Introduction:

Measuring the difference in elevation between points on the earths surface is a fundamental of surveying. These differences in elevation can be determined by various methods of leveling. Leveling is the operation of determining the difference in elevation between points on the earths surface. A level reference surface, or datum, is established and an elevation assigned to it. Differences in the determined elevations are subtracted from or added to this assigned value and result in the elevations of the point.

A level surface is one in which every point is perpendicular to the direction of the plumb line. It differs from a plane surface, which is flat and is perpendicular to the direction of the plumb line at only one point. A body of still water will assume a level surface. If the changes in the surface of the ocean caused by such influences as tides, currents, winds, atmospheric pressure, and the rotation of the earth could be eliminated, the resulting surface would be level.

FIGURE 1.0: The difference in elevation between points on the earths surface

Types of Leveling: 1) Simple Leveling It is the simplest operation in leveling when it is required to find the difference in elevation between two points,both of which are visible from the single position of the level. If the two points are so close that they can be seen from a single set up, their level difference can be determined easily.

FIGURE 2.0: Simple Level

2) Differential Leveling It is the method of leveling to determine the elevation of points located at some distance apart or to determine the elevation difference between two points or to establish bench marks.The method is used in order to find the difference in elevations between two points:

i) ii) iii)

If they are far apart. The difference in elevation between two points is too great. If there are obstacles intervening.

The method of simple leveling is employed in each of the successive stages.The process is also known as compound or continuous leveling.Suppose,it is required to find the difference of levels between two points A and B,which are too far apart as shown in Figure 3.0.

FIGURE 3.0: Differential Level

3) Profile Leveling It is the method of determining the level of ground surface along a predetermined line which may be the center line of a road,canal,railways or pipeline. The predetermined line may be a single straight line or a series of connected straight lines. The method is also known as longitudinal leveling or sectioning.Sectioning is useful for laying out roads,canals,terrace lines,contour bunds etc.

FIGURE 4.0: Profile Level

4) Fly Leveling The leveling operation in which only Backsight(BS) and Foresight(FS) readings are taken and no intermediate sights are observed is known as fly leveling. Fly Leveling is done for connecting the Benchmark(BM) to the starting point of any project. In such leveling,no horizontal distances are required to be measured.

FIGURE 5.0: Flying Level