TOTAL STATION operation AND field procedure

Total station machines are commonly used for surveying and construction tasks, and they require a specific field procedure and operations to ensure accurate measurements. Here are the general steps involved in operating a total station machine in the field:

Set up the total station: Choose a location that provides good visibility and access to the survey area. Install the tripod and attach the total station to it, making sure that it is stable and level. Use the built-in leveling bubble or laser plummet to ensure the total station is level.

Establish a coordinate system: Determine the coordinate system that will be used for the survey. This can be based on a pre-existing system or established on site using reference points such as benchmarks or control points.

Set up the prism: Install the prism on a pole or tripod and place it in the survey area. The prism should be positioned in such a way that it can be easily seen by the total station.

Take measurements: Use the total station to take measurements of the prism. This can be done by selecting the appropriate function on the total station and aiming it at the prism. The total station will send a beam of light to the prism, which will reflect it back to the total station. The distance and angle measurements are then recorded by the total station.

Record data: Save the measurements to a job file on the total station or on a separate data collector device. It is important to label the measurements with clear descriptions of the surveyed features, and to maintain a consistent naming convention.

Move the total station: When all measurements have been taken in one location, move the total station to the next survey area and repeat the measurement process.

Calculate results: After completing the survey, the data collected can be processed to calculate coordinates and other measurements using software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or Trimble Business Center.

Quality check: It is important to check the accuracy of the results obtained. This can be done by comparing the measured data against pre-existing data or by performing a statistical analysis of the measurements.

Overall, total station field procedures and operations require a combination of technical skills and attention to detail to ensure accurate and reliable results.