with 000. Using the fine adjuster on the upper horizontal clamp (E) adjust the 0 so the single vertical line which moves with it on the bottom scale is between the double vertical lines (as above) as near central as possible. Now clamp (E). Movement now on the bottom plate will move the whole instrument without changing the reading. From now on clamp (D), rotate by loosening (E) and read the change.

This completes the horizontal zero adjustment. There is no adjustment for vertical angles. That is done internally and is correct if the theodolite is properly levelled

Align on a reference North


All your theodolite measurements are made relative to a reference baseline, which by definition is oriented at 0 degrees. This does not need to be true north, but could be a line to a convenient feature such as a chimneystack or telegraph pole. With the upper horizontal clamp (E) still on, rotate the theodolite until the arrow in the upper or lower rough sight is in line with the selected feature. Gently lock the lower horizontal clamp (D) and, looking through the main eyepiece (you may need to focus it) use the lower horizontal clamp fine adjuster to line the vertical lines on the feature.

Once this is done, the theodolite is set to zero on the reference line and the lower horizontal clamp (D) should not be touched again.

To take a measurement
Unlock the upper horizontal clamp (E). Rotate the theodolite until the arrow in the upper or lower rough sight points to the feature of interest and lock the clamp. Look through the main eyepiece (you may need to refocus) and use the upper horizontal adjuster to align the vertical lines on the feature. To take the reading, you should look through the small eyepiece. Using the minutes and seconds adjuster (I) set the one of the degrees on the horizontal scale so the single vertical line on the bottom scale is between the double vertical lines under the selected degree. The reading is

the degree you have aligned and the minutes and seconds read from the right hand scale and is the horizontal angle (in degrees, minutes and seconds) from your reference line. To measure a vertical angle, unlock the vertical clamp (G) and tilt the eyepiece until the feature is aligned on the horizontal lines. Gently lock the clamp and use the vertical adjuster to make fine adjustments. Now looking through the small eyepiece, use the minutes and seconds adjuster (I) to align one of the degrees on the vertical scale with the double lines just below it. The reading is the degree you have aligned and the minutes and seconds read from the right hand scale. This is the angle from the vertical; where vertical is 0 degrees. To complete the reading, you may now need to measure the distance from the theodolite to that feature.

To use the measurement.


Often, your two measurements, an angle from your reference line and the distance from the object have to be converted into Eastings and Northings. These are distances East from the reference line and along (North) the reference line. Once you know these, you can produce a scale drawing. If you get negative values you have to change direction; for negative Easting go West by that amount, for a negative Northing you have to go South. You need to know 2 equations:-

Easting = sin(angle) times distance Northing = cos(angle) times distance

There are programmes available (on the WAG web) site for doing these calculations. They can also be done on hand held calculators, but beware some of these need the degrees entered in radians. You can easily check, sin(45) = cos(45) = 0.707.

If you have access to Turbocad, you can produce your scale drawing by entering the degrees and distances directly and you dont need to do the calculations. This will give you a set of lines radiating from a point. You will need to join up the ends appropriately to produce the final picture.

Tripod: The purpose of the tripod is to provide support for the instrument. Tripods may be telescopic, that is they have sliding legs, or may have legs of fixed length. Tribrach: The tribrach is the body of the instrument carrying ass the other parts. Leveling arrangement: To enable the tribrach to be leveled, Levelling screws are fitted between the tribrach and trivet stage.

Horizontal circle (lower plate): The horizontal circle is in reality an accurately machined protractor graduated in a clockwise direction and numbered from 0 to 360. The circle is therefore free to rotate either within or around the tribrach and can be stopped in any position by applying the lower plate clamp. Alidade: The alidade is the remainder of the theodolite comprising the uprights (A frame of older instruments) which support the telescope and vertical circle and the spirit levels. Controls for measuring horizontal angles: (a) Double center system (b) Circle setting screw (c) Repetition clamp system Index marks: In order to read the circle for any pointing of the telescope it is convenient to imagine an index mark mounted on the alidade directly below the telescope. Theodolite axis or turning axis: The theodolite axis rests on the limbs of the standards and is securely held in position by a lockout. Altitude spirit level: Angles measured in vertical plane must be measured relative to a truly horizontal line. Centering motion: Since the theodolite must be placed exactly over a survey station it is fitted with a centering motion fitted usually above the tribrach, which allows the whole of the instrument above the tribrach to move relative to latter. Finally, Primary function of the theodolite is the accurate measurement or layout of horizontal and vertical angles. Other functions: Determining horizontal and vertical distances by stadia Extending straight lines Differential leveling

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