Longitudinal and Cross Sections

Sr SITI NUR ALIAA ROSLAN KLIUC

Outline of Lecture
Introduction Definitions Methodology Calculation Output / Products Applications

Introduction
Two other major uses of levelling are:

Longitudinal sections Cross Cross-sections

Definition
Longitudinal sections The existing ground profile along a particular line (normally the centre line of existing proposed work) Centre line of railway, road, canal etc Staff reading to 0.01m is adequate

Definition
Cross-sections Cross Are lines of levels or short profiles perpendicular to the centre line of a project Provide info needed for estimating the quantities of earthwork

Methodology
The process of determining a series of
elevations along a fixed line is referred to as Profile Levelling Data are taken at regular intervals after the setting out of Centre Line (CL)

Methodology
The levels for the defining of the sections may be obtained by one of the following methods: Conventional levelling Tacheometric methods Interpretation from digital terrain models

Methodology
The fixed direction is usually of
significance such as the centreline of a road or river Cross section may be taken at right angles to this direction at a constant interval Along the cross section levels are measured at points, usually separated by a fixed distance

Methodology
Similar to the usual process of levelling
except that more readings to the Intermediate Sight (IS) In order to get more info about the land profile
ISQ BSA ISP FS1

1 Q

P A

Output / Products
Longitudinal section plan Cross section plan

Horizontal/vertical scale
It is common to use a vertical scale larger
than the horizontal one (usually 10:1) in order to make the elevetion differences clear For eg: Horizontal scale = 1:20 Vertical scale = 1:20

CrossCross -section plan

Uniform slope 3 readings sufficient

Some changes in slope e.g. 5 readings

Significant changes in slope e.g. 9 readings

The typical cross sections

EXISTING GROUND PROFILE

WATER LEVEL

FORMATION LEVEL

Calculations
Construction levelling: often involves relatively
short distances yet a large number (n) of instrument stations In this case, an alternative criterion for E can be used: Max. acceptable misclosure E (in mm): E = D n mm 5mm & 8mm: commonly adopted values for D

Plotting the plans - Longitudinal section

Define the horizontal and vertical scale (e.g. vert 1:20 ; horz 1:500) Can use the engine ering ruler to do the plotting

RL of CLs

Datum = 40.000m
40.858 10.00 40.998 40.00 40.902 50.00 40.907 60.00 41.001 20.00 40.773 30.00 40.758

Ground Level (m)

Chainage (m)

0.00

Plotting the plans - Cross section

Define the horizontal and vertical scale (e.g. vert 1:20 ; horz 1:20) To highlight both components

Exercise:
Draw both the longitudinal and crosscrosssection plans in accordance to exact scale Use the data provided in the lecture slide

Advanced source of data

LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) It is rapidly emerging technology for determining
the shape of the ground surface plus natural and manman -made features LIDAR is combined with Geographic Information System (GIS) data and other surveying information to generate complex data

Application of Long and CrossCrosssections

In the construction and design of roads,
highways, railways, pipelines and drainage systems Earthwork operations Cut and fill volume calculations

Height of Collimation Method

An alternative to the Rise and Fall method Normally used when a large number if
Intermediate Sights are observed The height of the telescope axis or height of collimation (HC) is measured

Example
BS 2.027 2.109 2.543 4.681 IS FS HC 73.105 + 2.027 = 75.132 75.132 75.132 75.132 RL 73.105 75.132 2.109 = 73.023 75.132 2.543 = 72.589 75.132 4.681 = 70.451 Remarks BH1 (73.105m)

Example (Contd)
BS 2.133 3.246 1.957 3.159 0.681 2.988 IS FS 4.427 HC 70.705 + 2.133 = 72.838 72.838 72.838 72.157 + 3.159 = 75.316 75.316 RL 70.451 (4.681 (4.6814.427) = 70.705 72.838 3.246 = 69.592 72.838 1.957 = 70.881 72.157 75.316 2.988 = 72.328 Remarks D (CP) E F G (CP) BH2 (72.328m)

Arithmetic checks
Sum of BS FS = Last RL First RL Sum RLs First RL = [Sum (HCi) x ni]
Sum IS Sum FS

Where: HCi is the i th height of collimation and ni is the no. of times

the i th height of collimation was used to compute RLs

Applications of HC method
Longitudinal and CrossCross-sections Contouring using grid and levelling In general, it is applied when large no. of
IS are taken e.g. in Earthwork levelling

Contouring by Grid and Levelling

Contour
A contour is a line drawn on a plan joining all
points of the same height above or below a datum Contours cannot cross, split or join other contours, except in the case of an overhang. e.g. a cliff The height between successive contours is called the vertical interval or the contour interval

Contour
Contour interval value depends on the variation in height
of the area being contoured - the contour interval is kept constant for a plan or map

The plan spacing between contour line indicates the

steepness of slopes - Closely spaced lines indicates a steep gradient - Widely spaced lines indicate a flatter gradient

Example

10

15

20

25

25 20 15 10 5

Productions of contours
Direct method
Finding points on the ground with the value of the required contour

Indirect method
Random spot heights Grid of spot heights

Productions of contours (indirect method)

From random spot heights

From a grid of spot heights

For next practical

Determine the crosscross-section and longlongsection for a road, with distance of 100m Contouring using the Grid and Levelling method Use the rise/fall or HC method for data calculation