DEPARTMENT OF

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

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

ESci 121n – Fundamentals of Surveying

Exercise No. 5: Differential Leveling

Name: Carl Harvey A. Briones Date Performed:

Course and Year: BSCE-2 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. DEPARTMENT OF GEODETIC
ENGINEERING Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES Telephone: (053)
565-0600 local 1027 Email: [email protected] Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

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 Values

Station BS HI FS Elevation
BM-1 100.00
TP-1
TP-2
TP-3
BM-2
ΣBS= ΣFS=

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.
ΣBacksights − ΣForesights = ElevBM1 − ElevBM2
 Guide Questions
1. What is a turning point (TP) and what is its role in the leveling process?
Always keep in mind that a turning point, also known as a change point,
is a location that lies between two benchmarks and offers a temporary point of
known elevation for a level circuit between them. Additionally, this is where
the readings of the foresight and backsight rods are obtained. A solidly driven
iron pin into the earth in a strategic position can serve as a turning point. For a
more accurate and consistent measurement, it should also be placed on a solid
material whose elevation won't vary while moving the instrument setup.

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

leveling operations?
When processing a material or measuring a target's dimensions, a
reference datum is known to be a plane, a straight line, or a point. All vertical
dimensions are measured from an arbitrary horizontal plane of reference. It can
display variances in levels between different parts of the site as well as the
vertical height difference between a building's floor levels. A reference datum
is required after the elevations of the two bench markings are measured so that
surveyors may accurately assess the difference. Additionally, the Mean Sea
Level is the most often used reference datum in leveling.

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

The difference between BM-1 and BM-2 that results from using the
formula is 100.00 minus 95.30 feet, or 4.7 feet (1.43 m). The fact that the
measurement has a negative sign also shows that the measurement was made at
a lower elevation and finished at a higher level.

V. Results and Discussion

Table 1. Example Differential Values
Station BS HI FS Elevation
BM-1 1.25 101.25 100.00
TP-1 1.06 101.46 0.85 100.40
TP-2 0.95 101.63 0.78 100.68
TP-3 1.23 101.94 0.92 100.71
TP-4 1.15 102.11 0.98 100.96
TP-5 0.85 102.14 0.82 101.29
BM-2 0.73 101.41
ΣBS=(+) 6.49 ΣFS= (-) 5.08

𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝐵𝑀1 + 𝐵𝑆𝐵𝑀1 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑇𝑃1 = 𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 − 𝐹𝑆𝑇𝑃1

𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 100 m + 1.25 m 𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 101.25 m − 0.85 m
𝑯𝑰𝑩𝑴𝟏 = 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟐𝟓 𝐦 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗𝑻𝑷𝟏 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎. 𝟒𝟎 𝐦

𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑃1 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑇𝑃1 + 𝐵𝑆𝑇𝑃1 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑇𝑃2 = 𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑃1 − 𝐹𝑆𝑇𝑃2

𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 100.40 m + 1.06 m 𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 101.46 m − 0.78 m
𝑯𝑰𝑻𝑷𝟏 = 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟒𝟔 𝐦 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗𝑻𝑷𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎. 𝟔𝟖 𝐦
 𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑃2 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑇𝑃2 + 𝐵𝑆𝑇𝑃2 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑇𝑃3 = 𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑃2 − 𝐹𝑆𝑇𝑃3
𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 100.68 m + 0.95 m 𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 101.63 m − 0.92 m
𝑯𝑰𝑻𝑷𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟔𝟑 𝐦 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗𝑻𝑷𝟑 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎. 𝟕𝟏 𝐦

𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑃3 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑇𝑃3 + 𝐵𝑆𝑇𝑃3 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑇𝑃4 = 𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑃3 − 𝐹𝑆𝑇𝑃4

𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 100.71 m + 1.23 m 𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 101.94 m − 0.98 m
𝑯𝑰𝑻𝑷𝟑 = 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟗𝟒 𝐦 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗𝑻𝑷𝟒 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎. 𝟗𝟔 𝐦

𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑃4 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑇𝑃4 + 𝐵𝑆𝑇𝑃4 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑇𝑃5 = 𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑃4 − 𝐹𝑆𝑇𝑃5

𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 100.96 m + 1.15 m 𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 102.11 m − 0.82 m
𝑯𝑰𝑻𝑷𝟒 = 𝟏𝟎𝟐. 𝟏𝟏 𝐦 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗𝑻𝑷𝟓 = 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟐𝟗 𝐦

𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑃5 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑇𝑃5 + 𝐵𝑆𝑇𝑃5 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝐵𝑀2 = 𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑃5 − 𝐹𝑆𝐵𝑀2

𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 101.29 m + 0.85 m 𝐻𝐼𝐵𝑀1 = 102.14 m − 0.73 m
𝑯𝑰𝑻𝑷𝟓 = 𝟏𝟎𝟐. 𝟏𝟒 𝐦 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗𝑩𝑴𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟒𝟏 𝐦

Arithmetic Check:
ΣBacksights − ΣForesights = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝐵𝑀1 − 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝐵𝑀2
6.49 m − 5.08 m = I 100 m − 101.41 m I
1.41 = I − 1.41 m I
𝟏.𝟒𝟏 = 𝟏.𝟒𝟏 m

The table simply explains that the formula used to determine the instrument's
height (HI) from BM1 to TP5 was HI = Elev + BS, which adds the elevation of one
station to the backsight (BS) of another station. The height of the instrument at the
present station was subtracted from the foresight (FS) at the following station to get
the elevation of the stations (Elev = HI - FS). To determine whether the calculations
were valid, the elevation difference between BM1 and BM2 must equal the
difference between the total of backsights (BS) and foresights (FS). And if the
outcome is equal, then suggests that all of the calculations were accurate.
VI. Conclusion and Recommendations
Using the foresight and backsight data, this exercise demonstrated the steps
involved in determining the instrument's height and the heights of each station.
Calculating the difference between BM1 and BM2's elevations and the total of their
backsights and foresights shows that the calculation was accurate. Calculation accuracy
is demonstrated by an equal outcome. For this reason, it is important to take meticulous,
accurate measurements of your foresight and backsight so that your calculations for HI
and elevations are accurate. Following the survey's completion, it is crucial to study the
data carefully and check if the items were in good shape.

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. 3 rd Edition. National Book Store. Philippines.
Reprint. ISBN 971-08-5581-6.

Schofield, W. and Breach, M. (2007). Engineering Surveying. 6th Edition. Elsevier Ltd.
ISBN–13: 978-0-7506-6949-8