Bangalore Institute of Technology TRIANGULATION SURVEY

CONTENTS
Page No.
1. INTRODUCTION 2

2. CLASSIFICATIONS 3

3. FORMS OF TRIANGULATION 4

4. SCHEME OF TRIANGULATION SURVEY 5

5. RECONNAISANCE 6

6. ERECTION OF SIGNALS 7

7. OBSERVATION OF ANGLES 9

8. SATELLITE STATION 10

9. BASE LINE MEASUREMENT 11

10. ADJUSTMENT OF ERROR 13

11. CALCULATIONS OF LENGTHS OF SIDES AND 14

CO-ORDINATES OF STATIONS

12. CALCULATIONS

13. BIBLIOGRAPHY

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INTRODUCTION
The aim of triangulation survey is to establish a system of control points over the
area surveyed. These points serve as checks to which other surveys are referred to.
The horizontal position and the height of these points are determined with the
maximum accuracy commensurate with the object of the survey.
Essentially these control points are located as the apices of triangles which form
the basic geometrical figure. Polygons are formed by the addition of the basic triangles.
The plan position of these points is determined by finding the distance along and
perpendiculars to a chosen meridian in the region. These distances are determined by
the calculation from the length of a single base line measured directly and from the
three angles of each triangle measured with a precise transit.
The degree of accuracy with these control points are determined depends largely
on the following considerations.
a) The extent of the survey and the scale to which the plan or map is to be prepared.
b) The purpose of the survey.
c) The time, funds personnel available.

CLASSIFICATION
Based on the accuracy, triangulation network is classified as:
a) Primary or Principal triangulation
b) Secondary triangulation
c) Tertiary triangulation
Another form of classification is Major and Minor triangulations.
The term geodetic triangulation refers to the very precise system meant for the
measurement of area of meridians and parallels required for the determination of the
size and shape of earth.

FORMATION OF TRIANGULATION
Based on the object of survey the following forms are employed
a) For small topographical surveys of minor accuracy network of triangles
covering the whole area is used.
b) For greater accuracy quadrilaterals with interconnected diagonals or with
central stations and polygons such as pentagons, hexagons, etc., are employed.

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SCHEEM OF TRIANGULATION
The whole work may be divided as

a) Reconnaissance
b) Erection of signals
c) Observation of angles
d) Baseline measurement
e) Astronomical observations for azimuth, latitude and longitude
f) Adjustment of errors
g) Calculation of lengths of sides and co ordinates of stations
h) Determination of heights by precise leveling
i) Plotting of the position of stations

For survey of low accuracy however, astronomical observations may not be done
and the heights of the stations can be determined by trigonometric leveling.
The following details are given with particular reference to the extensive survey
project at the site although some general information is also given.

RECONNAISSANCE
Reconnaissance or a preliminary examination of the ground is done for the
purpose of selecting triangulation stations, and a site suitable for establishing the base
line. Stations should be selected such that:
a) They are mutually intervisible
b) It is possible to erect and centre the triangulation signal and the
theodolite
c) They form well-conditioned triangles
d) Any clearing of vegetation of required is minimum
The two base stations should be located on fairly level ground and without
obstacles between them and the distance between them should be about 200 meters.
These stations should be so located that they can form well conditioned triangles with
atleast two triangulation stations. These stations and the two base stations all should be
mutually intervisible.

ERECTION OF SIGNALS
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The signal at a station is the object which is observed from the other stations at the time
of taking angles by means of theodolite. The signals used are tripods of bamboo poles,
about 4-5 m tall, the three poles meeting at the base of a cylindrical drum. The drum is
about 1 m in length and has a diameter of 50 to 60 cm. It is painted in alternate bands
of white and red colors for easy identification. On top of the drum is short straight rod
welded to the drum at which the intersections. A plumb bob can be hung from the
bottom of the drum for centering the signal over the station points.
The station point is usually represented by (an underground mark and) a surface
mark. The surface mark can be made by just driving a wooden peg with a fiat top or
made of more durable materials. The signal should be centered over this surface mark
before angles can be observed at a station. The signal should be raised up spreading the
three legs such that the rod is above the station and vertical, this process needs careful
manipulation of the tripod legs, during which the short rod is kept vertical all the while.
A plumb bob can be attached to the base of the drum to hasten the process. Accurate
centering of the signal is done in the following way. Two transits are placed about 10
meters from the signal at two points such that the plane containing the rod on the signal
and the first theodolite is at right angles to the plane containing the rod and the second
theodolite after performing the temporary adjustments, the line of collimation is
directed to the vertical rod is bisected exactly and all horizontal movements are locked.
The line of sight is now depressed and on the wooden peg an ordinary pin is held
upright by a helper. The helper is directed by the instrument man to keep the pin along
the plane of collimation. A mark is made (by pencil or pen) at this position of the pin on
the top surface of the peg. Now the pin is kept a little behind (about 2 cm, say)
the first position along the same line as the transit. Again the instrument man directs
the helper to obtain a second position of the pin in the plane of collimation. At this
position a second mark is made. By joining first and the second marks a line is obtained
which represents the extension of the line or collimation on the top surface of the peg.
The theodolite is now manipulated to its face right position and the vertical rod is again
bisected. A second line is obtained on the peg by repeating the process. If the theodolite
is in proper permanent adjustments the second line will coincide with the first one. If
not, a line mid way between the first and the second lines is drawn to represent the
vertical plane through the vertical rod of the signal, on the peg. A second line at the

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right angles to this line as obtained, by a similar procedure, from the transit placed at
the second point the intersection of these two lines gives the point on the peg exactly
below the vertical rod. This point then represents the station on which the theodolite
must be centered while making observations to other stations. The point should be
marked clearly.
All the triangulation stations, including the base stations, are subjected to the
above for obtaining the positions of the station point on the peg. Unless this process is
completed at all stations, no angles should be measured from any of the stations. Any
satellite station, if established, is treated the same way.

OBSERVATION OF ANGLES

From each of the triangulation stations Horizontal and Vertical angles are to be
observed to all other triangulation stations.
The theodolite should be set up exactly over the point on the peg which
represents the triangulation station. Centering should be done by judiciously moving
the tripod legs radially and circumferentially. After centering, the theodolite is leveled.
Centering is again checked and any deviation is corrected by operating the tribrach
plate. The sequence of angle observation should be decided before hand. Horizontal
angles and vertical angles are normally observed in separate sequences. However, in
surveys of low accuracy they may be observed during one sequence.
Horizontal angles shall be observed once by repetition and once by reiteration.
Usually three repetitions on the face left and three on the face right should be
performed. In reiteration the initial direction should be placed near 0 (zero degrees, say
20) near 60 degree and near 120 degree on each face. Before and after every reading
the levelling of the instruments should be checked. Eye and object correction shall be
applied, if the levelling is difficult to achieve. The point observed at the other
triangulation stations is the tip of the short rod on top of the signal. It should not be
forgotten that the extension angle, should also be observed at all stations.
Care should be exercised in properly booking the readings and all precautions
should be taken to ensure that no mistakes creep in. Details about the weather should be

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noted and also all other information such as the date of survey, the names of the
observer and the recorder, the type and number of the instrument.
The height of the signal must be measured or evaluated as also the height of the
instruments and both should be recorded.
It is a good practice to reduce the observations (calculation of mean values, etc.,)
during the process of observation in the field because, if postponed and any gross error
is detected later, repetition of measurement becomes a cumbersome operation.
This procedure of angle observation is repeated at all other triangulation
stations.

SATELLITE STATION
In triangulation surveys generally objects at elevated locations are chosen as
stations, such that intervisibility and requirement of well conditioned triangles are
satisfied some times such stations like towers, temple tops, steeples, etc., do not permit
the setting up of the theodolite for angle observation. Hence, a subsidiary station called
the satellite station is chosen close to the main station and observations are made from
this station to the other triangulation stations. Later these measurements are reduced to
the values that would have been obtained had we been able to keep the instrument at
the main station.
In the camp in order that the students get field experience in the
aspect of the work , the ELECTRICITY POLE near Dalavai lake was
chosen as satellite station and observation are obtained at this station by
each batch. The observations here are exactly similar to those at any other
station.

BASE LINE MEASURMENTS

In triangulation surveys the base line is of prime importance. The accuracy of
computation on the sides of the network depends on accuracy of measurement of the
base line.
While selecting the site for laying the base line we should keep the following
points in our view:-

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a) The site should be on a fairly level ground.

b) The site should be free from obstructions through out its entire length.
c) Base extension through well conditioned triangles should be possible.
d) At least two triangulation stations should be clearly visible.
The Base line is measured using steel band chain of 30 m length. The base can be
measured either on flat or in catenary. If measured on flat, wooden base boards are to
be used at the beginning and end of each tape length (30 m) on which the termination of
the tape length is marked. If measured in catenary the tape length ends on the top of
wooden pegs driven at suitable intervals.
Depending on the mode of measurement either the base boards or the pegs are
initially placed at the proper intervals after which they are brought in alignment with
the base stations, using a theodolite set up at one of the base stations. Face left and Face
right observations are used for properly aligning these. The actual measurement of the
base length is now done by stretching the tape from the first station to the first base
board/peg. The recommended pull (about 7 to 9 kg) is applied through a spring balance
the end marking are transferred on to the base board/peg. Temperature is observed by
keeping the thermometer close to the tape but not touching it after allowing some time
for the thermometer to stabilize. These values are recorded in the proper tabular form.
After the measurement of the first bay, the tape is shifted to the next and measurements
are repeated. The entire length of the base line is covered in a similar manner. The
whole operation must be repeated in the reverse directions.
During the base line measurement, the differences in elevation between the
boards/pegs are determined by ordinary levelling.

The measured length of the base line is checked for gross errors and mistakes by
taking an independent measurement on a subtence bar kept at one end of the base line
while a theodolite is used at the other end.
Simultaneously as the measurement of the base line is proceeding, angle
observations are done at the two base stations to two other triangulation stations,
decided earlier. The observations of horizontal angles between the triangulation stations
and the farther end of the base line and the exterior angles are made. The method of
repetition or reiteration is used for the angle measurement.

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After base line length is measured, the various corrections required to obtain the
corrected length of the base are applied. These are:
a) Correction for temperature.
b) Correction for pull.
c) Correction for sag.
d) Correction for slope.
Finally the corrected base length should be reduced to its value at the mean sea
level.

ADJUSTMENTS OF ERRORS
The angle observations at each of the station are to be adjusted for errors.
Initially the mean values of all the readings within a range of three times the standard
deviation are used with the remaining values being rejected. These observed mean
values are used for adjustment procedure. Later applying the method of correlations
and the least squares conditions the base net (a quadrilateral) and the main net (a
polygon) are both adjusted.

CALCULATIONS OF LENGTH OF SIDES AND CO-

ORDINATES OF STATTION
Using the correct length of the base line and the adjusted values of the angles of
the triangulation network the lengths of all the sides are calculated. Assuming the co-
ordinates of one of the stations the co-ordinates of the other stations are evaluated.
Latitudes and departures are to be calculated, for plotting on paper the triangulation
stations, for which the magnetic bearing of one of the main lines should be observed
before hand.
The heights of the triangulation stations are normally found out by precise
levelling from a bench mark. However, in the survey camp heights can be found out by

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calculating them from observed vertical angles, the height of the signal and the height of
instruments.

12.CALCULATIONS:
BASE LINE MEASUREMENTS:

DATA GIVEN
Standard temperature = 680F
Standard pull = 9kg
Co-effcient of linear expansion, = 6.5*10-6/F
Weight of tape (w) = 0.95kg
Area of cross section (A) = 3.96*10-2cm2
Radius of earth (R) = 6370km
E = 2* 105N/mm2
Tape length = 30m
Measured length
L = 28.77+28.91+25.495=83.255m
Average temperature = (26.5+26+27)/3 = 26.50C

CORRECTION FOR TEMPERATURE=Ct=*(Tm-To)*L

DATA: =6.5*10-6/F
Tm=299.5F To=68F
Ct=0.125m

CORRECTION FOR PULL=Cp=((P-Po)*L)/(A*E)

DATA: A=3.96^10-2 cm2 E=200Gpa L=83.255m Po=9kgs
Cp=6.3*10-4m

CORECTION FOR SLOPE: Cv=L*(1-cos)

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DATA: =1450 L=83.255m

Cv=-0.039m
Correction for sag
Cs = nlw2/(24P2)
=3*30*0.952/(24*152)
= 0.015m
ACTUAL LENGTH = 83.255+.125+.00062-.015-.039=83.326m

QUADRILATERAL ADJUSTMENTS:ABGD

LEFT ANGLES log sin() f RIGHT ANGLES log sin() f

1 795929.97 9.9933403 3.7157 2 3808.1 9.7893638 26.9471
3 275924.49 9.6714686 39.6153 4 340632.73 9.7487851 31.0875
5 781856.34 9.9909061 4.3543 6 394450.13 9.8057741 25.3185
7 193223.05 9.5243448 59.3268 8 42400.83 9.8310599 22.8437

ERROR EQUATOINS:
E1=360- = 360- 3602145.6= -1305.6s
E2=5+ 6-( 1+ 2) =248.47 s
E3= -4-3+7+8=386.66 s
E4=log(sin R)-log(sin L)= -50769 s
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Also we have the following equations:

e1+e2+e3+e4+e5+e6+e7+e8=E1
E2=e1+e2-e6-e5
E3=e4+e3-e7-e8
E4=e1f1-e2f2+e3f3-e4f4+e5f5-e6f6+e7f7-e8f8

E 1 2 3 4
e1 1 1 0 3.7157
e2 1 1 0 -26.9471
e3 1 0 1 39.6153
e4 1 0 1 -31.0875
e5 1 -1 0 4.3543
e6 1 -1 0 -25.3185
e7 1 0 -1 59.3268
e8 1 0 -1 -22.8437

Solving the error equations the values of are :

1=-163.799
2=65.45
3=137.76
4=5.88
Errors Corrected Angles
e1= -0116.5 1=795813.47
e2= -0416.8 2=375551.3
e3=0326.9 3=28251.39
e4= -0328.63 4=3434.1
e5= -0323.7 5=781532.64
e6= -0618.12 6=393832.01
e7=0047.28 7=193310.33
e8= -0715.88 8=423244.95
TOTAL= 360

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REDUCTION TO CENTRE:PSBA

+=BSP=852150.4
=16571.7
=682448.7
PAB=76255.23
ABP= 854128.05
APB = = 175326.72
By applying sine rule to ABP:
c/sin(BAP)=a/sin(ABP)=83.326/sin()
c=263.66m, a=270.47m
1=(dsin(+))/(c*sin(1))=71348.22
2=(dsin())/(a*sin(1))=63928.58
Corrected Angle BPA=+1-2=173121.34

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REDUCTION TO CENTRE:PSDG

+=PSD=765713.3
=9054.2

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=675619.1
GDP = 97 549.31
DGP = 721248.9
DPG = = 9531.79
By applying sine rule to DGP:
c/sin(DGP)=a/sin(GDP)=65.7/sin()
c=364.46m, a=379.12m
1=(dsin(+))/(c*sin(1))=578.17
2=(dsin())/(a*sin(1))=44049.83
Corrected Angle DPG=+1-2=92712.54

REDUCTION TO CENTRE:PSBG

+=PSB=852150.4
=172531.3
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=675619.1
GBP = 1252618.1
BGP = 3412 40.8
BPG = 20211.1
By applying sine rule to BGP:
c/sin(BGP)=a/sin(GBP)=163.95/sin()
c=265.06m, a=384.11m
1=(dsin(+))/(c*sin(1))=71239.19
2=(dsin())/(a*sin(1))=43710.46
Corrected Angle DPG=+1-2=2010.03

ADJUSTMENT OF QUADRILATERAL:PBDA

LEFT ANGLES log sin() F RIGHT ANGLES log sin() f

1 103347.49 9.26320949 112.91 2 854128.05 9.9987707 1.586
3 591142.33 9.9339507 12.93 4 244511.43 9.6219133 45.665

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5 175439.34 9.4878989 65.145 6 781532.64 9.9908172 4.375

7 76255.23 9.9876820 5.086 8 65733.85 9.0833809 172.49

ERROR EQUATOINS:
E1=360- =899.64 s
E2= -2-1+6+5=-303.56 s
E3= -4-3+7+8= -2054.68 s
E4=log(sin R)-log(sin L)=221410 s
Also we have the following equations:
E1=e1+e2+e3+e4+e5+e6+e7+e8
E2=e1+e2-e5-e6
E3=e3+e4-e7-e8
E4=e1f1-e2f2+e3f3-e4f4+e5f5-e6f6+e7f7-e8f8

E 1 2 3 4
e1 1 1 0 112.91
e2 1 1 0 -1.586
e3 0 0 0 12.930
e4 1 0 1 -45.665
e5 1 -1 0 65.145
e6 0 0 0 -4.375
e7 1 0 -1 5.086
e8 1 0 -1 -172.49

Solving the error equations the values of are :

1=69.46
2=-197.77
3=-855.32
4=4.77
Errors Corrected Angles
e1=0650.27 1= 104037.76
e2=-0215.88 2= 853912.17
e3=000 3= 591142.33
e4=-01643.68 4= 242827.75
e5=0937.97 5= 180417.31
e6=000 6= 781532.64
e7=01549.04 7= 764054.27
e8=0142 8=65915.85
TOTAL= 360

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WHOLE QUADRILATERAL ADJUSTMENT BY METHOD

OF EQUAL SHIFTS:

ANGLES READINGS
PAB 764054.27
APB 173953.61
PBA 853912.17
ERROR -000.05
ABD 591142.33
BDA 423245.06
BAD 781532.64
ERROR -000.03
GAD 3434.1

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ADG 795813.47
DGA 655842.69
ERROR -000.26

Applying sine rule for the quadrilateral:PBDAGP

{PB/AB}*{AB/AD}*{AD/AG}={sin1*sin5*sin9}/{sin2*sin4*sin8}

log(PB)-log(AG)=log(sin1)+ log(sin5)+ log(sin9)- log(sin2)- log(sin4)-

log(sin8)

LHS=0.36061183

RHS=0.369531268

=-.008919438

Calculation of :

{(-.0166+ )*log sin1(1)}+{(-0.01+)*log sin1(5)}+ {(-0.0866+)*log

sin1(9)}+ {(-0.0166-)*log sin1(2)}+ {(-0.01-)*log sin1(4)}+ {(-0.0866-
)*log sin1(8)}=-32.1099

=0.653

ANGLES CORRECTIONS CORRECTED ANGLES

PAB 000.64 764054.91
APB -000.67 173952.94
PBA -000.02 853912.15
ABD -000.66 591141.67
BDA 000.64 423245.7
BAD -000.01 781532.63
GAD -000.09 3434.01
ADG -000.74 795812.73
DGA 000.57 655843.26
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TOTAL 54000

CALCULATION OF BEARINGS, LATITUDES ,DEPATURES

A B

G D

LINE LENGTH FORE l*cos l*sin Corrected Corrected

BEARING
L(m) latitude departure
AP 270.47 282280 58.387 - 58.82 -263.589
264.093
PB 263.66 84487.06 23.887 262.576 24.3089 263.07
BD 120.67 1195713.2 - 104.552 -60.057 104.777
60.2505
DG 65.70 1772614.7 -65.63 2.9375 -65.525 3.0599
GA 115.54 2912731.4 42.268 - 42.453 -107.316

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107.531
TOTAL 836.04 -1.3385 -1.5584 0.00 0.00

AT STATION D-

RL of top of P=Ht. of the instrument at D+RL of BM at D

=1.685+1002.280+(DP)tan

=1.685+1002.280+(364.46)tan(-72640)

=1.685+1002.280-47.623

=956.432m.

RL of top of B=Ht. of the instrument at D+RL of BM+(BD) tan

=1.685+1002.280+(120.67)tan(-92035)

=984.11m.

RL of top of A=Ht. of the instrument at D+RL of BM+(AD)tan

= 1.685+1002.280-(105.85)tan(84225)

= 987.755m.

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RL of top of G=Ht. of the instrument at G+RL of BM+(GD)tan

= 1.685+1002.280+(65.7)tan(24720)

= 1007.165m.

RL of D= 1005.625m.

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