1

FIELD WORK NO. 5

DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING WITH
AND WITHOUT TURNING
POINTS
SUBMITTED BY:
SAMARTINO, JOHN MEGRYAN B.
CESE-2 / 2013106636
GROUP NO. 9

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. B. A. CERVANTES
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ELEMENTARY SURVEYING
FIELD MANUAL
FIELD WORK NO. 5
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING WITH
AND WITHOUT TURNING POINTS
COURSE AND SECTION: CE120-20F/A2

SUBMITTED BY:
NAME: Samartino, John Megryan B. STUDENT
NO.2013110517
GROUP NO: 9
Ramos, Jasmine
DATE OF FIELD WORK: 05/12/15
SUBMISSION: 05/19/15

CHIEF OF PARTY:

DATE OF

SUBMITTED TO:
Engr. B. A. Cervantes

SCORE
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
MEMBERS
OBJECTIVES
INSTRUMENTS
PROCEDURES
DATA SHEETS
COMPUTATIONS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
RELATED RESEARCH
PICTURES
FIELD WORK PEER ASSESSMENT
3

GROUP NO. 9
Jasmin

CHIEF OF PARTY: Ramos,

MEMBERS:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Rendon, Emerson
Reyes, Leo
Rongavilla, Joyce Regine
Samartino, John Megryan
FIELD WORK NO. 5

DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING WITH AND WITHOUT TURNING POINTS

OBJECTIVES:

1. To develop the skills in determining the difference in

elevation between two points both of which are accessible
from a single point of observation using a dumpy level.
2. To acquire the knowledge of finding the elevation of a point
from a bench mark of known elevation by establishing
turning points to and from the point of unknown elevation.
3. To develop the technical know-how of using precise level.
4. To work harmoniously and effectively with ones group while
performing each assigned task.
INSTRUMENTS:
1. Precise Level

3. Chalk

2.1 leveling rod

4. Plumb bob
4

ORGANIZATION OF PARTY:
Chief of Party (COP)
1. 1 rod man
2. Instrument man
3. 1 recorder

PROCEDURE:

A. Determination of difference in elevation between two

points both of which are accessible from single point
of observation.
1. The professor designates the locations of two points A and B
which can be observed from a single instrument set-up and of
considerable difference in elevation.
2. Set-up the level on the suitable point preferably equidistant from
the assigned points A and B by driving the tripod firmly on the
ground. Adjust the height of the level to be convenient for the
instrument man by using the leg screw of the tripod.
3. Make sure that the base plate of the level is nearly parallel to the
horizon. Center the bubble such that even if the instrument is
rotated clockwise or counter clockwise in its base the bubbles
remain at the center.
4. Take the backsight (BS) of point A where the levelling rod is being
held vertical with the aid of a plumb bob. The reading must be
done up to an accuracy of a millimetre or thousandths of a meter.
5. Rotate the telescope until point B is in sight.
6. The rod man must transfer the leveling rod at B and must hold it
in a vertical position with the aid of a plumb bob.
7. Take the foresight (FS) reading of a leveling rod and again the
reading must be done up to an accuracy of a millimetre or
thousandths of a meter.
8. The difference between these readings will give the difference in
elevation between the two points A and B.
9. Repeat procedures 2-9 for the second trial. Preferably, another
member of the group sets the level at a different point balances
the bubble and reads the BS and FS to get the difference in
elevation between two points A and B. The mean difference in
elevation of the two trials will be recorded as the most probable
difference in elevation.

B. Determination of the elevation of a point with the aid of a

benchmark of known elevation.

1. The professor designates two points BM-1 and BM-2 (The party
may or may not use the same points known as A and B in the
above exercise). The elevation of BM-1 or A may be known or
may be assigned. In order for the two points not to be observed
from a single instrument set-up, if you choose to use the same
two points as in exercise A, one must use a different route.
2. Set-up the level on the suitable point along the route from BM-1
to BM-2. Adjust the height of the level to suit the height of the
instrument man by using the leg screw of the tripod.
3. Make sure that the base plate of the level is most nearly parallel
to the horizon. Center the bubble such that even if the instrument
is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise in its base the bubbles
remain at the center.
4. Take the backsight (BS) of the BM-1 where the levelling rod is
being held vertical with the aid of a plumb bob. The reading must
be done up to an accuracy of a millimetre or thousandths of a
meter. The BS reading + the elevation of BM-1 gives the height of
the instrument (HI).
5. Rotate the telescope until the newly established point to be
observed from the instrument can be sighted and call it turning
point one (TP-1). Take extra care that TP-1 is almost equidistant
from the instrument as the BM-1 is from the instrument.
6. The rod man must transfer the leveling rod at TP-1 and must hold
it in a vertical position with the aid of a plumb bob.
7. Take the foresight (FS) reading of a leveling rod and again the
reading must be done up to an accuracy of a millimetre or
thousandths of a meter. The elevation of this TP-1 is equal to the
HI-FS reading.
8. Transfer the instrument in another location along the route to BM2 where the first turning point can be sighted and follow the same
procedures as in 2-8 until you reach BM-2.
9. One must close the circuit, which means that the same procedure
must be accomplished until you reach BM-1 to check immediately
its elevation and the accuracy of ones leveling work.
COMPUTATIONS
The computation of sample field notes is done in accordance with the
steps listed hereunder:
A. Computation of the height of the instrument
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The height of the instrument is always equal to the elevation of

the point where the back sight is being observed plus the
elevation of the point itself.
HI=Elevation of the point+ BS

B. Computation of the height of the instrument

The elevation of the turning point is always equal to the height of
the instrument minus the foresight of the TP observed.
Elevation TP1=HI FS

FINAL DATA SHEET

FIELD WORK 5
TURNING POINTS

DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING WITH AND WITHOUT

DATE: May 12, 2015

GROUP NO: 9

TIME: 7:30 am 12:00 nn

LOCATION: Mapua Institute of Technology

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WEATHER: Fine

PROFESSOR: Engr. Cervantes

A. DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING: WITH TURNING POINT (SINGLE RODED)

STATION
BM #1

BS
1.45

FS
X

ELEVATION
260

HEIGHT
251.45

005
010
015
020
025
030
035
040
045
050
055
060
065
070
075
080

1.53
1.50
1.47
1.49
1.46
1.43
1.40
1.38
1.39
1.43
1.44
1.45
1.46
1.45
1.47

1.35
1.69
1.44
1.37
1.39
1.31
1.45
1.47
1.45
1.46
1.49
1.46
1.48
1.51
1.49
1.36

250.15
250.29
250.35
250.45
250.55
250.70
250.68
250.61
250.54
250.47
250.41
250.39
250.36
250.31
250.27
250.38

251.68
251.79
251.82
251.94
252.01
252.13
252.08
251.99
251.93
251.90
251.85
251.84
251.82
251.76
251.74

REMARKS
Differential
levelling
started at the
east building
of MIT

DISCUSSION
In this field work we are tasked by our professor to do differential
leveling using the precise level. Differential leveling is the process of
measuring vertical distances from a known elevation point to determine
elevations of unknown points. Differential leveling uses the vertical distance
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difference between two points to transfer an elevation from one point to

another.

A thorough knowledge of leveling principles and proper application of

methods and equipment will prevent costly delays and generate the needed
results and accuracy. Here are some techniques to reduce error: Make certain
the bubble is centered when you make a rod reading, keep the rod plumb
when the reading is taken, establish equal BS and FS reading distances,
equal reading distances will cancel out any error caused by the line of sight
not being parallel with the axis of the bubble tube on the Dumpy Level, not
as important with the self-leveling Automatic Levels and lastly not always
possible due to terrain.
The most common type of level is an automatic level. It gets its name
from an internal compensation system which maintains a horizontal LoS
automatically if the instrument is disturbed. The compensation system
consists of combinations of fixed and free swinging prisms and mirrors. When
the instrument is level the LoS is horizontal. The cross-sectional view shows
how the incoming horizontal LoS is reflected and refracted and emerges at
the eyepiece in a parallel path.

Although at first glance differential leveling notes may appear a little

complicated, they are relatively simple and reflect the leveling process. It is
important that running computations be done in the field as data are
collected to minimize mistakes. Should a mistake be found, the equipment
and crew are able to remeasure immediately. The common mistake of this
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field work are: Faulty reading of the rod, not fully extending the rod for high
readings,t ouching the tripod during reading, And confusion between
recording BS and FS entries into the field book. We need to avoid these
errors in order to have an accurate measurement.

Conclusion
In this field work, we have achieved the set of objectives that
our professor has given us. We developed the skills in determining
the difference in elevation between two points both of which are
accessible from a single point of observation using a dumpy level
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by practicing using the precise level. We acquired knowledge of

finding the elevation of a point from a bench mark of known
elevation by establishing turning points to and from the point
which is by studying this field work thoroughly. We develop the
technical know-how of using precise level and we worked
harmoniously and effectively with ones group while performing
each assigned task.
Differential leveling is the process of determining relative
elevations at various points of interest. The elevations can be tied
into a global control system (meters above mean sea level), or
referenced to a local benchmark with an assumed elevation..
Differential leveling uses the vertical distance difference between
two points to transfer an elevation from one point to another. A
backsight (BS) reading is taken on the known point to determine
how far above it the Line of Sight is. Adding the BS reading to the
point elevation gives the elevation of the instrument (EI). A
foresight (FS) reading is taken on the unknown point to determine
how far above it the Line of Sight is. Subtracting the FS reading
from the instrument elevation gives the point elevation.
By learning this technique as a Civil Engineering student will
really help me in the future endeavors because in our future
works we will surely need this to make our work as surveyors
easier and faster. In order to get better results we need to be
patient in measuring and aligning the instruments, we carefully
look at the measurements in order to have an accurate and
precise results. We must enhance our abilities in using this
techniques and manipulating the instrument because it will help
us in the future.

CONCLUSION
Differential leveling is the process of measuring vertical distances from
a known elevation point to determine elevations of unknown points.
Differential leveling uses the vertical distance difference between two points
to transfer an elevation from one point to another. Differential surveying is
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used to determine the difference in elevation between two or more points. It

is commonly used to establish the elevation of a benchmark referenced to an
existing benchmark. It is also useful for comparing the elevation of several
points or objects. Because of this, this type of surveying can also be used in
measuring mountains, forests, elevated terrain and finding some significant
data about geological studies.

FIELD WORK PEER ASSESSMENT

COURSE: CE120-0F

SECTION: A2

DATE: 5/19/15

FIELD WORK TITLE: DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING WITH AND WITHOUT TURNING POINTS
GROUP NO.9

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GROUP MEMBERS:

CRITERIA

TIME
ELEMENT

PREPAREDNE
SS

COOPERATIV
ENESS

ACCURACY

OVERALL
CONTRIBUTI
ON ON THE
GROUPWOR
K

Ramos, Maureen Jasmin

SCORE:
20
2
Rendon, Emerson
SCORE:
20
3
Reyes, Leo
SCORE:
20
EXCELLENT
VERY JoyceLIMITED
4
Rongavilla,
Regine
4 SCORE: GOOD
3
2
20
5 on Samartino
Arrives
ArrivesJohn Megryan
Late for at
20 the
time.SCORE within
most 30
grace of
minutes.
15
minutes.
Knows what
Familiar
Needs
exactly is to
with the
further
be done in
procedure. explanation
the field
.
Performs
Performs
Limited in
assigned
only
performing
task well and
assigned
task.
is willing to
task.
help
groupmates.
Computes
Computes
Computes
for the
for the
the
required
required
required
value
value with
value with
accurately
little
some
and in such a assistance assistance.
short time.
.
Performs
Performs
Performs
efficiently a
the
the
very
important
secondary
important
task
load
task
assigned.
assigned.
assigned.

POOR
1
Late for
more than
30 minutes.

Does not
know what is
to be done.
Does not
want to help
at all.

Fails to
compute the
required
value.

MEMBERS
1

Does
nothing.

EVALUATORS NAME/SIGNATURE:

PICTURES
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Setting-up the precise level and setting the

bubbles at the center

In this picture, one of the group member

was determining the measurement using
the precise level and recording it.

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