Survey Module 6 Leveling Im-Format

Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:CE 1-1S-2020-2021
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Bayombong Campus
DEGREE PROGRAM BSCE COURSE NO. SURVEY

SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
YEAR LEVEL 2 TIME FRAME 6 hr WK NO. 6 IM NO. 1
I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE

Unit 6
II. LESSON TITLE

MEASUREMENT OF VERTICAL DISTANCES
III. LESSON OVERVIEW

Leveling. Leveling instruments. Leveling methods. Curvature and refraction
IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Understand the concept of leveling
2. Complete leveling notes
3. Compute and adjust elevation of points for effects ot earth’s curvature and atmospheric refraction
4. Be familiar with common leveling instruments
V. LESSON CONTENT
LEVELING
The process of directly or indirectly measuring vertical distances to determine the elevation of points or
their differences in elevation.
Level Surface
It is a curved surface which is at any point perpendicular to the direction of gravity or the plumb bob. It is
best represented by the surface of a large body of still water.
Level Line
A line on a level surface
Horizontal Surface/Horizontal Line

A plane/line tangent to a level surface/level line.
Vertical line
A line parallel to the direction of gravity
MEAN SEA LEVEL (MSL)

The reference surface to which all ground elevations are referred.
“In accordance with Section 185, Fair Use of Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced for educational purposes
only and not for commercial distribution,”
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 1 of __
IM No.:CE 1-1S-2020-2021
Datum
Any convenient level surface coincident or parallel to the MSL.
Elevation
Vertical distance of a point above or below a datum or MSL. Elevations above a datum are considered
positive and negative if otherwise.
Difference in Elevation
Vertical distance between two points
LEVELING METHODS
1. Direct or Spirit Leveling. Vertical distances are measured above or below a level line and these values
are used to compute the elevation of points or their differences in elevation. Differential leveling,
double rodded leveling and three-wire leveling are forms of direct leveling.
2. Reciprocal Leveling. It is commonly used when leveling across a wide river, deep ravine or canyons
where it is difficult to perform leveling in the usual manner.
3. Profile Leveling. Used in the design of roads, railways, pipelines, etc. to draw the profile and cross
section of the route.
4. Trigonometric Leveling. Determining slopes, angles of depression/inclination and distances, then
computing other unknown quantities like elevations using trigonometric computations.
5. Stadia Leveling. Difference in elevation between points are computed from observed vertical angles
and the three intercepts of the crosshair on a rod.
6. Barometric Leveling. Determination of elevation by measuring the variation in atmospheric pressure
at each point by means of a barometer.
7. Cross-section Leveling. It is necessary to obtain a representation of the ground surface on either side
of the centerline of the road.
8. Borrow-pit Leveling. A method of determining the relative elevations of points in borrow pit
excavations for the purpose of calculating the volume of earthworks.
LEVELING INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT
Type of Levels
Dumpy Level
Wye Level
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Tilting Level
Automatic Level
Laser Level
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Geodetic Level
Builder’s Level
Hand Level
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Leveling Rods
Self-reading rods
- It can be read directly by the instrument man through the telescope by noting the apparent
intersection of the horizontal hair on the rod.
Target rod
- It has a sliding target which is set and read by the rod man at the position selected by the
instrument man.
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Cross-hairs
- You can see the cross-hair when you look through the eyepiece of a leveling instrument.
Tripod
- The instrument is set and leveled on a tripod before performing the survey.
Setting up the Level and Taking Rod Reading

- Desired or suitable location to set up is selected preferably on stable ground.
- Spread the tripod foot such that the foot plate is approximately horizontal. The foot should be
pushed to the ground
- The level is then placed on top of the tripod then leveled.
- The rodman holds the rod on the point which elevation is to be determined making sure the rod is
held plumb
- The instrumentman focuses the telescope on the rod making sure the sight is not blurred, then the
reading is taken.
- The reading is recorded on the field notebook.
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Understanding the Rod Graduations
• The metric rod is graduated in centimeters and numerals are indicated for every full meter and
decimeter mark.
• The single dot below the numerals indicates that the numerals are in the 1-m range. Two dots
for numerals within 2-m range and so on.
• Each blackened graduation and each space between graduations is one centimeter (0.01 m)
high.
• The full meter marks are indicated by the large numerals which are usually painted in red.
• Sample readings are shown on the figure below.
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CURVATURE AND REFRACTION
Referring to the figure below, the combination of the earth’s curvature and the atmospheric refraction
causes the telescope’s line of sight to vary from a level line by approximately 0.0785 (line BD) minus
0.0110 (line BC) or 0.0675 m in one kilometer, varying as the square of the sight distance in kilometers.
ℎ′ = 0.0675𝐾𝐾 2
ℎ′ 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑎𝑎 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑒 ′ 𝑠𝑠 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ𝑡𝑡 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 (𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚)
𝐾𝐾 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙ℎ 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ𝑡𝑡 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
This correction is only necessary in precise leveling and is neglected in ordinary precision surveys.
EXAMPLE 1. CURVATURE AND REFRACTION

Two points, A and B, are 525.850 m apart. A level is set up on the line between A and B and at a
distance of 240.500 m from A. If the rod reading on A is 3.455 m and that on B is 2.806 m, determine
the difference in elevation between the two points, taking into account the effects of curvature and
refraction.
Solution:
Effect of curvature and refraction on the sight at A
240.500 2
ℎ𝑎𝑎′ = 0.0675𝐾𝐾𝑎𝑎2 = 0.0675 � � = 0.004𝑚𝑚
1000
Effect of curvature and refraction on the sight at A
525.850 − 240.500 2
ℎ𝑏𝑏′ = 0.0675𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏2 = 0.0675 � � = 0.005𝑚𝑚
1000
Corrected rod readings on A and B

𝑎𝑎′ = 3.455 − 0.004 = 3.451𝑚𝑚
𝑏𝑏 ′ = 2.806 − 0.005 = 2.801𝑚𝑚
Difference in elevation between A and B considering the effects of curvature and refraction
𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = 𝑎𝑎′ − 𝑏𝑏 ′ = 3.451 − 2.801 = 0.65𝑚𝑚
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DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
The process of determining difference in elevation between two or more points some distance apart. It
requires a series of set ups of the instrument along a general route and, for each set up, a rod reading
back to the point of known elevation are taken.
Bench Mark (BM)

- A fixed point of reference, either permanent or temporary, 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 (BSD)
- It is measured from the center of the instrument to the rod on which the backsight is taken.
Foresight Distance (FSD)
- It is measured from the center of the instrument to the rod on which the foresight is taken.
Turning Point (TP)
- Intervening point or points between two benchmarks
Elev TP1 = HI – FS
Height of Instrument (HI)

- The elevation of the line of sight of the instrument above or below a selected reference datum. Also
called the height of collimation.
HI = Elev BMa + BS
Field Notes
- Below is a sample of a leveling notes.
- Note that locations of benchmarks are described in the notes for future reference.
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EXAMPLE 2. DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING

Complete the differential leveling notes shown and perform the customary arithmetic check.
Graphical illustrations:
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Solution:
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DOUBLE–RODDED LEVELING
A differential leveling employing two level routes simultaneously. Two turning points are established such
that at each set up of the instrument, two sets of independent backsights and foresights are taken. One
route is labeled as HIGH POINT and the other LOW POINT just for distinction.
EXAMPLE 3. DOUBLE-RODDED LEVELING

A schematic diagram of a double-rodded leve route is shown on the following figure. Prepare and
complete the leveling notes for the information shown and perform the customary arithmetic check.
Solution:
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THREE–WIRE LEVELING
Three horizontal hairs are read and recorded rather than a single horizontal hair. For each backsight and
foresight, the average of the three hair readings is taken as the correct value.
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EXAMPLE 4. THREE–WIRE LEVELING

Complete the leveling notes and do the arithmetic check.
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Solution:
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PROFILE LEVELING
Determining differences in elevation along a fixed line at designated short measured intervals.
Profile
- A curved line which graphically portrays the intersection of the vertical plane with the surface of the
earth.
Stationing
- Numerical designation in terms of horizontal distance of any point along a profile line from the starting
point.
Full Stations
- Established points at uniformly measured distances otherwise it is a Plus Station.
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Intermediate Foresight (IFS)
- Ground rod readings along centerline of the profile
Vertical Exaggeration
- Process of drawing the vertical scale for a profile much larger than the horizontal scale to accentuate
the differences in elevation.
Note: In profile leveling, the instrument should be set up on a location where as many stations as
possible is visible from the telescope of the instrument to minimize the number of set ups.
EXAMPLE 5. PROFILE LEVELING

Prepare and complete the profile level notes for the portrayed information on the schematic diagram
shown.
Solution:
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Arithmetic check for the profile

Elev BM33 + ΣBS – ΣFS = Elev BM34
328.70 + 7.31 – 8.94 = 327.07
327.07 = 327.07
OK!
RECIPROCAL LEVELING
On the sample procedure shown on the figure below instrument is set up at L1 then reading a and b are
taken. The difference in elevation can be computed, DE1
DE1 = a – b
Instrument is then taken across the river and set up at L2. Readings a’ and b’ is taken then DE2 is
computed.
DE2 = a’ – b’
From the differences in elevations the average is taken which will be the true difference in elevation
between A and B.
𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷1 + 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷2
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 =
2
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EXAMPLE 6. RECIPROCAL LEVELING
Reciprocal level readings were taken between two points A and B as shown on the table and diagram
below. Determine the difference in elevation and the elevation of B.
Solution:
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TRIGONOMETRIC LEVELING
Below is a typical set up for a trigonometric leveling
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For horizontal distances not exceeding 300 meters, the following formulas can be used.
V = d(tan α)
V = s(sin α)
DEab = d(tan α) + h.i. – RR
DEab = s(sin α) + h.i. – RR
Elev B = Elev A + DEab
For horizontal distances exceeding 300 m or for precise leveling, correction for curvature and refraction
must be considered
DEab = d(tan α) + h.i. – RR + 0.0675(d/1000)2
DEab = s(sin α) + h.i. – RR + 0.0675(d/1000)2
EXAMPLE 7. TRIGONOMETRIC LEVELING

Determine the difference in elevation between A and B, and the elevation of B considering effects of
earth’s curvature and atmospheric refraction.
Solution:
V = s(sin α) = 823.29 (sin 13045’) = 195.68 m
d = s(cos α) = 823.29 (cos 13045’) = 799.70 m
hcr = 0.0675 (799.70/1000)2 = 0.04 m
DEab = d(tan α) + h.i. – RR + hcr

DEab = 195.68 + 1.35 – 1.23 + 0.04 = 195.84 m
Elev B = Elev A + DEab

Elev B = 123.65 + 195.84 = 319.49 m
INVERSE LEVELING
If the line of sight of the instrument is lower than the point to be sighted the rod is held upside down to
take the reading.
EXAMPLE 8. INVERSE LEVELING

A tall concrete wall is an obstruction along a level route between points A and B. To proceed with the
leveling work, an inverse leveling is to be performed at the obstruction as shown below.
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Solution:
CROSS–SECTION LEVELING (We will get back to this topic on earthworks)

1. Roadway Cross – sections. Most commonly, the elevations of the centerline, right edge, left edge,
bottom and top of slopes will be taken to accurately draw the cross section of the road at regular
intervals.
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2. Borrow-pit Cross section. Grids forming squares or rectangles are laid out then elevation of every
corner is taken.
VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES
VII. EVALUATION (Note: Not to be included in the student’s copy of the IM)
VIII. ASSIGNMENT
1. A backsight of 3.055 m is taken on a point 75 m from a level station and a foresight of 1.258 m from
the same station. Determine the difference in elevation between the two points, taking into account
the effects of the earth’s curvature and atmospheric refraction.
2. Complete the differential leveling notes below and perform the customary arithmetic check.
3. In reciprocal leveling across a deep ravine the following sets of rod readings were taken:
Instrument set-up near A : BS on A = 1.719m, FS on B = 2.578m
Instrument set-up near B : BS on A = 1.335m, FS on B = 2.176m
Point A has a known elevation of 197.428m. Determine the elevation of point B.
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4. Complete the following set of profile level notes and show the customary arithmetic check.
5. Two points, A and B, are 3134.50m apart. From a third point C on the line between A and B, and
1992.25m from A, the measured vertical angle to A is +35028’ and that to B is –15014’. Determine
the difference in elevation between A and B considering the effects of the earth’s curvature and
atmospheric refraction.
6. If the elevation of A is 240.05m, determine the elevation of C.
IX. REFERENCES
1. Surveying and Levelling by N. N. Basak , Tata McGraw Hill.
2. Surveying: Theory and Practice by James M. Anderson, Edward M. Mikhail, Tata McGraw Hill.
3. Principles & Application of Surveying, Kavanagh
4. Elementary Surveying, La Putt
5. Higher Surveying, La Putt
6. Surveying Fundamentals, McCormac
7. https://sites.google.com/site/civilengineeringwebsite/
8. http://docshare04.docshare.tips/files/30504/305047967.pdf
Numbering the IM No.: IM-CCCCCC-SSSSSS-NNNN-NNNN
School Year
Semester
Course Number
e.g.:
IM-COURSE NO-SEMESTER-SCHOOL YEAR
IM-MCB180-1STSEM-2020-2021

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Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

DEGREE PROGRAM BSCE COURSE NO. SURVEY

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE

II. LESSON TITLE

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Horizontal Surface/Horizontal Line

MEAN SEA LEVEL (MSL)

Setting up the Level and Taking Rod Reading

EXAMPLE 1. CURVATURE AND REFRACTION

Effect of curvature and refraction on the sight at A

Corrected rod readings on A and B

𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = 𝑎𝑎′ − 𝑏𝑏 ′ = 3.451 − 2.801 = 0.65𝑚𝑚

Bench Mark (BM)

Height of Instrument (HI)

EXAMPLE 2. DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING

EXAMPLE 3. DOUBLE-RODDED LEVELING

EXAMPLE 4. THREE–WIRE LEVELING

EXAMPLE 5. PROFILE LEVELING

Arithmetic check for the profile

EXAMPLE 7. TRIGONOMETRIC LEVELING

DEab = d(tan α) + h.i. – RR + hcr

Elev B = Elev A + DEab

EXAMPLE 8. INVERSE LEVELING

CROSS–SECTION LEVELING (We will get back to this topic on earthworks)

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Numbering the IM No.: IM-CCCCCC-SSSSSS-NNNN-NNNN

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