Name : Francheska D.
Ducha Weather Condition: Sunny
Student No.: 202101658 Time of day: 10:40 AM – 12:55 PM
BS Civil Engineering 2-2 Date Performed: November 29, 2022
CENG 50A – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Submitted: December, 2022
Engr. JRDBencito
Laboratory Exercise No. 05
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Objective : a) To determine the elevation of points by differential leveling.
LAB EXERCISE OUTLINE
A. Instruments and Accessories: Dumpy or Wye Level, Leveling Rod, Hubs or Pegs, Range Poles,
Hammer or Mallet, and Chalk
B. Procedure:
1. Designate the initial or reference point of the level route as BM-1 and the final or terminal point as
BM-2.
2. Set up and level the instrument at a convenient location along the general designated route
between the two points.
3. Take and record a backsight n BM-1.
4. Direct the rodman to move forward along the level route (not necessarily in a straight line between
BM-1 and the next point) and establish TP-1.
5. Take and record a foresight in TP-1.
6. Transfer and set up the level at another suitable location beyond TP-1 and take and record a
backsight on TP-1.
7. Direct the rodman to move a convenient distance ahead of the instrument and establish TP-2.
8. Take and record a foresight on TP-2.
9. Repeat procedure until a foresight is finally taken on BM-2.
10. Refer to the accompanying sample tabulation for the recording of observed field data.
C. Computations:
1. Computing Height of Instrument and Elevation
In differential leveling, the following two equations are repeatedly used.
a). HI = Elev + BS b) Elev = HI – BS
where:
HI = height of instrument above a reference datum
BS = backsight reading on the rod (or plus sights)
FS = foresight reading on the rod (or minus sights)
Elev = elevation above a reference datum of a point sighted
2. Arithmetic Check.
To check the accuracy of the arithmetical computations, add all backsights as well as all the
foresights. The difference between these two sums must be equal to the difference in
elevation between the initial and final points of the level line.
D. Remarks, Hints and Precautions:
1. To reduce to a negligible amount the effect of curvature and refraction, keep backsight distance
approximately equal to its corresponding distance.
2. Limit foresight and backsight distances to a maximum of 90 meters since most leveling rods
cannot be read accurately beyond this distance.
3. Always keep the telescope bubbles centered at instant of sighting. The accuracy of levelling
depends on the bubble being in this position during each rod sighting.
4. Avoid reading too near the top or bottom of the rod. Select suitable locations for the instrument
so that backsight and foresight rod readings will fall between 0.50 and 1.50 m marks of the
levelling rod.
5. Avoid the use of a long (extended) rod especially when it is windy and leveling rod is not
provided with a rod support.
6. Since more time is spent at a set up of the instrument, care must be observed so as to prevent
settlement of the instrument between backsighting and foresighting periods. To guard against
settlement of the instrument. Such as when working on soft grounds during rainy days, the tripod
legs must be driven firmly into good bearing soil.
7. Turning points should have a rounded or leveled top to give a definite point of support for the
bottom of the leveling rod. If a hub or peg is used, avoid locating such points on soft and
unstable grounds.
8. The rod should be held plumb and steady when a reading is made on it. Preferably, use a rod
level to assure that the rod will always be held plumb and keep fingers off the face of the rod.
9. Use the proper tension on the leveling screws. They should have bearing on the tripod head
without being too tight.
10. For non-precise surveys, rod readings may be made to the nearest hundredth of a meter.
11. The number of instrument setups will depend largely on the configuration of the terrain, length of
the level circuit or route, and the length of sight distances. It is best to select the shortest level
route possible to reduce the amount of error closure.
HI = Elev + BS b) Elev = HI – FS
STA BS HI FS ELEV
BM1 1.66 101.66 - 100 m
TP1 2.18 102.65 1.19 100.47
TP2 1.82 103.9 0.57 102.08
TP3 1.83 104.93 0.8 103.1
TP4 1.835 106.26 0.505 104.445
TP5 2.225 108.01 0.475 105.785
BM2 - 0.5 107.51
STA HI = Elev + BS Elev = HI – FS
BM1 1.66 + 100 = 101.66 100 m
TP1 100.47 + 2.18 = 102.65 101.66 - 1.19 = 100.47
TP2 102.08 + 1.82 = 103.9 102.65 - 0.57 = 102.08
TP3 103.1 + 1.83 = 104.93 103.9 - 0.8 = 103.1
TP4 104.425 + 1.835 = 106.26 104.93 - 0.505 = 104.445
TP5 105.785 + 2.225 = 108.01 106.26 - 0.475 = 105.785
BM2 108.01 - 0.5 = 107.51
