Leveling Methods

Fundamentals of Surveying
CESURV30

MSDS
 Definition of Terms

TP2 Elev b
HI2
TP1
HI1
BM
(Elev a)

▪ Bench Mark, BM. A fixed point of reference whose elevation is either

known or assumed. They may be temporary or permanent. Permanent
Bench Marks (PBM) are those which are established at intervals
throughout the country by the National Mapping and Resource Information
Authority (NAMRIA). They serve as points of reference for levels in a
given locality and their elevations are determined by precise leveling
methods. MSDS
 Definition of Terms

Figure 1
Example BMs by NAMRIA

▪ Backsight (BS). It is a reading taken on a rod held on a point of known or

assumed elevation. It is a measure of the vertical distance from the
established line of sight to the point sighted, and is always the first rod
reading taken after the instrument has been set up and leveled. Backsight is
also known as plus sight (+S). MSDS
 Definition of Terms
▪ Foresight (FS). It is the reading taken on a rod held on a point
whose elevation is to be determined. It is represented as a vertical
distance from the line of sight of the instrument to the point
observed. Foresight is also known as minus sight (-S).
▪ Backsight distance (BSD). The backsight distance is measured
from the center of the instrument to the rod on which a backsight is
taken.
▪ Foresight distance (FSD). The horizontal distance from the center
of the instrument to the rod on which a foresight is taken.
▪ Turning Point (TP). Is an intervening point between two
benchmarks upon which point foresight and backsight rod readings
are taken to enable a leveling operation to continue from a new
instrument position.
▪ Height of Instrument (HI). Is the elevation of the line of sight of
instrument above or below a selected reference datum. It is
determined by adding the rod reading on the backsight to the
elevation of the point on which the sight is taken.
MSDS
 Leveling Procedures

BS2
FS1 FS2
BS1
TP1

BMa BMb
HI1 Elev TP1 HI2
Elev BMa Elev BMb
(Desired value)
Reference Datum Line
(Mean Sea Level)

𝑯𝑰 = 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗 𝑩𝑴𝒂 + 𝑩𝑺

𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗 𝑻𝑷 = 𝑯𝑰 − 𝑭𝑺

MSDS
 Differential Leveling
Compute the differential level notes shown below and perform
the customary arithmetic check

Sta. BS HI FS Elev
BM1 1.256 127.133 m
TP1 1.116 1.886
TP2 1.228 1.527
BM2 1.189 2.246
BM3 1.070 2.017
TP3 1.831 2.656
BM3 2.765

MSDS
 Differential Leveling
HI1

HI1 TP1

BM1 BM2
1.527 Elev ?
Elev 127.133 m (FS) TP2
HI2
Sta. BS HI FS Elev
BM3
BM1 1.256 127.133 m
Elev ?
TP1 1.116 1.886
TP2 1.228 1.527
BM2 1.189 2.246
BM3 1.070 2.017
TP3 1.831 2.656
BM3 2.765

Schematic Diagram of the Route Differential Leveling MSDS

 Solution

Level Route from BM1 to TP2 MSDS

 Solution

Level Route from TP2 to BM3 MSDS

 Solution

Level Route from BM3 to BM4 MSDS

 Solution

Sta. BS HI + FS Elev
BM1 1.256 127.133 m
128.389
-
TP1 1.116 127.619 1.886 126.503
TP2 1.228 127.320 1.527 126.092
BM2 1.189 126.263 2.246 125.074
BM3 1.070 125.316 2.017 124.246
TP3 1.831 124.491 2.656 122.660
BM3 2.765 121.726
∑BS = +7.690 ∑FS = -13.097

MSDS
 Solution
▪ Arithmetic check:

127.133 m (Elev of BM1)

+ 7.690 m (∑BS)
134.823 m
- 13.097 m (∑FS)
121.726 m (Checks with Elev of BM4)

MSDS
 Double-Rodded Leveling
Complete the following differential level notes for a double-
rodded line from BM1 to BM2. show the customary arithmetic
check
Sta. BS HI FS Elev
1.964
BM1 205.549 m
1.964
TP1 H 2.187 1.104
TP1 L 2.629 1.549
TP2 H 1.393 1.794
TP2 L 1.780 2.202
TP3 H 0.317 2.991
TP3 L 0.741 3.415
2.634
BM2
2.634
MSDS
 Double-Rodded Leveling
TP1 H

HI1
HI1 BM2
Elev ?

TP1 L

TP2 H
TP2 L
TP3 H
BM1 HI3
Elev 127.133 m
Sta. BS HI FS Elev

1.964
BM1 205.549 m
1.964

TP1 H 2.187 1.104 3.415

TP1 L 2.629 1.549 (FS) TP3 L
TP2 H
TP2 L
1.393
1.780
1.794
2.202
HI2
TP3 H 0.317 2.991
TP3 L 0.741 3.415

BM2
2.634
2.634
Schematic Diagram of the Route Double-Rodded Leveling
MSDS
 Solution

Sta. BS HI + FS Elev
1.964 207.513
BM1 205.549 m
1.964 207.513 -
TP1 H 2.187 208.596 1.104 206.409
TP1 L 2.629 208.593 1.549 205.964
TP2 H 1.393 208.195 1.794 206.802
TP2 L 1.780 208.171 2.202 206.391
TP3 H 0.317 205.521 2.991 205.204
TP3 L 0.741 205.497 3.415 204.756
2.634 202.887
BM2 202.863
2.634
∑BS = +12.975 ∑FS = -18.323

MSDS
 Solution
Arithmetic check:

▪ Mean Elev BM2 = (202.887 + 202.863)/2

= 202.875 m

▪ DE1 = (∑FS + ∑BS)/2

= [18.323 + (-12.975)]/2
DE1 = 2.674 m

▪ DE2 = Elev BM1 – Mean Elev BM2

= 205.549 – 202.875
DE2 = 2.674 m (Checks with DE1)
MSDS
 Profile Leveling
▪ The succeeding figure shows a preliminary plan from reconnaissance survey and
schematic arrangement of a profile level route from BM33 to BM34. The values indicated
represent backsight, foresight, and intermediate foresight readings taken on stations
along the route. Prepare and complete profile level notes for the portrayed information.
Show the customary arithmetic check and plot the profile
Sta. BS HI IFS FS Elev
BM33 2.32 328.70 m
0+00 1.7
1+00 2.2
2+00 1.2
3+00 0.9
TP1 2.77 3.43
4+40 2.2
5+00 3.7
6+00 1.6
TP2 2.22 3.06
8+00 2.8
9+00 3.6
10+00 2.0
11+00 1.1
MSDS
BM34 2.45
 Profile Leveling

Preliminary Route Plan from Reconnaissance Survey MSDS

 Profile Leveling
2+00
1+00 3+00 HI2

0+00
TP2

TP1 8+00
4+40 9+00
5+00
HI1 6+00
BM33 10+00
Elev 328.70 m
11+00

HI3
BM34
Elev ?

Schematic Arrangement of Lines for Profile Route MSDS

 Solution
Sta. BS HI +IFS FS Elev
BM33 2.32 331.02 - 328.70 m
0+00 1.7 329.3
1+00 2.2 328.8
2+00 1.2 329.8
3+00 0.9
330.1
TP1 2.77 330.36 3.43 327.59
4+40 2.2 328.2
5+00 3.7 326.7
6+00 1.6 328.8
TP2 2.22 329.52 3.06 327.30
8+00 2.8 326.7
9+00 3.6 325.9
10+00 2.0 327.5
11+00 1.1 328.4
BM34 2.45 327.07
∑BS = +7.31 ∑FS = -8.94

MSDS
 Solution
28 July 1986 PROFILE LEVEL ROUTE Barangay Dolores
Survey Party No. 12 (FROM BM33 TO BM34) San Fdo., Pampanga
Chief of Party: Sanchez, KM

335
ELEVATION (m)

330

325

320
0+00 1+00 2+00 3+00 4+00 5+00 6+00 7+00 8+00 9+00 10+00 11+00 12+00
STATIONINGS

HORIZONTAL SCALE: 1 cm = 100 m

VERTICAL SCALE: 1 cm = 5 m
MSDS