FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

Self-Pace Module

Module 3 Measurement of Vertical Distances

Topics a. Definition of Leveling
b. Leveling Methods and Type of Levels
c. Differential Leveling
d. Profile Leveling
e. Basic Operation of Leveling Instrument
Overview: This lesson will provide an overview on the definition and types leveling
methods and various ways of measuring vertical distances. Discussion
and calculation on differential leveling. Basic operations of leveling
instruments will also be discussed

Targeting Learning Outcomes

Course Intended Learning -Introduction and Applications to Measuring Vertical Distances

Outcomes -Understand various leveling methods
-Calculate differential leveling data
-Understand parts and functions of leveling instruments
Essential Questions What is the importance of determining the vertical distances in
construction?
Learning Targets At the end of this module, you should be able to learn what are the
different leveling methods, calculate leveling data and learn to operate
leveling instruments.
Reference and Credits: Elementary Surveying, by Ghilani and Wolf
Elementary Surveying by La Putt

Introduction
Leveling is the general term applied to any of the various processes by which elevations of
points or differences in elevation are determined. It is a vital operation in producing necessary data for
mapping, engineering design, and construction. Leveling results are used to
(1) design highways, railroads, canals, sewers, water supply systems, and other facilities having
grade lines that best conform to existing topography;
(2) lay out construction projects according to planned elevations;
(3) calculate volumes of earthwork and other materials;
(4) investigate drainage characteristics of an area;
(5) develop maps showing general ground configurations; and
(6) study earth subsidence and crustal motion
Terminologies and Definitions:

(credits: www.jerrymahun.com)
Level Surface - It is a curved surface which is at any point perpendicular to the direction of
gravity or the plumb line. It is best represented by the surface of a large body of still water
Level Line - A level line is a curved line in a level surface all points of which are normal to the
direction of gravity and equidistant from the center of the earth.
Horizontal Surface - It is a plane that is tangent a level surface at a particular point. The
horizontal surface is also perpendicular to the plumb line at the same point
Horizontal Line - A straight line in a horizontal plane which is tangent to a level line at one point.
Vertical Line - A vertical line at any po sine parallel to the direction of gravity
Mean Sea Level - is an imaginary surface of the sea which is midway between high and low
tides. This surface, which considered to be at zero elevation, conforms to the spheroidal shape of the
earth and is perpendicular to direction of gravity at every point.
Datum - is any convenient level surface coincident or Parallel with mean sea level to which
elevations of a particular area are referred.
Elevation - For a particular point, its elevation is the vertical distance above or below mean se
level or any other selected datum.
Difference in Elevation - The difference in elevation between two points is the vertical distance
between the two level surfaces in which the points lie

Lecture Videos .Please watch the YouTube Videos, (links provided)

Introduction Leveling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8poe2vvD2Q
Taking a Level Reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnDA-
nAUyl8&list=PLDUuWSYkExUoO5y5X8DfFRMi-bL-
dJAC-&index=2

Two peg test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij-

yIAvChhk&list=PLDUuWSYkExUoO5y5X8DfFRMi-
bL-dJAC-&index=3

Profile Leveling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atTsiJuWUTM

Differential Leveling 1 of 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsPnQoVctKA
Differential Leveling 2 of 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74cM8HKiIKk
Level Reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnDA-nAUyl8
Learning Tasks : Leveling Methods
Submission: May 16,2023

Study and understand list of terminologies, and leveling methods. You can submit in ppt, docx, pdf or
image file format. You can also submit handwritten format, be sure to take the image of your handwritten
assignment in image format (jpg, png or others). Submission will be thru MS Teams Assignment

1. Define and discuss the following leveling methods

a. Direct or Spirit Leveling
b. Reciprocal Leveling
c. Profile Leveling
d. Trigonometric Leveling
e. Stadia Leveling
f. Barometric Leveling
g. Cross section Leveling
h. Borrow Pit Leveling

Differential Leveling

Differential levelling is the process of determining the difference in elevation between two or
more points some distance apart. It requires a series of set ups of the instrument along a general route
and, for each set up, a rod reading back to the point of known elevation are taken. The basic equipment
used in differential levelling include a graduated levelling rod and a levelling instrument such as a dumpy
level, automatic level, or an engineer’s transit. These levelling instruments are used to establish a
horizontal line of sight and to measure the vertical distance between the line of sight and the point on
which the rod is held.

 Bench Mark (BM)

 - Is a fixed point of reference whose elevation is either known or assumed. They may
be permanent or temporary.

- Permanent bench marks (PBM) are those which are established at intervals
throughout the country by the Philippine Coast and Geodetic Surveys (PCGS) or the
Bureau of Lands.

 Backsights (BS)

- Backsight is a reading taken on a rod held on a point of known or assumed

elevation. It is measure of the vertical distance from the established line
measure of sight to the point sighted, and is always the first rod reading taken
after the instrument has been set up and levelled.
-
- are frequently referred to as plus sights (+S) since they are added to the
elevation of points being sighted to determine the height of instrument.

- The backsight does not necessary mean that it is always a sight taken backward.

 Foresights (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. Also referred as minus sight (-S) since the reading for a
foresight is subtracted from the height of instrument to determine the elevation
of the point on which the rod is held.

 Turning Points (TP)

- Turning point is an intervening point between two bench marks upon which
point foresight and backsight rod readings are taken to enable a levelling
operation to continue from a new instrument position. It is also sometimes
referred to as a change point (CP)

Elev. Of TP1 = HI - FS

 Height of Instruments (HI)

- The height of instrument (or height of collimation) is the elevation of the line of
sight of an instrument above or below a selected reference datum. It is
determined by adding the rod reading on the backsight to the elevation of the
point on which the sight is taken.

HI = Elev. of BMa + BS
  Backsight and Foresight Distance (BSD and FSD)

- The backsight distance is measured from the center of the instrument to the rod
on which a backsight is taken.
- The horizontal distance from the center of the instrument to the rod on which a
foresight is taken is referred to as the foresight distance.
- Its length is usually made nearly equal to its corresponding backsight distance.

 Difference in Elevation (DE)

- The difference in elevation between two points is the vertical distance
between the two level surfaces in which the points lie.

Difference in Elevation = Elev. of BMb – Elev. of BMa

 Arithmetic Check
- The arithmetic check should be done before the survey team leaves the site
- The difference between the sum of foresights(FS) and sum of backsights
(BS) is equal to the difference in elevation between the first station (BM a)
and last station (BMb)

Elev. of BMa – Elev. of BMb = ∑FS - ∑BS

Leveling Rods and Taking Rod Readings

- Two "E" pattern staffs are shown on the right, note slight differences in the marking and num-
bers. The "E" pattern is designed to make it easy to read a small section of the scale when seen
through a telescope.
- The staff is simply a large ruler, available in lengths of 3, 4 or 5 meter and usually made of alumi-
num with telescopic sections.
- The sections have locking buttons to ensure accurate length is maintained.
- Some staffs also have an extended length scale in mm on the back.
- Measurements are in meters and cm (10mm blocks) which enable heights to be estimated to 1
mm. Alternating colors are used to differentiate each meter length, the most common being
black and red on a white background.
- Major graduations occur at 100 mm intervals and are denoted by figures. Minor graduations are
at 10 mm intervals and form colored squares or intervening spaces. The lower 50 mm of any 100
mm block are joined by a band to form the distinctive E pattern which is designed to make read-
ing a small section of the staff in the telescope easier.
 - The readings shown in figure can be read from upper or lower stadia hairs and horizontal cross
hairs.

Example Rod Readings http://www.levelling.uhi.ac.uk/tutorial1_7.html

Sample Calculation:
Differential Leveling: Complete the differential level notes shown and perform the
customary arithmetic check

Height of
Backsight Foresight
STA Instrument Elevation,m
(BS), m (HI), m (FS), m

BMa 1.256 127.133

TP1 1.116 1.886

TP2 1.228 1.527

BMb 1.189 2.246

BMc 1.070 2.017

TP3 1.831 2.656

BMd 2.765
 Solution:

Backsight Height of
Foresight Elevation,m
STA Instrument
(BS), m (HI), m (FS), m

BMa 127.133
1.256 128.369

TP1 127. 619 1.886 126.503

1.116
1.527
TP2 127.320 126.092
1.228

BMb 2.246 125.074

1.189
126.263

BMc 2.017 124.246

1.070
125.316

TP3 2.656 122.660

1.831
124.491

BMd 2.765 121.726

∑BS = 7.690 ∑FS = 13.097

Arithmetic Check:

Elev. of BMa – Elev . of BMd = ∑FS - ∑BS

127.133 m – 121.726m = 13.097m – 7.690m

5.407 m = 5.407
 The image shows the view of a levelling staff through a level's telescope. Give the
three readings, upper stadia line, staff height and lower stadia line in meters to 3 decimal
places
A.

Upper Stadia Hair : 3.040m

Horizontal Cross Hair: 2.993m

Lower Stadia Hair: 2.946m