Komar University of Science and Technology

Civil Engineering Department

Engineering Surveying - Theory

DIFFERENTIAL LEVEL
ERRORS

Lecture#5
Fall 2021
Sulaymaniyah, IRAQ

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 Outline of the Lecture

Differential Level Errors 1. Earth’s Curvature:

Correcting Curvature and

Collimation Errors 3. Collimation Error:

Reciprocal Leveling

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Differential Level Errors

There are a number of errors that we should consider

in more detail when determining vertical distances
from one point to another. These include:

1. The earth’s curvature

2. Collimation error

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1. Earth’s Curvature:

When the distance between the level and rod stations is large, the difference between
the level line and the horizontal line of sight becomes large. Hence the effect of earth’s
curvature and atmospheric refraction should be considered in this case.

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2. Collimation Error:
While we assume that our level
instrument, when leveled, shoots along a
horizontal line, there is no guarantee of
this. The cross hairs many be out of
alignment, the leveling tube may not be in
line with the optics of the instrument, the
automatic compensation mechanism may
be sticking. Each of these many result in
a collimation error. A test for this is known
as the peg test.
The peg test involves setting two
points (A & B) and taking level
reading from two positions ( 1 & 2 ).
If the collimation error (e) is zero the
apparent elevation of points will not
be influenced by the distance from
them. If an error exists it will double
if the distance from the shot is
doubled.
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 Correcting Curvature, Refraction and Collimation Errors

A procedure for negating these errors, is to balance foresights and backsights in

differential leveling. Since these errors are dependent on distance and differential errors
subtracts foresights and backsights then these errors would tend to cancel. Of course
this assumes that:

i) The atmospheric conditions are the same

ii) The curvature of the earth is constant, and
iii) The collimation error is constant.

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Example:

A horizontal collimation test is performed on an automatic level the

following procedures just described. With the instrument setup at point 1,
the rod reading at A was 5.630 ft and to B was 5.900 ft. After moving and
leveling the instrument at point 2, the rod reading to A was determined to
be
5.310 ft and to B 5.560 ft. The distance between the points was 100 ft.
What is the collimation error of the instrument, and the corrected reading to
A from point 2, and the (collimation error) ϵ ft/ft.

Solution:

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 Reciprocal Leveling
Sometimes in leveling across topographic features such as rivers, lakes,
and canyons, it is difficult or impossible to keep plus and minus sights short
and equal. Reciprocal leveling may be utilized at such locations, as shown
in the below figure, a level is set up on one side of a river at X, near A, and
rod readings are taken on points A and B. Since XB is very long, several
readings are taken for averaging. Reading, turning the leveling screws to
throw the instrument out of level, releveling, and reading again. The process
is repeated two, three, four, or more times. Then the instrument is moved
close to Y and the same procedure followed.

the average of the two

elevation differences
cancels the of
curvature, effects
refraction, and
instrumental errors, so the
result is a
accepted
correct value if the precision
s the
of the two differences
appears satisfactory.
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 THANK YOU
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
are
Warmly Welcomed

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