Lecture 12
Module 4: Level Surveying
Temporary Adjustments of a level
Followings are the adjustments at every setup of instrument
Setting up of level: This includes
Fixing the instrument on tripod
Levelling the instrument approximately by Tripod
Levelling of telescope: Levelling is done with the help of foot
screws. The purpose of levelling is to make vertical axis truly vertical.
It is done with the help of foot screws.
Focusing of the eye piece: To focus the eye piece, hold a white
paper in front of object glass, and move the eye piece in or out till
the cross hair are distinctly seen.
Focusing of object glass: Direct the telescope to the levelling staff
and on looking through the telescope, turn the focusing screw till
the image appears clear and sharp.
Classification of levelling
Simple levelling
Differential leveling
Fly levelling
Check levelling
Profile levelling
Cross-section levelling
Precise levelling
Trigonometric levelling
Barometric levelling
Hypsometric levelling
Reciprocal levelling
Simple levelling: It is the simplest method used, when it is required to find the
difference in elevation between 2 points.
Differential Levelling: This method is used to find the difference in the elevation
between points if they are too far apart or the difference in elevation between them is
too much.
Fly levelling: Fly levelling is just like differential levelling carried out to check
the accuracy of levelling work. In fly levelling, only B.S. and F.S. are taken.
Check levelling: This kind of levelling is carried out to check the accuracy of work. It is
done at the end of the days work in the form of fly levelling to connect the finishing
point and starting point.
Profile levelling or L-Section: This method is used for taking levels along the centre
line of any alignment like road, railway canal etc. The object is to determine the
undulations of the ground surface along the alignment
Cross- sectioning: This operation is carried out perpendicular to alignment at an
interval of 10, 20 ,30, 40 m. The idea is to make an estimate of earthwork.
Precise levelling: It is used for establishing bench marks for future public
use. It is carried out with high degree of accuracy using advanced
instruments
Trigonometric levelling: In this method vertical distances between points
are computed by observing horizontal distances and vertical angle
between points.
Barometric levelling: In this method the altitude difference is determined by
means of a barometer.
Hyposometric levelling: The working of Hyposometry for determining the
elevation works on the fact that the boiling temperature of water varies with the
atmospheric pressure. The boiling point of water reduces at higher altitude thus
knowing the boiling point of water, the atmospheric pressure can be calculated
and knowing the atmospheric pressure altitude or elevation can be determined.
Reciprocal levelling: This method is adopted to accurately determine the
difference of level between two points which are far apart.
It is also used when it is not possible to set up level in mid way between two
points
Let A and B be the two points on opposite banks of a river. It is required to find
out the level difference between A & B
Set up the level very near to A and take the reading at A and B. Let the reading
be a1 and b1
Shift the level and set up very near to B and observe A and B to get reading a2 and
b2
Let d is the true difference of level between A and B, and e= error due to
curvature, refraction and imperfect adjustment.
Thus to eliminate the error take an average of the difference in elevation
taken from 2 points.
From A the true difference = (b1-e)-a1
From B the difference will be= b2-(a2-e)
Therefore,
𝑏1−𝑎1 +(𝑏2−𝑎2)
𝑑=
2