Optical Square is a device which reflects a beam
of light using mirrors in order for sighting 90
degrees.
It is an instrument used in Surveying in order to
find out the foot of perpendicular from a given
point to a line and to set out right angles at a
given point on a line in the field.
It is basically needed in Chain Surveying.
We can use Measuring Tape and Cross Staff but their accuracy is less.
Also Measuring Tape take more time and more work.
The instrument was invented in 1740 by a
London mechanic George Adams (1720-
1773).
These instrument is based on the principle of double
reflection that
“If there are two plane mirrors whose reflecting surfaces make a
given angle with each other, and if a ray of light in a plane
perpendicular to the planes of both the mirror is reflected
successively from both , it undergoes a deviation of twice the
angle between the reflecting surfaces.”
As shown in the figure, the angle
between the two mirrors is 90 degrees
and hence incident and reflected ray
are opposite to each other.
In case of Optical square, the angle
between the two mirrors is 45 degrees and
thus the angle between incident and
reflected ray is 90 degrees.
Basically there are two types
of optical square:
[Link] or Cylindrical
2. Wedge shaped also known
as Indian Optical Square
An Round Optical Square consists of a small cylindrical metal box in which
two mirrors I and H are placed at an angle of 45 degrees to each other and
at an right angle to the plane of the instrument.
The mirror H is known as the horizon glass, is half-silvered and half-
unsilvered , while the mirror I is known as index glass, is wholly silvered.
H is fitted in a frame which is rigidly attached to the bottom plate of the
box, while I is fitted in a frame which is attached to the bottom plate and
adjusted by a special key behind it whenever necessary.
Three openings are provided in the rim of box
and cover;
1. a slight hole E for an eye
2. a small rectangular window B for horizon sight
opposite to E
3. a large rectangular window C for index sight at
right angles to joining E and B.
The whole instrument is provided with a metal
cover which slides round to cover the openings
and thus protects the mirror from dust when not
in use.
A ray of light from the object or ranging rod O strikes the index mirror (I)
and is reflected along IH.
Thus reflected ray again strikes the silvered portion of the horizon mirror (H)
and is then reflected along HE.
Thus the observer, looking through the eye-hole, can see the ranging rod at
the far end B directly through the unsilvered portion of the horizon mirror and
at the same time he can see the image of the ranging rod at O in the silvered
portion of the horizon mirror.
If the ranging rod at O is at right angles to the horizon sight (chain line)
exactly, then the ranging rod at B and the image of O are exactly coincident as
in fig (b) otherwise they do not coincide as in fig (c).
How it is used?
If the object lies on the left hand side of the chain line, the instrument is held in the right hand and
vice-versa.
To set out a perpendicular from any point on the chain line, stand on the chain line holding the
instruments exactly above the point.
Now place the small slot (aperture) towards farther end of the chain line and the large slot (object-hole)
towards the direction in which perpendicular is to be set out.
Sight the end ranging rod through the aperture.
Then instruct the assistant to move to and fro until image of his ranging rod seen through the silvered
portion of the horizon mirror appears to be coincident with the ranging rod at the farther end of the chain
line as seen through the plane portion of the same mirror.
The assistant is then directed to fix the ranging rod in that position. The line joining this position of
the ranging rod and the point below the optical square is at right angles to the chain line.
It is a wedge shaped hollow box of about 5
cm sides and about 3 cm deep with a handle
about 8 cm long fixed underneath.
m1 and m2 are two mirrors fixed to the
inclined sides of the box at an angle of 45°
ab and cd are two rectangular openings
above these mirrors.
PQRS is the open face which is to be turned
towards the object to which the offset is to be
taken.
In taking an offset from an object say O, the observer
holding the instrument in his hand stands on the chain
line AB and turns the open face towards the object.
He then sights the ranging rod B at the forward station
by looking through the openings in the direction cb or
ad, according as the object is to his left or right and
moves along the chain line forward or backward until
the image of the object appears exactly in line with the
ranging rod B.
The point vertically under the instrument is foot of the
perpendicular from the object O and OC is
perpendicular to the chain line AB.
Thus if the object is to the left of the chain line, apply the eye at c and look in the
direction of cb and if to the right, apply it at a and look in the direction of ad.
For setting out a right angle from any point ‘C’ on the chain line, stand on the chain
line holding the instrument exactly above the point and turn the open face of the
optical square towards the direction in which right angle is to be set out.
Sight the end ranging rod ‘B’ through the openings.
Then instruct the assistant to move to and fro until image of his ranging rod ‘O’
seen through the mirror appears to be coincident with the ranging rod at the farther
end of the chain line as seen through the openings as in fig. 3.16. (b).
The line joining this position of the ranging rod and the point below the optical
square is a right angles to the chain line.
For determining the area of a plot where perpendicular off-sets are
required
To determine rectangular off-sets which are more than about 50
metres.
It is particularly used in case of off-sets which are not short enough
to allow their direction to be judged by the eye alone.
It is used to solve geometric problems on terrain and in carrying out
plain surveys.
It is small and compact hand instrument.
It consumes less time than cross staff and measuring
tape.
It is more accurate than the cross staff.
It does not require complex mathematics and does not
require much people.
Disadvantages
It is more difficult when there are raised points in between areas to
be surveyed and also if area is uneven.
It cannot be used for larger distances because of less accuracy.
In case of crowded area also, Optical Squares are difficult to be used.
Better Instruments than Optical Square
Prism Square Theodolite
References
[Link]
Surveying-Instruments
[Link]
angles-and-foot-of-perpendicular-on-the-lines-chain-surveying-
surveying/13734
[Link]
[Link]
Thank You
