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Differential Levelling

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (Visayas State University)

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 DEPARTMENT OF GEODETIC
ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Telephone: (053) 565-0600 local 1027

Email: dge@vsu.edu.ph

Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

ESci 121 – Fundamentals of Surveying

Exercise No. 4: Differential Leveling

Name: Dagami, Aramae R. Date Performed: Nov. 14, 2021

Course and Year: BSME-3 Date Submitted: Nov. 14, 2021

I. Introduction

The elevation is the height of which something is being referred usually a datum.
Finding the elevations or altitudes of points, structures, or terrain and or differences in
elevations is one of the essential activities of surveying. Determining elevations in
surveying is done through leveling. The process of leveling basically involves the
measurement of vertical distance relative to the established line of sight (Schofield and
Breach, 2007). One of the most common leveling methods in survey operations is
differential leveling. Differential leveling establishes differences in elevation about a
datum using a theodolite, transit, or an automatic level and other surveying instruments
capable of measuring elevations. In a general sense, differential leveling determines the
elevation of distant points by a series of setups of the instrument along the desired route
(La Putt, 2008). The determined elevations are important, especially in varied engineering
projects such as building constructions, road network design, topographic maps, and
many others.

II. Learning Outcomes

1. To demonstrate the process of differential leveling; and

2. To determine the elevation of points through differential leveling.

III. Materials

Transit/theodolite or automatic level, stadia rod/leveling rod, pegs/hubs/crayon or chalk

markers, plumb bob.

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IV. Procedure

1. Identify and designate two points (BM-1 and BM-2) approximately 300 to 500 meters
long. BM-1 as the initial or reference point and BM-2 as the final or the terminal end.
2. Choose a convenient location that is free from obstruction to BM-1 along the general
level route. Set up and level the instrument; this is the first instrument set up where
BM-1 is visible.

3. Take the first backsight reading (BS) on a rod held at BM-1. If the elevation of BM-1
is not known, assume the elevation as 100.00 meters above mean sea level (MSL).
Record and tabulate the reading in Table 1 (Differential Level Notes).

Table 1. Example differential level notes

Station BS HI FS
BM-1 100.00
TP-1
TP-2
TP-3
BM-2
∑BS= ∑FS=

4. The rodman moves forward in the direction of the level route and establishes a new
station, a Turning Point (say TP-1).
5. With the instrument still leveled in the first setup, take and record a foresight reading
(FS) to the rod held at TP-1.
6. Transfer the instrument to a location beyond TP-1 along the direction of the level
route. Ensure that the station TP-1 is visible from the new location.
7. Set up and level the instrument and correspondingly take a backsight reading (BS) to
the rod held at TP-1. Record and tabulate the reading in the differential level notes.
8. The rodman advances again to the direction of the level route and establishes another
Turning Point (TP-2).
9. Repeat the process until the foresight as the last rod reading to the station BM2 is
taken (See accompanying Figure).

Note: To counteract the error introduced in leveling, it is advisable to make the backsight
and foresight distances approximately equal.

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 Figure 1. Example differential leveling scheme

Figure 2. Example differential leveling scheme (Ghilani and Wolf, 2012).

Computations:
1. Computing Height of Instrument (HI) and Elevation.
In differential levelling, the following two equations are repeatedly used

a) HI = Elev + BS b) Elev = HI − FS

Where:
HI - height of instrument above a reference datum BS
- backsight reading on the rod (or plus sight)
FS - a foresight reading on the rod (or minus sight) Elevation -
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.

∑Backsights − ∑Foresights = ElevBM1 − ElevBM2

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 Guide Questions:

1. What is a turning point (TP) and what is its role in the leveling process?
- It is a point on which a Backsight and the foresight from the telescope is taken.
This turning point is which the elevation is determined and no longer necessary
after taking the readings.
2. What is a reference datum and what is commonly used as a reference datum in
leveling operations?
- Reference datum is an abstract coordinate system with a reference surface (such
as sea level) that serves to provide known locations to begin surveys and create
map. The commonly used reference datum is the sea level datum.
3. What is the difference in elevation between BM-1 and BM-2?
- In the given table the difference of the BM-1 and BM-2 is 1.41 m, which means
that the BM-2 is place 1.41 m above from BM-1.
V. Results and Discussion

Table 1. Differential level notes

Station BS HI FS Elevation (m)
BM-1 1.25 101.25 100.00
TP-1 1.06 101.46 0.85 100.4
TP-2 0.95 101.63 0.78 100.68
TP-3 1.23 101.94 0.92 100.71
TP-4 1.15 102.11 0.98 100.96
TP-5 0.85 102.14 0.82 101.29
BM-2 0.73 101.41
∑BS= 6.49 ∑FS= 5.08

The given is the 100.00 m in the Elevation Column, the BS and the FS. Where the HI and
the Elevation of other TP are missing. To find the HI then the formula is: HI = Elev +
BS , then to find the Elevation the formula will be: Elev = HI – FS.
Station HI = Elev + BS Elev = HI – FS
BM-1 100.00+1.25= 101.25 100.00
TP-1 100.4 + 1.06 = 101.46 101.25 - 0.85 = 100.4
TP-2 100.68 + 0.95 = 101.63 101.46 - 0.78 = 100.68
TP-3 100.71 + 1.23 = 101.94 101.63 - 0.92 = 100.71
TP-4 100.96 + 1.15 = 102.11 101.94 - 0.98 = 100.96
TP-5 101.29 + 0.85 = 102.14 102.11 - 0.82 = 101.29
BM-2 102.14 - 0.73 = 101.41

And to check that the computation is correct then:

∑Backsights − ∑Foresights = ElevBM1 − ElevBM2 6.49
– 5.08 = 100.00 – 101.41
1.41=1.41

Therefore, the computation that made is correct in the Differential Level.

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 And for the Sketch :

VI. Conclusion and Recommendations

In conclusion, the elevation of a surface can be solve using the reading of the backsight
and foresight in the rod and also by creating a benchmark and turning point.

In recommendation, to let the student experience in actual leveling operations.

VII. References

Ghilani, C.D., and Wolf, P.R. (2012). Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to

Geomatics. Thirteenth Edition. Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-255434-3.

La Putt, J.P. (1985). Elementary Surveying Lab Manual. Baguio Research and Publishing
Center. Baguio City, Philippines.

La Putt, J.P. (2008). Elementary Surveying. 3rd Edition. National Book Store.
Philippines. Reprint. ISBN 971-08-5581-6.

Schofield, W. and Breach, M. (2007). Engineering Surveying. 6th Edition. Elsevier Ltd.
ISBN–13: 978-0-7506-6949-8.
nrcs.usda.gov
geodesy.noaa.gov

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