ABSTRACT

Surveying or land surveying is a technique, profession, and science art of determination

the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distance angle between
them. In this experiment, levelling which is one of the branch of surveying is used to
establish Temporary Bench Mark(TBM) as a height references. Levelling is the
measurement of geodeticheight using an optical levelling intrument and a level staff or
rod having a number scale. To find Temporary Bench Mark, a tripod, two staff, two bubble
staff, auto level and measuring tape are used. Before that, a Bench Mark(BM) which
function as a permanent marking with an establish elevation(msl). After that, all the
equipment is set up for levelling purposes in a range of set perimeter for the targeted
point for establishing the TBM. It is desirable for TBM to be something that can be found
at a later time so that the elevations can be rechecked.
INTRODUCTION
Levelling refers to height measurements for representing the relative difference in height
(altitude) between various points on the earths surface. Common levelling instruments
include the spirit level, the dumpy level, the digital level, and the laser level.
In this practical session, we used traditional method of levelling where we need to
be in touch on the ground. So, basic equipments like tripod, auto level, staff, bubble staff,
and measuring tape are used. The purposes of doing levelling is to establish new vertical
control;Bench Mark(BM) and Temporary Bench Mark(TBM). Levelling also is done for
determining the height of discrete points and provide spot heights or contour on a plan.
Here we can said that it is important before any construction starts to make sure the land
is in level and doesn't have much difference in gradient. If it has, then foundation has to
be laid accordingly, so for this purpose levelling is carried out.
In order to calculate the heights of points a datum(reference level) is required. This is
usually the mean sea level. For this purpose, the use of Bench Mark is necessery, and this
is classified as follow:
Bench Mark(BM): OS Bench Marks are established by the Ordnance Survey to provide
height references. They are usually carved into stonework or other stable material that is
unlikely to be disturbed.
Temporary Bench Mak(TBM): A point of known height aove a pre-defined level. This level
is not absolute and is defned locally by the surveyor for the purpose of survey. Temporary
Bench Marks are often established around the survey site. TBM may be surveyed into the
Datum by levelling between the site TBM and an BM. TBM require to be stable. The main
site reference is often a steel pin set in a block of concrete but wooden pegs set in
concrete with a nail head providing the reference level are often used.It is good practice
to establish a number of TBM around the perimeter of a building site as a precaution
against the only site height reference being disturbed or dug up part way through the
contract.
The height of any target point is referred to as Reduced Level(RL) because it is reduced to
a known Datum.

Fig 1. Levelling line. For large areas

a
correction
is
required
for
curvature of the earth.

Level readings can be taken either from

one location or from various stations, if some points is not visible. Basic definitions that
should be considered are:
Backsight(BS) First staff reading after setting up the instrument. It is a reading of the
rod, taken when looking through instrument(level) back toward of known elevation
typically BM and TBM.
Foresight(FS) Last staff reading before moving to another location. It is taken when
looking through instrument forward toward a point of known elevation, typically TBM that
is establish by the surveyor.
Intermediate sight(IS) all readings taken that is not a BS and FS.

If
the

instrument is set up at one location only, there will just one BS, FS and a several IS.

Closed and open traverse: Always commence and finish a level run on a datum,
benchmark or known RL. This is what is known as a closed level traverse, and will enable
you to check the level run.
Closed level traverse: Series of level runs from a known Datum or RL to a known Datum
or RL. Misclosure in millimeter 24 x km
C
1
Know
n
Datu

Known
Datum

Closed loop level traverse: Series of level runs from a known Datum or RL back to the
known Datum or RL. Misclosure in millimeter 24 x km
B
M

SETU

SETU

C
1

C
2

SETU
SETU

TB

B
S

F
S

Open level traverse: Series of level runs from a known Datum or RL. This must be avoided
because there no cheked on misreading.

C
1

C
2

Know
n
Datu

C
3

Levelling of two points is performed in two steps:- FS and BS. The height differences, FS
and BS should be theoratically equal.
In taking the reading of measurement, we need to consider the misclosure. Misclosure is
the amount by which the measured height differences(

H meas

difference derive from the RL of the star finishing bencmark(

MISCLOSURE = (

H meas

H KNOW N

)-(

) differs from the known

H KNOW N

) :-

Small misclosure are expeted in a closed loop due to accumulation of error. If the
misclosure is small, it can be just adjusted whereas if the misclosure is large, so the
processed must be repeat. Misclosure also can be result from errors in published BM and
instability of BM. The aount of misclosure depend the accuracy of what we want to
achieve. To make sure of it, the misclosure should be within:Misclosure 12 K mm
Where K is the distance of the loop in km
For calculation, we used rise and fall method. It consists in determining the differences of
level between consecutive points by comparing each point after the first with that
immediately preceding it. The difference between their staff reading indicates a rise or a
fall according as the staff teading at that point is smaller or greater than the preceding
point. The RL of each point is then found by adding rise or subtractin fall to or from the
RL.
The
RF

method provides complete check on IS.

*Note:

Fall = FS- BS
Fall = IS- BS
Rise = BS- FS
RL = Previous RL + Rise
RL = Previous RL Fall