CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Engineering Surveying CA3144 2014
Levelling
Gathering Venue: G/F Lift 7 Surveying Lab to pick up all necessary equipment from Mr.
Terence Lai (2788-7074) or contact CK Wong at 3442-6508.
Objectives:
1. To carry out levelling for the assigned level loop covering all required level stations,
2. To record all measurement data onto a booking form with upper stadia, mid-hair and
lower stadia readings up to the mm unit,
3. To check the total error in the measurement and determine whether (sum of back- sights
sum of foresights) is within an acceptable level 5 n mm where n is number of level
setup (different requirements specified in different standards for different purposes),
4. To adjust the heights of all level stations assuming the level of station L1 is +100.000 m
AOD.
Instrument:
1. Automatic Level
2. Tripod
3. Staff
4. Turning plate (optional in use)
5. Hand-held circular bubble
Scope of work:
1. Follow the site plan and instructors to locate all level stations L1-L8 and student groups
should start at different level stations (see table below) avoiding clash.
2. You may assume the level at level station L1 being +100.000 m AOD.
3. Staff readings MUST be less than 2.000m and all records in mm.
4. NO intermediate sight (IS) is allowed. Either backsight or foresight should be recorded.
5. The route to be taken for the level loop is assigned as follows:
Group
Route
Group
1,9,17
L1-L2-L3-L4-L5-L6-L7-L8-L1
5,13,19
2,10
L2-L3-L4-L5-L6-L7-L8-L1-L2
6,14,20
3,11,18 L3-L4-L5-L6-L7-L8-L1-L2-L3
7,15
4,12
L4-L5-L6-L7-L8-L1-L2-L3-L4
8,16,21
Note: 8 groups in classes T01 and T02 and 5 groups in T03

Route
L5-L6-L7-L8-L1-L2-L3-L4-L5
L6-L7-L8-L1-L2-L3-L4-L5-L6
L7-L8-L1-L2-L3-L4-L5-L6-L7
L8-L1-L2-L3-L4-L5-L6-L7-L8

Procedures:
1. Set up the Level and Tripod between two stations (e.g. between L1 and L2) where the
level location can sight two level stations simultaneously
2. Mount and fix the Level onto the Tripod firmly
3. Adjust the Tripod legs and then the levelling (finetune) footscrews to get exact horizontal
level by centering the level circular bubble
4. Place the Staff on top of a level station and adjust eyepiece and focus to have clear image

5. Sight the Staff from the level and record the backsight (BS) readings (Upper Stadia, MidHair, and Lower Stadia are all required) and check the readings (redo if necessary)
6. Place the Staff onto the next station and KEEP the Level and Tripod at the same position
7. Take and record the foresight (FS) readings (Upper Stadia, Mid-Hair, and Lower Stadia
are all required) and check the readings (redo if necessary)
8. Keep the Staff position and set up the Level and Tripod at next suitable position
9. Repeat carrying out the levelling work recording series of BS and FS readings in turn
until visiting all required level stations and CLOSE the loop at the original starting
station. Your last readings must be foresight
10. Calculate the closing error and report it to instructors in site before returning equipment
11. Calculate the difference in levels between the stations by the rise and fall method (or the
height of plane collimation) in the laboratory report
12. Determine the allowable and closing errors of the level loop in site (as reported to
instructors), adjust the errors and determine the reduced levels of all stations, and discuss
the accuracy achieved in the laboratory report.

Two used types of level station marks (not necessary given on ground)