The Papua New Guinea University of Technology

Department of Surveying and Land Studies

SV 291: SURVEYING FOR ENGINEERS I

TOPIC: LEVEL & LEVELLING LECTURE 6

HEADINGS : Levelling Applications

Levelling is carried out for a number of applications which can be summarized as ;-

i) Production of level networks for establishment of benchmarks.

ii) Production of longitudinal and cross sections for e.g. roads and railway constructions.
iii) Levels taken as grid or spot heights for contouring.
iv) Levels for grades or spot heights for setting out.

Level Network

Throughout Papua New Guinea there have already been carried out level network whereby an
homogeneous system of BM’s have been established by Lands department and National Mapping
Bureau (NMB).

The major network of Permanent Survey Marks (PSM) and Bench Marks (BM) covering the whole of PNG
define the PNG height datum. These PSMs / BMs are all related to MSL (mean sea level) as determined
by readings on a large number of tide gauges network set about the main points and along the
coastlines throughout the nation.

This network is intensified by lower accuracy survey works that exist alongside other network of lower
order.

All these networks are run solely to establish BM’s to aid any construction work in a locality to a
particular datum. Hence, any construction project can be readily related to the nearest BM as datum.

In practice the surveyor will often need to run a short flight of levels (or not so short) to establish local
temporary bench mark (TBM’s) for project work.

For this type of work, the usual accuracy i.e., misclose, expected is (0.012√k)mm where k is the length of
the level run in kilometres.

Project site

BM TBM

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Longitudinal and Cross Sections

Longitudinal Sections

Longitudinal sections are required for the planning and design of construction works, particularly
earthworks and vertical alignment for construction of roads, railways, sewerage and transmission lines.

Ground levels are taken at regular intervals along the centerlines of the proposed route (road, pipeline,
railways etc. and the earthwork involved.

Procedure:

In the construction of a road, railway, pipeline or similar, usually the proposed centre line (route) are
pegged on the ground at some stipulated chainage interval e.g. 20m before the actual level run. To gain
required information for plotting the profile, levels are taken at regular intervals both along the
centerline on every peg and at every change of grade, e.g., for 20m pegging would take ground RL at
every chainage point (120,140, 160 etc..)peg and every change of grade along the propose centerline
and also at right angles to it (centerline)to obtain the longitudinal and cross-sections. As levels are taken
forward, BM’s are established at every kilometer (km).

At the end of the run, the surveyor would level back over the same CP’s and established BM’s.

When plotting the longitudinal section, the vertical alignment is designed and the formation levels along
the centre line are calculated.

Both the longitudinal section and the cross-sections are usually drawn with their horizontal and vertical
scales at different values.

Example:

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 Scales for longitudinal section;
Horizontal – as road layout drawings, scale of, 1 : 500
Vertical – exaggerated scale of 1 : 100

Scales for cross-sections;

Horizontal – exaggerated scale of 1: 200
Vertical – exaggerated scale of 1 : 50

Plot:
The information shown on a longitudinal plot is:-
Datum RL,
RL of Natural Surface
RL of Formation
Cut
Fill
Chainage or distance
The reason for exaggerating the vertical scales of both sections and the horizontal scale of the cross-
sections is to give a clear picture of the exact shape of the sections. If the cross-sections have different
horizontal and vertical scales it is still possible to calculate their areas either by graphical method or by
using planimeter as normal and applying a conversion factor.

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 Cross-section

Cross-sections are taken in conjunction with or following longitudinal sections. They are necessary in
construction for the computation of earth volumes, side slope for embankments and causeways as well
as access for construction layout and maintenance services.
Cross-sections are taken at right angle of centerline at every chainage interval. The predetermined
centerline height is used as datum for each cross-section. Heights are taken at each change of grade and
the distance taken from the centerline to such heights.
The construction of roads, railway, embankment, etc; will necessitate the use of ground on either side of
the centerline. The width of this must be sufficient to cover the proposed works. E.g. 20m at 5m interval
either side of the centerline for normal road.

Procedures:-

The centerline is first set out, pegs are placed at chainage points where the cross-sections are required.
The cross-sections then be set out using an optical square or similar instrument depending on the
require precision in setting out right angle.

Mark the points (offsets) where levels are required with white arrows or ranging rods on both sides of
the centerline.

In the actual levelling, cross-sections may be levelled one at a time, setting up instrument as many times
as is necessary.

The booking of field observations should be simple and easily interpolate.

Cross-section can also be obtained using a clinometer.

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These longitudinal and cross sections methods of attaining field data is as important as the plotting part
of the two which demands close attention. It is from this that volumes of excavation or fill of a road to
be constructed can be determined to establish costing and planning.

The applications for spot levels for contour and grade levels will be covered later.