Measurements
of
Vertical Distances
LEVELING
• Levelling is defined as “an art of
determining the relative height of
different points on, above or below the
surface”.
• Leveling is the process of directly or
indirectly measuring vertical distances to
determine the elevation of points or
their differences in elevation.
Principle of LEVELING
• The principle of levelling is to
obtain horizontal line of sight
with respect to which vertical
distances of the points above
or below this line of sight are
found.
Leveling – Definition of Terms
Level Surface – It is a curved surface which is at
any point perpendicular to the direction of gravity
or the plumb line.
Level Line – A level line is a curved line in a level
surface all points of which are normal to the
direction of gravity and equidistant from the
center of the earth.
Horizontal Surface – It is a plane that is tangent to
a level surface at a particular point.
Horizontal Line – A straight line in a horizontal
plane which is tangent to a level line at one point.
Leveling – Definition of Terms
Vertical Line – A vertical line at any point is a line
parallel to the direction of gravity.
Mean Sea Level – Mean sea level is an imaginary
surface of the sea which is midway between high
and low tides.
Datum – Datum is any convenient level surface
coincident or parallel with mean sea level to
which elevations of a particular area are referred.
Elevation – For a particular point, its elevation is
the vertical distance above or below mean sea
level or any other selected datum.
Leveling Methods
Direct or Spirit Leveling – It is the commonly
employed method of determining the
elevation of points some distance apart by a
series of setups of a leveling instrument along
a selected route.
Reciprocal Leveling – It is the process of
accurately determining the difference in
elevation between two intervisible points
located at a considerable distance apart and
between which points leveling could not be
performed in the usual manner.
Leveling Methods
Profile Leveling – This method of leveling is used
to determine differences in elevation between
points at designated short measured intervals
along an established line to provide data from
which a vertical section of the ground surface
can be plotted.
Trigonometric Leveling – This method of
levelling is employed in determining by
trigonometric computations the difference in
elevation between two points from
measurements of its horizontal or slope distance
and the vertical angle between the points.
Leveling Methods
Stadia Leveling – Stadia levelling combines
features of direct leveling with those of
trigonometric leveling.
Barometric Leveling – Barometric leveling
involves the determination of differences in
elevation between points by measuring the
variation in atmospheric pressure at each
point by means of a barometer.
Leveling Methods
Cross-Section levelling – In highway or railroad
constructions, it is often necessary to obtain a
representation of the ground surface on either
side of the centreline.
Borrow Pit Leveling – Borrow-pit leveling is a
method of determining the releative
elevations of points in borrow-pit excavations
for the purpose of calculation volumes.
Types of Levels
Dumpy Level – the dumpy level is the most widely
used direct leveling instrument.
Wye Level - The wye level is very similar to the
dumpy.
Builder’s Level – This instrument is used primarily
in the different phases of building construction
where a high degree of precision is not a primary
requisite.
Automatic Level – Self-leveling features are
incorporated in automatic levels.
Tilting Level – This type of leveling instrument can
be tilted or rotated about its horizontal axis.
Types of Levels
Geodetic Level – The geodetic level is basically
another type of tilting level.
Transit as a Level – The engineer’s transit has
always been referred to as the “universal
surveying instrument” because of its variety of
uses.
Laser Level – A new innovation introduced to
surveying operations is the use of lasers.
Hand Level – The hand level is a handheld
instrument used on surveys involving short sights
and where a low order of accuracy is sufficient.
Sources Of Error In Leveling
Instrumental Errors
Instrument Out of Adjustment
Rod Not Standard Length
Defective Tripod
Sources Of Error In Leveling
Personal Errors
Bubble Not Centered
Parallax
→is defined as an object appearing as if it is
positioned differently when it is looked at
from different angles or different positions.
Faulty Rod Readings
Rod Not Held Plumb
Incorrect Setting of Target
Unequal Backsight and Foresight Distances
Parallax
Sources Of Error In Leveling
Natural Errors
Curvature of the Earth
Atmospheric Refraction
Temperature Variations
Wind
Settlement of the Instrument
Faulty Turning Points
Common Mistakes in Leveling
Misreading the Rod
Incorrect Recording
Erroneous Computations
Rod not Fully Extended
Moving Turning Points
Adjustment Of The Dumpy Level
Adjustment of the Cross Hairs
Adjustment of the Level Vial
Adjustment of the Line of
Sight
Two Peg Test
• The "Two Peg Test" is the most common
means of checking an instrument in the
field, and can be done for both optical &
laser levels.
Summary : Two - Peg Test
Place two pegs about L = 30m (to 40m) apart.
Set up level midway between the two pegs.
Read staff on each peg, and calculate true height difference.
Move level about L / 10 = 3m (or 4m) beyond one of the pegs.
Read staff on each peg again, and calculate height difference.
Collimation Error e = difference in the differences
and is expressed as a number of mm per L m
Acceptable errors
Uren and Price 1mm per 20m
Wimpey 4mm per 50m
Test should be carried out regularly say once per week or two.
S2 S1
A
B
L/2 L/2
L
S4
S3
A
B
Collimation error,
L / 10
e = (S1 - S2) - (S3 - S4) mm / Lm
Example 1
In the two-peg test of a dumpy level, the following observations are
taken.
Instrument Near A Instrument Near B
Rod Reading on A 1.501m 0.903m
Rod Reading on B 2.022m 1.452m
1. Compute the true difference in elevation between the two points.
2. Compute the error.
3. Compute the correct reading at B when the instrument is near A that
will give a level line of sight.
Example 2
In the two-peg test, the following notes were taken.
Wye Level at 1 Wye Level at 2
Rod Reading on P 0.750m 1.906m
Rod Reading on Q 2.766m 3.789m
Point 1 is on the line PQ and midway between P and Q. Point 2 is on
the same line as P and Q but not between them. Point 2 is 25 meters
from P and 230 meters from Q. With the wye level at point 2, what is
the rod reading at P for a level sight?
Differential Leveling
B.The Level
– A level consist of a high-powered telescope
– The level is attached to a spirit or bubble level that keeps the line of
sight of the telescope horizontal
Differential Leveling
3. Level Instrument
Differential Leveling
Level Instrument
4.60
4.55 4.54
4.53 4.52
4.51
4.50
Differential Leveling
Definitions
BS = 3.851 m HI = 23.851 m FS = 0.948 m
Point B
Point A
Elevation = 22.903 m
Starting point
(elevation 20.000 m)
Differential Leveling
Definitions
1. Bench mark (BM) - relatively permanent
point of known elevation
BS = 3.851 m HI = 23.851 m FS = 0.948 m
Point B
Point A
Elevation = 22.903 m
Starting point
(elevation 20.00 m)
Differential Leveling
Definitions
2. Backsight (BS) - a sight taken to the level rod held at a
point of known elevation
(either a BM or TP)
BS = 3.851 m HI = 23.851 m FS = 0.948 m
Point B
Point A
Elevation = 22.903 m
Starting point
(elevation 20.00 m)
Differential Leveling
Definitions
3. Height of instrument (HI) - the elevation of the line of
sight of the telescope
BS = 3.851 m HI = 23.851 m FS = 0.948 m
Point B
Point A
Elevation = 22.903 m
Starting point
(elevation 20.000 m)
Differential Leveling
Definitions
4. Foresight (FS) - a sight taken on any point to determine its
elevation
BS = 3.851 m HI = 23.851 m FS = 0.948 m
Point B
Point A
Elevation = 22.903 m
Starting point
(elevation 20.000 m)
Differential Leveling
D. Computation of Elevations
BS
3.851
BM1
1. BS + Elevation = HI
Elevation 20.000 m
Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 3.851 23.851 20.000 m
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
BS FS
3.851 0.948
BM1
TP1 2. HI - FS = Elevation
Elevation 20.000 m
Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 3.851 23.851 20.000 m
TP1 0.948 22.903
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
BS
BS FS 3.320
3.851 0.948
BM1
TP1
Elevation 20.000 m
Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 3.851 23.581 20.00 m
TP1 3.320 26.223 0.948 22.903
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
BS FS
BS FS 3.320 0.780
3.851 0.948
BM1 TP2
TP1
Elevation 20.000 m
Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 3.851 23.851 20.000 m
TP1 3.320 26.223 0.948 22.903
TP2 0.780 25.443
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations BS
2.972
BS FS
BS FS 3.320 0.780
3.851 0.948
BM1 TP2
TP1
Elevation 20.000 m
Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 3.851 23.851 20.000 m
TP1 3.320 26.223 0.948 22.903
TP2 2.972 28.415 0.780 25.443
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations BS FS
2.972 0.945
BS FS
BS FS 3.320 0.780
3.851 0.948 BM2
BM1 TP2
TP1
Elevation 20.000 m
Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 3.851 23.851 20.000 m
TP1 3.320 26.223 0.948 22.903
TP2 2.972 28.415 0.780 25.443
BM2 0.945 27.470
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations BS FS
2.972 0.945
BS FS
BS FS 3.320 0.780
3.851 0.948 BM2
BM1 TP2
TP1
Elevation 20.000 m
Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 3.851 23.581 20.000 m
TP1 3.320 26.223 0.948 22.903
TP2 2.972 28.415 0.780 25.443
BM2 0.945 27.470
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
3. Change in elevation- summation of the backsight and the foresight then
subtract
Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 3.851 23.851 20.000 m
TP1 3.320 26.223 0.948 22.903
TP2 2.972 28.415 0.780 25.443
BM2 0.945 27.470
+10.143 -2.673
Change in elevation = 10.143 -2.673 =7.470 m
Change in elevation = 27.470 -20.00 =7.470 m
Differential Leveling
4. The initial backsight (BS) is taken to a point of known elevation
5. The backsight reading is added to the elevation of the known point to
compute the height of the instrument (HI)
6. The level may be moved to a temporary point called a turning point
(TP)
7. The elevation of a point is the height of the instrument (HI) minus
the foresight (FS)
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations - Group Problem
Prepare a set of level notes for the survey illustrated below. What are
the elevations of points TP1 and TP2?
BS FS
0.27 2.91
BS FS
1.33 2.17
BM
Elevation 32.52 m
TP1
TP2
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations - Group Problem
BS FS
0.27 2.91
BS FS
1.33 2.17
BM
Elevation 32.52 m
TP1
TP2
Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 0.27 32.79 32.52 m
TP1 1.33 31.21 2.91 29.88
TP2 2.17 29.04
+1.60 -5.08 -3.48
EXAMPLE
• From the given data of a differential leveling as shown in the tabulation:
STA. BS F.S. ELEV.
1 5.87 392.25
2 7.03 6.29
3 3.48 6.25
4 7.25 7.08
5 10.19 5.57
6 9.29 4.45
7 4.94
a. Find the diff. in elevation of station 7 and station 5.
b. Find the diff. in elevation of station 7 and station 4.
c. Find the elevation of station 3.
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
EXAMPLE
BM1 0.95 225.50
1 3
2 2.3
From the given profile leveling
TP1 3.13 0.64
notes:
3 2.7
4 2.8
a. What is the difference in
5 3.1
elevation between station 5
6 0.5
and 2
7 0.8
b. Compute the elevation of
TP2 2.16 1.28
TP2
8 0.9
c. Compute the elevation of
9 1.2
BM2
10 1.7
11 2.8
TP3 0.82 2.37
TP4 1.35 3.50
12 3.0
BM2 1.24
Differential Leveling
E.Common Mistakes
1. Misreading the rod - reading 3.54 instead of
3.45
2. Moving the turning point - use a well–
defined TP
3. Field note mistakes - work within your group to
check you records
4. Mistakes with extended rod - make sure the
leveling rod is fully extended
Differential Leveling
Common Mistakes
5. Level rod not vertical
6. Settling of leveling rod
7. Leveling rod not fully extended or incorrect
length
8. Level instrument not level
9. Instrument out of adjustment
10. Environment - wind and heat
Differential Leveling
F. Suggestions for Good Leveling
1. Anchor tripod legs firmly
2. Check the bubble level before and after each reading
3. Take as little time as possible between BS and FS
4. Try to keep the distance to the BS and the FS equal
5. Provide the rodperson with a level for the rod
Double-Rodded Leveling
STA BS HI FS ELEV
BM1 1.964 205.549
1.964
TP1H 2.187 1.104
TP1L 2.629 1.549
TP2H 1.393 1.794
TP2L 1.780 2.202
TP3H 0.317 2.991
TP3L 0.741 3.415
BM2 2.634
2.634
Three Wire Leveling
BACKSIGHT FORESIGHT
STA. H.I. ELEV.
HAIR MEAN S HAIR MEAN S
RDGS RDGS
1.152
0.935 445.177
BM1 0.718 0.935 0.434 444.242
2.784 1.177
2.420 0.899
TP1 2.057 2.420 0.727 446.698 0.682 0.899 0.435 444.278
1.713 1.900
1.440 1.537
TP2 1.440 0.547 446.602 1.172 1.536 0.728 445.162
1.166
2.591 1.450
2.094 1.177
TP3 1.599 2.095 0.992 447.520 0.904 1.177 0.546 445.425
0.913 2.210
TP4 0.730 0.730 0.366 446.536 1.714 1.714 0.992 445.806
0.547 1.218
1.593
1.410
BM2 1.227 1.410 0.366 445.126
Reciprocal Leveling
EXAMPLE
In leveling across a deep and wide river, reciprocal level readings were taken
between two points, X and Y, as follows:
A. With instrument set up near X, the rod readings on X are 1.283m and
1.285m; on the distant point Y, the rod readings are 2.618m, 2.619m,
2.621m, and 2.622m.
B. With the instrument set up near Y, the rod readings on Y are 3.478m and
3.476m; on the distant point X, the rod readings are 2.143m, 2.140m, and
2.146m.
Determine the true difference in elevation between the two points and the
elevation of Y if the known elevation of X is 290.082 meters.
