FIELD WORK NO.

MEASUREMENT OF VERTICAL OR ZENITH ANGLES

I. OBJECTIVES:

1. To learn how to determine index error in vertical circle readings.

2. To learn how to measure vertical or zenith angles and apply index correction.
II. INSTRUMENTS: Engineers Transit, Leveling Rods
III. DISCUSSION:
Along a vertical plane, the difference in direction measured between two intersecting
lines is referred to as vertical angle. Such an angle may be above or below a horizontal
plane through a point of intersection and may lie only between zero and plus (or
minus) 90 degrees. At any instrument set up, the horizontal plane (or horizontal line of
sight) is established when the telescope is in a horizontal position, the vertical circle
reading is set at the index mark, and the bubble in the telescope level tube is
centered.
Vertical angles are either angles of elevation or angles of depression. These angles are
also sometimes referred to as positive or negative angles.
When the transit is used, the accuracy in reading a vertical reading is affected if the
line of sight is not parallel to the axis of the telescope level tube, and the vertical circle
does not read zero when the telescope bubble is centered. Due to any above reasons,
an error will be introduced when observing a vertical angle. This error is referred to as
the index error. Theoretically, there would be no index error if the instrument were in
perfect adjustment and is leveled precisely when making observations. In practice,
however, such an ideal condition seldom exists.

ELEMENTARY & HIGHER SURVEYING LABORATORY

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IV. PROCEDURE:
A.
the

Determining
Index

Correction:

1. Set

up and level

the

instrument at

selected point

along

the ground.

2.

Designate

another point which is higher than point O which will serve as the point of
object.
3. With the telescope in normal position, sight the object point by manipulating
the vertical and horizontal motion clamps. For correct sighting the object point
must be at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical crosshairs of the
telescope.
4. Read and record the vertical angle on the vertical scale and manipulate this
as 1.
5. Change the position of the telescope by rotating the instrument 180 degrees
along the vertical plane.
6. With the telescope now in the reverse position, sight the object point with the
same manipulation done in the first sighting.
7. Read and record the vertical angle and designate this as 2.
VI. COMPUTATIONS:
1. To determine the index correction, get the difference of 1 and 2, and divide it by
two. If 1 is equal to 2, the vertical circle and vernier has no index error.
IE = (1 2) / 2
where: IE = index error
1 = observed reading with telescope in direct position
2 = observed reading with telescope in reverse position
2. To determine the correct value of vertical angles, the index correction is added
algebraically to the observed vertical angle.
CVA = OA IE

ELEMENTARY & HIGHER SURVEYING LABORATORY

J.A.P. AQUINO

where: CVA = corrected value of the angle

OA = observed value of the angle
ENGR.

IE = index error
VII. TABULATION:
POINT
A
B

OBSRVED ANGLE

INDEX

ADJUSTED ANGLE

10050
10320

CORRECTION
+115
-115

1025
1025

IE =

(1 2) / 2

IE =

(10050-10320 / 2)

IE =

115

CVA = OA

IE

CVAA = (10050 + 115) = 1025

CVAB = (10320 - 115) = 1025

ELEMENTARY & HIGHER SURVEYING LABORATORY

J.A.P. AQUINO

ENGR.

VIII. PHOTOS:

ELEMENTARY & HIGHER SURVEYING LABORATORY

J.A.P. AQUINO

ENGR.