Profile and

Differential Leveling
 Differential Leveling
• Importance of Leveling
– The determination of elevations is called leveling
– Measuring relative elevations changes is a
comparatively simply process
– Precise and accurate control of relative elevations
are critical to most construction projects
 Leveling
Definition and Types
• A surveying procedure used to determine
the elevation of points on the Earth’s
surface.

– Differential Leveling

– Profile Leveling
 Differential Leveling
Purpose is to determine the difference in
elevation between two (or more) points on the
Earth’s surface.

Difference?

A
 Where is Differential
Leveling Used?
• Determining field slope.
• Laying out and checking drainage ditches,
waterways, tile drainage systems, etc.
• “Cut-and-fill” requirements for building
foundations.
• Establish new “benchmarks” that have
elevations tied in with existing benchmarks.
 Profile Leveling
Purpose is to describe the elevation at selected
points on the Earth’s surface.
X X

X X X

X
X
X
X
X
A
 Where is Profile
Leveling Used?
• Developing field “contour maps.”
• Designing and checking grade for drainage
ditches and waterways.
• Laying out farm ponds.
• Road and highway construction.
 Leveling Equipment:
The Engineer’s Level
[Link] Level
– A level consist of a high-powered telescope
– The level is attached to a bubble level that
keeps the line of sight of the telescope
horizontal
Leveling Equipment:
The Engineer’s Level
• Telescope with “crosshairs.”
• Base plate – attaches level to
tripod.
• Leveling screws – allows
user to establish a “level line
of sight.”
• Level bubble – Instrument is
level when bubble is inside
target.
• Focusing knob
 Leveling Equipment:
The Engineer’s Level

3. Level Instrument
 Leveling Equipment:
The Engineer’s Level

Level Instrument

4.60

4.55 4.54
4.53 4.52
4.51
4.50
 Leveling Equipment:
Tripod and Leveling Rod
Reading the Leveling Rod

Hundredths (.01) of a foot

Tenths (.10) of a foot

Feet
1 .10
.08
.09
.07
.06
.05
.04

6
.02
.03
.01
6.00-ft.
Reading the Leveling Rod
Feet = 6
Tenths = .0
Hundredths = .09
Crosshair
Reading = 6.09 ft.
Reading the Leveling Rod

3
 Reading a Staff

• Read the [m], [dm] & [cm]

• Estimate the [mm]

1422
 Direct Differential Leveling
“What is the difference in elevation between two points,
Where both points can be “shot” from the same
location?”

6.45

A
Direct Differential Leveling

3.21

A
 Direct Differential Leveling
• Difference in Elevation
– Rod reading at A = 6.45
– Rod reading at B = - 3.21
Difference in elevation = 3.24-ft

Which point is higher, A or B?

A
 Leveling Terms
• Station (STA)
• Benchmark (BM)
• Backsight (BS)
• Height of Instrument (HI)
• Foresight (FS)
• Elevation (ELEV)
 Leveling Terms
• Station (STA)
– Point where the rod is placed for a
reading
– Stations typically use a “distance-
numbering” identification system:
• STA 0 + 00 = 0 hundred feet + 0 feet
• STA 2 +75 = two hundred feet + 75 feet
• STA 5 + 05 =?????????
 Leveling Terms
• Benchmark (BM)
– A point of known elevation used as a reference point
in a leveling survey.
– A BM has an accurately known elevation above
“mean sea level.”
– Established by a variety of government agencies.

• Temporary Benchmark (TBM) – Point of

“assumed” elevation. Commonly used in “on-
farm,” local surveys.
 Leveling Terms
• Backsight
– A rod reading taken on a point of
known elevation:
• BM
• TBM
• Turning Point (TP)
 Leveling Terms
• Height of Instrument (HI)
– Height (elevation) of the level’s line of
sight.
• HI = BS + Known Elevation
 Determining HI

HI = 100.00 ft + 4.35 ft = 104.35 ft

4.35

HI = Elev + BS

BM-1
Elev = 100.00 ft.
 Leveling Terms
• Foresight (FS)
– Rod reading taken on a point of unknown
elevation
• HI – FS = Elev
 Determining Elevation

HI = 104.35 ft 6.35

Elev = HI - FS

Elev = 104.35 ft. – 6.35 ft. = 98.00 ft.

 Leveling Terms
• Measures height differences between points
– Along a line
– Several points from one occupation

FS
BS
h = BS- FS
 Leveling Terms
• Elevation (ELEV)
– Vertical distance above “mean sea level”
of a point on the earth’s surface.
– Depending on purpose of survey, may be
determined to nearest:
.1 –ft
.01 – ft.
.001 –ft.
Differential Leveling Field Notes
STA BS HI FS ELEV Dist.
 Differential Leveling

3.21
TBM-1

BM-1

Elev = 1225.50 ft.

 Differential Leveling

3.01
TBM-1

BM-1 TP-1
 Differential Leveling

6.04

TBM-1

BM-1 TP-1
 Differential Leveling

0.28

TBM-1

BM-1
 Differential Leveling
6.45

TBM-1

BM-1
 Differential Leveling

10.98

TBM-1

BM-1 TP-2
 Differential Leveling

3.95
TBM-1

BM-1 TP-2
 Differential Leveling

5.36

TBM-1

BM-1 TP-2
 Basic Rules for Leveling
• Always start and finish a leveling run on a
Benchmark (BM or TBM) and close the loops
• Keep fore sight and back sight distances as equal as
possible
• Keep lines of sight short (normally < 50m)
• Never read below 0.5m on a staff (refraction)
• Use stable, well defined change points
• Beware of shadowing effects and crossing waters
 Error of Closure
• Difference in the “beginning” and “ending”
elevation of a known point.
• All surveys will have error.
• The question is, “How much error can we
tolerate in our survey?”
 Error Check
• Mathematical Error Check
Error of closure = |SBS - SFS|

• Allowable Error Check

– Depends on purpose of the survey
– Maximum feet of error based on distance

AE (ft)= (0.017, 0.035, 0.05) √ M (M in miles)

AE (mm)= (5, 8, 12) √ M (M in km)
Profile Leveling Field Notes
STA BS HI FS ELEV
 Simulated Profile Survey

5
4

TBM-A (Elev = 100.00)

 2
3

STA. 0+00
 5
9

STA. 1+00
4
6

STA. 1+35
2
3

STA. 2+00
9
7

STA. 2+00
0
4

STA. 2+75
0
2 STA. 2+95

1
1

STA. 2+95
12
9

8
Profile Leveling Field Notes
STA BS HI FS ELEV
 Procedure of leveling
1. The instrument must be check before use! (see
lecture)

2. The instrument and level must be stable settled-up

3. The bubble tube must be leveled before the reading

• Beware of sun exposure

• Ensure the instruments pendulum is in-limit

4. The instrument must be set up in the middle between

two staffs
• Prevents curvature effects
• If impossible, use the same distances, but opposite for
the next readings

5. You must not use the parallax screw between the

backsight and foresight readings
 Procedure of leveling
6. Readings must be taken 30-50 cm above the ground
• Surface refractions

• Beware also of temperature gradients (inside/outside

buildings) !!!!

7. Staff should be set up vertically

8. A change plate should be used

9. Leveling must be done in two opposite directions but the

same line (beware of gravity gradients)

[Link] should be calibrated, especially if INVAR

[Link] careful when crossing rivers (large water surfaces)

• Use “same-time” (mutual) observations

• Repeat it during different times of the day

 An Unhappy Surveyor

… having a 2 centimeter difference