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6
LEVELING
Bill Jackson, PLS
Carrol Leong, PLS
California Department of Water Resources
Introduction
Leveling is a general term used in land surveying that applies to vertical
measurements. Vertical measurements are made and referenced to datums, as
elevations. The reference datum might be an arbitrary elevation chosen for
convenience or a very precise value determined after lengthy studies. The
standard reference datum used throughout California is mean sea level, based
on the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD 1929).
Three methods used to measure differences in elevation are direct vertical
measurement, trigonometric leveling, and differential leveling. It is important
to understand the procedure, equipment and note keeping format used for
each method.
Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course
Performance Expected on the Exams
Define the terms curvature and refraction, be able to calculate their
combined effects and explain the procedure used to limit their effects.
Explain how to peg a level and calculate the collimation correction of a
properly adjusted level.
Given field measurements, calculate the difference in elevation between two
stations using trigonometric leveling method.
Explain, interpret, reduce and adjust differential leveling notes.
Explain, interpret, reduce and adjust three-wire leveling notes.
Obtain the difference in elevation between two stations by reciprocal leveling.
Plan and analyze the results of a leveling project with regard to NGS standards
and specifications.
Key Terms
Altimetry Lenker rod
Automatic pendulum level Mean sea level
Backsight (+shot) National Geodetic Vertical datum
(NGVD 1929)
Bench mark
North American Vertical Datum
Curvature
(NAVD 1988)
Datum
Pegging a level
Direct leveling
Philadelphia rod
Differential leveling
Plumb line
Elevation
Profile leveling
Foresight (-shot)
Reciprocal leveling
H.I.
Refraction
Horizontal line
Three-wire leveling
Horizontal plane
Trigonometric leveling
Intermediate foresight (side shot)
Turning point (TP)
Leveling
Vertical difference
Level surface
Vertical line
Level line
6-2
Leveling
Video Presentation Outline
Basic Concepts
Elevation
Elevation
Datum
Level Lines
Horizontal Line
2
1
Benchmark
Vertical
Lines
Earth's Surface
90
Figure 6-1. Leveling concepts.
Level line
Horizontal line
Vertical line
Datum
6-3
Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course
Curvature and Refraction
Curvature, c
Refraction, r
Horizontal Line
Line of Sight
HI
E
l
e
v
a
t
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o
n

Distance
D
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tu
m

V
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r
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L
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90 to Horizontal
L
e
v
e
l

S
u
r
f
a
c
e

(c+r)
Figure 6-2. Curvature and refraction.
Curvature
Refraction
The formula for computing the combined effect of curvature and refraction is:
C + R = 0.021K
2
C = correction for curvature
R = correction for refraction
K = sighting distance in thousands of feet
Corrections for various distances
Distance Correction
100' 0.00021'
200' 0.00082'
500' 0.0052'
700' 0.01'
1 mile 0.574'
6-4

8

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Leveling
Three Methods of Vertical Measurement Leveling
Direct Vertical Measurement Leveling
Altimetry
Direct elevation rods
Lasers
G.P.S.
Trigonometric Leveling
Equipment
Method
Calculation
C
Elev. B = Elev. A + H.I. + (cos Z) (S) - rod - (c+r)
Z
H
E
Horizontal
Line
R
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(
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H
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A
Figure 6-3. Trigonometric leveling.
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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course
Differential Leveling
Equipment
Method
Calculations
10.63'
Foresight
9.92'
Backsight
1.35'
Graduated Rod
Backsight
Foresight
1.15'
TP-1
BM "A"
Elevation 100.00'
Figure 6-4. Differential leveling.
Notekeeping for Differential Leveling
Standard notekeeping
+
V
Elev.
(412.011)
B.M. #2 5.090 412.005
7.330 417.095
T.P. 4.765 409.765
6.995 414.530
B.M. #1 407.535
Figure 6-5. Profile leveling noteform.
6-6
Leveling
Three-Wire Leveling Method
Foot Rod
Figure 6-6. Level notes for foot rod from noteforms for surveying measurements.
(Reproduced with permission from Landmark Enterprises.)
6-7
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'
Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course
Meter Rod
Figure 6-7. Level notes for meter rod from noteforms.
(Reproduced with permission from Landmark Enterprises.)
6-8

Leveling
Special Leveling Procedures
Figure 6-8. Pegging a level.
Error in Level
B.S.
2
B.S.
1
F.S.
1
F.S.
2
2
1
B
A
100' 100'
Sample Peg Test
Station Backsight (+) H.I. Foresight Elevation
A 5.10
(assumed)
B
A 5.51
B
105.10
105.51
4.96
5.35
100.00'
100.14'
100.00'
100.16'
Adjustment = elevation of B from setup 1 - elevation of B from setup 2.
6-9
Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course
Plus Rod Shot
P
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R
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BM 2
Setup 2
Setup 1
BM 1
Figure 6-9. Reciprocal leveling.
6-10


Leveling
Classification of Accuracy Standards and Adjustments
General Specifications for Vertical Control Field Procedures
Order Class First I First II Second I Second II Third
Minimal Observation Method Micrometer Micrometer Micrometer or Three-Wire Center Wire
Three-Wire
Section Running DR, DS, or MDS DR, DS, or MDS DR DR DR
Difference of forward and backward sight lengths never to exceed:
per setup (m) 2 5 5 10 10
per section (m) 4 10 10 10 10
Maximum sight length (m) 50 60 60 70 90
Minumum ground clearance of line of sight (m) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Even no. of setups when not using leveling rods with detailed calibration yes yes yes yes
Determine temp. gradient for vert. range of line of sight for each setup yes yes yes
Maximum section misclosure (mm) 3D 4D 6D 8D 12D
Maximum loop misclosure (mm) 4E 5E 6E 8E 12E
Single-Run Methods
Reverse direction of single runs every half day yes yes yes
Non-reversible compensator leveling instruments
Off-level/relevel instrument bet. observing the high and low rod scales yes yes yes
Three-Wire Method
Reading check (difference between top and bottom intervals)
for one setup not to exceed (tenths of rod units) 2 2 3
Read rod first in alternate setup method yes yes yes
Double Scale Rods
Low-high scale elevation difference for one setup not to exceed (mm)
With reversible compensator 0.40 1.00 1.00 2.00 2.00
Other instrument types:
Half-centimeter rods 0.25 0.30 0.60 0.70 1.30
Full-centimeter rods 0.30 0.30 0.60 0.70 1.30
DS-Double Simultaneous procedure
DR-Double-Run
MDS-Modified Double Simultaneous
D-shortest length of section (one-way) in km.
E-perimeter of loop in km.
# Must double-run when using three-wire method
* May single-run if line length between network control points is less than 25 km and may single-run if line length between network control points is
less then 10 km.
NOTE: See Geometric Geodetic Accuracy Standards and Specifications for Using GPS Relative Positioning Techniques, Federal Geodetic
Control Committee for latest specifications.
Figure 6-10. General Specifications for Vertical Control, National Geodetic Survey.
6-11
Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course
Adjustments to Level Runs
Length of lines methods
Number of turning points method
Least squares method
Sample Test Questions
1. When pegging a level the surveyor reads 5.25 on the backsight rod and
5.38 on the foresight rod. After moving the level adjacent to the backsight
rod, a reading of 5.18 is taken on the near rod. What should be on the far
rod?
2. When pegging a level, how far apart should the rod readings be taken?
3. The effects eliminated by keeping backsights and foresights equal are
___________ and __________________.
4. Does an instrument in perfect adjustment sight a level line to a distant
object? Explain.
5. Fill in the missing data in the sample differential level run below.
Station B.S. (+) H.I. F.S. () Elevation
B.M. A
T.P. 1
T.P. 2
T.P. 3
B.M. B
4.05
5.26
2.56
e.
a.
259.01
254.01
250.45
6.48
10.26
7.56
d.
7.08
256.18
253.75
b.
(top Pipe)
c.
245.56
f.
(243.39)
6-12
Leveling
6. What is the misclosure in the sample differential level run in problem 5?
What is the adjusted elevation of T.P. 2?
7. To meet Class II, Second Order accuracies, what would be the maximum
misclosure of a level run of two kilometers?
8. What is the recommended leveling method for meeting the Class II
Second Order Standard?
9. Is it necessary to balance the foresights and backsights to achieve the
necessary accuracies in question 7? If yes, what is the maximum
difference allowed per setup? What is the maximum length allowed per
sight?
10. A theodolite is set up over Point 123 with an H.I. of 5.59 feet. The
elevation of Point 123 is 2105.67 feet. The measured zenith angle to a
target with an H.I. of 4.77 at Point 124, is 94
o
35' 46". The slope distance
measured from the theodolite to the target is 2145.89 feet. What is the
difference in elevation between Point 123 and Point 124? What field
procedure could you use that would allow you to discount the effects of
curvature and refraction on the results?
11. Problem D-6, 1978 LS
Problem Statement: A collection of rod readings is shown below. These
readings were taken over a section of line of three-wire levels run in both
directions using a precision self-leveling level and invar-faced-rods
graduated in centimeters with readings estimated to the nearest
millimetre. The C-factor of the instrument is -0.150, the stadia constant is
0.335 and the average rod temperature is 30
o
C.
Required:
A. Arrange these notes in the workbook paper as would be done in a
field book, showing all data normally shown in field notes for precise
leveling.
B. Reduce and analyze the notes, showing all intermediate steps and
checks. Note any deviations from acceptable practice and/or limits,
and proceed to a determination of the mean difference in elevation
for the section and assumptions you make. Compute and apply all
applicable corrections for systematic errors. Express the difference
in elevation in meters.
C. Determine and state the highest order of leveling for which this run
would qualify. Use the latest published standards for vertical control
surveys.
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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course
D. Discuss the concept of orthometric corrections: What it is, what it
does, when it is used, and the kind of work to which it is normally
applied. Would it be likely to be applied to the data in this problem?
Why?
Rod Readings Three Wire Levels
Forward Run Backward Run
+ +
234 2392 1831 721
198 2359 1802 693
162 2327 1775 666
1455 1629 3077 171
1384 1557 3057 151
1313 1484 3037 131
158 3250 3332 298
155 3227 3310 227
112 3203 3288 257
126 3125 1854 1811
117 3106 1784 1742
088 3087 1714 1672
808 1832 2603 240
777 1795 2563 202
747 1779 2542 164
6-14
Leveling
Answer Key
1. 5.31 ft
2. 200 ft
3. Curvature, refraction
4. No, the line of sight is a curved line due to atmospheric refraction.
5. A. 260.23
B. 249.97
C. 251.45
D. 8.45
E. 4.89
F. 243.37
6. Misclosure = -.02 ft., t.p.#2 = 251.46
7. 11.31 mm
8. Three-wire, double-run or single-run double simultaneous procedure
9. Yes, 10 m, maximum sight length is 70 m
10. Change in
Elevation = H.I. PT. 123 - H.I. PT 124 + ( (cos Z) (slope dist.) - (c+r) )
= 5.59 - 4.77 + (cos 94
o
35' 46" x 2145.89) - (.021 x 2.14589
2
)
= -171.23 ft
The effect of curvature and refraction will be canceled if measurements
are made from each end of the line, and the mean of the results of the
two sets of measurements is used.
6-15
Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course
11. A. Refer to Figure 6-7 for field noteform for three-wire level notes using a
meter rod.
B. Assume K = 100
Forward run
distance leveled
Corrected elev.
Correction for
interval imbalance
Elev.
Backward run
distance leveled
Corrected elev.
= B.S. Intervals + F.S. Intervals + 10
(Stadia Constant)
= 359 + 367 + 10 (.335)
= 729.4M
= .7294 km
= F.S. + B.S.
= 2.6013 + (-12.0440)
= -9.4427 m
= Difference between F.S. and
B.S. Intervals x - 0.15
= 8 x -0.15 mm
= -1.2 mm
= -9.4427 - .0012 = -9.4439
= 712 M + 10 (.335) = .7154 km
9.4510 - 10X.15
=
1000
= 9.4495 m
There are two bad rod readings in the notes, both in the forward run.
1. The foresight middle wire reading at STA. 4 should be 107 rather
than 117.
2. The backsight low wire reading at STA. 5 should be 1759 rather
than 1779.
6-16
Leveling
C. Average length
of section = Mean of forward and backward runs
= .7224 km
Average difference
in elevation = 9.4467
Difference in
elevation between
forward and
backward runs = 9.4439 - 9.4495
= .0056 m
= 5.6 mm
Difference in forward and backward sight lengths < 10 m and
maximum section misclosures from Figure 6-10 show this run meets
Second Order, Class II requirements.
D. Reference: The Surveying Handbook, Brinker and Minnick and
Caltrans Surveys Manual.
Level surfaces are perpendicular to the direction of gravity. Gravity
is affected by the variation of centrifugal force which increases with
altitude and decreasing latitude. In geodetic leveling, this variation in
gravity accounts for nonparallel level surfaces. Orthometric
correction is applied to account for convergence of level surfaces for
long level runs in north-south directions or runs at high elevations.
Orthometric correction would not be applied to the data in this
problem because required information for application of orthometric
correction such as latitude and elevation are not given, and short
level runs of this order and class would be unaffected by orthometric
correction.
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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course
References
_________, Surveys Manual, California Department of Transportation,
Chapters 2, 4, and 5.
_________, Definitions of Surveying and Associated Terms, A.C.S.M.,
Bethesda, Maryland, 1978.
Brinker, Russell C., 4567 Review Questions for Surveyors, P. E. Publisher,
1978. (Very helpful.)
Brinker, Russell; Barry, Austin; and Minnick, Roy, Noteforms for Surveying
Measurements, Second Edition, Landmark Enterprises, Rancho
Cordova, CA, 1981.
Brinker, Russell and Minnick, Roy, Editors, The Surveying Handbook, Van
Nostrand Reinhold, Co., New York, 1987.
Chelapati, C. V., Editor, Land Surveyor License Examination Review Manual,
California State University, Long Beach, 1987. (Highly recommended.)
Moffitt, F. H. and Bouchard, H., Surveying, Eighth Edition, Harper & Row,
New York, 1987.
Wolf, Paul R., and Brinker, Russell C., Elementary Surveying, Eighth Edition,
Harper & Row, New York, 1989. (A very good presentation of the
subject.)
6-18