Scribd
Upload
146 views

Chapter 2

The loop closure error is: 186.273 - 186.258 = 0.015 ft This error is distributed proportionally based on distance leveled: From BM 20 to BM 201: 0.8/4.7 * 0.015 = 0.002 ft From BM 201 to BM 202: 1.6/4.7 * 0.015 = 0.004 ft From BM 202 to BM 203: 1.2/4.7 * 0.015 = 0.003 ft From BM 203 to BM 20: 1.1/4.7 * 0.015 = 0.003 ft Adjusted elevations: BM 20: 186.273 + 0.003

Uploaded by

Kit Meng Lim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
146 views

Chapter 2

The loop closure error is: 186.273 - 186.258 = 0.015 ft This error is distributed proportionally based on distance leveled: From BM 20 to BM 201: 0.8/4.7 * 0.015 = 0.002 ft From BM 201 to BM 202: 1.6/4.7 * 0.015 = 0.004 ft From BM 202 to BM 203: 1.2/4.7 * 0.015 = 0.003 ft From BM 203 to BM 20: 1.1/4.7 * 0.015 = 0.003 ft Adjusted elevations: BM 20: 186.273 + 0.003

Uploaded by

Kit Meng Lim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 40

CHAPTER 2

Leveling
General Terms
Leveling is the procedure for determining
differences in elevation between points that
are some distances from each other

Elevation is the vertical distance above or


below a reference datum. Elevations can be
determined using techniques such as leveling,
total station, GPS or remote sensing.
Leveling Concepts
General Terms
Horizontal line is a straight line perpendicular
to a vertical line.

Level line is a line in a level surface. A level


surface is a curved surface parallel to the
mean surface of the earth.
A level surface is best visualized as being the
surface of a large body of water at rest.
General Terms
Vertical line is a line from the surface of the
earth to the earths center. It is also referred
to as a plumb line or a line of gravity.

Mean sea level (MSL) is the vertical reference


datum. It is assigned a vertical value
(elevation) of 0.000 ft or 0.000 m.
Theory of Differential Leveling
Differential leveling is used to determine
differences in elevation points that are some
distance from each other using a surveyors level
together with a graduated measuring rod.

Surveyors level consists of a crosshair-equipped


telescope and an attached circular bubble, or
spirit level tube, all of which are mounted on a
sturdy tripod.
Theory of Differential Leveling
Surveyor can sight through the telescope to a
rod graduated in feet or meters and
determine a measurement reading at the
point where the crosshair intersects the rod.

All rod readings taken with a surveyors level


contain an error c over a distance K.
Theory of Differential Leveling
Divergence between a level line and a
horizontal line is quite small.
For example, over a distance of 1000 ft,
divergence is 0.024 ft, for a distance of 300 ft,
divergence is only 0.002 ft. (0.0007 m in
100 m).
Leveling Process
Effects of Curvature and Refraction
When considering the divergence between
level and horizontal lines, one must also
account for the fact that all sight line are
refracted downward by the earths
atmosphere.
Effects of Curvature and Refraction
Effects of Curvature and Refraction

(c + r)m = 0.0675K2 (c + r)m in meters


K in kilometers
(c + r)ft = 0.574K2 (c + r)ft in feet
K in miles
(c + r)ft = 0.0206M2 (c + r)ft in feet
M in thousands of feet
Effects of Curvature and Refraction
Example 2.1
Calculate the error due to curvature and
refraction for the following distances
a. 2,500 ft
b. 400 ft
c. 2.7 miles
d. 1. 8 km
Types of Surveying Levels
Automatic level
Digital level
Tilting level
Leveling Rods
Manufactured from wood, metal or fiberglass
and are graduated in feet or meters.
Foot rod can be read directly to 0.01 ft,
whereas the metric rod can be read directly to
0.01 m.
More precise values can be obtained by using
optical micrometer.
Leveling Rods
Most precise work requires the face of the rod
to be an invar strip held in place under
temperaturecompensating spring.
Most leveling surveys utilize two- or
three-piece rods graduated in either feet or
meters.
Leveling Rods
Sole of the rod is a metal plate that can
withstand the constant wear and tear of
leveling.
The zero mark is at the bottom of the metal
plate.
The rods are graduated in a variety of
patterns.
Leveling
Rods
Definitions
Benchmark (BM) is a permanent point of
known elevation
BMs are established by using precise leveling
techniques and instrumentation
BMs are bronze disks or plugs usually set into
vertical wall faces that resist vertical
movement due to settling or upheaval.
Definitions
Temporary benchmark (TBM) is a
semipermanent point of known elevation.
TBMs can be flange bolts on fire hydrants,
nails in the roots of trees, top corners of
concrete culvert headwalls.
Elevations of TBMs are not published, but
available in field notes.
Definitions
Turning point (TP) is a point temporarily used
to transfer an elevation.
Backsight (BS) is a rod reading taken on a
point of known elevation to establish the
elevation of the instrument line of sight.
Height of instrument (HI) is the elevation of
the line of sight through the level.
Definitions
Foresight (FS) is a rod reading taken on a
turning point, benchmark, or temporary
benchmark to determine its elevation.
Intermediate sight (IS) is a rod reading taken
at any other point where the elevation is
required.
Important formulae

Existing elevation + BS = HI

HI FS = new elevation

Starting elevation + BS - FS = Ending elevation


Leveling Procedure One Setup
Leveling ProcedureMultiple Setups
Leveling Field Notes
Profile and Cross-Section Leveling
Plan view of route location is the same as if
we were in air-craft looking straight down
Profile of the route is a side view or elevation
in which the longitudinal surfaces are
highlighted
Cross-section shows the end view of a section
at a station and is at right angles to the
centerline.
Example of Profile Leveling
Profile Leveling Field Notes
Topographic Relief
Peg Test (is line-of-sight horizontal?)
Peg Test
Example 2.2
What is the error in the line of sight for the level
used to take the following readings?
First Setup
Rod reading at A, a1 = 1.075
Rod reading at B, b1 = 1.247
Second Setup
Rod reading at A, a2 = 1.783
Rod reading at B, b2 = 1.946
Peg Test
Solution:
First Setup
Rod reading at A, a1 = 1.075
Rod reading at B, b1 = 1.247
True difference in elevations = 0.172
Second Setup
Rod reading at A, a2 = 1.783
Rod reading at B, b2 = 1.946
Apparent difference in elevation = 0.163

Error ( e2) in 60 m = 0.009


Trigonometric Leveling
Trigonometric Leveling

V = S sin

Elevation at station + hi V RR
= elevation at rod
Trigonometric Leveling
Example 2.3 (refer Fig 2-30 pg. 52)
Determine the elevation of the instrument.

Solution:
V = S sin
= 82. 18 sin 30 22
= 4.54 ft
Elevation at station + hi V RR
= elevation at rod
361.29 + 4.72 41.54 4.00 = 320.47
Level Loop Adjustments
If the error in a level loop is unacceptable, the
leveling must be repeated.
If the error in a level loop is acceptable, that
error is distributed according to the distances
leveled (or the number of instrument setups).
See Example 2.4
Level Loop Adjustment
Example 2.4
A level circuit is shown. A survey is needed for a
local engineering project. It starts at BM 20;
elevations of new BMs 201, 202, and 203 were
determined; and then the level survey is looped
back to BM 20.
Level Loop Adjustment

BM Loop Distance: Field Elevation


Cumulative (km)
20 186.273
201 0.8 184.242
202 2.4 182.297
203 3.0 184.227
20 4.7 186.258
Level Loop Adjustment

You might also like