Volta-HYCOS Project

WMO / OMM

TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY - LEVELING

Jean – Pierre BRICQUET (IRD - US OBHI)

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Presentation plan

Introduction
Leveling
Leveling techniques
Closing
Topographic profiles

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Objectives of topographic survey

The main objectives of topographic survey are to allow for

the establishment of maps and graphic plans on which all
information in connection with land topography and its
natural and artificial details are represented under symbolic
form.
The cartographic data will for instance guide one in the field
or allow to study a building project.

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Some definitions

Cartography : it is the whole set of scientific, artistic and technical

operations based on direct observations or on the use of a document in
order to draw maps, plans and other means of expression.

Planimetry aims at representing horizontally the projection of all the points

situated in the field. To that effect, distances between various points as well
as the angles linking them should be measured.

Leveling or altimetry is the set of topographic operations allowing for the

determination of the altitude of a reference point from a known altitude,
after calculating the height between these two points.

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
The reference networks

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 The reference networks

• NGF, General levelling of France

• IGN 69 (French National Geographic Institute)
• Normal Null

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 The information sources

The best source at national level is the National

Geographic Institute :
• Coordinates
• Projection parameters
• Map reference Numbers
• Description of points…

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie
Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 The level

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
The parts of the level

1 fixing screw
2 spring plate
3 focussing knob
4 fixing plate
5 eyepiece of the telescope
6 sighting tube
7 micrometer knob

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Types of levels

The simple level

The automatic level

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 The digital level

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 The setting up

Screw

Spirit level Bubble

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
The setting up

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
The leveler

Direction of rotation of the screws

Spirit level on an ‘N2 WILD’ level

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie
Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Reticles

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Reading of the staff
The reticle of a level is generally made up of four
threads:
- The upper thread (s´), which gives the upper
reading m1 on the staff;
- the lower thread, which gives the reading
lower m2 on the staff;
- The leveler thread (n), which gives the middle
reading m on the staff;
- the vertical thread (v) allows for pointing to the
staff.
The reading on every thread is visually estimated
to the nearest millimetre. The threads allow for
obtaining an approximate value of the horizontal
distance.
For every reading, it is advisable to read the
three horizontal threads so as to avoid reading
mistakes: a checking is indeed carried out in the
field that : m =( m1 +m2 )/2

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Positioning of the staff
The staff is a linear rule that should be held
vertically (it is fitted with a spherical bubble)
and placed on the point whose elevation is to
be measured.
The precision of its graduation and the manner
the staff is held in position strongly impacts on
the accuracy of the measured height.
The classical staff is generally graduated in YES
centimeters. Numbering is often in decimeters.

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Reading of the angles

In degrees

In degrees In radians

In degrees In radians

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Checking of the level

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Moving

YES

YES

NO

The staff and the level should NEVER be moved

simultaneously
Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie
Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 NO !

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
The leveling principle

Spirit level Staff

Horizontal
line

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Leveling technique

Altitude of
Horizontal axis Horizontal axis Staff

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie
Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie
Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Calculation of differences in level
Staff
Staff
Optical level

f =ΔH obs −ΔH th

Z R1 =Z R2 +∑(AR− AV)
Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie
Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Calculation of differences in level

Climbing

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Calculation of differences in level

Descending

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Calculation of differences in level

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Altitudes

• Extension leveling
• Plane leveling
• Section leveling
• Surface leveling

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Extension levelling

Reference point

Level

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Extension levelling

Staff

Chain

Level

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Plane levelling

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Plane levelling

Staff

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Leveling pegs
Pegs

Axis of staff

Altitude

Pegs

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Surface levelling

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Measurement of the distance

• Historically, by the base amplification method

defined by a two-meter invar staff
• Presently, by electronic telemetry or tachometry
• Also with a level using stadimetric threads.

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
The scope is the distance from the level to the staff:
It varies following the equipment and the level of precision needed, and
should be 60 m maximum in ordinary levelling and 35 m in precision
levelling. To the extent possible, the operator should position the level at equal
distance from A and B, so as to achieve the equality of the scopes.

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Measuring of distance

Yes

No

Wrong

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Measuring uncertainties

All measurements are always affected by some error.

These are:
• Systematic errors
• Accidental errors
• Mistakes

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Measuring uncertainties
Systematic errors

¾ Error in the calibration of the staff;

¾ Failure in the verticality of the staff: faulty bubble;
¾ Tilting mistake of the optical axis: optical axis not at
right angle with the main axis;
¾ Defect in the operation of the compensator.

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Measuring uncertainties
Accidental errors

¾ The parallax error which is a wrong focussing of the

telescope;
¾ a wrong fixing of the bubble;
¾ reading mistake on the staff due to the estimation of the
millimetre;
¾ a wrong selection of intermediary point: unstable point;
¾ the blazing of air: sighting below the staff nearer to the
ground when the weather is hot should be avoided

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Measuring uncertainties
Mistakes

The following mistakes are noted:

¾ fixing: forgetting to fix the bubble, jammed
compensator;
¾ reading: confusing of leveller line with stadimetric
line; confusing of graduation or of units;
¾ transcription on the notebook: wrong transcription of
the value read.

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Leveling and closing

Staff
Closing

Starting point

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Plane closing

n
Angular closing : f A =(n−2).200gon − ∑ Ai
i =1

Planimetric closing (as X) : fX =X f −Xc

Linear closing : f L = f X2 + fY2 + f Z2

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie
Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Weighted compensation

pj
c j =−f n

∑i
p j

i =1

Compensation by the least squares

∑ i i
A = V .P .V
(p . v 2)
t
mq0 =± i =1
n−q

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Longitudinal section

Axis of a longitudinal
profile

Or follow flood
No
marks line
Wrong

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Cross section

Real altitude
Scales :

Benchmark

Left Bank Right Bank

Altitude of flood
(20.11.1927 : 144.06
m)

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
 Cross section

Wrong drawing

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Actual altitude
Main benchmark (from
National Geographic Secondary benchmark
Institute)

Secondary benchmark

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006
Imaginary Altitude
Main benchmark

Secondary benchmark
Secondary benchmark

Projet Niger - HYCOS – Formation en hydrométrie

Eléments de Topographie – Nivellement , Niamey, Mai 2006