Topography.

Research Leveling
 Index

Introduction
Objective....................................................................................................................................................3
Description.............................................................................................................................................. 3
Methodology............................................................................................................................................. 4
Definition of the objective:.....................................................................................................................4
Selection of instruments:................................................................................................................ 4
Establishment of benchmarks:.......................................................................................... 5
Measurement of reference heights:.....................................................................................................6
Establishment of the leveling line:........................................................................................ 7
Leveling measurements:.................................................................................................................9
Data registration:............................................................................................................................ 10
Types of procedures:..................................................................................................................11
Presentation of results:..............................................................................................................15
Conclusion
References.............................................................................................................................................16
 Introduction
The topographic leveling is a fundamental technique in topography that is used for
determine the height differences between points on the ground. This technique is essential in
the planning and design of the project. This research aims to analyze the
different leveling models, as well as the instruments that are used.

In this research, we will talk about leveling and its various methods that
they exist.

Objective
The objective of this research is to understand the topographic leveling, as it is a
altimetric method, its objective is to obtain the elevation of one or several points, through
topographical observations such as: angles, elevations, distances, and a set of
measurements and calculations to provide a point of elevation in relation to a reference plane,
That is to say, these measurements and calculations allow us to determine and know the elevations of the points.

of the land and its level difference.

 Descripción
The topographic leveling is a process that determines the height or depth.
from a point with respect to a reference surface, generally the mean level of the
The topographic leveling is used to obtain information about the relief and the shape.
of the land, as well as to carry out engineering, architecture, surveying, and
cartography.

There are different types of topographic leveling according to the method and the instrument used.
employees. The most common are geometric leveling, trigonometric leveling and the
leveling by GNSS. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages regarding
precision, speed and difficulty. (C, 2017)

Geometric leveling is the most precise method and consists of measuring the difference in
height between two points using an optical or electronic level and a graduated sight. The
Trigonometrical leveling is a faster method and is based on measuring distance.
horizontal or inclined between two points and the vertical angle formed by the line of sight and
the horizontal. GNSS leveling is a method that uses satellite signals to
obtain the three-dimensional coordinates of a point, but it has lower precision and
it depends on the weather conditions.

Methodology
A leveling methodology consists of several parts that describe the steps.
and procedures necessary to carry out leveling with precision.

Definition of the objective:

The purpose of the topographical leveling is to determine and establish height differences.
or elevation between points on a terrain. It is used to create accurate topographic maps and
to obtain altimetric data necessary in various fields, such as civil engineering,
architecture, road construction, cartography, among others.
This is achieved through the use of leveling instruments, such as a surveyor's level or
automatic level, to measure the relative heights of different points in relation to a
known reference.

Some of the objectives of topographic leveling are:

Determine the elevation of a point in relation to a known reference.
Establish the slope or inclination of the land between different points
Identify and map changes in land elevation
Facilitate the design and construction of leveled structures
 ●Perform altimetric measurements for the establishment of terrain profiles

Selection of instruments:
Here are specified the necessary instruments to carry out the leveling. These
they can include an optical level, water level, laser level, digital level or other equipment
specialized according to the project requirements.
Optical level: The topographic level, also called optical level, engineer's level or
level meter, it is an instrument that aims to measure differences in height between
points located at different heights or the transfer of levels from one known point to another
unknown
Water level: It is a siphon that uses two or more parts of the surface of the liquid water to
establish a local horizontal line or reference plane. It is used to determine the
apparent inclination of an object or surface and to align the elevations of the level
of water in places that are too far apart for them to reach a level of
bubble
It allows us to obtain a benchmark for the new structure we are in.
installing and thus verifying that we position everything at the same level.
Laser level: A laser level is an electronic tool for surveying and construction.
that serves to determine leveling in a horizontal as well as vertical laser plane
to be mounted on a tripod. The laser beam is projected from a rotating head with
a mirror to sweep the beam in a vertical axis. If the mirror is not self-evaluated, the
The instrument normally has adjustable screws to orient the projector.
Digital levels are instruments for the direct measurement of angles with
high precision. These are electronic levels whose positioning index is a
pendulum or disc, connected to the support base, that acts on an electronic system
inductive or capacitive, generally in a differential form, resulting in a signal that,
properly treated, marks the angular position of the level. Digital levels usually
to have two sensor elements connected to the same measuring scale to work
with the difference between their indications, thereby eliminating errors arising from
vibrations or alterations of another kind.

Establishment of benchmarks:
In the process of leveling a land, the establishment of reference points is a
crucial stage. It consists of selecting and marking fixed and stable points on the ground that
they will serve as the basis for height measurements and level reference. These points of
references are used for two things:

Starting points
2. Arrival points for leveling.

It is important that when establishing

reference points in a plot of land are taken in
tell the following process, all for
guarantee a good reference.

Selection of suitable points.

Physical marking of the points.
3. Measurement of reference heights.
4. Registration and documentation.
5. Verification and validation.
1. Selection of suitable points:
The selected points must be stable and
not subject to movements or significant changes in their elevation. Furthermore, they must
be easily accessible to allow for precise and repeatable measurements in the future.
2. Physical marking of the points:
The placement of stakes, nails, permanent reference points or others
elements that are visible and durable. The marking must be sufficiently
clear and durable to withstand environmental conditions and the passage of time.

3. Measurement of reference heights:

Once the reference points are marked, their height or elevation is measured.
in relation to a known benchmark or a level reference
established.

4. Registration and documentation:

Properly record and document the location and heights of the points of
established reference.
5. Verification and validation:
Once the reference points are established, a verification is carried out.
checking of its stability and accuracy. This involves taking measurements
 repeated at the reference points to ensure that the heights are
consistent and there are no significant changes.

Measurement of reference heights:

At this stage, the height of the reference points is measured using the instrument.
selected. The proper reading and adjustment procedures must be followed to
obtain accurate measurements.
The level differences between two points are generally measured with a device.
level call. It is called that because it defines a perfectly horizontal line. The level of
each point is measured based on its vertical distance above or below it
horizontal line.

The levels with a sight are always used together with a vertical graduated scale that
measure the height of the view in each season.

Unamira graduates a ruler endowed with a vertical scale.

graduate. There are several models that can be purchased or can
to be manufactured by oneself (see the following points). The sights
Graduated rulers usually measure between 2 to 5 meters in length, they are foldable.

telescopic and made of wood covered with plastic or

Aluminum. The graduated scales for self-reading are normally
graduated in meters, decimeters, and centimeters. These graduations
they are written backwards so that they can be read with the telescope.
The tablilla calling mirror incorporates a mobile 'white' with a
reference line that can be placed at a given height.

Establishment of the leveling line:

In order to carry out a topographical leveling, it is necessary to draw a line, whose

The realization will be helpful in all the work. The leveling line appears on a plane or
on a map to those points that have the same elevation, that is, that have the same
altitude, with respect to a reference plane. Within the set of contour lines, there
master lines that correspond to a representative elevation, being given the
in the case that there are several normals between two main lines.

Here it describes how to establish a leveling line through the points of

reference. This can be done using a leveling sight, a graduated ruler or
a geometric leveling procedure.

A leveling line is carried out from different leveling sections by difference.

of readings obtained with a level or altimeter, between two Geodetic Stations
Verticals (EGV) or Level Banks (BN); generally, these linear developments are of
more than 50 km. A set of sequential EGV or BN forms a leveling line.

The elevation observations read with the equi-altimeter or level are carried out with support from
a graduated sight. The determination of differences in elevation between sections comes from the

difference in accumulated readings (outbound and return).

The EGMs that are measured are 1 km apart in coastal areas and within
population centers, while for the rest of the territory they are made
approximately every 2 kilometers.
The EGVs have an adjustable height and are known at the exact point where it was
placed the altimeter (predefined brand on a metal plate).

The leveling line is determined depending on the method used; and is characterized
Since it is normal to the direction of gravity at its points, therefore the level line is
every line that belongs to a surface.
To establish a topographic measurement line, a method must be followed that ensures
the precision and accuracy of the obtained data. A possible method is the following:

Select a reference point or baseline that has a known location.

and stable.
Measure the horizontal distance and the horizontal angle from the base point to the
point where the measurement line is to be established.
Place a stake or marker at the point where you want to establish the line
measurement, ensuring that it is aligned with the baseline and the measured angle.
Repeat the process for each point where a line is to be established.
measurement, forming a network of points connected by straight lines.
Verify that the measurement lines form right angles to each other, using a
compass or a more precise measuring device.
●Record the distance, angle, and elevation data of each point and line
measurement, using a field notebook or an electronic device.

This method is based on the principles of planimetry and sectioning, which are
common techniques in topographic surveying.

Leveling measurements:
It explains how leveling measurements are performed along the established line.
This may involve reading the heights of the points at regular intervals or in
specific points of interest.
To carry out leveling measurements, it is important to emphasize that there are 2
methods:

A. Indirects: Trigonometric leveling and Barometric leveling.

a) Trigonometric leveling:
It is used in the determination of heights or differences in elevation between points based on

In trigonometry, it is therefore necessary to know the horizontal distances.

and verticals between the instrument station and the point under study, as well as
the horizontal angle and the zenith angle obtained by aiming at the point. The
trigonometric leveling is more advantageous to apply to very uneven terrain
accidented, mountainous and wooded areas where the use of the level is made
embarrassing since the land would have to be divided into squares and a number would have to be made

considerable plants of the level, while with the theodolite it is taken

simultaneously the radiations and elevations.
 b) Barometric leveling:
This type of leveling is for exploratory and reconnaissance uses in
mountainous areas this with the use of the barometer, an instrument that considers
the atmospheric pressure, which varies during the day and even at night
the one that makes this type of leveling not exact.

[Link]: Differential or geometric leveling.

a) Differential or geometric leveling:
It consists of measuring vertical distances and elevations directly,
It is carried out with the aim of establishing control points through the
shift of a benchmark, understood as such the operations,
aimed at obtaining the elevation of a specific point
starting from another known, geometric or differential leveling is classified
in simple and compound
1. Differential leveling or simple geometric leveling:
Simple leveling is that in which from a point or a single
position of the device, the heights or elevations of the
different points that we wish to level in this are situated at the level in the
the most convenient point that offers better conditions of
visibility the first reading is done on the stay placed in the
stable and fixed point that is taken as BM which can be known
or assumed.
2. Differential or composite geometric leveling:
This leveling is the same as the simple one, the only difference is that the
the device will be planted more than once. And consequently the height of
instruments will be different each time this type is changed
leveling is carried out when the land is quite uneven and
visual exceedances of 200 m, in other words the leveling
composed is a series of simple levels tied together
by change or link points of the device.

Data registration:

It outlines how leveling data is recorded and documented, including the heights.
measurements, the readings of the instrument, the location of the points and any other
relevant information. Field records, spreadsheets, or
software used for data recording
When leveling work is done, the most important part is clarity and order.
that is present in the presentation of the data collected in the field with the aim of
any person with topographical knowledge can interpret them and carry out the
necessary calculations

FIELD RECORDS
Field notes are the only permanent record of the topographical work that is carried out.
In a place, if they are complete or incorrect, or if they were to be destroyed, a large part could be lost.
of the time spent making precise measurements. Therefore, the work of the person in charge of
Field recording is often the most important and difficult in a brigade.

Spreadsheets: programs that

allow for mathematical calculations;
simple operations up to
complex calculations, create graphs and
organize data

Types of procedures:
Triangulation leveling: This
method uses vertical angles
measured with a theodolite and
measured horizontal distances
 with a tape measure or electronic measuring equipment. With this data, you
they can calculate the elevation differences between the points.

● Geometric leveling or direct leveling: It is the most common method of leveling.

It is based on the use of an engineer's level or an automatic level to measure the
elevation differences directly between the points. A line is established.
reference leveling and the relative elevations of the points are measured in
relationship with that line.

● Compensation leveling: This method uses an automatic level equipped with

a compensator to ensure that the instrument is always leveled, even if
it is located on uneven ground. It allows for a series of measurements to be taken in
different points without having to level the instrument each time.

● Barometric leveling: This method is based on the measurement of pressure.

atmospheric to determine elevation differences. A barometer is used.
to measure atmospheric pressure at different points, and then formulas are applied
and corrections to convert these measurements into height differences.

● GPS leveling (Global Positioning System): GPS can be used

to determine the geographical coordinates and the elevation of a point in a way
precise. Through the use of high-precision GPS receivers, it is possible to perform
elevation measurements with great accuracy at different points.

● Fixed level leveling: Fixed level leveling is a method used in

topography and construction to determine the elevation of points on a land
precise and uniform way. In this method, a fixed reference level is established,
known as 'reference level' or 'benchmark', to which a
known height.

The main thing done in leveling by fixed level is:

Preparation and configuration of the equipment: It is ensured that the optical level is at
good operating conditions. The lenses are cleaned and checked that
the leveling bubbles are centered. In addition, the level is calibrated by adjusting the
hair reticle or crosshair to ensure measurement accuracy.

Establishment of a reference point: A reference point is selected.

known with a known height or elevation. This can be a control point
previously established.
Instrument leveling: The optical level is placed on a tripod in a location
suitable and is leveled using the integrated leveling bubbles in the
instrument. The tripod legs are adjusted until the bubbles are
centered, which ensures that the instrument is level and perpendicular to the plane
vertical.

Relative height measurements: The optical level is aimed at the reference point and
the reading of the sight placed at the reference point is recorded. This reading is
take the height as a reference. Then, the optical level moves to the points of
successive interest and readings are taken from the sights placed on each of them.

Calculation of elevation differences: Using the relative height readings and the
reference height, it
they calculate the differences of
elevation between the points of
interest and the point of
reference. This is achieved
subtracting the height of
reference of the readings of
relative height taken in
each point. The result is the
elevation difference between the point of interest and the reference point.

Registration and documentation: It is registered and

carefully document all the

measurements and calculations made during
the leveling by fixed level. This includes the
readings of the sights, the relative heights,
the elevation differences and any
other relevant information.

● Hose leveling:
Hose leveling is a simple and economical method used in
construction to achieve an approximate leveling of a terrain. This method is
especially useful in gardening, landscaping, or small construction work
where extreme precision is not required.

The main thing that is done in hose leveling is:

Equipment preparation: A set of specialized equipment is required, which
it includes a transparent hose, a bubble level or water level and a
barometer. It is important to ensure that the equipment is clean and in good condition
operating procedure before starting the process.

Establishment of a reference point: A reference point is selected.

known with an elevation or height known. This can be a control point
previously established or an established reference.

Measurement of reference height: The hose is filled with water to a certain level.
and ensures that there are no air bubbles present. The hose is placed
vertically at the reference point and the water height is adjusted to be
at the reference level. The water height in the hose is recorded as the
reference height.

Relative height measurements: The hose moves to the points of interest.

successive and the water level is adjusted to match the ground level at
each point. The height of the water in the hose at each point is recorded as the
height in relation to the reference point.

Registration and documentation: All are carefully recorded and documented.

measurements taken during the leveling by hose. This includes the height of
reference, the heights.

Calculation of elevation differences: Using the reference heights and the

recorded heights, the elevation differences between the points are calculated
interest and the reference point. This is achieved by subtracting the reference height from the
relative heights taken at each point. The result is the elevation difference
between the point of interest and the reference point.
Accuracy analysis:
It discusses how the accuracy of leveling measurements is evaluated. This may include
error analysis, redundancy checks, or comparisons with measurements of
control.

Precision refers to the degree of dispersion or agreement of a set of values.

obtained from repeated measurements of the same magnitude taken under equal conditions
conditions. the smaller the dispersion between the observations. The greater is the
precision. This prediction will mainly depend on the instrument and the method used.
For example, it is not the same to measure the hypotenuse of the right triangle directly.
with a graduated tape measure to measure the other two sides with a graduated tape measure
centimeter and then calculate the side in question. In the first case, we have an instrument
more precise (due to better appraisal) and the measurement method (direct) makes the
errors do not propagate as in the second case. In addition to the instrumentation and the method,
The accuracy of any measurement will also depend on the context or conditions.
general conditions under which the work is carried out.

Presentation of results:

Finally, the methods used to present the results are explained.

topographic leveling. This may include the generation of elevation profiles, maps of
contour, technical reports or other presentation formats according to the requirements of
project. The method we have used to
obtaining the leveling of the land is with a
reference metro, being this our
horizontal line and starting point and next
with a leveling hose and a
leveling instrument, marking the height at each meter.

In this way, we realized that the

the lowest point of the land was located
only 9 cm below the reference meter, for
we came to the conclusion that the
the land was very slightly sloped.

Conclusion
Finally, after this little research, we realized that the
importance of leveling our land, as it is a very
It is easy to know the different characteristics of the surface we are on.
working. In this way, performing different calculations and activities such as the
water evacuation pending, pipe unevenness, etc.; it will be much more
easy to determine.

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