Surveying--I

Surveying
CE
CE--205 (T)

Trigonometrical Leveling
Lecture 6

Department of civil engineering

UET Peshawar

Lecturer
Engr. Muhammad Rizwan
1
 Trigonometrical Leveling
• Trigonometrical Leveling is a branch of leveling in
which the relative elevations of different stations are
determined from the observer vertical angles and
known horizontal distances.

• The vertical angle may be measured by means of a

theodolite and the horizontal distance can be measured or
computed.

• For rapid leveling or leveling in rolling ground or for

inaccessible points, trigonometric method of leveling is being
used.

2
 Indirect Leveling
• Let P be a point of known
elevation and Q a point, Q
R’
the elevation of which is to
be determined. β
P’
H
α Level
α =LQPR = vertical angle measured R Line
at P.
Q’
D=PQ’=horizontal distance between P D
P and Q.
With out sensible error PR=PQ’ and
LQPR = 90o
Then QR= PR tan QPR= D tan α

• When distance is great.

Combined correction for
curvature and refraction must be
applied
Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 3
 Indirect Leveling
• The correction for
Curvature and Refraction Q
R’
β
P’
RQ’ = R’P’ = 0.0637(D/1000)2 H
• The Correction is Additive when α Level
the measured angle is an Angle R Line
of Elevation (+ angle) and Q’
Subtractive when it is an angle P D
of Depression (- angle).

• The difference in elevation

(H) between P and Q is
H = QR+RQ’
= D tan α + 0.0673 (D/1000)2

Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 4

 Procedure
• Suppose a line of Indirect levels is to be run between
two points A and B, whose elevation is to be
determined.

A O1 C O1 D E B

D1 D2 D3

β1 C’’
A’’
H1 α1
O1 C’
A’

A D2
D1
Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 5
 Procedure
1) Setup the theodolite at some convenient positions O1 on the
line approx midway.
2) Measure vertical angle α1 to A and horizontal distance D1
(O1C).
3) Measure the vertical angle β1 to C and horizontal distance D2
(O1D).
4) Shift the instrument and set it up at O2.
5) Measure the vertical angles to C and D and horizontal
distances.
6) Continue the process until B.
7) The different in elevation between A and C
H = AA’+CC‘ = (AA’’- A’’A’)+(CC’’+ C’’C’)
From fig AA’’=D1 tan a1 , CC’’=D2 tan b1 A’’A’ = C’’C’ and D1
and D2 aprox equal
H1= D1 tan α1 + D2 tan β1
And similarly H2= D3 tan α1 + D4 tan β1 and so on.
Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 6
 Methods
• Several methods of angular leveling available for
determining the elevation of a particular points
such as top of chimney, building, hill etc.

• Method 1 : Base of an Object Accessible

• i.e the distance from the instrument station to the
base of the object can be measured or obtain by
calculation e.g top of a parapet wall.
P

h
H
A α
h3

BM A’
D 7
 Method 1 : Base of an Object Accessible
P

h
H
A α
h3

BM A’
D
H = height of object above BM
h = height of object above instrument station.
h3 = staff reading on BM
α = vertical angle observed from instrument station
D = distance in m measured from instrument stations to
base of object

Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 8

 Method 1 : Base of an Object Accessible
P

h
H
A α
h3

BM A’
D
Then h = D tan α
H = D tan α + h3

R.L of object = R.L of B.M + H

= R.L of B.M + D tan α + h3
When distance D is largo the correction for curvature and
Refraction 0.0673 (D/1000)2 may be applied.

R.L of object = R.L of B.M + D tana + h3 + 0.0673 (D/1000)2

Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 9
 Method 1 : Base of an Object Accessible
P

h
H
A α
h3

BM A’
D
R.L of instrument axis = R.L of B.M + Backsight

• If R.L of Instrument station is known, the elevation or R.L of

instrument axis can be obtain by adding the H.I of instrument to
R.L of Instrument station.
• H.I meant the vertical distance from the instrument station(top of
peg) to the center of object glass.
Can be obtain :1) measuring it vertically with a steel tape
2) reading staff reading through the object glass
held near to the eye piece.
R.L of inst. Axis = R.L of inst. Station + H.I
Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 10
 Example
• A vane 4m above the foot of a staff was sighted at appoint 2000m
away from instrument. The observed angle of elevation was 2o
30’, the R.L of instrument axis is 100.75, considering curvature and
refraction correction, find the elevation of the staff station.
• Solution:
h = D tan a P
h = 2000 x tan 2o30’ = 87.40 m 4m
Correction for curvature and h
refraction = 0.0673 (D/1000)2 = 0.27 m
A α= 2o30’ R.L = 100.75
Height of staff vane above inst. Axis
= 87.40 + 0.27 = 87.62 m
R.L of staff vane = 100.75 + 87.62
A’
= 188.42 m D =2000 m
R.L of staff Station = 188.42 – 4
= 184.42 m

Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 11

 Method 2 : Base of an Object Inaccessible
• i.E the distance from the instrument stations to the base of
object cannot b measured.
• Two Instrument stations in the vertical plane through the
elevated object.
• In this method two stations A and B are selected on a fairly
level ground so as to lie in a vertical plane passing through the
object (inline with the object) and the distance between
them is accurately measured. P

B’ β A’ α
h3

BM B A
b D
Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 12
 Method 2 : Base of an Object Inaccessible
(A) Instrument axis at the same level

h = D tan α1 = (D + b) tan α2
( tan α1 – tan α 2 ) D = b tan α 2
D = b tan α 2 / ( tan α 1 – tan α 2 ) …………………… (A)
And h = D tan α 1
h = (b x tan α 1 x tan α 2 ) / ( tan α 1 – tan α 2 ) …………… (B)
h = b x ( sin α 1 sin α 2 / sin(α 1- α 2)) P

B’ α2 A’ α1
h3

BM B A
b D
Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 13
 Method 2 : Base of an Object Inaccessible
(B) Instrument axis at the different levels
• It is very difficult to setup the theodolite exact at the same
level at both stations.
• The usual practice is to set up the instrument over the stations
and determined the elevation of inst. Axis at each station.
• The formula A and B may be used with little modification.

hd E B’ α2 α1
A’
C

BM B A
b D
Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 14
 Method 2 : Base of an Object Inaccessible
(B) Instrument axis at the different levels

B’E = hd cot α2

The distance at which the axis are at the same level is equal to
( b +hd cot α2 ) and this value is substituted in equation A and B

D = (b ± hd cot α 2) tan α 2 / ( tan α 1 – tan α 2 )

h = ((b ± hd cot α 2) x tan α 2 / ( tan α 1 – tan α 2 ) ) x tan α 1

.
P

hd E B’ α2 α1
A’
C

BM B A
Lecture 6 b D Trigonometrical Leveling 15
 Method 2 : Base of an Object Inaccessible
(c) Instrument axis at very different levels.
Let A and B be the two stations and P the object

ha
A’ α2

hb
hd
A
α2
B’

b D
B 16
 Method 2 : Base of an Object Inaccessible
P
(c) Instrument axis at very different levels.
ha
A’ α1

hb
hd
A
α2
B’

b D
B a
.The height of station A above
S instrument axis at B
is b x tan α3 – S
A
B’ α3
.The height of instrument axis at A’
above the instrument axis at B’
is b x tan α3 – S + h’
B b 17
 Method 2 : Base of an Object Inaccessible
(c) Instrument axis at very different levels.
The height of station A above instrument axis at B
is b x tan α3 – S
The height of instrument axis at A’ above the instrument axis at B’
is b x tan α3 – S + h’

hd = b tan α3 – S + h’ P

ha= D tan α1 and hb = D + b tan α2 ha

A’ α2

hb
hd
A
α2
B’

b D
B 18
 Method 2 : Base of an Object Inaccessible
(c) Instrument axis at very different levels.
But hd= hb – ha
D = (b x tan a1 – hd) / (tana1 – tan a2)
ha = ((b x tan a1 – hd) / (tana1 – tan a2) ) x tan a1

R.L of object P = R.L of inst. Axis at A’ + ha

= R.L of inst. Axis B’ + (b x tan a3 – S + h’) + ha P

ha
A’ α2

hb
hd
A
α2
B’

b D
B 19
 Example
• To determine the elevation of top of aerial pole, the following
observations were made
• Station A and B and top of aerial pole are in the same vertical
plane. Distance between A and B = 30 m.
Inst. Station Reading on Angle of Remarks
BM Elevation
A 1.377 11o53’ R.L of B.M=
B 1.263 8o5’ 30.150 m

• Solution:
P

hd B’ A’ α1
α2

BM B A
b D
20
 Example
• Solution:
• R.L of Inst. Axis at A’= 30.150 + 1.377 = 31.527m
• R.L of Inst. Axis at B’= 30.150 + 1.263 = 31.413m
• Difference in elevation between the arises= hd = 31.527 – 31.41
= 0.114 m
The correction applied is ( b - hd cot α2 )
hd cot α2 = 0.114 x cot 8o5’= 0.803 m
Height of top of aerial pole above inst. axis at A’ (both at same level)
ha = (b x tan α 1 x tan α 2 ) / ( tan α 1 – tan α 2 )
ha = ((b-0.803) x tan α 1 x tan α 2 ) / ( tan α 1 – tan α 2 )
ha = 12.75 m P
R.L of Aerial pole = 31.527 + 12. 75 = 44. 277 m
ha

hd B’ A’ α1
hb
α2

BM B A
b D 21
 Method 3 : Two Instrument Stations A and B not in the

Same Vertical Plane as the Elevated Object

ha = AC tan α P
hb = BC tan β
hb
Using sine rule
ha
β
BC = b x sin Ѳ/ sin((pi – (Ѳ -+ø )) B’ P1
P2
AC = b x sin ø / sin((pi – (Ѳ + ø )) C
α
B ø Ѳ

R.L of P = R.L of Inst. Axis at A + ha A’

= R.L of inst. Axis at B + hb
A

Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 22

 Assignment

• Instrument axis at very different Level.

• Two Instrument Stations A and B not in the Same

Vertical Plane as the Elevated Object.

• Example 1 to 7 page 581

Lecture 6 Trigonometrical Leveling 23

 References
• Surveying & Leveling (part 1) by T P Kanetkar & S V Kulkarni
(Part 1)

Lecture 5 Leveling