BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

INDEX

LIST OF EXPERIMENTS

S. No. Practical

1
To measure bearings of a closed traverse by prismatic compass and to adjust the traverse
by graphical method.

2
To find out reduced levels of given points using Auto/dumpy level.

3
To study parts of a Vernier theodolite and measurement of horizontal and vertical angle
.

4
To measure horizontal angle between two objects by repetition /reiteration method.

5
To determine the height of a vertical structure (like chimney, water tank etc)using
trigonometrical levelling by taking observations in single vertical plane

6 To set out a simple circular curve by Rankin’s method

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

EXPERIMENT NO- 1

OBJECTIVE: To measure the bearings of a closed traverse by prismatic compass and to adjust the traverse
by graphical method.

INSTRUMENTS:Prismatic compass, chain, ranging rods.

SKETCH:
B C

A D

F E

PROCEDURE:
» Fix the closed traverse A B C D E&F.
» Set up the compass at the station ‘A’.
» Perform the temporary adjustments.
» Sight the object at ‘B’ and note down the FB of line AB and measure the distance.
» Sight the object at F and note down the BB of EA.
» Sight the instrument to station ‘B’ performs all the temporary adjustments.
» Sight the object at ‘A’ and take the ‘BB’ of ‘AB’.
» Take ‘FB’ of ‘BC’ and measure the length of ‘BC’.
» Check whether the difference of ‘FB’ and ‘BB’ is 180º or not, at all stations.
» Continue the same process all at other stations.

TABULAR FORM FOR CLOSED TRAVERSE:-

Sr. Line Length F.B B.B INCLUDED Remarks

No. ANGLE

FORMULA: Included angle = B.B of previous line – F.B of next line.

CHECK: The sum of the included angles should be equals to (2n-4) x 90º (Where ‘n’ is number of sides of
the)

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

EXPERIMENT NO- 2

OBJECTIVE: To find out reduced levels of given points using Auto/dumpy level.

APPARATUS: Dumpy level, leveling staff

Fig. Dumpy Level

THEORY:
Levelling: The art of determining and representing the relative height or elevation of different object/points
on the surface of earth is called leveling. It deals with measurement in vertical plane. By leveling operation,
the relative position of two points is known whether the points are near or far off. Similarly, the point at
different elevation with respect to a given datum can be established by leveling.

LEVELLING INSTRUMENTS:- The instrument which are directly used for leveling operation are:-Level,
Leveling staffLevel: - An instrument which is used for observing staff reading on leveling staff kept over
different points after creating a line of sight is called a level.
Dumpy Level: The difference in elevation between the point then can worked out. A level essentiallyconsists
of the following points:
1) Leveling Heads
2) Limb plate
3) Telescope
4) Bubble tube
5) Tripod stand

Telescope consists of two tubes, one slide into the other and fitted with lens and diaphragm having cross hairs.
it creates a line of sight by which the reading on the staff is taken The essential parts of a telescope are1) body

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

2) object glass 3)Eye-piece 4) Diaphragm 5) Ray shade 6) The rack and pinion arrangement 7) Focusing
screw 8) Diaphragm screw.

Dumpy level: The dumpy level is simple, compact and stable instrument. The telescope is rigidly fixed
toitssupports. Hence it cannot be rotated about its longitudinal axis or cannot be removed from its support.
The name dumpy is because of its compact and stable construction. The axis of telescope is perpendicular to
the vertical axis of the level. The level tube is permanently placed so that its axis lies in the same vertical
plane of the telescope but it is adjustable by means of captain head not at one end. The ray shade is provided
to protect the object glass. A clamp and slow motion screw are provided in modern level to control the
movement of spindle, about the vertical axis. The telescope has magnifying power of about thirty diameters.
The level tube is graduated to 2mm divisions and it has normally a sensitiveness of 20seconds of are per
graduation. The telescope may be internally focusing or externalFocusing type.
Adjustment of the level
The level needs two type of adjustment
1) Temporary adjustment and
2) Permanent adjustment
Temporary adjustments of dumpy level
These adjustments are performed at each set-up the level before taking any observation.
A) Setting up the level: - this includes
1) Fixing the instrument in the tripod: - the tripod legs are well spread on the ground with tripod head nearly
level and at convenient height. Fix up the level on the tripod.
2) Leg adjustment:- Bring all the foot screws of the level in the centre of their run .Fix any two legs firmly
into the ground by pressing them with hand and move the third leg to leg to right or left until the main
bubble is roughly in the centre. Finally the legs are fixed after centering approximately both bubbles.
This operation will save the time required for leveling.

B) Leveling: - Leveling is done with the help of foot screws and bubbles. The purpose ofleveling is to make
the vertical axis truly vertical. The method of leveling the instrument depends upon whether there are three
foot screws or four foot screws. In all modern instruments three foot screws are provided and this method only
is described.

1) Place the telescope parallel to pair of foot screws.

2) Hold these two foot screw between the thumb and first finger of each hand and turn them uniformly so
that the thumbs move either toward each other until the bubble is in centre.
3) Turn the telescope through 90°so that it lies over the third foot screw.
4) Turn this foot screw only until the bubble is centered.
5) Bring the telescope back to its original position without reversing the eye pieceand object glass ends.
6) Again bring the bubble to the centre of its run and repeat these operation until the bubble remains in the
centre of its run in both positions which are at right angle to each other.
7) Now rotate the instrument through 180°, the bubble should remain in centre provided the instrument is in
adjustment: if not, it needs permanent adjustment.

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

C) Focusing the eye piece:- To focus the eye piece, hold a white paper in front of the object glass ,and move
the eye piece in or out till the cross hairs are distinctly seen. Care should be taken that the eye piece is not
wholly taken out ,sometimes graduation are provided at the eye piece and that one can always remember
theparticular graduation position to suit his eyes,This will save much time of focusing the eye piece.

(D) Focusing the object glass: - Direct the telescope to the leveling staff and on looking through the
telescope, turn the focusing screw until the image appears clears and sharp. The image is thus formed inside
the plane of cross hairs, Parallax, if any is removed by exact focusing. It may be noted that parallax is
completely eliminated when there is no change in staff reading after moving the eye up and down. Reduced
Levels the system of working out the reduced level of the points from staff reading taken in the field is called
as reduced level (R.L) of a points is the elevation of the point with reference to the same datum. There are two
systems of reduced levels
1) The plane of collimation system (H.I. method)
2) The Rise and fall system
1) The plane of collimation system (H.I. method)
In this system, the R.L. of plane of collimation (H.I) is found out for every set-up of thelevel and then the
reduced levels of the points are worked out with the respectiveplane of collimation as described below.
1) Determine the R.L. of plane of collimation for the first set up of the level by adding B.S. to the R.L. of
B.M. i.e. (R.L of plane of collimation= R.L. of B.M. +B.S.)
2) Obtained the R.L. of the intermediate points and first change point bysubtracting the staff readings (I.S. and
F.S. from the R.L. of plane of collimation (H.I). (R.L. of a point=R.L of plane of collimation H.I.-I.S or F.S)
3) When the instrument is shifted and set up at new position a new plane ofcollimation is determined by
addition of B.S. to the R.L of change point. Thus thelevels from two set-ups of the instruments can be
correlated by means of B.S.and F.S. taken on C.P.
4) Find out the R.L.s of the successive points and the second C.P. by subtracting their staff readings from this
plane of collimation R.L.
5) Repeat the procedure until all the R.Ls are worked out.

Observation table:-

STATION Reading Height of Reduced

Remarks
B.S I.S. F.S. instrument Level

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

EXPERIMENT NO- 3

OBJECTIVE: To study parts of a Vernier theodolite and measurement of horizontal and verticalangle.

APPARATUS:- Theodolite, three ranging rods,

Fig. Vernier Theodolite

THEORY: Theodolite is an instrument designed for the measurement of horizontal and vertical angle. It
ismost precise method it is also used for laying of horizontal angles locating points on line prolonging
thesurvey line establishing the gradient, determination of difference in the elevation setting out
curve.Theodolites are of two types - transit and non transit. Transit theodolite is commonly used nowadays.In
transit theodolitetelescope can be revolved a complete revolution about its horizontal axis in a vertical plane. A
transit theodoliteconsists of essential part.
1) Leveling head: It supports the main working parts of the instrument and screws on a tripod. The headcomprises
of two parts
a) A leveling foot screws for leveling the instrument i.e. for marking vertical axis truly vertical.

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

b) A movable head or centering arrangement for centering the vertical axis accurately over a station point.
2) A lower level circular horizontal metal plate: It carries a circular graduated arc. The lower plate is attachedto a
vertical metal spindle (outer axis) which works in vertical bearing and a form a part of leveling head. Itmay be
graduated in degree and half degree or a degree 1/3 of degrees .the upper plate carries an index andvernier or
micrometer towards fine reading on gradated horizontal circle .the upper plate carries standard useof for
supporting the telescope and the spirit level used for leveling the instrument.3) A telescope: The telescope is
pivoted between the standard at right angles to the horizontal axis . It can berotated about its horizontal axis in
a vertical plane. The telescope is provided with the focusing screw,Clamping screw and tangent screw.
4) A circular graduated are carried on vertical circle: It is attached to the horizontal axis of the telescope, it
isusually divided into 4 quadrants, but in some instruments it is graduated continuously from 0-
3600.Thegraduation in each quadrant are numbered from 0-900 in opposite direction. The subdivisions of
vertical circleare similar to those of vertical circle.

MESURMENT OF VERTICAL ANGLE

A vertical angle is the angle between the inclined line of sight to an object and the horizontal. It may be
anangle of elevation or on angle of depression according as the point is above or below the horizontal
planepassing through the trunnion axis of the instrument. To measure angle of elevation or depression LOM
shownin fig. proceed asfollows:
1) Set up the theodolite at station point O and level it accurately with reference to the altitude level.
2) Set vertical verniers C and D exactly to zero by using the vertical circle clamp and tangent screw, while
thealtitude level should remain in the centre of its run. Also the face of the theodolite should be left.
3) Release the vertical circle clamp screw and rotate the telescope in vertical plane so as to bisect the object
M.tighten the vertical circle clamp and exactly bisect the object by slow motion screw.
4) Read both verniers C and D. the mean of the tow readings gives the value of the required angle.
5) Similar observation may be made with other face. The average of the tow values thus obtained gives thevalue
of the required angle which is free from instrumental errors.
6) Similarly the angle of depression can be measured following the above steps.
To measure the vertical angle between two points L and M
Sometimes it is required to measure vertical angle between two points L and M. There can be three
possibilities.
(a) One point is above the line of sight and the other is below the line of sight thenangle LOM as shown in fig
will be equal to (<P +<Q )
(b) Both the points are above the line of sight. Then the angle LOM= <P -<Q
(c) Both the points are below the line of sight, then the angle LOM= <P -<Q (Refer Fig. 3)

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

To measure the angle between two points L and M proceed as follows:

1) Set the theodolite at station point O and accurately level it.
2) Bisect the flag at L as explained already and take the reading on the verniers C and D. Calculate the
meanangle.
3) Bisect the flag at M as before and take the reading on the verniers C and D.
Calculate the mean angle.
3)The sum or difference of these angles will give the value of the vertical angle between points L and M

Result: -…………………………..

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

EXPERIMENT NO- 4

OBJECTIVE: Tomeasure horizontal angle between two objects by repetition /reiteration method.

Apparatus Required: Theodolite with tripod, peg, ranging rod, plumb-bob

Procedure:-
1) Let LOM is the horizontal angle to be measured as shown in fig. O is the station point fixed on the ground
by a peg. Set up the theodolite over the peg 'o' and level it.
2) Set the horizontal graduated circle vernier A to read zero or 360° by upper clamp screw and slow motion
screw. Clamp the telescope to bisect the bottom shoe of the flag fixed at point 'L' and tighten the lower
clamp. Exactly intersect the centre of the bottom shoe by means of lower slow motion screw. Check that
the face of the theodolite should be left and the telescope in normal position.
3) Check the reading of the vernier A to see that no slip has occurred .Also see that the plate levels are in the
centre of their run. Read the vernier B also.
4) Release the upper clamp screw and turn the theodolite clockwise. Biset the flag bottom shoe fixed at point
M by a telescope. Tighten the upper clamp screw and bisect the shoe exactly by means of upper slow
motion screw.
5) Note the reading on both the vernier to get the approximate value of the angle LOM.
6) Release the lower clamp screw and rotate the theodolite anticlockwise aiazimuth.Bisect again the bottom
shoe of the flag at 'L' and tighten the lower clamp screw. By means of slow motion screw bisect exactly
the centre of the shoe.
7) Release now the upper clamp screw and rotate the theodolite clockwise. Bisect the bottom shoe of the flag
fixed at M and tighten the upper clamp screw. By means of slow motion screw bisect exactly the centre of
the shoe. The vernier readings will be now twice the of the angles.
8) Repeat the process until the angle is repeated the required number of times (usually 3). Add 360° for
every complete revaluation to the final reading and divided the total angle by number of repetitions to get
the value of angle LOM.
9) Change the face of the theodolite the telescope will now be inverted. Rrpeat the whole process exactly in
the above manner and obtain value of angle LOM.
10) The average horizontal angle is then obtained by taking the average of the two angles obtained with face
left and face right.
11) Usually three repetitions face left and three with face right should be taken and the mean angle should be
calculated.

L M

Result:The horizontal angle,<LOM =……………………

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

EXPERIMENT NO- 5

OBJECTIVE:To determine the height of a vertical structure (like chimney, water tank etc)using trigonometrical
levelling by taking observations in single vertical plane

APPARATUS:- Theodolite, three ranging rods,

MESURMENT OF VERTICAL ANGLE

A vertical angle is the angle between the inclined line of sight to an object and thehorizontal. It may be an angle
of elevation or on angle of depression according as thepoint is above or below the horizontal plane passing
through the trunnion axis of theinstrument. To measure angle of elevation or depression LOM shown in fig.
proceedasfollows:
1) Set up the theodolite at station point O and level it accurately with reference to thealtitude level.
2) Set vertical vernies C and D exactly to zero by using the vertical circle clamp andtangent screw, while the
altitude level should remain in the centre of its run. Also theface of the theodolite should be left.
3) Release the vertical circle clamp screw and rotate the telescope in vertical plane soas to bisect the object M.
tighten the vertical circle clamp and exactly bisect theobject by slow motion screw.
4) Read both verniers C and D. the mean of the tow readings gives the value of therequired angle.
5) Similar observation may be made with other face. The average of the tow valuesthus obtained gives the value
of the required angle which is free from instrumentalerrors.
6) Similarly the angle of depression can be measured following the above steps.
To measure the vertical angle between two point L and M.
Sometimes it is required to measure vertical angle between two points L and M. Therecan be three
possibilities.
(a) One point is above the line of sight and the other is below the line of sight thenangle LOM as shown in
fig will be equal to (<P +<Q )
(b) Both the points are above the line of sight. Then the angle LOM= <P -<Q
c) Both the points are below the line of sight, then the angle LOM= <P -<Q

The average value of vertical is found to be------------

Calculation:-

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

Result:The height is………..

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

EXPERIMENT NO – 6

OBJECTIVE:-To set out a simple circular curve by Rankin’s method

Problem:-Two tangent intersect at a point the defection angle being ____º.Calculate all the data necessary for
setting out a simple curve of radius 32.

Instruments used: Theodolite, ranging rods, pegs, arrows etc.

Theory:-A deflection angle to any point on the curve is the angle at Point of Curve (PC) between the tangent
and the chord from the P C to that point.

RANKINES METHOD OF DEFLECTION ANGLES

T1V= rear tangent
T1 = Point to curve
= the tangential angles or the angles with each of the successive chordsT1A, AB, BC etc. Makes with the
respective tangents to the curve at T1, A, B etc
= Total tangential angles of the deflection angles to the points A, B, C etc
C1, C2, C3 = lengths f the chords T1A, AB, BC etc...
A1A = tangent to the curve at A
= 1719 C minutes
R
For the first chord= tangential angle for the chord AB
Hence, the deflection angle for any chord is equal to the deflection angle for theprevious chord plus the
tangential angle for that chord.

Procedure:
1. Locate P C (T1_), P.T. (T2) and P.I. (I).
2. Set up the Theodolite exactly at T1 and make its temporary adjustments.
3. Set the vernier A to zero and bisect the P I. Clamp the lower plate.
4. Release the upper plate and set the vernier A to read ∆ 1. The line of sight is thus directed along T 1A.
5. Hold the zero of the tape at T1, take a distance (T1A) and swing the tape with an arrow till it is bisected
by the Theodolite. This establishes the first point A on the curve.
6. Set the second deflection angle ∆2 on the scale so that the line of sight is set along T 1b.
7. With the zero of the tape held at aand an arrow at the other end (chord distance =ab), swing the tape
about a, till the arrow is bisected by the Theodolite at b. this establishes the second point b on the curve.
8. The same steps are repeated till the last point T2 is reached.

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BCE 352 (Surveying Lab.) Deptt. of Civil Engg.

Fig.-Rankine’s method of deflection curve

Result: The simple curve was set by Rankin’s method of tangential angles.

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