CIVL 1101 Surveying - Differential Leveling 1/5

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Importance of Vertical Positions Importance of Vertical Positions

A vertical position is the height of a point relative to
some reference surface, such as mean sea level, a geoid,
or an ellipsoid.
ellipsoid
The roughly 600,000 vertical control points in the U.S.
National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) are
referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of
1988 (NAVD 88).
Surveyors created the National Geodetic Vertical
Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29, the predecessor to NAVD
88) by calculating the average height of the sea at all
88),
stages of the tide at 26 tidal stations over 19 years
Surveyors extended the control
network inland using a surveying
technique called leveling.

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Importance of Leveling The Level

A level consist of a high-powered telescope

The determination of elevations is called leveling
The level is attached to a spirit or bubble level that
Measuringg relative elevations changes
g is a comparatively
p y keeps the line of sight of the telescope horizontal
simply process

Precise and accurate control of

relative elevations are critical to
most construction projects

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Level Instrument Level Instrument

4.70

4 60
4.60

4.50

Red numbers indicate

foot intervals
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Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Level Instrument Definitions

4.60 4.59
4 58
4.58
4.57
4.56
BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft
4.55
4.53
4.54
Point B
4.52
4.51
4.50

Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Definitions Definitions

Bench mark (BM) - relatively permanent Backsight (BS) - a sight taken to the level
point of known elevation rod held at a point of known elevation
(either a BM or TP)
BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft
Point B Point B

Point A Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point Starting point

(elevation 100.00 ft) (elevation 100.00 ft)

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Definitions Definitions

Height of instrument (HI) - the elevation of Foresight (FS) - a sight taken on any point to
the line of sight of the telescope determine its elevation

BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft

Point B Point B

Point A Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point Starting point

(elevation 100.00 ft) (elevation 100.00 ft)
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Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Computation of Elevations Computation of Elevations

BS BS FS
12.64 12.64 3.11

BM1 BM1
HI = BS + Elevation TP1 HI - FS = Elevation
Elevation 100.00 Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation Point BS HI FS Elevation

BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00 BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 3.11 109.53

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Computation of Elevations Computation of Elevations

BS BS FS
BS FS 10.88 BS FS 10.88 2.56
12.64 3.11 12.64 3.11

BM1 BM1 TP2

TP1 TP1
Elevation 100.00 Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation Point BS HI FS Elevation

BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00 BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53 TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
TP2 2.56 117.85

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Computation of Elevations Computation of Elevations

BS BS FS
9.72 9.72 3.10
BS FS BS FS
BS FS 10.88 2.56 BS FS 10.88 2.56
12.64 3.11 12.64 3.11 BM2

BM1 TP2 BM1 TP2

TP1 TP1
Elevation 100.00 Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation Point BS HI FS Elevation

BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00 BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53 TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85 TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85
BM2 3.10 124.47
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Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Computation of Elevations Computation of Elevations

BS FS
BS FS
9.72 3.10
Check the summation of the backsight and the
BS FS 10.88 2.56
12.64 3.11 BM2 foresight with the change in elevation
BM1 TP2 Point BS HI FS Elevation
TP1 BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
Elevation 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
Point BS HI FS Elevation TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00 BM2 3.10 124.47
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53 +33.24 -8.77
TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85
BM2 3.10 124.47 Change in elevation = 33.24 -8.77 =24.47

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

The initial backsight (BS) is taken to a point of known Computation of Elevations - Group Problem
elevation
Prepare a set of level notes for the survey illustrated
The backsight reading is added to the elevation of below. What are the elevations of points TP1 and TP2?
the known point to compute the height of the
instrument (HI) BS FS
1.27 4.91
The level may be moved to a temporary point called a BS
2.33
FS
BM 6.17
turning point (TP) Elevation 356.68

TP1
The elevation of a point is the height of the TP2

instrument (HI) minus the foresight (FS)

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Computation of Elevations - Group Problem Common Mistakes

BS FS Misreading the rod - reading 3.54
1.27 4.91
BS FS
instead of 3.45
2 33
2.33 6 17
6.17
BM
Elevation 356.68 Moving the turning point - use a well
TP1 defined TP
TP2
Point BS HI FS Elevation
Field note mistakes - work within your
BM1 1.27 357.95 356.68
group to check you records
TP1 2.33 355.37 4.91 353.04
TP2 6.17 349.20
+3.60 -11.08 -7.48 Mistakes with extended rod - make
sure the leveling rod is fully extended
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Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Common Mistakes Suggestions for Good Leveling

Level rod not vertical Anchor tripod legs firmly

Settling of leveling rod Check the bubble level before and after each reading
Leveling rod not fully extended or Take as little time as possible between BS and FS
incorrect length
Try to keep the distance to the BS and the FS equal
Level instrument not level
Instrument out of adjustment Provide the rodperson with a level for the rod
Environment - wind and heat

Differential Leveling

Any Questions?