University of San Carlos

School of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

Fieldwork No. 08
ESTABLISHING OF HORIZONTAL CONTROL
USING A TOTAL STATION
Name : Weather :
Group No. : Place :
Designation : Time Start :
Instructor : Time End :
Class Schedule :

I. Objective

By the end of the fieldwork, the student will be able to:

a. learn how to establish horizontal control using a total station; and

b. identify possible sources of errors in measuring horizontal angles.

II. Instruments and Equipment

1 unit – total station equipment 1 pc – plumb bob 1 pc – measuring tape

1 pc – tripod 3 pcs – marking pin

III. Theory

Control surveys are conducted to establish new control points and to expand
the control network with reference to a benchmark or a fixed point. Traditional methods
of extending the said control network involve closed traverse surveys, triangulation, and
trilateration techniques. In the triangulation technique, this involves the creation of a
baseline AB whose length has been accurately measured. The position of points A or B
is determined by backsighting a permanent mark or point. The EDM equipment is then
leveled and set up at A and B and the angle CAB and CBA are measured several
times. The acceptable discrepancy between horizontal angle readings is 15”. The
horizontal distance of the line AC and CB are then computed using the sine law.
Knowing the length of CB could serve as another baseline for establishing another
triangulation station at D.

For the trilateration technique, it commences the same way as the triangulation
method. If only one control point is known, the second point B is created by an open
traverse. The survey team uses the EDM equipment to measure the azimuth of line AB
and distances AB, AC, and BC. The control network is then extended by using BC or
AC as the new baseline.

CE 2101L – Fundamentals of Surveying Laboratory 1st Semester, A. Y. 2023 - 2024 1

 University of San Carlos
School of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

IV. Procedure

A. Triangulation Technique

1. Locate and mark key fixed points, preferably marked by NAMRIA, that will
serve as a reference (control). Other points that can be marked as key fixed
points are points located near the boundary of the area to be surveyed,
points of maximum or minimum elevation, significant features, and the like.
Make sure that at least 3 points are clearly seen from every point.

2. A baseline must be established. This baseline must be accurately measured

between two control points and must be measured to the nearest 10 mm
using a 50-m tape. The baseline should be located on flat ground, preferably
having a slope of less than 5°. However, if the baseline is greater than 50
meters, the tape length must be marked with survey pins and the baseline
length must be measured in both directions. What is the difference in the
measured lengths for both directions? If the difference is more than 50 mm,
measurement must be repeated for both directions, or simply use the
average of the two measurements. With the use of the total station,
determine the horizontal distance between the control points.

3. Position the tripod over a control point, mount the total station over it, and
then start setting it up. Make sure that the telescope is oriented in a
magnetic north-south direction so that all readings will now be in degrees
east of true north.

4. Record the horizontal angle to each of the control points perceptible from the
instrument station. Sight on a stadia rod or ranging pole. If the pole is not
visible, adjust the focusing screws near the eyepiece. Rotate the telescope
clockwise and close the round of observations by repeating the horizontal
angle measurement on the first target. What is the difference between your
first and last readings? Does it have a difference of less than 15”? If yes,
then use the mean value. If not, you must repeat the measurement again.
What factors affect the accuracy of the readings displayed on the total
station? Explain briefly.

5. Rotate the telescope about its vertical axis at 180°. Whenever necessary,
use the tangent screw for fine adjustment of the inclination of the telescope.
Perform another round of angle measurements according to the instruction
in number 4. The horizontal angle left and the horizontal angle right can be
averaged unless they have a difference greater than 15”, in which case, all
the horizontal angle observations must be repeated.

6. Transfer the total station/theodolite to another control point and repeat

procedures 1-5 until all the horizontal angles have been established
between all the control points. Make sure to record the data in your field
notebook.

CE 2101L – Fundamentals of Surveying Laboratory 1st Semester, A. Y. 2023 - 2024 2

 University of San Carlos
School of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

Fig. 8-1. Establishing the position of point C by triangulation

B. Trilateration Technique

1. Locate and mark key fixed points, preferably marked by NAMRIA, that will
serve as reference (control). Other points that can be marked as key fixed
points are points located near the boundary of the area to be surveyed,
points of maximum or minimum elevation, significant features and the like.
Make sure that at least 3 points are clearly seen from every point.

2. Establish control point B by setting up the EDM device at point A of the

baseline. One of the members of the survey party in charge of bringing the
prism should erect it at point B. The instrument man then collimates to the
target, click on the soft key MEAS to start the measurement of the horizontal
distance (HD), slant distance (SD) and vertical angle (VA). Locate the north
direction with the aid of a compass and determine the azimuth of the
baseline AB.

3. Mount the prism at the new control point C. With the EDM device leveled
and setup at point A, sight the target at C and then collimate. Perform the
collimation of the target 3 times and record the observed horizontal
distances.

CE 2101L – Fundamentals of Surveying Laboratory 1st Semester, A. Y. 2023 - 2024 3

 University of San Carlos
School of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

4. Repeat number 3 but this time, with the EDM device setup at point B.
Record the observed horizontal distances.
5. The horizontal distances are then computed based on the slope distances
and vertical angles that were recorded. The interior angles should be
determined with the use of the law of cosines. Determine the error of closure
and apply the necessary correction.

Fig. 8-2. Measuring distances AC and BC

V. Findings

Organize all the data that you have recorded on every exercise in a table. Place them
here and describe the results. Answers to the questions found in the procedure must be
written here.

CE 2101L – Fundamentals of Surveying Laboratory 1st Semester, A. Y. 2023 - 2024 4

 University of San Carlos
School of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

VI. Conclusion

When making a conclusion, please put an emphasis on the importance of getting

accurate results and on ways to minimize errors while performing fieldworks with the use
of a total station.

VII. Sketch

Provide a sketch of the all the activities you did on this portion.

CE 2101L – Fundamentals of Surveying Laboratory 1st Semester, A. Y. 2023 - 2024 5