Contents

No. Title Pages

1. INTRODUCTION OF LEVELLING 4-7

2. DATA COMPUTATION OF RISE AND FALL TABLE 8 - 11

3. SECTION VIEW OF FLY TO AND FLY BACK 12

4. DISCUSSION 13 - 15

5. CONCLUSION 16

6. REFERENCES 17

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 1.0 INTRODUCTION OF LEVELLING

Definition of Levelling
Leveling is defined as the art of determining and representing the relative height or
elevation of different points on the surface of the earth. The leveling process is to find the
elevation at a specified location relative to another known elevation. It is basically a tool for
measuring the relative height of the elevations in different points that have been set. The leveling
rod is also an instrument used with automatic leveling to obtain the reading of each
corresponding point.

The leveling results can be used to design highways, railways, sewage pipes, etc. In
addition. It can also be used to calculate earthwork quantities and draw maps showing general
ground configurations. It can be used as a site layout for a new foundation, outline drainage and
estimate pipe fall.

Methods to find out Reduced Level (RL)

1. Height of plane collimation
2. Rise and Fall method

Reading divided into 3 names:

 Back Sight (BS): The instrument set up at the first point and get first reading.
 Intermediate Sight (IS): Reading between the backsight and foresight.
 Foresight (FS): The final reading of the instrument.

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HPC Method
It includes finding the collimation plane (H.I.) of each setting of the instrument, and then
referring to the corresponding
collimation plan to obtain the point
reduction level.

BS IS FS HPC RL REMARKS

1.769 36.769 35.000 TBM, RL=35.000M)

2.384 34.385 Pt B

0.533 36.236 MH1

Calculation:
BS + RL = HPC  1.769 + 35.000 = 36.769
HPC - IS = RL (B)  36.769 - 2.384 = 34.385
HPC - FS = RL (MH1)  36.769 – 0.533 = 36.236

Arithmetic Check for the HPC table:

∑BS - ∑FS = Last RL - First RL
(Sum of each HPC x No. of IS and FS) – (Sum of IS + Sum of FS) = Sum of RLs except first

e.g.:
[(36.769 x 2) + (hpc2 x 3)] – (2.384 + 0.533) = (34.385 + 36.236)
73.538 – 2.917 = 70.621

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70.621 = 70.621

Rise and Fall Method

In this method, the difference between consecutive points is calculated by comparing each point
after the first point with each point immediately before it. The difference in employee readings
indicates an increase or decrease because any employee reading is less than or greater than the
previous point. Then, find the R.L. of each
point by adding or subtracting the drop
from the R.L. of the previous point.

BS IS FS RISE FALL RL REMARKS

1.769 35.000 TBM(RL=35.000)

2.384 0.615 34.385 Pt B

0.533 1.851 36.236 MH 1

Formula to find out Rise and Fall:
 BS – IS  1.769 - 2.384 = (-) 0.615
 BS - FS (if IS is not provided)  2.384 – 0.533 = 1.851
 IS – IS  35.000 + (- 0.615) = 34.385
 IS – FS  34.385 + (1.851) = 36.236

Arithmetic Check for the Rise and Fall table:

 ∑BS - ∑FS  1.769 – 0.533 = 1.236
 ∑Rise – ∑Fall  1.851 – 0.615 = 1.236

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 Last RL – First RL  36.236 – 35.000 = 1.236

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 INSTRUMENT AND TOOLS

Automatic level
 A professional tool that can establish or verify points
on the same level. Builders, contractors, engineers,
and land surveyors use these optical levels to plan
structures and developments and ensure structural
stability. Construction and survey sites generally
prefer automatic levels to automatic levels because
they are faster and easier to set up.
Tripod Levelling
 The surveyor will press down on the legs' platforms to
securely anchor the legs in soil or to force the feet to a
low position on uneven, pock-marked pavement. Leg
lengths are adjusted to bring the tripod head to a
convenient height and make it roughly level.
Staff Bubble
 These are usually a small round bubble on a corner
plate that is fixed against one corner of the employee
to ensure that the employee remains in a vertical
position. If the person is not placed vertically, the
reading will be too large and serious errors may occur.

Leveling Rod (Staff)

 A wooden or aluminum pole with a scale, used with a
spirit level, can measure the vertical distance (height
difference) between the line of sight and the desired
point above or below the line of sight. It cannot be
used without a spirit level.

2.1 DATA COMPUTATION OF RISE AND FALL TABLE

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 I. Fly To Data

1.255 , 1.204 , 1.687 , 1.564 , 1.642 , 1.385 , 1.689 , 1.555 , 1.897 , 2.687 , 1.900 , 2.800 ,
1.860 , 3.320 , 1.200 , 3.560 , 1.800 , 3.777 , 0.900 , 3.700 , 0.870 , 3.125 , 0.679 , 3.420 ,
0.465 , 3.200 , 0.560 , 2.560 , 1.100 , 1.023 , 1.301 , 1.203 , 1.255 , 1.300 , 1.053 , 1.305

First reading is BS (Back Sight). The last reading is FS (Foresight). The station is changed in
between;
Station moved after 2nd reading, 4th reading, 6th reading, 8th reading, 10th reading, 12th reading,
14th reading, 16th reading, 18th reading, 20th reading, 22nd reading, 24th reading, 26th reading,
28th reading, 30th reading, 32nd reading, 34th reading.
The readings are started on the BM (Benchmark), RL (Reduced Level) = 25.000m.

IS RL
BS (Back FS(Foresight
(Intermediat RISE FALL (Reduced REMARKS
Sight) )
e Sight) Level)
1.255 25.000 BM, RL=25.000m
1.687 1.204 0.051 25.051 Pt 1
1.642 1.564 0.123 25.174 Pt 2
1.689 1.385 0.257 25.431 Pt 3
1.897 1.555 0.134 25.565 Pt 4
1.900 2.687 0.790 24.775 Pt 5
1.860 2.800 0.900 23.875 Pt 6
1.200 3.320 1.460 22.415 Pt 7
1.800 3.560 2.360 20.055 Pt 8
0.900 3.777 1.977 18.078 Pt 9
0.870 3.700 2.800 15.278 Pt 10
0.679 3.125 2.255 13.023 Pt 11
0.465 3.420 2.741 10.282 Pt 12
0.560 3.200 2.735 7.547 Pt 13
1.100 2.560 2.000 5.547 Pt 14
1.301 1.023 0.077 5.624 Pt 15
1.255 1.203 0.098 5.722 Pt 16
1.053 1.300 0.045 5.677 Pt 17
1.305 0.252 5.425 Pt 18

∑=23.113 ∑=42.688 ∑=0.740 ∑=20.315

Calculate the data using Rise and Fall Method.

Arithmetic Check for Rise and Fall:

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 Sum of Back Sight (∑ BS) - Sum of Foresight (∑ FS) 23.113 - 42.688 = -19.575

Sum of Rise (∑ Rise) - Sum of Fall (∑ Fall) 0.740 - 20.315 = -19.575

Last Reduced Level (RL) - First Reduced Level (RL) 5.425 - 25.000 = -19.575

 Sum of BS - Sum of FS = Sum of Rise – Sum of Fall = Last RL – First RL = -19.575

Mis-closure:
Formula= 5.425 - 25.000
= -19.575

Maximum Allowable Error of Closure, m:

Formula= ±5√number of stations
= ±5√ 18
= ±21.213m
 Therefore, the levelling is acceptable.

II. Fly Back Data

1.887 , 1.782 , 1.687 , 1.564 , 1.642 , 1.385 , 1.689 , 1.555 , 1.897 , 1.566 , 2.016 , 1.325 ,

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 2.564 , 1.125 , 2.850 , 1.045 , 2.640 , 0.985 , 3.500 , 0.800 , 3.456 , 0.870 , 3.560 , 0.650 ,
3.415 , 0.554 , 3.568 , 0.458 , 1.020 , 1.560 , 1.250 , 1.455 , 1.305 , 1.650 , 1.255 , 1.298

First reading is BS (Back Sight). The last reading is FS (Foresight). The station is changed in
between;
Station moved after 2nd reading, 4th reading, 6th reading, 8th reading, 10th reading, 12th reading,
14th reading, 16th reading, 18th reading, 20th reading, 22nd reading, 24th reading, 26th reading,
28th reading, 30th reading, 32nd reading, 34th reading.
The readings are started on the BM (Benchmark), RL (Reduced Level) = 25.000m.

Calculate the data using Rise and Fall Method.

IS
BS (Back RL (Reduced
(Intermediat FS(Foresight) RISE FALL REMARKS
Sight) Level)
e Sight)
1.887 25.000 BM, RL=25.000m
1.687 1.782 0.105 25.105 Pt 1
1.642 1.564 0.123 25.228 Pt 2
1.689 1.385 0.257 25.485 Pt 3
1.897 1.555 0.134 25.619 Pt 4
2.016 1.566 0.331 25.950 Pt 5
2.564 1.325 0.691 26.641 Pt 6
2.850 1.125 1.439 28.080 Pt 7
2.640 1.045 1.805 29.885 Pt 8
3.500 0.985 1.655 31.540 Pt 9
3.456 0.800 2.700 34.240 Pt 10
3.560 0.870 2.586 36.826 Pt 11
3.415 0.650 2.910 39.736 Pt 12
3.568 0.554 2.861 42.597 Pt 13
1.020 0.458 3.110 45.707 Pt 14
1.250 1.560 0.540 45.167 Pt 15
1.305 1.455 0.205 44.962 Pt 16
1.255 1.650 0.345 44.617 Pt 17
1.298 0.043 44.574 Pt 18

∑=41.201 ∑=21.627 ∑=20.707 ∑=1.133

Arithmetic Check for Rise and Fall:

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 Sum of Back Sight (∑ BS) - Sum of Foresight (∑ FS) 41.201 - 21.627 = 19.574

Sum of Rise (∑ Rise) - Sum of Fall (∑ Fall) 20.707 - 1.133 = 19.574

Last Reduced Level (RL) - First Reduced Level (RL) 44.574 - 25.000 = 19.574

 Sum of BS - Sum of FS = Sum of Rise – Sum of Fall = Last RL – First RL = 19.574

Mis-closure:
Formula= 44.574 - 25.000
= 19.574

Maximum Allowable Error of Closure, m:

Formula= ±5√number of stations
= ±5√ 18
= ±21.213m
 Therefore, the levelling is acceptable.

3.0 SECTION VIEW OF FLY TO AND FLY BACK

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 4.0 DISCUSSION

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 The following are the factors that cause errors in the leveling：
1. Instrumental Errors

 Incomplete adjustment when using tools to measure the levelling.

When using an adjustment instrument, you must ensure that the level has been
perfectly adjusted so that the alignment line can be parallel to the bubble axis,
so that the bubble becomes horizontal when it is centered. If the adjustment is
not correct, the alignment line will be tilted, and the resulting error will be
proportional to the distance between the worker and the instrument.

 Poor tripod and level tube.

A tripod that is prone to shaking can make the instrument unstable, causing
errors in readings and the actual data. A poor level tube will cause bubbles to
slow down, and overly sensitive will result in wasting a lot of time to level the
instrument.

2. Operation error

 Carelessness not checking when setting up the leveling instrument.

When setting up the tripod, it is necessary to ensure the stability to calculate
the correct leveling degree, and do not touch or shake it with your hands
during the calculation. Then, when using the telescope to take readings, you
must carefully and accurately obtain the data.

 The bubble is not in the center and the parallax problem when leveling.
Whenever leveling and reading data, you must ensure that the bubble is in the
center to avoid data errors. Besides, we must ensure that the telescope has a
good focus before reading the data to avoid focusing and causing the wrong
data to be read.

3. Errors caused by the placement of the leveling instrument and workers.

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  Placement of the leveling instrument.
The leveling instrument should be placed on a solid ground as much as
possible and the tripod feet should be pressed into the ground to maintain
stability. If the ground to be measured is too soft, you can press the long
wooden stake firmly on the ground before placing the tripod feet. This is
because the leveling instrument placed on a soft ground may gradually drop in
the interval between the rear-view and the front-view readings and the
crosshair readings may become smaller.

 Placement of the worker.

Try to avoid placing workers on soft ground because when moving and fixing
the leveling instrument at the changing point, the weight of the worker will
exert a huge pressure on the ground and cause the ground to settle. When
faced with an unavoidable situation, a long nail should be nailed into the
ground or fixed with four steel plates as a replacement point.

4. Errors caused by nature.

 Curvature and refraction.

Problems with curvature and refraction can cause some errors when reading
data. This is because the curvature will make the person's line of sight lower
than the actual position when the person is looking at the object, and the
refraction will make the person's line of sight higher than the actual position
when the person is looking at the object.

 Wind and sun.

When there is a storm, the set leveling instrument and tripod are easily shaken,
which makes it impossible to obtain accurate data. When workers are exposed
to the hot sun to work, it is easy for people to tremble unconsciously, resulting
in the inability to keep the line of sight on the horizontal line and focus, which
may easily cause data errors in readings.
5. Common error in leveling.

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  First, the workers are not fully placed at the leveling point.
 Second, need to go up instead of down when reading data.
 Third, read the data at the top or bottom of stadia instead of reading from the
center.
 Fourth, workers carelessly enter data in the wrong column.
 Fifth, read the wrong meter and decimeter data.

5.0 CONCLUSION

In this report, the lecturer has provided two leveling data, fly back and fly to. We got
data with BS (Back Sight), FS (Foresight) and first reduce level of 25.000m. Then, we use the
rise and fall method to calculate the reduce level of the two pieces of data. After calculating
the reduce level, we calculated the mis-closure error by subtracting the first reduce level from
the last reduce level. We also calculated the maximum allowable closing error based on the
data.

In the data of fly to levelling, the mis-closure error is -19.575m, and the maximum
allowable closing error is ±21.213m. Therefore, the levelling of fly to in this report is
acceptable. This is because when the mis-closure error data is smaller than the maximum
allowable closing error data, it is acceptable. However, when the mis-closure error data
exceeds the maximum allowable closing error data, we must recalculate the leveling data.
Besides, in the data of fly back levelling, we also calculated that the mis-closure error is
19.574m, and the maximum allowable closing error is ±21.213m. Therefore, the levelling of
fly back in this report is also acceptable.

In conclusion, this report greatly enhances our concept of leveling. Through this
report, we also learn how to calculate the reduce level, how to use the level correctly, and
many things and behaviors to avoid when obtaining leveling data. We are very grateful to be
able to obtain and study this report, because it allows us to master more knowledge about site
surveying. At the same time, we hope that in the future there will be more opportunities like
this for us to learn, because it really benefits us all.

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 6.0 REFERENCES

Design Building Wiki, 2020, Levelling in surveying, viewed 19 February 2021,

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

Arissa Loh, 2016, Levelling, viewed 19 February 2021,

<https://www.slideshare.net/muntong97/levelling-69834895>

Niwa, 2004, Levelling & Surveying, viewed 19 February 2021,

<http://www.whycos.org/fck_editor/upload/File/PacificHYCOS/Surface_Waters/Levelling_a
nd_surveying.pdf>

Design Building Wiki, 2020, Levelling in surveying, viewed 19 February 2021,

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

Arissa Loh, 2016, Levelling, viewed 19 February 2021,

<https://www.slideshare.net/muntong97/levelling-69834895>

Niwa, 2004, Levelling & Surveying, viewed 19 February 2021,

<http://www.whycos.org/fck_editor/upload/File/PacificHYCOS/Surface_Waters/Levelling_a
nd_surveying.pdf>

N. Priyanka, 2012, 5 Main Sources of Error in Levelling | Surveying, viewed 18 February

2021, < https://www.engineeringenotes.com/surveying/levelling/5-main-sources-of-error-in-
levelling-surveying/13910 >

Pang Kai Yun, 2016, Assignment 1- Levelling, viewed 18 February 2021,

<https://www.slideshare.net/KaiYun96/assignment-1-levelling >

Tan Liat Choon, 2012, Levelling-Technical, viewed 18 February 2021,

<http://www.tanliatchoon.yolasite.com/resources/3-Levelling-Technical.pdf >

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