DEFINITION OF SURVEY : OPERATION OF MAKING SUCH MEASUREMENTS THAT THE

RELATIVE POSITION OF VARIOUS FEATURES, NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL ON THE SURFACE OF

THE EARTH CAN BE EXHIBITED IN THEIR CORRECT HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL
RELATIONSHIP.

NORMALLY DETERMINING POSITION IN HORIZONTAL PLANE IS CALLED SURVEYING.

DETERMINING RELATIVE HEIGHTS OR DEPTH IS CALLED LEVELING.

PURPOSE : THE MAIN OBJECT OF SURVEYING IS THE PREPARATION OF MAPS OR PLANS

WHICH ARE THE BASIS IN PLANNING AND DESIGN OF ENGINEERING PROJECT SUCH AS
ROUTE LOCATION OF RAILWAY LINE, ROADS AND WATER SUPPLY SCHEME.
CLASSIFICATION OF SURVEYS : SURVEYING IS DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN CATEGORIES-

I) GEODETIC SURVEY
II) PLANE SURVEY

I)GEODETIC SURVEY :- WHEN SURVEY EXTENDS OVER A LARGE AREAS MORE THAN
200 SQ. KM. AND DEGREE OF ACCURACY IS ALSO GREAT. THE CURVATURE OF EARTH IS
ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. GEODETIC SURVEY IS USED TO PROVIDE CONTROL POINTS
TO WHICH SMALL SURVEYS CAN BE CONNECTED.

II) PLANE SURVEY :- FOR SMALL PROJECTS COVERING AREA LESS THAN 200 SQ.KM.
EARTH CURVATURE IS NOT COUNTED FOR IN DISTANCES. EARTH SURFACE IS
CONSIDERED AS PLANE. (ANGULAR ERROR OF 1” IN 200 SQ. KM. AREA BY ASSUMING
PLANE).
A) CLASSIFICATION BASED UPON EQUIPMENT USED:

I) CHAIN SURVEY
II) COMPASS SURVEY
III) THEODOLITE SURVEY
IV) PLANE TABLE SURVEY
V) DUMPY LEVEL SURVEY
VI) AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY
VI) REMOTE SENSING.
VII) HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY.

B) BASED UPON METHOD EMPLOYED :

I) TRIANGULATION: CONTROL POINTS ARE ESTABLISHED THROUGH A NET-

WORK OF TRIANGLES.

II) TRAVERSING: SCHEME OF CONTROL POINTS CONSISTING OF A SERIES OF

CONNECTED LINES.

III) TRILATERATION: DISTANCES ARE MEASURED FOR EXERCISING THE

CONTROL.
 LEVELING
 The term level is defined as "being perpendicular to a vertical line.”.
 If an object is parallel to the horizon, it also said to be "level".

Leveling :
The art of determining relative altitudes of points on the surface of the earth
or beneath the surface of earth is called LEVELLING.
 Leveling is the process of determining
if an object is parallel to the horizon,
perpendicular to a vertical line, or if two
or more objects are at the same
elevation.

 One person can attach pictures to the

wall and be satisfied that they are level
(at the same height), but there is a good
chance that another person will not
agree.
 LEVELING-CONT.

 It is very difficult to tell if two or more

objects are level without the use of a
tool or instrument.

 One alternative is to measure down

from the ceiling and set both pictures
the same distance.

 Objects may be parallel to the ceiling,

but they will only be level if the ceiling
is level.
 LEVEL EXAMPLE

 The principles of leveling can be

illustrated with a simple type of
level--a garden hose.
 Clear, vented, graduated tubes
are attached to each end of a
garden hose.

 When the hose and tubes are

filled with water and the tubes
are held in a vertical position, the
water will be at the same
elevation at both ends of the
hose.
 WATER LEVEL EXAMPLE

 A hose level can also be used to determine the difference in elevation

between two points.
 In this example it is being used to determine the difference in the height
at two ends of a wall.
 In this case, the difference in height is 1.9 feet.
 LINE OF SIGHT

 Try to visualize an instrument

set up so that the centerline of
the instrument is at the same
elevation as the top of the
water at one end of the hose.

 When the horizontal cross hair of the instrument telescope is

at the same elevation as the water in the first tube, then the
line of sight through the instrument will strike the second tube
at the height of the water.
LINE OF SIGHT-CONT.

The line of sight through the

telescope establishes a
level reference line.
INSTRUMENT REFERENCE LINE

 Because the instrument line of sight is horizontal, when the instrument is set
up correctly, it can be used to compare the relative elevation of two or more
objects.
 The rod is placed on one object, or station, and the center cross hair is read on
the rod.
 The rod is then placed on the second object, or station, and the center cross
hair is read for the second time.
 Subtracting the two rod readings results in the difference in elevation between
the two stations.
2.74 ft - 1.24 ft = 1.50 ft
INSTRUMENT REFERENCE LINE-CONT.

 If the same reference line is used---the rod readings can be

compared.
 This is the principle of leveling used for differential and other
types of surveys.
 Assuming the instrument is set up correctly, the line of sight
through the telescope establishes a horizontal reference line
that can be used to compare the elevations of two or more
objects/stations.
REFERENCE PLANE-
 A plane is defined as a flat surface.
 The line of sight through an instrument forms a reference
line that can be part of a vertical or horizontal plane.
 A reference plane is established whenever a surveying
level is rotated in a horizontal or vertical circle

 Study the illustration.

 Is it correct to say that the
distance between ball A and
ball C is: (8.3 ft + 6.9 ft ) or
15.2 feet apart?

 Is it correct to say that ball A is

 Is it correct to say that Ball A is
15.2 feet higher than ball C?
(8.3 ft - 5.2 ft ) or 3.1 feet higher
that ball B?
 REFERENCE PLANE-CONT.

 The reason is the important difference

between distance and a difference in
elevation.
 Distance is the amount of straight line
separation between two points.
 A difference in elevation is measured
as a vertical distance from a reference
line or reference plane.

 The surveying rod is used to

measure vertical distance from a
reference plane.
 Definitions
Leveling

Leveling deals with the measurements in a vertical plane.

Leveling is the branch of surveying the object of which is:

 to find the elevations of given points with respect to a
given or assumed datum.
 to establish point at a given elevation or at different
elevations with respect to a given or assumed datum.
The first operation is required to enable the works to be
designed while the second operation is required in the
setting out of all kinds of engineering works.
 Level Surface

A level surface is defined as a curved surface which at each point

is perpendicular to the direction of gravity at the point. Any
surface parallel to the mean spheroidal surface of the earth is
therefore a level surface.

Level line

A level line is a line lying in a level surface. it is therefore normal

to the plumb line at all points.

Horizontal Plane

Horizontal plane through a point is a plane tangential to the level

surface at that point. It is therefore perpendicular to the plumb
line through the point.

Vertical Plane

A plane containing a vertical line

 Horizontal Line
Any line lying in the horizontal plane. It is a straight liner
tangential to a level line
Vertical Line
A vertical line at any point is a line normal to the level surface
through that point, e.g. a plumb line.

Vertical Angle

Angle between two intersecting lines in a vertical plane. One of

the two lines is taken as horizontal in surveying.

Datum Surface

Any arbitrarily assumed level surface or line from which vertical

distances are measured.
Elevation

Vertical distance above or below the datum also known as the

Reduced Level (R.L.).
 Difference in Elevation (H)
Vertical distance between the level surfaces passing through the two points.
Bench Mark (B.M.)
A fixed reference point of known elevation.
G.t.s (great trigonometrical survey)
 permanent
 arbitrary
 temporary

Line of Collimation
The line joining the intersection of the cross-hairs to the optical
centre of the object glass and its continuation. Also called the line
of sight.
Axis of the Telescope
Line joining the optical centre of the object glass to the centre of
the eye-piece.
Axis of the Bubble tube
Imaginary line tangential to the longitudinal curve of the tube at
its middle point. Also known as Bubble Line. Its horizontal when
the bubble is centred.
 Vertical Axis
Central line of the axis of rotation.

Back sight (B.S.)

Staff reading taken on a point of known elevation, as on bench
mark or a change point. Also called Plus sight. It is the first staff
reading taken after the level is set up and leveled.

Fore sight (F.S.)

Staff reading taken on a point whose elevation is to be
determined as on a change point. It is also termed as minus sight.
It’s the last staff reading denoting the shifting of the instrument.
The term sight refers to the reading

Intermediate sight (I.S.)

Any other staff reading taken on a point of unknown elevation
from the same set up of the level. All sights taken between the
back sight and fore sight are intermediate sights.
 Change Point (C.P.)

A point denoting the shifting of the level. It’s a point on which

the fore and back sights are taken. Any stable or well-defined
objects, such as a boundary stone, rail, rock etc is used as a
change point. A bench mark can also be taken as a change point.
Also called turning point.

Station

A point whose elevation is to be determined or a point which is to

be established at a given elevation. A point where the staff is
held, not the point where the level is set up.

Height of the instrument

It’s the elevation (R.L.) of the plane of collimation when the

instrument is correctly leveled. Also called Height of the plane of
Collimation or collimation.
 Focusing

The setting of the eye-piece and the objective at the proper distance apart
for the clear vision of the object sighted. Both of them should coincide
with the cross-hair of the diaphragm, as the diaphragm is placed at the
common focus. It can be best done by first focusing the eye-piece and then
the objective.

Parallax

It’s the apparent movement of the image relatively to the cross-hairs when
the image formed by the objective does not fall in the plane of diaphragm.
Its due to poor focusing of the objective. It can be tested by moving the eye
up and down.
Methods of Leveling

 Barometric Leveling
 Trigonometric Leveling
 Spirit Leveling
Barometric Leveling: This method depends on the principle that atmospheric
pressure depends upon the elevation of place. Barometer is used to measure
the atmospheric pressure and hence elevation is computed. However it is not
accurate method since the atmospheric pressure depends upon season and
temperature also. It may be used in exploratory surveys.

Trigonometric Leveling: In this method instruments are used to measure the

vertical angles. Distance between the instrument and staff is measured by
various methods. Then using trigonometric relations, the difference in
elevation can be computed. This is considered beyond the scope of this book.
One can find details of such methods in books on surveying and leveling.

Spirit Leveling: It is common form of leveling in all engineering projects. In

this method horizontal sight is taken on a graduated staff and the difference in
the elevation of line of sight and ground at which staff is held are found.
Knowing the height of line of sight from the instrument station the difference
in the elevations of instrument station and the ground on which staff is held
can be found. This method is thoroughly explained in next article.
 Classification of leveling:

 differential leveling
 check leveling
 profile leveling
 cross sectioning
 reciprocal leveling
 barometric leveling
 hypsometry
Trigonometrical leveling
Differential Leveling
If the distance between two points A and B is large, it may not be possible to take the
readings on A and B from a single setting. In such situation differential leveling is used. In
differential leveling the instrument is set at more than one position, each shifting facilitated
by a change point. Figure 15.7 shows a scheme of such setting.

Check Leveling
It is the operation of running levels for the purpose of checking series of levels, which
have been previously fixed. At the end of each day’s work, a line of levels is run, returning
to the starting point of that day with a view of checking the work done on that day.

Profile Leveling
It is the operation in which the object is to determine the elevations of points at known
distances apart along a given line, and thus to obtain the accurate outline of the surface of
the ground. It is also called the longitudinal leveling or sectioning.
Cross-Sectioning
It is the operation of leveling to determine the surface undulations or the outline of the
surface of the ground transverse to the given line and on either side of it.

Reciprocal Leveling
It is the method of leveling in which the difference in elevation between two points is
accurately determined by two sets of observations when it is not possible to set up the
level midway between the two points.

Hypsometric Leveling
It is the method of leveling in which heights of mountains are found by observing the
temperature at which water boils.
 DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING

C. Definitions

BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft

Point B

Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Definitions
1. Bench mark (BM) - relatively permanent
point of known elevation

BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft

Point B

Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Definitions
2. Backsight (BS) - a sight taken to the level rod held at a
point of known elevation
(either a BM or TP)

BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft

Point B

Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Definitions
3. Height of instrument (HI) - the elevation of the line of
sight of the telescope

BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft

Point B

Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Definitions
4. Foresight (FS) - a sight taken on any point to determine its
elevation

BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft

Point B

Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
D. Computation of Elevations

BS
12.64

BM1
1. BS + Elevation = HI
Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Computation of Elevations

BS FS
12.64 3.11

BM1
TP1 2. HI - FS = Elevation
Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 3.11 109.53
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Computation of Elevations
BS
BS FS 10.88
12.64 3.11

BM1
TP1
Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Computation of Elevations
BS FS
BS FS 10.88 2.56
12.64 3.11

BM1 TP2

TP1
Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
TP2 2.56 117.85
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Computation of Elevations
BS
9.72
BS FS
BS FS 10.88 2.56
12.64 3.11

BM1 TP2

TP1
Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Computation of Elevations
BS FS
9.72 3.10
BS FS
BS FS 10.88 2.56
12.64 3.11 BM2

BM1 TP2

TP1
Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85
BM2 3.10 124.47
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Computation of Elevations
BS FS
9.72 3.10
BS FS
BS FS 10.88 2.56
12.64 3.11 BM2

BM1 TP2

TP1
Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85
BM2 3.10 124.47
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Computation of Elevations
3. Change in elevation- summation of the backsight and the foresight then
subtract

Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85
BM2 3.10 124.47
+33.24 -8.77

Change in elevation = 33.24 -8.77 =24.47

1. Level
2. Tripod
3. Leveling staffs
4. Leveling Field Book
a. Rise and fall
b. Height of collimation
 Level
The purpose of the level is to provide a horizontal line of sight.

Parts:
 Telescope: to provide line of sight.
 Level Tube: to make the line of sight horizontal.
 Leveling Head: to bring the bubble in its centre.
 Tripod: to support the instrument.

Types of the level:

 Fixing the instrument on the Tripod
 Leg adjustment
 Leveling up
 Focusing the eye-piece
 Focusing the object glass
Dumpy Level
 Wye Level
A surveyor's level with a telescope supported in y-shaped rests and as a
result capable of being rotated around its own axis or of being taken out of
the supports and turned end for end for purposes of adjustment

The telescope is carried in two

vertical ‘Wye’ supports which
consist of curved clips. If the clips
are raised, the telescope can be
rotated on the wye.

Advantage : the adjustments can be

tested with greater rapidity and
ease.

However, the adjustments do not

have longer life and are disturbed
more frequently due to larger
number of movable parts.
 Reversible Level

Both the features of Dumpy as well as Wye level

The telescope is supported by two rigid sockets into which the telescope can be
introduced from either end and then fixed in position by a screw. The sockets are
rigidly connected to the spindle through a stage. Once the telescope is pushed
into the sockets and the screw is tightened, the level acts as a dumpy level. For
testing and making the adjustments, the screw is slackened and the telescope can
be taken out and reversed end for end. The telescope can also be turned within
the socket about the longitudinal axis.
 Tilting Level
Line of sight can be tilted slightly without major tilting the vertical axis.

Instrument is leveled by the three foot screws with respect either to the bubble tube
or to the small circular bubble.

While taking the sight to a staff,

the line of sight is made exactly
horizontal by centering the
bubble by means of a fine pitched
tilting screw which tilts the
telescope with respect to the
vertical axis.
 Tilting Level
 In this case, the telescope has a small motion about a horizontal axis. It is
therefore known as the Tilting level.
The vertical axis need not to be truly vertical, since the line of collimation is not
perpendicular to it.
The line of collimation is made horizontal for each pointing of the telescope by
means of a tilting screw.
Mainly designed for precise leveling works.
 Automatic Level
 Self aligning level
 difference between Self aligning level and classic spirit level is that, in the
former, the line of sight is no longer leveled manually using a tabular spirit
level but is leveled automatically.
 within a certain tilt range this is achieved by an inclination compensating
device called tilt compensator suspended like a pendulum and inserted in the
path of light rays through the telescope. When fitted with a parallel plate
micrometer, the level becomes a precision level.
Temporary adjustments of the level:
Fixing the instrument on the Tripod
 Leg adjustment
 Leveling up
 Focusing the eye-piece
 Focusing the object glass
Cutting and Filling
Cutting and Filling
INSTRUMENTAL ERROR

 ERROR OF MANUPULATION

 ERRORS IN SIGHTING

 ERRORS DUE TO SETTLEMENT OF THE LEVEL AND STAFF

Effect of curvature of the earth on leveling

In case of long sites horizontal line is not a level line. i.e. a line of
equal altitude, due to the curvature of the earth falls away from the
horizontal line. This difference of these two lines represent the effect
of the curvature of the earth.
Correction for
curvature:

ACE= the level line through the

Instrument axis.
B= the horizontal line / the line of collimation
O= the centre of the earth.
D= the distance (AB) from the instrument station to the staff station in km
R= the radius of the earth(OA) in km
d = the diameter of the earth (CE) in km
BC = the correction for curvature

Now, BC * CE = BA2 or BC (BC+CE) = BA2

Since, BC is usually very small as compared to the diameter of the earth,

BC may be neglected.
Hence, BC*CE = BA2 BC = BA2 / CE = BA2 / 2R
Taking the diameter of the earth as 12742 km, we get
BC = AB2 / 12742 or BC (in m) = AB2 * 1000 / 12742 = 0.0785 D2
Where, D is the distance in km from the level to the staff.
Hence, the True staff reading = (Observed staff reading – 0.0785D²)
 Correction for
Refraction:

Due to refraction of light from staff to the

instrument, the line of collimation will
intersect the point D instead of point B.
The correction for refraction (BD) in m = 1/7
BC
= 1/7* 0.0785D² = 0.0112 D².

Combined Correction:
Since the combined effect of curvature and
refraction is to increase the staff reading, the
combined correction is subtractive.

Combined error (CD) = BC-BD = BC-1/7BC

= 6/7 BC
= 6/7*0.0785 D²
= 0.0673 D²
Distance to the visible
horizon:
Here, C represents the point of
observation at an altitude h meter, and
A is the point on the horizon at which
the tangent from C meets. The
distance to the visible horizon A from
the point of observation C may be
obtained by the following formula
where both of the curvature and
refraction errors have been taken into
account.

h = 0.0673 D²

Hence, D = √ h / 0.0673
Error correction in Reciprocal Leveling:
The method of Reciprocal Leveling eliminates both of these errors as well as
collimation error i.e. due to the line of collimation not being exactly parallel to the
bubble line.

Procedure: Let, A and B be the two points on opposite

banks of the river, whose difference of level
is to be determined.
 set up the instrument at A and take
reading of point a1 and b1.
 transfer the instrument o the other bank
and take reading for the same points A and
B and name them as a2 and b2.
 d = total distance between A and B
 e = the total error
The correct reading on B in the first case =
(b1-e) and that on A in the second case =
(a2-e)
From A, the true difference of level
between A and B = d = (b1-e)-a1
From B, the true difference of level
between A and B = d = b2- (a2-e)

Therefore, the true difference of level

between two points is equal to the mean of
the two apparent differences of level thus
determined.

The total error (e) = {(b1-a1)-(b2-a2) / 2}

Trigonometrical Leveling:
Trigonometrical Leveling is a branch of leveling in which the relative
elevations of different stations are determined from the observed vertical
angles and known horizontal or geodetic distances.

The vertical angle may be measured by means of a theodolite, whereas, the

horizontal distance may be measured or computed.
P is the point of known elevation and Q is a point ,the
elevation is to be determined.
Indirect leveling:
Let, α = < QPR = the vertical angle measured at P.
D=PQ’ = the horizontal distance in m between P and Q.
without sensible error, we may take PR=PQ’ and <QPR =
90º
Then, QR = PR tan QPR = D tanα ….(1)
When, distance is great, the combined correction for
curvature and refraction must be applied.
The correction is additive when the measured vertical angle
is an angle of elevation and subtractive in case of depression.
The correction of curvature and refraction =
RQ’=R’P’=0.0673(D/1000)²
Hence, we have,
The difference in elevation (H) between P and Q is:
H = QR+RQ’ = D tan α +0.0673(D/1000)²……….(2)
If the vertical angle (β) be observed from Q to P, we have,
PR’=QR’ tan PQR’ = D tan β………..(3)
QR’ being taken equal to PQ’ = D
Then H = PR’ – R’P’=D tanβ – 0.0673(D/1000)²……..(4)
Adding the equation (2) and (4), we get,
H = D/2(tan α+tan β)………..(5)
The several methods of angular leveling available to determine elevation of
particular point such as the top of a chimney, church spire etc…
Method: if base is accessible

H = the height of the object above the bench mark

h = the height of the object above the instrument axis
h3 = the staff reading on the bench mark
α = the vertical angle observed at the instrument station
D = the distance in m measured from the instrument station
to the base of the object
Then, h = D tanα…….. (7)
H = D tanα +h3……….(7a)
R.L. of the object = R.L. of B.M.+D tanα + h3………..(8)
When the distance is large, the correction of curvature and
refraction viz 0.0673(D/1000)² should be applied:
Hence, R.L. of the object =
R.L. of B.M.+D tanα + h3 + 0.0673*(D/1000)² ……..(8a)
 Method: if base is inaccessible
 Instrument at same level:

α1 = the angle of elevation observed at A

α2 = the angle of elevation observed at B
b = the horizontal distance between the instrument stations A
and B
D = the distance of the object from the near station A
h = the height of the object P above the instrument axis at A’
Then h = D tan α1 = (D+b) tan α2
Or, (tan α1 – tan α2) D = b tan α2
Hence, D = b tan α2 / (tan α1 – tan α2) …….. (9)
And h = D tan α1 = b tan α1*tan α2 / (tan α1 – tan α2)….(10)
 Method: if base is inaccessible
 Instrument axes at different level:

Suppose, the instrument axis at the farther station B is

higher. Let the line of sight through B (PB’) be produced
to intersect the lower axis at C. let the difference of level
between the two axes is hd.

Now, in the ∆B’CE, CE= hd

And <EB’C=α2
Hence, B’E = hd cot α2

So, the distance at which the axes are at the same level is
equal to : b+ hd cot α2
D = b tan α2 / (tan α1 – tan α2) When the instrument axes are lower, the distance will be:
…….. (9) b - hd cot α2
And h = D tan α1 = b tan α1*tan α2 /
These formula for distance should be replace in the
(tan α1 – tan α2)….(10)
formula (9) and (10).
Hence, the formula (9) and (10) may be written as,
D = {(b ± hd cot α2)* tan α2} / (tan α1 – tan α2)…..(9a)
And
h = {(b ± hd cot α2)* sin α1* sin α2} / sin( α1 –
α2)…..(10a)
 Method: if base is inaccessible
 Instrument axes at very different level:
Let, A and B be the two instrument stations and P is the object.
ha = the height of P above instrument axis at A’.
hb = the height of P above instrument axis at B’.
α1 = the angle of elevation to P observed at A
α2 = the angle of elevation to P observed at B
(i)
α3 = the angle of elevation observed at B to a sight vane at S meter
above the foot of the staff held at A
hd = the difference of levels between the two axes.
h’ = the height of the instrument axis at A
b = the horizontal distance of the object P from the nearer station
A

In figure (ii),
(ii) The height of the station A above the instrument axis at B = b tan
α3 - s
The height of instrument axis at A’ above the instrument axis at B’ :
hd = b tan α3 – s + h’
Now, ha = D tan α1 and hb = D + b tan α2

But, hb – ha = hd
Hence, hd = (d+b) tan α2 - D tan α1
Or, ( tan α1 - tan α2 ) = b tan α2 - hd

Hence, D = ( b tan α2 - hd ) / ( tan α1 - tan α2 )…………….(11)

Ha = {( b tan α2 - hd ) / ( tan α1 - tan α2 )}* tan α1 …………….(12)
 Method: if base is inaccessible
 Instrument axes at very different level:

So, R.L. of the object P = R.L of instrument axis at

(i) A’ + ha

= R.L. of instrument axis B’ + (b tan α3 – s +

h’) + ha

= R.L of instrument axis at B’ + hb

R.L. of instrument axis at B’ = R.L. of B.M. + back
(ii) sight taken from B
= R.L. of instrument station B+H.I
 Method: if base is inaccessible
 Two instrument stations, not in same vertical plane as the elevated object P:
Procedure:
 Fix two stations A and B suitably on a fairly level
ground and measure the distance between them.

 Set up a theodolite over A and level it accurately with

the vertical vernier set to 0. and the altitude bubble
central read the staff held on the B.M or the reference
point.

 Observe the angular elevation of the object P, and the

horizontal angle between the station B and the object P.

 Remove the instrument to B and take similar

observation as at A
 Method: if base is inaccessible
 Two instrument stations, not in same vertical plane as the elevated object P:
Procedure:
α = the angle of elevation to P measured at A
β = the angle of elevation to P measured at B
PP1 = ha = the height of P above the instrument axis at A
PP2 = hb = the height of P above the instrument axis at B
θ = the horizontal angle measured clockwise at the station A
between the object P and the station B
Φ = the horizontal angle measured clockwise at the station B
between the object P and the station A
b = the horizontal distance between A and B

The oblique triangle A’B’P is reduced to horizon as the triangle

ABC.
Now, in the ∆ABC, <BAC = θ; <ABC = Φ; <ACB = π- (θ+Φ)
and AB = b
Hence, Using the rule, we get,
R.L. of P = R.L. of instrument
axis at A + ha BC = b sinθ / sin {π- (θ+Φ) }
And
= R.L. of instrument axis at B AC = b sinΦ / sin {π- (θ+Φ) }
+hb
Hence, ha = AC tanα = b sinΦ tanα / sin{π- (θ+Φ) }………(13)
hb = BC tanβ = b sinΦ tanβ / sin{π- (θ+Φ) }………(14)