Trigonometric heighting.

Distance measurements, corrections and

reductions

Trigonometric Leveling
It is the branch of leveling in which the
relative elevations of different stations
are determined from the observed
vertical angles and known distances.

V = S Sin = H Tan
ZB = ZA + hi + S Sin r
ZB = ZA + hi + H Tan r

How could the height of skyscrapers be measured?

The principle of trigonometric heighting

The principle of trigonometric heighting

The principle of trigonometric heighting

The principle of trigonometric heighting

The principle of trigonometric heighting

m h m h d cot z

Trigonometric levelling

Trigonometric levelling

Trigonometric levelling

Trigonometric levelling

Trigonometric levelling

Trigonometric levelling

Trigonometric levelling
Advantage:
the instrument height is not
necessary;
non intervisible points can be
measured, too.

m d B cot z B B d A cot z A A
t B cos z B B t A cos z A A

Trigonometric heighting
Advantages compared to optical levelling:
A large elevation difference can be measured over short
distances;
The elevation difference of distant points can be measured
(mountain peaks);
The elevation of inaccessible points can be measured (towers,
chimneys, etc.)
Disadvantages compared to optical levelling:
The accuracy of the measured elevation difference is usually
lower.
The distance between the points must be known (or measured) in
order to compute the elevation difference

The determination of the heights of buildings

The determination of the heights of buildings

The determination of the heights of buildings

The determination of the heights of buildings

The horizontal distance is observable, therefore:

m d AP cot z A
m lO d AP cot z A

Determination of the height of buildings

The distance is not observable.

Determination of the height of buildings

Determination of the height of buildings

Determination of the height of buildings

Determination of the height of buildings

Determination of the height of buildings

Determination of the height of buildings

Using the sine-theorem:

d AP
a
sin

d AP a
sin sin 180
sin

d BP
a
sin

d BP a
sin sin 180
sin

Determination of the height of buildings

Determination of the height of buildings

m lO d AP cot z A
A

Determination of the height of buildings

Using the observations in pont B:

m l d BP cot z B
B

B
O

m
m

m
2

Trigonometric Leveling
When long distances are involved it is
essential to consider the effect of
Curvature of Earth and Refraction
due to atmospheric conditions.
The effect of curvature is to make the
objects appear lower than they really are.
The effect of refraction is to make them
appear higher than they really are. It is
taken as one sixth of that of curvature.
The combined effect is to cause the object
appear lower than they really are.

Trigonometric heighting
The effect of Earths curvature

Trigonometric heighting
The effect of Earths curvature

Trigonometric heighting
The effect of Earths curvature

The central angle:

d AB

Trigonometric heighting
The effect of Earths curvature

The tangent-chord angle is equal to /2.

Trigonometric heighting
The effect of Earths curvature

The effect of Earths curvature:

d AB d AB
sz d AB tan d AB

2
2R
2R

Trigonometric Heighting
The effect of refraction

Trigonometric Heighting
The effect of refraction

d AB

d
m d cot z AB
2

Trigonometric heighting
The effect of refraction
Lets introduce the refractive coefficient:

R
k

Thus m can be computed:

2

d
m d cot z AB
d cot z AB r
2
where:

d2
d2
r
k
2
2R

Trigonometric heighting
The combined effect of curvature and refraction
Note that the effects have
opposite signs!

Trigonometric heighting
The combined effect of curvature and refraction
2

d
m d cot z AB k
2R

= r

d2
sz
2R
The elevation difference between A and B (the combined effect of
curvature and refraction is taken into consideration):

d2
m h l d cot z AB 1 k
2R
The fundamental equation of trigonometric heighting

Constants

Effect of Curvature
C = 0.0239 F square ( 1000 of ft)
or
C = 0.0785K square If distance in m
Effect of Refraction
R= 0.0033 F square ( 1000 of ft)
or
R = 0.011K square (If distance in m)
Combined Effect of C and R
H = 0.0206 F square ( 1000 of ft)
or
H = 0.0675K square If distance in m