Exercise 4 - Distance Measurment by Stadia Method

DEPARTMENT OF GEODETIC
ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Telephone: (053) 565-0600 local 1027
Email: dge@vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph
ESci 121 – Fundamentals of Surveying
Exercise No. 4: Distance Measurement by Stadia Method
Name: ____________________________________ Date Performed: _____________

Course and Year: ___________________________ Date Submitted: _____________
I. Introduction
Distance measurement with the use of optical instruments is a prevalent method
used in surveying. The technique is easy to use and makes the work faster, especially for
those already skilled in the process. The stadia method uses the optical geometry of the
instrument and takes rod readings to the points where distances are to be measured and
determined (La Putt, 2008). Correspondingly, distances are computed, including
horizontal, vertical, and inclined distances.
Although the stadia method establishes its importance in distance measurement, it
loses its popularity in the presence of more advanced and sophisticated surveying
instruments. The method is outmoded form of distance measurement that principally
relies on a fixed-angle intercept in measuring the distance optically along the sight path
(Kavanagh, 2010). However, considering areas where technological advancement is rare,
this method is of great importance. Hence, students must know the older ways of
surveying techniques.
II. Learning Outcomes

1. To determine horizontal, vertical, and inclined distances by stadia method; and
2. To determine the difference in elevation between two points by stadia method;
III. Materials
Transit/theodolite, stadia rod, pegs/hubs or marking chalk/crayons
IV. Procedure
A. Stadia Method with Angle of Inclination (Positive Angle)
1. Identify and designate two Points (A and B) with different elevations some distance
apart (approximately 10 to 30 meters). Point A being lower than Point B.
2. Mark the two points with pegs/hubs or mark chalk/crayons for concrete pavements.
3. Set up the instrument at Point A (lower elevation) and place or position the stadia rod
at Point B (higher elevation).
4. With the instrument leveled at Point A, fix the instrument's line of sight to the stadia
rod held at Point B and lock the telescope (instrument) to avoid further movements.
5. Take a rod reading at Point B and determine the upper stadia crosshair reading (a),
the middle crosshair reading (c), also known as the rod reading (RR), and the lower
stadia crosshair reading (b).
6. With the line of sight of the instrument still fixed when the rod reading was taken,
measure and read the angle of inclination of the telescope (referred to as the positive
vertical angle).
7. Record and tabulate the data using Table 1.
Table 1. Measured positive vertical angle and crosshair readings
Station Station Vertical Upper Middle Lower

Occupied Sighted Angle, (α) Crosshair Crosshair Crosshair
(Positive Reading (a) Reading (c) Reading (b)
Angle)
Point A Point B
8. Calculate the horizontal distance (HD), vertical distance (VD), inclined distance (ID),
and the difference in elevation (DE) of the two Points using the following formulas:
Use HI=1.30 meters.
s=a−b ………………………………………. Equation 1

ID=Kscosα +C ……………………….. .Equation 2
HD=Ks cos2 α + Ccosα ……………….Equation 3
VD=Kscosαsinα +Csinα …………..Equation 4
DE=HI +VD −RR …………………..…Equation 5
Where:
a – Upper Stadia Crosshair Reading
b – Lower Stadia Crosshair Reading
c – Middle Stadia Crosshair Reading or the Rod Reading (RR)
s – Stadia Intercept
K – Stadia Interval Factor (Equal to 100 for most of instruments)
C – Stadia Constant (Equal to 0.00 for internal focusing instruments)
α – Angle of Inclination (Referred to as the positive vertical angle)
ID – Inclined Distance
HD – Horizontal Distance
VD – Vertical Distance
DE – Difference in Elevation between the two Points
Figure 1. An illustration of an inclined stadia sight with angle of inclination
(La Putt, 2008).
B. Stadia Method with Angle of Depression (Negative Angle)
1. Using the same points already established in Procedure A, set up the instrument at
Point B and position or place the stadia rod at Point A.
2. With the instrument leveled at Point B, fix the instrument's line of sight to the
stadia rod held at Point A and lock the telescope (instrument) to avoid further
movements.
3. Take a rod reading at Point A and determine the upper stadia crosshair reading
(a), the middle crosshair reading (c), also known as the rod reading (RR), and
the lower stadia crosshair reading (b).
4. With the line of sight of the instrument still fixed when the rod reading was
taken, measure and read the angle of depression of the telescope (referred to as
the negative vertical angle).
5. Record and tabulate the data using Table 2.
Table 2. Measured negative vertical angle and crosshair readings

Occupied Sighted Angle (α) Crosshair Crosshair Crosshair
(Negative Reading (a) Reading (c) Reading (b)
Angle)
Point B Point A
6. Calculate the horizontal distance (HD), vertical distance (VD), inclined distance (ID),
and the difference in elevation (DE) of the two Points using the formulas in
Procedure A.
a) For positive (+) sights: DE = HI + VD – RR

b) For negative (–) sights: DE = VD + RR – HI
C. Computation of the Most Probable Values (MPV)

1. Calculate the average values for ID, HD, VD, and DE, which will be the most
probable values (MPV) of measurements (Table 3).
Table 3. Computed distances and difference in elevation.

Station Station HD MPV VD MPV ID MPV DE MPV
Occupied Observed
Point A Point B
Point B Point A
Guide Questions
1. What are the probable sources of errors in stadia measurements?

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
2. How can you check that the crosshair readings are correct?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
V. Results and Discussion

VI. Conclusion and Recommendations
VII. References
Kavanagh, B. F. (2010). Surveying with Construction Applications. Seventh Edition.

Pearson Education, Inc. New Jersey. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-500051-9.
La Putt, J.P. (1985). Elementary Surveying Lab Manual. Baguio Research and Publishing
Center. Baguio City, Philippines.
La Putt, J.P. (2008). Elementary Surveying. 3rd Edition. National Book Store. Philippines.
Reprint. ISBN 971-08-5581-6.
Instructions to Students:
1. Make a Laboratory Report based on the data given below. Use A4 size bond paper. Copy
the Introduction, Learning Outcomes, Materials, and Procedure.
2. Complete the table and discuss this in the “Results and Discussion” section.
3. Show sample computations only.
4. Make a sketch of the stadia measurement.
5. Answer the guide questions.
6. Make your conclusion and recommendations.
7. Include your references.
8. Submit your Laboratory Report in Word File/Document through email to your
instructor/professor.
Data for Exercise No. 4:

Table 1. Measured positive vertical angle and crosshair readings

Occupied Sighted Angle, (α) Crosshair Crosshair Crosshair
(Positive Reading (a) Reading (c) Reading (b)
Angle)
Point A Point B 6o35’ 1.15 1.10 1.05
Table 2. Measured negative vertical angle and crosshair readings

Occupied Sighted Angle (α) Crosshair Crosshair Crosshair
(Negative Reading (a) Reading (c) Reading (b)
Angle)
Point B Point A -6o33’ 1.45 1.40 1.35
Table 3. Computed distances and difference in elevation.

Station Station HD MPV VD MPV ID MPV DE MPV
Occupied Observed
Point A Point B
Point B Point A

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DEPARTMENT OF GEODETIC

ESci 121 – Fundamentals of Surveying

Exercise No. 4: Distance Measurement by Stadia Method

Name: ____________________________________ Date Performed: _____________

II. Learning Outcomes

A. Stadia Method with Angle of Inclination (Positive Angle)

Table 1. Measured positive vertical angle and crosshair readings

Station Station Vertical Upper Middle Lower

s=a−b ………………………………………. Equation 1

B. Stadia Method with Angle of Depression (Negative Angle)

Table 2. Measured negative vertical angle and crosshair readings

Station Station Vertical Upper Middle Lower

a) For positive (+) sights: DE = HI + VD – RR

C. Computation of the Most Probable Values (MPV)

Table 3. Computed distances and difference in elevation.

1. What are the probable sources of errors in stadia measurements?

V. Results and Discussion

Kavanagh, B. F. (2010). Surveying with Construction Applications. Seventh Edition.

Data for Exercise No. 4:

Station Station Vertical Upper Middle Lower

Point A Point B 6o35’ 1.15 1.10 1.05

Table 2. Measured negative vertical angle and crosshair readings

Station Station Vertical Upper Middle Lower

Point B Point A -6o33’ 1.45 1.40 1.35

Table 3. Computed distances and difference in elevation.

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Name: ________________________ Date Performed: _