Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

A. Importance of Leveling B. The Level

1. The determination of elevations is called leveling 1. A level consist of a high-powered telescope
2. Measuring relative elevations changes is a comparatively 2. The level is attached to a spirit or bubble level that keeps
simply process the line of sight of the telescope horizontal

3. Precise and accurate control of relative elevations are critical

to most construction projects

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

3. Level Instrument Level Instrument

4.60

4.55 4.54
4.53 4.52
4.51
4.50

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

C. Definitions Definitions

1. Bench mark (BM) - relatively permanent

point of known elevation

BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft

Point B Point B

Point A Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point Starting point

(elevation 100.00 ft) (elevation 100.00 ft)
 Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Definitions Definitions

2. Backsight (BS) - a sight taken to the level 3. Height of instrument (HI) - the elevation
rod held at a point of known elevation of the line of sight of the telescope
(either a BM or TP)
BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft
Point B Point B

Point A Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point Starting point

(elevation 100.00 ft) (elevation 100.00 ft)

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Definitions D. Computation of Elevations

4. Foresight (FS) - a sight taken on any point

BS
to determine its elevation 12.64

BM1
BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft 1. BS + Elevation = HI
Point B Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
Point A
Elevation = 103.22 ft

Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Computation of Elevations Computation of Elevations

BS
BS FS BS FS 10.88
12.64 3.11 12.64 3.11

BM1 BM1
TP1 2. HI - FS = Elevation TP1
Elevation 100.00 Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation Point BS HI FS Elevation

BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00 BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 3.11 109.53 TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
 Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Computation of Elevations Computation of Elevations

BS
9.72
BS FS BS FS
BS FS 10.88 2.56 BS FS 10.88 2.56
12.64 3.11 12.64 3.11

BM1 TP2 BM1 TP2

TP1 TP1
Elevation 100.00 Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation Point BS HI FS Elevation

BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00 BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53 TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
TP2 2.56 117.85 TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Computation of Elevations Computation of Elevations

BS FS BS FS
9.72 3.10 9.72 3.10
BS FS BS FS
BS FS 10.88 2.56 BS FS 10.88 2.56
12.64 3.11 BM2 12.64 3.11 BM2

BM1 TP2 BM1 TP2

TP1 TP1
Elevation 100.00 Elevation 100.00

Point BS HI FS Elevation Point BS HI FS Elevation

BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00 BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53 TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85 TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85
BM2 3.10 124.47 BM2 3.10 124.47

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Computation of Elevations 4. The initial backsight (BS) is taken to a point of

known elevation
3. Change in elevation- summation of the backsight and
the foresight then subtract 5. The backsight reading is added to the elevation of
the known point to compute the height of the
Point BS HI FS Elevation instrument (HI)
BM1 12.64 112.64 100.00
TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53 6. The level may be moved to a temporary point called a
TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85 turning point (TP)
BM2 3.10 124.47
+33.24 -8.77 7. The elevation of a point is the height of the
instrument (HI) minus the foresight (FS)
Change in elevation = 33.24 -8.77 =24.47
 Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

Computation of Elevations - Group Problem Computation of Elevations - Group Problem

 Prepare a set of level notes for the survey illustrated BS FS

1.27
below. What are the elevations of points TP1 and TP2? 4.91
BS FS
2.33 6.17
BM

BS Elevation 356.68
FS
1.27 4.91 TP1
BS FS
2.33 TP2
BM 6.17
Point BS HI FS Elevation
Elevation 356.68
BM1 1.27 357.95 356.68
TP1
TP2 TP1 2.33 355.37 4.91 353.04
TP2 6.17 349.20
+3.60 -11.08 -7.48

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

E. Common Mistakes Common Mistakes

1. Misreading the rod - reading

3.54 instead of 3.45 5. Level rod not vertical

2. Moving the turning point - use a 6. Settling of leveling rod

well–defined TP
7. Leveling rod not fully extended or
3. Field note mistakes - work within incorrect length
your group to check you records
8. Level instrument not level

4. Mistakes with extended rod - make 9. Instrument out of adjustment

sure the leveling rod is fully 10. Environment - wind and heat
extended

Differential Leveling Differential Leveling

F. Suggestions for Good Leveling

1. Anchor tripod legs firmly End of Differential Leveling

2. Check the bubble level before and after each reading

3. Take as little time as possible between BS and FS

4. Try to keep the distance to the BS and the FS equal

5. Provide the rodperson with a level for the rod