Three-Wire and Reciprocal Leveling

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A more precise method of differential levelling can be attained by the

three-wire method of leveling.


It is a method of determining difference in elevation wherein three
horizontal hairs (or threads) are read and recorded rather than from a
single horizontal hair.
For each backsight and foresight, all three horizontal hairs are read to
the nearest millimeter and the average of the three readings is taken
as the correct value.
Since three-wire leveling is employed for high precision work, only
precise levelling rods should be used.
The backsight and corresponding foresight distances should always
be maintained at equal lengths.
Where:
a = upper stadia hair reading
b = lower stadia hair reading
c = horizontal cross-hair reading or rod reading on P
s = stadia intercept or the difference between the upper stadia hair
reading and the lower stadia hair reading
m =mean of three-hair readings
HD = horizontal distance from the level to the rod held at P
K = stadia interval factor
C = instrument constant
HI = height of the line of sight above datum or mean sea level
Elev of P = unknown elevation of station P
NOTE: The arithmetic check is the same for differential leveling
SAMPLE. Complete the differential level notes shown below and perform the
customary arithmetic check.
BACKSIGHT HI FORESIGHT
STA ELEV
HAIR MEAN s HAIR MEAN s
RDGS RDG RDGS RDG
1.152
BM1 0.935 444.242 m
0.718
2.784 1.117
TP1 2.420 0.899
2.057 0.682
1.713 1.900
TP2 1.440 1.537
1.166 1.172
2.591 1.450
TP3 2.094 1.177
1.599 0.904
0.913 2.210
TP4 0.730 1.714
0.547 1.218
1.593
BM2 1.410
1.227
Reciprocal leveling is employed to determine the difference
in elevation between two points when it is difficult or impossible to
keep backsights and foresights short and equal. Such a condition
usually exists when running a line of levels across wide rivers,
lakes, or in rugged terrain where deep canyons and ravines are
encountered. In this method of levelling, two sets of rod readings
are observed. One set is taken with the instrument set up close to
one point and another with the instrument set up close to the other
point.
SAMPLE. In leveling across a deep and wide river, reciprocal level readings
were taken between two points, X and Y, as follows:
a.) With instrument set up near X, the rod readings on X are 1.283 and 1.285
meters; on the distant point Y, the rod readings are 2.618, 2.619, 2.621 and
2.622 meters.
b.) With instrument set up near Y, the rod readings on Y are 3.478 and 3.476
meters; on the distant point X, the rod readings are 2.143, 2.140, 2.146, 2.144
meters.
Determine the true difference in elevation between the two points and
the elevation of Y if the known elevation of X is 290.082 meters.
SAMPLE. In leveling across a wide river, reciprocal level readings were taken between two
points A and B as shown in the accompanying tabulation. Determine the following:
a) Difference in elevation between the two points.
b) Elevation of B if the elevation of A is 951.750 m.

Instrument Set-Up Near A Instrument Set-Up Near B


STA BS FS STA BS FS
1.283 1.478
1.284 1.480
a b
1.286 1.476
1.283 1.478
0.675 2.143
0.674 2.140
0.677 a 2.145
b
0.674 2.142
0.677 2.143
0.678 2.146
SUM SUM
MEAN MEAN

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