Vertical Distances

Jachrizal Sumabrata
rjs@eng.ui.ac.id

This presentation, together with the next few presentations,

outline the procedures for measuring and calculating vertical
distances.

Accurately

It is important that we understand and always consider

the required and achievable accuracy.
Errors
Gross Errors

Systematic Errors

Random Errors

Precision - represents the repeatability of a measurement

and is concerned only with random errors.
Observations closely grouped together with a small deviation
from the sample mean (small standard error) are said to be
precise.

Probability of Measurement

Most probable value

Small standard deviation

High Precision

Large standard deviation

Low Precision

Measurement

This presentation, together with the next few presentations,

outline the procedures for measuring and calculating vertical
distances.

Accurately

It is important that we understand and always consider

the required and achievable accuracy.
Errors
Gross Errors

Systematic Errors

Random Errors

Precision - represents the repeatability of a measurement

and is concerned only with random errors.
Observations closely grouped together with a small deviation
from the sample mean (small standard error) are said to be
precise.
Accuracy is considered to be the overall estimate of the errors
including systematic effects.

Most probable value

Precise and
accurate results

True value
Most probable value
Systematic
error

Precise and
inaccurate results

True value

Vertical Distances - Levelling

Measuring the height

Measuring and calculating the height of a point

relative to another point
Level

Spirit level

Water level

Optical level

A surveying optical telescope

diaphragm

line of
focusing screw collimation

eyepiece

Focusing

focusing lens
lens
focusing

object lens

1. Rotate eyepiece to give a sharp, cross hairs

clear image of the cross hairs
2. Rotate focusing screw to give a
sharp, clear image of the object
being observed.
Typical
in to
different
makes
of instrument
The
aimdiaphragms
of focusing- is
remove
(eliminate)
PARALLAX

Pond Bubble

When pond bubble is centred the instruments standing axis

is approximately vertical.
The compensators in the instrument take over and adjust
the optical Line of Collimation so that it is horizontal (hopefully)
When the instrument is rotated the compensators ensure that
a horizontal plane of collimation is swept out (hopefully)

Parallax
When focussing any optical instrument it is vitally important
that we eliminate Parallax.
Move the eye up and down (or from left to right) over the
eyepiece of the telescope.
If the cross hairs move relative to the object being observed
then Parallax exists and the focussing is not satisfactory.

Elimination of Parallax

FocusMove
the crosshairs
Images appear to move Parallax has been removed
eye
Parallax
exists
be removed
by better
focussing
Parallax
still exists
and and
mustmust
be removed
by better
focussing
(using
the
Eyepiece)
up and down
Therefore focussing is good
Focusover
the object
the eyepiece
(using the Focussing screw)

Levelling Staff

Levelling

Height of the Plane of Collimation

(HPC)

S1

S2
Reduced
(unknown)
Level
RLofBB

RL A (known)
Measured
Reduced
and Calculated
Level of A
A

DATUM
HPC =

RL A + S1

RL B =

HPC

DATUM
DATUM

S2

Datum
Could be our own Datum

- Assumed Datum

AD

- Arbitrary Datum
Or

- Site Datum
Above Assumed Datum
AAD

A National Datum

- Ordnance Datum

Above Ordnance Datum

OD

AOD

These points around the country are known as Bench Marks

O.S. Bench Marks (OBM)

Reduced Level
Rivet

Bottom of
Level Staff
OBM
TBM

Arrow or Crowsfoot
mark

Section through
wall

Transferred or
Temporary BM

Some Terminology
BS
S1
RL A
A
Level staff on A

RL C
RL B

B
Back Sight (BS) reading is first reading

FS
S2
RL A
A

RL C
RL B

Level staff on A

B
Back Sight (BS) reading is first reading

Level staff on B

Fore Sight (FS) reading is last reading

Move instrument to new position

BS
S3

RL A
A

RL C
RL B

B
CP
Move instrument to new position

Level staff stays on B

The instrument has changed its position about point B

Point B is known as a Change Point (CP)
2nd instrument position starts with BS to B

BS
S3

RL A
A

FS
S4

RL C
RL B

B
and finishes with

FS to C

HPC
HPC
BS

BS

FS

FS

RL A
A

RL C
RL B

B (CP)

RL A is known
HPC = RL A + BS

RL B =

HPC - FS

Now the RL B is known

So we can repeat the process

HPC = RL B + BS

RL C =

HPC - FS

HPC = Known RL + Back Sight

Unknown RL = HPC - Fore Sight
Generally :

Summary of Levelling Procedure

When the level has been set up we always start with a BS to
a point whose RL is known
- such as an OBM or a TBM
The last reading at any instrument position is always a FS

Either the instrument moves or the staff moves -

never move both

We must always finish levelling at a point of known RL value
- such as an OBM or a TBM

always close your levelling

Reading an E-type levelling staff

The value is ?
Read value at
the
horizontal
cross hair

1.932
1.930
1.920
1.910
1.900

1.133
1.130
1.120
1.110
1.100

Introduction to Levelling
We have covered the following
What is meant by RL

Dumpy
Level

Tilting Level

How to transfer RL s

The basics of an Instrument

known as a Level
Automatic Level

Datums - OBM - TBM

Digital Level

It is necessary to practice with a real level and staff

Next week
Practical session - Meet at Civil Eng 4th Floor Door on Left
inside main entrance
Collect - Level and Tripod
N.B. Please - ALWAYS GET YOURSELF ORGANISED BEFORE
PRACTICAL SESSION i.e. pencils - notes - field books etc.

Carry out : Setting up an automatic level

Eliminating PARALLAX

Reading level staff

Reducing levels for given points

Levelling
HPC
HPC
BS

BS

FS

FS

RL A
A

RL C
RL B

B (CP)

RL A is known
HPC = RL A + BS

RL B =

HPC - FS

Now the RL B is known

So we can repeat the process

HPC = RL B + BS

RL C =

HPC - FS

HPC = Known RL + Back Sight

Unknown RL = HPC - Fore Sight
Generally :

Summary of Levelling Procedure

When the level has been set up we always start
a point whose RL is known
- such as an OBM or a TBM

with a BS to

The last reading at any instrument position is always a FS

i.e.always end

with a FS

Either the instrument moves or the staff moves -

never move both

We must always finish levelling at a point of known RL value
- such as an OBM or a TBM

always close your levelling

Levelling

Check tripod is on stable ground or dig feet well in.

Use pond bubble to set approximately vertical standing axis.
Eliminate PARALLAX every time we sight the staff
and
check that the compensators are functioning every
time we sight the staff.

Levelling

At every instrument set up - always start with a BS to a

point of known RL.
At every instrument set up - always finish with a FS.
Either the instrument moves or the staff moves
NEVER BOTH
ALWAYS CLOSE levelling to a point of KNOWN RL