DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING IN SURVEYING
Definition:
Differential leveling is a surveying method used to determine the difference in elevation between
two or more points that are at some distance apart.
Objectives: To establish elevations (Reduced Levels, RL) of points relative to a known benchmark
(BM). To transfer elevations accurately for construction and mapping.
Key Terms: Benchmark (BM): Fixed reference point of known elevation. Backsight (BS): First
reading on a known elevation point. Foresight (FS): Last reading before moving instrument.
Intermediate Sight (IS): Readings between BS and FS. Height of Instrument (HI): Elevation of
line of sight: HI = RL + BS.
Procedure: Set up instrument and level it properly. Take BS on BM and compute HI = RL + BS.
Take IS readings and compute RL = HI - IS. Take FS to determine RL of last point before moving
instrument. Repeat steps using change point as new BM. Apply check: ΣBS - ΣFS = Last RL - First
RL.
Sample Calculation: Height of Instrument Method
Station BS (m) IS (m) FS (m) HI (m) RL (m)
BM 1.285 101.285 100.000
A 1.995 99.290
CP1 2.785 98.500
CP1 (next) 0.955 99.455
B 1.855 97.600
Sample Calculation: Rise and Fall Method
Station BS IS FS Rise Fall RL
BM 1.285 100.000
A 1.995 0.710 99.290
CP1 2.785 0.790 98.500
CP1(next) 0.955 0.790
B 1.855 0.955 97.600
Practice Questions (with Solutions at End): Explain differential leveling and its importance in
surveying. State two methods for reducing levels and highlight their differences. A BM has RL =
250.000 m. BS = 1.500 m, IS = 2.400 m, FS = 2.900 m. Calculate HI and RL for IS and FS points.
Compute RL for a sequence: BM (RL=100.000), BS=1.200, IS=1.750, FS=2.050, next BS=1.500,
FS=1.950. Apply the rise and fall method to compute RLs for: BS=1.250, IS=1.700, FS=2.100, next
BS=1.000, FS=1.950 (BM RL=200.000). Define HI and write its formula. Write the arithmetic check
formula for differential leveling and verify for Q3 data. Discuss three errors common in leveling and
how to minimize them. Why is NAVD88 important when reporting elevations? Differentiate between
assumed datum and official datum with examples.
