Module 21: Inclined Stadia Sights Author/Contributor: George P.
Palada, RCE
To the students:
Please read pages 18-24 of the book Higher Surveying by La Putt for an in-depth
discussion on the topic
Inclined Stadia Sights
There will be instances that stadia surveys will be inclined because of varying
topography of the ground. Nevertheless, doing a stadia survey requires that the rod be
held vertically. The optical instrument can be tilted, thus forming an angle with the
horizontal. With our knowledge of trigonometry, we can determine differences in
elevation and distances between two points. Note that we are not to focus how these
formulas were derived.
Inclined Stadia Sights
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE
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Author
AY 2020 - 2021
The figure above shows an inclined line of sight for an instrument set at some distance
apart, with the level staff held vertically at point E.
The horizontal and vertical distances represent D and V respectively. These distances
are between the instrument and the staff for D and between the instrument axis and
point D on the staff for V.
A and B represents the upper and lower stadia hair readings
If the line A’B’ is drawn perpendicular to the line of sight, the angle A’DA will be equal to
the vertical angle of inclination of the telescope (θ). Since the angle between the line
passing through the principal focus and intercepting the points A’B’ is quite small (way
less than a degree), the angles at A’ and B’ can be assumed as a right angle.
Also, from the figure,
A’B’ = A’C + B’C
= AC cos θ + BC cos θ
= (AC + BC) cos θ
A’B’ = s cos θ
For the length of the incline L:
L = K × A’B’ + C
= K (s cos θ) + C
L = Ks cos θ + C (C = Instrument constant)
For D and V:
D = (Ks cos θ + C) cos θ
D = Ks cos2 θ + C cos θ
V = (Ks cos θ + C) sin θ
= Ks cos θ sin θ + C sin θ
V = 1/2 Ks sin 2θ + C sin θ
Example
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE
Course Guide
Author
AY 2020 - 2021
It was required to determine the distance between two points A and B by a tacheometer
fitted with an anallactic lens (K = 100, C = 0). With the instrument at A and staff at B,
observations made were a vertical angle of +9°46’ and staff intercept of 1.915 m. What is
the horizontal distance AB? Later on, it was found that the instrument constant is 0.5.
What is the percentage error in the horizontal distance computed?
Solution:
D = Ks cos2 θ + C cos θ
= 100 (1.915) cos2 9°46’ + 0
= 185.9893 m
D = 100 (1.915) cos2 9°46’ + 0.5 cos 9°46’
= 185.9893 + 0.4927 = 186.482 m
Percentage error = (0.4927)(100) / 185.9893 = 0.265%
Example
An optical device was set up at station C and the following readings were obtained on a
staff vertically held at stations below.
Instrument Staff Vertical Hair Readings (m)
Remarks
Station Station Angle
C J -5°20’ 1.500, 1.800, 2.450 Elev of J =
C K +8°12’ 0.750, 1.500, 2.250 750.50 m
Calculate the horizontal distance CK and the elevation of K. The constants are 100 and
0.15.
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE
Course Guide
Author
AY 2020 - 2021
h2
V2
K
V1
C
h1
D1 D2
Solution:
From the figure above
At station J:
s = 2.450 – 1.150 = 1.300 m
V1 = ½ (100)(1.300) sin 2(5°20’) + 0.15 sin 5°20’ = 12.045 m
At station K:
s = 2.550 – 0.750 = 1.500 m
V2 = ½ (100)(1.500) sin 2(8°12’) + 0.15 sin 8°12’ = 21.197 m
D2 = (100)(1.500)(cos 8°12’)2 + 0.15 cos 8°12’ = 147.097 m
Analyzing the figure,
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE
Course Guide
Author
AY 2020 - 2021
Elev at K = Elev at J + h1 + V1 + V2 – h2
Elev at K = 750.50 + 1.800 + 12.045 + 21.197 – 1.500 = 784.042 m
Self-Assessment Questions
1. What causes inclined stadia sights?
2. How many hair readings will a surveyor see on an optical instrument?
Activity
The following observations were taken with an optical instrument fitted with an anallactic
lens, with K = 100.
Instrument Height of Station of Vertical
Staff Readings Remarks
station Instrument Staff Angle
A 1.255 C –4°20’ 1.325, 1.825, 2.325
Elev of C =
A 1.255 D +6°30’ 0.850, 1.600, 2.350
255.750 m
B 1.450 D –7°24’ 1.715, 2.315, 2.915
References
La Putt, J. (1990). Higher surveying, (2nd ed.). Baguio City: Baguio Research &
Publishing Center.
Punmia, B. C., Jain, A. K., & Jain, A. K. (2005)Surveying vol I, (16th ed.). New Delhi:
Laxmi Publications.
Basak, N. N. (2014). Surveying and levelling, (2nd ed.). New Delhi: McGrawHill India.
Duggal, S. K. (2013) Surveying vol I, (4th ed.). New Delhi: McGrawHill India.
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE
Course Guide
Author
AY 2020 - 2021
Robillard, W., Brinker, R., & Minnick, R. (1995). The surveying handbook. (2nd ed.). New
York: Chapman and Hall.
CE 1: Fundamentals of Surveying George P. Palada, RCE
Course Guide
Author
AY 2020 - 2021