KYLA DELA CRUZ NOVEMBER 26, 2021

BSCE-2A PCE1F – FUNDAMENTAL OF SURVEYING

(FIELD)

ACTIVITY 3
LEVEL LOOP USING DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING

A level loop is a circuit that uses the differential leveling process to run through two established
benchmarks and then returns to the original point. Differential leveling is a technique for determining
elevation differences between points that are far apart. One of these points is the benchmark, which
served as the reference point. The benchmark in surveying is a post or other permanent mark established
at a known height that is used to measure the elevation of other topographical sites. Differential leveling
requires the use of a surveyor's level and graduated measuring rods. A vertical distance above or below a
referenced datum is defined as elevation (Faridi, 2020). Leveling instruments are employed to determine
the relative heights of different points on the earth's surface. The basic instruments used in differential
leveling are a tripod, rods, and accessories. It also has major components such as the telescope, the level
tube, and the leveling head.

The leveling instrument is set up on the tripod and, these instruments have different knobs that
have corresponding functions. The first thing to do is to lay down the leveling instrument on the ground
and adjust the knobs. Adjusting knobs are required to make the leveling flat to the horizon. The
instrument has three knobs at the bottom: the two knobs at the back are used to adjust the level left and
right; the front knob bends the instrument forward and backward. These knobs will move a bubble on the
level ground. These knobs will move a bubble on the level. The bubble is seen in the mirror and must be
leveled in the middle to ensure that our level is parallel to the earth's surface. Also, they are knobs at the
head of the instruments they are the rotating knob that rotates the instrument; the focusing knob that helps
to focus the measurement in the rod; the knob is where the cross-hair is found. Leveling rod also used to
run the level loop using differential leveling. There must be a surveyor holding the rod and the one who is
looking at the instrument. The rod consists of a red and black number, the red number is measured in feet,
and the black is measured in inches.

The first step to run a level loop using differential leveling is to know the measure of the
benchmark, and that will be the backsight reading of the benchmark. Next, move the leveling rod to
another point and measure the sight. Also, the turning point is an intermediate point between benchmarks

Rashidi, F. (2020) Differential Levelling. Retrieved from

https://rashidfaridi.com/2020/04/22/differential-levelling/
KYLA J. DELA CRUZ
which provides a temporary point of known elevation for a level circuit between two benchmarks a long
distance apart. After measuring the turning point, the surveyor will move to another position to measure
the points, the last point that got shot is the new reference benchmark for this setup. A side shot is reading
or measurement from a survey station to locate a point that is off the traverse or that is not intended to be
used as a base for the extension of the survey. It is usually made to determine the position of some object
that is to be shown on a map. The collecting data will repeat until the surveyor return to the turning point
and the benchmark. Lastly, the surveyor is required to measure the benchmark again to verify the
elevation.

Differential leveling is a basic method that involves measuring vertical distances from a
horizontal line. Elevations are transferred from one point to another by employing a leveling instrument
to read a rod held vertically on a known height first, and then on an unknown elevation. The unknown
altitudes are calculated using simple addition and subtraction. A backsight reading is taken using a rod
held at a given elevation point. By reading the rod and then adding the known elevation and the backsight
reading, that elevation is transferred vertically to the line of sight. The instrument's height is determined
by the elevation of the line of sight.

BM + BS= HIWhere :BM =benchmark BS=backsight HI =height of instrument

Subtracting the rod reading from the instrument height yields the elevation of the foresight station. It
should be noted that the elevation difference between the backsight and foresight stations is calculated by
subtracting the foresight rod reading from the backsight rod reading.

HI −FS=TP ELEV Where :HI =height of instrument FS=foresightTP ELEV =elevation

The start steps to calculate errors in leveling is to copy the foresight reading of the side shot into
the backsight to make the calculation smoother. Calculating errors are taking the sum of backsight and,
minus the sum of the foresight.

∑ BS−∑ FS=Error
The calculated error will be used to calculate the adjusted error. But, first, determine the height of the
instrument and the current elevation. Then, used the formula to calculate the height of the instrument
which is the elevation of the benchmark added to the backsight. In calculating the elevation of a turning
point, subtract the height of the instrument and foresight. Continue the process, by taking the elevation of

Rashidi, F. (2020) Differential Levelling. Retrieved from

https://rashidfaridi.com/2020/04/22/differential-levelling/
KYLA J. DELA CRUZ
the turning point and adding it to the backsight of the side shot, and subtracting it to the foresight. The
other method to calculate the error is to subtract the final elevation benchmark to the initial elevation
benchmark. The formula to find the adjustment factor is error divided by the number of stations. The
adjustment is dependent on the final and initial elevation, if the final elevation is higher than the initial
elevation the adjustment factor will subtract from the elevation, and if the initial elevation is higher than
the initial elevation the adjustment factor will add to the elevation.

Differential leveling is a technique for determining elevation differences between points that are
far apart. The benchmark in surveying is a post or other permanent mark established at a known height.
Differential leveling requires the use of a surveyor's level and graduated measuring rods. The turning
point is an intermediate point between benchmarks which provides a temporary point of known elevation
for a level circuit. Side shot is a measurement from a survey station to locate a point that is off the
traverse or that is not intended to be used as a base for the extension of the survey.

Rashidi, F. (2020) Differential Levelling. Retrieved from

https://rashidfaridi.com/2020/04/22/differential-levelling/
KYLA J. DELA CRUZ