CE-106 Geomatics - I

Measurement of elevation :
Leveling
by

Jayanta Kumar Ghosh, Ph.D.

Geomatics Engineering Group
Civil Engineering Department
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Roorkee Uttarakhand 247667 INDIA
gjkfumfce@iitr.ernet.in
 Contents
Basic definitions
Basic Principle of Leveling
Methods of Leveling
Reduction in Leveling
Rise and Fall Method
Height of Instrument method
Engineer’s level Book
Example
Summary
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 Basic Definitions
• Datum : The level surface (real or imaginary) used for reference is called a
datum.
• Mean Sea level : Mean sea level (MSL) at a location is obtained by averaging the
height of the surface of the sea for all stages of the tides for a period of 18.6
years. It is used as a vertical datum level surface. For India , MSL of Mumbai port
is considered as reference surface for finding vertical height.
• Bench Mark : A fixed point of known elevation above the datum .
• Relative elevation : Difference in elevation between two points is the separation
between level lines passing through the points.
• Elevation : of a point/ station, on or near the surface of the earth, is its vertical
distance above or below a datum .
• R.L. (Reduced Level) : The R.L. of any point represents its elevation (above or
below) with respect to mean sea level as datum.
• Back sight : Staff reading taken on a point of known elevation.
• Fore sight : Last staff reading taken on a point, before shifting of instrument
position.
• Intermediate sight : Staff reading on a point, other than back sight and fore sight,
of whose elevation is to be determined.
 Basic Definitions
• Height of instrument : Elevation of the line of sight of the telescope.
• Level surface : A level surface is an equipotential surface of the earth's gravity
field. It is a curved surface and every element of which is perpendicular to
plumb line. A body of still water provides the best example of a level surface.
• Level line : is a curved line normal to plumb lines at all points. Thus, it lies in a
level surface.
• Line of sight : is defined as the intersection of the cross hairs and the optical
centre of the objective lens.
• Plumb line : is the direction of the lines of force of earth's gravity field. In plane
surveying, it is defined by the direction of a freely suspended plumb-bob.
• Turning point : is an intermittent/ intervening point between set up of stations
at which both fore sight and back sight readings are taken.
 Basic Principle of Leveling
TERM: Level line
Principle: To find out separation of level lines
passing through B.M. and the unknown point
(whose elevation is required to be determined).

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 Methods of Leveling
• Direct Leveling
– Differential leveling : Numbers of set-ups of level.
To find elevation of non-intervisible points.
– Fly leveling : Low precision, to find/check
approximate level, generally used during
reconnaissance survey.
– Profile leveling : finding of elevation along a line
and its cross section.
– Reciprocal leveling : Along a river or pond. Two
level simultaneously used, one at either end.
• Indirect or Trigonometric Leveling

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 Leveling
To determine elevation of point by finding out the difference starting from B.M

Terms : B.S., I.S., F.S

Procedure

Field Book
• A book, also called level book, used for taking down staff reading during leveling and
subsequently, used for finding out the elevation of points/ stations. - two types

Reduction of Level
• Rise and Fall method and
• Height of instrument method.

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 Rise and Fall Method
• Staff reading is more at a lower point and less for a higher point. Thus, staff readings provide
information regarding relative rise and fall of terrain points.
• when the instrument is at I1, the staff reading at A (2.365m) is more than that at S1 which indicates
that there is a rise from station A to S1 and accordingly the difference between them (1.130m) is
entered under the rise column in Table To find the elevation of S1 ( 101.130m), the rise (1.130m) has
been added to the elevation of A (100.0m). For instrument set up at I2 , S1 has been treated as a point
of known elevation and considered for backsight (having reading 0.685m) . Foresight is taken at S2
and read as 3.570m i.e, S2 is at lower than S1 . Thus, there is a fall from S1 a nd S2 and there difference
(2.885m) is entered under the fall column in Table 13.1. To find the elevation of S2 ( 98.245m), the fall
(2.885m) has been subtracted from the elevation of S1 (101.130m). In this way, elevation of points are
calculated by Rise and Fall method.

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 Height of Instrument Method
• the elevation of the line of sight is constant. The elevation of unknown points can be obtained by
subtracting the staff readings at the desired points from the height of instrument.
• when the instrument is at I1, the staff reading observed at A is 2.365m. The elevation of the line of
sight i.e., the height of instrument is 102.365m obtained by adding the elevation of A (100.0m) with
the staff reading observed at A (2.365m). The elevation of S1 (101.130m) is determined by subtracting
its foresight reading (1.235m) from the the height of instrument (102.365m) when the instrument is
at I1 . Next, the instrument is set up at I2. S1 is considered as a point of known elevation and backsight
reading ( 0.685m) is taken . The height of the instrument (101.815 m) is then calculated by adding
backsight reading ( 0.685m) with the elevation (R.L.) of point S1 (101.130m). Foresight is taken at S2
and its elevation (98.245m) is determined by subtracting the foresight (3.570m) from the height of
the instrument (101.815 m). In this way, elevation of points are calculated by Height of instrument
method.

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 Engineer’s level Book

Arithmetic checks for Reduction of level

Σ B.S. - Σ F.S. = Σ Rise - Σ Fall = Last R.L. - First R.L.

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 Example
Data from a fly leveling have been found in the
order of B.S., F.S..... etc. starting with the
initial reading on B.M. (elevation 150.485 m)
are as follows : 1.205, 1.860, 0.125, 1.915,
0.395, 2.615, 0.880, 1.760, 1.960, 0.920,
2.595, 0.915, 2.255, 0.515, 2.305, 1.170. The
final reading closes on B.M.. Put the data in a
complete field note form and carry out
reduction of level by Rise and Fall method. All
units are in meters.
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 • Σ B.S. - Σ F.S. = 4.795 - 7.145 = - 2.350
• Σ Rise – Σ Fall. = 1.130 - 3.480 = - 2.350
• Last R.L. - First R.L.= 97.650 - 100.000 = -2.350

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 Example
Following staff readings were taken with a level in meter.
The instrument having been shifted after the 4th, 7th and
10th reading. R.L. of the starting B.M. is 100.00 metre.
Enter the readings in the form of a level book page. Find
the R.L. of stations and apply usual checks.
2.655, 3.745, 3.830, 2.275, 2.645, 0.385, 0.960, 1.640,
2.845, 3.485, 2.680, 3.265.
(a) By Rise and fall Method;
(b) By Height of collimation method
Write a note on the relevance of the methods in
reduction of R.L.
 Summary
The elevation of a point is determined through
leveling and is designated as reduced level
(R.L).
It is being carried out using level and staff. For
each set up, the level has to be temporarily
adjusted.
To start any project the permanent adjustment
of level should be checked and rectified, if
required.
Differential leveling is used to find the
difference in elevation.
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Thanking You