Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

CE 103: Surveying
Lecture 8-10
Levelling

Contact: Ahmed Farhan Ahnaf Siddique

Room #652, CE Building Assistant Professor
01715234567 Department of Civil Engineering
[email protected]; [email protected] BUET
 Lecture Outline 2

▪ Introduction to Levelling

▪ Methods of Levelling and Levelling Instruments

▪ Direct Levelling – Differential; Profile; Cross; Reciprocal

▪ Reducing Levels – Height of Instrument Method; Rise and Fall Method

▪ Levelling Problems

▪ Errors in Levelling

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Introduction to Levelling 3

• Levelling is the technique of finding the elevations of given points with respect to
a given or assumed datum and establishing points at a given elevation or at
different elevations with respect to a given or assumed datum.
• Datum is any surface to which elevations are referred. The mean sea level often
provides a convenient datum.
• Elevation of a point on or near the surface of the earth is its vertical distance above
or below an arbitrarily assumed level surface or datum.
• Benchmark is a relatively permanent point of reference whose elevation with
respect to some assumed datum is known.

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Introduction to Levelling 4

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Methods of Levelling 5

• Barometric Levelling
• Trigonometric (Indirect) Levelling
• Spirit (Direct) Levelling
✓ Dumpy level
✓ Wye (or Y) level
✓ Reversible Level
✓ Tilting level
✓ Automatic Level

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Levelling Instruments 6

Optical Sight

Objective Focus

Reference Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8poe2vvD2Q

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Special Methods of Direct Levelling 7

• Differential/Fly Levelling

• Profile Levelling

• Cross Levelling

• Reciprocal Levelling

• Precise Levelling

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling 8

• Station is that point where the levelling staff is held and not where the level is set.
• Height of Instrument (H.I.) is the elevation of plane of sight (line of sight) with
respect to the assumed datum.
• Back Sight (B.S.) is the sight taken on a staff held at a point of known elevation.
• Fore Sight (F.S.) is a sight taken on a staff held at a point of unknown elevation.
• Turning Point (T.P.) or change point is a point on which both fore sight and back
sight are taken.
• Intermediate Station (I.S.) is a point, intermediate between two turning points, on
which only one sight (fore sight) is taken to determine the elevation of the station.

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Steps in Direct Levelling 9

Determining Elevation (R.L.)

Staff There are two steps in
Staff levelling: (a) to find

Height of Instrument (H.I. = R.L.BM + B.S.) by how much amount

the line of sight is
Level
above the benchmark,
B.S.
F.S. and (b) to ascertain by
how much amount
A
BM B the next point is
R.L.BM is known R.L.B = H.I. – F.S. below or above the
line of sight.
DATUM (Mean Sea Level)
A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)
 Example Problems 10

Problem 1: What is the Elevation / RL of point B?

Station B.S F.S. H.I. R.L.

A 210.852
B

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling – Differential Levelling 11

• The operation of 1evelling to determine the elevation of points at some distance apart is called
differential levelling and is usually accomplished by direct levelling. When two points are at such a
distance from each other that they cannot both be within range of the level at the same time, the
difference in elevation is not found by single setting but the distance between the points is divided
in two stages by turning points on which the staff is held and the difference of elevation of each of
succeeding pair of such turning points is found by separate setting up of the level.

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Hand Signal During Observations 12

• When levelling is done at

construction site located in
busy, noisy areas, it becomes
difficult for the instrument
man to give instructions to
the man holding the staff at
the other end through vocal
sounds. In that case, the
following hand signals are
found to be useful.

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Booking and Reducing Levelling 13

• Collimation/Height of Instrument Method

▪ In this method the height of the instrument (H.I.) is calculated for each setting of the
instrument by adding back sight to the elevation of the B.M. (First point). The elevation
of reduced level of the turning point is then calculated by subtracting from H.I. the fore
sight. For the next setting of the instrument, the H.I. is obtained by adding the B.S.
taken on T.P. to its R.L. The process continues till the R.L. of the last point (a fore sight)
is obtained by subtracting the staff reading from height of the last setting of the
instrument. If there are some intermediate points, the R.L. of those points is calculated
by subtracting the intermediate sight from the height of the instrument for that setting.
▪ ΣB.S. – ΣF.S. = Last R.L. – First R.L.

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Example Problems 14

Problem 2: The following figures were extracted from a level field book. Determine
the reduced levels of the stations using the Height of Instrument method. The
reduced level of Station A is 560.500m. Perform the necessary checks.
Station B.S. (m) I.S. (m) F.S. (m) H.I. (m) R.L. (m) Remarks
A 0.865 561.365 560.500 Benchmark
B 1.025 2.105 560.285 559.260 T.P.1
C 1.580 558.705
D 2.230 1.865 560.650 558.420 T.P.2
E 2.355 2.835 560.170 557.815 T.P.3
F 1.760 558.410
Sum 6.475 8.565
A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)
 Example Problems 15

Problem 2: The following figures were extracted from a level field book. Determine
the reduced levels of the stations using the Height of Instrument method. The
reduced level of Station A is 560.500m. Perform the necessary checks.
Station B.S. (m) I.S. (m) F.S. (m) H.I. (m) R.L. (m) Remarks ΣB.S. - ΣF.S.
= 6.475 - 8.565
A 0.865 561.365 560.500 Benchmark = -2.090 (Fall)
B 1.025 2.105 560.285 559.260 T.P.1 Last R.L.-First R.L.
C 1.580 558.705 = 558.410-560.500
= -2.090 (Fall)
D 2.230 1.865 560.650 558.420 T.P.2
(Checked)
E 2.355 2.835 560.170 557.815 T.P.3
F 1.760 558.410
Sum 6.475 8.565
A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)
 Booking and Reducing Levelling 16

• Rise and Fall Method

▪ In the rise and fall method, the height of instrument is not at all calculated but the
difference of level between consecutive points is found by comparing the staff readings
on the two points for the same setting of the instrument. The difference between their
staff readings indicates a rise or fall according to the staff reading at the point is smaller
or greater than that at the preceding point. If the level of any one point is known the
level of the next will be obtained by adding its rise or subtracting its fall, as the case
may be.
▪ ΣB.S. – ΣF.S. = ΣRise – ΣFall = Last R.L. – First R.L.

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Example Problems 17

Problem 3: The following figures were extracted from a level field book. Determine
the reduced levels of the stations using the Rise and Fall method. The reduced level
of Station A is 560.500m. Perform the necessary checks.
Station B.S. (m) I.S. (m) F.S. (m) Rise (m) Fall (m) R.L. (m) Remarks
A 0.865 560.500 Benchmark
B 1.025 2.105 1.240 559.260 T.P.1
C 1.580 0.555 558.705
D 2.230 1.865 0.285 558.420 T.P.2
E 2.355 2.835 0.605 557.815 T.P.3
F 1.760 0.595 558.410
Sum 6.475 8.565 0.595 2.685
A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)
 Example Problems 18

Problem 3: The following figures were extracted from a level field book. Determine
the reduced levels of the stations using the Rise and Fall method. The reduced level
of Station A is 560.500m. Perform the necessary checks.
Station B.S. (m) I.S. (m) F.S. (m) Rise (m) Fall (m) R.L. (m) Remarks
A 0.865 560.500 Benchmark
B 1.025 2.105 1.240 559.260 T.P.1
C 1.580 0.555 558.705
D 2.230 1.865 0.285 558.420 T.P.2
E 2.355 2.835 0.605 557.815 T.P.3
F 1.760 0.595 558.410
Sum 6.475 8.565 0.595 2.685
A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)
 Example Problems 19

Problem 3: The following figures were extracted from a level field book. Determine
the reduced levels of the stations using the Rise and Fall method. The reduced level
of Station A is 560.500m. Perform the necessary checks.

ΣB.S. - ΣF.S. ΣRise - ΣFall Last R.L.-First R.L. (m) Remarks

= 6.475 - 8.565 = 0.595 - 2.685 R.L. 560.500 Benchmark
= -2.090 (Fall) = -2.090 (Fall) = 558.410-560.500 559.260 T.P.1
= -2.090 (Fall)
558.705
(Checked) 558.420 T.P.2
557.815 T.P.3
558.410
Sum 6.475 8.565 0.595 2.685
A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)
 Booking and Reducing Levelling 20

• Comparison of the Two Methods:

▪ The height of the instrument method is more rapid, less tedious and simple.
However, since the check on the calculations for intermediate sights is not
available, the mistakes in their levels pass unnoticed.
▪ The rise and fall method though more tedious, provides a full check in
calculations (or all sights).
▪ However, the height of instrument method is more suitable in case, where it is
required to take a number of readings from the same instrument setting, such as
for constructional work, profile levelling etc.

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling – Profile Levelling 21

• Profile levelling is the process of determining the elevations of points at short

measured intervals along a fixed line such as the center line of a railway, highway,
canal, or sewer.
• The fixed line may be a single straight line, or it may be composed of a succession
of straight lines, or of a series of straight lines connected by curves.
• It is also known as longitudinal sectioning.
• The profile is usually plotted on a specially prepared profile paper on which the
vertical scale is much larger than the horizontal.

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling – Profile Levelling 22

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling – Profile Levelling 23

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling – Profile Levelling 24

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling – Cross Levelling 25

• Cross-sections are run at right angles to the longitudinal profile and on either side
of it for the purpose of lateral outline of the ground surface.

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling – Cross Levelling 26

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling – Cross Levelling 27

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling – Reciprocal Levelling 28

• Reciprocal levelling is done when it is necessary to carry levelling across a river,

ravine, or any obstacle requiring a long sight between two points so situated that
no place for the level can be found from which the lengths of foresight and
backsight will be even approximately equal.
• It can eliminate –
▪ error in instrument adjustment
▪ combined effect of earth's curvature and the refraction of the atmosphere
▪ variations in the average refraction

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Direct Levelling – Reciprocal Levelling 29

• From the figure, for the first setting, the correct

staff readings will be:
▪ On A: ha
▪ On B: (hb − e)
▪ True difference in elevation, H = ha−(hb−e)
• Similarly, for the second setting, the correct
staff readings will be:
▪ On A: (h’a − e)
▪ On B: h’b
▪ True difference in elevation, H = (h’a−e)−h’b
A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)
 Direct Levelling – Reciprocal Levelling 30

• We get by adding,
2H = [ha − (hb − e) + [(ha′ − e) − hb′]
= (ha − hb) + (ha’ − hb’)
=> H = 1/2 [(ha − hb) + (ha’ − hb’)]

• So, the true difference in elevation, is equal to

the mean of the two apparent differences in
elevations, obtained by reciprocal observations

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Levelling Problems 31

• Levelling on a Steep Slope

• Levelling of Summits and Hollows
• Taking the level of an Overhead Point
• Levelling Ponds and Lakes too Wide to be Sighted Across
• Levelling Across River
• Levelling Past High Wall

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Levelling on a Steep Slope 32

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Levelling of Summits and Hollows 33

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Taking the level of an Overhead Point 34

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 35
Levelling Ponds and Lakes too Wide to be Sighted Across

Level Surface

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Levelling Across River 36

• If the width of the river is less, the method of reciprocal levelling is to be used
• If the river is too wide to be sighted across, levelling may be continued from one
side to the other in the manner discussed in the previous problem with little error,
provided care is taken to choose a comparatively still stretch and to see that water
levels are taken at points directly opposite to each other

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Levelling Past High Wall 37

Staff

continued

Wall
Wall

Step 1 Step 2

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 Errors in Levelling 38

1. Instrumental:
a. Error due to imperfect adjustment
b. Error due to sluggish bubble
c. Error due to movement of objective slide
d. Rod not of standard length
e. Error due to defective joint
2. Natural:
a. Earth's curvature
b. Atmospheric refraction
c. Variations in temperature
d. Settlement of the tripod or turning points
e. Wind vibrations
3. Personal:
a. Mistake in manipulation
b. Mistake in rod handling
c. Mistake in reading the rod
d. Errors in sighting
e. Mistake in recording
A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)
 Practice Problems 39

Example 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5 – B. C. Punmia, A. K. Jain, & A. K. Jain

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)

 40

Thank You!

A. F. Ahnaf Siddique Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET (Jan '23)