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Exercise 5 - Differetial Leveling

This document provides instructions for students to perform an exercise on differential leveling. Differential leveling is used to determine elevation differences between points by running a level line between an initial benchmark and ending benchmark. Students are given leveling notes and asked to complete the table, show sample computations, sketch the level line, answer guide questions, and submit a laboratory report with their results, conclusions and references.

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734 views5 pages

Exercise 5 - Differetial Leveling

This document provides instructions for students to perform an exercise on differential leveling. Differential leveling is used to determine elevation differences between points by running a level line between an initial benchmark and ending benchmark. Students are given leveling notes and asked to complete the table, show sample computations, sketch the level line, answer guide questions, and submit a laboratory report with their results, conclusions and references.

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Mark
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© © All Rights Reserved
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DEPARTMENT OF GEODETIC

ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Telephone: (053) 565-0600 local 1027

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

ESci 121 – Fundamentals of Surveying

Exercise No. 5: Differential Leveling

Name: ____________________________________ Date Performed: _____________


Course and Year: ___________________________ Date Submitted: _____________

I. Introduction

The elevation is the height of which something is being referred usually a datum.
Finding the elevations or altitudes of points, structures, or terrain and or differences in
elevations is one of the essential activities of surveying. Determining elevations in
surveying is done through leveling. The process of leveling basically involves the
measurement of vertical distance relative to the established line of sight (Schofield and
Breach, 2007). One of the most common leveling methods in survey operations is
differential leveling. Differential leveling establishes differences in elevation about a
datum using a theodolite, transit, or an automatic level and other surveying instruments
capable of measuring elevations. In a general sense, differential leveling determines the
elevation of distant points by a series of setups of the instrument along the desired route
(La Putt, 2008). The determined elevations are important, especially in varied engineering
projects such as building constructions, road network design, topographic maps, and
many others.

II. Learning Outcomes

1. To demonstrate the process of differential leveling; and


2. To determine the elevation of points through differential leveling.

III. Materials

Transit/theodolite or automatic level, stadia rod/leveling rod, pegs/hubs/crayon or chalk


markers, plumb bob.

IV. Procedure
1. Identify and designate two points (BM-1 and BM-2) approximately 300 to 500 meters
long. BM-1 as the initial or reference point and BM-2 as the final or the terminal end.
2. Choose a convenient location that is free from obstruction to BM-1 along the general
level route. Set up and level the instrument; this is the first instrument set up where
BM-1 is visible. 
3. Take the first backsight reading (BS) on a rod held at BM-1. If the elevation of BM-1
is not known, assume the elevation as 100.00 meters above mean sea level (MSL).
Record and tabulate the reading in Table 1 (Differential Level Notes).

Table 1. Example differential level notes


Station BS HI FS Elevation (m)
BM-1 100.00
TP-1
TP-2
TP-3
BM-2
∑BS= ∑FS=

4. The rodman moves forward in the direction of the level route and establishes a new
station, a Turning Point (say TP-1). 
5. With the instrument still leveled in the first setup, take and record a foresight reading
(FS) to the rod held at TP-1.
6. Transfer the instrument to a location beyond TP-1 along the direction of the level
route. Ensure that the station TP-1 is visible from the new location. 
7. Set up and level the instrument and correspondingly take a backsight reading (BS) to
the rod held at TP-1. Record and tabulate the reading in the differential level notes.
8. The rodman advances again to the direction of the level route and establishes another
Turning Point (TP-2).
9. Repeat the process until the foresight as the last rod reading to the station BM-2 is
taken (See accompanying Figure). 

Note: To counteract the error introduced in leveling, it is advisable to make the


backsight and foresight distances approximately equal.

Figure 1. Example differential leveling scheme


Figure 2. Example differential leveling scheme (Ghilani and Wolf, 2012).

Computations:

1. Computing Height of Instrument (HI) and Elevation.


In differential levelling, the following two equations are repeatedly used

a) HI =Elev+BS b) Elev =HI −FS

Where:
HI - height of instrument above a reference datum
BS - backsight reading on the rod (or plus sight)
FS - a foresight reading on the rod (or minus sight)
Elevation - elevation above a reference datum of a point sighted

2. Arithmetic Check.

To check the accuracy of the arithmetical computations, add all backsights as well as all
the foresights. The difference between these two sums must be equal to the difference in
elevation between the initial and final points of the level line.

∑ Backsights−∑Foresights=Elev BM 1−Elev BM 2

Guide Questions:

1. What is a turning point (TP) and what is its role in the leveling process?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________

2. What is a reference datum and what is commonly used as a reference datum in


leveling operations?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________

3. What is the difference in elevation between BM-1 and BM-2?


____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
______________________
____________________________________________________________________
___________

V. Results and Discussion

VI. Conclusion and Recommendations

VII. References

Ghilani, C.D., and Wolf, P.R. (2012). Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to


Geomatics. Thirteenth Edition. Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-255434-3.

La Putt, J.P. (1985). Elementary Surveying Lab Manual. Baguio Research and Publishing
Center. Baguio City, Philippines.

La Putt, J.P. (2008). Elementary Surveying. 3rd Edition. National Book Store. Philippines.
Reprint. ISBN 971-08-5581-6.

Schofield, W. and Breach, M. (2007). Engineering Surveying. 6 th Edition. Elsevier Ltd.


ISBN–13: 978-0-7506-6949-8.
Instruction to Students:
1. Make a Laboratory Report based on the data given below. Use A4 size bond paper. Copy
the Introduction, Learning Outcomes, Materials, and Procedure.
Table 1. Differential level notes

Station BS HI FS Elevation (m)


BM-1 1.25 100.00
TP-1 1.06 0.85
TP-2 0.95 0.78
TP-3 1.23 0.92
TP-4 1.15 0.98
TP-5 0.85 0.82
BM-2 0.73
∑BS= ∑FS=

2. Complete the table and discuss this in the “Results and Discussion” section.
3. Show sample computations only.
4. Make a sketch of the differential leveling.
5. Answer the guide questions.
6. Make your conclusion and recommendations.
7. Include your references.
8. Submit your Laboratory Report in Word File/Document through email to your
instructor/professor.

Suggested YouTube Links

1. Differential leveling - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijYf5hsJlnw


2. Differential leveling - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMGV-VlWPXA

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