TWO PEGS TEST

Two-Peg Test is the method for checking and recalibrating a level or transit. This method
is either for an optical or digital level, or a transit being used as a level. If this error is corrected
with a transit, it also improves the accuracy of its vertical angle readings. The two-peg test is
very simple, but provides a way to test the accuracy of a level, and if you know which screw to
turn (for analog instruments) or menu to follow (for the digital level), you can adjust it to remove
the error. See specific instrument instructions for making adjustments. The basic principle is that
since the error in level readings results from the instrument not sighting exactly horizontally, is
thus looking up or down at some angle, and that this angle is the same whichever way it's
sighting. If you place the instrument exactly midway between two rod sightings, the vertical
error reading on the rod is the same for each, thus the difference in reading between the rods will
still give you an accurate elevation difference. Knowing this, we can accurately determine the
elevation of B relative to A above. If we then move the instrument to sight from A to B, with the
instrument exactly on a reading at A, we can detect the error at that distance, and can adjust the
reading to give us the true reading predicted for B. The purpose of this test is to determine if the
leveling bubble (bubble axis) and telescope line-of-sight (line of collimation) are parallel.
EQUIPMENTS OF TWO PEGS TEST

 Auto Level and tripod (1 set)

 Staff (2 sets)

 Staff bubble (2 sets)

 Measuring Tape (1 set)

LEVELLING

Levelling is a branch of surveying, the purpose of levelling is to find the elevation of a

given point with respect to the given or assumed datum and establish a point at a given elevation
with respect to the given or assumed datum. Levelling is the measurement of geodetic height using
an optical levelling instrument and a level staff or rod having a numbered scale. Common levelling
instruments include the spirit level, the dumpy level, the digital level, and the laser level. Its very
important to understand the difference between the two at the first place, from the definition its
pretty clear as to why it is done. There are 2 types of levelling which known as direct and indirect
levelling. Direct levelling consist of 2 structure, differential levelling and profile levelling. Direct
levelling can be used to measure both the elevation of points and the differences in elevation
between points, using a level and a levelling staff. In differential leveling, you find the difference
in elevation of points which are some distance apart. In the simplest kind of direct levelling, you
would survey only two points A and B from one central station LS. But you may need to find the
difference in elevation between: either several points A, B, ... E, surveyed from a single levelling
station LS; or several points A ... F, surveyed from a series of levelling stations LS1 ... LS6.
However, in profile levelling, you find the elevations of points placed at short measured intervals
along a known line, such as the centre-line of a water supply canal or the lengthwise axis of a
valley. You find elevations for cross-sections with a similar kind of survey. Direct levelling can
be used to determine elevations for contour surveying, and for setting graded lines of slope, where
you need to combine both differential levelling and profile levelling. Before any construction starts
its important to make sure the land is in level and doesn't have much difference in gradient. If it
has, then foundation has to be laid accordingly, so for this purpose surveying and leveling is carried
out. At national level, benchmark established by federal agencies (Department of Surveying and
Mapping Malaysia, JUPEM) utilizing first-order methods and first order instruments. The same
high requirement is also specified for state and provincial grids; but as work proceeds from the
whole to the part, the rigid are relaxed somewhat. Generally for most engineering works,
benchmarks are established at third-order specifications. Hence establishing vertical control to
control isolated construction project may be at an even lower order of accuracy. The present
vertical control network consists of interrelated network within the country. This hierarchy is
broken down into First, Second and Third order geodetic quality benchmarks. The vertical datum
to which the project will be tied should be determined first (Geocentric Datum of Malaysia, GDM
2000). In peninsular Malaysia, there exist two classes of leveling being undertaken by JUPEM.
These are defined in accordance to the permissible discrepancy between the forward and return
leveling as follow:

Class of Leveling Permissible Discrepancy (mm)

1st Order 0.003 √K

2nd Order 0.012 √K

where K is distance in kilometers between two successive bench marks along a leveling
line.

Furthermore, for general engineering projects, vertical control is applied to various

processes whereby each elevation of points is determined. It is a vital operation in producing
necessary data for mapping engineering and construction. Meanwhile, for engineering works
benchmarks are established at third order specifications. Hence its control isolated construction
projects may be at even lower accuracy.

EQUIPMENTS OF LEVELLING

 Auto Level and tripod (1 set)

 Staff (2 sets)

 Staff bubble (2 sets)

 Measuring Tape (1 set)
Making topographical surveys by straight open traverses

This is a survey method using straight open traverses, that is, several intermediate stations along
one straight line. For example the elevation of starting point A, E(A) = XXX m is known, the
distance of point B from point A, and its elevation is a variable. Because of the type of terrain on
which you are surveying, you cannot see point B from point A, and you need two turning points,
TP1 and TP2 , for levelling. Measure horizontal distances as you move forward with the level,
from point A toward point B; try to progress along a straight line. If you cannot, you will need to
use the broken open traverse survey method, which involves measuring the azimuths of the
traverse sections as you move forward and change direction.

Making topographical surveys by broken open traverses

Remember, that if you survey by broken open traverses (or zigzags), you will also have to measure
the azimuth of each traverse section as you proceed, in addition to distances and elevations. You
need for example to survey open traverse ABCDE from known point A. You require four turning
points, TP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4. You want to know: the elevations of points B, C, D and E; the
horizontal distances between these points; the position of each point in relation to the others, which
will help you in mapping them. Proceed with the differential levelling as described earlier,
measuring foresights and backsights from each levelling station. Measure azimuths and horizontal
distances as you progress from the known point A toward the end point E. All the azimuths of the
turning points of a single line should be the same. This will help you check your work.

Making topographical surveys by closed traverses

For closed traverse, perimeter summit A, B, C, D, E and F shall be used of the polygon as a
survey point, and plot turning points between these summits as you need to. Make a plan survey,
and use differential levelling to find the elevation of each perimeter point. If the exact elevation
of starting point A is not known, it can be assumed as elevation, for example E (A) = XXX m.
Start the survey at point A , and proceed clockwise along the perimeter of the area. Take
levelling staff readings at TP1, TP2, B, TP3, etc., until you reach starting point A again and close
the traverse. At the same time, make any necessary horizontal distance and azimuth
measurements. Record your measurements either in two separate tables, one for plan surveying
and one for levelling, or in one table which includes distance measurements. From the (BS-FS)
columns, you can easily find the elevation of each point on the basis of the known (or assumed)
elevation at point A. Make all the checks on the calculations. Find the closing levelling error at
point A. This error should not be greater than the maximum permissible error.