University of Sharjah

College of Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Surveying Laboratory
Lab Report 6
Two Peg Test
Group: 3
Instructor: Eng. Shaymaa Kubeisy
Lab Engineer: Priya Kaimal
Course CRN: 0401225
Section 51 Tuesday
Fall 2016-2017

Lab Date: 1/11/2016 Submission Date: 8/11/2016

Name Student ID
Aisha Mohamed Abdullah U00036888
Roudha Al-Jassmi U14121880
Aisha Mohamed Almheiri U14121998
Fatima Jamous U14220038
Hiba Aatef U15100534
Table of contents

No. Titles & subtitles Page number

1 Cover page 1
2 Table of contents 2
3 Introduction 3
4 Objectives 3
5 Theoretical background: 4:
Overview 4
Definitions 8
Equations 9

6 Equipment 10
7 Procedure: 13:
*Layout 13
*Step by step procedure 14
8 Data sheet 15
9 Calculations and results 15
*scale calculations 18
10 Discussion 19
*sources of errors 19
11 Conclusion 21
12 References 22
13 Work division 23
14 Field book 24
Introduction

Leveling is a measurement process whereby the difference in height between two

or more points can be determined. This two peg test experiment is simple to
proceed. It is a test for error within a surveying level. This test gives a fairly
accurate check for the amount of collimation error, collimation error is the
difference between what the level hairs in the scope say is level, and what actually
level. This leveling applies a device truly horizontal lines, auto level to determine
the elevations, tripod, staff to take the readings, plump bob and steal tape to
measure the distance.

Civil Engineering Applications Of The Two Peg Test:

1- The test is a surveying operation carried out to determine if the leveling bubble
(bubble axis) and telescope line-of-sight (line of collimation) are parallel.

2- By this test, the work for establishing Temporary bench mark (TBM) can be
done.

3- Checking whether the instrument is in adjustment (Testing the level).

Objectives:
To calculate how much of error is in the level.
To learning how to perform the two peg test.
To calculate the x, y, and alpha by triangle similarity, to find the true
readings.
To be familiar with the errors in leveling and how to avoid them.
Theoretical Background:

Overview

Sources of errors have many different types, such as instrumental, personal or

natural errors. The Columination error is one of the instrumental errors. On an
adjusted instrument which should be correctly set up, the line of Sight(LoS) must
be horizontal and perpendicular to the vertical Axis (VA). If that didn't work this
way, then we have a collimation error, which means the LoS is inclined or
depressed with respect to horizontal, this introduces a rod reading error when
leveling.

Fig1- Collimation Error

The determination of the amount of error can be done by collimation check.The

error can be corrected by adjusting the crosshairs or applying it mathematically to
each reading.Or the error can be removed procedurally. Checking level test is
known as the two peg test, which determine the amount of error.
In order to know how to do this test, fix the instrument exactly midway between
the two points, the vertical error reading on the rod will be the same for each. After
that readings are taken at point A&B. Thus the difference in elevation between the
two points can be found by the following equation:
 H1 = Reading at A Reading at B
However, because the line of collimation is not perfectly horizontal the true
readings are:

True Reading at A = Reading at A e

True Reading at B = Reading at B e

Where (e) is the amount of error and thus H will be:

H1= (Reading at A e) - (Reading at B e)

We can notice that H is the same; because the level is exactly at the midpoint
between the two points. And e is the same in the two triangles because the angle
alpha is the same and the adjacent length is the same (That's the reason behind
placing the level exactly at midway between the two points).

Fig 2
Then the level is moved further away at an equal distance to the total length 4 m
from one of the points and new readings are taken at A&B.
 Fig3
The difference in elevation between the two points is:

H2 = Reading at A Reading at B

This time the true readings are:

True Reading at A = Reading at A x

True Reading at B = Reading at B y

Where,
X= amount of errors at A, in mm.
y= amount of errors at B, in mm.

H2= (Reading at A x) - (Reading at B y)

H is the same (H1= H2), however this is one equation with two unknowns, so
triangle similarity provides one more equation:
Y/(L1+L2) = x/L1

Where,
L1: the length between point A to the level.
L2: the length between point A and point B.
By finding x and y, the angle alpha which is the same in two cases cam be
calculated by the formula:

tan() = opposite/adjacent= x/L1=y/(L1+L2)

Definitions:

Horizontal surface:

- At the instruments axis, the horizontal surface is tangent to the level surface.
- Over short distance (<100m) the horizontal surface and the level surface will
coincide.
- For long leveling lines the effects of the gravity field must be considered.

Back sight (BS):

- The first reading from a new instrument stand point (i.e. Take the height to the
instrument).

Foresight (FS) :

- The last reading from the current instrument station (i.e. give the height to a
benchmark).

Two peg test :

- A test for error within a surveying level. This test gives a fairly accurate check for
the amount of collimation error. It is a surveying operation carried out to determine
whether the levelling bubble and telescope line of sight are parallel.

Collimation error:

-The difference between what the level hairs in the scope say is level, and what's is
actually level.

Line of sight (LOS):

-The line where the reading is taken from automatic level and it is the wrong
reading.

Line of collimation:

-The correct line for the automatic level that the reading should be read from.
 Alpha Angle ():

-The angle that is measure between the line of collimation and line of sight. And
by this angle the amount of errors is determined.

Datum:

-The reference line in which the measurements are based on.

HPC or the Height Of Line of Collimation Method:

-A horizontal plane with a known elevation set from the datum line which is used
in obtaining the height of any point needed.

Line of sight:

-The line in which the readings appear in.

Equations:

H = RA RB

E=(L/2)tan

x/L1=y/(L1+L2)

tan =( x/L1) =tan =y/(L1+L2)

Error= (H1-H2)mm/Lm
Scale = length on map / field length
Equipment:
Auto level(Topcon At.G6):

It is a professional leveling tool used by builders, land surveying professionals and

contractors to determine the elevation of certain point relative to the origin point by
taking readings from staff using Auto level.

Figure 4- Auto level.

Tripod:
Is a portable a three-legged frame can be made of different materials, it used to
hold the level instrument and plumb bob.

Figure 5: Tripod
 Staff(leveling rod)

Staff was used to take readings which helped us to determine the heights between
points. It placed on the point where I want to take the measurement vertically.

Figure 6: Staff

Marker:

A permanent marker consists of a container (glass, aluminum or plastic) and a core

of an absorbent material. It used to mark points in field.

Figure 7: Marker
 Steel tape:
A flexible tape it made from steel and marked by meter. It is used for measuring
distances.
Brand: yamayo yeron
Max length:30m and 50 m
Tape material: steel

Figure 8: steel tape

Plumb bob:

It hanged this equipment in a hook in tripod to find projection of auto level in the
ground which it used to find distance between level and our points. It is also helped
to find the horizontal distances between points. It consists of a weight usually with
a pointed tip on the bottom which is suspended from a string.

Figure 9: plumb bob

Procedure: Part 1: top view of the work area.
Part 2:
Step by step procedure:

How to adjust the tripod and the auto level (do it at every setup):
Unscrew the adjusting clamps to change the level of the device to an
appropriate one, then tighten the screws.
Align the tripod screw to the threaded hole in the auto level and tighten it to fix
the level on the tripod.
Adjust the level to make the line of sight horizontal, using the bubble and the
three screws in the bottom of the level.

1) Extend the steel tape on the ground and fix it.

2) Using a marker, mark points A, B, and C . (A is at the start, B in the end (two
points), and C, where CB = 1/10 AB, all on the same line).
3) The first distance was 40m which is line AB and the second distance which is
4m line BC.
3) The position of the first setup was in the middle of AB, to eliminate the constant
error, and then the readings of A and B were recorded. (Adjust the device).
4) The position of the second setup was at C. Readings of A and B were taken at
the second setup. (Adjust the bubble).
5) After recording the distances, errors can be calculated.
Data Sheet:
Set-up 1 Set-up 2
Peg A = 1.541 1 = 1.568
Peg B = 1.469 1 = 1.503
Difference 1 = 2 = 1
= 0.072 1 =0.065
Error 7
= 0.175/
40

Calculations, Analysis & Results:

Set-up 1:
1 =
1 =
1 = 1.541 1.469
1 = 0.072

=
=
where, e=error
so, 1 = ( ) ( )
since error of A = error of B,

= tan
2

Set-up 2:
1 = (1 ) (1 )
1 = (1 ) (1 ) (1)
 1 = (1.568 ) (1.503 )
= 11 (2)

substitute eq(2) into eq(1)

1 = (1 ) (1 11 )
1 = 1 1 + 11
1 = 1 1 + 10
1 + 1 + 1
=
10
1.568 + 1.503 + 0.072
=
10
= 7.0 104
= 11(7.0 104 ) = 7.7 103

correction:
1 = 1
1 = 1.568 7.0 104 = 1.5673

1 = 1
1 = 1.503 7.7 103 = 1.4953

1 = 1 1
1 = 1.5673 1.4953
1 = 0.072
Error:

tan =
4

7.0 104
tan =
4

= 0.01 degrees

From the triangle:

tan =
20
= 20 tan(0.01) = 3.5 103
= ( ) ( )
= (1.541 3.5 103 ) (1.469 3.5 103 )
= 0.072

Table of Results
before correction 0.072 m
after correction 0.072 m
E 3.5 103 m
X 7.0 104 m
Y 7.7 103 m
0.01 degrees
1 before correction 0.065 m
1 after correction 0.072 m
Error 0.175 mm/m
Scale calculations:

Scale = length on map / field length

So length on map = field length * scale

AB = 40m, CD= 4 m

AB on map = 40 m x (1/667) = 0.06 m = 6 cm

CD on map = 4m x (1/667) = 0.006 m = 0.6 cm
Discussion:
In the results, the error was found to be 0.175 mm/m, which is within the
acceptable range (not more than 1-3 mm/m, which means that the level used was
okay and doesnt need to be serviced.

Sources of errors:

Instrumental error:
These errors can be from the manufacturing of some equipment.
Maybe the level could have an error in its sensitive bubble.
The graduation in the staff and tape could be longer or shorter than the standard

How to avoid this type of error?

The instruments that are not overused will help to avoid this error.
Some devices should be serviced.

Personal error:
Using instruments in an incorrect way this cause errors
Adjusting bubble in wrong way.
The failure of keeping the tape straight.
Recording different values in wrong places and reading wrong.
Moving tripod will lead auto level to be unbalanced.

How to avoid this error?

Repeat the measurements and calculations
Improve the learning of how to use instruments
Natural error:
Obstacles in field prevent surveyor to do an accurate measurements
Temperature, gravity , wind can effect on reading and instruments.
Unsmooth areas on the field

How to avoid error?

Measure distance without going through obstacles
Try to choose flat area to take measurements
Try not to take measurement in environments where circumstances change.
Conclusion:
In addition to the errors discussed in previous reports, there may be an error in the
auto level device itself, that is, the line of sight makes an angle with the horizontal,
causing errors in reading. This kind of error can be detected by the two peg test.
The two peg test can find the amount of error in readings, and the angle the line of
sight makes with the horizontal, determining whether the device needs to be
serviced.
This experiment is about a lot of things: how to do the two peg test, how to reduce
the proportion of error, how the collimation error is related to distance between the
level and staff. Also, how to determine the collimation error and check if the
levelling is in the calibration. At the end, all members in our group were familiar
with the two-peg test and can find the collimation error easily if it exists.
References:

1- http://www.qs4freshers.com/use-of-level.html.

2- http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/line+of+collimation.

3- The instructor slides.

Work division:

Aisha M. Abdulla: Introduction, theoretical background

Aisha M. Almheiri: objectives, procedures.
Roudha: Data sheet, calculations.
Fatima: equipments, discussion, conclusion
Hiba: AutoCAD, editing and printing, revision of the report