TOPIC 1 : TACHIMETRY

DEFINATION OF TACHIMETRY
Tacheometry is an optical solution to the
measurement of distance. The word is derived
from the Greek Tacus, meaning 'swift', and
metrot, meaning 'a measure'.
Tacheometry /tachemetry /telemetry is a
branch of angular surveying in which the
horizontal and Vertical distances of points are
obtained by optical means as propposed to the
ordinary slower process of measurements by
tape or chain.

WHY USING THIS METHOD

The method is very rapid and convenient.

It is best adapted in obstacles such as steep and
broken ground, deep ravines, stretches of water or
swamp and so on, which make chaining difficult or
impossible,
The primary object of tachimetry is the preparation
of contoured maps or plans requiring both the
horizontal as well as Vertical control.
Also, on surveys of higher accuracy, it provides a
check on distances measured with the tape.

USES OF TACHEOMETRY

The direct methods of measurement of horizontal

distances and differences in elevations
Preparation of topographic maps which require both
elevations and horizontal distances.
Survey work in difficult terrain where direct methods
are inconvenient
Detail filling
Reconnaissance surveys for highways, railways, etc.
Checking of already measured distances
Hydrographic surveys and
Establishing secondary control.

DATA NEEDS TO PLOTTING TOPOGRAPHY MAP

Bearing
(horizontal
angle)-Hr
Vertical
axis(distance V
Horizontal
distance(H)
Figure 1.0 : Three dimensional data where x =
horizontal distance, y = bearing and z =
elevation(vertical distance)

STEPS IN TACHIMETRY WORK

RECONAISSANCE
for a good planning and selecting the appropriate
SURVEY station.
MAKE SURE total of survey station suitable with the
plan area.

STEPS IN TACHIMETRY WORK

HORIZONTAL CONTROL
Tachimetry surveys are usually performed to
measure the three dimensional location of
points on the landscape so as to produce
contour and detail plans for further work, or to
produce coordinates for area and volume
calculations.
Observations are usually performed from known
survey stations(refer to existing plan), often
established by traversing.

STEPS IN TACHIMETRY WORK

HORIZONTAL CONTROL

Station 1 is reference
object/datum (bearing
2-1 is refer to existing
plan )

Known
bearing 21
1

Figure 1.1 : Traverse

control

HORIZONTAL CONTROL

Making a traverse control for the final bearing of

each traverse line.
survey stations or line traverse can be determined
using theodolite traverse measurement.

STEPS IN TACHIMETRY WORK

VERTICAL CONTROL

This is required to transfer reduced level from

bench mark to each traverse station.
Vertical control are carried out using a secondclass levelling.

VERTICAL CONTROL

FS
2
BS

1
Known Reduce Level
at point 1.Example,
RL point 1 =
100.00m

STEPS IN TACHIMETRY WORK

DETAILING

Details measurement is observation of all ground information

either natural or non natural details.
Can be conduct using total station, the level or EDM, staff or
mini
prism with pole.
For the example building(edges), drainage(invert and top), road,
contour(ground level), parking lot etc.
The following information of details needs to observe and
booking: 1. Height of instrument (Hi))
2. Bearing (horizontal angle-Hr)
3. Vertical angle(Vr)
4. Stadia readings top, middle, lower

DETAILING

201

200

202

1
Traverse
control

2
Instrument
station
1-5 horizontal
angle/bering

4
5

Traverse
control
203

203

DETAILING

301

bu
ild
ing

201 202

101

204

2
102
103

302

205
3

303

305
104
505
504

105

304

5
501
503

401

502

405

403
404
402

Line traverse
1
204,102,105

Line detail
Point station
Point detail which are where it can consist of items such
as roads, edges of buildings, drains

DATA OBSERVATION
Observation of data devided into several method/system :

system

Stadia System

tangential system

Electronic
Tacheometry

Stadia System

The theodolite is directed at the level staff and the distance is measured by
reading the top and bottom stadia hairs on the telescope view.
Handle with two situation. Its depends on terrain.
Observation of point will be conduct either HORIZONTAL SIGHTING or
INCLINED SIGHTING.

Stadia System
HORIZONTAL SIGHT

INCLINE SIGHT

Based on principe
As height differences
distance-elevation
between staff positions and
stadia formulae derived
instrument increase, it will
for the horizontal sights.
become impossible to use
the horizontal line of sight
which so far has only been
considered.

Stadia System
HORIZONTAL SIGHT

It is principe stadia system.

Where Principe stadia system is derived from distance and elevation

formulae for horizontal sight
Object lens

Diafragma

Focal point

b
i

d
D

instrument
axis

Stadia System
HORIZONTAL SIGHT

Stadia System
HORIZONTAL SIGHT
From the figure given, look at the similar triangle AOB and AOB
Vertical dist AB = OC
AB OC
d f

s i

equation 1

d D- (f c) equation 2

Insert the equation 2 to the equation 1

D- (f c) f

s
i

stadia Formula is :
D

fS
f c
i

f/i is stadia constant and f+c is

additive constant
So, stadia formula is:
D = Ks+c

Stadia System
INCLINED SIGHT
HANDLE WITH TWO SITUATION

VERTICAL
STAFF

NORMAL /
INCLINES
STAFF

Stadia System
VERTICAL STAFF

INCLINED SIGHT
From figure
S = stadia intercept
h = middle stadia readings
V = Vertical distance
H = horizontal distance
D = Slope distance
= vertical angle

staff vertical(angle of elevation)

Staff vertical(Angle of depression)

Stadia System
INCLINED SIGHT
VERTICAL STAFF FORMULA
where the additive constant is zero and K not = 100 and c not = 0, these
formulae are simplified as follows:
H = Ks cos2 + C cos
D = Ks cos + C
V = Ks sin 2 + C sin
where the additive constant is zero and K = 100, these formulae are simplified
as follows:
H = 100s (cos)
V = (100/2) s sin 2
D = Ks cos

VERTICAL STAFF FORMULA

Reduced Level of instrument = Reduced Level TBM + Hi V - h

TBM
Reduced Level of point

TBM

Instrument
= Reduced Level of instrument + Hi V - h

Instrument

Point station

Stadia System
INCLINED SIGHT
NORMAL/INCLINE STAFF
line of sight

Staff held normal

(90 with line of
sight)

Stadia System
INCLINED SIGHT
NORMAL/INCLINE STAFF FORMULA
D = Ks + C
H = (Ks + C) cos h sin
V = (Ks + C) sin
C is zero, K = 100 and the value of is less than 10 (the assumption is
generally made that the term h sin is zero), these formulae can be simplified
as :
H = 100 s cos
V = 100 s sin

Stadia System
INCLINED SIGHT
NORMAL/INCLINE STAFF FORMULA
Reduced Level of instrument = Reduced Level TBM + Hi V h cos

Reduced Level of point

= Reduced Level of instrument + Hi V - h cos

EDM
(ELECTRONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT)

The term EDM is used to describe a category of instruments that

measure distance using an electronic signal.
The instrument broadcasts a focused signal that is returned by a
prism or reflection from the object.

EDM
Therefore, if the speed of the signal is known (speed of light),
and the time for the signal to travel to the target and back is
known, the distance can be calculated.
Advantages of EDMs
1.
2.
3.
4.

Precise measurement of
distance.
Line of sight instrument
Capable of measuring long
distances
Reflectorless are single
person operation

Disadvantages of EDMs
1.
2.

3.

Electronic = batterers
Accuracy affected by
atmospheric
conditions.
Can be expensive

EDM
When should horizontal distance be used?
When should slope distance be used?
Distances can be

measured in two ways:

Horizontal distance
Slope (surface)
distance

The horizontal distance between two points is the distance

between those points measured on a horizontal plane.

The slope distance between two points is a distanced
measured along the surface of the earth.(either instrument
point higher or lower than station observe)

Formula :
H = D distance
V=0
= 90/0

H distance
Situation 1
(D)
e
nc
a
t
dis
e
p
Slo
H distance

Situation 2

V distance

Formula :
H = D kos
V = D tan
RL point = RL instrument + Hi V prism reading

EDM
When the measurements require horizontal distance, the individual has

two choices.

Use equipment and techniques to record horizontal distance.

Record slope distance and collect the additional information
required to calculate horizontal distance.

Example 1:
(Find out the constant value of instrument-theodolite)

A levelling staff is held vertical at distance of 100 m and 300m from the axis
of a tachimetry and the staff intercept for horizontal sights are 0.99m and
3.00m respectively. Find the constants of the instrument.
The instrument is set up at station A and the staff is held vertical at a point B.
With the telescope inclined at an angle depression of 10 to the horizontal.
The readings on the staff are 2.670, 1.835 and 1.000m. calculate te R.L of B
and its horizontal distance from A. The H.I is 1.42 m and R.L is 450.5m.

Solution :

D = Ks +C
Given D1 = 100m, D2 = 300m, s1 = 0.99, s2 = 3.00
D1 = Ks1 + C .. equation 1
D2 = Ks2 + C ..equation 2
100 = 0.99K + C (1)
300 = 3.00K + C ..(2)
Equation 1 equation 2
200 = 2.01 K + C .equation 3
Find K value, assumed c value = 0
200 = 2.01 K + 0
K = 99.502
K = 99.052, find c value using equation 3
200 = 2.01(99.502) + C
C=1

Example 2:
(vertical staff problem distance)

It was required to determine the distance between two points A and B by a

tachimeter fitted with an analatic lens. Given k = 100and c = 0. instrument
set up at point A and staff at point B. the observation made were a vertical
angle = 946 and staff intercept = 1.915m.
What is the horizontal distance AB.
Later on its founds that the constant of the instrument were 100 and 0.5.
What would be the percentage error in the horizontal distance computed?

Solution:

K= 100, c = 0
H = Ks cos2 + C cos
= 100x1.915 (cos 946) + 0
= 185.9893
And K= 100, c = 0.5
H = Ks cos2 + c cos
= 100x1.915 (cos 946) + 0.5 cos 946
= 185.9893 + 0.4927
= 186.482
Actual distance
Error
Percentage of error

= 185.9893
= 186.482 185.9893 = 0.4927
= 0.4927 x100 = 0.2649%
185.9893