1

SRI VENKATESWARA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING &

TECHNOLOGY
(Autonomous)
R. V. S NAGAR, CHITTOOR-517127
Accreditedby 113A, New Delhi.
An ISO 9001:2000 Certified Institution
Affilliated to J.N.T. University, Anantapur
Website: www.svcetedu.org

SURVEYING-II PRACTICE

OBSERVATION

Department of Civil
Engineering

NAME:___________________________________________

ROLL NO:______________BRANCH:___________________

CLASS__________________SUBJECT:__________________

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SRI VENKATESWARA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

(Autonomous)
RVS NAGAR, CHITTOOR-517127
Accreditedby 113A, New Delhi.
An ISO 9001:2000 Certified Institution
Affilliated to J.N.T. University, Anantapur
Website: www.svcetedu.org

S.N Date Exp Name of the Experiment Pag Remark

o e s
1 1(A) Study of Dumpy Level,Levelling
Staves-Performing Temporary
Adjustments of levels
1(B) Taking Staff Readings of Various
Stations-Looking of Readings in
Level Field Book
1(C) Differential & Fly Levelling
1(D) Reciprocal Levelling
1(E) Contouring-Block Levelling and
Locating Contour Points by
Radial Meethod
2 2(A) Study of Transit Theodolite-
Temporary Adjustments of a
Transit Theodolite
2(B) Measurement of Horizontal
Angles by Repetition method
2(C) Measurement of Horizontal
Angles by Reiteration method
2(D) Measurement of Vertical Angles
2(E) Plotting a Given survey line by
Double transiting method
2(F) Determination of Horizontal
Distance between two
inaccessible points
2(G) Theodolite Traversing by
Included angles Method
3(A) Curve traicing (simpel offset
method)
3(B) Preparation of Contour Map from
Block Levelling

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3 3(C) Horizontal Distance Between two

inaccessible points from plot
from Theodolite Surveying
3(D) Plot the Closed Traverse of
Theodolite-Bowditch Rule-Area of
Traverse

SURVEYING-II
PRACTICE INDEX

1 (A). Study of Dumpy Level,Levelling Staves-Performing Temporary

Adjustments of levels

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1.B Taking Staff Readings of Various Stations-Looking of Readings in

Level Field Book

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1.C Differential & Fly Levelling

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1.D Reciprocal Levelling

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1.E Contouring-Block Levelling and Locating Contour Points by Radial

Method

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2.A Study of Transit Theodolite-Temporary Adjustments of a Transit

Theodolite

A theodolite /idlat/ is a precision instrument for measuring angles in the

horizontal and vertical planes. Theodolites are used mainly for surveying applications,
and have been adapted for specialized purposes in fields like meteorology and rocket
launch technology.[1] A modern theodolite consists of a movable telescope mounted
within two perpendicular axesthe horizontal or trunnion axis, and the vertical axis.
When the telescope is pointed at a target object, the angle of each of these axes can
be measured with great precision, typically toseconds of arc.

Theodolites may be either transit or non-transit. Transit theodolites (or just "transits")
are those in which the telescope can be inverted in the vertical plane, whereas the
rotation in the same plane is restricted to a semi-circle for non-transit theodolites.
Some types of transit theodolites do not allow the measurement of vertical angles.

The builder's level is sometimes mistaken for a transit theodolite, but it measures
neither horizontal nor vertical angles. It uses a spirit levelto set a telescope level to
define a line of sight along a horizontal plane.

A theodolite is mounted on its tripod head by means of a forced centering plate

or tribrachcontaining four thumbscrews, or in modern theodolites, three for rapid
levelling. Before use, a theodolite must be precisely placed vertically above the point
to be measured using a plumb bob, optical plummet or laser plummet. The
instrument is then set level using levelling footscrews and circular and more precise
tubular spirit bubbles.

Both axes of a theodolite are equipped with graduated circles that can be read
through magnifying lenses. (R. Anders helped M. Denham discover this technology in
1864.) The vertical circle which 'transits' about the horizontal axis should read
90 (100 grad) when the sight axis is horizontal, or 270 (300 grad) when the
instrument is in its second position, that is, "turned over" or "plunged". Half of the
difference between the two positions is called the "index error".
Errors in measurement[edit]

The horizontal and vertical axes of a theodolite must be perpendicular; if not then a
"horizontal axis error" exists. This can be tested by aligning the tubular spirit bubble
parallel to a line between two footscrews and setting the bubble central. A horizontal
axis error is present if the bubble runs off central when the tubular spirit bubble is
reversed (turned through 180). To adjust, the operator removes 1/2 the amount the
bubble has run off using the adjusting screw, then re-level, test and refine the
adjustment.

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The optical axis of the telescope, called the "sight axis", defined by the optical center
of the objective lens and the center of the crosshairs in its focal plane, must also be
perpendicular to the horizontal axis. If not, then a "collimation error" exists.

Index error, horizontal axis error and collimation error are regularly determined
by calibration and are removed by mechanical adjustment. Their existence is taken
into account in the choice of measurement procedure in order to eliminate their effect
on the measurement results of the theodolite.

A gyrotheodolite is used when the north-south reference bearing of the meridian is

required in the absence of astronomical star sights. This occurs mainly in the
underground mining industry and in tunnel engineering. For example, where a
conduit must pass under a river, a vertical shaft on each side of the river might be
connected by a horizontal tunnel. A gyrotheodolite can be operated at the surface
and then again at the foot of the shafts to identify the directions needed to tunnel
between the base of the two shafts. Unlike an artificial horizon or inertial navigation
system, a gyrotheodolite cannot be relocated while it is operating. It must be
restarted again at each site.

The temporary Adjustments are

1. Centering
2. Levelling
3. Focusing

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2.B Measurement of Horizontal Angles by Repetition method

AIM:

To Measure the horizontal angle between the two given stations P

and Q with respect to instrument station O.

INSTRUMENTS:

Transit Vernier Theodolite and its accessories & Ranging Rods.

PROCEDURE:

Let P and Q be the two given stations. It is required to measure the angle POQ by the
method of repetition where O is the station occupied by the theodolite as shown in
fig. 1.

P Q

O
Fig.1.

1. Set up the instrument over O and level it accurately (The instrument should be in
face right position and the telescope in the inverted position).
2. Set the reading on vernier A to 00 0' 0" exactly using upper clamp and upper
tangent screw. Loosen the lower clamp, direct the telescope to the station P and
bisect P exactly using lower clamp and lower tangent screw.
3. Unclamp the upper clamp screw, turn the telescope clockwise (Right swing) and
bisect station Q exactly by using the upper clamp and upper tangent screw.
4. Read both the verniers A and B and enter the readings in Table 1.

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5. Leaving the verniers unchanged (with upper clamp screw clamped), unclamp the
lower plate and turn the telescope until the station P is attain again bisected
accurately using lower clamp and lower tangent screw.
6. Release the upper clamp screw, turn the telescope clock-wise and again bisect the
station Q exactly using upper clamp and its slow motion screw. The verniers will
read now twice the value of angle POQ.
7. Repeat the process until the angle is measured for the required number of times
(usually three repetitions). Read both the verniers. The final reading is divided by
the number of repetitions to get the correct value of the angle POQ.
8. Change the face of the instrument. The telescope will be now in normal position
and the vertical circle will be in face left position. Repeat the whole series of
observations in exactly the same manner with left swing. The average of the two
values of the angle thus obtained gives a very precise value of angle POQ.

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

TABLE 1:
Face Right Right Swing Face Left Left Swing
Horz. Horz.
Mea Mea
Inst. Sigh A B Angl A B Angl Remark
n n
at t to e e s
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
" " " " " " " "
O P
Q
P
Q
P
Q

Horizontal angle between P & Q = Final reading / No. of repetitions

RESULT: Horizontal angle between P and Q =

Note: 1. The reading while turning the telescope clock-wise increases. It decreases
when the telescope is turned anti-clockwise.
2. The initial reading in the case of left swing with left face will be 180 0 00'
00" instead of 00 00' 00" in right swing.

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3. The experiment can be conducted for different initial reading other than
zero and different combinations of face and swing.

2.C Measurement of Horizontal Angles by Reiteration method

PROCEDURE:

Let A, B, C, D & E be the given stations and O be the station occupied by the
theodolite as shown in fig. 2. It is required to measure the angles AOB, BOC, COD,
DOE and EOA by the method of reiteration.

1. Set up and level the instrument over O.

2. Round 1. Inst. Face Right.
a) Set the leading vernier at 0 0 0' 0" exactly and clamp the upper clamp
screw.
b) Turn the whole instrument round and strike A. A is now called the
REFERENCE OBJECT (R.O.)
c) Without touching the lower clamp strict B, C, D, E and A in succession,
swinging the inst. to the right, and note the corresponding angles and
enter in Table 2.
The first and the last readings for A may not agree. If the difference is
not too great record both readings. The final reading of the R.O. must
never be assumed. If the difference is too great reject the entire round.
3. Round 2. Inst. Face Left.
a) Relevel and recentre the inst. if necessary
b) Set the leading vernier at 1800 0' 0" exactly and clamp the plate.
c) Turn the whole inst. round and strike the R.O.
B
d) Without touching the lower clamp again C strike E, D, C, B and A in
succession, swinging the inst. to the left and note the angels
correspondingly.

D
O
A

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E
Fig. 2.
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OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

TABLE 2:
Face Right Right Swing Face Left Left Swing
Horz. Horz.
Mea Mea
Inst. Sigh A B Angl A B Angl Remark
n n
at t to e e s
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
" " " " " " " "
O A
B
C
D
E
A

Correction =
Corrected horizontal angles are AOB =
BOC =
COD =
DOE =
EOA =
Note: 1. Follow the form. It is essential that from whatever side the stations A, B, C,
D and E are approached, they must never be over-ridden, i.e., passed.
2. It is desirable to see A, B, C, D and E are arranged in such a way that at
least one angle is too small and one angle is too large and the rest in between
so as to gain practice in measuring angles of different magnitudes.

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2.D Measurement of Vertical Angles

AIM:

To Measure the Vertical angle between the two given stations P and
Q with respect to instrument station O.

PROCEDURE:

Let the instrument be set up and leveled over B. It is required to measure the

angle of elevation AOA1 and angle of depression AOA2 where OA1 plane containing
axis of the telescope as shown in fig. 3. The instrument is to be levelled with respect
to the altitude bubble also.

1. Round 1. Instrument Face Right

a) By the clip screw bring the altitude bubble to the centre of its run, if
necessary
b) Loosen the vertical circle clamp and direct the telescope towards the

object A1 and when it is sighted approximately, clamp the vertical circle

and bisect A1 exactly by using the tangent screw.

c) Read both the verniers C and D, and enter the readings in Table 3. The

mean of two readings gives the angle of elevation () AOA1.

d) Down the telescope and make it horizontal with the help of clop screw.

Repeat the steps b & c to set the angle of depression () AOA2.

2. Round 2. Instrument Face Left
a) If necessary, by the clip screw, bring the altitude bubble to the centre of its
run again.
b) Follow the sane procedure used for Round 1 Face right to obtain the
angles & .
3. The average of the two values (Face right and Face left) thus obtained, gives
the value of the required angle free from instrumental errors.

A
1

O
A

A
2
B 27

G
Fig. 3.
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OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

TABLE 3:

Face Right Right Swing Face Left Left Swing

Vert. Vert.
Mea Mea
Inst. Sigh C D Angl C D Angl Remark
n n
at t to e e s
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
" " " " " " " "
O A
A1

A2

Note: It is desirable that a number of vertical angles of varying magnitude above

and below the horizon are measured for practice.

RESULT:

Angle of elevation () =
Angle of depression () =

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2.E Plotting a Given survey line by Double transiting method

AIM:

To plot the given traverse by theodolite traversing with the help of

Gales traverse table.

INSTRUMENTS:

Theodolite and its accessories, Ranging Rods & Tape

PROCEDURE:

It is required to plot a closed traverse ABCDE as shown in fig. 4.

1. Set up the theodolite instrument over station A and level it accurately. Set the
horizontal angle to zero and fix line of sight towards arbitrary meridian.
2. Direct the telescope towards station B and observe the bearing of the line AB.

Set the back bearing by adding or subtracting 1800. Enter the readings in
Table 4.
3. Shift the instrument from station A to station B and level it accurately and
sight to A with the help of lower clamp screw. From the station B, observe the
bearing of the line BC.
4. Repeat the step 2 & 3 same for the successive lines and observe the bearings
of CD, DE and EA.

A C

E D
Fig. 4

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OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

1. From the observed bearings, compute the interior angles of the traverse.
2. Add all the included angles. Check that the if included angles must be equal
to (2n 4) right angles, where n is the number of sides of a traverse.
3. If not, find out the error in angle and distribute the error equally to all the
sides.
4. Calculate the whole circle bearings of the other lines from the observed
bearing of the first line and the corrected included angles.
5. From the whole circle bearings of the lines, deduce the reduced bearings (R.B.)
of the lines and determine the quadrants in which the lines lie.
6. From the given lengths and the calculated reduced bearings of the lines,
compute their latitudes and departures (consecutive coordinates)
7. Add, all northings and all southings and find the difference between the two
sums. Similarly obtain the difference between the sum of all eastings and the
sum of all westings.
8. Obtain the corrected consecutive coordinates by taking corrections to latitudes
and departures either by Bowditchs rule / Transit rule given below.
a) Bowditchs Rule,
Correction to latitude or departure of any side =
(Total error in latitude or departure

length of that side) /
perimeter of traverse
b) Transit rule,
Correction to latitude of any side =
(Total error in latitude latitude of
that
side) / Arithmetical sum of all
latitudes

Correction to departure of any side =

(Total error in departure departure
of
that side) / Arithmetical sum of all
departure

9. From the corrected consecutive coordinates, obtain the independent

coordinates of the lines, so that they are all positive, the whole of the traverse
thus lying in the first quadrant (N.E.)

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10. Finally, plot the traverse by taking independent coordinates.

2.F Determination of Horizontal Distance between two inaccessible

points

AIM:

To determine the distance between two in accessible points by

horizontal angle observations with both faces.

INSTRUMENTS:

Transit Vernier Theodolite and its accessories & Ranging Rods.

PROCEDURE:

It is required to find the horizontal distance between two in accessible points P

& Q as shown in fig. 5.

1. Select base line CD of suitable length so that all points are intervisible.
2. Set up theodolite at C and level it.
3. Keep face left, and 00 0' 0" on vernier. A Bisect P exactly using lower clamp
and lower tangent screw. Release upper clamp and take right swing and
bisect point Q exactly using upper tangent screw. Read both the Verniers A

and B and get the mean which gives the angle PCQ (1). Enter the readings in
Table 5. Release upper clamp, turn the telescope towards D and bisect it
exactly using upper tangent screw and vertical circle tangent screw. Read

both verniers A and B and get the mean, which gives the angle PCD (2).

Knowing angle, PCQ & PCD the angle QCD (3) can be found. Change the face
of the instrument at C and repeat the whole process. Arrive at average values

of angles 1, 2 & 3.
4. Now shift the instrument to the point D. Set up over it and level it.
Keep 00 0' 0" on A vernier, bisect exactly point C using lower clamp and
lower tangent screw and also vertical circle clamp and vertical circle tangent
screw. Keep the instrument in the face right position. Release upper tangent
screw. Note the two vernier readings A and B. The mean value gives the

angle CDP (4).

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Release upper clamp, turn the telescope towards point Q and bisect exactly
using upper tangent screw. Read the two vernier readings and take mean

value which gives angle CDQ (5). From the known mean value of angle CDQ

and CDP, angle PDQ (6) can be computed.

P Q

7 8

5
1
3
2 4

C D

Fig. 5

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

TABLE 5:
Face Right Right Swing Face Left Left Swing
Horz. Horz.
Mea Mea
Inst. Sigh A B Angl A B Angl Remark
n n
at t to e e s
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
" " " " " " " "
C P
Q
D
D C
P
Q

Distance CD (measured) =
CD / sin 7 = PC / sin 4
PC = (CD sin 4) / sin 7
From triangle QCD
CD / sin 8 = QC / sin 5
QC = (CD sin 5) / sin 8
From triangle CPQ

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PQ2 = PC2 + QC2 2 PC. QC. Cos 1

From which PQ is calculated.

RESULT:

Horizontal distance between two inaccessible P & Q = m

2.G Theodolite Traversing by Included angles Method

AIM
To determine the lengths and included angles between the lines of closed traversewith the use of
Theodolite.
APPARATUS USED
1.Theodolite, 2.Ranging rods,3.Pegs or Arrows.
GENERAL
This method is normally provided for closed traverse. In this method included angle between two
successive lines is measured.
PROCEDURE
1.
The instrument is set up over the station P and all the temporary adjustments aremade.
Telescope is oriented along the magnetic meridian and the magneticmeridian of PQ is measured.
2.
The reading of 000is set at vernier A by using upper clamp and tangent screwand the face of
Theodolite is kept as left.
3.
The telescope is brought back in the line of PT with the help of lower clamp andtangent screw, the
reading in vernier A is kept as 000 and the reading in vernier B is kept as 18000.
4.
Upper clamp is loosened and the telescope is turned clockwise and Q is bisected. Upper clamp
is clamped and Q is bisected exactly using tangentscrews.5.Both the verniers of A and B
are read and noted. Mean of the two verniers is determined as an included angle QPT.
6.
Face is changed and all the above steps are repeated to determine one moreincluded angle QPT.
The average of the two included angle QPT is measured.
7.
The Theodolite is shifted to second station Q. The station P is bisected and thewhole process is
repeated to get an included angle of RQP.8.Similarly included angles at R,S and T are
measured.Calculation:

8. Similarly included angles at R,S and T are measured.

9.Lengths of traverse lines PQ,QR,RS,ST and TP are measured using a tape or chain

RESULT:
1.
The included angle between the lines
i)
Face Left Face Right

Q P T = QPT =
RQ P = RQP =

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SRQ = SRQ =
T S R = TSR =
P T S = PTS =

Length of Lines

PT=
TS=
SR=
RQ=
QP=

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3.A Curve tracing (simple offset method)

AIM:

To set a simple curve by simple offset method (Linear).

INSTRUMENTS:

Chain / Tape, Pegs & Ranging Rods.

PROCEDURE:

1. Locate the tangent points T1 & T2 and find out their chainage. Calculate the
length (c) of the first sub-chord so that the first peg is the full station.
2. With zero mark at T1 spread the chain (or tape) along the first tangent to point

A, on it such that T1 A1 = C = length of the first sub chord as shown in fig 12.

3. With T1 as centre and T1 A1 as radius, swing the chain such that the arc A 1 A =

calculate offset O1. Fix the point A on the curve.

4. Spread the chain along T1 A and pull it straight in this direct on to a point B 2

such that the zero of the chain is at A and the distance AB 2 = C = length or
the normal chord.
5. With zero of the chain centered at A and AB 2 as radius, swing the chain to a

point B such that B2B = O2 = length of the second offset. Fix the point B on
the curve.
6. Spread the chain along AB and repeat the spreads (4) and (5) till the point of

tangency (T2) is reached. All intermediate offsets will be equal to C 2/R, while
the last offset will be equal to c'/2R (C + c').

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O2
O1 A
A'
B
1
C2 B
C
1
T C
1 3
D

2 D
R D R

Fig.
12

CALCULATIONS:
Length of I offset O1 = C12 / 2R

II offset O2 = C2 / 2R (C1 + C2)

O3 = C3 / 2R (C2 + C3)

On = Cn / 2R (Cn-1 + Cn)

RESULT:

A simple curve of radius R is set by offset method.

Note: 1. The last point so fixed must coincide with the point of tangency (T 2) fixed
originally by measurements from the vertex.
2. If the closing error is more, curve must be reset.
3. If the error is less, it should be distributed to all the point by moving them
side ways by an amount proportional to the square of their distance from

the point T1.

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3.B Preparation of Contour Map from Block Levelling

3.C Horizontal Distance Between two inaccessible points from plot from
Theodolite Surveying

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AIM:

To determine the distance between two in accessible points by

horizontal angle observations with both faces.

INSTRUMENTS:

Transit Vernier Theodolite and its accessories & Ranging Rods.

PROCEDURE:

It is required to find the horizontal distance between two in accessible points P

& Q as shown in fig. 5.

1. Select base line CD of suitable length so that all points are intervisible.
2. Set up theodolite at C and level it.
3. Keep face left, and 00 0' 0" on vernier. A Bisect P exactly using lower clamp
and lower tangent screw. Release upper clamp and take right swing and
bisect point Q exactly using upper tangent screw. Read both the Verniers A

and B and get the mean which gives the angle PCQ (1). Enter the readings in
Table 5. Release upper clamp, turn the telescope towards D and bisect it
exactly using upper tangent screw and vertical circle tangent screw. Read

both verniers A and B and get the mean, which gives the angle PCD (2).

Knowing angle, PCQ & PCD the angle QCD (3) can be found. Change the face
of the instrument at C and repeat the whole process. Arrive at average values

of angles 1, 2 & 3.
4. Now shift the instrument to the point D. Set up over it and level it.
Keep 00 0' 0" on A vernier, bisect exactly point C using lower clamp and
lower tangent screw and also vertical circle clamp and vertical circle tangent
screw. Keep the instrument in the face right position. Release upper tangent
screw. Note the two vernier readings A and B. The mean value gives the

angle CDP (4).

Release upper clamp, turn the telescope towards point Q and bisect exactly
using upper tangent screw. Read the two vernier readings and take mean

value which gives angle CDQ (5). From the known mean value of angle CDQ

and CDP, angle PDQ (6) can be computed.

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P Q

7 8

5

1
2 3 4

C D

Fig. 5

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

TABLE 5:
Face Right Right Swing Face Left Left Swing
Horz. Horz.
Mea Mea
Inst. Sigh A B Angl A B Angl Remark
n n
at t to e e s
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
" " " " " " " "
C P
Q
D
D C
P
Q

Distance CD (measured) =
CD / sin 7 = PC / sin 4
PC = (CD sin 4) / sin 7
From triangle QCD
CD / sin 8 = QC / sin 5
QC = (CD sin 5) / sin 8
From triangle CPQ
PQ2 = PC2 + QC2 2 PC. QC. Cos 1
From which PQ is calculated.

RESULT:

Horizontal distance between two inaccessible P & Q = m

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PLOT

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3.D Plot the Closed Traverse of Theodolite-Bowditch Rule-Area of

Traverse

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3.E Longitudinal Section and Cross Section of Profile

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