FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND GEOMATIC

ENGINEERING
Subject Code
Practical Name
Course Code
Practical Date
Section
Group
Group Leader

Group Members
Lecturer Name/ Instructor/ Tutor
Marks

Comments

BFC 20703
Tacheometry
2 BFF
7/12/2014
1
5
Mohd Shafiq Imran bin Abdul Aziz
(AF130109)
1.Loke Hoong Kee (AF130190)
2. Nadzirah Afiqah binti Abdullah (DF120021)
3. Muhammad Ammar Fikhri bin Nasaruddin
(BF130001)
4. Kok Hui Li (AF130195)
Sir Saifullizan Mohd Bukari
Introduction
/ 5%
Objective
/ 5%
Theory
/ 10%
Instrument
/ 5%
Procedure
/ 5%
Data/ Table
/ 10%
Data analysis
/ 20%
Discussion
/ 15%
Presentation/ Plotting
/ 10%
Conclusion/Recommendatio
/ 10%
n
Reference
/ 5%
Total mark
/ 100%
Accepted Seal

1.0

INTRODUCTION
The term tacheometry in surveying is used to denote the procedures for obtaining horizontal

distances and differences in elevation by rapid indirect methods, which are based on the optical geometry of
the instruments employed. The procedure is sometimes referred to as stadia, optical distance measurement,
or telemetry. The instruments employed are the engineers transit or theodolite and the leveling rod or stadia
rod, the telescopic alidade and the leveling rod or stadia rod, the theodolite and the subtense bar, and the
self-reducing theodolite and the leveling rod. Horizontal distances are obtained with each of these
combinations of instruments without resorting to direct taping. Difference in elevation can be determined
indirectly with most of the combinations.
Tacheometry is a branch of surveying which used to measure the lengths of traverse sides, the check
the more accurate taped distances in order to uncover gross error or mistakes, to determine differences of
elevation between points, and to carry lines of levels where a relatively low order of accuracy is permissible.
Its most general performed to produce contour and details plans for further work or to produce coordinates
for area and volume calculations. Observation are usually performed from known survey stations, often
established by traversing.

2.0

OBJECTIVE
To sketch the topographic and detail plan of the proposed area using TRIMap and AutoCAD.

Faculty of Civil and Environmental

Engineering
Department of Infrastructure and
Geomatic Engineering
Tacheometry

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3.0

THEORY
Tacheometry is a branch of surveying in which the horizontal and vertical distances of points are

obtained by optical measurement to avoid the ordinary and slower process of measurement tapes. The
method is very quick, efficient and convenient. Although the accuracy of tacheometry in general compares
reluctantly with that of chaining, it is best adopted in obstacles such as steep and broken ground, deep
ravines, stretches of water or swamp and so on, which make chaining difficult or impossible. The accuracy
attained is such that under favourable conditions the error will not exceed 1/1000, and if the purpose of a
survey does not require greater accuracy, the method is unexcelled. The primary objective of tacheometry is
to prepare the contour maps or plans requiring both the horizontal as well as vertical control. Also, on
surveys of higher accuracy, it provides a check on a distance measure with the tape.
The uses of tacheometry are preparation of topographic maps which require both elevations and
horizontal distances, survey work in difficult terrain where direct methods are inconvenient, detail filling,
reconnaissance surveys for highways and railways, checking of already measured distances, hydrographic
surveys and establishing secondary control.

Faculty of Civil and Environmental

Engineering
Department of Infrastructure and
Geomatic Engineering
Tacheometry

4.0

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EQUIPMENTS
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Items
Automatic level
Level Staff
Total Station
Mini Prism
Tape
Pole
Tripod
Staff Bubble

Quantity
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2

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Faculty of Civil and Environmental

Engineering
Department of Infrastructure and
Geomatic Engineering
Tacheometry

5.0

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PROCEDURE

FIELDWORK PROCEDURES:
1. All the traverse points were checked to make sure the reduced level is achieved by conducting a
leveling survey before starting the fieldwork of tacheometry.
2. Before tacheometry was started, all the details including topography and man-made features were
observed.
3. The instrument was set up over one of the traverse station (i.e. station 4).
4. The pole with mini prism was placed each at the backsight (station 1) and foresight (station 3).
5. Temporary adjustment like leveling and centering was performed over the point.
6. Height of the instrument (IH) was measured and recorded.
7. The bearing for line 4-1 was set as a datum.
8. The distance of station 4 to station 1 was measured by measuring tape and recorded in table.
9. Final bearing from previous traverse sheet was used.
10. The pole was then used as a target over the point.
11. The pole height (HT) was recorded and the reading of the pole was measured.
12. Horizontal bearing (HR), horizontal distance (HD) and vertical distance or height difference (VD)
was recorded for each observation.
13. All the features surrounding station 2 were recorded.
14. Pole height (HT) was checked to make sure it was recorded for every observation.
15. The instrument was moved to the next station (i.e. station 3).
16. The bearing for line 3-4 was set as the datum.
17. The processes were repeated and all the features were observed from station 3.
18. The height of instrument was measured at each station setup.
19. Additional control point was setup when it was found missing or disturbed; or obstruction of the
features from observed station.
20. The processes were repeated for all the stations until all the features inside the traverse area and 10
meter away from the line of sight were observed.

Faculty of Civil and Environmental

Engineering
Department of Infrastructure and
Geomatic Engineering

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Tacheometry

Effective Date
Amendment Date

BOOKING
1. All the readings were recorded in a form in attachment 1 or automatically recorded by Total Station
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

devices.
The IH was recorded at all observation points.
The HT was recorded for every feature.
All the bearings were recorded to the nearest minutes with face left only.
All the horizontal distances (HD) were recorded only.
Some explanation was added for each feature at the remarks column.
Some sketches of the observed area were drawn.

RESULT AND CALCULATION

The reduced level (RL) of every feature is calculated using the formula given:
RL = RL(Inst) + IH(Inst. Ht) HT(Pole Ht) HD(Ht Diff)

SETTING
1. TRIMap surveying software was used to process the observation data.
The topography and detail plan for the project was produced by using AutoCAD software.

6.0

DATA TABULATION

Please refer to the following pages for leveling data and tacheometry data (features).

Faculty of Civil and Environmental

Engineering
Department of Infrastructure and
Geomatic Engineering
Tacheometry

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DATA ANALYSIS

Page check:
BS FS

= 6.705 6.697
= 0.008 m

RISE FALL = 0.619 0.611

= 0.008 m
RLB - RLT

= 2.575 2.567
= 0.008 m

End Closure:
RLB RLT

= 2.575 2.567
= 0.008 m

Allowable Closure:
Allowable closure = 20D
= 200.1933 = 8.793 mm
Note: Since allowable closure is 8.793 mm, the error of 8 mm is accepted with the condition of adjustment is
needed.
Adjustment:
End closure / FS

= 0.008 / 5
= 0.0020 per FS

Besides that, the reduce level for each feature recorded in the tacheometry survey was calculated using the
formula give.

Faculty of Civil and Environmental

Engineering
Department of Infrastructure and
Geomatic Engineering
Tacheometry

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RL = RLa + IH HT HD
Where,

8.0

RLa

reduce level of instrument (total station)

IH

height of instrument (total station)

HT

height of target (mini prism)

HD

height difference (vertical height)

DISCUSSION

1. Like in any other survey methods, tacheometry has its own erros such as instrumental errors, personal
errors and errors due to natural causes. Instrumental errors may occur due to improper stadia interval,
vertical circle index error, incorrect stadia rod graduations, the incorrect value of multiplying constant k
and imperfect permanent adjustments whilst personal errors are contributed by inaccurate centering and
leveling of the instrument by the surveyor. Besides that, non-verticality of the staff or stadia rod,
careless leveling of the altitude bubble and inaccurate sighting are a few of the agents as well.
2. However, naturally occurring errors are due to environmental factors in a majority. High speed wind
will make it difficult to keep the staff in a truly vertical position, unequal atmospheric refraction, change
in atmospheric temperature and poor visibility are instances of natural causes.
3. To cancel out or minimize these errors, precautions such as taking proper care in manipulating the
instrument, limiting the length in the sights, using instruments of good quality, averaging the forward
and backward readings and working in favourable atmospheric conditions can all be taken by the
surveyor.

Faculty of Civil and Environmental

Engineering
Department of Infrastructure and
Geomatic Engineering
Tacheometry

9.0

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CONCLUSION

The topographic plan was drawn and printed out. The points on the map were approximately similar to that
of the real traverse area. All in all, the practicality provided a first-hand experience to undergraduates in the
field of surveying and the applications of each type of survey. It enables them to cope with the standards of
engineering survey in
this modern era with
sustainable
development
implemented as one of
the ethics in engineers.

10.0 REFERENCE

Lab sheet given

by Sir
Saifullizan

Mohd Bukari, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Faculty of Civil & Environmental
Engineering.

11.0 APPENDIX
1. Maps of TBM in UTHM