LABORATORY MANUAL

FOR

CEL 203 SURVEYING LABORATORY

(As per APJAKTU S
Syllabus – 2020 Scheme)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

NSS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
PALAKKAD
PALAKKAD, KERALA– 678 008.

2020-2021

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 Institute Vision

"To leapfrog into global excellence in technology and educ

education
ation in the present
millennium".

Institute Mission

"To
To be a premier institution producing self
self-motivated
motivated professionals of global standards
through quality education to meet the scientific and technological needs of the society".

Institute Motto

Department Vision
To be recognized as a Centre of Excellence in Civil Engineering Education, Research
and Consultancy, contributing to Sustainable Development and Growth
rowth of the Nation.

Department Mission
To provide high quality education in Civil Engineering, inculcating pr
professional,
ofessional,
managerial and leadership skills, through appropriate pedagogical and practical
inputs, for successful career and scholarly endeavours, to meet the changing needs of
the society.

Department Motto
“GROW TO SHARE AND SHARE TO GROW”

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Program Outcomes (POs), Program Specific Outcomes (PSOs) &
Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

PO Program Outcomes

Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals,

1
and an engineering specialization to the solution of complex engineering problems.

Problem analysis: Identify, formulate, review research literature, and analyze complex engineering
2 problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences,
and engineering sciences.

Design/development of solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering problems and design
3 system components or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate consideration for the
public health and safety, and the cultural, societal, and environmental considerations.

Conduct investigations of complex problems: Use research-based knowledge and research

4 methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of the
information to provide valid conclusions.

Modern tool usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern
5 engineering and IT tools including prediction and modeling to complex engineering activities with
an understanding of the limitations

The engineer and society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to assess
6 societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to the
professional engineering practice.

Environment and sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional engineering solutions
7 in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and need for sustainable
development.

Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of
8
the engineering practice.

Individual and team work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in
9
diverse teams, and in multidisciplinary settings.

Communication: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering

10 community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and write effective reports
and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.

Project management and finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the engineering
11 and management principles and apply these to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, to
manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments.

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 Life-long learning: Recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage
12
independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change.

PSO Program Specific Outcomes

Apply fundamental appropriate computational methods and elementary analytical techniques in

1
designing a system, components or processes in core areas of civil engineering.

Utilize principles, hardware and software that are appropriate to produce reports and documents and
2 perform economic analyses and cost estimates related to design, construction, operations and
maintenance of systems associated with civil engineering.

Enrich knowledge and experience to provide sustainable solutions to the civil engineering problems
3
selecting appropriate engineering materials and practices.

PEO Program Educational Objectives

Fundamental Knowledge: Enable the graduates to excel in Civil Engineering career by
1 imparting a strong foundation in mathematics, basic sciences and engineering
fundamentals.
Engineering Practice: Provide necessary theoretical and practical knowledge in Civil
2 Engineering to practice in various sectors, focusing on sustainable solutions, professional
ethics and social accountability.
Professional Skills: Capable of working effectively both as leader and team member in a
3 professional environment utilizing managerial and life skills to achieve the goals of
engineering projects.
Lifelong Learning: Motivate graduates to pursue higher studies and research and recognize
4 the need for updating engineering solutions and practice, to meet the changing professional
requirements.

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 SYLLABUS

Course objectives:

Objective of the course is to impart practical experience to students by exposing them to various
techniques of field surveying. The course is designed to make student familiar with conventional
and advanced surveying instruments.

List of Exercises/ Experiments:

1. Introduction to conventional surveying

a) Chain surveying
b) Compass surveying

2. Levelling
a) Simple levelling
b) Differential levelling
c) Fly levelling
d) Contouring

3. Theodolite surveying
a) Distance between accessible points (horizontal angle)
b) Distance between inaccessible points (horizontal angle)
c) Level difference between points(vertical angle)
d) Tangential tacheometry (vertical angle)
e) Height of building(vertical angle)

4. Total Station survey

a) Heights and distances
b) Area computation
c) Contouring
d) Downloading

5. Study of instruments
a) Automatic level
b) Digital level
c) Handheld GPS

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 Course Outcomes:

After completing this particular course, students are expected,

1. Use conventional surveying tools such as chain/tape and compass for plotting and area
determination.
2. Apply leveling principles in field.
3. Solve triangulation problem using theodolite.
4. Employ total station for field surveying.
5. Demonstrate the use of distomat and hand held GPS.

Instructions / Safety Checks to Students

1 Follow proper dress code

2 Maintain discipline in lab and field
3 Don’t operate the instruments in rains
Understand procedure before performing experiment and visualize
4
hazardous condition.
Instruments with tripods shall be shifted from one place to another by
5
placing on left shoulder
Be extremely careful while handling with equipment like Theodolite, Total
6
Station, etc.
7 Always inform your instructor if you break any equipment.
8 Damage made to the instruments will be fined.
9 Always report accidents, however minor.
10 Keep your lab space and equipment clean and organized.
11 Record everything in your field/lab note book.

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 INDEX

Sl Page
No Date Experiment No Remarks

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Date: Exp.
No:

INTRODUCTION TO CONVENTIONAL SURVEYING

AIM: To understand theconcepts and principles behind conventional surveying methods.

PRINCIPLES OF SURVEYING:

The fundamental principles upon which the surveying is being carried out are

1. Working from whole to part.

2. Fixing a point with respect to two reference points.

The purpose of working from whole to part is

 To localize the errors and

 To control the accumulation of errors.

Whereas, position of any point once decided, its reference must be kept from at least two
permanent objects or stations whose position have already been well defined. The reference
of any point, say X, has to kept with respect to, at least, two permanent objects or well
defined points, say Y and Z.

CONVENTIONAL METHODS OF SURVEYING:

1. Chain Surveying: Chain survey is the simplest method of surveying. In this survey
only measurements are taken in the field, and the rest work, such as plotting calculation etc.
are done in the office. This is most suitable to small plane areas with very few details.The
instruments necessary chain surveying are chain, tape, ranging rod, arrows and some time
cross staff.

Chain:Chains are the measuring instrument formed by 100 links of 4mm galvanized mild
steel wire. These links are joined by 3 circular or oval wire rings which provide flexibility to
the chains. The chain consists of many small parts used for handling or reading the
measurements.
1. At the ends, a chain is provided with brass handle with swivel joint so that it will be
easy to roll or unroll the chain without twisting and knots.

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 2. Every 10th link is provided with a tally of one tooth, 20th link with a tally of two teeth
and so on till 40th link. This is provided for the easy reading of measurements.

Tape: Tapes
apes are used for more accurate linear measurements in surveying and are classed
according
ing to the material of which they are made. Tapes are made of various materials such
as, cloth or linen tape, metric steel tape, Invar tape and synthetic tape.

Ranging rod and offset rod: They are used for marking the positions of stations and for
ranging. They are circular or octagonal in cross section with a lower shoe of 15 cm long.

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They are made in two sizes as 2 meters and 3 meters and are divided into equal parts each
0.2 m long. They are painted
ted alternatively black and white or red and white. They are
sometimes used with a flag.

Arrows:They
They are also called as marking or chaining pins and are used to mark the end of
chain during the process of chaining. They are made up of good quality hardened and
tempered steel wire of 4mm in diameter. The arrows are made 400 mm in length. They are
pointed at one end of inserting in to the ground. The other end is in to a ring.

Cross Staff:The cross staff is a drum or box shaped device mounted on a pole. It has two
sets of mutually perpendicular sights and can be used to set out perpendiculars in surveying.

Important terms in chain surveying:

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Main stations: Main stations are the end of the lines, which command the boundaries of the
survey, and the lines joining the main stations are called the main survey line or the chain
lines.

Subsidiary or tie stations: Subsidiary or the tie stations are the point selected on the main
survey lines, where it is necessary to locate the interior detail such as fences, hedges,
building etc.

Tie line:A tie line joints two fixed points on the main survey lines. It helps to checking the
accuracy of surveying and to locate the interior details. The position of each tie line should
be close to some features, such as paths, building etc.

Base line: Main and longest line, which passes approximately through the centre of the field
is known as base line. All the other measurements to show the details of the work are taken
with respect of this line.

Check line:A check line also termed as a proof line is a line joining the apex of a triangle to
some fixed points on any two sides of a triangle. A check line is measured to check the
accuracy of the framework. The length of a check line, as measured on the ground should
agree with its length on the plan.

Offsets:These are the lateral measurements from the base line to fix the positions of the
different objects of the work with respect to base line. These are generally set at right angle
offsets. It can also be drawn with the help of a tape. There are two kinds of offsets:

 Perpendicular offsets - The measurements are taken at right angle to the survey line
called perpendicular or right angled offsets
 Oblique offsets - The measurements which are not made at right angles to the
survey line are called oblique offsets or tie line offsets.

2. Compass Surveying: Compass surveying is the branch of surveying in which the

position of an object is located using angular measurements determined by a compass and
linear measurements using a chain or tape. Compass surveying is used if the surveying area
is large, if the plot has numerous obstacles and undulations, or if there is a time limit for
surveying. Compass surveying is not used in places which contain iron core, power lines etc
which usually attracts magnets due to their natural properties and electromagnetic properties
respectively.

Magnetic compass is used to find out the magnetic bearing of survey lines. The
bearings may either measured in Whole Circle Bearing (W.C.B) system or in Quadrantal
Bearing (Q.B) system based on the type of compass used. The basic principle of magnetic
compass is if a strip of steel or iron is magnetized and pivoted exactly at centre so that it can
swing freely, then it will establish itself in the magnetic meridian at the place of
arrangement. Major types of magnetic compass are:

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 1. Prismatic compass
2. Surveyor’s compass
3. Level compass
A compass has two types of adjustments,
 Temporary adjustment
 Centering: it is the process of fixing the compass exactly over the station. Centering is
usually done by adjusting the tripod legs. Also a plumb-bob is used to judge the accurate
centering of instruments over the station.
 Leveling: the instrument has to be leveled if it is used as in hand or mounted over a
tripod. If it is used as in hand, the graduated disc should swing freely and appears to be
completely level in reference to the top edge of the case. If the tripod is used, they usually
have a ball and socket arrangement for leveling purpose.
 Focusing the prism: Prism can be slide up or down for focusing to make the readings
clear and readable.
 Permanent adjustments
They are done only in the circumstances where the internal parts of the prism is disturbed or
damaged. They are:

 Adjustments in levels
 Adjustment of pivot point
 Adjustment of sight vanes
 Adjustment of needle

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 INTRODUCTION TO DUMPY LEVEL

Levelling (or Leveling) is a branch of surveying, the object of which is: i) to find the
elevations of given points with respect to a given or assumed datum, and ii) to establish
points at a given or assumed datum. The first operation is required to enable the works to be
designed while the second operation is required in the setting out of all kinds of engineering
works. Levelling deals with measurements in a vertical plane.

Level surface: A level surface is defined as a curved surface which at each point is
perpendicular to the direction of gravity at the point. The surface of a still water is a truly
level surface. Any surface parallel to the mean spheroidal surface of the earth is, therefore, a
level surface.

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Level line: A level line is a line lying in a level surface. It is, therefore, normal to the plumb
line at all points.

Horizontal plane: Horizontal plane through a point is a plane tangential to the level surface
at that point. It is, therefore, perpendicular to the plumb line through the point.

Horizontal line: It is a straight line tangential to the level line at a point. It is also
perpendicular to the plumb line.

Vertical line: It is a line normal to the level line at a point. It is commonly considered to be
the line defined by a plumb line.

Datum: Datum is any surface to which elevation are referred. The mean sea level affords a
convenient datum world over, and elevations are commonly given as so much above or
below sea level. It is often more convenient, however, to assume some other datum,
specially, if only the relative elevation of points are required.

Elevation: The elevation of a point on or near the surface of the earth is its vertical distance
above or below an arbitrarily assumed level surface or datum. The difference in elevation
between two points is the vertical distance between the two level surface in which the two
points lie.

Vertical angle: Vertical angle is an angle between two intersecting lines in a vertical plane.
Generally, one of these lines is horizontal.

Mean sea level: It is the average height of the sea for all stages of the tides. At any
particular place it is derived by averaging the hourly tide heights over a long period of 19
years.

Bench Mark: It is a relatively permanent point of reference whose elevation with respect to
some assumed datum is known. It is used either as a starting point for levelling or as a point
upon which to close as a check.

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 Dumpy level is a commonly used leveling instrument to locate the points in same horizontal
plane. It is also called as automatic level or builder’s level. Elevations of different points
and distance between the points of same elevation can be determined by dumpy level.

Dumpy level consists of the following parts or components

o Telescope
o Bubble tubes
o Compass
o Vertical spindle
o Tribrach screws
o Foot screws
o Leveling head
o Tripod

Components of a Dumpy Level

Telescope: Telescope is used to observe the distant object through line of sight provided by
its arrangement. In general, the telescope is fixed to the vertical spindle of dumpy level so
that it can be rotated along with vertical spindle. A telescope consists of the following parts:

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Eye piece: which is nearer to the observer’s eye, and is used to view the distant object. It
contains magnifying glass which magnify the observing image and also the cross hairs of
diaphragm. Objective lens is provided at the other end of the telescope. The objective lens
consists of two parts, the front part consists of convex type lens and the back part consists of
concave lens. Diaphragm is provided in front of the eye piece. It contains cross hairs made
of dark metal which are arranged in perfect perpendicular positions. These cross hairs are
used by the eye piece to bisect the objective through objective lens.Focusing screw is used
to adjust the focus of cross hairs and the image clarity. The magnification of eye piece is
managed by this focusing screw.
Bubble tubes: Bubble tubes are provided to check the level of the instrument. Two bubble
tubes are provided in a dumpy level which is arranged perpendicular to each other on the top
of the telescope. One tube is called as longitudinal bubble tube and another is called as cross
bubble tube. The instrument is said to be in perfect position when both the bubbles of the
tubes are at center or middle of the tube.
Compass: Compass is used to determine the magnetic bearing of line.
Vertical spindle: Vertical spindle is located at the center of the whole instrument. The
telescope can be rotated in horizontal direction with respect to vertical spindle.
Tribrach: plate is parallel to the leveling head or trivet. It is connected to trivet by leveling
screws or foot screws which can adjust the tribrach plate. The horizontal level of the
instrument can be achieved by adjusting this tribrach plate.
Foot screws: Foot screws are provided to regulate the tribrach position and hence the
instrument can be leveled which is known by observing the bubble tube. The tribrach
plates can be lowered or raised using foot screws.
Leveling head: Leveling head is also called as trivet. It contains two triangular shaped
plates which are arranged parallel to each other. Three groves are provided at the three
corners of the plates in which foot screws are supported.
Tripod: Tripod is used to support the whole leveling instrument on its top. It consists
three legs which can be adjustable to required position. Steel shoes are provided at the
bottom of each leg to hold the ground in a fixed position.
The procedure of dumpy level surveying starts with some temporary adjustments, which
are:

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o Setting up of instrument
o Leveling up
o Focusing

Setting up of Dumpy Level: The instrument is fixed to the tripod stand using clamp screws.
Spread the tripod legs and position the instrument at convenient height. Firstly fix the two
legs in the ground at a point and centering of bubble in the bubble tubes is done by adjusting
third leg.
Leveling up: The leveling up of an instrument is done using foot screws or leveling screws.
In this case, the telescope is arranged parallel to the any two leveling screws and the bubble
in the tube is centered by turning both the screws either inwards or outwards. When it is
centered, the telescope is turned 90o and the third screw is turned until the bubble come to
center. Repeat the process until the bubble in the tube always stays at the middle in any
position of telescope.
Focusing: Focusing is done by adjusting eye piece and focusing screw. Eye piece is
adjusted until the cross hairs of diaphragm are clearly visible. To eliminate the parallax
error, a white paper is used to obtain sharp vision of cross hairs.Focusing screw is adjusted
to view the clear image of the objective or staff. Focusing is said to be done when the cross
hairs bisect the objective or staff with clear vision.

LEVEL STAFF: A level staff, also called levelling rod, is a graduated wooden or
aluminium rod, used with a levelling instrument to determine the difference in height
between points or heights of points above a datum surface .

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Date: Exp. No:

SIMPLE LEVELLING

AIM:

To determine the elevation of given points using height of instrument method and rise and
fall method.

INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED:

 Dumpy level

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  Level staff
 Tripod

PROCEDURE:

1. Instrument is set up at O.
2. Temporary adjustments are done.
3. The bench mark is sighted and level staff readings are taken as Back Sight reading.
4. Sighted the first point A and staff reading ins noted as Intermediate Sight.
5. The procedure is repeated till the last point.(There will ne no change point i.e, the
instrument is at same station throughout the process )
6. Staff reading of the last point is taken as Fore Sight.
7. Elevations of points are calculated using Height of instrument method and rise and
fall method.

RESULT

Elevations of the points are obtained as:

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 OBSERVATIONS:

Station Staff Readings HI Rise Fall RL Remarks

BS IS FS

CALCULATIONS:

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Date: Exp. No:

DIFFERENTIAL LEVELLING

AIM:

To determine the elevation of given points using height of instrument method and rise and
fall method.

INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED:

 Dumpy level
 Level staff
 Tripod

PROCEDURE:

1. Instrument is set up at O.
2. Temporary adjustments are done.
3. The bench mark is sighted and level staff readings are taken as Back Sight reading.
4. Sighted the first point A and staff reading ins noted as Intermediate Sight.
5. The procedure is repeated till the last point.
6. Staff reading of the last point is taken as Fore Sight.
7. Wherever necessary, change points are taken.(After setting up the instrument, past
changing the station point, B.S. should be taken to last F.S. of previous station).
8. Elevations of points are calculated using Height of instrument method and rise and
fall method.

RESULT

Elevations of the points are obtained as:

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.

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 OBSERVATIONS:

Station Staff Readings HI Rise Fall RL Remarks

BS IS FS

CALCULATIONS:

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Date: Exp.
No:

PROFILE LEVELLING

AIM:To determine the profile of an existing road.

INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED:

 Dumpy level
 Level staff
 Tripod

PROCEDURE:

1. The level is placed at a convenient location, say O, not necessarily along the line of
observation.
2. Benchmark is sighted and back sight is taken.
3. The observations are taken at regular intervals (say 1m) along the central line.
4. Wherever necessary, turning points are established to which foresight is taken.
5. The instrument is then repositioned to some convenient location, like P, observations
are then started from the turning point (TP1).
6. Staff readings are taken at salient points where marked changes in slope occur.
7. Elevations are calculated using height of instrument method.
8. Profile is plotted.

RESULT:

From profile levelling, gradient of the center line is obtained as,

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 OBSERVATIONS:

Station Staff Readings HI RL Remarks

BS IS FS

CALCULATIONS:

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Date: Exp. No:

CONTOURING

AIM:

To draw a contour map

INSTRUMENTS USED

 Level
 Leveling Staff
 Arrows
 Tape

PROCEDURE

1. Select any suitable place for setting up the instrument. Place the instrument and try
to adjust it. Adjustment procedure should be consist of the followings, (i) Setting up
the level (ii) Leveling up (iii) Elimination of parallax
2. Mark an area for which contour map is to be plotted.
3. The area is divided into a number of squares and all grid points are marked.
4. Levels of all grid points are established by leveling.
5. Then grid square is plotted on the drawing sheet. Reduced levels of grid points
marked and contour lines are drawn by interpolation.

RESULTS

The contour of given land is drawn in the sheet.

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 OBSERVATIONS:

Station Staff Readings HI Rise Fall RL Remarks

BS IS FS

CALCULATIONS:

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 INTRODUCTION TO THEODOLITE

A theodolite is an instrument which is used primarily to measure angles, both horizontal and
vertical. It is also used for many other subsidiary work during surveying such as setting up
of intermediate points between inter visible points, establishment of inter visible points,
prolonging a line, laying out traverse etc.

Different Parts of Theodolite

Telescope:It is mounted on a spindle known as horizontal or trunnion axis.in most of the

telescopes an internal focusing telescope is used.

Vertical circle:It’s a circular graduated arc attached to trunnion axis. It rotates when
telescope is turned about horizontal axis .it can set accurately at any desired position in
vertical plane, using vertical circle clamp and tangent screw. Circle is graduated from 0 to
360 in clockwise.

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Index frame: It’s a T shaped frame containing vertical log called index arm. It is central on
trunnion axis in front of vertical circle and remains fixed. When telescope is moved in
vertical plane the vertical plane moves relative to Vernier by which reading can be noted.
Plate is fixed to upper tribrach on the levelling head.

Upper Plate:It is a horizontal circular plate monolithically constructed with the inner
spindle. It is fitted with two diametrically opposite Vernier scales designated as A and B.
Functions of upper plates are to support a pair of magnifiers for the Vernier’s, a pair of plate
levels, a pair of support frames for telescope and a means to fix / unfix the upper plate of the
instrument with its lower plate.

Plate Levels: A pair of level tubes is placed at right angles on the upper plate. These are
used to make the vertical axis of the instrument truly vertical i.e., for levelling of the
instrument

Tripod: The theodolite is mounted on a strong tripod when being used in the field. The legs
of the tripod are solid or framed. At the lower ends of the legs, pointed steel shoes are
provided to get them pushed into ground. The tripod head has male screws on which the
trivet of the levelling head is screwed.

Leveling Head: It is the lowermost part of a theodolite. It consists of two parallel horizontal
plates separated by three levelling screws. The lower plate with a large threaded hole in its
centre is called trivet or foot plate. It provides a means to place the instrument on (tripod)
stand and get it screwed. Its central aperture provides a way for suspending a plumb bob.
The upper plate of the levelling head is called the tribrach. It contains a tapered bearing at
the centre. It has three arms each carrying a levelling screw. It provides a support for the
upper part of the instrument. The principal use of levelling head is to provide a means for
levelling the instrument.

Lower Plate: It is a horizontal circular plate monolithically constructed with the outer
spindle. A scale is engraved at its bevelled edge with divisions in degrees and minutes
increasing in clockwise direction. It provides the main scale reading of a horizontal angle
and a means to fix / unfix the whole of the instrument.

Standard (or A Frame): Two standards resembling the letter A are attached on the upper
plate. These provides the bearings of the pivots of the telescope allowing it to rotate on its
trunnion axis in vertical plane. The Vernier frame and arm of vertical circle clamp are also
attached to it.

Altitude Bubble: A sensitive level tube placed on Vernier frame is called altitude bubble. It
is used to make horizontal axis truly horizontal.

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Temporary Adjustments of Theodolite

Setting up: The setting operation includes fixing the theodolite with tripod along with
approximate levelling and centering over the station mark. For setting up the instrument, the
tripod is placed over the station with its legs widely spread so that the centre of the tripod
head lies above the station point and its head approximately level (by eye estimation). The
instrument is then fixed with the tripod by screwing through trivet. The height of the
instrument should be such that observer can see through telescope conveniently. After this, a
plumb bob is suspended from the bottom of the instrument and it should be such that plumb
bob should point near to the station mark. The approximate centring of the instrument is
done by moving the tripod legs radially or circumferentially as per need of the
circumstances.

Levelling: Levelling of an instrument is done to make the vertical axis of the instrument
truly vertical. For accurate levelling the following steps are strictly followed:-

i. Bring one of the level tube parallel to any two of the foot screws, by rotating the
upper part of the instrument.
ii. The bubble is brought to the centre of the level tube by rotating both the foot screws
either inward or outward. The bubble moves in the same direction as the left thumb.
iii. The bubble of the other level tube is then brought to the centre of the level tube by
rotating the third foot screw either inward or outward;
iv. Repeat Step 2 and step 3 in the same quadrant till both the bubble remain central.
v. By rotating the upper part of the instrument through 180°, the level tube is brought
parallel to first two foot screws in reverse order. The bubble will remain in the centre
if the instrument is in permanent adjustment.
vi. Otherwise, repeat the whole process starting from step1 to step5.

Focussing: To obtain the clear reading, the image formed by the objective lens should fall
in the plane of diaphragm and the focus of eye-piece should also be at the plane of
diaphragm. This is being carried out by removing parallax by proper focussing of objective
and eye-piece. Thus, focussing operation involves two steps:
i. Focussing of eye-piece.

For focussing of the eye piece, point the telescope to the sky or hold a piece of white paper
in front of telescope. Move the eye-piece in and out until a distinct sharp black image of the
cross-hairs is seen. This confirms proper focussing.

ii. Focussing of object glass.

It is done for each independent observation to bring the image of the object in the plane of
cross hairs. It includes following steps of operation: First, direct the telescope towards the

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object for observation. Next, turn the focusing screw until the image of the object appears
clear and sharp as the observer looks through properly focused eye-piece. If focusing has
been done properly, there will be no parallax i.e., there will be no apparent movement of the
image relative to the cross hairs if the observer moves his eye from one side to the other or
from top to bottom.

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Date: Exp.
No:

DISTANCE BETWEEN ACCESSIBLE POINTS ( HORIZONTAL ANGLE)

AIM: To determine the distance between accessible points (horizontal angle) by the method
of repetition and reiteration

INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED:

 Theodolite
 Tripod
 Peg
 Plumb bob
 Ranging rod

PROCEDURE:

1. Instrument is set up at O.

2. Temporary adjustments are done.

Method of repetition:

3.Vernier reading at A is made ‘0’ by adjusting upper and lower clamp screws.

3. Loose the lower clamp screw and direct telescope towards A, bisect A and clamp.
4. Upper part is unclamped and telescope is turned to bisect B in clockwise direction.
5. Clamp the screw and note readings at both vernier A and B scale
6. Then, unclamp the lower screw and turn telescope clockwise so as to bisect A.
Clamp it.
7. Then, same procedure is repeated two or three times.
8. Now, face is changed by transiting and the process is repeated two or three times.
9. Compute the average angle.
Method of reiteration:
10. A is bisected by loosening lower clamp screw keeping the upper screw clamped.

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 11. Unclamping the upper plate and clamping the lower screw, telescope is rotated
clockwise and B is bisected
bisected. Clamp both screws and readings of both A and B is
taken.
12. Unclamp upper clamping screw and telescope is rotated. Points C, D, E are bisected
and readings noted.
13. Each included angle can be measured by finding difference between two consecutive
angles.
14. On final sight A, reading of vernier should be 360 0. In presence of error, it is equally
distributed to each angle.
15. Repeat steps after transiti
transiting.

RESULT

Distance between accessible points AB by repetition method______________

Distance between accessible points AB by reiteration method______________

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OBSERVATIONS:

Face : Left /Right Swing :Right/ Left Face : Left

Instrument at

Swing :Right
Sighted to

Horizontal
A B Mean angle C D Mean Vertical Angle
                     

CALCULATIONS:

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Date: Exp. No:

DISTANCE BETWEEN INACCESSIBLE POINTS ( HORIZONTAL ANGLE)

AIM: To determine the distance between accessible points (horizontal angle) by the method of
repetition

INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED:

 Theodolite
 Tripod
 Peg
 Plumb bob
 Ranging rod

PROCEDURE:

1. Instrument is set up at p.
2. Temporary adjustments are done.
3. Vernier reading at A is made ‘0’ by adjusting upper and lower clamp screws.
4. Loose the lower clamp screw and direct telescope towards A, bisect A and clamp it.
5. Upper part is unclamped and telescope is turned to bisect B in clockwise direction.
6. Clamp the screw and note readings at both vernier A and vernier B scale.
7. Then, unclamp the lower screw and turn telescope clockwise so as to bisect q which is at
an accessible distance. Clamp it.
8. Clamp the screw and note readings at both vernier A and vernier B scale.
9. Unclamp the lower screw and turn telescope clockwise so as to bisect A. Clamp it.
10. Same procedure is repeated two or three times.
11. Now, face is changed by transiting and the process is repeated two or three times.
12. Compute the average angle.
13. Then, instrument is set up at q which is at an accessible distance.
14. Temporary adjustments are done.
15. Vernier reading at A is made ‘0’ by adjusting upper and lower clamp screws.
16. Loose the lower clamp screw and direct telescope towards p, bisect p and clamp it.
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 17. Upper part is unclamped and telescope is turned to bisect A in clockwise direction.
18. Clamp the screw and note readings at both vernier A and vernier B scale.

19. Then, unclamp the lower screw and turn telescope clockwise so as to bisect B which is at
an inaccessible distance. Clamp it.
20. Clamp the screw and note readings at both vernier A and vernier B scale.
21. Unclamp the lower screw and turn telescope clockwise so as to bisect p. Clamp it.
22. Same procedure is repeated two or three times.
23. Now, face is changed by transiting and the process is repeated two or three times.
24. Compute the average angle.

RESULT

Distance between inaccessible points AB ________________________________

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NSSCE Page 37
 OBSERVATIONS:

Face : Left /Right Swing :Right/ Left Face : Left

Instrument at

Swing :Right
Sighted to

Horizontal
A B Mean angle C D Mean Vertical Angle
                     

CALCULATIONS:

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Date: Exp. No:

LEVEL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POINTS ( VERTICAL ANGLE)

AIM: To determine the distance between accessible points (horizontal angle) by the method of
repetition

INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED:

 Theodolite
 Tripod
 Peg
 Plumb bob
 Ranging rod

PROCEDURE:

1. Set the theodolite at O from where two points at A and B on ground are visible.
2. Temporary adjustments are done.
3. Set vertical circle to 0 – 0.
4. Sight to the bottom of the ranging rod placed on point A, bisect the bottom point and note
the vertical angle at vernier C and vernier D scale.
5. Similarly sight to the bottom of the ranging rod placed on point A, bisect the bottom
point and note the vertical angle at vernier C and vernier D scale.
6. Measure the distance from instrument station to sight A and B.
7. Calculate level difference between two points using simple trigonometric relations.

RESULT:

Level difference between two points ________________________

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 OBSERVATIONS:

Face : Left /Right Swing :Right/ Left Face : Left

Instrument at

Swing :Right
Sighted to

Horizontal
A B Mean angle C D Mean Vertical Angle
                     

CALCULATIONS:

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Date: Exp. No:

TACHEOMETRIC SURVEY

AIM: To determine the tacheometric constants of given instrument.

INSTRUMENTS USED:

 Theodolite with stadia diaphragm

 Staffs
 Tape
 Ranging rods
 Plumb bob etc.

PROCEDURE

1. Set up the instrument center and level it over station O.

2. Range out the line and mark points A, B and C such that OA = 10m, OB = 20m, OC= 30
m.
3. Set vertical scale reading of theodolite to zero and hold the staff over A and sight A .Note
the reading of top axial and bottom of stadia.
4. The levelling staff is moved to point C and stadia readings are noted.
5. The staff intercepts in each case are calculated , the constants K and C are founded out by
simultaneous equations
a. D1 = KS1 + C and D2 = KS2 + C
6. Where K is the multiplying constant
7. C is the additive constants.
8. D3 = KS3 + C .Substitute the calculated value of C and K and check.

RESULT

The values of the multiplying constant & the additive constant are_____________

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OBESRVATIONS:

Instrument Sight to Horizontal distance, D (m) Staff intercept, S

at. (m)

CALCULATIONS:

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Date: Exp. No:
HEIGHT OF A BUILDING USING THEODOLITE

AIM:To determine the height of a building using theodolite.

INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED:

 Theodolite
 Tripod
 Tape

PROCEDURE:

8. Set the theodolite at O from where top of the building is visible.

9. Set vertical circle to 0 – 0.
10. Sight to the top of building, bisect top exactly and read vertical angle.
11. Similarly sight to the bottom of the building and read the vertical angle.
12. Measure the distance from instrument station to building.
13. Calculate height of the building using simple trigonometric relations.

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RESULT:

Height of the building is obtained as,

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OBSERVATIONS:

Face : Left /Right Swing :Right/ Face : Left

Instrument at

Left Swing :Right

Sighted to

Horizontal
A B Mean angle C D Mean Vertical Angle
                     

CALCULATIONS:

NSSCE Page 45
 INTRODUCTION TO TOTAL STATION

Total station is a surveying equipment combination of Electromagnetic Distance Measuring

Instrument and electronic theodolite. It is also integrated with microprocessor, electronic data
collector and storage system. The instrument can be used to measure horizontal and vertical angles
as well as sloping distance of object to the instrument.With the aid of trigonometry, the angles and
distances may be used to calculate the co-ordinates (x, y, and z or northing,easting and elevation) of
surveyed points in absolute terms.
Microprocessor unit in total station processes the data collected to compute:

1. Average of multiple angles measured.

2. Average of multiple distance measured.
3. Horizontal distance.
4. Distance between any two points.
5. Elevation of objects and
6. All the three coordinates of the observed points.
Data collected and processed in a Total Station can be downloaded to computers for further
processing.

Important Operations of Total Station

Distance Measurement : Electronic distance measuring (EDM) instrument is a major part of
total station. Its range varies from 2.8 km to 4.2 km. The accuracy of measurement varies from
5 mm to 10 mm per km measurement. They are used with automatic target recognizer. The
distance measured is always sloping distance from instrument to the object.
Angle Measurements: The electronic theodolite part of total station is used for measuring vertical
and horizontal angle. For measurement of horizontal angles any convenient direction may be taken
as reference direction. For vertical angle measurement vertical upward (zenith) direction is taken as
reference direction. The accuracy of angle measurement varies from 2 to 6 seconds.
Data Processing: This instrument is provided with an inbuilt microprocessor. The microprocessor
averages multiple observations. With the help of slope distance and vertical and horizontal angles
measured, when height of axis of instrument and targets are supplied, the microprocessor computes

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the horizontal distance and X, Y, Z coordinates. The processor is capable of applying temperature
and pressure corrections to the measurements, if atmospheric temperature and pressures are
supplied.
Display: Electronic display unit is capable of displaying various values when respective keys are
pressed. The system is capable of displaying horizontal distance, vertical distance, horizontal and
vertical angles, difference in elevations of two observed points and all the three coordinates of the
observed points.
Electronic Book: Each point data can be stored in an electronic note book (like compact disc). The
capacity of electronic note book varies from 2000 points to 4000 points data. Surveyor can unload
the data stored in note book to computer and reuse the note book.

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NSSCE Page 48
NSSCE Page 49
Date: Exp. No:

AREA COMPUTATION USING TOTAL STATION

AIM

To find the area of a closed traverse using total station

INSTRUMENTS USED

 Total station
 Prism
 Tripod
 Pegs

PROCEDURE

1. Fix the total station over a station and level it 2. press the power button to switch on the
instrument.

3. select MODE B -------> S function------->file management------>create(enter a name)-- -----

>accept

4. Then press ESC to go to the starting page

5. Then set zero by double clicking on 0 set(F3)

6. Then go to S function ------> measure-----> rectangular co-ordinate---->station --- >press enter.

7. Here enter the point number or name, instrument height and prism code.

PN .....................................................
E..........................................................
N............................................................
IH..........................................................
PC.........................................................
8. Then press accept (Fs)

9. Keep the reflecting prism on the first point and turn the total station to the prism , focus it and
bisect it exactly using a horizontal and vertical clamps.

10. Then select MEAS and the display panel will show the point specification

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11. Now select edit and re-enter the point number or name point code and enter the prism height
that we have set.

12. Then press MEAS/SAVE (F3) so that the measurement to the first point will automatically be
saved and the display panel will show the second point.

13. Then turn the total station to second point and do the same procedure.

14. Repeat the steps to the rest of the stations and close the traverse

15. Now go to S function----> view/edit----graphical view.

16. It will show the graphical view of the traverse.

17. Select S function---> calculation---> 2D surface----> All------> accept

18. This will give the area of the closed traverse.

DIAGRAM

OBESERVATION

Area of the closed traverse =

RESULTS

Area of the closed traverse =

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Date: Exp. No:
STUDY OF MINOR INSTRUMENTS

AIM: To study the instruments- Automatic level, Digital level, Handheld GPS

Automatic level

Automatic level make use of a compensator that ensures that the line of sight remains horizontal
once the operator roughly levelled the instrument (to within maybe 0.05 degree). The surveyor gets
the instrument up quickly and does not have to release it carefully each time he sights on a rod on
another point. It also reduces the effect of minor setting of the tripod to the actual amount of motion
instead of leveraging the tilt over the sight distance. Three level screws are used to level the
instrument.

Setting Up an Automatic level: Set the tripod at just above chest height, make sure it is stable and
mount the level on the top. Adjust the levelling screws until the pond bubble is centralised. As long
as the pond bubble is central, the automatic compensators are able to finely level the instrument. To
ensure this in the case while looking through telescope, gently top the level. The view will wave for
a few moments before steadying if this does not happen, the instrument is not level through for the
compensators to scope and needs adjustments.

Sighting: Sight towards the staff using the gun sight look through the eye piece and focus the
reticle by gradually turning the reticle focusing ring anticlock wise. Turn the focusing knob to focus

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on the staff. Turn fine button screw to centre the staff in the field of view. Turn the focusing knob
to eliminate parallax between the staff and reticle.

Digital Level:

Digital level has the attributes of staff leveling instrumentation coupled with digital array
photography and electronic image processing. The digital level is operated in conjunction with
special bar-coded staff. This type of level has the feature as the eye piece, the processing knob, the
compensators, the circular bubble tube, the transparent motion of levelling screw and objective,
there are in addition to a camera, a microprocessor, a display register and lontered panel. The
procedure is to setup and level the instrument and focus it on the bar coded staff when appropriate
button is pressed on the panel, the bar-coded staff is processed. It may take about 4 seconds.

The processed image of the rod is compared with the image of the whole rod which is permanently
stored in the machine and the height values are determined. The distance to the rod can also be
determined and deep lay of by pressing the appropriate key on the panel. All the readings digitally
recorded are transferred to computer for further use.

Handheld GPS:

Global processing system(GPS) was developed by the united states department of defense. It was
between 24 and 32 medium. Earth orbit satellite that transmit precise microwave signals. These
enables GPS receiver to determine their current location, time and velocity. The GPS with a GPS
receiver, the system will provide location and time.

GPS is made up of three parts.

1. Satellite orbiting the earth

2. Control and monitoring station on earth

3. GPS receivers owned by users

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GPS satellite broad cast signals from space that are picked up and identified by GPS receiver. Each
GPS receiver then provides three dimensional location (latitude, longitude and altitude) plus the
time.

RESULT

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