Department of Civil

&
Environmental Engineering

L3 –Leveling
CENG 231
Surveying
 Definitions and Applications

Leveling:
It is the process of finding the elevation of points or the
difference in the elevation between two points.
Vertical line:
A line that follows the direction of gravity.
Level Surface:
A surface where every point found on it is perpendicular to the
vertical line or plumb bob.
 Definitions and Applications

Datum:
A level surface to which the elevations are referred (usually
MSL= Mean Sea Level).
Elevations:
Is the vertical distance from a reference datum to a point.
Bench Mark (BM):
It is a fixed object having a marked point whose elevation above
a certain datum is known.
 Definitions and Applications

Topographic mapping:
Finding defined slopes of highways, pipelines, railroads etc..
Before the placement of concrete or asphalt in the street the man hole must
be at a précised height so that its top will be flush with the surface of the
finished roadway.
 Definitions and Applications

Excavation of a building must be carried to a prescribed depth or elevation.

Footings, columns, slabs and other components in construction must have
the correct vertical positions.

.
 Definitions and Applications
Bridges, piers must be constructed to a designed elevations and railroad
over highways must have the required minimum vertical clearance.
Elevations of foundation of building adjacent to a large excavation must be
monitored to determine and control settlements.
 Curvature and Refraction

Error of curvature is Cm= 0.0785K2 where K is the distance in kilometers

(Km) due to the curvature of the earth.
Error of refraction is Rm=0.011K2 where K is the Distance in Km.
The combined result of curvature and refraction is
hm=0.0675K 2 =(0.0785 K2-0.011 K 2)
 Methods of leveling
Methods to determine Elevation Difference:
I. Barometric leveling:
 Use of a barometer to measure the difference in elevation between point.
 It is referred by atmospheric pressure.
 It is not accurate its a rough method.
 Should be done in a stable weather since it is highly affected by weather
conditions.
 1ml of Hg = 12m of difference in elevation
 Methods of leveling

II. Trigonometric leveling (Indirect Leveling):

Fs
B
θ
hi

A
M.S.L

Elev B=Elev A +hi+Lsin(θ) -Fs

 Methods of leveling
III. Differential Leveling (Direct Leveling):
FS (Foresight): From a point of unknown elevation
BS (Back Sight): From a point of known elevation
TP: Turning Points where we turn the leveling rod on.
hi: Height of Instrument

BS3 FS3

BS2 FS2
BS1 FS1
TP3
TP2
TP1
BM
M.S.L
 Methods of leveling
III. Differential Leveling (Direct Leveling): BS3 FS3

BS2 FS2
BS1 FS1
TP3
TP2
TP1
BM
M.S.L

Elev TP1=Elev BM +BS1-FS1

Elev TP2=Elev TP1 +BS2-FS2

Elev TP3=Elev TP2+BS3-FS3

Elev TP3=Elev BM+(BS1 +BS2+BS3 –FS1 –FS2-FS3) Elev TPi=Elev BM+(S BSi–S FSi )
 Example
Elevation of Bench Mark is 100m From MSL What is the elevation of A?
Height of
Point BS FS Elevation
Instrument
BM 3.512 100.00
103.512
TP1 3.098 0.693 102.819 =100+3.512-0.693
105.917
TP2 2.934 0.917 105 =102.819+3.098-0.917
107.934
A 1.00 106.934 =105+2.934-1

SBS=9.544 SFS=2.61
 Example

To check our table :

The difference in elevation between BM and A =SBS –SFS
106.934-100=6.934
SBS –SFS=9.544- 2.61=6.934

NB: To eliminate the errors of curvature and refraction, we place the

levels midway between FS&BS.
 Allowable Error of Misclosure
Allowable Error For Misclosure
TP4 x

BM x

TP3 x

TP1 x
TP2 x

For simple construction surveys, the allowable misclosure is equal to 0.02 𝑛 in feet.
Where n is the number of setups we have.
 Example
Height of
Point BS FS Elevation
Instrument SBS –SFS=8.77-8.76=0.01
BM 3.52 101.2m
We have an error
104.72
TP1 3.09 1.21 103.51
106.6
TP2 0.91 2.02 104.58
105.49
TP3 1.25 3.54 101.95
103.2
BM 1.99 101.21

SBS=8.77 SFS=8.76
 Example
We should start and end at the bench mark (BM)
We started with 101.2 at the Bench mark and ended up with 101.21 at the same bench mark.
There is an error in the loop closure. To correct this error, we compare it with the allowable.
Allowable Misclosure=0.02 𝑛 n=4
=0.02 4=0.04ft
=0.04/3.28
=0.0122m

Then our loop misclosure is:101.21-101.2 = 0.01m <0.0122 less than the Allowable

If our misclosure is more than the allowable then we have to repeat our work

𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 0.01
To correct our table Cm= = =0.0025
𝑛 4
 Example
Height of We correct in reverse sense of
Point BS FS Elevation Cm
Instrument error always:
Subtract the error
BM 3.52 101.2m

104.72

103.508
TP1 3.09 1.21 0.0025
103.51

106.6

104.575
TP2 0.91 2.02 0.005
104.58

105.49

101.94
TP3 1.25 3.54 0.0075
101.95

103.2
101.2
BM 1.99 0.01
101.21
 Methods of leveling
IV. Reciprocal Leveling If we manage to keep L1=L2
we eliminate the errors of
curvature and refraction.
However, this is not always
applicable ex having an
B
obstacle like rivers in the
middle of two points, we
A L1 L2 can’t put the level in the
middle so we use reciprocal
method

BS1
A X BS2 A X
X FS1 X FS
2
B B
Cross the river

Elev B1= Elev A+BS1-FS1

Elev B2=Elev A+BS2-FS2 Elev B= average (Elev B1+Elev B2)
 Methods of leveling
V. Profile Leveling

Used in highway engineering for long distances

Take the readings without moving the engineering level

BS

FS FS FS
A FS
1 FS
2 3 4 5
 Example
Point BS Hi FS Elevation

A 2.5 100

102.5

1 2 100.5

2 1.5 101

3 2 100.5

4 2.25 100.25

5 2.5 100
 Errors in Leveling
Types of errors:
a) Natural
b) Instrumental
c) Personal

Example of a natural error in differential leveling is temperature that might

affect the leveling rod and curvature/refraction. Also the leveling rod might
sink if placed in soft soil.
 Example of instrumental error in leveling: problem with engineering level,
calibration, …

 Example of personal error: read wrongly the numbers. The engineering

level might be a bit inclined.
 Home Work
Prob.1.
Prepare a set of level notes for the data listed. Perform a check and adjust the misclosure.
Given:
Elevation of BM 7 is 852.045 m. If the total loop length is 1500 m. (Assume all readings are in
meters.)
POINT BS FS

BM 7 9.432

TP 1 6.780 8.363

BM 8 7.263 9.822

TP 2 3.915 9.400

TP 3 7.223 5.539

Prob.2. 1.477
BM 7

A differential leveling loop began and closed on BM Tree (elevation 654.07 ft). The plus sight (BS)
and minus sight (FS) distances were kept approximately equal. Readings (in feet) listed in the order
taken are 5.06 (+S) on BM Tree, 8.99 (−S) and 7.33 (+S) on TP1, 2.52 (−S) and
4.85 (+S) on BM X, 3.61 (−S) and 5.52 (+S) on TP2, and 7.60 (−S) on BM Tree. Prepare, check, and
adjust the notes.