Fieldwork No.

3
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING

Objective:
To determine the elevation of points by differential
leveling.
Location:
Any place with two permanent/assumed monuments or benchmark
of around 300-500 meters.

Instruments needed:
1 engineer’s level/dumpy/wye level hubs or pegs
range poles
1 leveling rod hammer or mallet
chalk

Procedure:

1. Designate the initial or reference point of the level

route as BM-1 and the final or terminal point as BM-2.
2. Set up and level the instrument at a convenient location
along the general designated route between the two
points.
3. Take and record a backsight on BM-1.
4. Direct the rodman to move forward along the level route
(not necessarily in a straight line between BM-1 and the
next point) and establish TP-1.
5. Take and record a foresight in TP-1.
6. Transfer and set up the level at another suitable
location beyond TP-1 and take and record a backsight on
TP-1.
7. Direct the rodman to move a convenient distance ahead of
the instrument and establish TP-2.
8. Take and record a foresight on TP-2.
9. Repeat the procedure until a foresight is finally taken
on BM-2. or to the closing point.
10. Refer to the accompanying sample tabulation of the
observed field data.
Table:
STATION BS HI FS ELEVATION REMARKS
BM1 2.171 102.171 100 m assumed
TP1 0.806 101.177 1.800 100.371
TP2 1.356 100.913 1.620 99.557
TP3 1.33 100.928 1.315 99.598
TP4 1.249 100.771 1.406 99.522
TP5 1.818 101 1.589 99.182
TP6 2.085 102.698 0.387 100.613
TP7 1.263 103.35 0.611 102.087
TP8 1.246 103.296 1.300 102.050
TP9 1.315 103.333 1.278 102.018
TP10 0.674 102.321 1.686 101.647
BM1 2.345 99.976

Arithmetic Check:

100m+ ΣBS – ΣFS=

ΣBS=_____
ΣFS=_____
100+ _____ - _____= 99.976

Computations:

1. Computing Height of Instrument and Elevation.

In differential leveling, the following two equations are
repeatedly used.

a) HI = Elev + BS b. ) Elev = HI – FS

Where: HI = height of instrument above a reference datum

BS = backsight reading on the rod (or plus sights)
FS = foresight reading on the rod (or minus
sights)
Elev = elevation above a reference datum of a
point sighted
2. Arithmetic Check
To check the accuracy of the arithmetical computations,
add all backsights as well as all the foresights. The
difference between these two sums must be equal to the
difference in elevation between the initial and final
points of the level line.
Party/Group No. IV Location: Road Between COE & CICS Building
Date: September 24, 2019
Weather Condition: Cloudy

Members:
1. Andres, Migaea
2. Batalla, Steven
3. Catulin, Aldrin
4. Duque, Chessed Miles
5. Mauanay, Jalen
6. Pacis, Christian Frank
7. Tagudin, Jay Ar

Remarks/Findings:
During the fieldwork, we were able to determine a specific
path easily. By using the leveling rod and a dumpy level
instrument, we recorded the backsight and the foresight, from a
position where our dumpy level is fixed.
Based on the data gathered, the result of the elevation showed
that the ground is not well-leveled. The elevation is sometimes
lesser or greater than the assumed distance. This result came out
because of the common sources of error we encountered on this
activity. It includes: the inaccurate reading of measurements,
human errors and instrumental errors. Human errors include not
holding the leveling rod in a vertical position. While instrumental
errors include when the dumpy level is not working properly or the
bubble was not centered. And in order to prevent and avoid higher
error, check first if the instrument and consider proper
measurements.

Conclusion:
Dumpy level can be one of the useful instruments in getting
the elevation of a specific path or lot and can also be an
instrument to be used in differential leveling that will give an
accurate and precise results if human error is not considered. The
activity will help us in future constructions because we will able
to determine the elevation of a specific lot where we want to build
a structure.
We also conclude that patience is significant in this field
work because without it there is higher possibility of encountering
errors and inaccuracy. Teamwork is also required for this
experiment because everyone has their assigned task to do to finish
the field work on time. And to avoid errors, follow the instruction
manual carefully.
Documentation: