Team: Right TriangleAnnette Couvillon

Lindsay BoleyLing Chen

Project: TheodoliteSite AnalysisARCH 2006Spring 2011

Table of Contents

Project Synopsis 3 TheProcess MaterialsandConstruction IndividualTrialDescriptions FourVerticalDistancestoMeasure

Directions 4 HowtoUseOurTheodolite

Assessment 4 QuestionsandAnswers Averagesofourreadingsforeachlocation

Drawings:3ProgressionsofDesign Trial1 5 Trial2 6 Trial3 7

Photographs: OurTheodolites Trial1 8 Trial2 9 Trial3 10

Field Notes:TablesofMeasurements 11-12

Measurement Results: ExcelSpreadsheet Flagpole 13 Atkinson 14 MemorialTower 15 HoweRussell 16

Project Synopsis

As architects, it is important to know vertical distances of elements on a site whether it be a building, a tree, or in computing a slope. There are ways of estimating these heights with simple tools. The goal of this lab is to create such a device, a theodolite. The purpose is to determine how a theodolite, transit, or builder’s level operates.

The Process

The team had to construct three devices, each more refined than the one that preceded it. The device measured an angle. That angle was used to determine vertical distance using the help of a spreadsheet to compute the geometry.

Materials and Construction

A sighting mechanism such as a tube with cross hairsA fixed dial that accurately measures the angle of inclination such as a protractorA needle that determines the vertical axis and determines angleA plumb bob that pinpoints your horizontal distance from the building to be measured.A level to keep your device parallel to the ground

Four Vertical Distances to Measure

Trial 1The first draft of the theodolite was hand held. We measured the floor-to-floor height of Howe Russell from three different distances, each of the three team members taking five readings for each distance. We determined that the best distance was the furthest away from the building. And we were also able to determine the accuracy of the device because we measured the floor-to-floor height as 13 ft.Trial 2 Part 1We improved the original device and took five measurements each from the determined best location for using the device.Trial 2 Part 2We mounted the second device to a tripod realizing that it needed that stability for accuracy,. This time, we took readings from the four required locations in order to be able to compare them with our final device’s results.Trial 3Using results from the previous device, we constructed a final device with refinements and measured the four required locations. Trial 4We switched with Team 261 and used their device to measure the four required vertical distances. We soon realized that there was a lot to learn from this team’s device in refining our own.

The four required vertical distances to measure

1) The highest point of Atkinson Hall from a station point in the Quadrangle 2) The height of Memorial Tower from the top of the podium3) The height of the Flagpole across from Memorial from a station point on the Tower podium 4) The floor-to-floor height from 2nd to 3rd floor of Howe Russell Hall from a station point in the court-yard behind Atkinson Hall

3

Directions

First, position the theodolite such that it is at least as far away from the building to be measured as that building’s vertical height. Then, one must align the theodolite parallel to the ground using the level on the tripod. Next, find the exact height from the ground to fulcrum (58 inches). Measure that same height on the building that you are measuring, and mark it with something visible from ap-proximately 100 feet. Use this as a way of focusing your eye and the device so that the criss-cross pinpoints this mark. Pivot the theodolite so that you can pinpoint the top of the building you are mea-suring. Lastly, determine the angle that the theodolite made with the horizontal by reading where the needle falls on the protractor. After calculations of Pythagorean theorem, a height can be determined (in the preceding charts). In order to get the full height of the building, you must also add the distance fom the ground to the fulcrum (58 inches).

Assessment

Questions and Answers

A. Based on your measurements, and knowing the variation of the instrument, what is the range of the measurements you could report to improve the accuracy of your report?

B. Based on your experience, what are the primary causes of variation in the measurements?

C. Are there additional improvements that could be made to your device to improve its accu-racy?

The averages of our readings for each location

1. Atkinson – the highest point of Atkinson Hall from a station point in the Quadrangle = ___ feet

2. Tower – the height of Memorial Tower from the top of the podium = ___ feet

3. Flagpole – the height of the Flagpole across from Memorial from a station point on the Tower po-dium = ___ feet

4. Howe Russell – floor to floor height from 2nd to 3rd floor of Howe Russell Hall from a station point in the Atkinson parking lot = ___ feet

4

Trial 1

5

Trial 2

6

Trial 3

7

Trial 1

8

Trial 2

9

Trial 3

10

Field Notes

11

Field Notes Continued

12

Flagpole13