Submitted by: Yumul, Khiel S.

Submitted to: Engr. Genesis A. Casiño

 What is a Dumpy Level?
The dumpy level (also known as automatic level) is an optical
surveying leveling instrument that consists of a telescope tube
firmly secured in two collars attached to the stage by the vertical
spindle by adjusting screws.

Dumpy level's telescope can only rotate in a horizontal direction.

Dumpy level is used to measure the relative elevation of various
points on a surveying land. William Gravatt, an English civil
engineer, is credited with inventing the dumpy level. In 1832, he
developed the dumpy level while using the traditional Y level.

Parts of Dumpy Level

Gunsight Target
Ray Shade
Telescope
Object Glass
Prism
Eyepiece
Bubble Tube
Horizontal Drive Screw
Horizontal Circle

Tribrach Levelling Head

Trivet Levelling Screws

Tripod

Focusing Knob
 Parts of Dumpy Level
1. Telescope
The telescope is used to measure distant objects in the line of
sight. The telescope is generally connected with vertical spindle,
facilitating telescope to be movable in various directions.
Telescope comprises of various parts, all the parts are described
below.

• Eye Piece: It comprises of a magnifying glass and is primarily

used by the observer.
• Objective Piece: it is placed at the farther end of eyepiece. It
comprises a convex lens and a concave lens.
• Diaphragm: Provided in the outline of the eyepiece with the
cross of dark metal. They are provided to bisect object.
• Focusing Screw: They are meant to align the focus and image
clarity of the object.
• Ray Shade: Prevents sunlight from entering the objective
lens.

2. Bubble Tubes
They are provided to align the level of instrument. Provided by
bubble tubes on horizontal and vertical direction. The instrument is
ready to survey when both the bubbles are in the center.
3. Vertical Spindle
Located at the center of the instrument. It helps the telescope
to rotate in the vertical direction. Vertical Spindle is meant to be a
conjunction point between tripod and telescope.

4. Tribrach
It is parallel to the levelling head and primarily utilized to adjust
the horizontal level of the instrument. The trivet is connected
through foot screws.

5. Foot Screws
The foot screws are used to calibrate the instrument through
the bubble tube. Adjusting foot screws one can calibrate tribrach
plate. To ensure the bubble is at the center, foot screws are
operated.

6. Levelling Head
Also known as a trivet, it comprises of two triangular plates
aligned parallel to each other. Comprises of groves to hold foot
screws.

7. Tripod
Tripod is the supporting medium of the complete dumpy level.
Comprising of three legs made of hollow steel sections or light or
hardwood. Steel shoes provided at the foot ensures that the tripod
is immobile with slight jerks.
 Functions of Dumpy Level
Dumpy level holds significant importance in the surveying of a
construction site. The level of accuracy and handiness of dumpy
level has made it a prominent choice amongst surveyors.

✓ The prime reason for performing levelling on a construction

site is to make the field level and even.
✓ To determine the differences in height between two points.
✓ To measure the height and distance of different locations of
surveying land through the principle of relativity.
✓ To measure following distance amongst various point on the
surveying land.
✓ Setting out levels and inclined surfaces for construction.
✓ To draw contours on land.
 Procedures in Setting-up a Dumpy Level
1. Set your tripod up near the spot you want to
measure.
Place your tripod on a patch of flat, clear ground that sits
between your benchmark location and the spot you want to
measure. Then, undo the latches on your tripod’s legs and extend
each leg out. Assess the tripod if it is level, if not, adjust the legs
until your tripod is completely level, then close each latch. The
tripod’s legs must be firmly place in the ground by pushing each leg
to the ground.
2. Connect the instrument to the tripod
The dumpy level is removed from the case and place it to the
top of the tripod and fix the instrument with the screw from the
tripod. By loosening the screw, we can level the instrument by
moving it to the top of the tripod until the bubble is in the middle
of the circle. If the step does not work, you may now use the
levelling screws.
3. Levelling the instrument using levelling screws
First, align the axis of the telescope parallel to the line between
two levelling screws. Turn two level screws at the same time by
using the rule of thumb in which you turn the screws both thumbs
in, both thumbs out. Bring the bubble adjacent to the center of the
circle. Then, rotate the instrument 90 degrees, and turn the third
levelling screw to bring the bubble in the middle of the circle.
After making your initial leveling adjustments, return your
telescope to its starting position and check that the bubble still sits
in the center of the level. If it does, turn the telescope 180 degrees
and check the level again. You can focus the device once all 3
positions show the bubble in the center of the level. Always set-up
the instrument to your eye level. Not too low and not too high to
your eye level.