Republic of the Philippines

Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City

Cagayan State University
CARIG CAMPUS
Tel. No. (078) 304 - 0818

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING and ARCHITECTURE

MODULE 3 Mean Sea Level- is an imaginary surface of the
sea which is midway between high and low
MEASUREMENTS OF VERTICAL DISTANCES tides. It is taken as the reference surface to
(1) which most ground elevations are referred.

Datum- is any convenient level surface

CSU Vision Introduction coincident or parallel with mean sea level to
which elevations of a particular point are
Transforming lives The elevation of a point near the referred.
by Educating for surface of the earth is its vertical distance
the BEST. above or below an arbitrarily assumed level Elevation- the vertical distance above or below
surface or curved surface every element of mean sea level or any other selected datum.
which is normal to the plumb line. The level
CSU Mission surface (real or imaginary) used for reference is Difference in Elevation is the vertical
called the datum. The datum most commonly distance between the two level surfaces in
CSU is committed to
used in mean sea level, particularly the Mean which the points lie.
transform the lives Sea Level Datum established by the United
of people and
communities
States government. (R.E. Davis Et. Al. Surveying Leveling Methods
through high quality Theory and Practice p. 118).
instruction and
innovative research,
The determination of elevations using 1. Direct or Spirit Leveling-is the commonly
development, surveying techniques is a comparatively simple employed method of determinng the elevation
production and
extension. but extremely important process. Leveling is a of points some distant apart by a series of set
method of determining the difference in ups of a leveling instrument along a selected
elevations between series of points. If one point route.
is at a known elevation, then the relative
elevations of all of the other points can be 2. Differential Leveling- is the process of
determined through leveling. The significance of determining the difference in elevation two or
relative elevations cannot be exaggerated. They more points some distance apart.
are so important that one cannot imagine a
construction project in which they are not
critical. From terracing on a farm or the Definition of terms in Differential Leveling
building of a simple wall to the construction of
drainage projects or the largest buildings and 1. Bench Mark (BM)- is a fixed point of reference
bridges, the control of elevations is of great whose elevation is either known or assumed.
importance.(McCormac, Surveying p. 85)
2. Backsight (BS)- is a rod reading taken on a rod
held on a point of known or assumed elevation.
Learning Outcomes Also known as “plus” sights.

At the end of the session, learners of 3. Foresight (FS)- a reading taken on a rod held
this program are expected to: on a point whose elevation is to be determined.
Also known as “minus” sights.
a. Define the different terms used in leveling.
b. Compute the elevation of points by the 4. Backsight Distance (BSD)- is the distance
different methods of leveling measured from the center of the instrument to
the rod on which the backsight is taken.

5. Foresight Distance(FSD)- is the distance

Lesson Proper/ Discussion measured from the center of the instrument to
the rod on which the foresight is taken.

Measurements of Vertical Distances 6. Turning Point (TP)- is an intervening point

between two bench marks upon which point
Leveling-is the process of directly or indirectly foresight and backsight rod readings are taken
measuring vertical distances to determine the to enable a leveling operation to continue from
elevation of points or their differences in a new instrument position.
elevation.
7. Height of Instrument (HI)- is the elevation of
Definition of terms used in Leveling the line of sight of an instrument above or below
Level Surface- is a curved surface which is at a selected reference datum.
any point perpendicular to the direction of
gravity or the plumb line.
Formula Used for Differential Leveling
Level Line- is a curved line in a level surface all
points of which are normal to the direction of HI= Elev BMA + BS
gravity and equidistant from the center of the
earth. Elev TP1= HI – FS

Horizontal Surface- is a plane that is tangent Where:

to a level surface at a particular point. HI= Height of Instrument
Elev BMA= Elevation of benchmark A
Horizontal Line-is a straight line in a horizontal BS= Backsight
plane which is tangent to a level line at one FS= Foresight
point. Elev TP1= Elevation of turning point 1

Vertical Line- is a line parallel to the direction Arithmetic Check: Elevation of BMB =
of gravity. Elevation of BMA + Ʃ BS – Ʃ FS

1|Page Prepared By: Engr. Natalio G. Pelovello

Faculty, College of Engineering
 Republic of the Philippines
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City
Cagayan State University
CARIG CAMPUS
Tel. No. (078) 304 - 0818

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING and ARCHITECTURE

5. Plus Stations- any other

intermediate point established
along a profile level route which is
not designated as a full station.
6. Vertical Exaggeration- is a
CSU Vision process of drawing the vertical
scale for a profile much larger than
Transforming lives the horizontal scale in order to
by Educating for
accentuate the differences in
the BEST.
elevation.

CSU Mission Enrichment Activities:

1.Complete the following set of profile
CSU is committed to level notes and show the customary arithmetic
transform the lives
of people and
check.
communities
through high quality
instruction and
Enrichment Activities: Sta BS HI FS IFS Elev
innovative research, BMA 0.95 125.50
development,
1. Complete the differential level notes shown m
production and
extension. below and perform the customary 0+ 3.0
arithmetic check. 00
0+ 2.3
Station BS HI FS Elevation 10
(Sta) TP1 3.13 0.64
BM1 1.25 m 127.13m
0+ 2.7
TP1 1.11m 1.88 22
m 0+ 2.8
TP2 1.22m 1.52 30.5
m
0+ 3.1
TP3 1.18m 2.24 34.2
m
TP4 1.07m 2.01 0+ 0.5
m 39.3
TP5 1.83m 2.65 0+ 0.8
m 42.5
BM2 2.76 TP2 2.16 1.28
m
0+ 0.9
45
0+ 1.2
48.6
3. Profile Leveling-is the process of determining 0+ 1.7
differences in elevation along a fixed line at 50
designated short measured intervals 0+ 2.8
53.7
Definition of terms used in Profile Leveling TP3 0.82 2.37

1. Profile- is a curved line which TP4 1.35 3.50

graphically portrays the
intersection of a vertical plane with 0+ 3.0
the surface of the earth. 75
BMB 1.99

2. Stationing (Sta)- a numerical

designation given in terms of
horizontal distance any point along
a profile line and is away from the
starting point.

3. Intermediate Foresights (IFS)- Self-Assessment Questions:

these sights, which are also known
as ground rod readings, are taken 1. Complete the differential level notes shown
along the centerline of the below and perform the customary
proposed project to provide an arithmetic check.
accurate representation of the
ground surface.
Station BS HI FS Elevation
4. Full Stations- are points which (Sta)
are established along the profile BM1 1.05 m 100.00m
level route at uniformly measured
distances. TP1 1.32m 1.15
m
TP2 2.05m 1.25

2|Page Prepared By: Engr. Natalio G. Pelovello

Faculty, College of Engineering
 Republic of the Philippines
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City
Cagayan State University
CARIG CAMPUS
Tel. No. (078) 304 - 0818

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING and ARCHITECTURE

m
TP3 1.98m 2.00
m
TP4 1.65m 2.25
m
TP5 1.83m 2.65
m
CSU Vision BM2 2.76
m
Transforming lives
by Educating for
the BEST.

CSU Mission 2. Complete the following set of profile level

notes and show the customary arithmetic
CSU is committed to check.
transform the lives
of people and
communities Sta BS HI FS IFS Elev
through high quality BM1 1.2 100.00
instruction and
innovative research, 4 m
development, TP1 1.1 3.4
production and
extension. 1 0
10 + 4.6
000
10 + 2.8
020
10 + 3.6
040
10 + 2.4
060
TP2 3.2 2.4
1 6
10 + 1.2
080
10 + 3.2
100
10 2.8
+12
0
TP3 3.0 2.7
6 4
BM2 2.4
0

References:
1. Elementary Surveying 3rd edition by
Juny Pilapil La Putt
2. Surveying by Jack McCormac Et. Al.
3. Surveying Theory and Practice By R.E
Davis, F. S. Foote
4. The principles and Practice of
Surveying by C. B. Breed; G.L. Hosmer and A. J.
Bone
3|Page Prepared By: Engr. Natalio G. Pelovello
Faculty, College of Engineering