Profile Leveling

I. Introduction

Profile leveling is used for purposes of location, design and construction that is necessary to
determine the elevation along the proposed routes for highways, canals, railroads, water line and
etc. Profile leveling is the process of determining a series of elevation along a fixed line and consist
of a line of differential levels with a series of intermediate shots taken during the process.

II. Objective
After completion of this course the student should be able to:
a.) plot profile data using profile paper
b.) understand and apply properly the different terms used in profiling and,
c.) solve elevation and height of instrument in in a series of intermediate points.

III. Profile Leveling

1.Profile- It is a curved line that graphically represents a vertical plane's intersection with the earth's surface. It shows
Definition the ground level of selected critical points along the line being surveyed, and the horizontal distances between them.

of Terms 1.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.

1.Intermediate foresight- Also known as rod reading, an accurate representation of the ground surface is taken along
the centerline of the proposed project. Intermediate foresight is found at frequent intervals and at points where
abrupt elevation changes occur.

1.Full Station- These are points which are defined at uniformly measured distances along the profile level path.
Generally, these points are made in multiples of 100,50, 30,20,10 meters.

1.Plus Station- Any other intermediate point along a route of the profile stage that is not designated as a full station
is called a plus station. These points are taken at breaks in the slope of the ground surface and at crucial points such
as the position of culverts, bridges, and other structures that are intended.

1.Vertical Exaggeration- is a process of drawing the vertical scale for a profile much larger than the horizontal scale in
order to accentuate the difference in elevation.

1.Profile Paper- a special heavy grade graphing paper used for plotting profiles

Figure 8.1: [1]Surveying with construction application by: Barry Cavanagh

Figure:8.1 Road Section

 Procedure:

If Intermediate Foresight
(IFS) reading from the
The instrument is instrument position is no
After HI is
setup at convenient longer possible, it is
established, a series
point and a BS taken necessary to take an FS
of foresight are taken on a TP and move the
to a point of known
along the center line instrument to another
elevation in order to
of the project position from which
determine the HI
another reading
sequence can be taken.

 The Level notes kept for profile leveling is similar to those for differentials leveling except for the
addition of a separate column intended for IFS reading.

Figure:8.2 Sample of Profile Leveling Notes:

 Figure:8.3 Sample Plotted Profile

The profile is plotted as a curve in which the distance of each station from the point of
the beginning is shown on the abscissa and the elevation of each station is plotted on the
ordinate

A certain balance between the horizontal and vertical scale is required for the portrayal
of the ground profile. To accentuate or make the difference in elevation more
pronounced, the vertical scale is often made much larger than the horizontal scale. This
is known as vertical exaggeration. Typically uses a ratio of 10:1.

a) Plotting Scale- the horizontal and the vertical scales used in plotting the profile should be properly
identified.
b) Stationing- the full station along the level route should be indicated to portray the overall linear length
of the line.
c) Reference Points- important reference points and other ground points which need to be emphasized
or pointed out should be easily seen.
d) Marginal Information- any other valuable information should indicate in detail. Such information may
include the following:
Marginal Information

Title to Identify the

leveling operation
Location of the profile
taken
What the profile
represents
Date of when it happens
Names of the party
members
the name of draftsman who
plotted the profile
 Example 1
Illustrative Problem

STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV.

BM1 0.95 105.50
0+00 3.0
0+10 2.3
TP1 3.13 0.64 0.64
0+22 2.7
0+30.5 2.8
0+34.2 3.1
0+39.3 0.5
0+42.5 0.8
TP2 2.16 1.28 1.28
0+45 0.9
0+48.6 1.2
0+50 1.7
0+53.7 2.8
TP3 0.82 2.37 2.37
TP4 1.35 3.50 3.50
0+75 3.0
BM2 1.99 1.99

Solution:

a) Compute of HI’s and Elevation of stations.

HI= Elev BM1+BS ; Elev. TP1=HI- FS

105.50 + 0.95 = 106.45 (HI1)

106.45 - 3.0 = 103.45 Elev. sta.0+00
106.45 - 2.3 = 104.15 Elev. sta.0+10
106.45 - 0.64 = 105.81 Elev. TP1

105.81 + 3.13 = 108.94 (HI2)

108.94 - 2.7 = 106.24 Elev. sta.0+22
108.94 - 2.8 = 106.14 Elev. sta.0+30.5
108.94 - 3.1 = 105.84 Elev. sta.0+34.2
108.94 - 0.5 = 108.44 Elev. sta.0+39.30
108.94 - 0.8 = 108.14 Elev. sta.0+42.50
108.94 - 1.28 = 107.66 Elev. TP2

107.66 + 2.16 = 109.82 (HI3)

109.82 - 0.9 = 108.92 Elev. sta.0+45
109.82 - 1.2 = 108.62 Elev. sta.0+48.6
109.82 - 1.7 = 108.12 Elev. sta.0+50
109.82 - 2.8 = 107.02 Elev. sta.0+53.70
 109.82 - 2.37 = 107.45 Elev. TP3
107.45 + 0.82 = 108.27 HI4
108.27 - 3.50 = 104.77 Elev TP4
104.77 + 1.35 = 106.12 HI5
106.12 - 3.0 = 103.12 Elev. sta. 0+75
106.12 - 1.99 = 104.13 Elev.BM2

b.) Determining Foresight and Backsight Sums:

∑ 𝐵𝑆= 0.95 + 3.13 + 2.16 + 0.82 + 1.35 = +8.41m

∑ 𝐹𝑆= -(0.64 + 1.28 + 2.37 + 3.50 + 1.99) = - 9.78m

c.) Tabulated Solution:

STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV.

BM1 0.95 106.45 105.50
0+00 3.0 103.45
0+10 2.3 104.15
TP1 3.13 108.94 105.81
0+22 2.7 106.24
0+30.5 2.8 106.14
0+34.2 3.1 105.84
0+39.3 0.5 108.44
0+42.5 0.8 108.14
TP2 2.16 109.82 1.28 107.66
0+45 0.9 108.92
0+48.6 1.2 108.62
0+50 1.7 108.12
0+53.7 2.8 107.02
TP3 0.82 106.11 2.37 107.45
TP4 1.35 103.96 3.50 104.77
0+75 3.0 103.12
BM2 1.99 104.13
∑ 𝐵𝑆 = 8.41𝑚 ∑ 𝐹𝑆 = −9.78𝑚

d.) Arithmetic check

105.50 m Elevation of BMa

+8.41 m ∑ 𝐵𝑆
-9.78 m ∑ 𝐹𝑆
104.13 m BMb

V. Cross Section
 Road Way Cross Section:

This type of cross section is Obtained on similar

Used to portray correctly
required for most route manner as to Profile
the ground surface within
projects such as roads and leveling
the project area
rail roads.

Elevation of ground points

along the section are taken
regular intervals as say
5,10,15,, and 20 meters on
either side Figure:8.4 Sample Cross Section Levels

Figure: 8.4 show typical form of cross

section notes for a route project. It will
be noted that reading on bench marks
and turning points, and the computed
values of heights of instrument and
elevations of stations are recorded in
the usual form for profile level notes.

IV. Laboratory
Refer to Laboratory manual
 V. Exercise
1. Complete the following set of profile level notes:

Station BS HI FS IFS Elevation

BM1 3.10 7.66 1085.13
TP1 6.14
0+00 6.8
1+00 6.6
2+00 7.7
2+70 8.3
2+75 8.5
3+00 7.1
TP2 11.86 5.85
4+00 6.2
5+00 5.8
5+50 5.2
5+70 4.9
6+00 4.3
BM2 9.07

2. The center line for a proposed highway has been staked. With HI of 685m. the following
intermediate foresight are taken at 100-full stations beginning at Sta. 0
+00: 3.1,3.6,4.1, 6.0, 6.9, 7.7, 8.6, 9.3, 9.4, 9.8, 9.2, 8.7, 8.2, 8.0, 8.3, 8.8, and 9.4 plot the profile
for these stations.

VI. Quiz