LEVELLING

Levelling
• It is the procedure used to determine differences in elevation
between points that are remote from each other.
Uses of Levelling
• To find the elevation of given point with respect to some assumed
reference line called datum.
• To obtain cross section of roads, canals, and etc.
• To determine the cut and fill for engineering works.
• To establish point at required elevation respect to datum.
Parts of a Level
Instruments needed for Levelling
• Level
• Levelling Staff
Types of Level
• Dumpy Level
• Tilting Level
• Automatic Level
Dumpy Level
• It is a simple, compact and stable instrument. The telescope is rigidly
fixed to its supports. Hence it cannot be rotated about its horizontal
axis.
Tilting Level
• In this level, the telescope tilts about its horizontal axis hence it is
called a tilting level.
Automatic Level
• It is also known as self-aligning level. It is a recent development. The
fundamental difference between auto level and the other levels is
that the levelling is not manually done but it is levelled automatically.
It is achieved by inclination compensating device.
Types of Levelling Staff
• Self Reading Staff
• Target Staff
Self Reading Staff
Target Staff
Terms used in Levelling
• Level Surface
- It is the surface parallel to the spheroidal surface of the earth.
• Level Line
- Line lying in the level surface.
• Horizontal Plane
- Horizontal plane through a point is a plane tangential to a level surface.
• Horizontal Line
- It is a straight line tangential to the level line.
Terms used in Levelling
• Benchmark
- relatively permanent point of known elevation.
• Backsight
- a sight taken to the level rod held at a point of known elevation
• Height of Instrument
- the elevation of the line of sight of the telescope
• Foresight
- a sight taken on any point to determine its elevation.
Simple Levelling
• It is the simplest method used, when it is required to find the
difference between the elevation between 2 points.
Procedures in Simple Levelling
1. Set up the instrument.
2. Take the BS reading on BM.
3. Take the FS reading on Point A.
4. Compute difference in elevation of the two points
Differential Levelling
• This method is used to find the difference in elevation between points
if they are too far apart or the difference in elevation between them
is too much.
Procedures in Differential Levelling
1. Set up the instrument.
2. Take the BS reading on BM1.
3. Establish the TP, and take the FS reading.
4. Move the instrument, and set up again.
5. Establish the next TP, and take the FS reading.
6. Move the instrument, and set up again.
7. Repeat steps 5 to 7 until a foresight is taken on the last station.
Problem 1
• From the given data of a differential levelling as shown in the tabulation:
STATION B.S. F.S. ELEVATION
1 5.87 392.25
2 7.03 6.29
3 3.48 6.25
4 7.25 7.08
5 10.19 5.57
6 9.29 4.45
7 4.94

• Find the difference in elevation of station 7 and station 5.

• Find the difference in elevation of station 7 and station 4.
• Find elevation of 3.
Profile Levelling
• The process of determining differences in elevation along a fixed line
at designated short measured along a fixed line at designated short
measured intervals
• Intermediate foresights are taken where necessary to portray
accurately the existing ground surface along the route surveyed
Problem 1
• From the given data from profile levelling, determine the following:
STATION BS FS IFS ELEVATION
BM1 2.32 328.70
1 1.7
2 2.2
3 1.2
4 0.9
TP1 2.77 3.43
5 2.2
6 3.7
7 1.6
BM2 3.06
• Elevation of BM2
• Elevation of TP1
Problem 2