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Levelling basics
The purpose of levelling is to obtain measurements of differences in elevation of objects that are not vertically above each other
Horizontal Line

B A
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Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. Principles Levelling instruments & adjustment Health & safety Exercises

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1. Principles
Earth curvature Refraction Instrument errors Elimination of errors

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Earth curvature
Plumb line at A A C B

Horizontal line at A
Plumb line at B

Line horizontal to earths surface

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Refraction
Vertical line at A Horizontal line at A

A
C B Line of sight from A

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Instrument error
alpha A
C B

alpha
Line of sight inclined by alpha

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Elimination of Errors
From the previous three slides it can be seen that a central set-up of the levelling instrument eliminates errors due to: 1. Earth curvature 2. Refraction 3. Instrument calibration error
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2. Levelling Instruments
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Spirit level. Optical level. Laser. Total station (three dimensional). GPS receiver (three dimensional).

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1D versus 3D
1. Complexity and cost of three dimensional instruments. 2. Earth curvature. 3. Refraction. 4. Residual instrument errors.

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Levelling methodologies
Spirit levelling Optical levelling Laser levelling

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Spirit level adjustment

Centralise the bubble in position A,B and mark B Turn the level 180 about A and mark C B is level with C

B
A

C Nail in hoarding or wall

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Spirit levelling
h4
h3
D
STRAIGHT EDGE SPIRIT LEVEL

Reverse the level each time Why?

h2
B

h1
A
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Optical and laser levelling

Setup 3
h6 h5
D

Setup 2 h4
C

h3 h2
B

Setup 1

h1
A
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A typical Level
Eyepiece
Focus Knob

Objective

Bubble

Foot screw Internal Vertical Reference

Line of Sight Slow Motion Dennison K.

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Pendulum Clock

O
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Level Check Basics

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Instrument Checks
It is advisable to check instruments at least weekly OR In accordance with your site quality assurance procedures

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View through telescope

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Level Check Basics

A
15 m. approx.

Elevation view
15 m. approx. B

POSITION 1
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Level Check Basics

Elevation view
15 m. approx. D C A B 15 m. approx. 1 m. approx.

POSITION 2
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Level Check Procedure

Elevation view A
15 m. approx. 15 m. approx. 1 m. approx.

D A

C B

POSITION 1

POSITION 2
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Check a Levelling Laser

The laser has two axes and both must be checked Mark the top of the laser as shown
C

This defines the two axes

Rotating Beam

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Check a Levelling Laser

If the laser plane is inclined there will still be one direction where it is level
C

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Laser Check Procedure

Elevation view A/B axis (A)
30m. approx. Tripod head must be level Max. diff. 3mm.

A B

B A

Repeat for the C D axis

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Pipe Laser Check

20 m. approx. Pegs at A and B must be level. Read the staves at A and B for each of the following gradients: - 0.1%, -1.0%, +0.1%, +1.0%

2 to 3 metres.

Set the Grade

A reading B reading actual (m)

+0.1% +1.0% -0.1%

-1.0%

theory (m)

0.002

0.200

-0.002 -0.200
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Plumb Laser Check

C A D
Observe the beam position at A, B, C, D. by marking a soffit, or reading a scale. The distances A-B and C-D should be equal, and 1 in (A-B)/(2*Z) must be within the laser tolerance. e.g. 1 in 10,000
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3. Health Safety & Security

Your equipment must not cause an obstruction. You must not put yourself or others in danger. Do not set up over loose materials or cables. Do not carry an instrument on a tripod. Keep all accessories within arms length. Do not leave equipment unattended.
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Laser Safety
Read and follow the manufacturers safety rules. 1. Do not set up the laser at eye height. 2. Blank off zones where the beam is not required. 3. Do not look into a laser beam with a telescope. 4. Avoid windows in adjacent buildings.

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4. Exercises
The following exercises have been designed to test your learning

1. 2. 3. 4.

A test on reading a levelling staff. An exercise Check a Level. An exercise Check a Laser. An exercise Undertake a level circuit.
2, 3, & 4, are group activities
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Bibliography

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Sadgrove, B.M. (2003). Setting-out procedures, 2nd edition (C707). CIRIA ISBN: 0-86017-707-6 . Non-member price: 40.00 Member price: 20.00
Davies, C. (1997). Land and Site Surveying Lecture Notes. Old Abbey Press ISBN: 0-95251-790-6. : 20.00 approx.

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THE END

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