LEVELING

HOW TO DETERMINE RELATIVE

ELEVATIONS
Organied by ANRS BOA

By Bekalu
 Outline
 Introduction
 Basic definitions
 Basic principle of a level
 Setting up of the instrument
 Measuring elevation difference using a level
 Procedure in differential leveling
 Application
 Source of errors
Introduction
 Leveling: is a type of surveying which is carried
out for measuring the elevation difference b/n
points and to establish the elevation or heights of
points
 Its purpose to provide spot heights or contour lines
on a map, to provide data for making longitudinal
and cross-sections.
 Introduction
Leveling is done for the following purpose:
 to prepare a contour map for fixing sites for reservoir
dam , barrages
 to fix the alignment of roads , railways , irrigation canals
and so on.
 To determine the altitude of different important points on
a hill.
 To prepare a longitudinal section and cross-section of
project (roads ,railways, irrigation canal etc) in order to
determine the volume of the earth work.
 To prepare a lay out map for water supply ,sanitary or
drainage schemes.
Introduction
The elevation of points or heights of points is
defined as its vertical distance above or below a
given reference, Level surface, Datum
 In topographical work the used datum is the mean
sea level (MSL)
 + ve if above MSL.
 - ve if below MSL.
Introduction
 Leveling can be done in several ways:
 Chain surveying
 Barometric leveling: using barometer to measure the atm.
Pressure to determine elevation
 Trigonometric leveling: using Theodolite
 Photogrammetric leveling: using Camera
 GPS leveling
 Differential leveling: using level and staff
Differential leveling
 Levelling is
 The more accurate method
 but is also the slower
 Modern instruments are capable of cm
accuracy
 The keys to successful levelling lie in
 The setting up of the instrument and
 The careful recording (booking) of the results.
Basic Definitions

 Vertical Line
 Horizontal Line
 Horizontal Plane
 Level Surface
 Level line
 Level surface : any surface parallel to the mean
spherical surface of the earth (obviously curved)
 Level Line: A line that lies on the level surface.
 Difference in elevation b/w 2 points: is the vertical
distance b/w 2 level surfaces.
 Basic Definitions
 Back sight (B.S):- is a staff reading taken on a point after the
instrument is immediately set up. Sometimes called plus sight.
 Fore sight (F.S):- is the last staff reading taken during leveling
before the instrument is moved. Sometimes called minus sight.
 Intermediate sight(I.S):- it is any staff reading taken other
than backs sight & fore sight.
 Note: a single set up of leveling instrument there is only one
B.S & only one F.S but in the case of “I.S” the umber is not
limited.
 Turning point.(T.P):- is the station where a back sight and
Foresight readings are taken. It indicates the shifting of
Instrument.
 Bench-Mark (B.M)- is a relatively permanent and fixed
reference point of known elevation
Basic Definitions
 Datum:- is the point with reference to which levels of
other points are calculated.
 Reduced level(R.L):- it is the height of points stated
with reference to the selected datum for the work in
hand.
 Instrument station:- is the place where the instrument
is set up for observation.
 Staff station:- is the place where the leveling is held
vertically.
 Height of collimation:- is defined as the vertical
distance from the datum to the line of sight.
Basic Definitions
Basic Principles of a Level
 Differential Leveling Requires:
1. Objective lense- it is used for gathering the
incoming light rays.
2. eye piece – it is a microscope used for viewing
the image focused by the objective lense.
3. Foot screws- are used to se the telescope in a
horizontal plan.
4. Focusing knob- it is used to show the image
clearly by adjusting the distance b/n the
instrument and the target by focusing.
Basic Principles of a Level

Figure
Basic Principles of a Level
Setup step-by-step

The first step in leveling is to spread the tripod leg,

used to support the head part, so that the tripod head
is approximately horizontal, the legs should be far
enough and they should be pushed to the ground to
make the level sable.
The next step is to center the bubble by the help of
foot screws, latly targeting & Focusing

Spread the tripod Center the targeting Focusing.

Measuring Elevation Difference
 The basic operation in differential leveling is the
determination of elevation differences between
two points.
 Consider two points A and B as shown below.

 Set up the level so that readings may be made

on a staff held vertically at A and then at B.

Measuring Elevation Difference
Measuring Elevation Difference
 Measuring Elevation Difference
Calculation of Elevation
1. The height of instrument method Elevation of
Point A = 520.43m AMSL
a. Height of Instrument HI = Elevation of A+ (B.S)Staff
Reading
= 520.43 + 2.56 = 522.99m AMSL
b. Elevation of B = HI – (F.S)Staff Reading at B
= 522.99–0.93 = 522.06m
AMSL
Measuring Elevation Difference
1. The height of instrument method Elevation of
Point M = 520.43m AMSL
a. Height of Instrument HI = Elevation of M +(B.S)
Staff Reading= 520.43 + 0.64 = 521.07m AMSL
b. Elevation of N = HI –(F.S)Staff Reading at N
= 521.07 –2.97 = 518.10m AMSL
Measuring Elevation Difference
2.The rise and fall method
Elevation of Point A = 520.43m AMSL
a. Elevation Difference= Staff reading at( B.S)A –
Staff reading at (F.S)B = 2.56 –0.93 = +1.63m
(rise)
b. Elevation of B = Elevation at A+ rise
= 520.43 + 1.63 = 522.06m AMSL
 Measuring Elevation Difference
2. The rise and fall method
Elevation of Point M = 520.43m AMSL
a. Elevation Difference = Staff reading at M(B.S) – Staff
reading at N(F.S) = 0.64 –2.97 = -2.33m (fall)
b. Elevation of N = Elevation at M + fall
= 520.43 -2.33 = 518.10m AMS
 Measuring Elevation Difference
Stand B.S I.S F.S Rise(+ve) Fall(-ve) R.L Remark
1 2.228 1008.465 B.M
2 1.606 0.622 1009.087
3 2.090 0.988 0.618 1009.705 T.P
4 2.864 0.774 1008.931
5 0.602 1.262 1.602 1010.533 TP
6 1.044 1.982 1.380 1009.153 TP
7 2.684 1.640 1007.513

∑ B.S- ∑ F.S = ∑ Rise - ∑ Fall = Last R.L – First R.L

s.964-6.916 = 2.842-3.794 = 1007.513-1008.465
- 0.952 = - 0.952 = -0.952
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation

Point BS IS FS HI RL Distance Notes

1 0.663 99.423 98.76 - BM

HI = RL + BS
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation

RL = HI -IS
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation

HI = RL + BS
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation
HI method for Elevation Calculation
 Optical distance measurement
 It is often convenient to use the levelling instrument itself to
calculate the distance between the instrument and staff
positions

 This is done using the stadia lines that are visible in the
viewfinder

 These are arranged such that the distance to the staff is 100x
the stadia interval that is read on the staff between the two
lines

 This procedure is known as tacheometry.

Tacheometry
Longitudinal section
102.5
102
101.5
101
100.5
100 RL
99.5 CBL(m)
99
98.5
98
97.5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Dist.(m) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
RL(Elev.) (m) 100 99.84 98.125 100.28 102.08 101.645 101.195
C BL (m) 99.5 99.49 99.48 99.47 99.46 99.45 99.44
C Emb.L (m) =99.5+

CWL (m) =99.5+

Cut (m) 0.5 0.35 0.81 2.62 2.195 1.755

Fill (m) 1.355
Cross Section Leveling
 cross sections are taking at right angles to the
longitudinal or centre line, generally at regular
intervals.
Distance Reduced River Cross-Section
(m) levels (m) 2698.5

0 2697.99 2698

1 2697.838 2697.5

2 2697.588 2697

Reduced levels (m)

2696.5
4 2697.23
2696
6 2696.845
2695.5
8 2696.002
2695
10 2695.37 0 5 10 15 20 25
 Source of Error in Leveling
 The following are the different source of error in leveling:

1. Instrumental error

a. The permanent adjustment of the instrument may not be

perfect. i.e. the line of collimation may not be parallel to
the axis of bubble tube.

b. The internal arrangement of the focusing tube is not

perfect.

c. The graduation of the leveling staff may not be perfect

2. Personal errors

 The instrument may not be leveled perfectly.

 The focusing of the eye-piece and object glass may not

be perfect/Parallax/

 The position of the staff may me displaced at the

change point at the time of taking FS and BS reading.

 The staff may appear inverted. i.e. by mistake the staff

reading may be taken upwards instead of downwards.
 Personal errors

 the reading of the stadia hair rather than the

central collimation hair may be taken by
mistake .

 A wrong entry may be made in the level book.

 The staff may not be properly and fully

extended.
3. Errors due to natural causes

 When distance of sight is long the curvature of

the earth may affect the staff reading.

 The effect of high winds and a shining sun may

result in a wrong staff reading.

 Due to refraction
Errors occurred frequently

Be sure that the laser beam is

not reflected other objects
• In order to guarantee a firm foothold sufficiently press the
tripod legs into the ground.
• When setting up the tripod pay attention to a horizontal
position of the tripod plate
Careful handling of tripod

 During transport always

use the cover supplied.
 Use the tripod only for
surveying tasks.
Transporting in the field
 When transporting the
equipment in the field,
 always make sure to
either carry the
product in its original
transport case or,
 carry the tripod with
its legs splayed across
your shoulder, keeping
the attached product
upright.
Setup to Reading Staff Video
 E:\drowing\Survaying video\How to Set Up an
Engineering Level.mp4
Example

Dist. (m) BS (+ve) IS FS(-ve) HI RL Remarks

0.665 100 BM=100.00

0.825
2.54
3.2 0.385 TP1

1.565 1.4 TP2

2
2.45

HI= RL+BS, RL=Reduced elevation of the BM

RL=HI-FS
Example

Dist. (m) BS (+ve) IS FS(-ve) HI RL Remarks

0.665 100.665 100 BM=100.00

0.825 99.84
2.54 98.125
3.2 0.385 103.48 100.28 TP1

1.565 1.4 103.645 102.08 TP2

2 101.645
2.45 101.195

HI= RL+BS, RL=Reduced elevation of the BM

RL=HI-FS