Vertical Distance Measurements

What is Leveling?

It is the process of directly or indirectly measuring vertical distances to determine the elevation of points or
their differences in elevation.

y
 Terms Used in Leveling

Level Surface – It is a curved surface which is at any point perpendicular to the direction of gravity or the plumb line. It is
best represented by the surface of a large body of still water.
Level Line – This is a curved line in a level surface all points of which are normal to the direction of gravity and
equidistant from the center of the earth.
Horizontal surface – A plane that is tangent to a level surface at a particular point. It is also perpendicular to the line at the
same point.
Horizontal line – A straight line in a horizontal plane which is tangent to a level line at one point.
Vertical line – This is a line parallel to the direction of gravity at any point.
Mean sea level – An imaginary surface of the sea which is midway between high and low tides.
Datum – This is any convenient level surface coincident or parallel with mean sea level to which elevations of a particular
area are referred.
Elevation – This is the vertical distance above or below the mean sea level or any other selected datum.
Difference in Elevation – This is the vertical distance between two level surfaces in which the points lie.
Different Methods of Leveling

Direct or Spirit Leveling – This method of leveling involves determining the elevation of points some
distance apart by a series of set ups of a leveling instrument along a selected route.

y
Differential Leveling

This 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.
 Differential Leveling
• Bench mark (BM) – a fixed point of reference whose elevation is either known
or assumed
• Backsight (BS) – a reading taken on a rod held on a point known or assumed
elevation
• Foresight (FS) – a reading taken on a rod held on a point whose elevation is to

BS FS be determined
• Backsight distance – the horizontal distance from the center of the instrument
to the rod on which a backsight is taken
HI
• Foresight distance – the horizontal distance from the center of the instrument to
TP
TP elev the rod on which a foresight is taken
• Turning point (TP) – an intervening point between two bench marks upon
BM datum which point foresight and backsight rod readings are taken to enable a leveling
operation to continue from a new instrument position
BM + BS = HI • Height of instrument (HI) – the elevation of the line of sight of an instrument
HI – FS = TP Elevation above or below a selected reference datum
Sample Problem No. 1

Determine the elevation of BM 2 from the following notes. Check arithmetic by adding FS’s and BS’s.

STA BS HI FS Elevation
BM 1 1.21 50
TP 1 6.20 4.65
TP 2 4.82 3.11
TP 3 3.03 5.22
BM 2 3.16
 Sample Problem

STA BS HI FS Elev STA BS HI FS Elev

BM 1 1.21 50 BM 1 1.21 50
TP 1 6.20 4.65 51.21
TP 2 4.82 3.11 TP 1 6.20 4.65 46.56
TP 3 3.03 5.22 52.76
BM 2 3.16 TP 2 4.82 3.11 49.65
54.47
HI = BM + BS
TP 3 3.03 5.22 49.25
TP Elev = HI - FS 52.28
BM 2 3.16 49.12
Sum 15.26 16.14
 Sample Problem

STA BS HI FS Elev Sum (BS) – Sum (FS) = Elev BM2 – Elev BM 1

BM 1 1.21 50
51.21 Sum (BS) – Sum (FS) = 15.26 – 16.14 = -0.88
TP 1 6.20 4.65 46.56 Elev BM2 – Elev BM 1 = 49.12 – 50.00 = -0.88
52.76
TP 2 4.82 3.11 49.65 OK!
54.47
TP 3 3.03 5.22 49.65
52.28
BM 2 3.16 49.12
Sum 15.26 16.14
Sample Problem No. 2

A differential level network is run from BM Ripp through A, TP1, B, and closes back on BM Ripp, Figure 2.
The Elevation of BM Ripp is 820.12 ft.

***The BS and FS numbers shown

in Figure are the Backsight (BS) and
Foresight (FS) readings respectively
at each instrument set up. These are
shown only for example purposes -
this is not how readings are recorded
in the field.
Sample Problem No. 2

STA BS (+) HI FS (-) Elev

BM Ripp 10.92 820.12
831.04
A 2.73 3.42 827.62
830.35
TP 1 6.34 12.28 818.07
824.12
B 10.39 8.68 815.73
826.12
HI = BM
Start Elev+ BS
= 820.12 BM Ripp 6.04 820.08
ΣBS=+30.38
TP Elev = HI - FS
ΣFS=-30.42
End Elev = 820.08 ok! Sum 30.38 30.42
Different Methods of Leveling

Reciprocal Leveling – This is the process of accurately determining the difference in elevation between two
intervisible points located at a considerable distance apart and between which points leveling could not be
performed in the usual manner.

y
Different Methods of Leveling

Profile leveling – This method of leveling is used to determine differences in elevation between points at
designated short measured intervals along an established line to provide data from which a vertical section of
the ground surface can be plotted.

0 + 12
0 + 10
0 + 00

0 + 02

0 + 04

0 + 20
0 + 06

0 + 18
0 + 16
0 + 08

0 + 14
Different Methods of Leveling

Trigonometric leveling – This method of leveling is employed by determining the difference in elevation
between two points from measurements of its horizontal or slope distance and vertical angle between the
points using trigonometric computations
c
Different Methods of Leveling

Stadia Leveling – This method combines features of direct leveling with those of trigonometric leveling.
a
c
b
Different Methods of Leveling

Barometric Leveling – This method involves the determination of differences in elevation between points by
using a barometer.
 Types of Level

Dumpy Level Builder’s Level Tilting Level

Wye Level Automatic Level Geodetic Level

 Types of Level

Transit Laser Level Hand Level

Profile Leveling

This is a method that yields elevations at definite points along a reference line then provides the needed data
for designing facilities such as highways, railroads, and transmission lines
Reduced levels (RL) at various points at regular interval along the line is calculated.
After getting the RL of various points, the profile is drawn. Normally vertical scale is much larger than
horizontal scale for the clear view of the profile.
Definition of terms

Profile – a curved line which graphically portrays the intersection of a vertical plane with the surface of the earth.
Stationing – A numerical designation given in terms of horizontal distance any point along a profile line is away from
the starting point.
Intermediate foresights – These sights which are also known as ground rod readings, are taken along the centerline of
the proposed project to provide an accurate representation of the ground surface.
Full Stations – Points which are established along the profile level route at uniformly measured distances.
Plus Stations – Any other intermediate point established along a profile level route which is not designated as a full
station.
Profile paper – A special heavy grade graphing paper used for plotting profiles.
Sample Problem

Compute the elevations of points 1 through 5 if the elevation of the BM is 22.13 ft

HI = BM + BS Point BS IFS FS HI Elev

TP Elev = HI - FS BM 2.11 24.24 22.13
1 1.14 23.10
2 0.95 23.29
3 1.76 0.84 25.16 23.40
4 2.01 1.55 25.62 23.61
5 1.88 23.74
ΣBS – ΣFS = BM5 – BM
(2.11+1.76+2.01) – (0.84 + 1.55 + 1.88) = 23.74 = 22.13
1.66 = 1.66 ok!