FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF LAND MANAGEMENT

TO : MR ALEXIOUS CHIKANKHENI

FROM : INNOCENT NOTA

REG NUMBER : BSLS 3724

COURSE TITLE : LAND SURVEYING PRACTICE

COURSE CODE : BSLP 1201

LEVEL :1

SEMESTER :2

TASK : REPORT ON LEVELLING SURVEY OF THENGERE GROUND

DATE OF SUBMISSION : 10 JULY, 2025

Project Title : Thengere Ground Survey Report

Survey Location : Thengere Santiago

Date of Survey : 30 June, 25.

Surveyor(s) : Group 6 members

Topography : Gently slope ground

General land use : Football ground

Objectives

 To determine the relative heights of various points on the site.

 To establish the reduced levels using levelling methods.

 To create a basic profile of the terrain.

REPORT ON THENGELE GROUND SURVEY

Introduction

Levelling is the process of determining differences of elevation between points. It can be carried
out using different methods, however according to the instructions, we used one of its methods
called rise and fall to take backsights, intermediate sights and foresights of various points on
Thengere football ground. The ground is located on a lower area than the surroundings with trees
on the other sides and other playing fields to the northwest and a pathway to the east. This report
gives details on how the process took place, the methods and instrument we used, challenges we
faced and the importance of checks and errors as well as the levelling table, calculations and the
profile plot attached at the end.

Site Description

o Location and Size

The ground is located at the southwest part of Mzuzu University, generally 100 meters. As said
above, the pitch is surrounded with some trees on the other sides, and other playing fields to the
northwest, a pathway on the east and a Mzuzu University’s fence wall at the south of it.

o Topography

It is at flat surfaced area with grasses grown uniformly and it has a very uniform and gentle
slope, located on a lower area than the surroundings and it was under construction by the way.

Methodology

We started by testing the level if it is in good condition to use by conducting a two peg test and
we found that the level was not faulty and good to use according to the results. Consequently,
Rise and fall was a good method to use to measure and calculate the changes on reduced levels
(RLs) accurately on the ground not only as per instructions but also because it helps to know
how different the elevations are on the field. We then established our benchmark assumed and
gave it an elevation of 100 meters. Then using a tape measure, we measured a distance of 13
meters from the benchmark to a point A our first station, then we placed the tripod firmly in the
ground on the point and set up the level. Therefore, we measured and recorded the backsight at
the benchmark, intermediate sight and foresight but keeping the distances of 13 meters apart
between each point and the instrument. We made sure that the readings taken are accurate by
letting at least three people to verify and confirm before recording. Then we moved and settled
the level to another station B and did as we did at the first station. We had a total of 9 stations, 15
points, where at some points we only took backsights and foresights in the same way. We took
all readings on all points and we finished again at the benchmark on which we started at the
beginning-this type is called a closed traverse survey. After the data was collected and recorded
in field papers, we made our calculations and checks because the data may have had some errors
which could lead to wrong conclusions about the field if we did not take an arithmetic check, so
to confirm our results and spot some errors so that the results should be reliable we checked
arithmetically using the standard formula as follows:

ΣBS – ΣFS = ΣRise – ΣFall = Last RL-First RL

Challenges Faced
As beginners we faced a lot of challenges during the process some of them were:

 human errors especially failure to understand the four figures of the staff graduation
which made us have a hard time explaining to each other until everyone understood
which was time consuming.
 Instability and bending when holding the staff.
 Some areas were restricted due to the constructions.
 People moving around.

Reflection on importance of checks and error correction

Checking of errors is very essential in any survey for many reasons such as ensuring accuracy in
results, however it also made us spot some errors in which we corrected and distributed them
confirming that our results were reliable and accurate. On the other hand, arithmetic checks
confirmed that our data recorded had no mathematical errors. Our error was within the range of
allowable misclosure.

Comments

After all i can say that the process went well, hence as a group and personally as well we have
learned many things about levelling practically such as:

 Measuring heights using staff and how to read it.

 How to set up a level balancing it in the vertical collimation using the screws by the help
of the circular bubble.
 How the whole process of levelling should be done.
 Calculating the reduced levels.
 Finding error and how to correct and distribute it.

Below I have attached a levelling table with adjustments and below the table I have provided the
arithmetic checks that shows the error, allowable misclosure, formulas of corrections and
adjustments, and a profile plot.
 THENGELE GROUND SURVEY

Corrections
STATION BS IS FS RISE FALL RL Adjusted RL REMARKS
1.429 100 TBM
1.548 0.119 99.881 0.001 99.880 Point 1
1.4 00 0.148 100.029 0.001 100.028 Point 2
A
1.322 1.408 0.008 100.021 0.001 100.020 Point 3
1.377 0.055 99.966 0.002 99.964 Point 4
B
C 1.356 1.372 0.005 99.971 0.002 99.969 Point 5
D 1.324 1.358 0.002 99.969 0.003 99.966 Point 6
E 1.314 1.271 0.053 100.022 0.004 100.018 Point 7
1.301 1.374 0.06 99.962 0.005 99.957 Point 8
1.243 0.058 100.02 0.006 100.014 Point 9
F
G 1.348 1.301 0.058 99.962 0.006 99.956 Point 10
1.358 1.353 0.005 99.957 0.007 99.950 Point 11
1.125 0.233 100.19 0.008 100.182 Point12
H
I 1.469 1.371 0.246 99.944 0.008 99.936 Point 13
1.529 0.06 99.884 0.01 99.874 Point 14
1.358 0.171 100.055 0.01 100.045 Point 15
1.403 0.045 100.01 0.01 100 TBM
TOTAL 12.221 12.211 0.668 0.658

ARITHMETIC CHECK

Difference between sum of BS and sum of FS = 12.211-12.211 = 0.01

Difference between last RL and first RL= 100.01-100=0.01
Difference between sum of rise and sum of fall=0.668-0.658=0.01
Error = 0.01
ΣBS – ΣFS = ΣRise – ΣFall = Last RL-First RL
12.221 – 12.211 = 0.668 - 0.658 = 100.01- 100.00
0.01 = 0.01 = 0.01

Allowable Misclosure
AM = ± (m√n) *where m is constant 5 and n is the number of set ups
AM = ±5√9
AM = ±15
Correction
Correction = error X station position = 0.01 X position
Total number of stations 9
*our error = 0.01
Adjustments
Adjust RL = RL – Correction
 References
CHARLES D GHILANI, P. R. (2012). Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to Geomatics. Boston: Prentice
Hall.

Kavanagh, B. F. (2010). SURVEYING with Construction Application. Columbus: Prentice Hall.