Lesson Note On Total Station Topographic Survey

How to used total station

Total Station Topographic Survey

DescriptionUsing a total station and one or more pole-mounted reflecting prisms, plot all topographic features and any additional ground shots that are required to accurately define the terrain. See Figure D.l0.

Equipment:Total station and one, or more, pole-mounted reflecting prisms.

Procedure:

• Set the total station over a known control point (northing, easting, and elevation known).

• Set the program menu to the type of survey (topography) being performed and to the required instrument settings. Select the type of field data to be stored (e.g., N, E, and Z, or E, N, and Z, etc.). Set the temperature and pressure settings-if required.

• Check configuration settings, for example, tilt correction, coordinate format, zenith vertical angle, angle resolution (e.g., 5"), c + r correction (e.g., no.), units (ft/m, degree, mm Hg), and auto power off (say, 20').

• Identify the instrument station from the menu. Insert the date, station number coordinates, elevation, and Hi.

• Backsight to one or more known control point(s) (point number, north and east coordinates, and elevation known). Set the horizontal circle to 0°00'00" or to some assigned reference azimuth for the backsight reference direction. Store or record the data. Measure and store the reflector height.

• Set the initial topography point number in the instrument (e.g., 1,000), and set for automatic point number incrementation.

• Begin taking I.Ss. Most total stations have an automatic mode for topographic surveys, where one button-push will measure and store all the point data.

• Put all or some selected point numbers on the field sketch. These field notes will be of assistance later in the editing process if mistakes have occurred.

• When all required points have been surveyed, check into the control station originally back sighted to ensure that the instrument orientation is still valid.

• Transfer the field data into a properly labeled file in a computer.

• After opening the data processing program, import the field data file and begin the editing process and the graphics generation process.

• Create the TIN (Triangulated Integrated Network) and Contours.

• Either finish the drawing with the working program or finish it on a CAD program.

• Prepare a plot file and then plot the sheet on scale.

Reference: Surveying with Construction Applications Seventh Edition

Barry. F. Kavanagh pages: 616-620