GY301 Geomorphology

Laboratory 3: Using the Total Station to Measure Elevation

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Introduction
The Total Station contains a very accurate clinometer, therefore, it may be used to calculate
elevation differences (i.e. heights) with an accuracy of several cms. Consider Figure 1 below:
All that is needed to calculate the height of an object is 1) the slope distance between the
instrument and the target, and 2) the angular difference between the mirror target and the target
object. The mirror target must be set directly under the target object, and the height of the mirror
target must be known. Note that the height of the instrument does not need to be measured for
this procedure. Also, the ground between the instrument and target mirror may have a significant
slope.
For this lab you will be
divided into groups and
assigned a Total Station
instrument. Your assignment
is to measure the heights of
the 4 corners of the LSCB
(i.e. the same corners
measured with the pocket
transit) with the Total
Figure 1: Geometry of REM measurement.
Station REM procedure.
Each person should make their own measurements after the instrument is level and report the
results in the below table. Report the answer in meters and feet. The instrument will be set to
report the height in meters.
The general procedure for the measurement will be as follows:
1. Level the instrument (Details in lecture). The instrument should be approximately 50-100 feet
away from corner so that you have a reasonable clinometer angle (<45) to measure.
2. Place the mirror target on the ground at the corner of the building and record the mirror target
height in meters form the range pole.
3. From the MEAS menu select Menu > Coordinate > Station Orientation and set the
target height. For a REM measurement you can skip the XY coordinates and height of instrument
settings
4. Sight the mirror target with the telescope and lock the position with the horizontal and vertical
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GY301 Geomorphology
Laboratory 3: Using the Total Station to Measure Elevation
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clamps. From the MEAS menu select Menu > REM and
then [OBS] (Figure 2) to measure the slope distance (S in Figure
1). Then unlock the vertical clamp and sight in the top of the
building corner and re-lock the vertical clamp. Select [REM]
(Figure 2) from the function key menu and write down the
calculated height (meters). Select [STOP] to stop the repeating
measurements (each measurement will have an audible beep).
5. With you group move to another corner and use the instrument
there to measure the height. If the instrument is not set to a
comfortable height, lower it and re-level.

Problem 1: Measure the height of the Life Sciences Building

from the ground to the top of the building at all 4 corners. Enter
the height of the building calculated from the previous lab for
comparison.

Figure 2: REM measurement

screen.

Name of Geologist:____________________________
Pocket Transit Measurement
Northeast corner:
Height of corner = _______ meters = ___________ feet.

____________ feet.

Southeast corner:
Height of corner = _______ meters = __________ feet.

____________ feet.

Southwest corner:
Height of corner = _______ meters = _________ feet

____________ feet.

Northwest corner:
Height of corner = _______ meters = __________ feet

____________ feet.

Problem 2: Using the REM command on the total station measure the elevation difference
between the NE corner of the LSCB and the NW corner of the old administration building. You
will need to set up the mirror target on both corners and select a total station position where you
can view both target positions. Your instructor will help select an appropriate position. When you
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GY301 Geomorphology
Laboratory 3: Using the Total Station to Measure Elevation
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use the REM measurement on each mirror target proceed as with the previous measurements up
until the OBS to get the slope distance to the target. At that point release the vertical lock and
adjust the zenith angle (ZA) until it reads 90E00N00O (or at least with 5O of that value). At this
point you are shooting perfectly level so using the REM function will give you the elevation
difference between the ground below the target and the ground below the instrument. Note that
when you shoot to the LSCB NE corner you are shooting downhill so the elevation difference
will be positive. When you shoot to the NW corner of the ADMIN building you are shooting
uphill so the elevation difference will be negative. To get the total elevation difference add the
absolute values of each measurement abd then convert to feet:
Elevation difference = _________________ feet

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pocket transit = __________ feet