Lec 02 Theodolite Traversing

Advanced Surveying
CEE-211
Lecture 1
THEODOLITE
TRAVERSING
1
THEODOLITE TRAVERSING
Introduction
• So far, we have been measuring horizontal angles by using a
Compass with respect to meridian, which is less accurate and also it
is not possible to measure vertical angles with a Compass.
• So when the objects are at a considerable distance or situated at a
considerable elevation or depression ,it becomes necessary to
measure horizontal and vertical angles more precisely.
• These measurements are taken by an instrument known as a
Theodolite.
2
• The system of surveying in which the
angles are measured with the help of a
theodolite, is called Theodolite surveying.
• Theodolites are telescopic instruments

used basically for measuring both vertical
and horizontal angles.
• Theodolites are precision instruments

used extensively in construction work for
measuring angles in the horizontal and
vertical planes.
• Many different theodolites are available

for measuring angles.
3
• The Theodolite is a most accurate surveying instrument mainly
used for :
• Measuring horizontal and vertical angles.
• Locating points on a line.
• Prolonging survey lines.
• Finding difference of level.
• Setting out grades.
• Ranging curves.
• Tacheometric Survey.
4
CLASSIFICATION OF THEODOLITES
Theodolites may be classified as ;
A.
i) Transit Theodolite.
ii) Non Transit Theodolite.
B.
i) Vernier Theodolites.
ii) Micrometer Theodolites.
5
A.
Transit Theodolite: A theodolite is called a transit theodolite when its
telescope can be transited i.e revolved through a complete revolution
about its horizontal axis in the vertical plane.
Non-Transit type: The telescope cannot be transited. They are inferior in
utility and have now become obsolete.
6
B.
Vernier Theodolite: For reading the graduated circle if verniers are
used ,the theodolite is called as a Vernier Theodolite.
Micrometer Theodolite. Whereas, if a micrometer is provided to read

the graduated circle the same is called as a Micrometer Theodolite.
Vernier type theodolites are commonly used .
7
SIZE OF THEODOLITE
• A theodolite is designated by diameter of the graduated circle on the
lower plate.
• The common sizes are 8cm to 12 cm while 14 cm to 25 cm instrument

are used for triangulation work.
• Greater accuracy is achieved with larger theodolites as they have bigger

graduated circle with larger divisions hence used where the survey
works require high degree of accuracy.
8
TYPE OF THEODOLITE
9
10
TRANSIT VERNIER THEODOLITE
Details of Upper & Lower Plates. 11

MAIN PARTS
• Levelling head (7): Levelling head

is used to attach the instrument
to tripod and attach the plumb
bob along the vertical axis of the
instrument.
12
MAIN PARTS
• Clamps and tangent screws (15, 19):
o There are two clamps and associated tangent
screws with the plate. These screws facilitate
the motion of the instruments in horizontal
plane.
o Lower clamp screw locks or releases the lower
plate. When this screw is unlocked both upper
and lower plates move together. The
associated lower tangent screw allows small
motion of the plate in locked position.
o The upper clamp screw locks or releases the
upper vernier plate. When this clamp is
released the lower plate does not move but the
upper vernier plate moves with the instrument.
This causes the change in the reading. The
upper tangent screw allows the fine
adjustment.
13
MAIN PARTS
• Plate level (5):
o Spirit level with the bubble and graduation
on glass cover.
o A single level or two levels fixed in
perpendicular direction may be provided.
o The spirit level can be adjusted with the
foot screw (21) of the levelling head (7).
• Telescope (10): The essential parts of the

telescopes are eye-piece, diaphragm with cross
hairs, object lens and arrangements to focus the
telescope.
14
MAIN PARTS
• Vertical circle (1): Circular plate
supported on horizontal axis of the
instrument between the A-frames. Vertical
circle has graduation 0-90 in four
quadrants. Vertical circle moves with the
telescope when it is rotated in the vertical
plane.
• Vertical circle clamp and tangent screw

(11): Clamping the vertical circle restrict
the movement of telescope in vertical
plane.
• Altitude level (2): A highly sensitive

bubble is used for levelling particularly
when taking the vertical angle
observations.
15
16
Reading a Theodolite
Vernier scale gradation
17
TERMS USED IN MANIPULATING A TRANSIT VERNIER
THEODOLITE
1. Centering :
• Centering means setting the theodolite exactly over an instrument- station so
that its vertical axis lies immediately above the station- mark. It can be done
by means of plumb bob suspended from a small hook attached to the vertical
axis of the theodolite.
• The center shifting arrangement if provided with the instrument helps in easy
and rapid performance of the centering.
2. Transiting :
• Transiting is also known as plunging or reversing.
• It is the process of turning the telescope about its horizontal axis through 180 0
in the vertical plane thus bringing it upside down and making it point , exactly
in opposite direction.
18
THEODOLITE
3. Face Left :
• If the vertical circle of the instrument is on the left side of
the observer while taking a reading ,the position is called
the face left and
• The observation taken on the horizontal or vertical circle
in this position, is known as the face left observation.
4. Face Right :
• If the vertical circle of the instrument is on the right side
of the observer while taking a reading ,the position is
called the face right and
• The observation taken on the horizontal or vertical circle
in this position, is known as the face right observation.
19
THEODOLITE
5. Swinging the telescope :
• It means turning the telescope about its vertical axis in the horizontal plane.
• A swing is called right or left according as the telescope is rotated clockwise or
counter clockwise.
6. Changing Face
• It is the operation of bringing the vertical circle to the right of the observer ,if
originally it is to the left , and vice – versa.
• It is done in two steps; Firstly revolve the telescope through 1800 in a vertical
plane and then rotate it through 1800 in the horizontal plane i.e first transit the
telescope and then swing it through 1800.
20
THEODOLITE
7. LINE OF COLLIMATION
• It is also known as the line of sight .It is an imaginary line joining the
intersection of the cross- hairs of the diaphragm to the optical centre of the
object- glass and its continuation.
DIAPHRAGM
LINE OF
COLLIMATION
TELESCOPE
21
THEODOLITE
8. Axis of the telescope :
• It is also known an imaginary line joining the optical centre of the object-
glass to the centre of eye piece.
OBJECT GLASS
AXIS OF THE TELESCOPE

.
TELESCOPE
22
THEODOLITE
9. Axis of the Level Tube :
• It is also called the bubble line.
• It is a straight line tangential to the longitudinal curve of the level tube at the
centre of the tube. It is horizontal when the bubble is in the centre.
10. Vertical Axis :
• It is the axis about which the telescope can be rotated in the horizontal plane.
11. Horizontal Axis
• it is the axis about which the telescope can be rotated in the vertical plane.
• It is also called the trunion axis.
23
ADJUSTMENT OF A THEODOLITE
• The adjustments of a theodolite are of two kinds :-

1. Temporary Adjustments.
2. Permanent Adjustments.
• The Temporary adjustments , which must be made at every setup of the

instrument and prior to taking observations with the instrument.
• The permanent adjustments are made to establish the relationship between the
fundamental lines of the theodolite and once made , they last for a long time.
They are essential for the accuracy of observations.
24
ADJUSTMENT OF A THEODOLITE
1. Temporary Adjustment
• The temporary adjustments are made at each set up of the instrument before
we start taking observations with the instrument. There are three temporary
adjustments of a theodolite:-
i) Setting up the theodolite over the station
a) Centering b) Approx. Levelling it by legs
ii) Levelling.
Accurately levelled by leveling or foot Screws
iii) Focusing.
For Elimination of Parallax
a) Focusing the Eye Piece b) Focusing the Objective
25
MEASUREMENT OF ANGLES
MEASUREMENT OF HORIZONTAL ANGLES:
• There are three methods of measuring horizontal angles:-

i) Ordinary Method.
ii) Repetition Method.
iii) Reiteration Method.
26
i) Ordinary Method. To measure horizontal angle AOB:
i) Set up the theodolite at station point O and level it

accurately. A B
ii) Set the vernier A to the zero or 3600 of the

horizontal circle. Tighten the upper clamp.
iii) Loosen the lower clamp. Turn the instrument
and direct the telescope towards point A to bisect
it accurately with the use of tangent screw. After
bisecting accurately check the reading which
must still read zero. Read the vernier B and o
record both the readings.
HORIZONTAL ANGLE AOB
27
iv) Loosen the upper clamp and turn the telescope

clockwise until line of sight bisects point B on A B
the right-hand side. Then tighten the upper
clamp and bisect it accurately by turning its
tangent screw.
v) Read both verniers. The reading of the vernier A
which was initially set at zero gives the value of
the angle AOB directly and that of the other
vernier B by deducting 1800 .The mean of the
two vernier readings gives the value of the
o
required angle AOB. HORIZONTAL ANGLE AOB
28
vi) Change the face of the instrument and repeat the

whole process. The mean of the two vernier A B
readings gives the second value of the angle
AOB which should be approximately or exactly
equal to the previous value.
vii) The mean of the two values of the angle
AOB ,one with face left and the other with face
right ,gives the required angle free from all
instrumental errors.
o
29
• This method is used for very accurate work. In

this method ,the same angle is added several A B
times mechanically and the correct value of the
angle is obtained by dividing the accumulated
reading by the no. of repetitions.
• The No. of repetitions made usually in this
method is six, three with the face left and three
with the face right .In this way ,angles can be
measured to a finer degree of accuracy than that
obtainable with the least count of the vernier. o
30
To measure horizontal angle by repetitions:-

i) Set up the theodolite at starting point O and A B
level it accurately.
ii) Measure The horizontal angle AOB.
iii) Loosen the lower clamp and turn the telescope
clock – wise until the object (A) is sighted again.
Bisect B accurately by using the upper tangent
screw. The verniers will now read the twice the
value of the angle now. o
31

iv) Repeat the process until the angle is repeated the
required number of times (usually 3). Read A B
again both verniers . The final reading after n
repetitions should be approximately n X
(angle). Divide the sum by the number of
repetitions and the result thus obtained gives the
correct value of the angle AOB.
v) Change the face of the instrument. Repeat
exactly in the same manner and find another
value of the angle AOB. The average of two o
readings gives the required precise value of the
angle AOB. HORIZONTAL ANGLE AOB
32
33

A
• This method is another precise and B
comparatively less tedious method of
measuring the horizontal angles.
• It is generally preferred when several
angles are to be measured at a particular
station.
C
o
• This method consists in measuring
several angles successively and finally
closing the horizon at the starting point.
The final reading of the vernier A should
be same as its initial reading. D
Reiteration Method
34

A
• …If not ,the discrepancy is equally B
distributed among all the measured
angles.
Procedure
• Suppose it is required to measure the
angles AOB,BOC and COD. Then to
C
o
measure these angles by reiteration
method :
i) Set up the instrument over station point O
and level it accurately.
D
Reiteration Method
35

A
ii) Direct the telescope towards point A B
which is known as referring object. Bisect it
accurately and check the reading of vernier
as 0 or 360 . Loosen the lower clamp and
turn the telescope clockwise to sight point B
exactly. Read the verniers again and The
mean reading will give the value of angle C
o
AOB.
iii) Similarly bisect C & D successively,
read both verniers at each bisection, find the
value of the angle BOC and COD.
D
Reiteration Method
36

A
iv) Finally close the horizon by sighting B
towards the referring object (point A).
v) The vernier A should now read 360. If not
note down the error .This error occurs due to
slip etc.
vi) If the error is small, it is equally
C
o
distributed among the several angles .If large
the readings should be discarded, and a new
set of readings be taken.
D
Reiteration Method
37
MEASUREMENT OF VERTICAL ANGLES:
• Vertical Angle : A vertical angle is an angle between the inclined line of sight
and the horizontal. It may be an angle of elevation or depression according as the
object is above or below the horizontal plane.
A
A
AOB= α + β
B
α AOB= α - β
α
HORI. LINE β HORI. LINE
O O
O HORI. LINE β
β
Fig. b α Fig. c
Fig.a B B
VERTICAL ANGLE A 38
To Measure the Vertical Angle of an object A at a station O:
(i) Set up the theodolite at station point O and level it accurately with reference
to the altitude bubble.
(ii) Set the zero of vertical vernier exactly to the zero of the vertical circle clamp
and tangent screw.
(iii) Bring the bubble of the altitude level in the central position by using clip
screw. The line of sight is thus made horizontal and vernier still reads zero.
(iv) Loosen the vertical circle clamp screw and direct the telescope towards the
object A and sight it exactly by using the vertical circle tangent screw.
39
(v) Read both verniers on the vertical circle, The mean of the two vernier
readings gives the value of the required angle.
(vi) Change the face of the instrument and repeat the process. The mean of the
two vernier readings gives the second value of the required angle.
(vii) The average of the two values of the angles thus obtained, is the required
value of the angle free from instrumental errors.
40
READING MAGNETIC BEARING OF A LINE
To find the bearing of a line AB as shown in fig .below
i) Set up the instrument over A and level it accurately
ii)Set the vernier to the zero of the horizontal circle. N
iii) Release the magnetic needle and loosen the ….. lower B
clamp.
iv) Rotate the instrument till magnetic needle points to North.
Now clamp the lower clamp with the help of lower tangent A
screw .Bring the needle exactly against the mark in order to
bring it in magnetic meridian. At this stage the line of sight will
also be in magnetic meridian.
Fig.
Magnetic Bearing of a Line
41
READING MAGNETIC BEARING OF A LINE
iv) Now loose the upper clamp and point the telescope towards
B .With the help of upper tangent screw ,bisect B accurately and
read both the verniers .The mean of the two readings will be
N
recorded as magnetic bearing of line.
B
v) Change the face of the instrument for accurate magnetic
bearing of the line and repeat .the mean of the two values will
give the correct bearing of the line AB.
A
Fig.
Magnetic Bearing of a Line
42
Methods of Measuring Traverse angles and Direction
• The methods by which the relative directions of lines of a traverse may be
determined are:
A) By the measurement of angles between successive lines

• It is used for long traversing or where greater precision is required.
B) By the direct observation of bearings of the lines.

• It is used for short traversing or where greater precision is not
required and for topographical survey.
43
A) Direct Observation of Angles B/W Lines

• The angles between successive lines are measured and the bearing of initial
line is observed. The bearing of remaining lines are then calculated from
he observed bearing and the measured angles.
• The angles measured at the different stations may be

1) Included angles
2) Direct angles or angles to the right
3) Deflection angles
44
A) Direct Observation of Angles

1) Traversing by the Method of Included angles
• It is chiefly used inland surveying and where grater accuracy is required. In
this method the bearing of initial line and the included angles of a traverse
are measured.
• In closed traverse the angles measured or either interior angle or exterior
according as the traverse is run in CCW direction as shown in fig 1 OR in a
CW direction as shown in fig 2.
• It isF customary to run aEclosed traverse in CCW direction.
D E
G C C
Fig 1 Fig 2 D F
H B N
N G
A
B
A 45
S

2) Traversing by the Method of Direct angles
• This method is mostly used in open traverse. To run an open traverse as
shown in fig, the theodolite is set up at the starting station A and bearing of
line AB is observed. The theodolite is shifted to B. with vernier at A is
zero, a backsight is taken on the preceding station A and a foresight is
taken on the following station C. the other angles are measured in a like
manner.
• Direct angles- angles measured CW from preceding line to the following line are called
Direct Angles or Angle to the sight. It may vary from 0 to 360 o.
A E
C
D F
B 46

3) Traversing by the Method of Deflection angles
• This method id chiefly employed on open traverse. This method is
commonly used in railway, highway works, canals and pipelines.
N 3 R
1R
F.B B D
A E
2L R
4
C
• Deflection angle- An angle which a survey line makes with the prolongation of
preceding line and is equal to the difference between the included angle and 180 o. It
may vary from 0o to 180o but is usually employed for angles less than 90 o.
Deflections are designated as Right (R) or Left (L) according to as they are
measured to the right or left from the prolongation of the preceding line.
47
B) By Direct Observation of Bearings

Traversing by Fast Needle method
There are three methods of observing bearings directly in the field

1) Direct method in which the telescope is transited
2) Direct method in which the telescope is Not transited
3) Back bearing method
Assignment
48
Checks in Closed Traverse
1) Check on Angular Measurement
A)Traverse by Included angles:
a) The sum of measured interior angles should equal to (2N – 4) x right
angle
b) The sum of exterior angles should be equal to (2N+4) x
right angle
Where N is the number of the sides of the traverse
• Angular error of closure should not exceed least count of the instrument x N
B) Traverse of deflection angle:
Algebraic sum of deflection angles = 360o
• Considering right-hand deflection angles as +ve and left-hand deflection angles as
–ve
C) Traverse by direct observation of bearings:
• The work is checked by comparing fore bearing of last line with its back bearing
observed at the initial station.
(B.B)any line – (F.B)same line = 180o
49
Checks in Closed Traverse
2) Check on Linear Measurement
• Each line should be measured twice with same accuracy and on different
days and in opposite direction.
• The sum of northing(distances measured north) should be equal to the sum of

southing ( distances measured south).
=
• Similarly, the sum of easting should be equal to the sum of westings
=
50
Checks in Open Traverse
In open traverse the measurement as a whole cannot be checked however the
field measurement can be checked approximately.
a)By astronomical observation for azimuth at regular interval during
progress of work.
b) By Cut-off lines between certain intermediate stations
c) By observing the bearing of a well-defined permanent object at
regular interval.
B C D
A I
E
H
F G
Cut-off line 51
Sources of Error in Theodolite
Instrumental Error
oNon- adjustment of Plate bubble
oLine of collimation not being perpendicular to horizontal axis
oHorizontal axis not being perpendicular to vertical axis
oLine of collimation not being parallel to axis of telescope
oEccentricity of inner and outer axes
oGradation not being uniform
oVerniers being eccentric

52
Personal Errors
• The centering may not be done perfectly, due to carelessness.
• The levelling may not be done carefully according to usual
procedure .
• If the clamp screws are not properly fixed, the instrument may
slip
• The proper tangent screw may not be operated by mistake
• The focussing in order to avoid parallax may not be perfectly
done
• The object or ranging rod may not ne bisected accurately
• The verniers may not be set in proper place
• Errors would also result if the verniers are not read because of
oversight.
53
Natural Errors
o High temperature causes error due to irregular refraction
o High wind cause the vibration in the instrument , and this may lead to
wrong reading on the verniers.
54
Computation of Latitude and Departure
• The traverse form theodolite is not plotted according to interior angles
or bearings. It is plotted by computing the latitude and departure of the
point and then finding the independent coordinates of the point.
• The Latitude of a line is distance measured parallel to the North-South

line .
• The Departure of the line is distance measured parallel to the East-

West line.
• The latitude and departure of lines are also expressed in the following
ways.
55
• Northing = Latitude towards North = +L
• Southing = Latitude towards South = -L
• Easting = Departure towards East = + D
• Wasting = Departure towards West = - D
WCB RB Quadrant
0 to 90° RB = WCB NE
90° to 180° RB = 180°- WCB SE
180° to 270° RB = WCB - 180° SW
270° to 360° RB = 360° - WCB NW
56
Line Length Reduced Latitude Departure
Bearing(θ) L cosθ L sinθ
AB L NθE + L cosθ + L sinθ
BC L SθE - L cosθ + L sinθ
CD L SθW - L cosθ - L sinθ
DA L NθW +L cosθ -L sinθ
57
Line Length Reduced Consecutive Coordinates
Bearing
(L) (θ) Northing Southing Easting Westing
AB L NθE + L cosθ + L sinθ
BC L SθE - L cosθ + L sinθ
CD L SθW - L cosθ - L sinθ
DA L NθW +L cosθ -L sinθ
Check for Closed Traverse

Sum of Northing = Sum of Southing
Sum of Easting = Sum of Westing
58
Traverse Computations
• The latitude and departure of any point with reference to the preceding
point is called Consecutive Co-ordinates of the point.
• While the co-ordinates of any point with respect to a common origin are
known as Independent Co-ordinates of the point. These are also called
Total Latitude and Total Departure.
• The independent Co-ordinates of any point or station may be obtained by
adding the algebraically the latitude and departure of the lines between that
point and the origin.
C
Latitude of B = latitude of A (Y1) + L1 Y
B
Departure of B = departure of A (X1) + D1
L1
A
X1
Y1 D1
O
X 59
Traverse Computations
C
Y D
A B
X
Y
O X
Total Latitude of D = latitude of A (Y) + Lab + Lbc + Lcd
Total departure of D = departure of A (X)+ Dab + Dbc + Dcd
• In General :
• X Co- ordinate (Total departure)
of last point of the traverse = X co-ordinate of 1st point + algebraic
sum of all departure
• Y Co- ordinate (Total latitude)
of last point of the traverse = Y co-ordinate of 1st point + algebraic
60
sum of all latitude
Balancing of Traverse:
• In case of a closed traverse, the algebraic sum of latitudes must be equal to zero
and that of departures must also be equal to zero in the ideal condition.
• In other words, the sum of the northings must equal that of the southings, and
the sum of the eastings must be the same as that of the westings.
• But in actual practice, some closing error is always found to exist while
computing the latitude and departures of the traverse stations.
61
Adjustment of Closed Traverse
Balancing the Traverse

Closing Error
62
Adjustment of Closed Traverse
Balancing the Traverse

Closing Error
63
Permissible closing errors
Traverse for Permissible angular Permissible closing
error error
Land, Roads and railway 1’ x √N 1 in 3000
surveys
City survey, important 30” x √ N 1 in 5000
foundry survey
Very important survey 15” x √ N 1 in 10,000
• The total errors in latitude and departure are determined. These errors are then
distributed among the traverse stations proportionately, according to the
following rules.
64
1. Bowditch’s Rule
• By this rule, the total error (in latitude or departure) is distributed in proportion to
the lengths of the traverse legs.
• This is the most common method of traverse adjustment.
a) Correction to latitude of any side
b) Correction to departure of any side
65
2. Transit Rule
(a) Correction to latitude of any side
(b) Correction to departure of any side
66
3. Third Rule
a) Correction to Northing of any side
(b) Correction to Southing of any side
(c) Correction to Easting of any Side
(d) Correction to Westing of any Side
 If the error is positive, correction will be negative and vice versa.

67
Procedure for Traverse Survey
Step 1 Reconnaissance
Step 2 Marking the station
Step 3 Measurements of internal angles
Step 4 Measurement of magnetic bearing
Step 5 Correction of measured angles
Step 6 Calculation of magnetic bearing
Step 7 Gale’s Table Preparation
Step 8 Location of interior details
Step 9 Plotting the Traverse
68
Computation of Area of a closed Traverse
1) Area from Co-ordinates

2) Area from Latitudes and Double Meridian Distance
3) Area Departure and Total Latitudes
69
1) Area from Co-ordinates

x4 4
Y 5
x5
x1 x2 x3 x4 … xn x1
y5 y4
x1 1
x3 3
y1 y2 y3 y4 … yn y1
x2 2 y3
• Find sum of the product of co-ordinates joined By
y1 y2
full lines and sum of the product of the co-
X
ordinates joined by broken lines.
• Find their difference , which will give twice the
area of traverse.
• Half this difference gives the required area.
70
Area from Co-ordinates

Example: the folioing tables gives latitude and departure of sides of closed
traverse ABCD. Compute Area.
Solution:
Side Latitude (m) Departure (m) Station Independent
Co-ordinates
North Last
AB +214.8 +124.0 A 200.0 100.0

BC - 245.4 +205.7 B 414.8 224.0
CD - 155.9 -90.0 C 169.7 429.7
DA +186.2 -239.7 D 13.8 339.7
A 200.0 100.0 71
Area from Co-ordinates

Example: the folioing tables gives latitude and departure of sides of closed
traverse ABCD. Compute Area.
Solution:
200.0 414.8 169.7 13.8200.0
100.0 224.0 429.7 339.7 100.0
EP = (200.0x 224.0) + (414.8 x 429.7) + (169.7 x 339.7)+ (13.8x100.0)

EQ = (100.0 x 414.8) + (224.0 x 169.7) + (429.7 x 13.8) + (339.7 x 200.0)
Twice area = EP – EQ
2A = 282066.45 – 153362.64
2A=128703.84
A = 64,351.91 sq.m 72
Area from Latitude and Double Meridian Distance (DMD)
• A is the most westerly station, and
the reference meridian is assumed
to pass through it.
• Meridian distance (also called
longitude) is the perpendicular
distance between the midpoint of
any line and the reference
meridian.
• The Double Meridian Distance
(DMD), or double longitude of a
line, is the distance equal to the
sum of the meridian distances of
the two ends of the line.
73
Methods of Finding DMD
1. DMD of first line = Departure of first line.
2. DMD of second line = DMD of first line + Departure of first line + departure of second line.
3. DMD of any succeeding line = DMD of preceding line + Departure of preceding line + Departure
of line itself.
4. DMD of last line = Departure of last line with opposite sign.

Procedure for Calculating Area
1. Each DMD is multiplied by the latitude of that line.
2. The algebraic sum of these products is worked out.
3. This sum is equal to twice the area.
4. Half of this sum gives the required area of the traverse

74
Points to Remember
1. The reference meridian should pass through the most westerly station.
2. The signs of latitude and departure should always be taken into account.
3. A negative sign of the area does not carry any significance.
Example
Find the area of traverse by the latitude and DMD method.
Side Latitude Departure

AB +225.5 +120.5
BC –245.0 +210.0
CD –150.5 –110.5
DA +170.0 –220.0
75
Area from Departure and Total Latitude
Procedure for Calculating Area
1. A is the most westerly station, and the
reference meridian is assumed to pass
through it.
2. The total latitude (the latitude with respect
to the reference point) of each station of
the traverse is
found out.
3. The algebraic sum of departures of the two
lines meeting at a station is determined.
4. The total latitude is multiplied by the
algebraic sum of departures, for each
individual point.
5. The algebraic sum of this product gives
twice the area.
6. Half of this sum gives the required area.
76
Example
Find the area of traverse by Departure and total Latitude.
Side Latitude Departure

AB +225.5 +120.5
BC –245.0 +210.0
CD –150.5 –110.5
DA +170.0 –220.0
77
Assignment
Gale’s Table
Field worktable
78

Lec 02 Theodolite Traversing

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Advanced Surveying

• Theodolites are telescopic instruments

• Theodolites are precision instruments

• Many different theodolites are available

Micrometer Theodolite. Whereas, if a micrometer is provided to read

Vernier type theodolites are commonly used .

• The common sizes are 8cm to 12 cm while 14 cm to 25 cm instrument

• Greater accuracy is achieved with larger theodolites as they have bigger

Details of Upper & Lower Plates. 11

• Levelling head (7): Levelling head

• Telescope (10): The essential parts of the

• Vertical circle clamp and tangent screw

• Altitude level (2): A highly sensitive

Vernier scale gradation

AXIS OF THE TELESCOPE

• The adjustments of a theodolite are of two kinds :-

• The Temporary adjustments , which must be made at every setup of the

• There are three methods of measuring horizontal angles:-

i) Ordinary Method. To measure horizontal angle AOB:

i) Set up the theodolite at station point O and level it

ii) Set the vernier A to the zero or 3600 of the

i) Ordinary Method. To measure horizontal angle AOB:

iv) Loosen the upper clamp and turn the telescope

i) Ordinary Method. To measure horizontal angle AOB:

vi) Change the face of the instrument and repeat the

ii) Repetition Method.

• This method is used for very accurate work. In

ii) Repetition Method.

To measure horizontal angle by repetitions:-

ii) Repetition Method.

iii) Reiteration Method.

iii) Reiteration Method.

iii) Reiteration Method.

iii) Reiteration Method.

A) By the measurement of angles between successive lines

B) By the direct observation of bearings of the lines.

A) Direct Observation of Angles B/W Lines

• The angles measured at the different stations may be

A) Direct Observation of Angles

A) Direct Observation of Angles

A) Direct Observation of Angles

B) By Direct Observation of Bearings

There are three methods of observing bearings directly in the field

• The sum of northing(distances measured north) should be equal to the sum of

oNon- adjustment of Plate bubble

oLine of collimation not being perpendicular to horizontal axis

oHorizontal axis not being perpendicular to vertical axis

oLine of collimation not being parallel to axis of telescope

oEccentricity of inner and outer axes

oGradation not being uniform

oVerniers being eccentric

• The Latitude of a line is distance measured parallel to the North-South

• The Departure of the line is distance measured parallel to the East-

• Southing = Latitude towards South = -L

• Easting = Departure towards East = + D

• Wasting = Departure towards West = - D

Check for Closed Traverse

Balancing the Traverse

Balancing the Traverse