Conditions and Limitations to be Considered while Using the Total Station for Levelling Measurements

Total station is a widely used instrument in the field of surveying for both distance and angle measurements. Indirect levelling is a function that total station can be used but the level of accuracy that can be achieved is uncertain. Therefore, it is expected to investigate conditions and limitations of using total station for leveling through this study. An 8km long level line was established for this purpose, covering various topographical features using into level. Selected segments of this level line were used for total station levelling. The result achieved from total station was compared with auto level heights. Error variation of total station readings in each segment was projected to graphs. According to results, the error was always negative when the level line slopes downwards and positive when rises upwards. Error generation was higher as longer the distance between instrument and target. Finally total station can be recommended for engineering surveys but not suitable for water supply and drainage projects where accuracy is critical.

Total station, surveying, levelling, error variation

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