Trigonometrical levelling

It is an indirect method of levelling in which the difference of elevation of the points is determined from
the observed vertical angles and the measured distances. It is commonly used in topographical work to
find out the elevations of the top of buildings, chimneys, churches etc.

Case I: Base of the object accessible

From ∆ 𝐶𝐸𝐹,

ℎ = 𝐹𝐸 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃

∴ 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐹 = 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 + 𝑆 + ℎ

∴ 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐹 = 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 + 𝑆 + 𝐷 tan 𝜃

Surveying
 Case II: Base of the object inaccessible- The instrument stations and the elevated object are in the same
vertical plane
I. Instrument axes at same level

From ∆ 𝑂1′ 𝐴′𝐹

ℎ = 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 (1)

From ∆ 𝑂2′ 𝐴′𝐹

ℎ = (𝐷 + 𝑑) tan 𝜃2 (2)

From 1 and 2

𝐷 tan 𝜃1 = (𝐷 + 𝑑) tan 𝜃2

𝐷 (tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2) = 𝑑 tan 𝜃2

𝑑 tan 𝜃2
⇒𝐷=
(tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2)

∴ 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐹 = 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 + 𝑆 + ℎ

𝑑 (tan 𝜃1.tan 𝜃2)

⇒ ℎ = 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 =
(tan 𝜃1−tan 𝜃2)

Surveying
II. Instrument axes at different levels

Depending upon the ground conditions, following cases may arise

a) Instrument axis at 𝑂2 higher than at 𝑂1

ℎ1 − ℎ2 = 𝑆2 − 𝑆1 = 𝑆 (𝑆𝑎𝑦)

From ∆ 𝑂1′ 𝐴′′𝐹

ℎ1 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 (1)

From ∆ 𝑂2′ 𝐴′𝐹

ℎ2 = (𝐷 + 𝑑) tan 𝜃2 (2)

Subtract 2 from 1

ℎ1 − ℎ2 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 − (𝐷 + 𝑑) tan 𝜃2

𝑆 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 − 𝐷 tan 𝜃2 − 𝑑 tan 𝜃2

𝑆 = 𝐷 (tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2) − 𝑑 tan 𝜃2

𝐷 (tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2) = 𝑆 + 𝑑 tan 𝜃2

𝑆 + 𝑑 tan 𝜃2
⇒𝐷=
(tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2)

But ℎ1 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃1
(𝑆 + 𝑑 tan 𝜃2) tan 𝜃1
=
(tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2)

∴ 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐹 = 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 + 𝑆1 + ℎ1

Surveying
 b) Instrument axis at 𝑂2 higher than at 𝑂1

ℎ2 − ℎ1 = 𝑆1 − 𝑆2 = 𝑆 (𝑆𝑎𝑦)

From ∆ 𝑂1′ 𝐴′𝐹

ℎ1 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 (1)

From ∆ 𝑂2′ 𝐴′′𝐹

ℎ2 = (𝐷 + 𝑑) tan 𝜃2 (2)

Subtract 1 from 2

ℎ2 − ℎ1 = (𝐷 + 𝑑) tan 𝜃2 − 𝐷 tan 𝜃1

𝑆 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃2 − 𝐷 tan 𝜃1 + 𝑑 tan 𝜃2

𝑆 = 𝐷 (tan 𝜃2 − tan 𝜃1) + 𝑑 tan 𝜃2

𝑆 = −𝐷 (tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2) = 𝑆 + 𝑑 tan 𝜃2

(𝑑 tan 𝜃2 − 𝑆)
⇒𝐷=
(tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2)

But ℎ1 = 𝐷 tan 𝜃1

(𝑑 tan 𝜃2 − 𝑆) tan 𝜃1
=
(tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2)

∴ 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐹 = 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 + 𝑆1 + ℎ1

Surveying
Case III: Base of the object inaccessible- Instrument station and the elevated object are not in the same
vertical plane

In ∆ 𝑂1𝑂2𝐴′, ∠𝑂1𝐴′𝑂 = 180° − (𝛼 + 𝛽) = 𝜃

Apply sine rule

𝑂 2𝐴 ′ 𝑂1𝐴′ 𝑂1𝑂2
= =
sin 𝛼 sin 𝛽 sin 𝜃

𝑂1𝑂2 sin 𝛼 𝑑 sin 𝛼

𝑂2 𝐴′ = =
sin 𝜃 sin 𝜃

𝑂1𝑂2 sin 𝛽 𝑑 sin 𝛽

𝑂1 𝐴′ = =
sin 𝜃 sin 𝜃

Now
ℎ1 = 𝐴′′𝐹 = 𝐴′′𝑂′ tan 𝜃1 = 𝐴′𝑂1 tan 𝜃1 [𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐴′′𝑂′ = 𝐴′𝑂1]
1 1

ℎ2 = 𝐴′′′𝐹 = 𝐴′′′𝑂′ tan 𝜃2 = 𝐴′𝑂2 tan 𝜃2 [𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐴′′′𝑂′ = 𝐴′𝑂2]

2 2

∴ 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐹 = 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 + 𝑆1 + ℎ1

𝑑 sin 𝛽. tan 𝜃1
∴ 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐹 = 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 + 𝑆1 +
sin 𝜃

∴ 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐹 = 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 + 𝑆1 + ℎ2

𝑑 sin 𝛼. tan 𝜃2
∴ 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐹 = 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 + 𝑆2 +
sin 𝜃

Surveying