Fieldwork Exercise No.

5
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING

Objectives:
a) To determine the elevation of points by differential leveling

A. INTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES: Dumpy or Wye level, Leveling Rod, Hubs or

` Peg, Range Poles, Hammer or Mallet, and chalk.

B. PROCEDURE:

1. Designate the initial or reference point of the level route as BM-1 and the final
or terminal point as BM-2.
2. Set up and level the instrument at a convenient location along the general
designated route between the two points.
3. Take and record a backsight on BM-1.
4. Direct the rodman to move forward along the level route (not necessarily in a
straight line between BM-1 and the next point) and establish TP-1.
5. Take and record a foresight in TP-1.
6. Transfer and set up the level at another suitable location beyond TP-1 and
take and record a backsight on TP-1.
7. Direct the rodman to move a convenient distance ahead of the instrument and
establish TP-2.
8. Take and record a foresight on TP-2
9. Repeat the procedure until a foresight is finally taken on BM-2.
10. Refer to the accompanying sample tabulation for the recording of
observed field data.

STA BA HI FS ELEVATION REMARKS

C. COMPUTATIONS:

1. Computing Height of Instrument and Elevation.

In differential leveling, the following two equations are repeatedly used

a) HI = Elev + BS b) Elev = HI - BS

Where:

HI = height of instrument above a reference datum

BS = backsight reading on the rod ( or plus sight )

FS = foresight reading on the rod ( or minus sight )

Elev = elevation above a reference datum of a point sighted

2. Arithmetic Check ]

To check the accuracy of the arithmetical computations, add all backsights

as well as all the foresights. The difference between these two sums must be
equal to the difference in elevation between the initial and final points of' the
level line.

D. REMARKS, HINTS & PRECAUTIONS:

1. To reduce to a negligible amount the effect of curvature end refraction, keep the
backsight distance approximately equal to its corresponding foresight distance.
2. Limit foresight and backsight distances to a maximum of 90 meters since most
leveling rods cannot be read accurately beyond this distance.
3. Always keep the telescope bubble centered at instant of sighting. The accuracy of
leveling depends on the bubble being in this position during each rod sighting.
4. Avoid reading too near the top or bottom of the rod. Select guitable locations for
the instrument go that backsight and foresight rod readings will fall between
0.50 and 1.50 m marks of the leveling rod.
5. Avoid the use of a long (extended) rod especially when it is windy and the leveling
rod is not provided with a rod support.
6. Since more time is spent at a set up of the instrument, care must be observed so
as to prevent settlement of the instrument between backsighting and foresighting
periods. To guard against settlement of the instrument, such as when working on
 soft grounds during rainy days, the tripod legs must be driven firmly into good
bearing soil.
7. Turning points should have a rounded or leveled top to give a de finite point
of support for the bottom of the leveling rod. If a hub or peg is used, avoid
locating such points on soft and unstable grounds.
8. The rod should be held plumb and steady when a reading is made on it.
Preferably, use a rod level to assure that the rod will always be held plumb and-
keep fingers off the face of the rode.
9. Use the proper tension on the, leveling screws. They should have bearing on the
tripod head without being too tight.
10. For non-precise surveys, rod readings may be made to the nearest hundredth of
a meter.
11. The number of instrument set-ups will depend largely on the configuration of
the terrain, length of the level circuit or route, and the length of sight distances,
It is best to select the shortest level route possible to reduce the amount of
error closure.