Surveying 1

LEVELINGTHEORY AND METHODS

Eng. Anas Al-Hares

Zarqa University
Engineering and Technology
Civil Engineering

 INTRODUCTION
o Leveling is the general term applied to any of the various processes
by which elevations of points or differences in elevation are
determined.
o Leveling results are used to:
1. design highways, railroads, canals etc.
2. lay out construction projects according to planned
elevations.
3. calculate volumes of earthwork and other materials.
4. investigate
5. drainage characteristics of an area.
6. develop maps showing general ground configurations
7. study earth subsidence and crustal motion.

 DEFINITIONS
Vertical line A line that follows the local direction of gravity as
indicated by a plumb line.
Level surface A curved surface that at every point is perpendicular to
the local plumb line.
Level line A line in a level surfacetherefore, a curved line.
Vertical datum Any level surface to which elevations are referenced.
This is the surface that is arbitrarily assigned an elevation of zero.

 DEFINITIONS
Elevation The distance measured along a vertical line from a vertical
datum to a point or object.
Mean sea level (MSL) The average height for the surface of the seas
for all stages of tide over a 19-year period as defined by the National
Geodetic.
Benchmark (BM) A relatively permanent object, natural or artificial,
having a marked point whose elevation above or below a reference
datum is known or assumed.
Leveling The process of finding elevations of points or their
differences in elevation.

 DEFINITIONS

Level instruments
Basic kit

level

staff

tripod

METHODS FOR DETERMINING

DIFFERENCES IN ELEVATION
Three methods used to measure differences in elevation:
1.
2.
3.

Direct vertical measurement

Trigonometric leveling
Differential leveling

It is important to understand the procedure, equipment and note keeping

format used for each method.

Definition
Bench mark (BM) - relatively permanent point of known
elevation.

Definition
Back sight (BS) - a sight taken to the level rod held at a point
of known elevation(either a BM or TP).

Definition
Height of instrument (HI) - the elevation of the line of sight
of the telescope.

Definition
Foresight (FS) - a sight taken on any point to determine its
elevation.

Direct leveling
This surveying method is 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.

Differential Leveling ( Rise and Fall)

Differential Leveling
Example

Differential Leveling (height of instrument)

SOURCES OF ERROR IN LEVELING

Instrumental Errors:
Line of Sight

Cross hair Not Exactly Horizontal

Cross hair Not Exactly Horizontal
Tripod Legs Loose

SOURCES OF ERROR IN LEVELING

Natural Errors
Curvature of the Earth

Refraction.
Temperature Variations
Wind.
Settlement of the Instrument
Settlement of a Turning Point

SOURCES OF ERROR IN LEVELING

Personal Errors
Bubble Not Centered

Parallax
Faulty Rod Readings
Rod Handling.
Target Setting

SOURCES OF ERROR IN LEVELING

MISTAKES
Improper Use of a Long Rod

Holding the Rod in Different Places for the Plus and Minus Sights
on a Turning Point
Reading a Foot Too High
Recording Notes
Touching Tripod or Instrument during the Reading Process.