Prepared by: Engr. Jan Nathan A.
Anastacio
▪ Distance measurement is regarded as the most fundamental of all surveying observations.
▪ Distances are not necessarily linear, especially if they occur in the spherical earth.
▪ For relatively small distances, we can consider straight line as one existing in the
Euclidean (geometric) space.
▪ These include:
1. Pacing
2. Odometer Readings
3. Optical Rangefinders
4. Tacheometry (Stadia)
5. Subtense Bars
6. Taping
7. Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM)
8. Satellite Systems
▪ Pacing is a practical measure of distance.
▪ Pacing consists of counting the number of steps,
or paces, in a required distance.
▪ No equipment is needed for pacing.
▪ Pacing offers relatively low accuracy.
▪ Pace
▪ Length of a step in walking
▪ May be measured from heel to heel or toe to
toe
▪ Pace Factor
▪ Pace factor is the ratio of the measured
distance to the number of paces made by a
individual to cover the measured distance.
measured distance
PF =
number of paces
▪ An odometer converts the number of revolutions of a wheel of known circumference to a
distance.
▪ An optical rangefinder is operated by looking through the lens, adjusting the focus until a
distant object viewed is focused, whereupon the distance to that object is obtained.
▪ Sometimes called Tachymetry which
means swift measurements.
▪ This is a surveying method used to quickly
determine the horizontal distance to, and
elevation of, a point.
▪ Stadia observations are obtained by
sighting through a telescope with two or
more horizontal cross wires at a known
spacing.
▪ Stadia was introduced in 1771 by James
Watt.
▪ Its precision depends upon the following
factors:
▪ Refinement of the instrument
▪ Skill of the observer
▪ Length of the measurement
▪ Effect of refraction
▪ This method employs the use of the
following instruments:
▪ Stadia rod / Leveling rod
▪ Telescope / Theodolite
▪ Distance formula:
D = Kscosθ + c
where: K = stadia interval factor
s = stadia interval
C = stadia constant
▪ Distance formula: ▪ From the previous figure:
f d f
= → d = scosθ
i scosθ i
D = Kscosθ + c D=d+f+c
f
D = scosθ + f + c
where: K = stadia interval factor i
f
s = stadia interval By definition: K= C=f+c
i
C = stadia constant D = Kscosθ + C
▪ Distance formula: ▪ Additional Notes:
K = 100 if not given
S = upper hair reading – lower hair
D = Kscosθ + c reading
C = 0.3m for externally focusing
instrument & 0m for internally focusing
where: K = stadia interval factor instrument
s = stadia interval Assume internal focusing if not given.
C = stadia constant
▪ This indirect distance measuring procedure involves using a theodolite to read the
horizontal angle subtended by two targets precisely spaced at a fixed distance.
▪ The length between the two targets is commonly 2 meters.
▪ By using trigonometry, the following formula can be derived:
1m
θ/2
θ/2
1m
HD
▪ This indirect distance measuring procedure involves using a theodolite to read the
horizontal angle subtended by two targets precisely spaced at a fixed distance.
▪ The length between the two targets is commonly 2 meters.
▪ By using trigonometry, the following formula can be derived:
1
HD =
θ
tan
2
▪ Taping or chaining is a method of
measurement utilizing a steel tape or
synthetic tape.
▪ It is fairly quick, easy and cheap, and hence
is the most common form of distance
measurement.
▪ Taping accessories:
1. Range poles
2. Chaining pins
3. Plumb bobs
▪ Taping may be done on:
1. Level or even ground 2. Sloping or uneven ground
▪ Breaking Tape
▪ On steeper slopes where the length of
the tape cannot be held horizontally,
shorter distances are measured and
accumulated to total of a full tape
length. This procedure is known as
breaking tape.
▪ A line 100m long was paced four times by a surveyor with the following data: 143, 146.5,
142.5, and 144. Another line was paced four times by the same surveyor with the
following data: 894.5, 892, 891.5, and 895.
1. Determine the length of the line.
2. If the corrected length of the line is 621.6m, determine the relative precision.
▪ Solution:
143+146.5+142.5+144 894.5+892+891.5+895
xഥ1 = xഥ2 =
4 4
xഥ1 = 144paces xഥ2 = 893.25paces
100m L = PF(xഥ2)
PF =
144paces
L = (0.6944444m/pace)(893.25paces)
PF = 0.6944444m/pace
L = 620.3125m
▪ Solution:
TL − ML
RP =
TL
621.6−620.3125
RP =
621.6
1
RP =
482.796
1
RP =
480
▪ A stadia rod, held at a distant point B, is sighted by an instrument set up at A. The upper
and lower stadia hair readings were observed as 1.506m and 0.743m, respectively. If the
stadia interval factor (K) is 100, and the instrument is external focusing, determine the
length of the line AB.
▪ Solution:
D = Kscosθ + C
D = 100 1.506−0.743 cos 0 + 0.3
D = 76.6m
▪ A stadia intercept of 3.60m was measured on a stadia rod by a transit with stadia
constant and stadia interval factor of 0.3m and 100, respectively. If the line of sight was
inclined at an angle of 3°30’ with the horizonal, determine the horizontal distance from
the transit to the rod.
▪ Solution:
D = Kscosθ + C
D = 100 3.6 cos 3°30′ + 0.3
D = 359.6285m
HD = Dcosθ
HD = 359.6285 cos 3°30′
HD = 358.9577m
▪ The following subtended angles were read on a 2m long subtense bar using a theodolite:
0°24’17’’, 0°53’26’’, 0°18’25’’, and 0°10’49’’. Compute the horizontal distance from the
theodolite to each position of the bar.
▪ Solution:
1 1 1 1
HD1 = = HD3 = =
tan θ1 tan 0°24′17′′ tan θ3 tan 0°18′25′′
2 2 2 2
HD1 = 283.1351m HD3 = 373.3291m
1 1 1 1
HD2 = = HD4 = =
tan θ2 tan 0°53′26′′ tan θ4 tan 0°10′49′′
2 2 2 2
HD2 = 128.6716m HD4 = 635.6383m
