NON-STADIA SYSTEMS

Tangential Method
The tangential method of tacheometry is being used when stadia hairs are not present in the
diaphragm of the instrument or when the staff is too far to read.

In this method, the staff sighted is fitted with two big targets (or vanes) spaced at a fixed
vertical distances. Vertical angles corresponding to the vanes, say q1 and q2 are measured. The
horizontal distance, say D and vertical intercept, say V are computed from the values s (pre-
defined / known) q1 and q2. This method is less accurate than the stadia method.

Depending on the nature of vertical angles i.e, elevation or depression, three cases of tangential
methods are there.
When Both vertical Angles are Angles of Elevation

V=
D tan q1

and V+s = D tan q2

Thus, s = D ( tan q2 - tan q1 )

-------------------- Equation (24.1)

 -------------------- Equation (24.2)

Therefore R.L. of Q = (R.L. of P + h) + V – r -------------------- Equation (24.3)

where, h is the height of the instrument, r is the staff reading corresponding to lower vane.

V = D tan q1

and V-s = D tan q2

Thus, s = D ( tan q1 - tan q2 )

-------------------- Equation (24.4)

-------------------- Equation (24.5)

Therefore R.L. of Q = (R.L. of P + h) - V – r -------------------- Equation (24.6)

where, h is the height of the instrument, r is the staff reading corresponding to lower vane.

V = D tan q1

and s - V = D tan q2

Thus, s = D ( tan q2 + tan q1 )

-------------------- Equation (24.7)

-------------------- Equation (24.8)

Therefore R.L. of Q = (R.L. of P + h) - V – r -------------------- Equation (24.9)

where, h is the height of the instrument, r is the staff reading corresponding to lower vane.

Examples
Ex24-1 In a tangential method of tacheometry two vanes were fixed 2 m apart, the lower vane
being 0.5 m above the foot of the staff held vertical at station A. The vertical angles measured
are +1° 12' and -1° 30'. find the horizontal distance of A and reduced level of A, if the R.L. of
the observation station is 101.365 m and height of instrument is 1.230 m.
 Figure Ex24-1

Solution :

Let D be the horizontal distance between the observation station P and staff point A. Then, from
Figure Ex24.1,

V = D tana1

s - V = D tana1

Or, s = D tana2 + D tana1

Given, s = 2 m; a1= 1° 30' & a2 = 1° 12'

Therefore R.L. of A = 101.365 + 1.230 -1.11 - 0.5 = 100.985 m

Subtense Bar Method
Instrument
Subtense bar is a graduated bar of fixed length mounted horizontally on a tripod stand (Figure
24.4). The bar is centrally supported on a leveling head and is fitted with a sighting device at the
centre. At its ends, there are targets and these are at fixed distance apart. The bar can rotate
about the vertical axis in a horizontal plane. It can be fixed at any position using a clamping and
its tangent screw. It is used to measure horizontal distance and difference in elevation indirectly
where the terrain is rough and requirement of accuracy is not high.

Figure 24.4 Subtense bar

Figure 24.5 shows a schematic diagram of a subtense bar having centre at C fitted with targets at
A and B. Let the separation between targets be s. A theodolite is set up at O. The bar is kept
perpendicular to the line of sight OC by means of a sighting device at the centre of the bar. The
horizontal angle between the two targets at the ends of the bar is measured, let it be q. The
horizontal distance

----------------- Equation (24.10)

If the vertical angle of the centre of the subtence bar is b, then the difference in elevation (V)
between the centre of the bar and the centre of the telescope is

V = D tan b ---------------- Equation (24.11)

Effect of Angular Error

The effect of an error in the measurement of the angle q on the computed length D is as follows
(Figure 24.5):

---------------- Equation (24.12)

where dD is the error in the distance D; dq is the error in the angle q. The angle q is in radians.
It may be noted that the nature of error in computation of distance is opposite to the nature of
error in measurement of horizontal angle ie., a positive error in dq produces a negative error in
D and vice versa.
Examples
Ex24-2 The horizontal angle observed at a theodolite station by a subtense bar with vanes 2.0 m
apart, is 0° 30'. Find the horizontal distance between the theodolite station and subtense bar.

If the bar is 1° out from the normal direction to the line of sight, determine the error in the
measurement of horizontal distance.
 Figure Ex24-2

Solution :

Referring from Figure 24.5, given s = 2.0 m; q = 30', Then from

The horizontal distance between the subtense bar and the theodolite,

Referring figure Ex 24.2,

Therefore Error in horizontal distance = D - D'

= 229 .18 - 229.145 = 0.035 m

Exercise 24
Ex.24-1 What is tangential system of tacheometry? What are its advantages and disadvantages
over the stadia method?

Ex.24-2 In tangential method of surveying, two vanes were fixed at an interval of 1m on a 3m

staff with the upper vane at 2.0m. The staff was held vertical at station A and the vertical angles
measured for the two vanes were 6° 30' 20 " and 4° 15' 40 " respectively. Calculate the R.L. and
the horizontal distance of A, if the R.L. of a B.M. was 256.275m. Assume any other data, if
required.

Ex.24-3 The horizontal angle subtended at a theodolite station by a subtense bar with targets 2
m apart, is 15'40". Compute

 The horizontal distance between the subtense bar and the theodolite.
 The error in the horizontal distance if there is an error of +20" in the measurement of
horizontal angle, and
 The error in the horizontal distance if the bar is 30' out from being normal to the line
joining the instrument and the subtense bar.

Answers
For Exercise 24

Ex.24-2 258.400 m; 25.3 m

Ex.24-3 438.860 m; 9.3374 m; 5 m