CHAPTER ONE: CONSTRUCTION LEVELLING

 Construction levelling is crucial in ensuring that structures are built to the correct height
and gradient.
 Construction levelling is the process of determining the height of points relative to a
reference level, ensuring that construction projects such as roads, buildings, and other
infrastructure are built to the correct elevations. It involves accurate measurements to
establish the proper gradients, slopes, and levels needed to ensure functionality, stability,
and compliance with design specifications

The scope includes:

a) Vertical Control
 Vertical control involves establishing a network of reference points (benchmarks) to
ensure accurate elevation measurements.
 This is often achieved using benchmarks or other surveying instruments that provide
fixed vertical measurements. The accuracy of vertical control ensures that all subsequent
measurements for construction are correctly referenced to this datum
 It is essential for maintaining consistency in height across a project site, particularly in
large-scale construction.
b) Monitoring of Levels
 Regular monitoring of levels ensures that any shifts or movements in the ground are
detected early.
 Monitoring of levels involves the continuous or periodic checking of elevation points on
a construction site. It ensures that the levels remain consistent with design requirements
throughout the construction process, accounting for factors like settlement or movement
of materials and structures.
 This can involve using precise instruments to measure elevation changes over time,
which is vital for structures sensitive to settling or shifting.
c) Setting Out of Levels and Gradients
 Setting out involves marking the desired levels and gradients on the construction site
based on design specifications.
 This process ensures that all elements of the project, such as foundations, roads, and
drainage systems, are constructed at the correct elevations.
Definition of Terms
Height: The vertical distance from a reference point or datum to a specific point above it.

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Datum: A reference point or surface from which elevations of other points are referred;
commonly used datums include mean sea level.
Reduced Level (RL): The height of a point relative to a datum, indicating its elevation above
or below that reference level.
Longitudinal Section: A vertical plane cut through a structure or landform, showing the
profile along its length. Longitudinal sections are sections which follow some pre-determined
line defining a part of a new construction and are usually run along the centre lines of the
proposed work such as new roads, canals, railways, pipe-lines, etc.

The aim of longitudinal section leveling is to provide data for the following:
i. Deciding the most suitable and economic levels and gradients, in its longitudinal section;
ii. Locating the places of cut or fills;
iii. Locating the place where neither cut nor fill occurs.
Cross Section: A vertical plane cut through a structure or landform, showing the profile
across its width.
Cross sections are sections set out normal to the longitudinal section. The aim of cross section

leveling is the reproduction of an accurate section of the ground which is to be covered by the

construction works.

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Cross sections provide data for the following:

i. Deciding the most suitable and economic levels in the traverse direction;

ii. Supplying details for locating the position, height and slope of embankments or cuttings;

iii. Earthwork quantities for costing purposes (Mass Haul Diagrams)

Spot Height: A specific point on a map or plan indicating its elevation above a datum.
Profile Leveling

Profile leveling, also known as longitudinal leveling, is a surveying technique used to

measure and record the vertical elevation differences along a specific linear path or route. It is
commonly employed in civil engineering, road construction, railroad design, and other
infrastructure projects where a precise understanding of the terrain's elevation changes is
essential. Profile leveling results in the creation of a graphical representation called a
"profile," which depicts the variations in elevation along the surveyed route.

Element of Profile

 Vertical Scale: Represents the elevation change on a profile; often exaggerated to

highlight or enhance visualization of topographic features.Used to plot elevations
along the along the y-axis.
 Horizontal Scale: Represents the distance covered on the ground; usually smaller
than the vertical scale to emphasize changes in elevation. Used to plot
stations/chainages of the survey line along the x-axis.

 Ground Level: The natural surface elevation of the earth before any construction or
alteration or it refers to a line on the graph showing the terrain changes of the original
ground levels (OGL) before excavation/compaction.
 Formation/Designed Level: The planned level at which a structure will be built,
accounting for design specifications and site conditions or it is the level at which

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 excavation ceases and construction commences or it is the level to which the earth is
excavated or deposited to accommodate the works.

 Horizontal Distance: The straight-line distance measured on a horizontal plane

between two points.

Design Factors
 Location of Topographical Features: Understanding hills, valleys, and other
landforms is essential for effective drainage and foundation design.
 Location of Critical Points: Identifying points such as water tables, flood levels, and
geological features is vital for ensuring structural integrity.
 Geology and Soil Characteristics: Knowledge of soil types and their properties
influences foundation design, drainage planning, and overall stability.
 Hydrological Measurements/Data: Collecting data on water flow, drainage patterns,
and flood levels is crucial for designing effective drainage systems and preventing
water-related issues.

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SETTING OUT NOTES
In engineering surveying, "setting out" and "surveying" are two closely related terms but they
have distinct meanings and are used in different phases of a project. Compare and contrast the
two terms as used in engineering surveying.

 Setting out - survey undertaken in order to transfer onto the site the plans prepared as
a result of some previous survey. It is the reverse of conventional surveying

 Surveying – art, science and technology of determining the positions of natural and
man-made features so that they can be transferred onto a map or plan.

Types of survey controls used for setting out engineering structures

a) Horizontal control:
 Station must be established within or near the construction area.
 The horizontal control consists of reference marks of known plan position.
b) b) Vertical control
 Establishment of reference marks of known height relative to some specified datum.
 To establish a number of temporary bench mark ,the position of TBM should be fixed
during initial site reconnaissance.
 All TBM should be checked, properly protected and should be re-checked at regular
intervals

A. As an Engineering Surveyor, levelling can be used to establish vertical controls while

executing construction works. With the aid of a diagram, explain the use of sight rails
and boning rods in construction levelling.

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  Sight rail – The horizontal member of the cross-head. They are used to control trench
excavation and pipe gradient without the need for constant professional supervision.
 Boning rod – T-shaped wooden frame used to control trench excavation to a design
gradient.

(Award 2 x 2 marks for each correct response and 2 marks for a well sketched and
labelled diagram = 6 marks)

B. Figure 2 shows a rectangular building to be set out on a coordinate system. The

coordinates of corner A are (+2090 N, +1800 E) and it is to be fixed by theodolite
intersection from two stations K and M whose coordinates are K (+2030 N, 1750 E) and
M (+2020 N, 1850 E). Calculate the angles x and y in order to intersect the position of
point A. (12 Marks
Figure 2

ΔEKA = EA – EK = 1800 – 1750 = 50 m 

ΔNKA = NA – NK = 2090 – 2030 = 60 m 

Distance KA =  E KA 2   N KA 2  50 2  60 2  78.102 m 

E KA 50
Bearing KA = tan 1  tan 1  394820 
N KA 60

ΔEKM= EM – EK = 1850 – 1800 = 50 m 

ΔNKM = NM – NK = 2020 – 2030 = – 10 m 

Distance KM =  E KM 2   N KM 2  50 2  10 2  50.99 m 

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 E KM 50
Bearing KM = tan 1  180  tan 1  180  1011836 
N KM 10

Angle x = 101° 18' 36" − 39° 48' 20" = 61° 30' 16"

ΔEAM= EM – EA = 1850 – 1800 = 50 m

ΔNAM = NM – NA = 2020 – 2090 = – 70 m

Distance AM =  E AM 2   N AM 2  50 2  70 2  86.023 m 

Using sine rule;

AM KA

sin x sin KMA

  sin 613016  
KMA  sin 1     78.102   77 3 18  
 86.023  

Exterior angle y = 360° - 77° 3' 18" = 282° 56' 42"

(Award marks as guided above; 12 x 1 mark for each correct value = 12 marks)

C. A 150 m sewer falls from A to B at a gradient of 1:100. The ground levels at A and B are
1285.055 m and 1282.250 m respectively. If the invert level at B is 1280.000 m and the
height of sight rail above the ground at B is 2.0 m; determine: (8 Marks)

i) Length of the boning rod;

Depth at B = GLB – ILB = 1282.250 − 1280.000 = 2.25 m

Length of boning rod = height of sight rail at B + Depth at B

= 2 + 2.25 = 4.25 m

ii) Height of fixing the sight rail at A.

Rise in invert level from B to A = Gradient  Distance 

1
=  150  1.5 m 
100

Invert level at A = 1280 + 1.5 = 1281.5 m 

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 Depth at A = GLA – ILA = 1285.055 − 1281.5 = 3.555 m

Height of sight rail at A = Length of boning rod – depth at A

= 4.25 – 3.555 = 0.695 m 

(Award marks as guided above; 8 x 1 mark for each correct value = 8 marks)

D. An existing sewer at P is to be continued to Q and R on a falling gradient of 1 in 150 for

plan distances of 27.12m and 54.11m consecutively, where the position of P, Q and R
are defined by wooden uprights.Level reading to staff on TBM (RL 89.52m) = 0.39m
Level reading to staff on top of upright at P = 0.16m
Level reading to staff on top of upright at Q = 0.35m
Level reading to staff on top of upright at R = 1.17m
Level reading to staff on invert of existing sewer at P = 2.84m
All readings are taken at the same instrument position

E. A 80m long pipeline will be built and the gradient from A to B is 1 in 110 and falls from
A to B. Reduced level of point A are 20.102m and point B are 20.195m. The invert level
at point A is 18.123m.
Calculate:
i. The invert level of point B (17.396m)
ii. Height of sight rails at A and B above ground level if a 3m traveler is to be used.(1.021m
& 0.201m)
iii.The depth of excavation at point A and B.(1.979m & 2.799m)

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F. A straight length of sewer is to be laid between three manholes P,Q and R. The following
information is available:

Calculate:
i. The invert levels of Q and R. (77.830m & 77.230m)
ii. Reduced level of the sight rails at P,Q and R if a 3m traveler is to be used to locate the
sewer
invert. (81.430m, 80.830m & ……….m)
iii. The height of sight rails above ground level at P,Q and R. (0.670m, 0.630m & ………m)
The depth of excavation at P,Q and R. (2.330m, 2.370m & ……………..m)
G. A rectangular buildings having plan sides of 75.36 and 23.24m was set out with its major
axis aligned precisely east-west. The design of the coordinates of the SE corner were
(348.92, 591.76) and this corner was fixed by theodolite intersection from two stations P
and Q whose respective coordinate were (296.51, 540.32) and (371.30, 522.22). The
other corners were set out by similar methods.When setting out was completed, the sides
and the diagonals of the building were measured as a check. To help with this the
existing ground levels at the four corners of the proposed structure were determined by
levelling.

i. Calculate the respective horizontal angles (to the nearest 20”) that were set off P relative
to PQ and at Q relative to QP in order to intersect position SE.

ii. Calculate the surface check measurements that should have been obtained for the four
sides and two diagonals (assuming even gradients along the surface)

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