A REPORT ON LEVELLING SURVEY

BY

BRENDA CHEMUTAI KIBET

BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

2024BC157801

APRIL 2024
ENGINEERING SURVEY

Introduction to Surveying

Surveying is the art, science and technology of examining and recording the area and features of a piece
of land determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points, distance and angles between
them. It is done in order to achieve the following objectives:

• To determine measure and represent land three-dimensional objects in a map, plan or a deed plan
• To assemble and interpret land and geographical information

LEVELLING SURVEY

Introduction

Levelling is a method used to measure the elevation difference between two or more points. In this
practical report, we focus on one of the levelling techniques known as the fly level observation or the rise
and fall method.

Objective

The objectives of this survey were as follows:

Determine the difference in elevation between two points.

Identify the reduced level of each staff station.

Enhance students’ understanding of levelling survey concepts.

Experience measuring vertical distances using levelling techniques.

Conduct a close fly-levelling survey (vertical control) from a benchmark (TBM) to the site location.

Familiarize with booking and computation in levelling surveying.

Guidelines

1. The following guidelines will help a surveyor reduce errors resulting from any line of sight in his
or her work:
2. Backsight and foresight should be equal distance of 4M.
3. The length of sight should be kept less than 100M
Instruments used

The following instruments were used in the survey:

Tripod: Provides support for other surveying instruments.

Digital level: An optical device used to establish or verify points in the same horizontal plane. It measures
height differences and transfers, measures, and sets heights.

Staff: A graded hardwood or aluminum rod used with a leveling device to determine height differences or
the heights of points above a vertical datum.

Procedure

Setting Up the Level:

• Adjust the tripod legs to ensure the base plate is level.

• Carefully place the automatic leveling instrument on the plate and lock it.
• Center the bubble in the circular spirit level.

Hold the staff vertically on the datum and take a reading. This reading will be the backsight because it is
the first staff reading after setting the instrument.

Move the staff to point A and take a reading. This will be the intermediate sight.

Move the staff to the next point and take a reading. This will also be the intermediate sight.

Move the staff to point D and take a reading. This will be a foresight because after this point the level will
be moved.

The distance between the stations should be measured and recorded into the field book as well.

Set up the level at position 2 and level the staff at point D, then take a reading this will be the back sight.

Move the staff to point E and take a reading this will be the fore sight.

Repeat the above procedure until you complete the exercise.

Site Description

Survey Location

The levelling survey was conducted at a Kenya School of TVET field opposite the ICT department
building.

Site Characteristics

Topography:

The survey site is gently sloping, with a gradual elevation change from the starting point to the endpoint.

Vegetation consists of grass and trees along the field perimeter hence allowing clear visibility for
levelling observation.

Ground Conditions:

Minimal debris or obstacles were encountered during the survey.

No significant structures or buildings are present within the immediate survey area.

Observations and Challenges

Temperature and Weather:

The survey was conducted on a clear day with mild temperatures.

Minimal atmospheric refraction was observed, contributing to accurate measurements.

Staff Readings:

Staff readings were challenging due to the mud from the previous days' rain.

Surveyors used caution to avoid damaging and sinking the staff during placement.
Results and Discussion

The following results are obtained at site during the practical exercise from the field opposite the ICT
building at KSTVET. The reduced levels were done by both the rise and fall method and the height of
collimation:

Rise and Fall method

Station Back Inter Fore sight Rise Fall Reduced Remarks

sight sight levels
1.200 550.00
1.475 0.275 549.725
1.255 0.220 549.945
1.110 1.210 0.045 549.990
1.145 0.035 549.955
0.650 1.175 0.030 549.925
0.640 0.010 549.935
0.652 0.012 549.923
0.663 0.011 549.912
0.692 0.029 549.883
0.720 0.028 549.855
0.740 0.020 549.835
0.770 0.030 549.805
0.849 0.079 549.726
0.945 0.096 549.630
1.090 0.145 549.485
1.092 0.002 549.483
1.260 0.168 549.315
1.317 0.057 549.258
1.390 0.073 548.185
1.575 0.185 549.000
1.675 0.100 548.900
1.825 0.150 548.750
1.956 0.131 548.619
2.041 0.085 548.535
2.174 0.133 548.401
2.273 0.099 548.302
2.410 0.137 548.165
2.535 0.125 548.040
2.610 0.075 547.965
2.450 0.160 548.125
2.940 0.490 547.635
 3.050 0.110 547.525
3.250 0.200 547.325
3.260 0.010 547.315
3.295 0.035 547.280
3.565 0.270 547.010
3.842 0.277 546.733

Field level survey arithmetic checks, 2024.

Σ B.S - Σ F. S =2.960-6.277 = -3.277

Σ Rise -Σ Fall = 0.435-3.702 = -3.267

Σ Last R.L - First R.L = 546.733- 550.000 = -3.267

Height of Collimation

Station Back Sight Inter Sight Fore Sight H.O.C Reduced Remarks
Level
3.850 353.850 350.000
3.650 350.200
3.398 350.452
3.140 3.250 353.740 350.600
2.942 350.798
2.770 2.768 353.742 350.972
2.650 351.092
2.500 351.242
2.360 351.382
2.245 351.497
2.130 351.612
2.000 351.742
1.970 351.952
1.760 351.982
1.605 351.137
1.440 352.302
1335 352.407
1.235 352.507
1.085 352.657
0.965 352.777
0.900 352.842
0.815 352.927
 0.775 352.967
0.765 352.977
0.735 353.007
0.725 353.017
0.715 353.027
0.725 353.017
0.720 353.022
0.705 353.037
0.715 353.027
0.640 353.102
0.590 353.152
0.600 353.142
0.620 353.122
0.700 353.042
0.820 0.690 353.052

Field level survey arithmetic checks, 2024.

Σ B.S - Σ F. S =9.760- 6.708 = 3.052

Σ Last R.L - First R.L = 353.052-350.000 = 3.052

Conclusion

In conclusion the exercise achieved its objectives and as a student I was able to know how to conduct a
levelling exercise from start to finish.