Leveling

 Leveling is the process of

directly or indirectly
measuring vertical distances
to determine the elevation of
points of their differences in
elevation.
Definition of Terms
1. Vertical line - A line that follows the local direction of gravity as indicated
by a plumb line.
2. Level surface - A curved surface that at every point is perpendicular to the
local plumb line. Level surfaces are approximately spheroidal in shape.
3. Level line - A line in a level surface - therefore, a curved line.
4. Datum – it is any convenient level surface parallel with the mean sea level
to which elevations of a particular area are referred
5. Elevation - the vertical distance above or below the mean sea level or any
other datum.
Definitions
6. Mean Sea Level (MSL) - an imaginary surface of the sea which is midway
the high and low tides
7. Vertical control. A series of benchmarks or other points of known elevation
established throughout an area.
Equipment & Tools for Leveling
1. Types of Level
Dumpy level
Wye Level
Automatic Level
Transit as a Level
Theodolite as a Level
Equipment & Tools for Leveling
Telescope:
The telescope of a surveying
instrument is a metallic tube
containing a system of lenses
that are used to fix the direction
of the line of sight and magnify
the apparent size of objects in its
field of view.
Equipment & Tools for
Leveling
Parts of telescope:
eyepiece - is a form of
microscope containing either
two or four lenses and is used
to enlarge altogether the
image and the cross hair.
Equipment & Tools for
Leveling
Parts of telescope:
objective lens - it is a compound
lens composed of crown and
flint glass mounted in the
objective end of the telescope
and has its optical axis
concentric with the tube axis.
Equipment & Tools for
Leveling
Parts of telescope:
Cross hair- consists of a pair of
lines which are perpendicular
to each other and are used to
define the instrument’s line of
sight.
Equipment & Tools for
Leveling
Parts of telescope:
Level vial - is a sealed graduated
glass tube containing some
amount of liquid and a small air
bubble. It is used to determine
the direction of gravity.
Equipment & Tools for Leveling
2. Leveling rod - is a graduated rod which
is used for measuring the vertical distance
between the line of sight through a
leveling instrument and the point whose
elevation is required or known.
Equipment & Tools for Leveling
3. tripod- serves as a base to
prevent movement of the
instrument after it was set up.
Methods of Leveling
1. Direct Leveling – is the process of determining the difference in
elevation between two or more points some distance apart by a
series of set ups of a leveling instrument along a selected route.
2. Profile Leveling – is used to determine differences in elevation
between two 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.
Methods of Leveling
3. Stadia Leveling – differences in elevation are computed from
observed vertical angles and three intercepts on a rod held on each
point. The optical geometry of the instrument is employed for its
computation.
4. Barometric Leveling – differences in elevation between points are
determined by measuring the variation in the atmospheric pressure
at each point by means of a barometer.
Differential Leveling - the process of determining
the difference in elevation between two or more
points some distance apart through a series of set ups
of instrument along a general route and, for each set
up, a rod reading back to the point of known
elevation and forward to a point of unknown
elevation are taken.
 Leveling Terms
1. Bench mark (BM) - a fixed point of reference whose elevation is either
known or assumed. They may be permanent or temporary.
2. Backsight (BS). A reading taken on a rod held on a point of known or
assumed elevation. It is a measure of a vertical distance from the established
line of sight to the point sighted, and is always the first rod reading taken after
the instrument has been set up and leveled.
3. Foresight (FS). A reading taken on a rod held on a point whose elevation is to
be determined. It is represented as a vertical distance from the line of sight of
the instrument to the point observed.
 Leveling Terms
4. Backsight Distance (BSD) The backsight distance is measured from the
center of the instrument to the rod on which a backsight is taken.
5. Foresight Distance (FSD). The horizontal distance from the center of the
instrument to the rod on which the foresight is taken.
6. Turning point (TP). A turning point is an intervening point between two
benchmarks upon which point foresight and backsight rod readings are taken
to enable a leveling operation to continue from a new instrument position.
7. Height of the instrument. This is the height of collimation. The elevation of
the line of sight of an instrument above or below a selected reference datum.
Computations
1. Height of the instrument - The backsight reading is added to
the known or assumed elevation of the initial benchmark (or
turning point TP) to determine the height of the instrument

HI = Elev. BM + BS
Computations
2. Elevation of turning point & benchmark- The foresight
reading is subtracted to the height of the instrument to determine
the elevation of the turning point or the next benchmark.

Elev. Of TP = HI - FS
Example 1: Complete the differential level notes shown below
and perform the customary check
Example 2: Complete the differential level notes shown below
and perform the customary check
Example 3: Prepare and complete the differential level notes
for the information shown. Include customary arithmetic
check.
Example 4: Prepare and complete the differential level notes
for the information shown. Include customary arithmetic
check.
Double Rodded Leveling - is a method of determining
differences in elevation between two points by employing
two level routes simultaneously. It differs from the
conventional differential levelling in that two turning points
are established such that at each set up of the level
instrument, two sets of independent backsights and
foresights are taken. One advantage of this method is that it
provides a continuous check while the work is in progress.
Example 5: Complete the following differential level notes for a double-
rodded line from BM1 to BM2. Show the customary arithmetic check.
Example 6: Complete the following differential level notes for a double-
rodded line from BMa to BMb. Show the customary check.
Three-wire Leveling - is a more precise method of
differential leveling compared to the previous two. It
determines the elevation and difference in elevation of
points wherein, three horizontal hairs are read and recorded
rather than a single horizontal hair reading.
 Three-Wire Leveling

a = upper stadia
hair reading
b = lower stadia
hair reading
c = horizontal cross
hair reading or rod
reading at P
3. Three-Wire Leveling

s = stadia intercept or the difference between the upper stadia hair reading and the
lower stadia hair reading.
Mean rdg = average of three readings
HD = Horizontal distance from the level to the rod held at P
K = stadia interval factor (100) = Ks + C
C = instrument constant (0)
HI = height of the line of sight above datum or mean sea level
Elev = Unknown elevation of benchmark
Example 7: Complete the leveling notes
Profile Leveling - is the process of determining differences
in elevation along a fixed line at designated short measured
intervals. It provides data from which a vertical section of
the ground surface can be plotted. A profile is necessary for
the design and construction of bridges, roads, canals,
culverts, etc.
Definition of Terms:
a. Profile - Profile is a curved line that graphically portrays the
intersection of a vertical plane with the surface of the earth. It depicts
ground elevations of selected critical points along a surveyed line and
the horizontal distances between these points.

b. Stationing - A numerical designation given in terms of horizontal

distance any point along a profile line is away from the starting point.
Each stake used is marked with its station and plus.
Definition of Terms:
c. Intermediate foresights. also known as ground rod readings, are
taken along the centerline of the proposed project to provide an
accurate representation of the ground surface. They are observed at
regular intervals and at points where sudden changes in elevation
occur.

d. Full stations. These are points which are established along the
profile level route at uniformly measured distances. These points are
usually made in multiples of 100, 50, 30, 20 or 10 meters.
Definition of Terms:
e. Plus Stations - Any other intermediate points established along a
profile level route which is not designated as a full. These points are
taken at breaks in the ground surface slope and at critical points such
as the intended location of culverts, bridges, and other structures.

f. Vertical Exaggeration - is the process of drawing the vertical scale

for a profile much larger than the horizontal scale in order to
accentuate the differences in elevation.
Profile Leveling
Profile Leveling Exercise

Work out the following problems regarding points and stations along a
profile level route:
a. A turning points along a profile level route measures 126.44m
beyond station 8+024.50. Determine the stationing of this turning point.
b. Determine the stationing of the previous turning point if it is
instead located 83.45m before the given reference station.
c. Determine the distance between station 33+045.02 and station
26+062.75.
Example 8
Complete the following set of profile level notes and show the customary arithmetic
check.
Example 9
Complete the following set of profile level notes and show the customary arithmetic
check.
RISE AND FALL METHOD OF LEVELING
It is a straightforward method and may serve as an alternate method for
profile or differential leveling or it may also be used to check a complete set
of level notes.

The rise and fall method is based on the principle that two consecutive
readings from the same instrument position gives the difference in elevation
of the two points sighted. In this method, the actual height of the instrument
has no real significance other than being the line to which vertical distances
are conveniently measured from various points on the ground.
RECIPROCAL LEVELING

Sometimes in leveling across topographic features such as rivers, lakes, and

canyons, it is difficult or impossible to keep plus and minus sights sort and
equal. Reciprocal leveling may be utilized a such locations. In this method of
leveling, two sets of rod readings are observed. One set is taken with the
instrument setup close to one point and another with the instrument set up
close to the other point.
6. RECIPROCAL LEVELING

The procedure followed is

known as the method of
reversion, just as employed in
the two-peg test.
TRIGONOMETRIC LEVELING
The difference in elevation between two points can be determined by measuring
(1) the inclined or horizontal distance between them and (2) the zenith angle or
the altitude angle to one point from the other.

Trigonometric leveling or indirect leveling is defined as the determination of

differences in elevation from observed vertical angles and either horizontal or
inclined distances. Vertical measurements determined by trigonometric methods
are only approximate unless the observed vertical angles and the required
distances are precisely measured. This method of leveling is used extensively
when undertaking topographic surveys over rugged or rolling terrain since it
provides a rapid means of determining vertical distances and elevation of points.
TRIGONOMETRIC LEVELING
TRIGONOMETRIC LEVELING
This method of determining difference in elevation should be limited only to
horizontal distances not exceeding 300 meters. When distances are much longer,
the combined effects of earth’s curvature and refraction must be considered and
applied in the calculation of vertical distances.

When trigonometric leveling is employed in much longer sights, the slope

distance is measured using EDM instruments and precise optical theodolites are
utilized for measuring vertical angles. Also, the correction for the combined
effects of curvature and refraction is added when the vertical angle is an upward
sight; it is subtracted when a downward sight is observed.
7. TRIGONOMETRIC LEVELING
TRIGONOMETRIC LEVELING example
a. A vertical angle of -12°25’ is measured to the top of a water tank from an
instrument set up on a hill 585.00 meters away from it. The telescope of the
instrument is 1.45m above the ground whose elevation is 462.73m. Making due
allowance for the earth’s curvature and atmospheric refraction, determine the
elevation of the base of the water tank if the tank is 32.0 high.
b. Let A be a point of elevation 130.48m above datum, and let B and C be points of
unknown elevation. By means of an instrument set 1.22m above B, vertical angles
are observed, that to A being -14°45’ and that to C being +8o32’. If the horizontal
distance AB is 547.20m and the horizontal distance BC is 923.95m, determine the
elevations of B and C, making due allowance for earth’s curvature and
atmospheric refraction.
ADJUSTMENT OF LEVEL CIRCUITS

A level circuit (or loop) is a line of levels which begins and ends at the same point
or is run between points of precisely known elevations. In running a closed loop, it
will always be expected that the observed elevations (as computed from the level
notes) will not agree with the known elevations of previously established points
within the loop. The difference between the observed and known elevations of the
initial point, or benchmark, is referred to as the error of closure.
ADJUSTMENT OF LEVEL
CIRCUITS
a. Levels over one route
When a line of levels closes
back on the bench mark at the
beginning of the survey, the
observed elevation of the initial
bench mark will not be equal to its
known (or accepted)
elevation. Apparently, there will
always be an error of closure.
ADJUSTMENT OF LEVEL CIRCUITS

If the error of closure is a negative value, all computed elevation corrections

are to be added to the corresponding observed elevations; if positive,
corrections are subtracted.
a. Levels over one route example
The known elevation of BM1 is 728.730 meters. A 30.500km long level circuit is run,
closing back on BM1 with an elevation, as determined from the notes, of 728.486m. The
observed elevation of other bench marks which were established during the run, and
their distances from the initial bench mark are given below:

Determine the following:

a. The error of closure
b. Correction to be applied to each observed elevation
c. Adjusted elevations of the bench marks along the level route
ADJUSTMENT OF LEVEL CIRCUITS
b. Levels over different routes
When the elevation of a bench mark is to be established by running several
lines of levels over different routes from a common point of origin, it will always
be certain that different results will be obtained. In this manner of leveling there
will be as many observed elevations as there are lines terminating at the bench
mark to be established.
W = 1/L W = weight given to each route
L = length of the routes
WTD Elev = Elev x W WTD = weight total
Mean elevation = most probable value of elevation
σ 𝑤𝑇𝑑 𝐸 ȁ𝑒𝑣
Mean Elevation = σ 𝑤
b. Levels over different routes example

1. Several lines of levels are run over different routes from BM1 in order to establish the
elevation of BM2. The lengths of these routes and the value of the elevations
determined are shown in the accompanying tabulation. Determine the most probable
elevation of BM2.
b. Levels over different routes example

2. By route X (3.0 kms long) point B is 111.200m higher than point A. By route Y (4.0 kms
long) B is 110.970m above A, and by route Z (6.0 kms long) B is 111.260m above A.
Determine the following:
A. The weighted mean difference
B. The most probable value of the difference in elevation between A and B.
C. The elevation of point B if the elevation of point A is 2,345.680m above mean
sea level.
b. Levels over different routes example

3. Lines of levels to establish the elevation of point X are run over four different routes.
The observed elevations of the point with probable errors are given below. Determine
the most probable value of elevations of the point.
- End of Slides

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