ELEMENTARY

SURVEYING
(LECTURE)

Engr. Dean Carlo A. Lambino

SURVEYING METHODS –
VERTICAL DISTANCES
- Direct Leveling Methods
• Differential Leveling
• Profile Leveling
• Double Rodded Leveling
• Reciprocal Leveling
• Stadia Leveling / Method
- Indirect Leveling Methods
• Trigonometric Leveling
Definition of Terms
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 of known or assumed
elevation.
Foresight (FS) - a reading taken on a rod held on a point whose elevation is to be
determined
Backsight distance – measured from the center of the instrument to the rod on
which u backsight is taken.
Foresight distance – the horizontal distance from the center of the instrument to
the rod on which a foresight is taken.
Turning point (TP) - an intervening point between two bench marks upon which
point foresight and backsight rod readings are taken to enable a leveling
operation to continue from a new instrument position.
Rod Reading
Leveling Instrument
Parts of Automatic Level
SURVEYING METHODS –
VERTICAL DISTANCES
- Direct Leveling Methods
• Differential Leveling
• Profile Leveling
• Double Rodded Leveling
• Reciprocal Leveling
• Stadia Leveling / Method
- Indirect Leveling Methods
• Trigonometric Leveling
Differential Leveling
What is Differential Leveling:
Differential leveling 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. In
surveying, the referenced datum is typically the MSL (Mean Sea Level).

HI = ELEV1 + BS
ELEV2 = HI – FS
Arithmetic Checking:
Elev BM2 = Elev BM1 + ΣBS - ΣFS
Differential Leveling

HI = Elev BMA + BS
Elev TP1 = HI – FS
Problem 1: Differential Leveling
Complete the differential level notes shown below and perform
the customary arithmetic check.
Level notes from BM1 to BM4
STA BS HI FS ELEV
BM1 1.256 127.133 m
TP1 1.116 1.886
TP2 1.228 1.527
BM2 1.189 2.246
BM3 1.070 2.017
TP3 1.831 2.656
BM4 2.765
Problem 1: Differential Leveling
Complete the differential level notes shown below and perform
the customary arithmetic check.
Level notes from BM1 to BM4
STA BS HI FS ELEV
BM1 1.256 128.389 127.133 m
TP1 1.116 127.619 1.886 126.503
TP2 1.228 127.320 1.527 126.092
BM2 1.189 126.263 2.246 125.074
BM3 1.070 125.316 2.017 124.246
TP3 1.831 124.491 2.656 122.660
BM4 2.765 121.726

Sum of BS= Sum of FS=

7.69 13.097
SURVEYING METHODS –
VERTICAL DISTANCES
- Direct Leveling Methods
• Differential Leveling
• Profile Leveling
• Double Rodded Leveling
• Reciprocal Leveling
• Stadia Leveling / Method
- Indirect Leveling Methods
• Trigonometric Leveling
Profile Leveling
What is Profile Leveling:
Profile levelling is the process of levelling along a fixed line to
determine the elevations of the ground surface along the line (also
known as longitudinal sectioning). It is a method of surveying that
has been carried out along the central line of a track of land on which
a linear engineering work is to be constructed.

HI = ELEV1 + BS
ELEV2 = HI – (FS or IFS)
Problem 2: Profile Leveling
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
BMa 0.95 125.50 m
0 + 00 3.0
+ 10 2.3
Problem 2. Complete the following set
TP1 3.13 0.64
of profile level notes and show the
customary arithmetic check. 0 + 22 2.7
+ 30.5 2.8
+ 34.2 3.1
+ 39.3 0.5
+ 42.5 0.8
TP2 2.16 1.28
+ 45 0.9
+ 48.6 1.2
+ 50 1.7
+ 53.7 2.8
TP3 0.82 2.37
TP4 1.35 3.5
+ 75 3.0
BMb 1.99
Problem 2: Profile Leveling
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
BMa 0.95 =126.45 125.50 m
0 + 00 3.0
+ 10 2.3
Problem 2. Complete the following set TP1 3.13 0.64
of profile level notes and show the
customary arithmetic check. 0 + 22 2.7
+ 30.5 2.8
+ 34.2 3.1
+ 39.3 0.5
+ 42.5 0.8
TP2 2.16 1.28
+ 45 0.9
+ 48.6 1.2
+ 50 1.7
+ 53.7 2.8
TP3 0.82 2.37
TP4 1.35 3.5
+ 75 3.0
BMb 1.99
Problem 2: Profile Leveling
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
BMa 0.95 126.45 125.50 m
0 + 00 3.0 =123.45m
+ 10 2.3
Problem 2. Complete the following set TP1 3.13 0.64
of profile level notes and show the
customary arithmetic check. 0 + 22 2.7
+ 30.5 2.8
+ 34.2 3.1
+ 39.3 0.5
+ 42.5 0.8
TP2 2.16 1.28
+ 45 0.9
+ 48.6 1.2
+ 50 1.7
+ 53.7 2.8
TP3 0.82 2.37
TP4 1.35 3.5
+ 75 3.0
BMb 1.99
Problem 2: Profile Leveling
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
BMa 0.95 126.45 125.50 m
0 + 00 3.0 123.45m
+ 10 2.3 =124.15m
Problem 2. Complete the following set TP1 3.13 0.64
of profile level notes and show the
customary arithmetic check. 0 + 22 2.7
+ 30.5 2.8
+ 34.2 3.1
+ 39.3 0.5
+ 42.5 0.8
TP2 2.16 1.28
+ 45 0.9
+ 48.6 1.2
+ 50 1.7
+ 53.7 2.8
TP3 0.82 2.37
TP4 1.35 3.5
+ 75 3.0
BMb 1.99
Problem 2: Profile Leveling
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
BMa 0.95 126.45 125.50 m
0 + 00 3.0 123.45m
+ 10 2.3 124.15m
Problem 2. Complete the following set TP1 3.13 0.64 =125.81m
of profile level notes and show the
customary arithmetic check. 0 + 22 2.7
+ 30.5 2.8
+ 34.2 3.1
+ 39.3 0.5
+ 42.5 0.8
TP2 2.16 1.28
+ 45 0.9
+ 48.6 1.2
+ 50 1.7
+ 53.7 2.8
TP3 0.82 2.37
TP4 1.35 3.5
+ 75 3.0
BMb 1.99
Problem 2: Profile Leveling
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
BMa 0.95 126.45 125.50 m
0 + 00 3.0 123.45m
+ 10 2.3 124.15m
Problem 2. Complete the following set TP1 3.13 =128.94 0.64 125.81m
of profile level notes and show the
customary arithmetic check. 0 + 22 2.7
+ 30.5 2.8
+ 34.2 3.1
+ 39.3 0.5
+ 42.5 0.8
TP2 2.16 1.28
+ 45 0.9
+ 48.6 1.2
+ 50 1.7
+ 53.7 2.8
TP3 0.82 2.37
TP4 1.35 3.5
+ 75 3.0
BMb 1.99
Problem 2: Profile Leveling
STA BS HI FS IFS ELEV
BMa 0.95 126.45 125.50 m
0 + 00 3.0 123.45m
+ 10 2.3 124.15m
Problem 2. Complete the following set TP1 3.13 128.94 0.64 125.81m
of profile level notes and show the
customary arithmetic check. 0 + 22 2.7 =126.24m
+ 30.5 2.8
+ 34.2 3.1
+ 39.3 0.5
+ 42.5 0.8
TP2 2.16 1.28
+ 45 0.9
+ 48.6 1.2
+ 50 1.7
+ 53.7 2.8
TP3 0.82 2.37
TP4 1.35 3.5
+ 75 3.0
BMb 1.99
SURVEYING METHODS –
VERTICAL DISTANCES
- Direct Leveling Methods
• Differential Leveling
• Profile Leveling
• Double Rodded Leveling
• Reciprocal Leveling
• Stadia Leveling / Method
- Indirect Leveling Methods
• Trigonometric Leveling
Double Rodded Leveling
What is Double Rodded Leveling:
Double rodded leveling is a surveying technique used to
determine the difference in elevation between two points. This
method involves the use of two leveling rods, one at each point, and
a level instrument. The rods are positioned at a fixed distance apart
and are read simultaneously through the level instrument.
SURVEYING METHODS –
VERTICAL DISTANCES
- Direct Leveling Methods
• Differential Leveling
• Profile Leveling
• Double Rodded Leveling
• Reciprocal Leveling
• Stadia Leveling / Method
- Indirect Leveling Methods
• Trigonometric Leveling
Reciprocal Leveling
What is Reciprocal Leveling:
Reciprocal leveling is a surveying technique in which readings are
taken from both directions between two points in order to reduce
errors.
SURVEYING METHODS –
VERTICAL DISTANCES
- Direct Leveling Methods
• Differential Leveling
• Profile Leveling
• Double Rodded Leveling
• Reciprocal Leveling
• Stadia Leveling / Method
- Indirect Leveling Methods
• Trigonometric Leveling
Stadia Method / Leveling
Inclined Stadia Sights:
In actual field practice, most stadia measurements are inclined
because of varying topography but the interval is still read on a
vertically held rod.

ID = Ks + C
HD = Ks + C
VD = Ks + C
DE = HI + VD – RR
Problem 3: Stadia Leveling
The following data were obtained by stadia measurement: vertical angle =
+18o23’ and observed stadia intercept = 2.2 m. The stadia interval factor of
the instrument used is 95.5 and C = 0.30 m. If the height of the instrument is
1.62 m and the rod reading is taken at 1.95 m, determine the following:
a. Horizontal stadia distance from the instrument setup at A to the rod held
at point B.
b. vertical stadia distance from the center of the instrument to the point on
the rod bisected by the horizontal cross hair.
c. Inclined distance from the instrument center to the point on the rod
bisected by the horizontal cross hair.
d. Difference in elevation between the point over which the instrument is
setup and the point on which the rod was held.
SURVEYING METHODS –
VERTICAL DISTANCES
- Direct Leveling Methods
• Differential Leveling
• Profile Leveling
• Double Rodded Leveling
• Reciprocal Leveling
• Stadia Leveling / Method
- Indirect Leveling Methods
• Trigonometric Leveling
Trigonometric Leveling
Trigonometric Leveling:
Trigonometric leveling is a surveying technique used to determine
the height difference between two points by measuring the angle of
elevation or depression between them. This method involves the use
of a theodolite or total station, which is an instrument used to
measure angles in the horizontal and vertical planes.
Problem 4: Trigonometric Leveling
A theodolite is set up at a benchmark whose elevation is 237.5
ft. A level rod is put at point B. A rod reading of 3.88ft is taken at a
zenith angle of 73 degrees 27 minutes and an inclined distance of
568.73 ft. If the height of instrument is 4.5 ft, find the elevation (ft)
of point B.
Questions and clarifications?