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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN

BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONOURS)
QSB 60103- SITE SURVEYING
Fieldwork 1 Report
Levelling
Name

Student ID

SHARON CHOW CI YUNG

0313387

TAN CHUU YEE

0315097

MUHAMMAD HAZIQ BIN HAJI

ABD ZARIFUL

0314131

PARHAM FARHADPOOR

0313698

Table of Content
Content
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Cover Page

Table of Content

1.0 Introduction to Levelling

3-4

2.0 Outline of Apparatus

2.1 Automatic Level

2.2 Adjustable Leg-Tripod

2.3 Optical Plummet

2.4 Horizontal Bubble Level

2.5 Bar- Coded Level Rod

3.0 Objectives

4.0 Field Data

10

4.1 Rise and Fall Method

10

4.2 Height of Collimation Method

11

5.0 Adjusted Data

12

5.1 Rise and Fall Method

12

5.2 Height of Collimation Method

13

6.0 Summary

14

7.0 References

15

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1.0 Introduction to Levelling
Levelling is the determination of the relative heights (altitudes) of the different points in
the area under survey, it is this information which, when coupled with that of the pan, enables a
section through the land and/or artefacts to be drawn (Clancy, 1991).
A horizontal line (or plane) of sight (line or plane of collimation) is established with a
telescope (fitted with cross-hairs) which can be turned about a vertical axis. The difference in
consecutive readings taken on a vertical staff gives the level difference between two points
which can be seen in the figure below.

Figure 1.0 Levelling

Source: http://www.colorado.edu/geography/courses/geog_2043_f01/lab4/diff.jpg
Backsight (B.S.) - The first reading from a new instrument position.
Intermediate Sight (I.S.) Readings between the backsight (B.S.) and foresight (F.S.)
Foresight (F.S.) - The last reading from an instrument position.
There leveling has two type of layouts which are the rise and fall method and the height
of collimation method.

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Figure 1.1 Height of Collimation Method

Source: http://gmba-learning-gateway.co.uk/images/Height_of_Col.jpg?713

Figure 1.2 Rise and Fall Method

Source: http://constructionsite.org.uk/repository/resource/view_resource.php?
id=122&backname=study_unit

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2.0 Outline of Apparatus
2.1 Automatic Level - An Auto-Level is a Professional Leveling Tool used by Contractors,
Builders, Land Surveying Professionals, or the Engineer who demands accurate leveling every
time ( Engineering Supply, 2014).

Figure 2.0 Automatic Level

Source: http://www.engineersupply.com/Images/cst-berger-leveling-aligning-contractortools/ES1008-CST-Berger-24X-SAL-Automatic-Level-55-SAL24ND-md.jpg

2.2 Adjustable Leg-Tripod- Adjustable-leg tripods are the more common of the two in the
construction world, especially outdoors because of generally uneven terrain. The adjustable-leg
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tripod is easier to set up on uneven ground because each leg can be adjusted to exactly the
height needed to find level, even on a very steep slope (Johnson Level, 2010).

Figure 2.1 Adjustable Leg- Tripod

Source: http://www.gotechequipment.com/laser%20images/GOtripod-1.jpg

2.3 Optical Plummet - A device used in place of a plumb bob to center transits and theodolites
over a given point, preferred for its steadiness in strong winds (Dictionary of Construction.com,
2014).
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Figure 2.2 Optical Plummet

Source:
http://www.sccssurvey.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/650x650/9df78eab33525d08
d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/e/leica_gdf111-1_tribrach_without_optical_plummet.jpg

2.4 Horizontal Bubble Level - Tool for determining whether a surface is horizontal (The
Columbia Encyclopedia, 2014).

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Figure 2.3 Horizontal Bubble Level

Source: http://image.made-in-china.com/43f34j00KvltAoQabOqR/Staff-Level.jpg
2.5 Bar- Coded Level Rod To determine the relative heights of the different points in the area
under survey (Clancy, 1991).

Figure 2.4 Bar- Coded Level Rod

Source: http://www.testoon.com/images_produit/005838-full.jpg
3.0 Objectives

To enhance the students knowledge in the leveling procedure.

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To enable students to get hands-on experience in setting up and working with the autolevel.

To determine the error of misclosure in order to determine whether the levelling is

acceptable or not.

To allow students to apply the theories that had been taught in the classes in a hand- on
situation such as making adjustments for each reduced level of every single staff station
in order to obtain the most accurate reduced levels.

To identify the reduced level of each staff station.

4.0 Field Data

4.1 Rise and Fall Method

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BS

IS

FS

Rise

Fall

1.458

R.L.

Remarks

100.000

BM1

1.390

3.679

2.221

97.779

TP A

1.619

1.502

0.112

97.667

TP B

1.243

1.535

97.751

TP C

1.553

1.488

97.506

TP D

1.276

1.269

97.790

TP E

1.274

1.300

0.024

97.766

TP F

1.627

1.436

0.162

97.604

TP G

3.571

1.489

0.138

97.742

TP H

1.348

1.338

2.233

99.975

TP I

1.329

0.019

99.994

BM1

BS=16.359

0.084
0.245
0.284

FS=16.365 Rise=2.758 Fall=2.764

Arithmetical Check :
BS-FS= Rise-Fall= Last Reduced Level Reading- First Reduced Level Reading
16.359-16.365 = 2.758-2.764 = 99.994-100.000
-0.006 = -0.006 = -0.006
Acceptable Misclosure= 12+/- k
K= the number of set-ups
12+/-10= +/-37.947mm
The levelling is acceptable
4.2 Height of Collimation Method
BS

IS

FS

1.458

Height of Collimation

R.L.

Remarks

101.458

100.000

BM1

1.390

3.679

99.169

97.779

TP A

1.619

1.502

99.286

97.667

TP B

1.243

1.535

98.994

97.751

TP C

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1.553

1.488

99.059

97.506

TP D

1.276

1.269

99.066

97.790

TP E

1.274

1.300

99.040

97.766

TP F

1.627

1.436

99.231

97.604

TP G

3.571

1.489

101.313

97.742

TP H

1.348

1.338

101.323

99.975

TP I

99.994

BM1

1.329
BS=16.359

FS=16.365

Arithmetical Check :
BS-FS= = Last Reduced Level Reading- First Reduced Level Reading
16.359-16.365 = 99.994-100.000
-0.006 = -0.006
Acceptable Misclosure= 12+/- k
K= the number of set-ups
12+/-10= +/-37.947mm
The levelling is acceptable.

5.0 Adjusted Data

5.1 Rise and Fall Method
BS

IS

FS

Rise

Fall

R.L.

Adj.

Final

Remarks

R.L.
1.458

100.000

100.0000 BM1

1.390

3.679

2.221

97.779

+0.0006

97.7796

TP A

1.619

1.502

0.112

97.667

+0.0012

97.6682

TP B

1.243

1.535

97.751

+0.0018

97.7528

TP C

1.553

1.488

97.506

+0.0024

97.5084

TP D

1.276

1.269

97.790

+0.0030

97.7930

TP E

1.274

1.300

97.766

+0.0036

97.7696

TP F

0.084
0.245
0.284

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1.627

1.436

3.571

1.489

1.348

0.162

97.604

+0.0042

97.6082

TP G

0.138

97.742

+0.0048

97.7468

TP H

1.338

2.233

99.975

+0.0054

99.9804

TP I

1.329

0.019

99.994

+0.0060

100.0000 BM1

Correction per set-up

= Error of misclosure Number of set up
= (100.0000-99.9940)10
= +0.0006 m

5.2 Height of Collimation Method

BS

IS

FS

Height of

R.L.

Adj.

Final R.L.

Remarks

100.0000

BM1

Collimation
1.458

101.458

100.000

1.390

3.679

99.169

97.779

+0.0006

97.7796

TP A

1.619

1.502

99.286

97.667

+0.0012

97.6682

TP B

1.243

1.535

98.994

97.751

+0.0018

97.7528

TP C

1.553

1.488

99.059

97.506

+0.0024

97.5084

TP D

1.276

1.269

99.066

97.790

+0.0030

97.7930

TP E

1.274

1.300

99.040

97.766

+0.0036

97.7696

TP F

1.627

1.436

99.231

97.604

+0.0042

97.6082

TP G

3.571

1.489

101.313

97.742

+0.0048

97.7468

TP H

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1.348

1.338

101.323

1.329

99.975

+0.0054

99.9804

TP I

99.994

+0.0060

100.0000

BM1

Correction per set-up

= Error of misclosure Number of set up
= (100.0000-99.9940)10
= +0.0006 m

6.0 Summary
In this fieldwork, the reduced level of Bench Mark (BM) 1 is given which is 100.00m. The
leveling process begins with obtaining the backsight (BS) of BM1 and the foresight (FS) of
turning point (TP) A. Then the auto level is shifted to obtain the BS of TP A and the FS of TP B.
This process is repeated by shifting the auto level to obtain the BS and FS of the following staff
stations and lastly go back to BM1 to obtain its FS in order to calculate the error of misclosure.
We used both the rise and fall method and the height of collimation method to calculate
the reduced level of each staff station. The error of misclosure was -0.006mm and the
acceptable range of error of misclosure was calculated using the 12+/- k formulae where k
represents the number of set-ups, and the acceptable range of error of misclosure is +/37.947mm. Thus, our leveling is acceptable.
To distribute the error, the correction per set-up is calculated using the following
formulae:
Correction per set-up
= Error of misclosure Number of set up
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The correction per-set up is +0.0006m and is cumulative as shown in the table provided
in the adjusted data section.

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7.0 References
Clancy, J. (1991). Site Surveying and Leveling. (2nd ed). London, United Kingdom: Arnold.
Dictionary of Consturction.com. (2014). optical plummet. (Website). Retrieved on 13th
November, 2014 from http://www.dictionaryofconstruction.com/definition/opticalplummet.html
Encyclopedia.com.(2014). spirit level. (Website). Retrieved on 13th November, 2014, from
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/spirit_level.aspx
EngineerSupply. ( 2014). Automatic Levels. (Website). Retrieved on 13th November, 2014, from
http://www.engineersupply.com/automatic-levels.aspx
Johnson Level & Tool. (2014). What is a Tripod? How do Tripods for Laser Levels Work?
Retrieved on 13th November, 2014 from
http://www.johnsonlevel.com/News/WhatisaTripodHowdoTripods
Macbain, G. (n.d.). Book Levels. (Website). Retrieved on 13th November, 2014 from
http://constructionsite.org.uk/index.php?/content/view/150/7ef605fc8dba5425d6965f
bd4c8fbe1f/open/cab34bec95719831380345d7068f5457/unit/29/key/6ea9ab1baa0e
fb9e19094440c317e21b/chapter/3
Muskett, M. (1995). Site Surveying. (2nd ed). Oxford, United Kingdom: Blackwell Science Ltd.

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