Differential Leveling

Differential leveling is a technique used to determine differences in elevation between points that are
remote from each other. Differential leveling requires the use of a surveyor's level together with
graduated measuring rods. An elevation is a vertical distance above or below a referenced datum.
INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
Some of the basic components for leveling are a level, a tripod, rods, and accessories. A level has three major
components—a telescope, a level tube, and a leveling head. There are three types of levels used in differential leveling—
automatic, digital, and optical-micrometer.

AUTOMATIC LEVELS
An automatic level uses a gravity-referenced prism or a compensator to orient the line of sight automatically. The
instrument can be quickly leveled when a circular bubble level is used. When the bubble is centered, the compensator
takes over and maintains a horizontal line of sight. Automatic levels are quick to set up and easy to use and can obtain
precision. The use of an automatic level entails using a freely moving prism that is suspended by a fulcrum or wire as a
compensator. If the fulcrum or wire breaks, the instrument becomes useless.

LEVELING RODS AND ACCESSORIES

Leveling rods are manufactured of metal, wood, or fiberglass. They are graduated in feet or meters and can be read
directly to the nearest tenth of a foot or centimeter. For less precise work, an extendable or folding rod may be used. The
sole of the rods are made of a metal base, machined for accuracy. Precise rods have a built-in circular bubble level to
maintain the plumb of the rod. Placing the rod on a stable, consistent surface and maintaining plumb are keys to
completing accurate, differential-leveling measurements.

FIELD-PARTY COMPOSITION
The field party consists of four members—two rodmen, a level observer, and a recorder. The duties of each member are
identified as follows:

 Rodmen. The rodmen hold the level rod; hold the rod during readings in a plumb and steady vertical position;
place the rod in precisely the same position for the backsight as it was for the foresight; carry the rod carefully; and ensure
that the rod face, the sole of the rod, do not contact the ground or receive a sudden shock.
 Observer. The observer performs the observations (rod readings), is responsible for the care and condition of the
instrument and accessories, ensures that the maximum sight distance is not exceeded when moving the level from the
last foresight level rod to the next instrument setup, inspects the level tripod to ensure that all parts are secure and
adjusted properly, deliberately places the level to provide a stable platform, carefully levels the instrument and reads the
appropriate data, and never leaves the geodetic level unattended.
 Recorder. The recorder is responsible for all documentation during the survey; completes all note forms properly;
ensures that all requirements are satisfied; ensures that calculations and checks are performed without errors and
expeditiously and that all technical specifications have been satisfied; and prepares the description of BMs and any
supplemental vertical-control points.

NOTEKEEPING

Field survey notes are the record of work done in the field. They contain the complete graphic, written (or combination
thereof) survey records which depict each step of the survey. Field survey notes should be recorded on suitable forms,
special notebooks or in digital format. They should enable knowledgeable persons to interpret and use the survey and its
results, and to retrace the footsteps of the surveyor. Field notes are not an accessory to the survey; they are an integral
part of the survey. A survey is never completed until field notes are submitted, checked, and filed.

Field notes are important because:

Field notes perpetuate a survey even when stakes have rotted and monuments are obliterated. Good field notes make it
possible to re-establish lost monuments or other measured data. Conversely, incomplete, illegible or incorrect field notes
cause the time and money invested in the survey to have been wasted. Field notes of boundary or right-of-way surveys,
together with diaries and survey crew reports, are important documentation in court cases arising between the department
and landowners or contractors.
Field notes are the means of communication between field and office personnel. The office personnel should be able to
understand and process the data without needing additional explanations. In view of the importance of the field notes, the
duties of notekeeping should always be assigned to a knowledgeable member of the crew. The notekeeper should have a
thorough understanding of the purpose of the survey and the operations.

All written notes should be in BLOCK LETTERING…as such….

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Daily Entries – at the start of each day and on the opposite page, write the following…

Name of Survey
Date
Weather conditions
Names and today’s duty of each participant

Field notes should NEVER be erased. If an error is made, a single slanted line should be drawn through the error in a
fashion so that it still can be read.

SURVEY TERMS FOR NOTEKEEPING

Benchmark - A relatively permanent material object, natural or artificial, bearing a marked point whose elevation above or
below an adopted datum is known. Usually designated as a B.M.

Station or Turning Point – (STA) Identifies each point where a rod reading in taken.

Backsight - (BS) The reading of the leveling staff in its unchanged position when the leveling instrument has been taken
to a new position; a sight directed backwards to a station previously occupied.

Height of Instrument – (HI) The calculated height of the level eyepiece from the adopted datum. (ELEV + BS)

Foresight – (FS) The reading of the leveling staff in its new position when the leveling instrument has remained stationary
after taking a backsight; a sight directed forwards to a station previously unoccupied.

ELEVATION – (ELEV) The vertical distance above an adopted datum (sea level) to the bottom of the rod at ground level
at each station or turning point. (HI – FS)

STA BS HI FS ELEV

BM 6.12 100.00

106.12

1 4.71 101.41

2 3.65 102.47

3 7.36 98.76

3 2.89 98.76

101.65
 4 5.45 96.20

5 3.29 98.36

6 2.11 99.54

BM 1.63 100.02

Name______________________ SURVEY MATH

Directions: Set up the survey notebook properly. Use block lettering and numbering. Follow proper notekeeping
procedures. Use the following procedures…

1. Start at a BM with an elevation of 100 feet.

2. Make up only the Backsight and Foresight rod readings, place them in the correct locations on your notesheet,
and perform accurate calculations.

3. You must take a total of 15 readings, INCLUDING moving the tripod 4 times.

4. Your LAST reading will be back at the BM (with an original elevation of 100.00 feet). Adjust your rod readings to
end up with a final BM rod reading of 100.05.

5. This exercise simulates a closed traverse and tests your ability to properly take survey notes and
make accurate calculations.