Trigonometric Leveling

(CLO-1)
• Trigonometric Leveling

Book: T.P. Kanetkar- Part I

Chapter: XII

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 Trigonometric Leveling

Trigonometric leveling is the type of leveling in which:

• (i) We determine ------- Heights of elevated objects and Reduced level (R.L) at
top of elevated objects. (for example, top of hill, top of tower etc.)

• (ii) By observing----- Vertical angles (α ) and horizontal distances (D).

• Vertical angles ---- by Theodolite
• Horizontal Distances---- Measuring Tape or Theodolite

𝑃𝑒r𝑝endicular
• (iii) By Using ------ Formulas of Trigonometric (tanθ = ).
𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒

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R.L at top of tower, hill, chimney or building can't be determined by
conventional rise all method of leveling. For this we must use
trigonometric leveling.

 Using Trigonometric leveling we can find R.L at top of those elevated

objects which are far away and not accessible.

 Trigonometric leveling, is the branch of Geodetic surveying and we

determine R.L of elevated objects accurately by considering the
curvature of earth.

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In Trigonometric leveling, if the distance between the instrument and the object is very
large (more than 500 meters) then correction for earth’s curvature and refraction is
incorporated with R.L.

 Combined Correction (Cc ) for Earth curvature and refraction is calculated by

following formula:
𝐷
Cc = ± 0.0673 ( )2
1000

Where,
D= Horizontal Distance in meters.
Correction Cc is taken as +ve if vertical angle is +ve (Elevation)
Correction Cc is taken as -ve if vertical angle is -ve (Depression)

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For example, if D= 500 meters then Combined Correction (Cc ) for Earth
curvature and refraction is :
𝐷
Cc = ± 0.0673 ( )2
1000
500 2
Cc = ± 0.0673 ( )
1000
Cc = ± 0.0168 meters or 1.68cm

Where,
D= Horizontal Distance in meters.
Correction Cc is taken as +ve if vertical angle is +ve (Elevation)
Correction Cc is taken as -ve if vertical angle is -ve (Depression)

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 Calculation of R.L by Trigonometric leveling

• Case 1: When the base of object is Accessible

(Horizontal Distance between instrument station and object can be measured)

• Case 2: When the base of object is Inaccessible (Not Accessible)

(Horizontal Distance between instrument station and object can Not be measured)

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Case 1: When the base of object is Accessible

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Formulas of Case 1: When the base of object is Accessible

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑝: ℎ
tan α = =
𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐷

h = D tan α

R.L at top of Building (Point B) = R.L of B.M+ B.S + h

If distance D is very large , more than 500 meters then, add Combined Correction
(Cc ) for Earth curvature and refraction with R.L :

R.L at top of Building (Point B) = R.L of B.M+ B.S + h ± Cc

•
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Problem No: 1:
To determine the Reduced level at top of building, a theodolite was set at point A
and the angle of elevation at the top of building B was 36ᵒ 30’. The horizontal
distance between point A and B was 650 meters. Determine R.L at top of building if
the staff reading held on B.M of R.L 85.20 meters was 1.74 meters. Instrument
station and tower were in same vertical plane. Also draw the sketch.
Solution:
Instrument station: A
Top of building: B
Vertical Angle = α = 36ᵒ 30’
Horizontal distance = D = 650 m ( large distance)
R.L of B.M = 85.20 m
Staff reading on B.M = B.S = 1.74 meters.
R.L at top of buildingr (point B) = ?
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 Sketch : R.L at point B =?
B

h
Axis of Instrument

α = 36ᵒ 30’

B.S= 1.74m
R.L=85.20 m
A
D
B.M

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 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑝: ℎ
tan α = =
𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐷

h = D tan α
h = 650 tan 36ᵒ 30’
h= 480.97 m
R.L at top of Building (Point B) = R.L of B.M+ B.S + h
Since distance D is very large , add Combined Correction (Cc ) for Earth curvature and
refraction is :

R.L at top of Building (Point B) = R.L of B.M+ B.S + h ± Cc

R.L at top of Building (Point B) = R.L of B.M+ B.S + h +Cc (use +ve for angle of elevation)
650 2
R.L at top of Building (Point B) = 85.20+ 1.74 + 480.97 +0.0673 ( )
1000
• R.L at top of Building (Point B) = 567.938 meters

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Problem No: 2:
A theodolite is set at point A and the angle of elevation at the top of mobile tower B
is 22ᵒ 45’. The horizontal distance between point A and B is 525 meters. Instrument
station and tower are in same vertical plane
Reduced level of B.M= 110.00 meters
Staff reading on B.M= 2.06 meters.
Draw the sketch and determine the Reduced level at top of mobile tower.
Solution:
Instrument station: A
Top of Mobile tower: B
Vertical Angle = α = 22ᵒ 45’
Horizontal distance = D = 525 m ( large distance)
R.L of B.M = 110 m
Staff reading on B.M = B.S = 2.06 m.
R.L at top of building (point B) = ?
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Problem No: 3:
Draw the sketch and compute the Reduced level at top of Tower with the help
of following data:
Vertical angle at the top of tower = 30ᵒ 16’.
Horizontal distance between instrument station and tower= 532 meters.
R.L of B.M= 45.452 meters
Staff reading on B.M= 2.430 meters.
Instrument station and tower are in same vertical plane

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 Calculation of R.L by Trigonometric leveling

Case 2:
When the base of object is Inaccessible (Not Accessible)

Horizontal Distance between instrument station and object

can Not be measured.

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 Sketch of Case 2: When the base of object is Inaccessible
• R.L at top of Hill = ?

B.S2

B.S1

d
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• Sketch of Case 2:When the base of object is Inaccessible
R.L at point C = ? C

h= ?

α2
B.S2
α1 (B.S2 –B.S1)
B.S1

B.M A
B
d x= ?
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In the sketch:-
Instrument stations: A & B
Vertical Angle from point A= α1
Vertical Angle from point B= α2
Small horizontal distance b/w instruments stations A & B = d
Staff reading on B.M from point A = B.S1
Staff reading on B.M from point B = B.S2
Height / Elevation of point C from top instrument axis (B.S2) = h

R.L at top of Hill (point C) = R.L of B.M+ B.S2 + h

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Problem No: 4:
To determine the Reduced level at the top of a Hill which is inaccessible from
the instrument stations, following observations are made:

Instrument Staff Reading on B.M Vertical Angle Remarks

Stations
A 1.950 24ᵒ 30’ R.L of B.M is
B 2.150 35ᵒ 10’ 150.25 meters

Stations A, B and the top point of hill are in same vertical plane. Draw the
sketch and determine R.L at the top of Hill, if the distance between
instrument positions A and B is 25 meters.

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Solution:
• Data:
Instrument stations: A & B
Vertical Angle from point A= α1 = 24ᵒ 30’
Vertical Angle from point B= α2 = 35ᵒ 10’
Small horizontal distance b/w instruments stations= d = 25 m
R.L of B.M = 150.25 m
Staff reading on B.M from point A = B.S1 = 1.95 m
Staff reading on B.M from point B = B.S2 = 2.15 m
B.S2 - B.S1 = 2.15-1.95 =0.2m
R.L at top of Hill (point C) = ?

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 • Solution:
R.L at point C = ? C
• Sketch of Problem No. 4

h= ?

35ᵒ 10’
2.15m
A’ 24ᵒ 30’ (B.S2 –B.S1)=2.15-1.95 = 0.2m
1.95m D

B.M
R.L=150.25 m A B
d =25m x= ?
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• In a triangle A’CD with vertical angle of 24ᵒ 30’: C

ℎ+0.2
tan 24ᵒ 30’ = (h + 0.2)
25+𝑥
ℎ+0.2
0.456 =
25+𝑥 24ᵒ 30’
0.456 (25+x) = h +0.2 A’ (25+ x) D

11.4 + 0.456x -0.2 = h

h = 0.456x +11.2 ----------- (1)

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• In a triangle with vertical angle of 35ᵒ 10’:
C

ℎ
tan 35ᵒ 10’ =
𝑥
ℎ
0.704 = h
𝑥
35ᵒ 10’
h = 0.704x ----------- (2) x

Equating equation (1) and (2) we get

0.704x = 0.456x +11.2
0.704x - 0.456x = 11.2
x = 45.161 meters

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 put value of “x” in eq: 2 , we get
h= 0.704x
h = 0.704(45.161)
h = 31.786 meters.
Hence
R.L at top of Hill (Point C) = R.L of B.M+ B.S2 + h
R.L at top of Hill(Point C) = 150.25+ 2.15 + 31.786
R.L at top of Hill (Point C) = 184.186 meters

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Problem No: 5:
To determine the Reduced level at the top of a Hill which is inaccessible from
the instrument stations, following observations are made:

Instrume Staff Reading on B.M Vertical Angle Remarks

nt Stations
A 1.52 28ᵒ 45’ R.L of B.M is
B 1.87 42ᵒ 50’ 180.50 meters

Stations A, B and the top point of hill are in same vertical plane. Draw the
sketch and determine R.L at the top of Hill, if the distance between
instrument positions A and B is 30 meters.

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