DIPLOMA IN BUILDING SURVEYING

BGN 123 : SITE SURVEYING I

CHAPTER 4:
LEVELLING AND CONTOURING

Department of Surveying Science and Geomatics,

Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying,
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Seri Iskandar, Perak
 WHAT IS LEVELLING?

• A measurement process whereby the difference in height

between two or more points can be determined

Difference in height
H=BS-FS
A
 When do we level?

• To establish new vertical control (BM or TBM)

• To determine the heights of discrete points
• To provide spot heights or contours on a plan
• To provide data for road cross-sections or volumes of
earthworks
• To provide a level or inclined plane in the setting out of
construction works
 Terminology

• Level surface
• A curved surface
• The direction of gravity is always perpendicular to a level
surface
• Horizontal Plane
• A horizontal plane will be tangent to a level surface
• Over short distances (<100 m) the horizontal surface and the
level surface will coincide
• Datum
• A reference surface to which the heights of all points in a
survey or on a site are referred
• A determined level on earth surface where all of the levelling
referred to the mean sea level
• Datum in Malaysia is Mean Sea Level
direction of gravity

level surface B
Earth Surface
A

Datum = M.S.L
 Reduced Level (RL)
 The height of a point above the datum
 Height of reference point to a determined level
 Benchmark (BM)
 A stable reference point of known RL
 Usually used as the starting and finishing point when levelling
 A fixed point on earth surface with known reduced level
 Temporary Bench Mark (TBM)
 A point placed (e.g. peg, nail, spike) to provide a temporary
reference point
• Backsight (BS)
• Always the first reading from a new instrument station
• Foresight (FS)
• Always the last reading from the current instrument station
• Intermediate sight (IS)
• Any sighting that is not a backsight or foresight
• Height of collimation (HOC)
• Line of a levelling instrument from datum
• Change point (CP)
• Location of the staff when the level is moved
• A point in which both backsight and foresight
reading are taken.
• Change points should be...
• Stable
• Well defined
• Recoverable
• e.g. sharp rock, nail, change plate, etc...
• Line of
Collimation –
Imaginary line that
passes through
leveling instrument
at Cross Hair
 Levelling Instruments

Bubble Staff
Automatic Level

Tripod

Staff
Reading an “E-face” staff

0.361

0.339

0.313
 Levelling Procedure

1. Start from known point (BM or TBM)

2. Foresight & Backsight of approximate distance below 50
m
3. Stable point
4. To begin the levelling at the BM, the staff must be on
the top of bench mark.
 Levelling Procedure

BS FS

BS FS

CP
 Different Height = Back Sight – Fore Sight

BS FS
0.701 m

1.502 m
Different
Height

RL=10.25m
 Rules for levelling

• Always commence and finish a level run on a mark (BM or

TBM)
• Keep foresight and backsight distances as equal as
possible
• Keep lines of sight short (normally < 50m)
• Never read below 0.5m on a staff (refraction)
• Use stable, well defined change points
 A sample loop

Setup 4

BM A CP 3

Kerb
Setup 1 Setup 3
Kerb

Setup 2

CP 1
CP 2
Post
 Booking the observations

BM A CP 3
Back Inter Fore Point
1.32 BM A
3.98 CP 1
Kerb
Setup 1
Kerb

CP 1
CP 2
Post
 Booking the observations

BM A CP 3
Back Inter Fore Point
1.32 BM A
2.56 3.98 CP 1
Kerb
Setup 1 1.25 Kerb
Kerb 3.65 Post
0.67 CP 2
Setup 2

CP 1
CP 2
Post
 Booking the observations

BM A CP 3
Back Inter Fore Point
1.32 BM A
2.56 3.98 CP 1
Kerb
Setup 1 Setup 3 1.25 Kerb
Kerb 3.65 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
Setup 2
2.58 Kerb
1.54 CP 3
CP 1
CP 2
Post
 Booking the observations

Setup 4

BM A CP 3
Back Inter Fore Point
1.32 BM A
2.56 3.98 CP 1
Kerb
Setup 1 Setup 3 1.25 Kerb
Kerb 3.65 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
Setup 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
CP 1
3.79 BM A
CP 2
Post
 Reducing levels

• RISE AND FALL METHOD

• HEIGHT OF COLLIMATION
(RISE AND FALL)
Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 CP 1
1.25 Kerb
3.65 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 Kerb
3.65 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment

1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 2.98 49.23 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 2.98 49.23 CP 2
2.58 0.91 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 2.98 49.23 CP 2
2.58 0.91 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 1.04 51.18 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 2.98 49.23 CP 2
2.58 0.91 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 1.04 51.18 CP 3
3.79 1.15 50.03 BM A


Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 2.98 49.23 CP 2
2.58 0.91 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 1.04 51.18 CP 3
3.79 1.15 50.03 BM A
10.01 9.98 

Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment

1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 2.98 49.23 CP 2
2.58 0.91 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 1.04 51.18 CP 3
3.79 1.15 50.03 BM A
10.01 9.98 
(0.03) 
Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 2.98 49.23 CP 2
2.58 0.91 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 1.04 51.18 CP 3
3.79 1.15 50.03 BM A
10.01 9.98 6.24 6.21 
(0.03) 
Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 2.98 49.23 CP 2
2.58 0.91 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 1.04 51.18 CP 3
3.79 1.15 50.03 BM A
10.01 9.98 6.24 6.21 
(0.03) (0.03) 
Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 2.98 49.23 CP 2
2.58 0.91 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 1.04 51.18 CP 3
3.79 1.15 50.03 BM A
10.01 9.98 6.24 6.21 
(0.03) (0.03) (0.03) 
Back Inter Fore Rise Fall RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 2.66 47.34 CP 1
1.25 1.31 48.65 Kerb
3.65 2.40 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 2.98 49.23 CP 2
2.58 0.91 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 1.04 51.18 CP 3
3.79 1.15 50.03 BM A
10.01 9.98 6.24 6.21 
(0.03) (0.03) (0.03) 
 Height of collimation

1. H.O.C = RL (backpoint)+ Backsight

2. RL = H.O.C – Foresight (to point)
(HEIGHT OF COLLIMATION)
Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 CP 1
1.25 Kerb
3.65 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 CP 1
1.25 Kerb
3.65 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 47.34 CP 1
1.25 Kerb
3.65 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 Kerb
3.65 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 49.23 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 52.72 49.23 CP 2
2.58 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 52.72 49.23 CP 2
2.58 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 52.72 49.23 CP 2
2.58 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 51.18 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 52.72 49.23 CP 2
2.58 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 53.82 51.18 CP 3
3.79 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 52.72 49.23 CP 2
2.58 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 53.82 51.18 CP 3
3.79 50.03 BM A


Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 52.72 49.23 CP 2
2.58 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 53.82 51.18 CP 3
3.79 50.03 BM A
10.01 9.98
Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 52.72 49.23 CP 2
2.58 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 53.82 51.18 CP 3
3.79 50.03 BM A
10.01 9.98
(0.03)
Back Inter Fore H.O.C RL Comment
1.32 51.32 50.00 BM A
2.56 3.98 49.9 47.34 CP 1
1.25 48.65 Kerb
3.65 46.25 Post
3.49 0.67 52.72 49.23 CP 2
2.58 50.14 Kerb
2.64 1.54 53.82 51.18 CP 3
3.79 50.03 BM A
10.01 9.98
(0.03) (0.03)
 Loop misclosure
• Misclosure
• The amount by which the measured height difference (Hmeas) differs
from the known height difference derived from the RLs of the starting
and finishing benchmarks (Hknown)

Misclosure = Hknown - Hmeas

 An acceptable misclosure?
• Small misclosures in closed level loops are expected because of
the accumulation of errors
• If the misclosure is small, it can be adjusted
• If the misclosure is large, the loop (or part of it) must be
repeated
 Testing the misclosure

• The amount of misclosure we are prepared to accept depends on

the accuracy we are hoping to achieve
• For routine levelling, the Second order levelling standard is
adopted…

misclosure  12k mm

• where k is the length of the loop in km

Continuing the example

• The misclosure is +30 mm

• The length of the loop is 0.7 km

• The misclosure limit is…

12(0.7) = ±10 mm

• The misclosure of +30 mm is too big

• The loop must be repeated (or find the error)

 Adjusting the misclosure

Measured RL Point Adjustment Adjusted RL

50.00 BM A
47.34 CP 1
48.65 Kerb
46.25 Post
49.23 CP 2
50.14 Kerb
51.18 CP 3
50.03 BM A
Measured RL Point Adjustment Adjusted RL

50.00 BM A 0.000 50.000

47.34 CP 1 0.008 47.332
48.65 Kerb
=1*(0.03/4)
46.25 Post
49.23 CP 2
50.14 Kerb
51.18 CP 3
50.03 BM A
Measured RL Point Adjustment Adjusted RL

50.00 BM A 0.000 50.000

47.34 CP 1 0.008 47.332
48.65 Kerb 0.015 48.635
46.25 Post 0.015 46.235
49.23 CP 2 0.015 49.215
50.14 Kerb
=2*(0.03/4)
51.18 CP 3
50.03 BM A
Measured RL Point Adjustment Adjusted RL

50.00 BM A 0.000 50.000

47.34 CP 1 0.008 47.332
48.65 Kerb 0.015 48.635
46.25 Post 0.015 46.235
49.23 CP 2 0.015 49.215
50.14 Kerb 0.023 50.117
51.18 CP 3 0.023 51.157
50.03 BM A
=3*(0.03/4)
Measured RL Point Adjustment Adjusted RL

50.00 BM A 0.000 50.000

47.34 CP 1 0.008 47.332
48.65 Kerb 0.015 48.635
46.25 Post 0.015 46.235
49.23 CP 2 0.015 49.215
50.14 Kerb 0.023
=4*(0.03/4)
51.18 CP 3 0.023
50.03 BM A 0.030 50.000
 Errors in Levelling

• Equipment Error
• Field Error
• Reading and Booking
 EQUIPMENT ERRORS
Collimation Error - Line of sight not horizontal

• Keep sight lengths from each instrument position the same

• Check collimation error using Two-Peg Test

Correct
reading
Actual
reading
Collimation Error - Line of sight not horizontal

Correct Size of error depends on

reading sight length

Actual
reading
 Two peg test

• Identifies whether the level has a collimation error

• Allows the collimation error to be determined
 EQUIPMENTS ERRORS
Parallax

• Focus eyepiece on cross-hairs, then focus telescope on staff

Staff Errors

• Zero error - base may be worn - doesn’t matter as long as

same staff is always used
• May not be extended properly

Tripod Errors

• Must be stable
 FIELD ERRORS

Staff not vertical

• Use pond bubble on staff

• Rock staff and take minimum reading

Unstable equipment

• Watch out for soft ground under tripod or staff

• Don’t touch (or kick!) tripod
 READING AND BOOKING ERRORS
• Keep sightings short to estimate mm on staff accurately.

• Double check all readings

• Carry out calculation checks

WEATHER
• Wind causes level to vibrate, heat causes ‘shimmer’
CONTOURING
 What is Contour?

• Imaginary line on the ground joining point of equal altitude or

elevation.
• Contour line shown on maps or plans as a line.
• Contour line mostly used for indicate the elevation directly.
 What is Contour?

5
10
15
20 25

25
20
15
10
5
 What is Contour Interval?

• Vertical distance between two consecutive contours.

90 92 94 96 98

Contour Interval: 2 m
 How to choose contour interval?

• The natural of the ground

➢ Flat area = small contour interval
• The scale of the map
➢ Small scale = large contour interval
• The purpose and extent of the survey
➢ Accurate calculation earthwork = Small contour
interval.
• Time and expense of field and office work
➢ Less time = Large contour interval
Below is the list of engineering works that needs contour
information with appropriate value of contour intervals.

• Airport and airbase → 0.25m

• Map that showed building site → 0.5m - 1m

• Reservoirs and town-planning schemes → 1m – 2m

• Topographical maps → 5m – 10m

• Small-scale topographical maps → 10m – 50m

 Characteristics of Contour

• Two contour lines of different elevation cannot cross each others.

• Contour lines of different elevation can cross each other only at
Overhanging cliff

120
150
130 140
130
140 120
150

Overhanging Cliff
 Characteristics of Contour
• Contour lines of different elevations can unite to form one line only at
Vertical Cliff

50
60
70
80
Vertical Cliff 90
 Characteristics of Contour

• A closed contour line with one or more higher ones

inside it represents a hill
• A closed contour line with one or more lower ones
inside it indicates a depression

110 90
100 100
90 110
80 120
HILL DEPRESSION
 USES OF CONTOUR MAP

• Alignment of a highway or railway line.

• For selecting the most suitable site various engineering projects.
• Determination of the capacity of the reservoir area.
• Quantities of earth work can be computed by selecting suitable
sections.
• Location of various strategic points which are very important in
military operations.
 METHODS OF LOCATING CONTOURS

• DIRECT METHOD
• INDIRECT METHOD
• Squares or Gridding Method
• Radial Method
 DIRECT METHOD

•This is the only method that produces true contours.

• It involves finding points on the ground with the value

of the required contour.

• By establishing a series of such points the contour lines

are effectively marked out on the ground.

• It is then possible to plot them by conventional

detail surveying.
 DIRECT METHOD

BS
2.072 1.982

R.L of T.B.M = 30.722

B.S of T.B.M = 2.072
TBM
H.I =32.794
30.722 m
Reading on staff for 31-m contour = 1.794
 DIRECT METHOD

BS
2.072 1.794

31-m

R.L of T.B.M = 30.722

B.S of T.B.M = 2.072
TBM
H.I =32.794
30.722 m
Reading on staff for 31-m contour = 1.794
 DIRECT METHOD

This process is
repeated until the all
31m contour line is
BS set out.
2.072

1.794
31-m

31-m R.L of T.B.M = 30.722

B.S of T.B.M = 2.072
TBM
H.I =32.794
30.722 m
Reading on staff for 31-m contour = 1.794
 INDIRECT METHODS
Square or Gridding Method

20 m
This process is
repeated until the
all grid point is set
out.
TBM
20 m
 INDIRECT METHODS
Radial Method

BS

TBM
 INTERPOLATION OF CONTOURS

• Arithmetical Calculation
• By Graphical Method
 Arithmetical Calculation

B C
2.510 2.905

The RL’s for points A, B and C have been

determined by levelling. We are now
required to determine the location of the
contours using a 0.5 m contour interval.

1.100
A
 Arithmetical Calculation

B LINE AB
2.510 HAB = 2.51 - 1.10 = 1.410
DAB = 10 m
For the 1.5 m contour:
D = 10*(1.5 – 1.1)/1.41 = 2.84
For the 2.0 m contour :
D = 10*(2.0 - 1.1)/1.41 = 6.38 B
For the 2.5 m contour :
D = 10*(2.5 - 1.1)/1.41 = 9.93
1.41
1.4
0.9
0.4
A
2.84 6.38 9.93
1.100
A 10 m
 Arithmetical Calculation

B C
2.510 2.905

LINE AC
HAC = 2.905 - 1.100 = 1.805
DAC = 14.14 m
For the 1.5 m contour :
D = 14.14*(1.5 - 1.1)/1.805 = 3.13
For the 2.0 m contour :
D = 14.14*(2.0 - 1.1)/1.805 = 7.05
For the 2.5 m contour :
1.100 D = 14.14*(2.5 - 1.1)/1.805 = 10.97
A
 Arithmetical Calculation

B C
2.510 2.905

LINE BC
DHBC = 2.905 - 2.510 = 0.395
DBC = 10 m
no contours cross this line

1.100
A
 Arithmetical Calculation

B C
2.510 2.905

1.100
A
By Graphical Method
Construct a transparent overlay The 8m contour line is
7
7 55 units above LH point
6
6 and 23 units below RH pt.
5
5 To locate the 8m
4
4 contour point
3
3
2
2
1
1
0
0
1
1
2
2
7.45 8.23
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7