www.uthm.edu.

my

LEVELING SURVEY
Mohd Effendi Daud (Dr. Sc)
B.Surv (UTM, Malaysia) Msc (UTM, Malaysia), Dr.Sc, (Nagoya Univ.,
Japan)

(Geomatic Division)
Faculty of Civil & Environmental Engineering,
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat,
Johor, MALAYSIA.
Phone : +6074537363; +60197853740; Fax :
+6074537060
E-mail : effendi@uthm.edu.my
Web: http://www.fkass.uthm.edu.my/
With Wisdom, We Explore

Leveling Survey
www.uthm.edu.my

Learning Outcomes
Explain the basic principle of leveling process,
Set up and carry out adjustment of a level
instrument, book leveling data, adjust for
errors,
Carry out reductions of field observations and
apply checks to leveling work, and
Explain the concept of cross-sections and
profiles

With Wisdom, We Explore

Introduction
www.uthm.edu.my

Leveling is the most frequently used

survey skill.
Geomatic or Civil engineers can
determine the elevation of a specified
location relative to another known
elevation.
It is a simple concept that measures
vertical distance relative to a horizontal
line of sight.
With Wisdom, We Explore

Introduction
www.uthm.edu.my

Leveling requires a graduated staff

for the vertical measurements and
an instrument called level that will
provide a horizontal line of sight.
Leveling is perhaps the most basic of
geomatic surveying operation and
form an important fundamental part
of almost every geomatic project.
With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Principles and
Application of
Leveling

Leveling is a measurement process

whereby the difference in height
between two or more points can be
determined.
The engineer will first take a backsight
reading (BS) to a point of known
elevation (datum) to determine the
elevation of the instrument.
With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Principles and
Application of
Leveling

The engineer will then took a

foresight reading (FS) to a point of
unknown elevation.
Finally the elevation of that points
(FS) can be determined using the
elevation of the instrument minus the
value on the level staff read through
the levels telescope (BS FS).
With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Principles of
Leveling

With Wisdom, We Explore

Principles of
Leveling

www.uthm.edu.my

ht
Backsig

Foresight

BS Rod
Reading

FS Rod
Reading

A: known
elevation

B: unknown
elevation
With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Principles of
Leveling
HI FS = ElevB

ElevA + BS = HI
ElevB = ElevA + BS FS
BS (+)
1.037
m

elevA =
103.459m
A: known
elevation

FS (-)
0.895
m

HI =
104.496m
Datum: elev =
0.000m
With Wisdom, We Explore

elevB =
103.601m
B: unknown
elevation

www.uthm.edu.my

Principles of
Leveling

Once the elevation of a point is

determined, that point can be used
for determining the elevations of
other points.
Therefore, the concept of leveling
involves the measurement of vertical
distance relative to a horizontal line
of sight.
With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Principles of
Leveling

Leveling requires a graduated staff

(level staff) for the vertical
measurements and an instrument
(level) that will provide a horizontal
line of sight.

With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Applications of
Leveling

Typical examples of leveling applications

includes;

Establishing new vertical control (BM or TBM)

Determining the heights of discrete points,
Providing spot heights or contours on a plan,
Providing data for road cross-sections or
volumes of earthworks, and
Providing a level or inclined plane in the
setting out of construction works.
With Wisdom, We Explore

Leveling Terms
www.uthm.edu.my

There are various terms in leveling

procedure that should be
familiarized.
Datum
A datum is any reference surface to which
elevations of points are referred to. In most
case the most common datum which is used
that of Mean Sea Level (MSL).

With Wisdom, We Explore

Leveling Terms
www.uthm.edu.my

Bench Mark (BM)

For a datum to be accessible to users, a series
of permanent marks must be established. These
marks are known as Bench Marks. The
elevations of these Bench Marks can be
established by differential leveling over a period
of years.

Reduced Level (RL)

The reduced level (RL) of a point is its
elevation above or below a reference
datum of BM.
With Wisdom, We Explore

Leveling Terms
www.uthm.edu.my

Temporary Bench Mark (TBM)

A point placed or selected (e.g. peg, nail,
spike, center of manhole) to provide a
temporary reference point during a
construction or surveying work.

Backsight (BS)
Always the first reading for a new
instrument station.

With Wisdom, We Explore

Leveling Terms
www.uthm.edu.my

Foresight (FS)
Always the last reading from the current
instrument station.

Intermediate Sight (IS)

Any sighting that is not a backsight or a
foresight.

Change Point (CP)

Location of the staff when the level is moved.
Changed point should be
Stable,
Well defined
With Wisdom, We Explore

Leveling Terms
www.uthm.edu.my

Leveling Staff
This is the instrument where the vertical
distance above or below the horizontal
surface is read off. It may be telescopic or
folding, extending to a
length usually of 4m or
5m and graduated to be
easily read in the field of
view of the level
telescope.

With Wisdom, We Explore

Exercise 3.1
www.uthm.edu.my

What are the applications of leveling

in civil engineering?
What is the relation between
Datum & Bench Mark?
What are the staff reading
of A, B, and C?

With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Classification of
Level

The level instruments may be

classified on the following basis:
Classification of level based on
accuracy, and
Classification of level based on design.

With Wisdom, We Explore

Level Based on
Accuracy

www.uthm.edu.my

The levels can be divided into three

types based on their accuracy;
Precise Level
Precise level is a very accurate instrument
for geodetic or any other very precise
leveling work.

Medium Accuracy Level

There are used for engineering surveys. They
may be tilting or automatic instruments.
With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Level Based on
Accuracy

Builders Level
Builders level is a low accuracy instrument
which is used for short range leveling such
as setting out on building sites.

With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Level Based on
Design

There are three types of levels

Dumpy Levels

With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Level Based on
Design

Tilting Levels

With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Level Based on
Design

Automatic Levels
Automatic level is almost universal now.

With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Level Based on
Design

Automatic Levels

With Wisdom, We Explore

Temporary
Adjustment

www.uthm.edu.my

Temporary adjustments are the

adjustments which are carried out at
each setting of the level instrument.
These are of three types;
Setting Up,
Leveling, and
Focusing

With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Pond Bubble
(Leveling)

o When pond bubble is center in the

instruments standing axis approximately
vertical.
With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Parallax
(Focusing)

o When focusing any optical instrument it is

vitally important that we eliminate Parallax.
Elimination of Parallax
Focus the crosshairs (using the Eyepiece)
Focus the object (using the Focusing screw)
Move eye up and down over the eyepiece
Images appears to move
Parallax exists and must be removed by better
focusing
Parallax has been removed. Therefore focusing is
good With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

With Wisdom, We Explore

Exercise 3.2
www.uthm.edu.my

Define the following terms:

Reduced Level,
Bench Mark,
Change Point, and
Parallax.

With Wisdom, We Explore

Rules of Leveling
www.uthm.edu.my

The rules of leveling are:

Always commence and finish a level run on
a Benchmark (BM or TBM) of known height,
Keep foresight and backsight distances as
equal as possible,
Keep lines of sight short (normally <30 m),
Never read below 0.5 m on a staff
(refraction), and
Use stable, well defined change points.
With Wisdom, We Explore

Field Procedure
www.uthm.edu.my

Observation Procedures
Consider a series of measurements of
level loop as shown.

With Wisdom, We Explore

Observation
Procedures

www.uthm.edu.my

1.055m

1.451m
0.927
m

BM A (elev.
134.685m)

1.295m
0.713m

1.835m

TP1
TP2
B

With Wisdom, We Explore

Field Procedures
www.uthm.edu.my

Booking Procedures
Two methods of leveling field book and
computation.
Rise & Fall, and
Height of Collimation

With Wisdom, We Explore

Booking
Procedures

www.uthm.edu.my

Rise & Fall Method

BS

IS

FS

RISE

FALL

2.390
1.985
1.318
0.988

0.405
0.667
1.612

1.502
1.415
2.420
CHEKS
BS=
5.798
FS=
2.460
+3.338

0.316
0.532
FS=
2.460

0.294
0.514
0.087
1.099
1.888
RISE=
4.146
FALL =
0.808
+3.338

FALL =
0.808

REDUCE
LEVEL
31.517
31.922
32.589
32.295
31.781
31.868
32.967
34.855
R.L(B)=
34.855
R.L (T)=
31.517
+3.338

ADJUSTMENT
0
0
0
-0.002
-0.002
-0.002
-0.003
-0.005

REDUCE
LEVEL (T)
31.517
31.922
32.589
32.293
31.779
31.866
32.964
34.850

With Wisdom, We Explore

DIST.

REMARK

TBM=31.517
A
B
C (TP)
D
E
F (TP)
TBM2=34.850

60
120
160

www.uthm.edu.my
BS

IS

FS

RISE

FALL

2.390
1.985

0.405

31.922

1.318

0.667

32.589

0.988

1.612

ADJUST
MENT

0.294

1.502

0.514
0.087

1.415
2.420

REDUC
E
LEVEL
31.517

0.316

1.099

0.532

1.888

CHECKS
BS = 5.798

FS = 2.460
R = 4.146F = 0.808

With Wisdom, We Explore

REDUC
E
LEVEL
(A)

DIST.

REMAR
K

Closure
www.uthm.edu.my

o Page checks
o Compute closure
o based on endpoint
o define allowable closure
o compared field closure to
allowable closure
o apply correction
With Wisdom, We Explore

Page Checks
www.uthm.edu.my
BS

IS

FS

RISE

FALL

2.390
1.985
1.318
0.988

0.405
0.667
1.612

1.502
1.415
2.420
CHEKS
BS=
5.798
FS=
2.460
+3.338

0.316
0.532
FS=
2.460

0.294
0.514
0.087
1.099
1.888
RISE=
4.146
FALL =
0.808
+3.338

FALL =
0.808

REDUCE
LEVEL
31.517
31.922
32.589
32.295
31.781
31.868
32.967
34.855
R.L(B)=
34.855
R.L (T)=
31.517
+3.338

BS FS = 5.798m 2.460m = 3.338m

RISE FALL = 4.146m - 0.808m = 3.338m

R.LBottom - R.LTop = 34.855m - 31.517m =

3.338m
Wisdom, We Explore
With

Closure
www.uthm.edu.my
BS

IS

FS

RISE

FALL

2.390
1.985
1.318
0.988

0.405
0.667
1.612

1.502
1.415
2.420

0.316
0.532

0.294
0.514
0.087
1.099
1.888

REDUCE
LEVEL
31.517
31.922
32.589
32.295
31.781
31.868
32.967
34.855

ADJUSTMENT
0
0
0
-0.002
-0.002
-0.002
-0.003
-0.005

REDUCE
LEVEL (T)
31.517
31.922
32.589
32.293
31.779
31.866
32.964
34.850

DIST.

REMARK

TBM=31.517
A
B
C (TP)
D
E
F (TP)
TBM2=34.850

60
120
160

End closure = 34.855m - 34.850m = 0.005m @

5mm
distance

Allowable closure:
D

20
0.16
20

mm
mm

= 8mm
With
Wisdom, We Explore

acceptable

Adjustment
www.uthm.edu.my

BS

IS

Adjustment = End
closure/TP, or
Adjustment = Loop
closure/TP
= 0.005/3
FS
RISE
FALL
REDUCE ADJUSTMENT REDUCE
DIST.
=
per
FS
LEVEL0.0017m
LEVEL
(T)

2.390
1.985
1.318
0.988

0.405
0.667
1.612

1.502
1.415
2.420

0.316
0.532

0.294
0.514
0.087
1.099
1.888

31.517
31.922
32.589
32.295
31.781
31.868
32.967
34.855

0
0
0
-0.002
-0.002
-0.002
-0.003
-0.005

With Wisdom, We Explore

31.517
31.922
32.589
32.293
31.779
31.866
32.964
34.850

0
60
120
160

REMARK
TBM=31.517
A
B
C (TP)
D
E
F (TP)
TBM2=34.850

Field Procedures
www.uthm.edu.my

Height of
Collimation

BS

IS

FS

2.390

HOC
33.907

1.985
1.318
0.988

1.612

33.283

0.316
0.532

35.387
34.855

1.502
1.415
2.420
CHEKS
BS=
5.798
FS=
2.460
+3.338

FS=
2.460

REDUCE
LEVEL
31.517
31.922
32.589
32.295
31.781
31.868
32.967
34.855

CORRECTION
0
0
0
-0.002
-0.002
-0.002
-0.003
-0.005

REDUCE
LEVEL (T)
31.517
31.922
32.589
32.293
31.779
31.866
32.964
34.850

R.L(B)=
34.855
R.L (T)=
31.517
+3.338

With Wisdom, We Explore

DIST.

REMARK

TBM=31.517
A
B
C (TP)
D
E
F (TP)
TBM2=34.850

60
120
160

Summary
www.uthm.edu.my

Rise & Fall Method

o BS FS = +ve (RISE)
o BS FS = -ve (FALL)

Height of Collimation Method

o HOC = RL + BS
o RL(N) = HOC FS/IS

Arithmetic Check
BS- FS = RISE- FALL = RL(E)-RL(B)
With Wisdom, We Explore

Errors in Leveling
www.uthm.edu.my

The following are the sources of

errors in levelling:
Gross Errors (Most Common)
Wrong staff reading,
Wrong crosshair used to read staff,
Wrong booking,
Omission or wrong entry on booking sheet,
and
Spirit level not centered
With Wisdom, We Explore

Errors in Leveling
www.uthm.edu.my

Constant Errors
Non-Vertically of staff,
Collimation error of instrument, and
Staff graduation errors.

Random Error/Accidental
Weather-strong wind/ground shimmer,
Movement of the change point, and
Human error-eyesight peculiarities

With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Errors & how to

eliminate

o Refraction - varies with line of sight, and

Line of sight
time
Horizontal

BS = FS
Sight top the same staff first
Dont take reading lower than
With Wisdom, We Explore

Errors & how to

eliminate

www.uthm.edu.my

o Sighting errors
o Minimize line of sight
o Compare readings on left and right hand
side of the staff

o Instrument errors
o Adjust of the circular bubble

o Staff errors
o Graduation errors
o Staff not verticality
With Wisdom, We Explore

Exercise 3.3
www.uthm.edu.my

What are the sources of errors in

leveling?
What precautions you will take to
avoid them.

With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Permanent
Adjustment of
Levels

The permanent adjustment is carried

out to establish the fixed relationship
between the fundamental lines of a
level.
The fundamental lines of level are
Bubble axis, line of collimation,
vertical axis, and the axis of the
telescope
With Wisdom, We Explore

www.uthm.edu.my

Permanent
Adjustment of
Levels

The only permanent adjustment that will

be discussed here is the collimation error
i.e. to determine the line of collimation
parallel to the bubble axis.
Collimation error is much more
significant than the other errors. It
should be kept as small as possible so
that one need not be too precise in
ensuring that ?
With Wisdom, We Explore