LEVELING

P R E PA R E D B Y : E N G R . D O M I N A D O R F. S O R I A N O J R .
LEVELING
- In surveying, leveling is the process of
determining the height or elevation of a point or
points relative to a known or assumed datum.
This is important in various engineering and
construction projects where accurate elevation
measurements are required.
- Leveling is commonly used to establish
benchmarks, measure height differences
between points, and create level surfaces.

benchmark
- is a point with a known elevation, and from
there, additional points can be leveled to
establish a network of elevations.

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PROCESS OF LEVELING
- typically involves setting up the leveling
instrument, sighting a leveling rod at the
point of interest, and recording the readings.
The difference in elevation between the
benchmark and the point of interest can
then be calculated.
- leveling is an essential component of land
surveying, construction, and civil
engineering, ensuring that structures are
built at the correct elevations and that the
land is properly graded for drainage and
other purposes.

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COMMON ERRORS IN
LEVELLING:
• Imperfect adjustment of instrument.
• Parallax
• Earth’s curvature
• Atmospheric refraction
• Variation in temperature
• Rod not standard length
• Expansion or contraction of rod.
• Faulting turning points
• Settlement of tripod or turning points.
• Bubble not exactly centered at the instant of
sighting.
• Inability of observer to read the rod exactly.
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COMMON MISTAKES
IN LEVELING:
1. Confusion of numbers in reading and
recording.
2. Recording B.S on the F.S. column and vice-
versa.
3. Faulty additions and subtractions.
4. Rod not help on the same point for both B.S
and F.S.
5. Wrong reading of the vernier when the target
rod is used.
6. Not having target set properly when the long
rod is used.

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METHODS IN ELIMINATING
ERRORS IN LEVELING:
❖ Use of Compensators:

• Utilize instruments with

compensators to automatically
correct for tilt errors.
❖ Temperature and Barometric Corrections:

• Apply corrections for

temperature and barometric
pressure variations to ensure
accurate measurements.

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METHODS IN ELIMINATING
ERRORS IN LEVELING:
❖ Proper Instrument Calibration:
• Regularly calibrate leveling instruments to
maintain accuracy.

❖ Check for Collimation Error:

• Perform checks to ensure the line of sight
remains truly horizontal, minimizing
collimation errors.

❖ Backsighting and Foresighting:

• Consistent use of backsighting and
foresighting techniques helps minimize
observational errors.

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Two distinct types of
Engineer’s level
1. Dumpy Level
2. Wye Level

Adjustment of Dumpy
Level:
1. Adjustment of Level Tube:
- To make the axis of the level
tube perpendicular to the
vertical axis.

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Adjustment of Dumpy
Level:
2. Adjustment of Horizontal Cross-
Hair:
To make the horizontal cross-
hair lie in a plane
perpendicular to the vertical
axis.
3. Adjustment of the Line of Sight:
To make the line of sight
parallel to the axis of level
tube.

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Adjustment of Wye
Level:
1. Adjustments of Level Tube:
To make the axis of level tube
lie in the same plane with the
axis of the wyes.
2. Adjustment of Level Tube:
To make the axis of the level
tube parallel to the axis of wye.
3. Adjustment of Horizontal Cross-Hair:
To make the horizontal cross-hair
lie in a plane perpendicular to the
vertical axis.

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Adjustment of Wye
Level:
4. Adjustment of Line of Sight:
To make the line of sight
coincide with the axis of the
wyes.
5. Adjustment of Level Tube:
To make the axis of level tube
perpendicular to the vertical axis.

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Earth’s Curvature and
Atmospheric Refraction
From the given technical description shown.
1. Horizontal Line - A straight line
tangent to a level surface.
2. Level Surface - a curved surface every
element of which is normal to the
plumb line.
3. Level Line - a line in a level surface.
From the figure shown, an object actually at C would
appear to be at B, due to atmospheric refraction, wherein
the rays of light transmitted along the surface of the
earth is bent downward slightly. The value of h represents
the effect of earth curvature and atmospheric refraction
and has the following values.

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Earth’s Curvature and
Atmospheric Refraction
𝐾 2 + 𝑅2 =(𝑅 + ℎ)2
𝐾 2 + 𝑅2 =𝑅2 + 2Rh+ ℎ2
Since h is so small, ℎ2 is negligible
R = radius of earth
R = 6400 km
K2
h=
2R
K2 (1000)
h=
2(6400)
h = 0.078𝐾 2
1ℎ
ℎ𝑟 =
7
1 (0.078𝐾 2 )
ℎ𝑟 =
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Earth’s Curvature and
Atmospheric Refraction
ℎ𝑟 = 0.011𝐾 2
ℎ𝑐𝑟 = ℎ − ℎ𝑟
ℎ𝑐𝑟 = 0.078𝐾 2 − 0.011𝐾 2

𝐡𝐜𝐫 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔𝟕𝐊𝟐
ℎ𝑐𝑟 = in meters
K = in thousand of meters
Derivation:
Conditions:
h = height in m. of the line of sight, at
the intervening hill C, above sea level.
𝒉𝟏 = height in m. of the station occupied
A, above sea level.
𝒉𝟐 = height in m. of the station observed
B, above sea level.
𝑫𝟏 = distance in miles of the intervening
hill C from A.
𝑫𝟐 = distance in miles of the intervening
hill C from B.

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Derivation:
Since h1, h, and h2 are vertical heights, and considering the
effects of curvature and refraction at A and B, as reckoned
from a tangent (horizontal) line at sea level vertically below C,
the figure can be reconstructed in its plane sense.

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From the given data of a differential leveling as shown in the
tabulation:
STA. B.S. F.S. ELEV.
1 5.87 392.25
2 7.03 6.29
3
Distance of line DE3.48
= 94.00 m 6.25
4 7.25 7.08
5 10.19 5.57
6 9.29 4.45
7 4.94

1. Find the diff. in elevation of station 7 and station 5.

2. Find the diff. in elevation od station 7 and station 4.
3. Find the elevation of station 3.
Solution:
Note: H.I. = Elev. + B.S.
Elev. = H.I. – F.S.
STA. B.S. H.I. F.S. ELEV.
1 5.87 398.12 392.25
2 7.03 398.86 6.29 391.83
3 3.48 396.09 6.25 392.61
4 7.25 396.26 7.08 389.01
5 10.19 400.88 5.57 390.69
6 9.29 405.72 4.45 396.43
7 4.94 400.78
ƩBS = 43.11 ƩFS = 34.58

Arithmetic check:
ƩBS - ƩFS = 43.11 – 34.58 = 8.53
400.78 – 392.25 = 8.53
Solution:
Note: H.I. = Elev. + B.S.
Elev. = H.I. – F.S.
STA. B.S. H.I. F.S. ELEV.
1 5.87 398.12 392.25
2 7.03 398.86 6.29 391.83
3 3.48 396.09 6.25 392.61
4 7.25 396.26 7.08 389.01
5 10.19 400.88 5.57 390.69
6 9.29 405.72 4.45 396.43
7 4.94 400.78
ƩBS = 43.11 ƩFS = 34.58

1. Find the diff. in elevation of station 7 and station 5:

Diff. in elevation of station 7 and 5
= 400.78 – 390.69
= 10.09 m.
Solution:
Note: H.I. = Elev. + B.S.
Elev. = H.I. – F.S.

2. Diff. in elevation station 7 and station 4

Diff. in level station 7 and 4
= 400.78 – 389.01
= 11.77 m.

3. Elevation of station 3 = 392.61