The document describes the three-wire method of precise differential leveling where three horizontal hairs are read rather than a single hair. It also discusses reciprocal leveling which is used when backsights and foresights cannot be kept short and equal, such as when leveling across wide rivers. The sample problem shows reciprocal level readings taken between two points, X and Y, across a river to determine their difference in elevation.
The document describes the three-wire method of precise differential leveling where three horizontal hairs are read rather than a single hair. It also discusses reciprocal leveling which is used when backsights and foresights cannot be kept short and equal, such as when leveling across wide rivers. The sample problem shows reciprocal level readings taken between two points, X and Y, across a river to determine their difference in elevation.
The document describes the three-wire method of precise differential leveling where three horizontal hairs are read rather than a single hair. It also discusses reciprocal leveling which is used when backsights and foresights cannot be kept short and equal, such as when leveling across wide rivers. The sample problem shows reciprocal level readings taken between two points, X and Y, across a river to determine their difference in elevation.
The document describes the three-wire method of precise differential leveling where three horizontal hairs are read rather than a single hair. It also discusses reciprocal leveling which is used when backsights and foresights cannot be kept short and equal, such as when leveling across wide rivers. The sample problem shows reciprocal level readings taken between two points, X and Y, across a river to determine their difference in elevation.
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