Laboratory Experiment No.

5
Theodolite

1. Objective:
The activity aims to make the students familiarize themselves on the equipment use during the survey of
vertical and horizontal angles.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
2.1 Determine and identify the equipment used during survey of vertical and horizontal angles.
3. Discussion:

The vertical angle, as already illustrated, is used in obtaining the elevation of points (trig levelling) and
in the reduction of slant distance to the horizontal. Angle measured upward from a horizontal reference
line and is considered a positive, or plus (+), angle; it may also be called an angle of elevation. Angle
measured downward from the horizon and is considered to be a negative, or minus (-), angle; it may also
be called an angle of depression. In modern surveying instruments, the upward vertical direction is
usually used as a reference for measuring vertical angles, instead of the horizon. That direction is called
the zenith direction, and an angle measured with respect to it is called a zenith angle or a zenith
distance. It may sometimes be necessary to convert plus or minus vertical angles to zenith angles, and
vice versa.

The horizontal angle is used primarily to obtain direction to a survey control point, or to topographic detail
points, or to points to be set out. There are two types of horizontal angles: an interior angle is measured
on the inside of a closed polygon; and an exterior angle is measured outside of the closed polygon. Take
note that at any point, the sum of the interior and exterior angles must equal 360°.

An instrument used for the measurement of angles is called a theodolite, the horizontal and vertical circles
of which can be likened to circular protractors set in horizontal and vertical planes. There are basically two
types of theodolite, the optical mechanical type or the electronic digital type, both of which may be capable
of reading directly to 1', 20'', 1'' or 0.1'' of arc, depending upon the precision of the instrument.

4. Resources:

paper
pen / coloring pens

5. Procedure:

Illustrate and give the description and function of the following angles measuring and direction equipment.

1
 Optical
1 Mechanical
Theodolite

Electronic
2
Theodolite

3 Tripod

4 Protractor

2
 Magnetic
5
Compass

Course: Experiment No.:

Instructor:

6. Data and Results:

3
7. Observations:

8. Conclusion:

4
9. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):
BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT
CRITERIA SCORE
1 2 3
I. Laboratory Skills
Manipulative Members do not Members occasionally Members always
Skills demonstrate needed skills. demonstrate needed skills. demonstrate needed skills.
Members are able to set-up Members are able to set-up
Experimental Members are unable to set-
the materials with the material with minimum
Set-up up the materials.
supervision. supervision.
Members do not Members occasionally Members always
Process Skills demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted
process skills. process skills. process skills.
Members follow safety
Safety Members do not follow Members follow safety
precautions most of the
Precautions safety precautions. precautions at all times.
time.
II. Work Habits
Time
Members finish ahead of
Management / Members do not finish on Members finish on time with
time with complete data and
Conduct of time with incomplete data. incomplete data.
time to revise data.
Experiment
Members are on tasks and
Members do not know their Members have defined
have defined
tasks and have no defined responsibilities most of the
Cooperative and responsibilities at all times.
responsibilities. Group time. Group conflicts are
Teamwork Group conflicts are
conflicts have to be settled cooperatively managed
cooperatively managed at
by the teacher. most of the time.
all times.
Clean and orderly Clean and orderly
Neatness and Messy workplace during workplace with occasional workplace at all times
Orderliness and after the experiment. mess during and after the during and after the
experiment. experiment.
Ability to do
Members require Members require occasional Members do not need to be
independent
supervision by the teacher. supervision by the teacher. supervised by the teacher.
work
Other Comments / Observations:
TOTAL SCORE

Rating = (Total score)/ 24 x