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Makerere University

This document summarizes a student's report on measuring angles using a theodolite. The student established three stations, set up the theodolite over station 2, and centered it using the optical plummet method. They then took forward and back sight readings between stations 1 and 3, calculating the mean angle. To determine angular error, an instructor reset the instrument and the student took another reading, calculating the difference. The angular error was 0° 10' 49". Sources of error included multiple readers, mis-centering, and refraction. Maintaining one reader and centering carefully in good conditions can help minimize errors.

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kasozi jeff
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55 views

Makerere University

This document summarizes a student's report on measuring angles using a theodolite. The student established three stations, set up the theodolite over station 2, and centered it using the optical plummet method. They then took forward and back sight readings between stations 1 and 3, calculating the mean angle. To determine angular error, an instructor reset the instrument and the student took another reading, calculating the difference. The angular error was 0° 10' 49". Sources of error included multiple readers, mis-centering, and refraction. Maintaining one reader and centering carefully in good conditions can help minimize errors.

Uploaded by

kasozi jeff
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL


ENGINEERING

BACHELOR OF SCIENCES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

REPORT ON ANGULAR MEASUREMENT USING A


THEODOLITE.

NAME: KAKURU DAVIS

STUDENT NUMBER: 2000706736

REG NO: 20/U/6736/PSA

COURSE UNIT :CIV2103


Report on angular measurement using traverse method
Introduction
Angle is a measure between two lines meeting at a point. angles should have a
reference point otherwise it becomes a reading.
Bearing is the measure from the North to another point. the RO is the north
direction.
Systems of measuring angles
Degrees
Gradians
Radians
Milli system
Instruments used for angle measurement
Total station
Theodolite
Level
Compasses
Methods of centering a theodolite
Centering a theodolite involves setting the vertical axis directly above a
particular point.
1. Plumb bob method
2. Optical plummet method
3. Centering rod method
Applications of angles
1. Horizontal angles are used to determine bearings and directions in
control surveys, for locating detail when mapping and for setting out all
types of structures.
2. Vertical angles are used when determining the heights of points and to
calculate slope corrections.
3. Angles are used in design of roads, railways and bridges.
Factors considered when choosing a station.
1. The stations should be inter-visible
2. Accessibility
3. Free from traffic
4. The station must be compatible with different distance measuring
systems.
5. The station should be on firm ground
Geometric principle
The line of collimation should be perpendicular to the vertical axis.
BODY
Firstly, we established three stations on firm ground, pinned a nail at each
station and arrows attached to white paper for visibility as well as ranging rods
for locating station 1 and 3.
We then set up the tripod stand over the nail at station 2 while extending the
tripod legs to suit the height of the observer and made the tripod head
relatively at level by eye.
The tripod legs were then pushed firmly into the ground.
The theodolite was carefully removed from its case and mounted it to the
tripod head firmly.
Using the plummet to centre the theodolite, we looked through the optical
plummet to observe the nail and adjusted the foot screws until the image of
the nail coincides with the cross hair. When adjusting the foot screws, we first
rotated the two screws which are parallel to the telescope in opposite
direction, then adjusted the third foot screw alone to bring the bubble to the
centre.
Then we centered the circular bubble by adjusting the length of individual legs.
Next was centering the bubble in the plate level by adjusting the foot screws.
This was done by first turning the instrument so that its parallel to two screws
which are adjusted in opposite direction then we adjusted the third foot screw
to the bubble to the centre.
The instrument was turned through 180 to test whether the plate level bubble
remined centered.
Then parallax was eliminated by accurately focussing the cross hairs of the
telescope on a distant object.
After setting up the instrument, we turned the theodolite to face station 1 on
face left.
Looking through the telescope, we focused on the ranging rod, then clamped
the instrument using the horizontal clamp to restrain the instrument from
turning horizontally.
Then we located the arrow which was along the ranging rod, and then
cramped the instrument using vertical clamp.
We then used slow motion screws to focus the cross hair on top of the nail.
Then we opened the mirror to allow in light to be able to take readings.
We looked through the reading tube, adjusted the micrometre for coincidence
and then read and recorded the first reading which was a face left reading.
We turned the instrument to face station 3 in an anticlock-wise direction and
also read and recorded the FLR and then calculated the face left angle, FLA.
We then turned the instrument in a 180 and then transmitted the telescope to
face right and took the face right reading at station 3.
We turned the instrument to station 1 again and took and recorded FRR. We
also calculated the angle face right angle, FRA.
We calculated the mean angle for FLA and FRA
At 2 1 (RO) Towards 3 Mean angle
FLR 277°2`9” 160°42`16”
FRA 243°40`7”
FRR 97°15`52” 340°43`25”
FRA 243°27`33” 243°33`50”

Our instructor reset the instrument reading to start from 00°0`00" while it was
still focused at station1 and we turned to instrument to focus the nail at
station 3 and took the reading which was subtracted from the mean angle to
get the angular error.
Angular error= 243 ° 33 50 ”−243 ° 23 49 ”=0 ° 10 49 ”

In conclusion, the possible sources of the error are:


 Misreading the scale due to multiple people taking readings
Solution: one person should be taking readings to generate
consistent readings and proper care and caution should be maintained
 Mis-centering the instrument
 Environmental errors for example refraction of light rays which result to
inaccurate readings.
Solution: taking readings in good environmental conditions.

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