PROFILE LEVELING
DEFINITION
A surveying method that yields elevations at definite points along a
reference line.
Profile leveling establishes a side view or cross sectional view of the
earth’s surface
Primary use is for utilities: All of these need accurate
A. Highways information about the
B. Canals topography along the route.
C. Sewers
D. Water mains
E. Sidewalks
F. Retaining walls
G. Fences
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CHARACTERISTICS
May be a single segment.
May be multiple segments which change
directions with angle points.
May be straight segments
connected with curves.
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PROCEDURE
It is a common practice to use a procedure called stationing.
1. Stations are established at uniform distances along the route.
2. Standard station distance is 100 feet.
3. Half or quarter stations are used when the topography is very
variable.
4. The distance from the starting point to the station is used as the
station identification.
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PROCEDURE
Foresights are recorded at each standard station and at additional stations
as needed to define the topography of the route.
These foresights are called intermediate foresights.
Intermediate foresights: foresights taken at stations that are not used as
benchmarks or turning points.
Purpose is to define the topography along the route.
High points
Low points Roads
Changes in slope Highway
Critical points Gutters
Sidewalks
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PROCEDURE
When distances to foresights become too long or when the terrain
obstructs the view of the instrument, turning points are established.
Foresights on turning points and benchmarks are true
foresights.
Profile leveling is differential leveling with the addition of
intermediate foresights.
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PROFILE DATA TABLE
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
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EXAMPLE
Determine the profile for a proposed sidewalk that connects two existing
sidewalks.
Step one: establish the standard stations.
Note: the last station is established even though it is not a
standard station.
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EXAMPLE
Step 2: Determine the sites for the critical features.
In this example, the critical features are the rapid change is slope at 337.5
and the road at 489.6.
Note a station was also established at 546.4 to define the width of the
road and any changes in elevation across the road.
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EXAMPLE
Step 3: Set up the instrument and start recording data.
The first rod reading is a backsight on the first sidewalk (benchmark) to
establish the height of the instrument.
Note: in this case the true elevation of the benchmark is unknown,
therefore 100.00 feet is used.
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EXAMPLE ONE DATA TABLE
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
0.0 10.5 110.5 100.00
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EXAMPLE ONE
Step 4: Start recording the rod readings for each station.
Note: this station is not used as a benchmark or as a turning point,
therefore is is an intermediate foresight.
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EXAMPLE DATA TABLE
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
0.0 10.5 110.5 100.0
100 6.3 104.2
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EXAMPLE ONE-CONT.
The rod reading for each station is recorded on the appropriate line of the table.
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
0.0 10.5 110.5 100.0
100 6.3 104.2
200 3.9 106.6
300 4.1 106.4
337.5 7.4 103.1
400 9.2 101.3
489.6 8.0 102.5
Note: the rod reading for station 489.6 is placed in the FS column
because this station will be used as a turning point.
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EXAMPLE ONE Step 6: the instrument is moved so the remaining
stations can be reached.
Every time the instrument is
moved, a backsight is used to
reestablish the height.
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
0.0 10.5 110.5 100.0
100 6.3 104.2
200 3.9 106.6
300 4.1 106.4
337.5 7.4 103.1
400 9.2 101.3
489.6 6.6 109.1 8.0 102.5
500 6.7 102.5
546.4 6.8 102.2
600 4.9 104.2
700 2.2 106.9
745.1 1.5 107.6
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EXAMPLE ONE
The last step is closing the loop.
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
0.0 10.5 110.5 100.0
100 6.3 104.2
200 3.9 106.6
300 4.1 106.4
337.5 7.4 103.1
400 9.2 101.3
489.6 6.6 109.1 8.0 102.5
500 6.7 102.5
546.4 6.8 102.2
600 4.9 104.2
700 2.2 106.9
745.1 2.3 109.9 1.5 107.6
TP2 8.3 111.4 6.8 103.1
0.0 11.5 99.9
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ARITHMETIC CHECK
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
0.0 10.5 110.5 100.0
100 6.3 104.2
200 3.9 106.6
300 4.1 106.4
337.5 7.4 103.1
400 9.2 101.3
489.6 6.6 109.1 8.0 102.5
500 6.7 102.5
546.4 6.8 102.2
600 4.9 104.2
700 2.2 106.9
745.1 2.3 109.9 1.5 107.6
TP2 8.3 111.4 6.8 103.1
0.0 11.5 99.9
SUM 27.70 27.80
0.10 = 0.10
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