Total Station question about measuring from an arbitrary point 2

[subere]

I'm not a surveyor but a gradechecker for a grading contractor. I often have to measure odd shaped areas for quantity calculations and was wondering if I could do so using a total station set up on an arbitrary point without backsighting known coordinates (which are usually not immediately available). I suppose what I am asking is can a total station accurately measure the distances and angles of points relative to an arbitrary point or alignment?

 

[StephenA]

You would have to use both an arbitrary point and alignment. A total station is not linked to GPS for example so you would be able to measure distances and angles and obtain quantities. If you wanted to repeat the measurements you would need to secure the arbitarry point and the alignment.

Stephen Argles
Land & Marine

http://www.landandmarine.com

 

[civilman72]

A total station can measure distances and angles (both vertical and horizontal) without a backsite with known coordinates. But it will not give you volumes/quantities without the use of other programs (most likely ACAD-based) and/or a lot of hand-calculations.