FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

MODULE CODE: CIVE 321

TITLE: PRACTICAL NO.2 LEVELLING
LEVEL: 200
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 14/04/23
STUDENT NAME: JESSICA THEBE 21000317

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………..3
2. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………4
3. PROCEDURE……………………………………………………………………..6
4. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS…………………………………………………….7
5. DISCUSSION……………………………………………………………………..9
6. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………...9
7. RECOMMENDATION…………………………………………………………..10
8. REFERENCES………………………………………………………………........11

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ABSTRACT
The experiment was conducted to find the reduced levels between different points. It was also to
operate automatic level for levelling exercise. Levelling is the process of determination of the
differences in heights between two or more points on the Earth’s surface. And the rise and fall
method which is a method of levelling was used to find the reduced levels. It consists of
determining the difference of elevation between consecutive points by comparing each point
after the first that immediately preceding it. The difference between there staff reading indicates
a rise or fall according to the staff reading at the point. The automatic level and staff was used for
the experiment and the results were obtained which were used to compute the reduced levels.

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INTRODUCTION
Objectives
1) To operate an automatic level for levelling exercise.
2) To compute Reduced Levels between different points

Theory
Levelling is the process of determination of the differences in heights between two or more
points on the Earth’s surface. The rise and fall method is the method of calculating the difference
in elevation between consecutive points in levelling work. The R.L. is found by adding the rise
to or subtracting the fall from the reduced level of the preceding point.
During levelling, the staff reading is more at a lower point and less for a higher point. This is To
say staff readings provide information regarding the relative rise and fall of terrain points. This
gives information that is necessary for finding out elevation of unknown points.
Some of the points you have to know before starting numerical are:
Back sights: The first reading after seeing the instrument is called back sights. This is taken at a
known point like B.M or F.S. It is denoted as B.S.
Inter sights: All readings taken between B.S and F.S are known as inter sights. It is denoted as
I.S.
Fore sights: The last reading after setting the instrument is known by foresight. It is denoted as
F.S.
Benchmark: Benchmark is a point with known elevation. It is denoted as B.M.

BS BS/FS
BS/FS BS/FS
BS/FS
FS

Opening
BM1 TP1
TP2 TP3 TP4 Closing BM2
Conditions of Rise and Fall method
1) If BS > FS, This implies there is a rise of slope
2) If BS < FS, This implies there is a fall of slope
Arithmetic Check of Rise and Fall Method

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 1) ∑BS - ∑FS = ∑Rises - ∑Falls = Last Initial RL – First RL

Equipment / Materials to be used

a) Automatic Level,
b) Tripod,
c) Levelling staff,
d) Levelling booking sheet.

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PROCEDURE
a) Reconnaissance:
Inspection of the Bench Marks (BMs) around BIUST for opening and closing the levelling
exercise.
b) Acquisition of Bench Mark elevation data. Elevation data will be provided.
c) Levelling procedures will be as follows:
i) Establish points (roughly) along the levelling route.
ii) Set up the levelling Staff Vertically at the opening Bench Mark (BM)
iii) Establish a Temporary Point (TP1) approx. 15m from the opening Bench Mark
iv) Set up and Level properly the instrument at point TP1.
v) Take the first Back Sight (BS) reading at the opening Bench Mark (BM).
vi) Move the Levelling staff from the opening Bench Mark and beyond point TP1 (approx.
15m) and hold vertically
vii) Rotate the automatic level at point TP1 and take the first FS reading.
viii)Move the instruments from TP1 and establish the second temporary point TP2, and take
the BS reading at point TP1.
ix) Repeat steps iv) to vii for the other TPs until you reach the closing Bench Mark and take
the last FS reading.

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RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
a.) Rise and fall method

Station BS FS Rise Fall Reduced level

BM 2.253 982.771

TP1 1.652 1.151 1.102 983.873

TP2 1.691 0.992 0.660 984.533

TP3 1.323 1.100 0.591 985.124

TP4 1.121 1.610 0.287 984.837

TP5 0.866 1.667 0.546 984.291

BP1 1.829 0.963 983.328

⅀SUM 8.906 8.349 2.353 1.796

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Arithmetic check: ∑ BS−∑ FS=∑ RISE−∑ FALL=lastRL−firstRL

8.906 - 8.349 = 2.353 - 1.796 = 983.328 - 982.771

0.557 = 0.557 = 0.557
If BS > FS (BS –FS = RISE)
If BS < FS (BS – FS = FALL)
2.253 – 1.151 = 1.102 (RISE)

Reduced level for TP1 = 982.771 + 1.102

= 983.873

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b.) Height of instrument method
Station BS FS Height of Reduced level
instrument(HI)

BM 2.253 985.024 982.771

TP1 1.652 1.151 985.525 983.873

TP2 1.691 0.992 986.224 984.533

TP3 1.323 1.100 986.447 985.124

TP4 1.121 1.610 985.958 984.837

TP5 0.866 1.667 985.175 984.291

BP1 1.829 983.328

⅀SUM 8.906 8.349

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Arithmetic check: ∑ BS−∑ FS=lastRL−firstRL

8.906 – 8.349 = 983.328 - 982.771

0.557 = 0.557
Height of instrument = reduced level + back sight (BS)
= 982.771 + 2.253
= 985.024

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DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The error in this experiment includes misreading the staff that happen because of human
error while holding the staff and also because of the lack of experience in reading the staff.
The weather may also become a distraction while conducting the experiment. Moving the
turning points also can affect the data when tabulating because the auto level may be not
balanced when changing the station. This error can be solved by taking repeated readings of
the staff and an average reading is used in the table. Make sure the auto level is flat and
balanced to gain the best reading for the data.
From the results the sum of the back sight was ƩBS =8.906 the sum of fore sight was
ƩFS=8.349, the sum of the rise and fall were found to be 2.353 and 1.769 respectively. The
initial reduced level was 982.771 at Benchmark BM(the starting point) and the last reduced
level was found to be 983.328 at the Benchmark (endpoint). The differences for between the
sum of back sights and foresight were equal to the difference between the sum of rise and
sum of fall. Coincidentally the difference between the Initial RL and Final RL were there
same as those previously calculated. This means all the numerical calculations were
performed accurately but the experiment was not a success in the end due to errors that
occurred during the survey.
During the survey experiment we were able to familiarize ourselves with the levelling
procedure and equipment. We also managed to carry out differential levelling and find
differences in elevation as well as calculate reduced levels. We were able to measure the
vertical distances by using the levelling equipment. We were able to calculate the reduced
level by using the Rise and Fall Method and the Height of Collimation Method. After that,
we collected the data and record it, and we found that we have no errors. So, there is no
misclosure error. The purpose of calculating the error is to get the actual final reduce level.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
To avoid errors, read the staff in the increasing direction of readings.
Avoid working in a very hot climate because it may harm the instrument. So the instrument
should be protected from heat.
Avoid mistakes in reading (make sure that the meter and decimeter are correctly noted).

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REFERENCES
 https://www.engineeringcivil.com/precautions-in-levelling.html#:~:text=Take
%20the%20reading%20on%20the,staff%20between%20two%20vertical
%20crosshairs.&text=Tripod%20should%20be%20carefully%20placed,be
%20disturbed%20at%20any%20cost.&text=Avoid%20mistakes%20in
%20reading%20(make,and%20decimeter%20are%20correctly%20noted).
 https://www.studocu.com/row/document/universiti-teknologi-mara/civil-
engineering/lab-levelling-report/25882184
 https://www.bhangarmahavidyalaya.in/study_mat/1626871603_Doc.pdf

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