DETERMINATION OF HORIZONTAL DISTANCE BETWEEN INACCESSIBLE POINTS

OBJECTIVE: To determine the horizontal distance between two inaccessible points.

EQUIPMENTS USED:
D
C
1) Transit Theodolite
2) Plum bob
3) Tripod
4) Ranging rods
5) Tape and
6) Arrows A
THEORY: B

In order to determine the length between two inaccessible points(“C”&”D”), we should select
two points “A” and “B” and measure distance between them. Setting Theodolite at “A” and “B”
and measuring required angles, we arrive at our unknown distance by using Sine and Cosine rule
in triangle

sin 𝛼 sin 𝛽 sin ϒ

i.e = = & Cos α = (a2+b2+c2)/2ab
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

PROCEDURE:
If it is required to measure horizontal distance between two inaccessible points C and D
1. Set two points A and B and measure distance between them using tape.
2. Set the Theodolite at station A and carryout all the temporary adjustments.
3. Release all the clamp screws, set 0º reading on Vernier ‘A’. Note the reading of Vernier ‘B’.
4. Clamp the upper clamp screw and direct the telescope approximately towards the point C.
5. Tighten the lower clamp and bisect point ‘C’ accurately by lower tangent screw.
6. Release the upper clamp and turn the instrument clock-wise towards D. Clamp the upper clamp
and bisect ‘D’ accurately with the upper tangent screw. Note the readings of Vernier’s ‘A’ and
‘B’ to get the values of the angle CAD.
7. Now Release the upper clamp and turn the instrument clock-wise towards B. Clamp the upper
clamp and bisect ‘B’ accurately with the upper tangent screw. Note the readings of Vernier’s
‘A’ and ‘B’ to get the values of the angle CAB.
8. Now change Face and repeat the steps 3 to 7 using left swing.
9. The average horizontal angle CAD and CAB is then obtained by taking the average of the two
angles obtained with face left and face right.
10. Now shift the instrument to Point B and arrive at angles ABC and ABD using similar process
explained in steps 2 to 9.
 11. By applying Sine rule and cosine rules to triangles ABD and CAB we arrive at our unknown
distance between C and D.

Observations: Model Tabular form

A C

Result: The horizontal distance between the two inaccessible points C and D is _______ meters