RECIPROCAL LEVELING

Reciprocal leveling – 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.

d c

a b
B P2
TDE
P1 A water surface

DE1 = a – b DE2 = d – c
if DE1  DE2 then

TDE = DE1 + DE2 or

2

TDE = (a – b) + (d – c)
2
Where:
a, b, c and d – rod readings
DE – difference in elevation
TDE – true difference in elevation
Problem:
In leveling across a deep and wide river, reciprocal level readings were
taken between two points, A and B, as follows:
a – With the instrument set up near A, the rod readings on A are 3.713
and 3.719m; on the distant point B, the rod readings are 1.139,
1.135, 1.137 and 1.133m.
b – With the instrument set up near B. the rod readings on B 1.188 and
1.192m; on the distant point A. the rod readings are 3.565, 3.566,
3.571, and 3.570m. Determine:
1 – the true difference in elevation between the two points
2 – the elevation of B if the elevation of A is 100m
Drawing:
d c

a b

TDE B P2

P1 A (100)
Solution:
DEA = aave – bave = 3.713 + 3.719 – (1.139 + 1.135 + 1.137 + 1.133)
2 4
DEA = 3.716 – 1.136 = 2.580m
DEB = dave – cave = 3.565 + 3.566 + 3.571 + 3.570 – 1.188 + 1.192
4 2
DEB = 3.568 – 1.190 = 2.378m
DEA ≠ DEB
1 – TDE = DEA + DEB = 2.580m + 2.378 = 2.479m
2 2
2 – ElevB = 100 + 2.479 = 102.479m