UNIT 5

Trigonometric Levelling

R L Sharma, PhD
 Introduction
• Trigonometric leveling is the process of determining
the elevation of stations from observed vertical angle
and known horizontal distance.
• The vertical angle are measured by means of
theodolite.
• The horizontal distance may either be measured or
computed.
• Relative heights are calculated using trigonometric
formulas.
• If the distance between the instrument station and
object is small, correction of earth curvature and
reflection is not required otherwise required.
 Introduction
Due to earth refraction, the line of sight bends towards the
surface of earth. The staff reading therefore appear small.
 Introduction
• Trigonometric leveling is commonly used in
topographical work to find out the elevations of the top
of buildings, chimneys, churches etc.

• After completing this topic you will be able to:

 The horizontal distance may either be measured or

computed.

 Compute the horizontal distance & height of objects

from the vertical angles measured from two stations
 Methods of Observation

Trigonometric Leveling can be done

in two ways:
 Direct Method

• This method is useful where it is not possible to set the

instrument over the station, whose elevation is to be
determine.

• The instrument is set on the station whose elevation is

known.
 Methods of Observation

2. Reciprocal Method
• In this method the instrument is setup on each of the
two station alternatively and observation are taken.
• If the difference in elevation between two station A and
B is to be determine:
 First set the instrument on A and take observation of
B and then
 Set the instrument on B and take the observation of
A.
 Methods of Observation

• There are main two cases to determine the

R.L of any point.
Case : 1 :- Base of Object accessible.

Case : 2 :- Base of object inaccessible:

 Case I:Base of the Object Accessible
• In this case, the horizontal distance D between the two
points can be measured as the base of the object is
accessible.
• The Theodolite is set over a point whose RL is known &
the vertical angle θ is measured.

• The vertical distance, h is calculated as h

= D tan (θ)
∴ 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 F = 𝑅𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 + 𝑆 + ℎ
= 𝑅𝐿 of instrument axis + 𝐷 tan(𝜃)

• If the distance is large, the curvature correction has to be

applied and therefore,
• R L of A = RL of BM + S + h + 0.0673 D2
 Base of Object Inaccessible
Case 2a: The instrument station in the vertical plane as the
elevated object.
Objective – To find the R L of P
• h = height of P
above line of
collimation
• D = horizontal
distance
between A & P

Procedure:
• Set up the theodolite at A, level, orient and measure the angle θ1
• Shift the theodolite and set it up at B at a distance d from A and
measure angle θ2
 Base of Object Inaccessible
Three different cases arises:
(a) When the observation is
taken from the same level of
line of sight in case the
instrument is shifted to a
nearby place.

(b) When there is a difference

in the lines of sight of the
two instrument settings.

(c) When the instrument

station and the top of the
object are not in the same
vertical plane.
Base of Object Inaccessible & Instrument
Stations at Same Level

• h = height of P
above line of
collimation
• D = horizontal
distance
between A & P

Procedure:
• From triangle A’P’P , h = D tan θ1 ---- (i)
• And from tringle B’P’P , h = (D+ d) tan θ2 ---- (ii)
• From (i) & (ii)
• D tan θ1 = (D+ d) tan θ2
• or D (tan θ1 - tan θ2 ) = d tan θ2
• or D = d tan θ2 / (tan θ1 - tan θ2 )
• Therefore, h = D tan θ1 = d tan θ1 tan θ2 / (tan θ1 - tan θ2 )
Base of Object Inaccessible & Height of the
instrument axis near to the object is higher

And

RL of P = R L of BM + hd + h1
Base of Object Inaccessible & Height of the
instrument axis near to the object is Lower

And

RL of P = R L of BM + hd + h2
 Question 1

Calculate reduce level of the top of the tower from the

following data.
Instrument
station
Reading on
B.M
Vertical angle
R.L of B.M is 100.0m and observation are taken with the
line of sight horizontal. AB = 50m A, B and the top of
lower are in the same
vertical plane.