3 Differential Leveling

Measurement of Vertical Distances
LEVELING – Process of directly or indirectly measuring vertical distances to

determine the difference in elevation of points.
Method of Leveling
DIFFERENTIAL Leveling – a method in determining the elevation between two (2) or
more points.
***Key TERMS :
Bench Mark, BM – fixed point (initial and final points) of reference whose elevation is either
known (most often) or to be determined in a profile level.
Backsight, BS – a reading taken of when the instrument (dumpy level) is ahead the rod.
Foresight, FS – a reading taken of when the instrument (dumpy level) is behind the rod.
Turning Point, TP – intervening points between two bench marks upon which the foresight
and backsight rod readings are taken.
Height of Instruments, HI – elevation of the line of sight above or below datum.
ILLUSTRATION:
From the Illustration, derived formulas (RED) are the following:
HI1 = ElevetionBM1 + BS1

ElevationTP1 = HI1 – FS2 HI = Elevation + BS
Elevation = HI – FS
HI2 = ElevationTP1 + BS2
ElevationTP2 = HI2 – FS3
…
Difference in Elevation (DE) = Elevation BM2 – ElevationBM1
By ARITHMETIC CHECKING:
Difference in Elevation (DE) = ΣBS – ΣFS
Elev BM2 – Elev BM1 = ΣBS – ΣFS
NOTE: Always, there will be no FS1 and BS4 (last backsight reading shown in the illustration
only for this case) since BM1 and BM2 are your initial and terminal points on the leveling
profile, respectively.
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM:
Following is a differential leveling operation performed between two
bench marks.
(a) A dumpy level is set up at a convenient location along the general
route between BM1, which has an elevation of 345.79m and BM2
whose elevation is to be determined.
(b) A backsight of 1.25m is taken on BM1. The rodman then goes
forward and chooses TP1 at some convenient location within the
range of the telescope, still in the same general route. At TP1 a
foresight of 2.48m is read.
(c) The level is moved forward and set up at another location. A
backsight reading of 1.24m is taken on the rod held at TP1. The
rodman goes forward to establish TP2 and a foresight reading of
3.18m is taken on it.
(d) From a new instrument location established farther forward, a
backsight on TP2 reads 1.14m, while a foresight readings of 2.77m
is taken on TP3.
(e) The instrumentman again sets up the level at another forward
location and takes a backsight reading of 1.96m on TP3 and a
foresight reading of 2.59m on TP4.
(f) At the last set up of the instrument a backsight reading of 0.55m is
taken on the rod held at TP4. Finally, a foresight reading of 1.62m
is taken on the terminal point, BM2.
For the whole operation, it was seen to it that each foresight distance
was approximately equal to its corresponding backsight distance.
Tabulate the observed field data in a standard form for differential
level notes. Compute the level notes and show the customary
arithmetic check.
Solution 1: Manual Computation
Given Data Corresponding Values Data to be Determined
ElevBM1 345.79 m
BS on BM1 + 1.25
374.04 HI1
FS on TP1 – 2.48
344.56 ElevTP1
BS on TP1 + 1.25
345.80 HI2
FS on TP2 – 3.18
342.62 ElevTP2
BS on TP2 + 1.14
343.76 HI3
FS on TP3 – 2.77
340.99 ElevTP3
BS on TP3 + 1.96
342.95 HI4
FS on TP4 – 2.59
340.36 ElevTP4
BS on TP4 + 0.55
340.91 HI5
FS on TP5 – 1.62
339.29 m ElevBM2
Solution 2: Tabulated Computation
(1) Initially, just tabulate all the data as stated in the problem. Always
consider four (4) columns: Station, Backsight, Foresight, Elevation.
STATION BS FS ELEV
BM1 1.25 345.79 m
TP1 1.24 2.48
TP2 1.14 3.18
TP3 1.96 2.77
TP4 0.55 2.59
BM2 1.62
(2) Next, include another column for Height of Instrument (HI) in between
Backsight column and Foresight column.
STATION BS HI FS ELEV
BM1 1.25 345.79 m
TP1 1.24 2.48
TP2 1.14 3.18
TP3 1.96 2.77
TP4 0.55 2.59
BM2 1.62
(3) To complete the tabulated solution, follow the indicated formula for the
computation of Height of Instruments (HI = Elev + BS) and
Elevation (Elev = HI – FS)
(4) Applying procedure (3).
BM1 1.25 347.04 345.79 m
TP1 1.24 345.80 2.48 344.56
TP2 1.14 343.76 3.18 342.62
TP3 1.96 342.95 2.77 340.99
TP4 0.55 340.91 2.59 340.36
BM2 1.62 339.29
From the result of the tabulated solution, elevation of BM 2 is equal to

339.29 m.
ARITHMETIC Checking :
(1) Compute the sum of all backsights (ΣBS) and sum of all foresights (ΣFS).
BM1 1.25 345.79 m
TP1 1.24 2.48
TP2 1.14 3.18
TP3 1.96 2.77
TP4 0.55 2.59
BM2 1.62
ΣBS = 6.14 ΣFS = 12.64
(2) Apply the equation for the Difference in Elevation.
DE = ΣBS – ΣFS
Elev BM2 – Elev BM1 = ΣBS – ΣFS
339.29 – 345.79 = 6.14 – 12.64

- 6.50 = - 6.50 √
Practice Problem:
1] The accompanying schematic arrangement of lines portray a differential level

route. The values indicated represent backsight and foresight readings taken at
different points as labeled. Prepare and complete differential level notes for the
information shown and show the customary arithmetic checking.

3 Differential Leveling

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Measurement of Vertical Distances

LEVELING – Process of directly or indirectly measuring vertical distances to

From the Illustration, derived formulas (RED) are the following:

HI1 = ElevetionBM1 + BS1

Solution 1: Manual Computation

Given Data Corresponding Values Data to be Determined

(4) Applying procedure (3).

From the result of the tabulated solution, elevation of BM 2 is equal to

(2) Apply the equation for the Difference in Elevation.

339.29 – 345.79 = 6.14 – 12.64

1] The accompanying schematic arrangement of lines portray a differential level

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