Trigonometric Levelling

 
Introductions
Trigonometric Leveling is the process in which we find out the vertical distance between two points with the help of some measurements of the
vertical angles and the known distances. The known distances are either assumed to be horizontal or the geodetic lengths at the mean sea level
(MSL). The distances are measured directly(as in the plane surveying) or they are computed as in the geodetic surveying.
 
Trigonometric Leveling can be done in two following ways.
Observations taken for the height and distances
Geodetic Observations.
In the 1st, we can measure the horizontal distance between the given points, if accessible.
We take the observation of the vertical angles and then compute the distances using them. If the distances are large enough then we have to
provide the correction for the curvature and refraction and that we provide to the linearly to the distances that we have computed. 
 
In the 2nd, i.e geodetic observations, the distances between the two points are geodetic distances and the principles of the plane surveying are
not applicable here. The corrections for the curvature and refraction are applied directly to the angles.
 
In order to get the differences in elevations between the instruments stations and the object under observation, we shall consider the following
cases :
Case 1 : Base of the object is accessible.
Case 2 : Base of the object is inaccessible : Instruments stations in the same vertical plane as the elevated object.
Case 3 : Base of the object inaccessible : Instruments stations not in the same vertical plane as the elevated object.
 
CASE 1 : BASE OF THE OBJECT IS ACCESSIBLE
Let it be assumed that the horizontal distance between the instrument and the object can be measured accurately.
• In Fig. 15.1,
• Let,
• P = instrument station
• Q = Point to be observed
• A = Centre of the instrument
• Q’ = Projections of Q on horizontal plane through A
• D = AQ’ = horizontal distance between P & Q
• h’ = height of instruments at P
• h = QQ’
• S = reading of staff kept at BM with line of sight horizontal
• α = angle of elevation from A to Q.

• from triangle AQQ’, h = D tan α …………. (15.1)

 
• R.L. of Q = R.L. of instruments axis + D tan α

• If the R.L. of P is known ,

• R.L. of Q = R.L. of P + h’+ D tan α

• If the reading on the staff kept at BM is S with the line of sight horizontal,

• R.L. of Q = R.L. of B.M. + S+ D tan α