Errors in Levelling

1 – Error due to tilted staff

Errors in Levelling

1 – Error due to Curvature and

Refraction
A C

B
A C

B
 A C

AB = BD = Radius of Earth
D
CD = Error

What is the line of sight? AC or AD?

B
 A C

AB = BD = Radius of Earth
D
CD = Error

What is the line of sight? AC or AD?

Can we estimate “CD” using Pythagoras Theorem?

B
 A C

AB = BD = Radius of Earth
D
CD = Error

What is the line of sight? AC or AD?

Can we estimate “CD” using Pythagoras Theorem?

B
Hyp2 = Base2 + Perp2
 A C

AB = BD = Radius of Earth
D
CD = Error

What is the line of sight? AC or AD?

Can we estimate “CD” using Pythagoras Theorem?

B
Hyp2 =Base2 +Perp2
(BC)2 = (AC)2 + (AB)2
 A C

AB = BD = Radius of Earth
D
CD = Error

What is the line of sight? AC or AD?

Can we estimate “CD” using Pythagoras Theorem?

B
Hyp2 =Base2 +Perp2
(BC)2 = (AC)2 + (AB)2
(Radius + Error)2 = (Distance)2 + (Radius)2
 A C

AB = BD = Radius of Earth
D
CD = Error

What is the line of sight? AC or AD?

Can we estimate “CD” using Pythagoras Theorem?

B
Hyp2 =Base2 +Perp2
(BC)2 = (AC)2 + (AB)2
(Radius + Error)2 = (Distance)2 + (Radius)2
Radius2+2(Radius)(Error)+Error2 = Distance2 + Radius2
 A C

AB = BD = Radius of Earth
D
CD = Error

What is the line of sight? AC or AD?

Can we estimate “CD” using Pythagoras Theorem?

B
Hyp2 =Base2 +Perp2
(BC)2 = (AC)2 + (AB)2
(Radius + Error)2 = (Distance)2 + (Radius)2
Radius2+2(Radius)(Error)+Error2 = Distance2 + Radius2
 A C

AB = BD = Radius of Earth
D
CD = Error

What is the line of sight? AC or AD?

Can we estimate “CD” using Pythagoras Theorem?

B
Hyp2 =Base2 +Perp2
(BC)2 = (AC)2 + (AB)2
(Radius + Error)2 = (Distance)2 + (Radius)2
Radius2+2(Radius)(Error)+Error2 = Distance2 + Radius2

(𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒)2ൗ
𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 2 𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠

(𝐷)2ൗ
𝐸𝑐 = 2𝑅
Ec= Error due to Curvature
 A C

C’
AB = BD = Radius of Earth
D
CD = Error

What is the line of sight? AC or AD?

Due to refraction, point C actually goes to B

point C’, does it reduces the error or
magnifies it?
 A C

C’
AB = BD = Radius of Earth
D
CD = Error

What is the line of sight? AC or AD?

Due to refraction, point C actually goes to point C’, does it B

reduces the error or magnifies it?

It reduces it. It has been found that refraction error is

numerically 1/7 of the error due to curvature

Er = (1/7) Ec
And since Er reduces the overall error, the total error due to
curvature + refraction is
Er+c = Ec – Er
Er+c = Ec – (1/7)Ec
Er+c = (6/7) Ec
Er+c = (6/7) D2/(2R)
 6 1
𝐸𝑟+𝑐 = ∗ ∗ 𝐷2
7 2𝑅
 6 1
𝐸𝑟+𝑐 = ∗ ∗ 𝐷2
7 2𝑅

6 1
𝐸𝑟+𝑐 = ∗ ∗ 1.82
7 2(6370)
 Parts a,b,c are for your practice.
6 1
𝐸𝑟+𝑐 = ∗ ∗ 𝐷2
7 2𝑅 Example 2.1 – Surveying with construction
applications (barry f Kavanagh)
6 1
𝐸𝑟+𝑐 = ∗ ∗ 1.82
7 2(6370)

𝐸𝑟+𝑐 = 0.218 𝑚 𝑜𝑟 (𝑘𝑚)

 b
a
c
d
e
f
g i
h
 b
a
c
d
e
f
i
1565 ft

g
h
 b
a
c
d
e
f
i
1565 ft

g
h
 b
a
c
d
e
f
i
1565 ft

g
h
 4 ft

a
1565 ft

c
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

c
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

c
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

c
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

c
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

3 ft
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

b
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
? ft 3 ft
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

b
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
1569 – 3 = 1566 ft 3 ft
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
 1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
c

1569 – 5 = 1564 ft 5 ft
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft c

1564 ft
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft c

1564 ft
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft c

1564 ft
d
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft c

1564 ft

6 ft
d
e
f
g
h
i
 1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft c

1564 ft

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
6 ft
d

?
e
f
g
h
i
 1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft c

1564 ft

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
6 ft
d

1569 – 6 = 1563 ft
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft c

1564 ft
d

1563 ft
e
f
g
h
i
1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft

a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft c

1564 ft
d

1563 ft
e
f
g
h
i
 a
1565 ft 4 ft

c
d
e
f
g
h
i
 a
1565 ft 4 ft

c 3 ft

5 ft

6 ft
d
e

8 ft
f

9 ft
g
h
i
 a

1565 ft 4 ft
b

3 ft
c

5 ft

6 ft
d
e

8 ft
f

9 ft
 3 ft
4 ft
b

5 ft

6 ft

8 ft
Station B.S I.S F.S H.O.I R.L a c

9 ft
d
A
e
B
f
C

1565 ft
D

I
 3 ft
b

5 ft

6 ft

8 ft
Station B.S I.S F.S H.O.I R.L

1565 ft
a c

9 ft
d
4 ft

A
e
B
f
C

I
 b

Station B.S I.S F.S H.O.I R.L

1565 ft
a c
d
4 ft

A
e
8 ft 6 ft 5 ft 3 ft

B
f
C

E
9 ft

I
I
F
E
C
B
A

H
D

G
4
Station B.S

8
6
5
3
I.S

9
F.S
H.O.I

1565
R.L

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
a

1565 ft 4 ft
b

3 ft
c

5 ft

6 ft
d
e

8 ft
f

9 ft
I
F
E
C
B
A

H
D

G
4
Station B.S

8
6
5
3
I.S

9
F.S
H.O.I

1569 1565
R.L

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
a

1565 ft 4 ft
b

1565 ft – 3 ft 3 ft
c

5 ft

6 ft
d
e

8 ft
f

9 ft
I
F
E
C
B
A

H
D

G
4
Station B.S

8
6
5
3
I.S

9
F.S
H.O.I

1569 1565
R.L

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
a

1565 ft 4 ft
b

1569 ft – 3 ft 3 ft
c

1569 ft – 5 ft 5 ft

1569 ft – 6 ft 6 ft
d
e

1569 ft – 8 ft 8 ft
f

1569 ft – 9 ft
9 ft
I
F
E
C
B
A

H
D

G
4
Station B.S

8
6
5
3
I.S

9
F.S
H.O.I

1566
1569 1565
R.L

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
a

1565 ft 4 ft
b

1569 ft – 3 ft 3 ft
c

1569 ft – 5 ft 5 ft

1569 ft – 6 ft 6 ft
d
e

1569 ft – 8 ft 8 ft
f

1569 ft – 9 ft
9 ft
I
F
E
C
B
A

H
D

G
4
Station B.S

8
6
5
3
I.S

9
F.S
H.O.I

1564
1566
1569 1565
R.L

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
a

1565 ft 4 ft
b

1569 ft – 3 ft 3 ft
c

1569 ft – 5 ft 5 ft

1569 ft – 6 ft 6 ft
d
e

1569 ft – 8 ft 8 ft
f

1569 ft – 9 ft
9 ft
I
F
E
C
B
A

H
D

G
4
Station B.S

8
6
5
3
I.S

9
F.S
H.O.I

1563
1564
1566
1569 1565
R.L

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
a

1565 ft 4 ft
b

1569 ft – 3 ft 3 ft
c

1569 ft – 5 ft 5 ft

1569 ft – 6 ft 6 ft
d
e

1569 ft – 8 ft 8 ft
f

1569 ft – 9 ft
9 ft
I
F
E
C
B
A

H
D

G
4
Station B.S

8
6
5
3
I.S

9
F.S
H.O.I

1561
1563
1564
1566
1569 1565
R.L

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
a

1565 ft 4 ft
b

1569 ft – 3 ft 3 ft
c

1569 ft – 5 ft 5 ft

1569 ft – 6 ft 6 ft
d
e

1569 ft – 8 ft 8 ft
f

1569 ft – 9 ft
9 ft
I
F
E
C
B
A

H
D

G
4
Station B.S

8
6
5
3
I.S

9
F.S
H.O.I

1560
1561
1563
1564
1566
1569 1565
R.L

1565 ft + 4 ft = 1569 ft
a

1565 ft 4 ft
b

1569 ft – 3 ft 3 ft
c

1569 ft – 5 ft 5 ft

1569 ft – 6 ft 6 ft
d
e

1569 ft – 8 ft 8 ft
f

1569 ft – 9 ft
9 ft
 a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft
c

1564 ft
d

1563 ft
e

1561 ft
f

1560 ft
g
h
i
 a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft
c

1564 ft
d

1563 ft
e

1561 ft
f

1560 ft
g
h
i
 a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft
c

1564 ft
d

1563 ft
e

1561 ft
f

1560 ft
g
h
i
 a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft
c

1564 ft
d

1563 ft
e

1561 ft
f

1560 ft
g
h
i
 a
1565 ft 4 ft

1566 ft
c

1564 ft
d

1563 ft
e

1561 ft
f

1560 ft
g
h
i
 a
1565 ft

1566 ft
c

1564 ft
d

1563 ft
e

1561 ft
f

4 ft

1560 ft
g
h
i
 f
4 ft

1560 ft

g
h
i
 Station B.S I.S F.S H.O.I R.L

A 4 1569 1565

B 3 1566
4 ft

C 5 1564

D 6 1563
f
g i E 8 1561
h
1560 ft

F 9 1560

I
 Station B.S I.S F.S H.O.I R.L

A 4 1569 1565

B 3 1566

C 5 1564

D 6 1563
f
g i E 8 1561

4 ft
h
1560 ft

F 9 1560

I
 Station B.S I.S F.S H.O.I R.L

A 4 1569 1565

B 3 1566

C 5 1564

D 6 1563
f
g i E 8 1561

4 ft
h
1560 ft

F 9 1560

G 6

I
 Station B.S I.S F.S H.O.I R.L

A 4 1569 1565

B 3 1566

C 5 1564

D 6 1563
f
g i E 8 1561

4 ft
h
1560 ft

F 9 1560

G 6

H 7

I
 Station B.S I.S F.S H.O.I R.L

A 4 1569 1565

B 3 1566

C 5 1564

D 6 1563
f
g i E 8 1561

4 ft
h
1560 ft

F 9 1560

G 6

H 7

I 6