30/4/2023

GSS160 : ROUTE AND CONSTRUCTION SURVEY

CHAPTER 1:
PRECISE LEVELLING

INTRODUCTION
AND
INSTRUMENTATION
BY :
DR NAZIRAH MD TARMIZI
COLLEGE OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA Perlis Branch

Room : B1-40

LESSON OUTCOME

At the end of this lesson, student should be able to:

Describe on precise levelling and the needs.

Explain the methods and instrumentation of
precise levelling

LESSON STRUCTURE

• During this lesson, students will go through :

1. Lecture
- 80 minutes for 2-hour lesson

2. Break session
- 5 to 10 minutes

3. Simple Assessment
- Discussion  10 to 15 minutes

4. Summary

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LECTURE CONTENT

Concept of levelling

Historical background of Precise Levelling in Malaysia

National Geodetic Vertical Datum

Malaysia Tidal Network

Types of Levelling

Precise Levelling

Equipment of precise levelling

 Automatic precise levelling
 Motorized precise levelling
 Digital precise levelling

CONCEPT OF LEVELLING
The concept of levelling is based on the horizontal line of
the instrument (level) with the level line of the point on
the earth.

If the heights of A and B can be measured, the height

differences can be calculated using the formula :

h = a - b

If the RL A is known, RL B can be calculated as:

RL B = RLA + h

CONCEPT OF LEVELLING

Staff Staff

Level Height of the Plane Collimation

a b
Level line through level instrument

Level Line through B

B
Level Line through A
Difference in
height
A between A & B

Datum

Direction of
Gravity

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CONCEPT OF LEVELLING

The name given to the method of determining differences in

heights between points
A method of height transfer from one point to another
Being used in geodetic and engineering surveys
Using special instrument called : level

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Several methods of height measurement are being used in

surveying and construction works;

Trigonometric heighting - theodolite

Barometric heighting - barometer (pressure)
Hydrostatic Levelling - water tube
Tacheometry - staff
GPS - antenna & receiver
Levelling - level

1st vertical datum was established in 1912 based on Mean Sea

Level (MSL) produced by British Admiralty.

At Port Swettenham (Port Klang)

1 year tidal observations

Also known as Land Survey Datum (LSD)

But no records and evidence available

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In 1983, DSMM began to redetermine the precise MSL value in

conjunction with the establishment of the new Precise
Levelling Network for Peninsular Malaysia. This was carried
out by the setting-up of a Tidal Observation Network that
consists of 12 tidal stations. Subsequently, Port Kelang was
selected for the adoption as a reference for the NGVD origin,
based upon a 10-year tidal observations period (1984-93).

In 1994, a monument to signify the establishment of the NGVD

was built within the DSMM compound in Kuala Lumpur. Here,
the Port Kelang Datum was extended to the new monument
via precise levelling and gravity survey.

NGVD MONUMENT
NGVD monument (NATIONAL
GEODETIC VERTICAL DATUM)
@ Datum Pugak Geodetik
Kebangsaan is built as the level
datum for Peninsular Malaysia.

The elevation value is transferred

from STAPS Port Klang using
precise levelling.

There is a ruler inside the

monument which has been piled
in 200 feet to ensure the level
value is unchanged.

The Precise Levelling Network project was conducted in 1984. The

project consists of establishing a first-order levelling survey along
main roads and newly completed highways. It consists of 2089
precise levelling bench marks over a distance of 1946 km as
shown in figure 3.
Apart from this, second class levelling were also carried out to
densify the network. A total of 824 bench marks have been
established using this technique, covering a distance of 1158
km. The whole network has precision ranging from 3 to 12 mm
per km which correspond to first and second class requirements.
It incorporate corrections for rod scale, temperature, level
collimation and refraction.
The network was divided into two parts: the Southern and the
Northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia

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Figure 3 :
Levelling Network
in Peninsular
Malaysia

Presently, six different height datum's

are used for various purposes. This is
mainly due to the lack of good roads
connecting the tide gauges in the region. Figure 4
Action has been taken by DSMM to set-
up a levelling route from Kuching to Miri
in Sarawak as in figure 4.

For Sabah, precise levelling routes are

being set-up to connect the north, east
and west of the region as in figure 5
Figure 5

 Mean Sea Level

 Average level taken up by the sea
 Coincide to the Geoid
 Change regularly due to tide
 Best observation period is 18.6 years
 Usage of Tide Observation Data
 Determine precise vertical datum
 Supply information for research in geodesy, geodynamic and scientific
studies
 Tide & flood prediction
 Port activities and navigation
 Marine boundaries, hydrography and aquaculture
 Delivery of fixed record of sea level
 To obtain tidal harmonic constant
 To study tidal characteristics
 For tidal prediction.

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NATIONAL GEODETIC VERTICAL

DATUM
JUPEM had initiated the establishment of NGVD
12 tidal stations were established.

Objectives / Purpose:

• to observe tide levels continuously

• to obtain tidal harmonic constants
• to study tidal characteristics
• For tidal prediction

MALAYSIA TIDAL NETWORK

In 1991 - 21 tidal stations
12 are installed in Peninsular and 9 in east Malaysia
Each station is connected by precise levelling networks

Figure 6 : The location of tidal station in Malaysia

TIDAL STATION

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The measurement of Second Precise Levelling Network (PLN) for the Peninsular
Malaysia which was completed in 2000 by Department of Surveying and Mapping
Malaysia (DSMM) is set to replace the First Order Levelling Network of 1967.
The new network consists of 113 levelling lines with more than 5000 bench marks
and covers a total distance of over 5000 km. Precise levelling technique is used
to establish the network where the allowable misclosure between fore and back
levelling is less than 3 mm per root kilometre of length along a line.
Its configuration is predominantly dictated by the land transportation pattern. The
mean sea level (MSL) at Port Kelang, based upon a 10-year tidal observation
(1984-93), was later being adopted as the new Peninsular Malaysia Geodetic
Vertical Datum (PMGVD).
A consistent and accurate set of adjusted heights of benchmarks has been achieved
in the adjustment of the Precise Levelling Network of Peninsular Malaysia on the
datum defined by MSL height at Port Klang. These adjusted heights are based on
the Helmert orthometric height system. By fixing Port Kelang, the precision of the
PLN can be expressed as 1.14 mm√km. This implies that for any of the 5,295
first-order levelling bench mark across the nation, a height precision of better
than 3 cm can be expected.

TYPES OF LEVELLING

LEVELLING

Precise levelling Ordinary levelling

Automatic Motorized Automatic Digital

level level Level level

Digital level

Differentiated by the set of instruments, observation methods and accuracy

PRECISE LEVELLING

also known as the highest order of levelling works

readings observed and recorded to decimals of a millimeter
Being used for;
 basic levelling framework of a country
 transfer height to bench marks
 precision engineering structure such as irrigation scheme, dam, tunnels
 precision dimensional surveys

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EQUIPMENTS OF PRECISE LEVELLING

 Level (Precise type)
 Invar staff or invar bar-
coded staff
 Survey Tripods
 Change plate (staff
support)
 Staff bubble
 Handles and steadying
rods
 Thermometer
 Umbrella

AUTOMATIC PRECISE LEVEL

Precise type
With plane parallel plate micrometer
Manufacturer quote: “Std dev less than 1 mm per
double run of levels over a km” can be considered
as precise
Glass diaphragms (eye piece) – vertical line, levelling
line and two stadia lines (upper and lower)

AUTOMATIC LEVEL EQUIPMENT

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PARALLEL PLATE MICROMETER

Parallel Plate Micrometer

To be used with automatic precise level

To provide precise reading (decimal of mm)

AUTOMATIC LEVEL EQUIPMENT

Compensator
Available for automatic level only
To compensate error on collimation line

DIGITAL PRECISE LEVEL

LEICA TRIMBLE
DNA03 DiNi

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PRECISE STAFF
Invar staff

PRECISE STAFF

Two precise staffs

Invar Strip – stable material (low sensitivity to heat)
Small expansion coefficient
Graduations 0.02ft / 0.01 m on invar strip
With handle / staff holder
To be calibrated every 3 months

EXAMPLE OF DIGITAL LEVELS FROM LEICA

This is how to differentiate the type

of level equipment…(precise or
ordinary type….) < 1mm is
considered as precise type.

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MOTORIZED PRECISE LEVELLING

Were used in the DSMM (Late 80s) - No longer used
Modification of conventional method
Three vehicles – one for the level and observer
Invar staffs are fitted to other two vehicles

Advantage:
 Faster and convenient

Disadvantage:
 High cost
 Not suitable in busy roads

ADVANTAGE OF DIGITAL PRECISE

LEVEL

Use digital level (automatic level) and bar-coded

staffs
Use infrared detector to scan the bar-coded staff
Scanned staff image is compared to actual staff
pattern stored in the instrument
Provide staff reading and horizontal distance
Advantages:

 Levels are recorded automatically

 Reduce human error (reading and booking)
 Reduce observation time
 Include processing software

DIGITAL LEVEL LEICA DNA 03

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DIGITAL LEVEL LEICA DNA 03

Most important elements 16 PCMCIA or CF-card with

DNA03 adapter (optional)
1 On/ off button 17 Battery GEB121 (optional)
2 Base plate 18 Battery adapter GAD39; 6
3 Foot screws single cells (optional)
4 Horizontal circle 19 Light duct for circular level
5 Lever to unlatch battery 20 Plug stopper for crosshair
6 Battery compartment adjustment knob
7 Button to unlatch card compartment 21 RS232 serial interface with
cover external power supply
8 Card compartment cover 22 Measuring button
9 Display 23 Focusing drive
10 Circular level 24 Endless horizontal drive (bi-
11 Hand grip with aiming sight directional)
12 Ocular
13 Keyboard
14 Objective
15 Battery GEB111 (optional)

PRECISION LEVELLING USING DNA03

Limited target distance <30m
Minimum ground clearance of >0.5m required to
minimized refractionary influences of ground
proximity.
Double observance (BFFB, aBFFB) to increase the
reliability of measurement and to reduce possible
errors caused by staff sinking.
Applying alternating observations procedures (aBFFB =
BFFB FBBF) to eliminate horizontal tilt ( residual error
of the automatic compensator)
Use an umbrella in strong sunlight.

TURNING POINT / CHANGE PLATE

Staffs are to be supported on turning points

Made from mild steel
Round head and collars
To reduce error during turning (for soft ground)

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HANDLES / STEADYING
RODS

To support precise staff

For long observation period
Stable (verticality)

EXERCISE :

Form a group of 3-4 and discuss the questions below:

1. Explain on precise levelling.

2. What are the purpose of doing precise levelling?
3. Describe on the instrumentation of precise levelling.

SUG200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

PRECISE
LEVELLING

INSTRUCTION FOR PRECISE LEVELLING

LECTURED BY :
Sr ZAKI AHMAD DAHLAN
DEPARTMENT OF SURVEYING SCIENCE AND GEOMATICS
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (PERLIS).

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LESSON STRUCTURE
• During this lesson, students will go through :

1. Lecture
- 30 minutes for 1-hour lesson

2. Break session
- 5-10 minutes

3. Simple Assessment
- Discussion  10 to 15 minutes

4. Summary

LESSON OUTCOME
At the end of this lecture, student should be able to :

Understand the requirement for precise

levelling.

Calculate the data for optical precise level.

LECTURE CONTENT
Method of reading
Tolerance
Setting-up
Bubble Adjustment
Line of Sight
Verticality of Staffs
Observation Periods
Setting of Turning Points
Directions
Criterion for Rejection
Differences in Level

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METHOD OF READING
Readings are to be made with the telescope in the normal
position only (the bubble on the left of the instrument)
Readings are to be made in the following order;

• backsight:
• 1. Lower stadia • foresight
• 2. Upper stadia • 7. middle stadia
• 3. middle stadia
• backsight
• foresight: • 8. middle stadia
• 4. middle
• 5. lower stadia
• 6. upper stadia

BOOKINGS

Obsn.No: Date: Time Temp.

Staff Reading

Backsight Foresight Note: Back staff at BM A

Stadia Level Level Stadia reduced level is 10.000m

2 3 4 6

1 8 7 5 Diff. In height 10/2 - 11/2

9=(2+1) 10=(3+8) 11=(4+7) 12=(6+5) Bring forward 10.0000

13=(2-1) 14=(3-8) 15=(4-7) 16=(6-5) Total

Distance: 13x100 Distance: 16x100 Observer

OBSERVATIONS
REQUIREMENTS

1. The time taken between reading 3&4 and 7&8

should be reduced to a minimum.
2. Between reading 6 – 7, the telescope is to be
dislevelled by turning the gradienter screw and
carefully relevelled by the use of the same screw
only.
3. Readings are to be made to the nearest
0.00001 m

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TOLERANCE
Error value for two peg test should be equal to 0.002m.

Readings must be cancelled and reread if;

 The sum of the stadia readings does not agree with

the sum of the two level readings on the same staff
and to within 0.0050 meter

 The difference between the two level readings on the

same staff is more than 0.0006 meter

Sections must be relevelled if the discrepancy between

forward and backward levelling exceed “3√K” mm where
K is the distance in kilometres.

BUBBLE ADJUSTMENT
Footscrews must not be altered during a sight.

Bubble adjustments being made by the use of the gradienter screw

LINE OF SIGHT

Line of sight should not pass close to the

ground. Readings must not be made to the
lowest 0.3 m of the staff.

The optimum length of sight is about 40m (Max

50m).

The back and forward staffs should be

equidistant from the level to within 1m.

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VERTICALITY OF THE STAFF

Staffs must be tested weekly

Using plumbob – for verticality

Face-to-face comparison

OBSERVATION PERIOD

Observations should be made in the early morning

and late afternoon.

Observation must be discontinued when the

atmospheric condition make observations
difficult

SETTING TURNING POINTS

Turning points should be in position at least half an hour before use.

The day’s work must always be closed on BM or culvert.

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CRITERION FOR REJECTION

Sections must be relevelled if the

discrepancy between forward and
backward levelling (double runs)
exceeds (0.003 √ K) meter where
K is the distance in kilometers.

DIFFERENCE IN LEVEL
The difference in level will be obtained from the mean difference of the two level line
readings.

Stadia line readings are to serve as a check on gross error only and are not to be
included in the computations.

CALCULATION
Obsn.No: Date: Time Temp.
Staff Reading
Backsight Foresight Note: Back staff at BM A
Stadia Level Level Stadia reduced level is 10.000m
2 3 4 6
1 8 7 5 Diff. In height (10/2 - 11/2)

9=(2+1) 10=(3+8) 11=(4+7) 12=(6+5) Bring forward 10.0000

13=(2-1) 14=(3-8) 15=(4-7) 16=(6-5) Total 9.7519

Distance: 13x100 Distance: 16x100 Observer

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SAMPLE OF CALCULATION

Obsn.No: 1 Date: 23.04.2015 Time: 9.00am Temp: 25

Staff Reading

Backsight Foresight Note: Back staff at BM A

Stadia(cm) Level(cm) Level(cm) Stadia(cm) reduced level is 12.345m

300.292 279.469 76.520 97.251

258.650 279.471 76.523 55.769 Diff. In height

Bring forward

Total

Obsever Mar

Distance(m) Distance(m) Recorder Mar

SAMPLE OF CALCULATION

Obsn.No: 1 Date: 23.04.2015 Time: 9.00am Temp: 25

Staff Reading

Backsight Foresight Note: Back staff at BM A

Stadia(cm) Level(cm) Level(cm) Stadia(cm) reduced level is 12.345m

300.292 279.469 76.520 97.251

258.65 279.471 76.523 55.769 Diff. In height 2.02949

558.942 558.94 153.043 153.02 Bring forward 12.34500

41.642 -0.002 -0.003 41.482 Total 14.37449

Obsever Mar

Distance(m) 41.642 Distance(m) 41.482 Recorder Mar

GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM

(GNSS) HEIGHTING
GNSS measurement, measures heights related to the
ellipsoid. In some cases ellipsoidal heights alone are
sufficient for the type of survey being undertaken.

However, many applications require heights that are

related to a physically meaningful surface such as the
geoid, or at least some attempt at realizing the geoid
such as a surface based on locally observed mean
sea level.

Such physically meaningful heights take the form of

orthometric or normal heights.

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Global Positioning System (GPS) surveying has been used

extensively and with great success for the production and
propagation of survey control.

During the development of GPS surveying the focus was typically on

horizontal control with the ability of GPS to measure height being
seen as an added extra.

GPS surveying has now matured to the point where it is seen as a

true three dimensional tool.

However, application of GPS to the measurement of height can be

complex and solving the problems involved can account for the
majority of the effort in finalising a GPS surveying project.

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