CENTRE OF STUDIES FOR SURVEYING SCIENCE AND GEOMATICS

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND SURVEYING

PRACTICAL REPORT III

TRANSFER OF HEIGHT USING

THE LEVELLING TECHNIQUE

AP220 – Bachelor of Surveying Science and Geomatics

Programme :
(Honors)
Course : GLS458 – Basiq Engineering Surveying
Name : Muhammad Najmi bin Kamarudin
Student ID : 2020779689
Date of Submission : 17 Dis 2020
Lecturer’s Name : Sr Raiz bin Razali

MARKS

Content :
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 TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 Introduction........................................................................................................................01

2.0 Objectives..........................................................................................................................02

3.0 Methodology...............................................................................................................02 - 04

4.0 Data Processing..........................................................................................................04 – 07

5.0 Results.........................................................................................................................08 - 10

6.0 Comments...................................................................................................................11 - 12

References…………………………………..................................................................................13

Attachments............................................................................................................................14 - 15

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

This report is written individually by Muhammad Najmi bin Kamarudin who study in Bachelor of
Surveying Science and Geomatics (Honors) currently in semester II, under subject GLS 458 –
Basic Engineering Surveying which is supervised by Sr Raiz Razali. In this report, we are required
to transfer of height from BM/SBM to TBM using the levelling procedure.

Levelling is a way to determined height (the z value of point positioning x, y, and z) from above
the mean sea level of two or more points by measuring the difference elevation of a point relative
to a reference point called as datum. The concept or principal of levelling is to obtain horizontal
line of sight with respect to which vertical distances of the points above or below this line of sight
are found. Levelling is very important for surveyors in field work due to the widely used in
surveying and construction to measure height differences and to transfer, measure, and set heights
of known objects or marks. It also can be apply in construction work such as lay a ground level on
which they can built a building, construct a routes of transport like roads and railways and also
provide a contour maps of the land sea surface. Therefore, in this report, focus is shifted to produce
a procedure to carry out fly levelling from a known reduced level (RL) value of a benchmark (BM)
or Standard Benchmark (SBM) and end at another known RL value.

Fig 1: Levelling is widely use in engineering construction

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2.0 OBJECTIVE

Objectives of this reports as follows:

i. To prepared the procedure of fly level observation from BM/SBM to TBM.

ii. To calculated the transferred RL from SBM/BM to TBM.

iii. To adjust and check the levelling data.

3.0 METHODOLOGY

This section provides an outline of the methodology for this report. The methods that have been
used in this fieldwork is the levelling. This practice is to perform a transferred data in the field and
calculate the RL using rise and fall method. But due to some limitation, conducting of this work
are subject to be done in theoretical only. Therefore, all the data are given by the lecture and the
procedure are derived from two (2) source available as follows:

i. Lecture notes.

All the lectures notes comply with a couple of classes are fully used as a guideline
for me to prepare the reports. With a basic information, I have derive the needed one to
produce a brief procedure for fly levelling and produce an adjusted RL.

ii. Online Sources.

Due to limitation of practical class, the alternative for gain information and clear picture
about the levelling process is from the online source. Some of the information also derive
from the YouTube video, By collecting all the input required from the website as list on
the references, I have summarize all of it into this reports and suit it with guideline notes
from lecture.

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Process of levelling is using an instrument called level, while relative height is read on the staff
and the difference in the value observed is the difference in height. Details about the instrument
used in the levelling process as follows:

Ser Instrument Description

1. 1 x Level This is a level. It is used to establish or verify
points in the same horizontal plane and is used in
conjunction with a levelling staff to establish the
relative heights levels of objects or marks. It
operates on the principal of establishing a visual
level relationship between two or more point. An
inbuilt telescope and a highly accurate bubble
level are used to achieve the necessary accuracy.

2. 1 x Tripod It is a portable three-legged frame or stand. It is

used as a platform for supporting the weight and
maintaining the stability of level. A tripod
provides stability against downward forces and
horizontal forces and movements about horizontal
axes. The positioning of the three legs away from
the vertical centre allows the tripod better leverage
for resisting lateral forces.

3. 2 x Levelling Staff There are two type of level staff which is

graduated wooden and aluminium rod. It is used
with a levelling instrument to measure the vertical
distance from the horizontal plane established by
a level to points where heights are required. It’s
usually graduated in cm and can be read to the
nearest mm by interpolation.

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Ser Instrument Description
4. 1 x Measuring Tape The measuring tape is used to measure distance. It
can measure distance in metre. There are 4 types
of measuring tape that were used by surveyors
nowadays:
-Linen or Cloth Tape
-Metallic Tape
-Steel Tape
-Invar Tape

5. 2 x Staff Bubble These are generally a small circular bubble on an

angle plate which is held against one corner of the
staff to ensure that the staff is held in a vertical
position. If the staff is not held vertical, the reading
will be too large and may be significantly in error.

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4.0 DATA PROCESSING

Base on the data given, the observation will be initiated from a known reduced level (RL) value
of a TBM 1, fly to the TBM 2 and end at the TBM 1 again. In between the TBMs, a number of
change points (CPs) are set up to observe the fore sight reading and the back sight reading of each
stationed staff and the values are booked. Upon completion of the observation, the RL values will
be calculated and booked. After the RL values are known, three (3) arithmetical checks will be
calculated to ensure the precision of the works. Consequently, the adjustment value can be
computed where this value will be distributed accordingly to each station. Finally, the adjusted RL
values are booked and the misclosure will be calculated to be compared with the obtain values to
determine either the levelling works is accepted or unsatisfactory.

Raw observation data given and sketch of the levelling network and as per Appendix 1 and 2 while
detailed field procedure of levelling base on the data given as follows:

i. Set up the level between back sight (BS) and foresight (FS) at same distance in
between TBM 1 and CP 1 as Fig 2. Make sure the bubble on the instrument are level as
Fig 3.

TBM 1 LEVEL CP 1

Fig 2: Set up the level and staff

Fig 3: Center the level bubble

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ii. Starts levelling from TBM 1. This starting point would be the first BS. The first
sight to be taken is to the staff held vertically on the TBM 1 (BS). The value should be
enter in the appropriate column of a levelling book.

BS

TBM 1

Fig 4: Taking the first reading at BS (TBM1)

iii. The other staff is set up at CP 1 and is called the foresight (FS). A foresight CP 1
then would become the change point (CP), signifying a change of instrument
position to the next station. Enter the value of staff height (FS) at CP 1 in levelling book.

FS

CP 1

Fig 5: Taking the second reading at FS (CP1)

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iv. Move the level to the front of CP 1 and now CP 1 has become BS and set up a staff
at next point which is CP 2. The level position again need to be equal in between BS and
FS. In this stage, CP 2 is a FS. Read and record the height at BS and FS.

CP 2

CP 1

Fig 6: Move the level and staff at TBM 1 to the next point while staff at
CP 1 will remain

v. Move the level to new position. CP 2 has become BS and repeat the levelling
process until end. Readings of intermediate sight (IS) also be taken such as CH 7 (between
CP 4 and CP 5) and are again entered in the appropriate column of the levelling book.

vi. The final staff position should be at known point (TBM/BM). In this practical it
will be back at TBM 1. This is to detect errors in the levelling process.

vii. After all the data has written in the field book, calculate the data to get RL using
Rise and Fall or Height of Collimation method and adjusted the RL if necessary.

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5.0 RESULTS

+/- e Catatan
BS IS FS Rise Fall RL Adj RL Dist
(adj) (Remarks)

1.625 10.000 TBM 1

1.185 1.475 0.150 10.150 + 0.001 10.151 47.000 CP 1
1.175 1.139 0.046 10.196 + 0.001 10.197 47.000 CP 2
1.206 1.315 0.140 10.056 + 0.002 10.058 54.000 CP 3
1.220 1.450 0.244 9.812 + 0.002 9.814 55.000 CP 4
1.540 0.320 9.492 + 0.003 9.495 0.000 CH 7
1.215 1.105 0.435 9.927 + 0.003 9.930 14.000 CP 5
1.280 0.065 9.862 + 0.004 9.866 0.000 CH 6
1.250 0.030 9.892 + 0.004 9.896 0.000 CH 5
1.243 1.200 0.050 9.942 + 0.004 9.946 24.000 CP 6
1.291 0.048 9.894 + 0.004 9.898 0.000 CH 4
1.230 0.061 9.955 + 0.004 9.959 0.000 CH 3
1.300 1.313 0.083 9.872 + 0.005 9.877 26.000 CP 7
1.623 0.323 9.549 + 0.005 9.554 0.000 CH 2
1.425 1.305 0.318 9.867 + 0.005 9.872 26.000 CP 8
1.240 1.281 0.144 10.011 + 0.006 10.017 13.000 CH 1
1.370 1.384 0.144 9.867 + 0.006 9.873 26.000 CH 0
1.151 1.375 0.005 9.862 + 0.007 9.869 43.000 TBM 2
1.318 1.248 0.097 9.765 + 0.007 9.772 43.000 CP 9
1.000 1.168 0.150 9.915 + 0.008 9.923 55.000 CP 10
1.480 1.118 0.118 9.797 + 0.008 9.805 52.000 CP 11
1.310 1.235 0.245 10.042 + 0.009 10.051 46.000 CP 12
1.121 1.170 0.140 10.182 + 0.009 10.191 28.000 CP 13
1.450 1.168 0.047 10.135 + 0.010 10.145 109.000 CP 14
1.595 0.145 9.990 + 0.010 10.000 94.000 TBM 1
23.034 23.044 1.769 1.779 9.990 802.000 Check
23.044 1.779 10.000 Misclosure
0.010m
-0.010 -0.010 -0.010 Correct
Table 1: Levelling Book

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Base on the table 1, the calculation of the result as follows:

i. Using Arithmetic check:

∑BS – ∑FS = ∑rise – ∑fall = last RL – 1st RL

∑ BS – ∑FS = 23.034 – 23.044

= - 0.010

∑rise – ∑fall = 1.769 – 1.779

= -0.010

Last RL – 1st RL = 9.990 – 10.000

= - 0.010

Then Elevation difference = - 0.010

Since all the different all same, therefore it is prove that the calculation of transferred data
has been done and recorded correctly.

ii. Allowable misclosure base on the distance level:

Distance = 802 m (not include IS distance)
Then Error E = ± 12mm √ 0.802 km
= 10.747 mm or 0.010 m
iii. Misclosure;

Elevation of TBM 1 – RL of TBM 1

= 10.000 m – 9.990 m
= 0.010 m

Since misclosure, 0.010 m is within the allowable value of misclosure (E), so the levelling
accuracy is ACCEPTABLE

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 iv. Adjust and check the levelling data.

The first RL value is not same with the last RL with a different - 0.010 m. Therefore we need to
do some adjustment to the RL value. Since the initial RL of the last reading were less than TBM
value, we need to add (+) the error equally to all points RL.

There are 18 CP so the correction is 0.010 / 18

= 0.0005

Then we multiply the correction to number of CP and add (+) with the RL to get the new adjusted
RL as following example:

C = 0.0005
CP 1 = 0.0005 x 1 + 10.150
= 10.151 (new adjusted RL)

This calculation is continued until last RL and after adjusted, the value of initial RL and last RL at
the same TBM will be same as per Table 1.

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6.0 COMMENTS

After study and accomplish the report about levelling, even without practical in the field, I have
learn about levelling and its important uses in engineering. Besides that, some other knowledge
that I gain can be conclude as follows:

i. In order to carry out fly levelling from BM/SBM to TBM there are some procedure
need to be followed.

ii. There are two method to compute the transferred reduced level from SBM/BM to
TBM which is Rise and fall and Height of Collimation method. In this practical I have
decided to use the rise and fall method to calculate the reduced level of each staff station
and I found it can detect the errors in intermediate RLs as all the points are correlated.

iii. Since the RL data might be different in field, I have learned how to adjust and check
the levelling data and distributed the adjustment of RL at each point.

iv. In order to eliminate the collimation error, during taken reading for BS and FS the
distance between two staff and level instrument has to be equal therefore the error will be
same and easily to eliminated. This is because when we place the instrument exactly
midway between two staff sightings, the vertical error reading on the staff is the same for
each, thus the difference in reading between the staff will still give an accurate
elevation difference.

v. I also has identified from the video and lecture notes, during observed the levelling
staff, when the point is lower, the staff reading is greater and when the point is higher, the
staff reading is smaller. Then the bubble must be in center of leveling rods while the
readings are being taken. This will ensure that during observation, the correct data is
obtain.

vi. I also learn that the amount of misclosure in levelling can be assessed either by
connecting the levelling back to the BM/TBM from which it started or connecting into
another BM/TBM of known and proved value.

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 vii. Comprise all the knowledge I have earn, simply say that levelling is a way available
to determine height or in other word as a vertical measurement and levelling process
required a tools namely level and staff.

In a nutshell, I believe that all the objectives of this reports has been fulfil. A guide from lecture
Sr Raiz Razali is the core for me to understand the purpose of levelling and its benefit for surveyors
and in engineering field work. Even it’s done in theory only, at this time I have already know about
how to conduct levelling procedure, transferred RL from TBM /BM and discover how to determine
error and adjusting the levelling data. All the input in this report can be very useful once I get a
chance to apply it on the field.

On the flipside, the only problem I faced is a practical lesson. In order to ensure that I am fully
understand on how to conduct levelling is by doing it at my own. But unfortunately due to current
situation because of COVID -19, it might be difficult to attend and conduct practical works in
field. Therefore, if the Movement Control Order (MCO) terminated soon, I’m strongly suggest
that students are allowed to practice levelling at any time even in a weekend or public holidays
due to catch up what we have fall behind. I do hope it can be done together with other students and
supervise from the lecture so we can learn more and practise using levelling instrument the field.

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 REFERENCES

.tandon, G. (2013, October 06). Levelling. Retrieved December 3, 2020, from

https://www.slideshare.net/gauravhtandon1/levelling-26905390

3d animation surveying for levelling. (2016, January 03). Retrieved December 3, 2020, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SiSn_tcXZA

Differential Leveling Part 1 of 2. (2016, October 08). Retrieved December 3, 2020, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsPnQoVctKA

Differential Leveling Part 2 of 2. (2017, May 14). Retrieved December 3, 2020, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74cM8HKiIKk

INTRODUCTION TO LEVELING. (2019, January 23). Retrieved December 3, 2020, from

https://4grouptermproject.wordpress.com/

Jamal, H. (2017, January 23). Haseeb Jamal. Retrieved December 3, 2020, from
https://www.aboutcivil.org/levelling-in-engineering-surveying.html

Leveling, Part 3. (2015, September 09). Retrieved December 3, 2020, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtcu3YGS4g4

Levelling in surveying. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2020, from

https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Levelling_in_surveying

LEVELLING: Comp 2. (2020, November 16). Retrieved December 3, 2020, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0XQwMn2SrI

OTENBuildingCourses. (2014, July 29). Surveying 2 - Taking a level reading - OTEN Building
& Construction. Retrieved December 3, 2020, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnDA-nAUyl8

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 ATTACHMENTS

Appendix 1: Raw data given

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Appendix II: Sketch of the levelling network

CH 2

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