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Level Loop Surveying Techniques

This document describes how to perform a level loop or closed circuit survey using an auto level. Key steps include setting up the instrument at stations and taking backsight and foresight readings to established turning points. Readings are then used to calculate elevations. The closure error is determined by comparing the initial and final elevations. Allowable error for closure depends on the survey purpose but is typically set at 0.02 feet or less for this class. Common errors like improper rod readings and tripod movement can be reduced by careful field procedures. An example from 1934 describes an extreme survey that made 329 setups over nearly 8 hours.

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Riza Espiritu
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1K views17 pages

Level Loop Surveying Techniques

This document describes how to perform a level loop or closed circuit survey using an auto level. Key steps include setting up the instrument at stations and taking backsight and foresight readings to established turning points. Readings are then used to calculate elevations. The closure error is determined by comparing the initial and final elevations. Allowable error for closure depends on the survey purpose but is typically set at 0.02 feet or less for this class. Common errors like improper rod readings and tripod movement can be reduced by careful field procedures. An example from 1934 describes an extreme survey that made 329 setups over nearly 8 hours.

Uploaded by

Riza Espiritu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to Level Loop
  • Level Loop Circuits
  • Error Management
  • Allowable Error Analysis
  • Reducing and Common Errors
  • Historical Context

Surveying a Level Loop

Level Loop
(or Closed Circuit)
Instrument
location (TYP)

FS 4.26 ft
3 ft
7.1 1
=
BS Turning Point
Elev. 100.00 ft (TYP)
Closed Circuit or Level Loop
AUTO LEVEL READINGS
STADIA

(+) (-) TOP/BOT DIST


PT BS HI FS ELEV STADIA /Angle

 BM 7.13 107.13  X  100.00  


TP-1     4.26 102.87
     
        
 
Level Loop
(or Closed Circuit)

f t FS = 2.99
5 ft
= 1.7
BS 2

Turning Point
Elev. 100.00 ft Elev. 102.87
Closed Circuit or Level Loop
AUTO LEVEL READINGS
STADIA

(+) (-) TOP/BOT DIST


PT BS HI FS ELEV STADIA /Angle

BM 7.13 107.13  X  100.00  


TP-1   1.75   104.62 4.26 102.87
     
TBM     2.99 101.63
    
 
Level Loop
(or Closed Circuit)

Elev.

BS = 5.62 ft
101.63 ft

Elev. 100.00 ft 3

ft
FS

.01
=

BS = 0.94 ft
8 ft

=6
3.3

BS = 9 . 9
.12 ft =7

FS
FS
4

4
ft

5
Closed Circuit or Level Loop
AUTO LEVEL READINGS
STADIA

(+) (-) TOP/BOT DIST


PT BS HI FS ELEV STADIA /Angle

BM 7.13 107.13  X  100.00  


TP-1   1.75   104.62 4.26 102.87
     
TBM   5.62   107.25 2.99 101.63
    
TP-2 0.94 102.18 6.01 101.24
 
TP-3 9.12 103.32 7.98 94.20
POR 3.34 99.98
Closure Error
The difference between a measured or
calculated elevation and the true or
established elevation.

Closure Error = Final Elev. – Initial Elev.


Closed Circuit or Level Loop
AUTO LEVEL READINGS
STADIA

(+) (-) TOP/BOT DIST


PT BS HI FS ELEV STADIA /Angle

 BM 7.13 107.13  X  100.00  


TP-1   1.75   104.62 4.26 102.87
     
TBM   5.62   107.25 2.99 101.63
    
TP-2 0.94 102.18 6.01 101.24
 
TP-3 9.12 103.32 7.98 94.20
POR 3.3499.98
- 100.00
CLOSURE ERROR =  - 0.02 ft 
Allowable Error
• The allowable error depends on the type
and purpose of the surveying.
• In this class, we will use
Closed Circuit or Level Loop
AUTO LEVEL READINGS
STADIA

(+) (-) TOP/BOT DIST


PT BS HI FS ELEV STADIA /Angle

 BM 7.13 107.13  X  100.00 BS 8.63 / 5.63 300 ft


TP-1 1.75 104.62 4.26 102.87 FS 5.69 / 2.83 286 ft
      BS 3.15 / 0.25 290 ft
TBM 5.62 107.25 2.99 101.63 FS 4.44 / 1.54 290 ft
      BS 6.67 /4.57 210 ft
TP-2 0.94 102.18 6.01 101.24 FS 7.08 / 4.94 214 ft
  BS 1.84 / 0.04 180 ft
TP-3 9.12 103.32 7.98 94.20 FS 8.94 / 7.02 192 ft
BS 10.42 / 7.82 260 ft
POR 3.34
99.98 FS 4.58 / 2.10 248 ft
- 100.00
TOTAL =  2470 ft 
CLOSURE ERROR =  - 0.02 ft 
Level Loop
(or Closed Circuit)
Instrument
location (TYP)
290 ft
ft
290
286 ft
Elev.

210 ft
101.63 ft
t
0 0f
3

Elev. 100.00 ft 3

ft
24

4
21
8

180 ft
ft

260 ft ft
192
4
5
Allowable Error

Survey data is acceptable


Reducing Errors
• Check that bubble is centered for EVERY rod
reading.
• Keep the rod plumb during each reading.
• Establish equal BS and FS reading distances.
– Equal reading distances will cancel out any error
caused by the line of sight not being parallel with the
axis of the bubble tube.
– This is not always possible due to terrain.
Common Errors
• Faulty rod reading (verify reading)
• Rod not fully extended (high reading)
• Tripod movement during reading
• Confusion between recording BS and FS
entries in the field book
Can You Top That?

Courtesy NOAA Photo Library [Link]

According to NOAA, this survey party made 329 setups in 7 hours and
55 minutes working in an area of extreme grades in the Western United
States in 1934.
Image Sources
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
Photo Library
[Link]

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