Glossary ยท T
Total Station (Surveying)
A modern optical and electronic surveying instrument that measures distances, angles and coordinates for site layout.
What is Total Station (Surveying)?
A Total Station is an electronic optical surveying instrument that builds on the classic theodolite. Mounted on a tripod with an Electronic Distance Meter (EDM), it fires an infrared laser at a reflective prism held by a worker and calculates distances, angles and 3D GPS coordinates to millimetre precision. The data can be passed directly to AutoCAD.
Practical example
Before digging the foundation of an irregularly shaped high-rise, the chief surveyor sets up a total station. Within hours it marks the X and Y coordinates of all 200 column pits on the ground, matching the architect's CAD file. Measuring tapes would have left the columns skewed and off the grid.
In SuperWise
Earthwork and layout quantities worked out from a total station survey go on a SuperWise measurement sheet against their BOQ item, as lines of number, length, breadth and height. The approved quantity updates BOQ progress and feeds the RA bill that the earthmoving contractor raises against the work order.
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