Laboratory 12

Objective: To determine the elevation of BM2 using Three Wire leveling.

Discussion:
Three-wire leveling is a technique that uses three horizontal hairs to determine
the difference in elevation, as opposed to differential leveling, which uses only one
horizontal hair. The average of three horizontal hairs will be used to determine the
correct value for reading backsight and foresight. This method is the most accurate
because it provides instant results and allows for the verification/confirmation of
rodreading. We are already given the measurement of three horizontal hairs in this
laboratory, and by calculating the mean of three horizontal hairs, we can calculate the
instrument's height and elevation at each station.
Instruments and Accessories:

Engineer’s level or Automatic level equipped with stadia hairs

Range Poles
Hubs or Pegs
Leveling Rod
Mallet or Hammer
Chalk or Marking Crayons

Procedure:

1.Name the level route's initial or reference point BM-1 and its final or terminal point BM-
2. The elevation of BM-2 must be known, and that of BM-1 assumed.
2.Set up the instrument and level its line of sight immediately beyond BM-1 and
following the general planned route of the level line.
Note the higher, middle, and lower cross-hair readings from BM-1 backsight.
4.Instruct the rodman to advance along the overall route (not necessary in a straight
line) and establish TP-1.
5.Foresight TP-1 with the leveling rod leveled and record the upper, middle, and lower
cross-hair readings.
6.Move the instrument to a convenient area beyond TP-1, set it up, and level it. Record
the upper, middle, and lower cross-hair readings.
7.Instruct the rodman to move ahead of the instrument and set TP-2.
8.Foresee TP-2 and record the three hair readings again.
9.Repeat step 9 until a foresight is taken on the designated point (BM-2) at the level line
end.
10.Adjust the observed and computed values. See the sample format for tabulating field
data.
Conclusion:

Reading and recording a rod reading for each of the three horizontal cross-hairs on
each shot, then averaging the readings for agreement with the center reading, is the
process of three-wire leveling. This method is the most accurate because it provides
immediate results as well as a rod reading check/confirmation.
Using three wires in each turn helps to eliminate rounding issues, and it's a good way to
see how well you're balancing your turn distances. The distance between the level and
the turn point is calculated by multiplying the difference between the lower and upper
wire by 100. It's also a great way to catch mistakes because each reading should be
consistent with the others.