Stadia survey is a tacheometric form of distance measurement that

relies on a fixed-angle intercept.

Tacheometry is the procedure by which horizontal distances and
difference in elevations are determined indirectly using subtended
intervals and angles observed with a transit or theodolite on a
graduated rod or scale.
The equipment for stadia measurement consists of
a. a telescope with two horizontal cross hairs, called upper and
lower cross hairs, and
b. a graduated rod called a stadia rod or stadia board.
HORIZONTAL SIGHTS
The principle of the stadia method is based in Figure 2.3 shown,
wherein the line of sight of the telescope is horizontal and the rod is
vertical. For the notation
i = spacing between stadia hairs,
c = distance from the instrument center to the objective lens
center,
f = focal length (objective lens to focal point),
d = distance from the focal point F to the face of the rod,
C = (f + c) = stadia constant,
for internal focusing telescope, C = 0.0 and
for external focusing telescope, C = 0.3 m
D = (C + d) = distance from the instrument center to the face
of the rod, and
S = stadia intercept or interval
graduated rod
telescope
B

f
D

Figure 2.3 The stadia method for horizontal sights.

Considering Fig. 2.3, by similar triangles,
=
f
i

d
S

The horizontal distance

d,*from
d =
S, focal
but point
K to= the rod is
f
i
therefore,
where:

d = K S,

f
i
Eq. (2.1)

K is the stadia interval factor (usually equal to 100

for most instruments)

The horizontal distance D, from instrument center to rod is

D = K S + (f + c)
D = K S + C
VERTICAL SIGHT

Eq. (2.2)

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
Problem 1:
A survey party proceeded to do their stadia survey work as follows: the
transit was set up at a point A and with the line of sight horizontal, took
rod readings with the rod at points B and C, which were then measured
to have taped distances from A to 200-m, and 60-m respectively.
Rod B
Rod C
Stadia Interval, S
2.001 m
0.600 m
The distance from the center of the instrument to the principal focus
was recorded as 0.30 m. Then they went on to survey other points,
with some of the data recorded as follows: with the transit at point D,
two points E and F were sighted.
Rod E
Rod F
Stadia Interval
2.120 m
3.560 m
Vertical Angle
+422
-317
a. Compute the stadia interval factor.
b. Compute the horizontal distances DE and DF.
c. Compute the differences in elevation between points D and E and
points D and F.

Problem 2:
1.

A transit with a stadia constant equal to 0.30m is used to determine

the horizontal distance between points B and C, with stadia intercept
reading of 1.85 m. The distance BC is equal to 182.87 m. Compute the
stadia interval factor of the instrument.

2. Using the same instrument, it was used to determine the difference in

elevation between B and D having stadia intercept reading of 2.42 m
at D at a vertical angle of +630. Compute the difference in elevation
of B and D.
3. Compute also the horizontal distance between B and D.