THE VHS TRIANGLE (Vertical, Horizontal, and Slope distances)

Math : (opposite (a), adjacent (b), hypotenuse (c) sides)

zenith 0± reference direction for zenith angles

PYTHAGORAS: S2 = H2 + V2 (right triangle)

z
S
V
D
>Horizon 0±
H reference
Nadir Zenith Nadir line, a vertical line defined by gravity direction for D

A vertical angle is an angle observed in a vertical plane
D = SLOPE ANGLE = A vertical angle measured from the horizon (0± to 90±)
Convention: If above the horizon, an elevation angle and +ve
If below the horizon, a depression angle and –ve
z = ZENITH ANGLE = A vertical angle measured from the zenith
( 0± to 180±, most instruments show complete circle: 0± to 360± but can be
Reduced to between 0± to 180± i.e. if greater than 180± subtract from 360±)

In the VHS triangle, which internal angle is = to z ∠ ? sketch it in.

a and z are complementary angles ( their sum should = 90±)

V/H = Tan(a) = Cot(z) V/S = Sin(a) = Cos(z) H/S = Cos(a) = Sin(z)

H=S*Cos(a)=S*Sin(z)=◊(S2 – V2) V=S*Sin(a)=S*Cos(z)=◊( S2 – H2)

 S
V
S
a
P
100

Remember from similar triangles:

Proportional relationship!

\ The ratio V/H = P/100 = slope (gradient or rate of grade)

\ If P represents Percentage gradient or percent slope (i.e. slope times 100%)

P: The amount of units of rise per 100 horizontal units (-P for fall)

Then: P/100 = Tan(a) Then: S*Cos(a) = S*Cos(Atan(P/100)) = H

Then: S*Sin(a) = S*Sin(Atan(P/100)) = V

If slope is negative (falling) Then P, a and V are also negative and z > 90±

Also:

Σ = ◊(P2 + 1002) and S/ Σ = H/100

H= (100)*S/ Σ = (100)*S/◊(P2 + 1002)

And so forth.