FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
LEVELING
5. In the dumpy level, the supports are not adjustable, while in
Adjustments of Dumpy Level: the wye, one end of the level bar may be adjusted vertically.
1. Adjustment of Level Tube:
~To make the axis of the level tube perpendicular to Methods of Eliminating Errors in Leveling
the vertical axis. 1. Imperfect adjustment of instrument:
~This could be eliminated by adjusting the instrument
2. Adjustment of Horizontal Cross-hair: or by balancing the sum of foresight and backsight distances.
~To make the horizontal cross-hair lie in a plane
perpendicular to the vertical axis. 2. Rod not of standard length:
~This could be eliminated by standardizing the rod and
3. Adjustment of the line of sight: applying corrections the same as for tape.
~To make the line of sight parallel to the axis of the
level tube. 3. Parallax:
~This could be eliminated by focusing carefully.
Adjustments of wye Level:
1. Adjustments of Level Tube: 4. Bubble not centered at instant of sighting:
~To make the axis of the level tube lie in the same ~This could be eliminated by checking the bubble
plane as the axis of the wyes. before making each sight.
2. Adjustment of Level Tube: 5. Rod not held plumb:
~To make the axis of the level tube parallel to the axis ~This could be eliminated by waving the rod or using
of wye. rod level.
3. Adjustment of Horizontal Cross-Hair: 6. Faulty of reading the rod:
~To make the horizontal cross-hair lie in a plane ~This could be eliminated by checking each rod
perpendicular to the vertical axis. reading before recording.
4. Adjustment of Line of Sight: 7. Faulty turning point:
~To make the line of sight coincide with the axis of the ~This could be eliminated by choosing definite and
wyes. stable points.
5. Adjustment of Level Tube:
~To make the axis of the level tube perpendicular to 8. Variation of Temperature;
the vertical axis. ~This could be eliminated by protecting the level from
the sun while making observations.
Two Distinct Types of Engineer’s Level
1. Dumpy Level 9. Earth’s Curvature:
2. Wye Level ~This could be eliminated by balancing each backsight
and foresight distance, or apply the computed correction.
Main Differences between Dumpy and Wye Level
1. In the dumpy level, the bubble tube is attached to the level 10. Atmospheric Refraction:
bar while in the wye level it is attached to the telescope. ~This could be eliminated by balancing each backsight
and foresight distance, also take short sights well above the
2. In the dumpy level, the bubble tube can be adjusted in a ground and take backsight and foresight readings quick
vertical plane only, while in the wye level, it may be adjusted succession.
vertically and laterally.
11. Settlement of Tripod or Turning Points:
3. In the dumpy level, the telescope is rigidly fastened to the ~This could be eliminated by choosing stable locations,
level bar and can not be removed therefrom, while in the wye and taking backsight and foresight readings in quick succession.
level, the telescope rests in Y-shaped supports which permit it
to be removed and reversed end for end or revolved about the Common Errors in Leveling
axis of collars. 1. Imperfect adjustment of instrument
2. Parallax
4. The dumpy is more rigidly constructed that the wye that it has 3. Earth’s Curvature
fewer adjustments. However, adjusting a dumpy level would 4. Atmospheric Refraction
require at least two men whereas a wye level may be adjusted 5. Variation in Temperature
by only one man. 6. Rod not Standard Length
FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
7. Expansion or contraction of Rod Since h is so small, h2 is negligible
8. Rod not held plumb
9. Faulty Turning Points R = Radius of the earth
10. Settlement of Tripod or Turning Points R = 6400 km
11. Bubble not exactly centered at the instant of sighting
12. Inability of observer to read the rod exactly. h=
𝐾2
2𝑅
Common Mistakes in Leveling
𝐾 2 (1000)
1. Confusion of numbers in reading and recording. h=
2(6400)
2. Recording B.S. on the F.S. column and vice-versa.
3. Faulty additions and subtractions. h = 0.078K2
4. Rod not held on the same point for both B.S. and F.S.
5. Wrong reading of the vernier when the target rod is used. 1
6. Not having target set properly. hr = ℎ
7
Earth’s Curvature and Atmospheric Refraction hr = 0.011K2
hcr = h – hr
hcr = 0.078K2 – 0.011K2
hcr = 0.067K2
hcr = in meters
K = in thousands of meters
Derivation:
Horizontal Line – a straight line tangent to a level surface.
Level Surface – a curved surface every element of which is
normal to the plumb bob line
Level Line – a line in a level surface
From the figure shown, an object actually at C would appear to
be at B, due to atmospheric refraction, wherein the rays of light
transmitted along the surface of the earth is bent downward
slightly. The value of h represents the effect of earth’s curvature
and atmospheric refraction and has the following values.
Derivation of Curvature and Refraction Correction Conditions:
h = height in m of the line of sight, at the intervening hill C, above
sea level.
h1 = height in meter of the station occupied by A, above sea
level.
h2 = height in m of the station observed at B, above sea level.
D1 = distance in miles of the intervening hill C from A.
D2 = distance in miles of the intervening hill C from B.
Since h1, h and h2 are vertical heights, and considering the
effects of curvature and refraction at A and B, as reckoned from
a tangent (horizontal) line at sea level vertically below C, the
figure can be reconstructed in its plane sense.
K2 + R2 = (R + h)2
K2 + R2 = R2 + 2Rh + h2
FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
a. Compute the elevation of TP2.
b. Compute the elevation of BM2.
c. Compute the elevation of TP3.
In triangle ABE, by proportion:
(ℎ1 − 0.067𝐷12 ) − (ℎ2 − 0.067𝐷22 ) ℎ − (ℎ2 − 0.067𝐷22 )
=
Problem 3
𝐷1 + 𝐷2 𝐷2 The figure shows the schematic arrangement of a profile level
route from BM1 to BM2. The values indicated represents
ℎ2 − ℎ2 − 0.067(𝐷12 − 𝐷22 ) ℎ − ℎ2 + 0.067𝐷2 backsight, foresight and intermediate foresight reading taken on
=
𝐷1 + 𝐷2 𝐷2 stations along the route. Elevation of BM1 = 328.70 m.
𝐷2
ℎ − ℎ2 + 0.067𝐷22 = [ℎ − ℎ2
𝐷1 + 𝐷2 1
− 0.067(𝐷1 + 𝐷2 )(𝐷1 − 𝐷2 )]
𝐷2
ℎ = ℎ2 − 0.067𝐷22 + (ℎ − ℎ2 ) − 0.067𝐷2 (𝐷1 − 𝐷2 )
𝐷1 + 𝐷2 1
𝐷2
ℎ = ℎ2 − 0.067𝐷22 + (ℎ − ℎ2 ) − 0.067𝐷1 𝐷2 + 0.067𝐷22
𝐷1 + 𝐷2 1
𝐷2
ℎ = ℎ2 + (ℎ − ℎ2 ) − 0.067𝐷1 𝐷2
𝐷1 + 𝐷2 1
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Problem 1
From the given data of a differential leveling as shown in the
tabulation:
STA. B.S. F.S. ELEV.
1 5.87 392.25
2 7.03 6.29
a. Find the difference in elevation between stations 5 and 9.
3 3.48 6.25 b. Find the elevation of TP2.
4 7.25 7.08 c. Find the elevation of BM2.
5 10.19 5.57
6 9.29 4.45 Problem 4
7 4.94 From the given profile leveling notes:
a. Find the diff. in elev. of station 7 and station 5. STA BS FS IFS ELEV
b. Find the diff. in elev. of station 7 and station 4. BM1 0.95
c. Find the elev. of station 3. 1 3
2 2.3
Problem 2 TP1 3.13 0.64
In the plan below shows a differential leveling from bench mark
3 2.7
to another bench mark, along each line represents a sight in the
4 2.8
actual rod reading. The direction of the field work is indicated by
5 3.1
the number of turning points.
6 0.5
FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
7 0.8 ROD READINGS Reduced Rod
TP2 2.16 1.28 BS IFS FS Level Station
8 0.9 3.755 346.75 BM1
9 1.2 2.895 1
10 1.7 1.742 2
11 2.8 1.683 3
TP3 0.82 2.37 2.729 4
TP4 1.35 3.50 2.057 BM2
12 3.0 a. Compute the rise or fall at station 2.
BM2 1.24 b. Compute the radius level at station 3.
a. What is the difference in elevation between station 5 and 2? c. Compute the radius level of BM2.
b. Compute the elevation of TP2.
c. Compute the elevation of BM 2.
Problem 5
Arrange the following description in the form of profile level
notes complete to elevation. A level is set up and a reading of
2.995 m is taken on a bench mark, the elevation of which is
12.135 m. At the beginning of the line to be profiled, the rod,
reading is 2.625 m, and 30 m from the beginning it is 1.617 m
and at 60 m, it is 0.702 m and at 66 m, and 81 m, the rod Problem 8
readings are 1.281 m and 0.762 m, respectively. On a rock that In a two peg-test method of a dumpy level, the following
is not on line, the rod reading is 0.555 m. The level is then observations were taken:
removed ahead, set up and a rod reading of 1.952 m is Instrument set up Instrument set up
observed, the rod still being held on the rock. The readings near A near B
along the profile are then resumed: 90 m from the beginning of Rod reading at A 1.505 m 0.938 m
the line, the rod reading is 1.159 m, 120 m from the beginning Rod reading at B 2.054 m 1.449 m
of the line rod reading is 1.434 m, finally 150 m from the a. What is the difference in elevation between A and B?
beginning of the line the rod reading is 2.196 m. b. If the line of sight is not in alignment, determine the correct
a. Compute the elevation at the point 60 m from the beginning rod reading on A with the instrument still set up at B.
of the line. c. Determine the error in the line of sight.
b. Compute the elevation of the turning point.
c. Compute the difference in elevation at a point 150 m, and 81
m from the beginning of the line.
Problem 6
Data shown is obtained from a double rodded line of levels of a
certain cross-section of the proposed Manila-Bataan Road.
STA BS FS ELEV
BM1 9.08 749.06
BM1 9.08
TP1-L 12.24 3.73
TP1-H 10.10 1.60
TP2-L 11.04 2.21
TP2-H 9.92 1.08
TP3-L 1.75 9.84
TP3-H 0.55 8.62
BM2 11.27 Problem 9
BM2 11.27 In a two peg-test using model wild NA2 dumpy level, the
a. Find the difference in elevation between TP1 and TP3. following observations were taken
b. Find the elevation of BM2. Instrument at C Instrument at D
c. What is the difference in elevation between BM 1 and TP2? Rod reading on A 1.103 0.568
Rod reading on B 0.991 0.289
Problem 7 Point C is equidistant from A and B, and D is 12 m from A and
The following shows the tabulated data of leveling notes using 72 m from B.
rise and fall method.
FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
Problem 12
Two hills A and C have elevations of 600 m and 800 m,
respectively. In between A and C is another hill B which has an
elevation of 705 m and is located 12 km from A and 10 km from
C.
a. Determine the clearance or obstruction of the line of sight at
hill B if the observer is at A so that C will be visible from A.
Problem 10
A trigonometric leveling conducted by Jereza Surveying
Company, the two points A and B of a certain rough terrain are
each distance 2000 m from a third point C, from which the
measured vertical angle to A is +3030’ and to B is +1030’. b. If C is not visible from A, what height of tower must be
Elevation at C is known to be 342.60 m above sea level. Point constructed at C so that it could be visible from A with the line of
C is in between points A and B. sight having a clearance of 2 m above hill B?
a. Compute the difference in elevation between A and B
considering the effect of earth’s curvature and refraction.
b. Compute the difference in elevation between B and C.
c. Compute the elevation of A.
c. What height of equal towers from A and C must be
constructed in order that A, B and C will be intervisible?
Problem 11
Considering the effects of curvature and refraction, the
difference in elevation of points B and C is found out to be
111.356 m. From point A in between B and C is the angle of
elevation of B and C are +18030’ and +8015’, respectively. Problem 13
a. If C is 2000 m away from A, how far is B from A? Given:
b. If the elevation of A is equal to 200 m, find the elevation of B. Station Elevation (m) Distance (km)
c. Find also the elevation of C. Alpha 680 Alpha to Bravo = 12
Bravo 645 Bravo to Charlie = 15
Charlie 620
a. Compute the elevation of the line of sight at station Bravo with
the instrument placed at station Alpha such that station Charlie
would be visible from station Alpha considering the effect of
curvature and refraction correction.
FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
b. Assuming that station Bravo will obstruct the line of sight from
station Alpha while observing station Charlie and a 4 m tower is
constructed on top of station Bravo. Compute the height of equal
towers at station Alpha and station Charlie in order that both
three stations as observed from station Alpha will be intervisible.
c. Without constructing any tower at station Bravo, what height
of tower must be constructed at station Charlie so that both
station Bravo and Charlie would be visible from station Alpha.
Problem 14
A line of levels run from BM1 to BM2 which is 12 km long.
Elevation of BM1 was found out to be 100 m and that of BM2 is
125.382 m. Backsight and foresight distances were 150 m and
100 m, respectively.
a. Determine the corrected elevation of BM2 considering the
effect of curvature and refraction correction.
b. If during the levelling process, the line of sight is inclined
downward by 0.004 m in a distance of 10 m, what would be the
corrected elevation of BM2?
c. If the average backsight reading is 3.4 m and everytime it is
taken, the rod is inclined to the side from the vertical by 40, what
should be the corrected elevation of BM2?
Problem 15
Using an engineer’s level, the reading on a rod 80 m away was
observed to be 2.81 m. The bubble was levelled thru 5 spaces
on the level tube and the rod reading increased to 2.874 m.
a. Determine the angle that the bubble on the tube was deviated
due to an increase in the rod reading by moving the telescope
upward in seconds of arc.
b. Determine the angular value of one space of the tube, in
seconds of arc.
c. Determine the radius of curvature of the level tube if one
space on the tube is 0.60mm long.