Theodolite Notes 2020 for All

TOPIC: THEODOLITE
Topic contents (Subtopics)
1. Theodolite
2. Major components of a Theodolite
3. Permanent adjustment of aTheodolite
4. Temporary adjustment of a Theodolite
5. Functions of a Theodolite
6. Areas of applications of a Theodolite
7. Types of Theodolites
8. Setting of a Theodolite
9. Observation of angles
10. Reduction of angles
1
1. What is a Theodolite
A theodolite is a surveying instrument used for observation of angles (horizontal
and vertical angles), for the purpose of determining direction/bearing or
coordinating a point.
2. Major components of a Theodolite

(i) Sighting device – this is a part of a Theodolite which defines direction of the
line from the instrument to the target. It is also called a Telescope.
Sighting device (telescope) comprises of:

(a) Objective lens – this is a convex lens producing images either inverted or
erect.
(b) Eye piece – this is a magnifying lens for viewing the diaphragm and the
target. Movement of the eye piece is by the use of diopteric ring.
Target is clearly seen by the use of focusing knob of focusing lense.
(ii) Horizontal circle – a circular protractor in the theodolite, for observation of
horizontal angles.
(iii) Vertical circle – a graduated protractor in the theodolite for observation of
vertical angles.
(iv) Spirit level – includes:
 Plate bubble (tubular bubble/bubble tube/plate bubble)
 Circular bubble
(v) Alidade – is the upper part of a Theodolite, includes telescope, tubular
bubble, vertical circle.
(vi) Lower part – is a part of a Theodolite below the Alidade, includes horizontal
circle, foot screws, circular bubble.
(vii) Foot screws – are parts of a Theodolite (three foot screws) used for leveling
tubular bubble.
(viii) Trivet – is a foot plate on which the foot screws are resting.
(ix) Centering device – an optical plummet, used for setting an instrument exactly
over the survey station. Associated with optical plummet is a Plumb bob.
(x) Standing axis (Rotation axis or vertical axis) – an axis for rotation of the
Alidade (upper part of a Theodolite).
(xi) Transit axis – is an axis for rotation of a Telescope.
(xii) Clamps – holds rotating parts in any required position.
 clamps for stopping rotation of Alidade
 clamps for stopping rotation of telescope
 clamps for tripod legs of tripod stand.
2
(xiii) Slow motion screws (Tangent screws) – these include: horizontal slow motion
screw and vertical slow motion screw, for moving cross –hair (cross-wire) in
horizontal and vertical positions respectively.
3. Permanent adjustment of a Theodolite

When a Theodolite has been used for long time or when it has been knocked or
fallen down or any other mishandling, we do believe that there is a displacement
of the positions of the axis (horizontal and vertical), and hence a permanent
adjustment is required. This adjustment aims at putting the disturbed axis at their
original positions, so that the instrument functions properly as before. Disturbed
axis results into giving wrong observations of angles.
4. Temporary adjustment of aTheodolite

Temporary adjustment includes the following processes:
(i) Setting an instrument exactly over the survey station (using optical
plummet or Plumb bob and Tripod legs of Tripod stand.
(ii) Levelling the instrument - by leveling the spirit bubbles (circular bubble
and tubular/plate bubble), using tripod legs (for circular bubble) and foot
screws (for tubular bubble).
(iii) Removal of Parallax {(apparent movement between the target and the
diaphragm (the inside of the telescope)} – by using diopteric ring of eye
piece (to see sharp cross-hair) and focusing knob of focusing lense
(for see sharp target).
5. Functions of a Theodolite
A Theodolite is normally used for observing angles (horizontal and vertical), for
the aim of making coordination of a point. Angles can be measured during
coordination in Cadastral surveying, Resection, Intersection, Triangulation,
Tacheometry, Trigonometry etc.
6. Areas of application of a Theodolite

A Theodolite is applicable in the areas like:
 In Cadastral surveying, during coordination.
 In engineering surveying
 for road construction
 for electricity
 for water supply
 for buildings
etc.
3
 In mining areas, for transferring coordinates under the ground in order to
determine bearings.
7. Types of Theodolites
There are many types of Theodolites from different manufacturing companies of
different countries eg from Switzerland, Japan, USA, German, China etc. Some
of the Theodolites are Optical mechanical while others are digital. Most of the
Theodolites which are used to date are digital.
8. Setting up of a Theodolite
 A Theodolite is set up over the survey station (Peg, Nail, IPC, STP or Beacon)
during the observation of an angle (horizontal angle or vertical angle).
 The nail to be used as a survey station should be of at least 10 cm.
 The peg to be used as a survey station for cadastral survey should be of a
length between 10cm – 15cm, and a diameter of between 2cm – 3cm.
 The peg to be used as a survey station for engineering survey can be of a
length more than 15cm, with a diameter of more than 3cm.
 The setting of a Theodolite is done with the aid of an optical plummet attached to
the tribrach of a Theodolite or by using a Plumb bob.
 Tripod legs of the tripod play a big role in accomplishing the process, by moving
them in different directions, so as to see a survey station through an optical
plummet or by placing the sharp point of the plumb bob on top of the survey
station.
9. Observation of angles
 Angles (horizontal and vertical) are observed as sexagesimal (degrees).
1 degree (10) = 60 minutes (60’)
1 minute = 60 seconds (60’’)
 Angles, especially horizontal angles are observed in two or more rounds
and the average is found to get the final angle to be used for computing
the coordinates of a point.
 If there is a specific mark on a target or a feature, two rounds of vertical
angles are as well observed, and the average of them is computed, for the
purpose of increasing the accuracy of the observed angle.
 Angles are observed in Face left (Face 1) and in Face right (Face 2), in
order to distribute the error due to imperfection of the Theodolite from the
4
manufacturer. The mean of minutes and seconds is also calculated in
order to increase the accuracy of the observed angle at the station.
10. Reduction of angles
Example.
Target B Target C
Θ d
A Theodolite
Rounds Station Face 1 Face 2 Mean Angle Final angle
At A
I 000 20’ 30’’ 20’ 36’’ 20’ 33’

B
1200 43’ 12 43’ 06’ 43’ 09’’ 1200 22’ 36’’
C
1200 22’ 38’’
900 00’ 00’’ 000 04’ 00’ 02’’

II B 1200 22’ 40’’
0 0
210 22’ 46’’ 22 38’’ 22’ 42’’
C
Coordinating point C:
Xc = Xa + dcos Bearing ac
YC = Xa + dsin bearing ac

Theodolite Notes 2020 for All

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Theodolite Notes 2020 for All

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Theodolite Notes 2020 for All

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

TOPIC: THEODOLITE

Topic contents (Subtopics)

2. Major components of a Theodolite

3. Permanent adjustment of aTheodolite

4. Temporary adjustment of a Theodolite

6. Areas of applications of a Theodolite

10. Reduction of angles

2. Major components of a Theodolite

Sighting device (telescope) comprises of:

3. Permanent adjustment of a Theodolite

4. Temporary adjustment of aTheodolite

6. Areas of application of a Theodolite

10. Reduction of angles

Rounds Station Face 1 Face 2 Mean Angle Final angle

I 000 20’ 30’’ 20’ 36’’ 20’ 33’

900 00’ 00’’ 000 04’ 00’ 02’’

You might also like