Surveying-I

CE-205 (T)

Levelling

Lecture 5

Department of civil engineering

UET Peshawar

Lecturer
Engr. Muhammad Rizwan
1
 Levelling
• Leveling may be defined as the art of determining
the relative heights or elevation of points or objects
on the earth’s surface .
• It deals with measurements in vertical plane.

• Leveling methods use in many

engineering applications;
• Design of highways, railroads, canals,
etc.
• Calculate earthwork volumes.
• Map earth’s topography.
• Investigate drainage characteristics
etc.

Lecture 5 Leveling 2
 Definitions of Terms used In Leveling
• Level Surface: is any surface parallel to the mean spheroidal
surface of the earth. E.g the surface of a still lake. It is normal
to the plumb line at all points.
• Level line: line lying in a level surface, so normal to plumb line.
• Horizontal Plane: through a point is plane tangential to the
level surface at that point. Perpendicular to gravity.
• Horizontal Line: is any line in horizontal plane. Straight line
tangential to level line.

Lecture 5 Leveling 3
 Definitions of Terms used In Leveling
• Vertical Line: at any point Is line normal to the level surface
through that point in the direction of gravity. E.g: plumb line.
• Vertical plane: Plane containing a vertical line.
• Vertical angle: is angle between two intersecting lines in a
vertical plane, one of the two lines is taken horizontal in
surveying.
• Datum Surface: or line is any arbitrarily assumed level surface
or line from which vertical distances are measured. In Pakistan
datum sea level in Karachi.

Lecture 5 Leveling 4
 Cross Hair

Lecture 5 Leveling 5
 Definitions of Terms used In Leveling
• Elevation: of a point is its vertical distance above or below the
datum. Also called Reduced level (R.L). + or – according as
point is above or below.
• Difference in Elevation (H): between two points is the vertical
distance between the level surface through the two points.
• Bench Mark (B.M): is a fixed reference point of known
Elevation.
• Line of Collimation: is a line joining the intersection of the cross
Hair to the optical center of the object glass and its
continuation, also called Line of Sight.
• Axis of Telescope: is a line joining the optical center of the
object glass to the entre of the eye-piece.
• Axis of level tube or bubble tube: is an imaginary line
tangential to the longitudinal curve of the tube at its middle
point, also called bubble line. It is horizontal when bubble is
centered.
• Vertical Axis : is the center line of the axis of rotation.

Lecture 5 Leveling 6
 Definitions of Terms used In Leveling
• Backsight (B.S): also termed as backsight reading, is the staff
(rod) reading taken on a point of known elevation as on a
Bench Mark or change point. Also called Plus sight. It is the first
staff reading taken after the level is setup and leveled.
• Foresight (F.S): also termed as foresight reading, is the staff
reading on a point whose elevation is to be determined as on
change point. Also called Minus reading. It is the last staff
reading denoting the shifting of the instrument.
• Intermediate Sight (I.S): is any staff reading taken on a point of
unknown elevation from the same setup of level. All sights
taken between backsight and foresight are intermediate sight.

B.M

Lecture 5 Leveling 7
 Definitions of Terms used In Leveling
• Change Point (C.P): is point denoting the shifting of the level. It
is a point on which fore and backsights are taken. Bench mark
may also be taken as Change point. Also called Turning point
(T.P).
• Station: is a point whose elevation is to be determined or point
which is to be established . It is the point where the staff is held
and not the point where the level is setup.
• Height of Instrument (H.I): is the elevation (R.L) of the line of
collimation (or plane od sight) when the instrument is correctly
leveled. Also called Height of plane of collimation.
• The term H.I does not mean the height of center of telescope
above the ground where the level is setup.

Lecture 5 Leveling 8
 Definitions of Terms used In Leveling
• Focusing: means the setting of eye-piece and objective at
proper distance apart for the clear vision of the object sighted.
• The focus of the objective and eye piece must coincide with the
cross-hair of the diaphragm. Can be done by first focusing the
eye piece and than objective.
• To focus the eye-piece hold a sheet of paper in front of the
telescope and move the eye-piece in and out until cross hair
appear distinct and clear.
• To focus the objective direct the telescope to object and turn the
focusing screw until the image appears clear and sharp focus.

• Parallax: it is the apparent movement of the image relative to

cross hair, when the image formed by the objective does not fall
in the plane of diaphragm.
• it is due to poor focusing of objective.
• It can be tested by moving the eye up and down , if the focusing
is correct the image appeared fixed to the cross hair when the
eye moved up and down. a c e
• The Aim of focusing is to remove the parallax.
b df

Lecture 5 Leveling 9
 Instruments
• To determent the elevation of
points two instruments are required

1) Level 2) Leveling Staff (or rod)

• The Level furnished horizontal line

of sight and
• The Leveling Staff is used to
determined the vertical distance
of the points below the horizontal
line of sight.

Lecture 5 Leveling 10
 Instruments
1) THE LEVEL :
The level consist essentially of :
1) the leveling head 2) Telescope 3) Limb 4) the level or bubble
tube.

There are various types of Levels

1) The dumpy Level

2) The Wye or Y Level
3) The Cook’s reversible Level
4) The Cushing’s Level
5) Tilting Level
6) The Automatic Level.

Assignment

Lecture 5 Leveling 11
DUMPY LEVEL

12
AUTOMATIC LEVEL

13
DIGITAL LEVEL

14
TILTING LEVEL

15
 Instruments
2) The Leveling Staff:
• There are various types of graduated staff available.
• A point on the face that is upwards indicates a whole tenth of a
foot (0.1)
• †A point on the face that is downwards indicates a whole 0.05’

Assignment
Lecture 5 Leveling 16
 Equipments for Leveling
The Equipments for leveling
consist of:

1) A Level
2) A Leveling Staff
3) A Chain or Tape for measuring
horizontal distances
4) A level field book for recording
staff reading and other notes.

Lecture 5 Leveling 17
 Adjustment of the Level
• The adjustment of a Level are of two kinds:
1) Temporary adjustment
2) Permanent adjustment

Temporary adjustment:
The temporary adjustment are those which have to be performed at
each set-up of level.
They are two in number:
1) Setting up the level which includes
a) planting the tripod
b) Levelling up
2) Focusing the eye-piece and object glass to eliminate the parallax.

Lecture 5 Leveling 18
 Adjustment of the Level
They are made in the following Steps:
Setting up the Level:
1) Fixing the Instrument on Tripod
Fix the instrument on tripod firmly by turning round only the lower part .
2) Leg Adjustment
Place instrument at convenient height, fix two legs firmly into the ground
and move the third leg to right or left until main bubble approx. center.
Then move it in or out until bubble of level cross is approx.in the center.
The leg is fixed when both bubble approx. In the center.
3) Levelling Up
Place telescope parallel to pair of foot screws and bring the bubble in
the center by turning these screws inward and outward. Turn telescope
through 90o so that it lie over the third screw and center the bubble by
turning this screw and repeat.
4) Focusing the Eye-piece
Hold a white paper in inform of eye piece, move the eye-piece in and
out until the cross hair appears distinct.
5) Focusing the Object glass
Direct the telescope toward the staff and looking though the eye-piece
,bring the image of the staff between the two vertical hairs(line). Adjust 19
the objective by truing the focusing screw until parallax is eliminated.
 Bench Marks
There four types of Bench marks:
1) Permanent Bench Marks
2) Arbitrary Bench Marks
3) Temporary Bench Marks
Assignment

Change Point
It is an intermediate staff station on which two readings are taken
and it is used for the purpose of changing the position of the
instrument.

Lecture 5 Leveling 20
 Principles of Leveling
A) Simple Levelling
B) Differential Levelling

A) Simple Levelling
It is the simplest operation in leveling when it is required to find
the difference in elevation between two points, both of which
are visible from a single position of the level.
If R.L of A is given R.L of B can be calculated.

H.I= 105
Reading on A 5
10 Reading on B

R.L= 100 A
O
B
R.L= 95
Lecture 5 Leveling 21
 Principles of Leveling
B) Differential Levelling
• This method is used to find the difference in elevation
between two point, when
1) They are too far apart or
2) If the difference in elevation between them is too great or
3) If there are obstacle intervening.
• In such case it is necessary to setup the level in several position
and to work in a series of stages.
• Also called Compound or continues leveling.

Lecture 5 Leveling 22
 PROCEDURE IN LEVELING
• The level of set up at some convenient position P1 and a back sight
was taken
• to the first BM. The foot of the staff being held on BM and the staff
held vertically.
• The staff is moved to points A and B in turn and readings taken. These
are the intermediate sights respectively.
• In order to read D, a change point is chosen at C and the staff is
moved to C. This is the foresight for the first point (P1).
• While the staff remains at C1 the instrument is moved to another
position (P2).

Lecture 5 Leveling 23
 PROCEDURE IN LEVELING
• A reading is taken from the new position of the staff at C. This is the
back sight for P2.
• The staff is moved to D and E in turn and the intermediate sight
readings taken respectively.
• Finally, the level is moved to P3 and a back sight is taken to E, while
the foresight is also taken to the final TBM.
• The final staff position is at a point of known reduced level as leveling
field work must start and finish at points of known reduced level;
otherwise it is not possible to detect misclosure in the leveling.
• The R.L of TBM = R.L of A + Σ B.S – Σ F.S
• The R.L of a Point = R.L of A + B.S – I.S
E

Lecture 5 Leveling 24
 Reduction of Levels
There are two systems of working out the reduced
levels of points from the staff reading taken in the
field.

1) The Collimation or Instrument height system

2) The Rise and fall system

Lecture 5 Leveling 25
1) The Collimation or Instrument height system
It consist of finding the elevation of the plane of
collimation (H.I) for every setup of the instrument and
then obtaining the reduced levels of points with
reference to respective plane of collimation.
On Completing the reduction of the levels, the accuracy of the
arithmetical work should be checked.
Arithmetical Check:
• The difference between the sum of BS and F.S should be equal
to difference between last reading and first reading.
Σ B.S - Σ F.S = Last reading – first reading

Lecture 5 Leveling 26
Example No 1
• The following staff readings were taken along a straight length of a
road. Reduce the level and check the accuracy of the readings
using Height of instrument method.

Station Readings Reduced Level Remarks

B.S I.S F.S
A 2.390 100 B.M
B 1.985
C 1.318
D 0.988 1.612
E 1.502
F 1.415
G 2.420 0.316
0.532 TBM

Lecture 5 Leveling 27
Station Readings R.L of Plane Reduced Remarks
B.S I.S F.S of Level
Collimation
(H.I)
A 2.390 102.390 100 B.M
B 1.985 102.390 100.405
C 1.318 102.390 101.072
D 0.988 1.612 101.766 100.778 C.P
E 1.502 101.766 100.264
F 1.415 101.766 100.351
G 2.420 0.316 103.870 101.45 C.P
T.B.M 0.532 103.870 103.338 TBM
ΣB.S= ΣF.S=
5.798 2.46

28
 The Collimation or Instrument height
system
• Arithmetical Check:
• The difference between the BS and F.S should be
equal to difference between last reading and first
reading.
ΣB.S - ΣF.S = Last reading – first reading
5.798 - 2.46 = 103.338-100
+3.338 = +3.338

Lecture 5 Leveling 29
Example No 2
• The following consecutive readings were taken with dumpy level
0.894 1.643 2.896 3.016 0.954 0.692 0.582 0.251 1.532
0.996 2.135.
• The instrument was shifted after the fourth and eighth readings. The
first reading was taken on staff held on the B.M of R.L 820.765

Station Readings Reduced Level Remarks

B.S I.S F.S
A 820.765 B.M
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
Lecture 5 Leveling 30
 Example No 2
Station Readings R.L of Plane of Reduced Remarks
B.S I.S F.S Collimation Level
(H.I)
A 0.894 820.765 B.M
B 1.643
C 2.896
D 0.954 3.016 C.P
E 0.692
F 0.582
G 1.532 0.251 C.P
H 0.996
I 2.135.
ΣB.S= ΣF.S=

Arithmetical Check:
Σ B.S - Σ F.S = Last reading – first reading

Lecture 5 Leveling 31
 2) The Rise and Fall system
• It consist in determining the difference of level between
consecutive points by comparing each point after the first
with that immediately preceding it.
• The difference between their staff readings indicates a rise or
fall according as the staff reading at the point is smaller or
greater than that at the preceding point.
• The reduced level of each point is then found by adding rise
and subtracting fall from reduced level of the preceding
point.
Arithmetical Check:
The difference between the sum of BS and F.S should be equal to difference
between last reading and first reading and equal to difference between the sum
of Rise and Fall.
Σ B.S - Σ F.S = Σ Rise - Σ Fall = Last reading – first reading

32
Example
• The following staff readings were taken along a straight length of a
road. Reduce the level and check the accuracy of the readings
using Rise and Fall method.

Station Readings Reduced Level Remarks

B.S I.S F.S
A 2.390 100 B.M
B 1.985
C 1.318
D 0.988 1.612
E 1.502
F 1.415
G 2.420 0.316
0.532 TBM

Lecture 5 Leveling 33
Station Readings Rise Fall Reduced Remarks
B.S I.S F.S + - Level

A 2.390 100 B.M

B 1.985 0.405 100.405
C 1.318 0.667 101.072
D 0.988 1.612 0.294 100.778 C.P
E 1.502 0.514 100.264
F 1.415 0.087 100.351
G 2.420 0.316 1.099 101.45 C.P
0.532 1.888 103.338 TBM
ΣB.S= ΣF.S= ΣRise= Σrise=
5.798 2.46 4.146 0.808

34
 2) The Rise and fall system
• Arithmetical Check:
• The difference between the sum of BS and F.S
should be equal to difference between last reading
and first reading and equal to difference between
the sum of Rise and Fall.

Σ B.S - Σ F.S = Σ Rise - Σ Fall = Last reading – first reading

5.798-2.46 = 4.146 - 0.808 = 103.338 – 100
+3.338 = +3.338 = +3.338

Lecture 5 Leveling 35
 Assignment

Examples
Page 371 to 379
Page 381 to 383

Lecture 5 Leveling 36
 COLLIMATION TEST (PEG TEST)
• Levels can move out of adjustment so that their line of sight
(line of collimation) is not truly horizontal.
• This will cause errors in readings which become greater as the
viewing distance increases.
• However if a backsight and a foresight are exactly equi-
distant from the instrument, the error in each sighting will
cancel each other out. This feature can be used to check the
accuracy of a level by the following simple method.

Lecture 5 Leveling 37
 Classification of Leveling
• Differential leveling
It is the operation of leveling to determine the elevation of
points some distance apart or to establish B.M. the process is
same as that in continuous or compound leveling.
• Check leveling
It is the operation of running levels for the purpose of checking
a series of levels, which have been previously fixed.
• Profile Leveling
It is the operation in which the object is to determine the
elevation of points at known distance apart along a given line
,also called longitudinal leveling or Sectioning.
• Cross-sectioning
It is the method of leveling to determine the surface
undulations or the outline of the ground transverse to the given
line and on either side of it.
Lecture 5 Leveling 38
 Classification of Leveling
• Reciprocal Leveling
It is the method of leveling in which the difference in elevation
between two points is accurately determined by two sets of
observation, when I is not possible to set up the level midway
between the two points.
• Barometric Leveling
it is the method of leveling in which the altitudes of points are
determined by means of a barometer, which measures the
atmospheric pressure.
• Hypsometric Leveling
It is the method of leveling in which the height of mountains
are found by overseeing the temperature at which water
boils.
• Trigonometrical Leveling
It is the process of leveling in which the elevations of points are
computed from vertical angles and horizontal distances
measured in the field.
Lecture 5 Leveling 39
 USES OF LEVELLING
Apart from the determination of difference in level
between points on earth’s surface, other uses of
leveling include.

(1) Taking of longitudinal section

(2) Cross- sections
(3) Contouring
(4) Setting out levels

Lecture 5 Leveling 40
• Plan view – look down on area from above.

• Profile view – side view or elevation where

longitudinal surfaces highlighted

• Cross-section – shows end view of section at a

station and is at right angles to centerline

Lecture 5 Leveling 41
 Profile Leveling
• In this method also called longitudinal leveling or
Sectioning, the object of leveling operations is to
determine the undulations of ground surface along a
predefined line, which is usually the center line of a road,
railway, canal or pipeline. The line section may be a
single straight line or may consist of a series of straight
lines changing direction or connected by curves.

• Profile leveling yields elevations at definite points along a

reference line.

Lecture 5 Leveling 42
 Profile Leveling
C.P Inst. Station

A Staff Station B

C
B.M C.P

Inst. Station
Inst. Station

43
 Procedure
• Add rod readings (BS) to benchmark or known turning point
elevations to get the elevation of the line of sight (HI).
Subtract rod readings (FS) from the line of sight to establish elevations
of unknown points.
• Take any number of intermediate Sight readings at points along the
line until it is necessary to establish a turning point to move the level.
• Repeat as required.

LOCATION OF INTERMEDIATE POINTS

• A Back sight is taken on a bench mark to establish the height of
instrument.
• A foresight is taken on the stations as required (such as every 100 ft).
Foresights(Intermediate) are also taken at breaks in the ground
surface and at critical points.
This is repeated until the limit of accurate sighting is reached, at
which point a turning point is established and the level is moved

Lecture 5 Leveling 44
 Assignment

Example on Profile Leveling

On page 386 to 390
+
Plotting Profile

45
PROFILE CROSS SECTIONS
• Cross sections are lines of levels or short profiles made
perpendicular to the center line of the project.
• For example, taking a cross section profile of a stream
bed while doing a profile survey of the stream.
• Cross sections are usually taken at regular intervals and
at sudden changes in the center-line profile

CROSS SECTION FIELD NOTES

• Field notes for a cross section should include: an elevation or
difference in elevation from the center line
horizontal distance from the center line

Centre Line

Lecture 5 Leveling 46
 Precise Leveling
• Precise leveling is a particularly accurate method of
differential leveling which uses highly accurate levels
and with a more rigorous observing procedure than
general engineering leveling.
• It aims to achieve high orders of accuracy.
• It is a special system of leveling chiefly employed for
establishing Benchmarks with high precision at widely
distributed points.

• It is principally conducted by State Agency such Survey

Department of Pakistan.
• It required highly refined instruments and methods and
greatest Care in the field.

Lecture 5 Leveling 47
 References
• Surveying & Leveling (part 1) by T P Kanetkar & S V Kulkarni
(Part 1)

Lecture 5 Leveling