7/5/2010

TOPIC: LEVELLING
ENGINEERING SURVEYING 1
SUG113
By:
En Noorsazwan Ahmad Pugi
Dept. of Surveying Science & Geomatics
UiTM Perak

Review of levelling
z Lecture Contents :
{Introduction
{Definitions
{Principles of Levelling
{Equipment
{Levelling Procedures
{Worked Example
{Loop Misclosure
{Errors in Levelling
{Applications

Introduction
z Levelling
{Levelling is the process by which differences in
height between two or more points can be
determined.
{Its purposes include to provide heights or
contours on a plan, to provide data for road
cross-sections or volumes of earthworks, or to
provide a level or inclined surface in the setting
out of construction works.

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What is levelling?
z A measurement process whereby the
difference in height between two or more
points can be determined
BS

FS

Difference in height
H=BS-FS

When do we level?
z Typical examples include :
{To establish new vertical control (BM or TBM)
{To determine the heights of discrete points
{To provide spot heights or contours on a plan
{To provide data for road cross-sections or
volumes of earthworks
{To provide a level or inclined plane in the
setting out of construction works

Definitions
z Level surface
{A surface over which water will not flow
{The direction of gravity is always normal to a
l
level
l surface
f

z Horizontal surface
{A horizontal surface will be tangent to a level
surface and perpendicular to the plumb line

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Definitions (cont.)

direction of gravity

horizontal
surface

level surface

limit of practical
coincidence (~100 m)

Definitions (cont.)
z Datum
{A reference surface to which the heights of all points in
a survey or on a site are referred
{The height value may be assigned an assumed
elevation, but true elevation is required for the
establishment of a Bench Mark (BM)

z Mean Sea Level (MSL)

{A tidal datum used in levelling operation. Tidal datums
are specific tidal levels that are used as surfaces of
reference for depth measurement in sea and as base in
determining elevations on land

Definitions (cont.)
z Reduced Level (RL)
{The height of a point above the datum

z Benchmark (BM)
{A stable
t bl reference
f
point
i t off known
k
RL
{Usually used as the starting and finishing point
when levelling

z Temporary Bench Mark (TBM)

{A point placed (e.g. peg, nail, spike) to provide
a temporary reference point

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z There are two types of BMs, namely:

i. Standard Benchmark (SBM)
ii. Benchmark (BM)
z Description
i. Standard Benchmark (SBM)
It is a ground planed monument built for stability to minimize the
probability of disturbance. The SBM are established within the
precise leveling network to provide a stable benchmark system that
will
ill control the le
leveling
eling net
network.
ork The marks are located along major
road system at road junctions or at every 40 kilometers intervals.
ii. Benchmark (BM)
It is built between standard benchmarks at every half (0.5) kilometer
in developed area and at every one (1) kilometer for the rest. Each
benchmark has a plate and bolt, mounted on top of a concrete
monument jutting out from the ground surface and they are located
near or within permanent structures such as milestones, bridges,
telecommunication poles and buildings (police station, school etc).

Definitions (cont.)
z Backsight (BS)
{Always the first reading from a new instrument
station

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

z Intermediate sight (IS)

{Any sighting that is not a backsight or foresight

Definitions (cont.)
z Change point (CP)
{Location of the staff when the level is moved
{Change points should be...
zStable
zWell defined
zRecoverable
ze.g. sharp rock, nail, change plate, etc...

7/5/2010

Principle of Levelling
z The level is an optical instrument that provides a height
reference. This reference is a horizontal plane through
the axis of the telescope, known as the "Height of
Collimation".
z Once the Height of Collimation (or Instrument Height)
has been measured, the height of other stations can be
found by measuring from this plane with a staff
staff.
z The height of collimation is found by taking a Back Sight
to a staff placed on a bench mark. The staff reading is
added to the bench mark value to obtain the height of
collimation.
z Once the height of collimation has been found, ground
height at any spot below this plane can be found by
observing the staff and subtracting the staff reading from
the height of collimation.

Equipment
z Level
z Dumpy Level
z Tilting Level
z Automatic Level
z Digital Level

z Tripod
z Staff
z Staff bubble
z 50 m tape measure

Levelling Staff
z Used to measure the vertical distance from the
horizontal plane established by a level to
points where heights are required.
z Graduated in cm and can be read to the
nearest mm by interpolation.
z The have length up to 5m.e.g. E-type staff
z Can be fitted to the circular bubble (staff
bubble) so that a staff can be held vertically at
each point.

7/5/2010

Reading an E-face staff

0.339
0.33
0.3

Levelling Instruments
z Dumpy level
z The telescope of the dumpy level is rigidly fixed to its supports.
z It cannot be removed from its supports nor can it be rotated about
its longitudinal axis.
z The instrument is stable and retains its permanent adjustment for
a long time.
z A dumpy level is an older style instrument that requires skilled use
to set accurately.
z The instrument requires to be set level (see spirit level) in each
quadrant, to ensure it is accurate through a full 360 traverse.

z Tilting Level
z The telescope can be tilted slightly about its horizontal axis with the
help of a tilting screw.
z In this instrument the line of collimation is made horizontal for each
observation by means of the tilting screw.
z This instrument allows the telescope to be effectively flipped through
180 ,
without
ih
rotating
i the
h h
head.
d
z The telescope is hinged to one side of the instruments axis, flipping it
involves lifting to the other side of the central axis (thereby inverting
the telescope).
z This action effectively cancels out any errors introduced by poor setup
procedure or errors in the instruments adjustment.
z As an example, the identical effect can be had with a standard
builders level by rotating it through 180 and comparing the
difference between spirit level bubble positions

7/5/2010

z Automatic Level
z This is also known as the self-aligning level.
z This instrument is levelled automatically within a certain
tilt range by means of a compensating device (the tilt
compensator).
z Digital
g
Level
z This instrument has been designed to carry out all reading
and data processing automatically via an on-board
computer which is accessed through a display and
keyboard.
z Using electronic image processing techniques built in
digital level, a special bar-coded staff is sighted to get the
height of the points.

Levelling Procedures
z Adjustment of Level
{Two pegs test

z Field Procedure
z Reduction of Levels
{Rise and Fall
{Height of Collimation

Two-peg test
z Identifies whether the level has a
collimation error
z Allows the collimation error to be
determined

7/5/2010

BORANG UJIAN 2 PIKET

Nama Pencerap
Tarikh Ujian
Model Alat
Tapak Ujian

: Haslam bin Hussain

: 16 Januari 2007
:
: Padang berhampiran tangki air

Ha

Suhu
No. Siri Alat

: 32C
: 2930

Hb

B
L

Hc

Hd

B
L/10

Error = (Hb-Ha) (Hd-Hc)

L

Field Procedures
z Always commence and finish a level run
on a Benchmark (BM or TBM)
z Keep foresight and backsight distances as
equall as possible
ibl
z Keep lines of sight short (normally < 50m)
z Never read below 0.5m on a staff
(refraction)
z Use stable, well defined change points

How Levelling is carried out?

BS

IS
IS

FS

I1

TBM

7/5/2010

TBM 48.710m

I2

I1

I3
I2

B
TBM

IS

FS

BS

IS

BS

E
BS

IS

FS

FS

I1

3.824
4

2.513

1.752

2.325

E
2.811

3.019

2.505

2.1
191

1.496
6

TBM 49.873m

Levelling Sequence

I3

TBM

Booking Procedure
(All values in meters)

UKURAN NO:..

BELAKANG
(BS)

ANTARA
(IS)

HADAPAN
(FS)

NAIK
(RISE)

TARIKH.

TURUN
(FALL)

TINGGI GRN
KOLIMANTAN
(HOC)

ARAS
LARAS
(RL)

JARAK
(D)

TBM 49.873

2.191

A
2.505

3.019

2.325

B
1.496

C (CP)
D

2.513
1.752

CATATAN
(REMARKS)

2.811
3.824

E (CP)
TBM 48.710

There are two(2) methods available to calculate

heights (RL)
Rise and Fall
Height of Collimation
Height
Arithmetical check must applied for both methods.
It is meant only for the accuracy of calculation to be
verified. It does not verify the accuracy of field work.

7/5/2010

Rise & Fall Method

BELAKANG
(BS)

ANTARA
(IS)

HADAPAN
(FS)

NAIK
(RISE)

TURUN
(FALL)

TINGGI GRN
KOLIMANTAN
(HOC)

ARAS
LARAS
(RL)

JARAK
(D)

TBM 49.873

49.873

2.191

49.559

0.180

49.739

0.829

50.568

C (CP)

0.506

51.074

2.505

0.314

2.325
3.019

1.496
2.513

1.752

6.962
8.131

CATATAN
(REMARKS)

2.811

0.298

50.776

3.824

2.072

48.704

TBM 48.710

(2.684)

48.704
49.873

Check
Misclosure
0.006m

-1.169

Correct

(8.131)

1.515
2.684

-1.169

-1.169

E (CP)

BS - FS = rises - falls = last RL 1st RL

Arithmetical Checking

Height of Collimation Method

BELAKANG
(BS)

ANTARA
(IS)

HADAPAN
(FS)

NAIK
(RISE)

TURUN
(FALL)

TINGGI GRN
KOLIMANTAN
(HOC)

ARAS
LARAS
(RL)

JARAK
(D)

CATATAN
(REMARKS)

TBM 49.873

2.191 (+)

3.019

52.064

49.559

2 325
2.325

49 739
49.739

(+)

1.496

53.587

2.513
1.752
6.962
8.131

49.873

2.505

(+)

2.811
(8.131)

3.824

-1.169

Arithmetical Checking

52.528

50.568

C (CP)

51.074

TBM
D 48.710

E (CP)

50.776
48.704
49.873
48.704

Check
Misclosure
0.006m

-1.169

Correct

BS - FS = last RL 1st RL

Collimation Error
z Occurs when the line of sight (as defined
by the cross-hairs) is not horizontal
z Leads to an incorrect staff reading

error
horizontal line

10

7/5/2010

Example
Setup 4
CP 3

BM A

Kerb
Setup 1

Setup 3

Kerb
Setup 2
CP 1

CP 2
Post

Booking the observations

Setup 4
CP 3

BM A

Back

Inter

Fore

1.32
2 56
2.56

Kerb
Setup 1

3 98
3.98
1.25

Setup 3
Kerb

2.64

Post
0.67

CP 2

1.54

CP 3

2.58

Kerb
3.79

CP 1

CP 1
Kerb

3.65
3.49

Setup 2

Point
BM A

BM A

CP 2
Post

Reducing levels (Rise and Fall)

Back Inter
1.32
2.56
1.25
3 65
3.65
3.49
2.58
2.64
10.01

Fore

Rise

3.98
1.31
0.67

2.98
0.91
1.04

1.54
3.79
9.98 6.24
(0.03)

Fall

RL
50.00
47.34
48.65
46 25
46.25
49.23
50.14
51.18
50.03

Comment
BM A
2.66
CP 1
Kerb
2 40
2.40
Post
CP 2
Kerb
CP 3
1.15
BM A
6.21

(0.03) (0.03)

11

7/5/2010

Loop Misclosure
z Misclosure
{The amount by which the measured height
difference (Hmeas) differs from the known
height
g difference derived from the RLs of the
starting and finishing benchmarks (Hknown)
Misclosure = Hknown - Hmeas

An acceptable misclose?
z Small misclosures in closed level loops
are expected because of the accumulation
of errors
z If the misclosure is small, it can be
adjusted
z If the misclosure is large, the loop (or part
of it) must be repeated
z Misclosures can also result from errors in
published BM levels and from BM
instability

Testing the misclose

z The amount of misclosure we are
prepared to accept depends on the
accuracy we are hoping to achieve
z For routine levelling, the third order
levelling standard is adopted
misclosure 12k mm
z where k is the length of the loop in km

12

7/5/2010

Continuing the example

z The misclosure is +30 mm
z The length of the loop is 0.7 km
z The misclosure limit is
12(0.7) = 10 mm
z The misclosure of +30 mm is too big
z The loop must be repeated (or find the
error)

Adjusting the misclose

z Adjustment is carried out to ensure that
the measured and known RLs of the
closing benchmark agree
z The misclosure is linearly distributed
according to the number of set-ups
z The adjustment per set-up for the previous
example is (0.03/4)...

Adjusting the misclose

Measured
RL

Point

50.00

BM A

47.34

CP 1

48.65

Kerb

46.25

Post

49.23

CP 2

50.14

Kerb

51.18

CP 3

50.03

BM A

Adjustment Adjusted
RL

13

7/5/2010

Adjusting the misclose

Measured
RL

Point

Adjustment Adjusted
RL

50.00

BM A

0.000

47.34

CP 1

0.008

48.65

Kerb

46.25

Post

49.23

CP 2

50.14

Kerb

51.18

CP 3

50.03

BM A

50.000
47.332
=1*(0.03/4)

Adjusting the misclose

Measured
RL

Point

Adjustment Adjusted
RL

50.00

BM A

0.000

50.000

47.34

CP 1

0.008

47.332

48.65

Kerb

0.015

48.635

46.25

Post

0.015

46.235

49.23

CP 2

0.015

50.14

Kerb

51.18

CP 3

50.03

BM A

49.215
=2*(0.03/4)

Adjusting the misclose

Measured
RL

Point

Adjustment Adjusted
RL

50.00

BM A

0.000

50.000

47.34

CP 1

0.008

47.332

48.65

Kerb

0.015

48.635

46.25

Post

0.015

46.235

49.23

CP 2

0.015

49.215

50.14

Kerb

0.023

50.117

51.18

CP 3

0.023

51.157

50.03

BM A

=3*(0.03/4)

14

7/5/2010

Adjusting the misclose

Measured
RL

Point

Adjustment Adjusted
RL

50.00

BM A

0.000

50.000

47.34

CP 1

0.008

47.332

48.65

Kerb

0.015

48.635

46.25

Post

0.015

46.235

49.23

CP 2

0.015

50.14

Kerb

0.023

51.18

CP 3

0.023

50.03

BM A

0.030

49.215
=4*(0.03/4)

50.000

Adjusting the misclose

Measured
RL

Point

Adjustment Adjusted
RL

50.00

BM A

0.000

50.000

47.34

CP 1

0.008

47.332

48.65

Kerb

0.015

48.635

46.25

Post

0.015

46.235

49.23

CP 2

0.015

49.215

50.14

Kerb

0.023

50.117

51.18

CP 3

0.023

51.157

50.03

BM A

0.030

50.000

Errors in levelling
z Collimation
z Parallax
z Change point instability
z Instrument instability
z Staff instability
z Benchmark instability
z Refraction

15

7/5/2010

Errors in levelling
z Staff reading and interpolation errors
z Staff verticality
z Instrument shading
z Temperature on staff
z Booking errors (e.g. using just 1
benchmark)
z Earth curvature
z Magnetic field effects on auto level

Applications of levelling
z Point heights (relative to a datum)
z Height differences (independent of datum)
z Longitudinal sections and cross sections
z Data for volume calculations
z Contouring
z Setting out

16