I

~
384 I
[
g polDt
{v) Adjustment of the revers1u f
screw at wbich .,
t is a part icul ar reading on the micrometer
The reve rsin g poin of the level is rruJy vertical.·
eenttal reversal, when the vertical axiS
bubble tu)le is centred ~tly
!lite r
bub ble will rem ain and the micrometer reading '
To find the reversing point, the olite
PermanentAdjustments of Theod
rometer reading \"
reve rsed , the bubbl!: agl!in ceotre<1 an<J the mic j-

half-way between ~ two Jllic

is noted. The tele scop e is then rometer readings. The , fo
is noted. The reve rsing poin t is then
tring of the bubble \ III·!
nlio l but is merely necesstJry for quick cen
adjustment is not esse micrometer screw should be ~ii
Whenever the
at all times.reve instrument is being levelled, the· ~

set at the rsion point. ~

18.1. GENERAL
transit are as follows ~I
I
The fundamenlol lines . of a t.!
(1) The vertical axis ~;,

(2) The horizontal axis

sight)
r·I
line of collimation (or line of
(3) The
Axis of plate level
;;
(4) N
(5) Axis of altitude level lj;
1!'1

l, if . provided. ~
(6\ Axis of the striding leve lines : ~
s should exist between these ~
The following desired .relotWn e perp end icular to the vertical
The axis of the ploJ e leve l mw t lie in a plan
(I)
axis. when the bubble is

the
If
.
this
cen lre
con
of
ditio
its
n exis
run.
ts, the vert ical axis will be ttuly vertical ·
axis at its intersection
r
in
(2) The line of coll ima tion mWJ t be perperidiculor to the horizontal
type. the optical axis,
'~
vert ical axis . Also , if the telescope is external focwing "
I'
widt the mWJt coincide.
and the line of colUIWiion
the axis of the objective slide vertical plane ·when the
If this condition exists, the
_line of sight will generate a I

telescope is rotated· about the

(3) The horizontal axis
horizontal axis ..
7/lllSI be perpendicular to the
vertical axis.
a vertical plane when the
I
the line of sight will gen erate
If this con ditio n exis ts,
telescope is phmged. parallel to the line
l (or telescope ievel) 7/lllSI be
(4) The axis. of the altitude leve
~.11

of collimation. x error due to lack

the con ditio n exis ts, the vert ical angles will be free from inde
If
of parallelism. imaJion is horizontal.
The ven ical drc le vern ier mWJ t read zero when the line of coll
(5) x error due to
ditio n exis ts, the vert ical angles will be free from inde
If this con
_
displacement of the vernier. ) mWJt be parallel to the hori
zontal
level (if provided
(6) The axis of the striding
axis. (385)
 387
386 SURVEYING PERMANENT ADJUSTMENTS OF TIIEODOLITE

(b) Vertical holr. If the adjustment is accomplished, the line of collimation will be
If this condition exists, the line of sight (if .in adjustment) will generate a vertical
perpendicnlar to the horizontal axis (since the optical axis is placed pennanentlY perpendicular
plane wben the telescope is plunged, the bubble of striding level being in the centre of
to the horizontal ,.,US by the manufacturers) and hence the line of sight will sweep out
its run.
The permanent adjustments of a transit are as follows :
a plane when the telescope is plunged.
(vr) Test for horizontality and verticality of hairs. Before the adjustment is made,
(I) Adjustment of plate level it is necessary to see if the vertical and horizontal b"airs are truly vertical and horizontal
(2) Adjustment of line of sight when the insttument is levelled up. To see this, level the insttument carefully. suspend
(3) Adjustment of the horizontal axis a plumb bob at some distance and sight it through the telescope by careful focusing. If
(4). Adjustment ~f altitude bubble and venical index frame. the image of the plumb bob stting is parallel to the vertical hair, the latter is vertical.
18.2. ADJUSTMENT OF PLATE LEVEL If not, loose the capstan screws of the diaphragm and rotate it till the vertical hair coincides
with the image of the stting. The horizontal hair will then be horizontal.
(r) Desired Relation. The axis of .the plale bubble should be perpendicular to the.
venical axis when the bubble is centraL
Adjnsnnent of Horizontal Hair (Fig. IS.!)
(il) Object. The object of the adjustment is to make the vertical axis truly vertical; (v) Test. (I) Level the insttument carefully
to ensure that, once the insttument is/levelled up, the bubble will remain centtal for all with all clamps fixed. Take a reading on a staff
directions of sighting. placed some distance apan (say 100 m). Note also
the reading on the vertical circle.
(iii) Necessity. Once the requirement is accomplished, !he horizontal circle and also
(2) Unclamp the lower clamp, ttansit the tele-
the horizontal axis of the telescope will be truly horizontal\' provided both of these are
perpendicular to the vertical axis. scope and swing it through !So• . Set the same
ren.ling on the vertical circle and see the staff.
(iv) Test. (I) Set the instturnent on firm ground. Level the insttument in rhe two
If the same reading is obtained, the horizontal hair
positions at right angles to each other as in temporary adjustment. FIG. 18.1
is in adjustment.
(2) When the telescope is on the third foot screw, swing it through !so•.
(vi) Adjustment. (I) If not, adjust the horizontal
If the bubble remains ceottal, adjustment is correct. hair by top and bottom capstan screws of the diaphragm nntil the reading on the staff
(v) Adjustment. (I) If not, level the insttument with respect to the altitude bubble is the mean of the two.
till it remains centtal in two positions at right angles to each other. (7) Repeat the test till the adjustment
(2) Swiog the telescope through ISO•. If the bubble moves from its centte, bring is conect. B
it back halfWay with the levelling screw and balf with the clip screw. Adjustment or Vertical Hair (Fig.
(3) Repeat till the altitude bubble remains centtal in all positions. The vertical axis IS.2)
is now truly vertical. (vii) Test. (I) Set the insttument on {a)
(4) Centralize the plate levels(s) of the horizontal plate with capstan headed screw. a level ground so that a length of about .~.

It is assumed that the altirude bubble is fixed on the index frame. 100 rn is available to either side of it. -~
(vi) Principle involved, This is the case of single reversion in wbich the apparent Level it. :;;ti
(2) Sight a point A about 100 m A

-~
error is double the ttue error. See :ilso permanent adjustment (I) of a dumpy level, chapter
16. away. Clamp the horizontal .movement.
18.3. ADJUSTMENT OF LINE OF SIGHT · (3) Transit the telescope and establish (b)
:!1
a point B to the other side at the same ~
(I) Desired Relation. The line of sight should coincide with the optical axis of the

m
level as A, such that OA=OB (approx). •
telescope.
_j_
(4) Unclamp the horizontal movement A'
(il) Object. The object of the adjustment is to place the intersection of the cross-hair and rum the telescope to sight A again. i
A
in. the optical axis. Thus, both horizontal as well as vertical hair are to be adjusted. (5) Transit the telescope. If it inrerseCrs
(iii) Necessity. (a) HorU.onllll holr. This adjustment is of imponance only in the ;'
B, the line of sight is perpendicular to (C)
casQ of external focusing telescope in which the direction of line of sight will change
the horizontal axis.
· while focusing if the horizontal hair does not intersei:t the vertical hair in the same point FIG. 18.2
in which the optical axis does. i,,

--·
388
SURVEYING PERMANENT ADJUSTMENTS OF TIIEODOLITB
389
'I'
and also upon whether the altitude bubble is provided on the index frame or on telescope.
(viii) Adjustment. (!) If not, mark the point C in the line of sight and.· at
the
There are, therefore, the following cases :
I
same dislallCe as that of B. (a) C/ipl an4 11111gent screws on septll'tlhl anns I.
(2) Join C and B and establish t
a point D towards B such that CD= CB. [Fig. (r) altiude level on index arm. I'
I,
(il) altitude level on telescope.

.,~
18.2 (b)].
(3) Using the side capstan screws of the diaphragm bring the vertical hair to 'the (b) Clip an4 11111gent screws on the same arm
image of D. (I) altiude level on index arm.
~
(4) Repeat till there is no error on changing. the face, as illustrated in Fig.
18.2 (ir) altitude level on telescope.
ln case a(r), a(il) and b (1), both the adjustments, i.e., adjustment of altitude level .JI
· ·1~.'
(c).
application of the principle of reversion. and adjuStment of vertical index frame, are done togther. ln case b (il), the adjustment
(ix) Principle involved. This is double i
doubles the error ; tranSiting a second time (after changing of altitude level is done first by two-peg test (see § 16.2) and then the vertical index
Transiting the :elescope once
the face) again doubles the error on the opposite side, so that total apporent error
is frame is adjusted. However, in most of the modem theodolites, with the object of securing
the
' .f•
(~~·
better balance, the vertical circle clamp and tangent screw are placed on one side of
four times the true error. screw on the other. It is, therefore, intended to discuss case (a) ;: f
telescope and the clip
18.4. ADJUSTMENT OF THE HORIZONTAL AXIS only, which is the most usual case. :~~·
(r) Desired Relation. The horizontal axis should be
: '

c. (a) CLIP AND TANGENT SCREWS ON SEPARATE ARMS ~!I.

perpendicular to the vertical axis. '' Oject. To make the line of sight horizontal when the bubble is central an4 the vertical 'I
'
(ir) Object. The object of the adjustment is to make

it is perfectly horizontal when the instrument is levelled.

.'
''
the horizontal axis perpendicular to the vertical axis so that Trunnion axis ffi '\
circle reading is zero.
Necessity. If this is not achieved, the vertical circle reading will not he zero when
J
:I
\ the bubble is central and the line of sight is horizontal. The reading on the veniier. when d
(iii) Necessity. If adjustment (2) is done the line of the line of sight is horizontal, is known as index error, which will have to he added ~'
sight will move in plane when the telescope is plunged; this to or subtracted from the observed readings if the· adjustment is not made.
adjustment ensures that this plane will he a vertical plane. (ai) ALTITUDE BUBBLE ON INDEX FRAME
This is essential when it is necessary to move the telescope
Test. (I) Level the instrument with respect to plate levels.
in the vertical plane while sighting the objects.
(iv) Test. The test is known as the spire test :
(2) Bring the altitude bubble in its centre by using the clip screw.
(3) Set the vertical circle reading to zero by vertical circle clamp and tangent screw.
i.~ ·
,,I
I

'll·~
(!) Set up the instrument near a high building or any
other high well-defined point such as the final of a steeple (4) Observe a levelling staff held 75 or 100 m away and note the reading.
etc. Level it. (5) Release the vertical circle clamp, transit the telescope and swing by 1so•. Re·level
(2) Sight the well-defined high point A. Clamp the the bubble by clip screw, if necessary.
FIG. 18.3. SPIRE TESI".
horizontal plates. (6) Set the vertical circle reading to zero.
(3) Depress the telescope. and sigh! a point B on the (7) Again read the staff held on the same point. If the reading is unchanged, the ~~~~-
'"
ground as close to the instrument as possible. adjustment is correct.
(4) Change face and again sight B. Clamp the horizontal plates. Adjustment. (I) If not, bring the line of collimation on to the mean reading by
(5) If, on raising telescope to sight A, an imaginary point C is sighted, the horizontal turning the vertical circle tangent screw. !I
axis is not perpendicular to the vertical axis. (2) Return the vernier index to zero by means of clip screw.
(v) Adjustment. (I) By means of the adjusting screws at the trunnion support on (3) Bring the bubble of the altitude level central by means. of its adjusting capstan
one standard, brilig the line of sight to an imaginary point D ·half way between A
and
screw.
c. (ail) ALTITUDE BUBBLE ON THE TELESCOPE
(2) Repeat until C coincides with A when the telscope is raised after backsighting B. Test. (I) Level the instrument with reference to the plate levels, set the vertical
18.5. ADJUSTMENT OF ALTITUDE LEVEL Al'ID VERTICAL INDEX FRAME circle to read zero by means of vertical · circle clamp and tangent screw.
General. The procedure for this adjustment depends upon whether the clip screw
arms,
and the vertical cir~Ie tangent screw are provided on the same arm or on different
 ~
390 SURVEYING

. Observe a levelling staff

(2) Bring the telescope level central by the foot screws
about 100 m away and note the reading.
pe and again set the vertical
(3) Loose the vertical circle clamp, transit the telesco
if necessary and again read the staff
circle to read zero. Swing through 180" • Re-level
held on the same point. If the reading is unchan
ged, the adjusbnent is correct.
Adjustment : (1) If not, bring the line of collimation
on to the mean reading by. Precise Theodolites
ruming the vertical tangent screw.
clip screw.
(2) Return the vernier index to zero by means of
by means of adjusting screws attaching
(3) Bring the bubble of the level rube central 19.1•. INTRODUCTION
it to the telesco pe.
degree of refinement. lu earlier
The instrumentS for geodetic survey require great
(4) Repeat till no error is discovered. ent was obtained by malting greater
days of geodetic surveys, the required degree of refinem
lite of Ordinance Survey bad a diameter
PROBLEMS diameter of the. borirontal circles. The great theodo
were replace d by the micrometer theodolites (similar
of 36". These large diameter theodolites
theodolite and state the object of as the Troughton and Sirnm's 12" or
1. Give a list of the permaaent adjustments of a traDsit n axis peljleodicular to the vertical in principle to the old 36" and 24" instruments) such
how you would make the trunnio cy bas been to replace the micrometer
each of the adjostmeot. Describ e . . the Parkhurst 9". However, more recently the tenden
axis. arc) such as the Wild, Zeiss and
theodolites by others of the double reading type (glass
2. What is spire test 1 How is it carried ? The distinguishing features of the
Tavistock having diameters of 5 ~" and 5" respectively.
level over T·frame of the vertical
"i 3. Explain the adjostment for making the axis of the spirit double reading theodolite with optical micrometers
are as follows :
cin:Ie peljleodicular to the vertical axis of the theodolite.
(1) They are small and light.
(il) The graduations are on glass circle, and
are much finer.
.:'.
mean of the two reading s on opposi te sides of the circle is read
(iii) The
directly in an auxiliary eye-piece genera lly besides the · telescope. This saves
saves disturb ance of the instrument.
the observing time, and also
for microm eter run are necess ary.
(iv) No adjusnnents
(v) It is completely water-proof and dust proof.
(w) It . is electrically illuminated.
lation of high precision.
There are two types of instruments used in the triangu
2. The direction theodo lite.
1. The repeating theodolite.
(1) The Repeating Theodolite
is that it bas a double vertical
Tbe characteristic feature of the repeating theodolite
more verniers to read to 20, 10 or
axis (two centres and two clamps). It has two or
lite. The vernier theodolite by M/s.
5 seconds. The ordinary transit is the repeating theodo
tic Theod olite No. I, fall under this category.
Vickers lustruments Ud. and the Watts Microp
(2) The Direction Theodolite
single horizontal clamp-and-tangent
Tbe direction theodolite bas only one vertical axis, and a
Optical micrometers are used to
screw which controls the rotation about the· vertical axis.
of the gradua ted circle. The direction thecdolite
read fractional parts of the smallest divisions
in the first order or second order triangulation survey.
is used for very precise work needed
category, and will be discussed here.
Wild T-2, T-3 and T-4 theodolites fall under this
(391)