Fieldwork No.

5
THREE-WIRE LEVELING

OBJECTIVES

1. To complete the fieldwork with the equipment in the allotted time.

2. To define the elevation of points using three-wire leveling..
3. To determine the elevation and the height of the instrument of points by the
three-wire leveling.
4. To determine the backsight, foresight, mean hair readings, height of the instrument,
and elevation of the specific area in the field.

EQUIPMENT

1. Theodolite
2. Range Poles
3. Leveling Rod
4. Tripod

PROCEDURE

1. Assign a reference point of the level route as BM-1 and a terminal point as BM-2 with
range poles. The BM-2 elevation must be determined, while BM-1 must be known or
assumed.
2. Set up the theodolite along the route and level its line of sight.
3. Using a leveling staff, record the backsight on BM-1 with the upper, middle, and
lower crosshair readings.
4. Move forward along the route and establish TP-1 to record foresight with the upper,
middle, and lower crosshair readings.

5. Transfer and set up the theodolite at another location beyond TP-1 to record the
backsight with the three hair readings.

6. Establish another point as TP-2 with a range pole to record its backsight with the three
hair readings.

7. Repeat the procedure until reaching the foresight for BM-2.

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THREE-WIRE LEVELING

DATA SHEET

BS (m) FS (m)
STA HI (m) Elev (m)
Hair Mean s Hair Mean s
Rdgs. Rdgs. Rdgs. Rdgs.

0.965

BM1 0.93 0.928 0.075 100.928 100

0.89

0.95 1.42

TP1 0.90 0.90 0.10 100.458 1.37 1.37 0.10 99.558

0.85 1.32

1.255 1.525

TP2 1.195 1.197 0.115 100.180 1.475 1.475 0.10 98.983

1.14 1.425

1.26 1.27

TP3 1.18 1.18 0.16 100.148 1.21 1.212 0.115 98.968

1.10 1.155

1.175

BM2 1.10 1.10 0.15 99.048

1.025

COMPUTATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:

Computations:
HI = ELEV + BSmean
ELEV = HI - FSmean
s = A-B

Where:
HI = height of instrument above a reference datum
BSmean = mean backsight reading on the rod
FSmean = mean foresight reading on the rod
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THREE-WIRE LEVELING

ELEV = vertical distance above/below a reference datum

A = upper stadia hair reading
B = lower stadia hair reading

Solution:
Mean Readings (BS)
BM1
0.965+0.93+0.89
3

= 0. 928
TP1
0.95+0.90+0.85
3

= 0. 90
TP2
1.255+1.195+1.14
3

= 1. 197
TP3
1.26+1.18+1.10
3

= 1. 18

Mean Readings (FS)

TP1
1.42+1.37+1.32
3

= 1. 37
TP2
1.525+1.475+1.425
3

= 1. 475
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THREE-WIRE LEVELING

TP3
1.27+1.21+1.155
3

= 1. 212
BM2
1.175+1.10+1.025
3

= 1. 10

Height of the Instrument

Formula HI = Elev + Mean BS
HI BM1 = 100 + 0.928 = 100.928m
HI TP1 = 99.558 + 0.9 = 100.458m
HI TP2 = 98.983 + 1.197 = 100.180m
HI TP3 = 98.968 + 1.18 = 100.148m

Elevation
Formula Elev = HI - Mean FS
Elev BM1 = 100 (given)
Elev TP2 = 100.928 - 1.37 = 99.558m
Elev TP2 = 100.458 - 1.475 = 98.983m
Elev TP3 = 100.180 - 1.212 = 98.968m
Elev BM2 = 100.148 - 1.10 = 99.048m

Interval (s) (BS)

s1 = 0.965 - 0.89 = 0.075
s2 = 0.95 - 0.85 = 0.10
s3 = 1.255 - 1.14 = 0.115
s4 = 1.26 - 1.10 = 0.16

Interval (s) (FS)

s1 = 1.42 - 1.32 = 0.10
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THREE-WIRE LEVELING

s2 = 1.525 - 1.425 = 0.10

s3 = 1.27 - 1.155 = 0.115
s4 = 1.175 - 1.025 = 0.15

Discussion of Results:
To calculate the Mean Reading for each station, we followed a simple procedure by adding
the upper, middle, and lower readings and then dividing the sum by 3. For the Backsight
measurements, the mean readings were determined as follows: BM1 had a mean reading of
0.928, TP1 had a mean reading of 0.90, TP2 had a mean reading of 1.197, and TP3 had a
mean reading of 1.18. Meanwhile, for the Foresight readings, the mean readings were as
follows: TP1 had a mean reading of 1.37, TP2 had a mean reading of 1.475, TP3 had a
mean reading of 1.212, and BM2 had a mean reading of 1.10. These calculations were
based on the collected data for the upper, middle, and lower readings for each station, and
the resulting mean readings provide a consolidated measure for each station's overall
reading.

Calculate the measurement of s by finding the difference between the collected data for
upper and lower readings. The backsight values for s are: BM1 - 0.075, TP1 - 0.10, TP2 -
0.115, TP3 - 0.16. For the foresight, TP1 - 0.10, TP2 - 0.10, TP3 - 0.115, and BM2 - 0.15.

By utilizing the mean readings obtained from each station, we are able to determine both
the elevation and height of the instrument. The formula for calculating the Height of the
Instrument involves adding the elevation to the backsight mean readings. This allows us to
calculate the height of the instrument for each station, with BM1 measuring at 100.928,
TP1 at 100.458, TP2 at 100.180, and TP3 at 100.148. To determine the elevation, we use
the computed height of the instrument and subtract it to the foresight mean readings. This
process enables us to calculate the elevation for TP1 as 99.558, TP2 as 98.968, TP3 as
98.968, and lastly BM2 as 99.048.

Based on the calculations conducted, it can be concluded that there is a gradual decrease in
elevation as we progress from stations BM1 to TP3, However, there is a slight increase in
elevation at station BM2. These findings suggest that the slopes go downwards from BM1
to TP3 and then slightly ascends towards BM2.
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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION/S:

Conclusions:
Drawing conclusions from the discovered results, the following insights were derived:
● The three-wire leveling has been utilized for the increase of accuracy in surveying
since it grants checks against errors in rod reading blunders, generates higher
precision due to the average of three readings, and provides stadia measurements of
sight distances.
● Three-wire leveling provides increased precision by comparing the average of the
three hair readings with the middle hair reading, which detects bad readings
immediately.
● Three-wire leveling provides accurate elevation data vital for building. It
establishes reliable height references for land alignment and leveling.
● Unlike the other forms of leveling, three-wire gives precise and accurate results. It
prioritizes efficiency like the differential leveling yet it gives more precise and
accurate results by having three hair readings, which can minimize the margin of
error, reducing the errors in our data.
● Three-wire leveling helps minimize systematic errors that may occur due to
instrument imperfections, ensuring a more reliable elevation determination.

Recommendations:

● In positioning the instrument, make sure to choose a stable and firm setup location.
Ensure that the theodolite is firmly attached to the tripod to avoid errors and
mistakes when surveying. The instrument telescope should be at 90°, and the
bubble in the instrument should be centered.
● The group made sure that some members verified the data using the theodolite to
ensure consistency in the measured data throughout the fieldwork. This allowed us
to test and confirm if the members had the same data, providing the group with
firsthand experience.
● After conducting the field work, make sure to carefully check the recorded
measurements. Apply the appropriate formulas to compute the final results using
the collected data.