D2 - Surveying - Learning Task #1 - Describe Total Stations

Question 1

How is a total station different from a digital theodolite?

Answer 1

Total station has more capability than a digital theodolite.

Total station uses onboard computer and distance measuring function to quickly survey points.

Question 2

What is the main limitation of string lines that electronic instruments can overcome?

Answer 2

Where points can be 50 m apart or more, string line and batter boards can be cumbersome.

Question 3

When would the quick-release feature of the tribrach be used?

Answer 3

Replacing instruments while maintaining level & position over known points.

Question 4

What is the purpose of the laser plummet?

Answer 4

Setting instrument up over a known point.

Question 5

What does the V mean in the LCD display shown in Figure 1?

Answer 5

V is the current angle measured down from the zenith.

Zenith is the direction directly above the instrument.

Question 6

What is the procedure to index the horizontal and vertical circles?

Answer 6

Rotate the instrument clockwise through a full circle, then transit the telescope through a full circle.

Question 7

What trig function is used to calculate swing angles?

Answer 7

Tangent

Question 8

When using the anywhere function method, what is the most important consideration when choosing the position of the instrument?

Answer 8

Operator should be able to shoot 2 control points and the building points.

Question 9

What should be used to clean the lens of an instrument?

Answer 9

Lens cloth & cleaning solution.

Question 10

LCD used to display what?

Answer 10

Horizontal and Vertical angles.

Question 11

What does the Vertical drive do?

Answer 11

Vertical tangent screw and clamp, tilt the telescope.

Question 12

How does the self-levelling device work on Digital theodolite?

Answer 12

Not set to 0 with push of button.

Vertical circle is constantly set to level by: Vertical Circle Compensator. This device automatically sets the circle to 90 or level.

Question 13

Electronic Surveying devices eliminates the need for batter boards and string lines: True or False?

Answer 13

True.

Question 14

How does the Self-levelling device work on Total Station?

Answer 14

Equipped with a device that sets level if there are slight errors in the levelling of the base.

Question 15

What is the Coaxial Tangent and Clamps?

Answer 15

Combine the tangent screw and clamp in one unit. Having both operations done at one point allows operator to keep looking through eyepiece while adjusting and clamping tangent screw.

Question 16

What is the Upper Plate Clamp and Tangent screw used for:

Answer 16

Upper plate clamp and tangent screw used both for setting the instrument to zero and to measure and lay out angles.

Question 17

What is the lower plate clamp and tangent screw used for:

Answer 17

Lower clamp and tangent screw is different from the upper clamp and tangent screw.

Lower tangent screw has a cylindrical cover that slides out to cover the tangent screw, making it difficult to adjust accidentally.

Question 18

What does the survey controller do?

Answer 18

Communicates directly with the total station. Records data, and directors surveyor to important points.

Question 19

What kind of battery pack does a Total station use?

Answer 19

Rechargeable but has a 120 V transformer to power instrument.

Question 20

How does the Prism in a Total Station work?

Answer 20

Prism reflects LIGHT back to the instrument.

Question 21

What is prism-less surveying?

Answer 21

Called Reflector less total station, instrument emits a visible laser pointer that appears as a red dot on the surface viewed through the telescope.

Question 22

Prismless suveying must be have what kind of target object?

Answer 22

Light colored for reading to be taken.

Question 23

Max range of Prismless surveying?

Answer 23

1000 M

Question 24

What is the range of an EDM?

Answer 24

Varying depending on the model and make.

Very best can measure up to 5000 M with one prism, 6000 M with three and 7000 with a bank of nine prisms.

Question 25

What is the Anywhere method?

Answer 25

Anywhere method means that the machine can be set up anywhere. Opposed to set up over a known survey point, such as the intersection of two grid lines or an iron pin or a known survey point.

Question 26

Most projects will use what as reference points?

Answer 26

Grid lines or building lines. Total station can also use it’s own temporary benchmark.

Question 27

How far apart should the legs be?

Answer 27

2’ to 3’ apart, and centered over your benchmark. Tripod head should be close to level.

Question 28

How do you fine level the instrument?

Answer 28

Turn total station so that face-plate is parallel with two tribrach levelling screws.

Use the level vile and the thumb screws to in a similar manner to setting up a digital theodolite to ensure that the total station is accurate.

Question 29

Smallest increment of angular measurement that is displayed in LCD is usually:

Answer 29

5 seconds, anything less would be false, as instrument cannot be set to 1-second accuracy.

Question 30

How do you set the horizontal angle circle on a total station?

Answer 30

Pressing the correct button,

vertical is set automatically.