For instructional purposes only • 1st Semester SY 2020-2021 45

Lesson 3.3: Profile leveling

Learning Outcome
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to calculate profile leveling
data.

Discussion
When engineers design highways, railroads, transmission lines, aqueducts,
canals, sewers, and water mains, they usually need accurate information about
the topography along the proposed routes. Profile leveling, which yields
elevations at definite points interval along a reference line, provides the
required data.

Figure 24. Plot of Profile (Ghilani & Wolf, 2012)

Figure 18 shows an example of a plotted profile of a route. It clearly shows

the topography or terrain of the proposed road, which is a very vital part of
designing the roads.

Definition of Terms

1. Profile – a curved line which graphically portrays the intersection of a

vertical plane with the surface of the earth.
2. Stationing – A numerical designation given in terms of horizontal
distance at any point along a profile line is away from the starting point.
3. Intermediate Foresights – These sights, which are also known as
ground readings, are taken along the centerline of the proposed project
to provide an accurate representation of the ground surface. Ifs are
observed at regular intervals and at points where sudden changes in
elevation occur.
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4. Full Stations – are points which are established along the profile level
route at uniformly measured distances.
5. Plus stations – any other intermediate point established along a profile
level route which is not designated as full stations. These points are
taken at breaks in the ground surface slope and at critical points such
as the intended location of culverts, bridges, and other structures.

stationing
IFS

Full Stations

Figure 25. Profile leveling sample (Kavanagh, 2015)

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Figure 26. Profile Field Notes (Kavanagh, 2015)

Profile leveling is basically derived from the principle of differential leveling, only
there are intermediate foresights. Computing elevations is chiefly the same with
the differential leveling.

References
Ghilani, C., & Wolf, P. (2012). Introduction to Geomatics 13th Ed. New Jersey:
Pearson Education, Inc.
Kavanagh, B. F. (2015). Surveying with Construction Applications Seventh
Edition. New York: Prentice Hall.
S.K., R. (1999). Fundamentals of Surveying. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India.

Page 47 of 53
Vision: A globally competitive university for science, technology, and environmental conservation. TP-IMD-02
Mission: Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific knowledge V0 07-15-2020
and innovative technologies for sustainable communities and environment. No. CET.ESC
SLG20-08