NATIONAL UNIVERSITY – MANILA
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Fieldworks No.5
Profile Leveling
I. Learning Objectives
At the end of this exercise, the student should be able to:
Demonstrate the process of profile leveling.
Determine the elevations of ground points along the centerline of a proposed roadway;
and
Plot the profile of the centerline along a proposed roadway.
II. Instruments/Materials
Transit/theodolite or automatic level or total station
Measuring Tape (30m)
Stadia rod/leveling rod
Pegs/hubs/crayon or chalk markers, plumb bob
III. Concept
Profile leveling is the process of determining the differences in elevation along fixed line at
designated short, measured intervals. It is executed to provide data from which a vertical
section of the ground surface can be plotted. A profile is necessary for the design and
construction of roads, railroads, canals, culverts, bridges, sewer lines, etc. The fieldwork
involve is identical to differential leveling since it also requires establishment of turning points
on which foresight taken from each setup of the instrument. In differential leveling only one
foresight is necessary whereas in profile leveling any number of foresights can be taken.
Profile leveling routes may be run as a single straight line or as a series of straight lines
connected by curves. Intermediate foresights are taken where necessary to portray accurately
the existing ground surface along the route surveyed. For most engineering projects, the
profile is usually taken along a center line with the level set up a convenient distance away
from it so that sights of more uniform lengths can be obtained. Upon completion of profile
leveling work, it is important to check (while still in the field) the data gathered before any
plotting is made. A check may be made by tying into a previously established benchmark or
by running a line of differential levels back to the starting point.
Example
of
Profile
Leveling
Prepared by: Civil Engineering Department |CESURV30
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY – MANILA
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Terms use in Profile Leveling
• Profile - a curved line which graphically portrays the intersection of a vertical plane
with the surface of the earth. It depicts ground elevations of selected critical points
along a surveyed line and the horizontal distances between these points.
• Stationing - a numerical designation given in terms of horizontal distance any point
along a profile line that is away from the starting point.
• Full stations - are points which are established along the profile level route at uniformly
measured distances; are usually made in multiples of 100, 50, 30, 20 or 10 meters.
• Plus Stations - are intermediate points established along a profile route which is not
designated as a full station.
• Intermediate Foresights (IF) – sights taken along centerline of the proposed project to
provide accurate representation of the ground surface; observed at regular intervals
and at points where sudden changes in elevations occur.
Reference: Elementary Surveying, JP La Putt
IV. Procedures
1. Establish the stationing by setting a stake/mark where the rod readings are to be gathered.
The starting (BM-1), ending (BM-2) and angle points are set first for the reference line.
2. The length of the level route is measured, and stakes are set at each full station to define
the path to be followed (ask your instructor what full station to use).
3. Place the instrument at a convenient location (say I1) not necessarily along the line of
observation. The instrument is to be positioned in such a way that first backsight can be
taken clearly on a B.M. (see figure of profile leveling above).
4. Then, observations are taken at regular intervals (say at 1, 2, 3, 4) along the central line
and foresight to a selected turning point (say TP-1).
5. Instrument is re-positioned to some other convenient location (say I2).
6. After proper adjustment of the instrument, observations are started from TP1 and then at
regular intervals (say at 5, 6 etc.) terminating at another turning point, say TP2.
7. Readings are also taken at points where marked changes in slope occur, such as that at
X. The distances of lines are also measured.
8. Repeat the process until the foresight as the last rod reading to the end BM is taken.
9. Record and check all the data using arithmetic checking and the profile level notes below.
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV (m)
BM-1 Given
0+002.5
0+005
0+007.5
Prepared by: Civil Engineering Department |CESURV30
TP-1
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY – MANILA
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
0+012.5
0+015
0+017.5
TP-2
0+022.5
0+025
0.027.5
BM-2
Elev. BM1 + ∑BS - ∑FS = Elev. BM2
V. Results and Discussion
VI. Laboratory Questions and Problem Solving
1. What is the importance of profile leveling process?
2. Plot the profile of the course surveyed in this activity.
3. Base on the data collected, determine the difference in elevation between BM-1 and
TP-1, as well as BM-1 and BM-2.
4. What is the station of the turning point along a profile leveling route if it is 328.65 m
beyond station 10 + 77.43? What if it is located 833.50 m before 10 + 577.85?
5. From the profile leveling notes, determine the values of unknown A-H.
VII. Documentation
VIII. Conclusion
Prepared by: Civil Engineering Department |CESURV30
-END-
