Birzeit University
Surveying I-ENCE 330
Chapter four
Leveling (1)
1
Point Levels (Heights or Elevations)
• Leveling: the process of determining point absolute heights, or height
differences between points. Or to find the vertical coordinate above or below
certain level called datum which is usually used to be the MSL.
• Vertical direction: it is the gravity direction taken towards the earth's centre
(plumb line), which is orthogonal to the horizontal direction.
We measure heights along that direction.
• The Geoid: is an equi-potential surface orthogonal to the gravity (vertical)
direction
• Mean sea Level (M.S.L): The datum for leveling – a horizontal surface
Approximates the Geoid.
Gravity (vertical) direction
Geoid
Apparent Sea Surface
Mean Sea Level (M.S.L)
2
Levels
Orthometric heights (h) (reduced level (RD)): distances determined
along the vertical direction measured from the M.S.L (approximating
the Geoid) to the point. It is (+ve.) if above the M.S.L, and (-ve.) if
below the M.S.L.
1 Earth Surface (Terrain)
2
Level of point 1
Level of point 2
h1 h2
Datum
Mean Sea Level (M.S.L)
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Determination of point elevations
Elevations can not be measured directly.
hA-B B
H.L. Plane
hA hB
(M.S.L)
hA = hB + hA-B
Thus: if hB is known
hA-B is measured
Then: hA can be determined.
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• Several ways could be used to determine the level:
– Chain surveying (slope distance and angle of inclination for
uniformly sloping ground, diff in elevation can be calculated)
– Barometric leveling: process of determining elevation by
measurement of atmospheric pressure (atmospheric pressure
decrease with increase in elevation). Not highly accurate.
– GPS leveling (signals received from orbiting satellites)
– Photogrammetric leveling- photographs from air plane
– Differential leveling: (highly accurate, using instruments called
level and leveling staff).
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DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Relations
H.I. = R + h
h = H.I. - R
hA-B
RA + hA = H.I.
RB + hB = H.I.
hA = hB + hA-B
= (hB + RB) - RA
hA-B = RB - RA
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DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING (instruments)
The Level
A level is the instrument used in differential
leveling to measure elevation or height difference.
Level consists basically of:
•A telescope for sighting Leveling Rods - Staffs
•Leveling device for maintaining the line of
sight in a H. Position. 7
Bubble tube
• It is used in many level to establish a horizontal line.
• in some level horizontality of the plane is accurately
controlled by another bubble that can be seen through
an eyepiece near the telescope. (Auxiliary bubble tube)
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Leveling in the Field
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Leveling Chaining
A hA-B
B
hB-C
hA = hB + hA-B C
K
hB = hC + hB-C hA
hB
hC = hK + hC-K hC
hK O
(M.S.L)
hK = hO + hK-O
hO = zero
C can be a BenchMark (B.M.)
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Benchmarks
• Benchmarks: permanent or
semi-permanent physical
mark of known elevation
made usually by the local
authority.
• It is set to provide a point of
beginning for determination Wall Benchmark
of elevations of other points. Road Benchmark
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Exercise
If:
hA = 214.55 m
RA= 2.15m, RB=1.09m
Determine:
hB, H.I.
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