MODULE 4 CE 214 Fundamentals of Surveying
MODULE 4 CE 214 Fundamentals of Surveying
1. Topic
Measurement of Vertical Distances
• Leveling
• Curvature and Refraction
• Leveling Methods
2. Introduction
There are many various ways on how surveying is done. In any way, there
will be a specific tool and/or equipment for it to be done. Some of these tools and/or
equipment were useful on some ways but not on the other. These tools or equipment
has natural imperfections; thus, adjustments have to be done. This module will
enumerate those ways and tools and/or equipment that work together for surveying
to be carried out and how to adjust errors due to natural imperfections.
3. Learning Outcome
1. Students will know different ways on how to survey.
2. Students will be popular to the tools and equipment used in surveying.
3. Students will learn how to use tools and equipment.
4. Students will be able to determine errors and its’ corresponding
adjustment.
4. Learning Content
LEVELING
Leveling is the process of directly or indirectly measuring vertical distances to determine
the elevation of points or their differences in elevation. It is a vital and important aspect of
surveying since leveling operations are undertaken to provide necessary data for engineering
design and construction, and the production of topographic maps. The suitability of a site for
development can be better determined by using the results obtained from leveling operations.
Through the process of leveling, buildings, roads, canals, and other vertical and horizontal
structures can be designed and laid out to best conform to the configuration of the ground.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
To better understand leveling operations, the following basic terms are defined below:
1. Level Surface. It is a curved surface which is at any point perpendicular to the direction
of gravity or the plumb line. It is best represented by the surface of a large body of still
water. However, a level surface is not a plane and does not have a regular form because
of local deviations of the plumb line. To some effect, the direction of gravity depends on
the distribution of the masses of the earth’s crust and on their densities. Such that if a
plumb bob is held vertically at the base of a mountain, it will have the tendency to deflect
toward the mountain. Although the deflection would be small and negligible,
nevertheless it makes the level surface slightly irregular.
2. Level Line. A level line is a curved line in a level surface all points of which are normal to
the direction of gravity and equidistant from the center of the earth.
3. Horizontal Surface. It is a plane that is tangent to a level surface at a particular point. The
horizontal surface is also perpendicular to the plumb line at the same point.
4. Horizontal Line. A straight line in a horizontal plane which is tangent to a level line at one
point. This line is perpendicular to the direction of gravity at the point of tangency. Since
the mean radius of the earth is comparatively large, it is practical for most purposes to
assume that a level line and horizontal line are the same for short distances.
5. Vertical Line. A vertical line at any point is a line parallel to the direction of gravity. It is
exemplified by the direction taken by a string supporting a suspended plumb bob passing
through a point. For ordinary purposes it is convenient to assume that the earth is a true
sphere with a smooth surface, and that plumb line held at any point on its surface is
always directed toward the center of the sphere.
6. Mean Sea Level. Mean sea level is an imaginary surface of the sea which is midway
between high and low tides. It is taken as the reference surface to which most ground
elevations are referred. This surface is determined by averaging the height of the sea’s
surface for all its tide stages over a long period of time which may extend to about 20
years. Readings are usually taken at hourly intervals on various properly distributed
stations. Mean sea level is not a steady frame of reference due to the melting of ice in the
polar regions, the effects of volcanic activity, and many other influencing factors. It is for
these reasons that it is necessary to have a continuing observation of sea level
fluctuations to detect changes. This surface, which is considered to be at zero elevation,
conforms to the spheroidal shape of the earth and is perpendicular to the direction of
gravity at every point.
7. Datum. Datum is any convenient level surface coincident or parallel with the mean sea
level to which elevations of a particular area are referred. Any surface may be used as a
datum when relative elevations over a limited area needs to be established. It is done by
assigning an assumed elevation of other points in the vicinity with regard to this value.
8. Elevation. For a particular point, its elevation is the vertical distance above or below mean
sea level or any of the selected datum. Points on or near the surface of the earth have
either positive or negative elevations, depending if the point is above or below mean sea
level.
9. Difference in Elevation. The difference in elevation between two points is the vertical
distance between the two-level surfaces in which the points lie.
TYPES OF LEVELS
There are various types of instruments used in leveling work, the basic instrument used,
however, is the spirit level. Other instruments employed in leveling work include the hand level,
alidade transit, theodolite, aneroid barometer, and EDM instruments. Although these
instruments may differ somewhat in design, each can be used to establish a horizontal line of
sight by means of a telescope fitted with a set of cross hairs and a level bubble.
1. Dumpy Level. The dumpy level is the most widely used direct leveling instrument. It
has a long telescope which is rigidly attached to the level bar. The telescope, which
can be rotated through 360 degrees, fixes the direction of the line of sight. Attached
to the level bar is a level vial which always remains in the same vertical plane at the
telescope. A leveling head supports the telescope and permits the bubble in the
tube to be centered by means of leveling screws. The whole instrument is in turn
supported by means of a tripod.
2. Wye Level. The wye level is very identical to the dumpy level. The only difference
between these two instruments is in the manner by which their telescopes are
attached to the supporting level bar. The wye level has a detachable telescope which
rests in supports called wyes. It can be removed from the Y-shaped supports and
turned end for end during adjustment by releasing the two clapping collars which fit
across the tops of the Y’s. curved clips are used to fasten the telescope in place.
The wye level is now almost obsolete and seldomly used since newer levels are
better constructed and satisfactory for most leveling work. Although these leveling
instruments was not as popular as the other levels, many of its older models have
more sensitive bubble tubes than the other types of engineer’s level.
3. Builder’s Level. The instrument is used primarily in the different phases of the
building construction where a high degree of precision is not a primarily requisite.
Engineers, architects, and builders use it in the setting of concrete forms, batter
boards, and in establishing grades for earthworks.
It is often called a construction level or an architect’s level. The level vial is not as
sensitive as in other levels and its telescope has a much lesser magnifying power.
The horizontal circle, which is found between the level vial and the leveling head, is
its special features, the circle is used when measuring or laying out horizontal
angles.
8. Laser level. In surveying and construction, the laser level is a control tool consisting
of a rotating laser beam projector that can be affixed to a tripod. The tool is leveled
according to the accuracy of the device and projects a fixed red or green beam in a
plane about the horizontal and/or vertical axis.
9. Hand Level. The hand level consists of a brass tube about 15 cm long having a plain
glass objective and a peep sight eyepiece. On top of the tube is a small level vial
reflecting through a prism which appears to move vertically when viewed through
the eyepiece. When the bubble appears to be on the cross line it is in the center of
the tube and a horizontal line extends across the hand level. During leveling, the
instrument is held in one hand and leveled by raising or lowering the objective end
until the cross line bisects the bubble. To obtain a steady sight, it may be held beside
a vertical staff or by bringing it close to one’s cheekbone. The user of a hand level
takes a backsight or foresight on a rod while standing in one position and then
moves ahead to repeat the process. There is no magnification by the hand level and
the length of sight is limited by the visibility of rod readings using naked eye.
The combination of the earths curvature and atmospheric refraction causes the
telescope’s line of sight to vary from a level line by approximately 0.0785 minus 0.0110 or 0.0675
m in one kilometer, varying as the square of the sight distance in kilometers. This may be
represented by a mathematical equation as follows
h’ = 0.0675 K2
where h’ is the departure of a telescope line of sight from a level line (in meters) and K is the
length of the line of sight (in kilometers). The value 0.0675 is called the coefficient of refraction.
Its value actually varies to a certain degree for different elevations, but is taken with an average
value of 0.0675.
For surveys of ordinary precision, corrections for the combined effects of curvature and
refraction may be omitted. The correction is only necessary in precise leveling work and where
the difference in length of backsight and foresight distances is great. If the backsight distance
were exactly equal to the foresight distance for each set up of the instrument, the errors caused
by the atmospheric refraction and the earth’s curvature would cancel each other. Since refraction
changes rapidly with changes in temperature, it is advisable to undertake precise leveling during
cloudy days or at mid-afternoon or sunny days when the ground and air are uniformly warm.
Example. A woman standing on a beach can just see the top of a lighthouse 24.140 km away. If
her eye height above sea level is 1.738 m, determine the height of the lighthouse above sea level.
Solution:
1.738
Kw= √0.0675 = 5.074 km (Distance of woman from point of tangency)
since Kw + KL = 24.140 km
LEVELING METHODS
There should be at least two persons to undertake differential leveling; the rodman who
carries and holds the rod, and the instrument man who sets up the level and determines the
required rod readings. The instrument man can record the data in a field notebook or a third
person may be employed as recorder. If a bigger levelling party could be formed, a chief of party,
a pacer, an axeman and utility men may be added to complete the team.
The leveling instrument is set up at any convenient location along the level route and a
backsight is taken on a leveling rod held vertically on Bm a. The backsight reading added to the
known or assumed elevation of the initial bench mark gives the height of instrument above
datum or
HI = Elev BMa + BS
The rodman moves forward along the general direction of BMb and holds the rod at a
convenient turning point (TP1). The instrument man takes a foresight on the rod. This foresight
reading subtracted from the height of instrument gives the elevation above datum of the turning
point or
Elev TP1 = HI – FS
The level is then transferred and set up at another convenient location beyond TP 1, but
still in the general direction of BMb. The exact location at which the level is set up is of little
importance. The more important thing to consider is that the level is set up at a location where
backsight and foresight rod readings can be made. A backsight is then taken on TP, to establish a
new height of instrument (HI2). The rodman finally moves forward to the location of BM b and a
foresight is taken on the rod held on it. Since the new HI has already be determined, the elevation
of BMb is computed by subtracting the foresight reading from the height of instrument.
If the terminal point (BMb) is still some distance away such that more turning points have
to be established before it could be foresighted, the procedure of reading a backsight, the
rodman moving ahead to establish another turning point, and reading a foresight is repeated.
This is done as many times as necessary until the elevation of BMb is finally obtained. The four
illustrative problems given in this lesson should provide the student a clearer idea as to how
differential levelling is undertaken, how the notes are kept, and how the customary arithmetic
check is made.
Example. Complete the differential level notes shown below and perform the customary
arithmetic check.
Level Notes from BM1 TO BM4 :
STA BS HI FS ELEV
BM1 1.256 127.133
TP1 1.116 1.886
TP2 1.228 1.527
BM2 1.189 2.246
BM3 1.070 2.017
TP3 1.831 2.656
BM4 2.765
SOLUTION:
a.) Computation of HI’s and Elevation of Stations:
127.133 ( Elev BM )
+ 1.256_ ( BS on BM1 )
128.389 ( HI1 )
- 1.886_ ( FS on TP1 )
126.503 ( Elev TP1 )
+ 1.116_ ( BS on TP1 )
127.619 ( HI2 )
- 1.527_ ( FS on TP2 )
126.092 ( Elev TP2 )
- 1.228_ ( BS on TP2 )
127.320 ( HI3 )
- 2.246_ ( FS on BM2 )
125.074 ( Elev BM2 )
+ 1.189_ ( BS on BM2 )
126.263 ( HI4 )
- 2.017_ ( FS on BM3 )
124.246 ( Elev BM3 )
+ 1.070_ ( BS on BM3 )
125.316 ( HI5 )
- 2.656_ ( FS on TP3 )
122.660 ( Elev TP3 )
+ 1.831_ ( BS on TP3 )
124.491 ( HI6 )
- 2.765_ ( FS on BM4 )
121.726 ( Elev BM4 )
b.) Determining Backsight and Foresight Sums:
∑ BS = 1.256 + 1.116 + 1.228 + 1.189 + 1.070 + 1.831 + = + 7.690 m
∑ FS = -(1.886 + 1.527 + 2.246 + 2.017 + 2.656 + 2.765) = -13.097 m
STA BS HI FS ELEV
BM1 1.964 205.549m
1.964
TP1H 2.187 1.104
TP1L 2.629 1.549
TP2H 1.393 1.794
TP2L 1.780 2.202
TP3H 0.317 2.991
TP3L 0.741 3.415
BM2 2.634
2.634
Solution:
a.) Route 1 (High points) Route 2 (Low points)
205.549 m (ELEV BM1) 205.549 m (ELEV BM1)
+ 1.964 (BS on BM1) + 1.964 (BS on BM1)
207.513 (HI1H) 207.513 (HI1L)
- 1.104 (FS on TP1H) - 1.549 (FS on TP1L)
206.409 (ELEV TP1H) 205.964 (ELEV TP1L)
+ 2.187 (BS on TP1H) + 2.629 (BS on TP1L)
208.596 (HI2H) 208.593 (HI2L)
- 1.794 (FS on TP2H) - 2.202 (FS on TP2L)
206.802 (ELEV TP2H) 206.391 (ELEV TP2L)
+ 1.393 (BS on TP2H) + 1.780 (BS on TP2L)
208.195 (HI3H) 208.171 (HI3L)
- 2.991 (FS on TP3H) - 3.415 (FS on TP3H)
205.204 (ELEV TP3H) 204.756 (ELEV TP3L)
+ 0.317 (BS on TP3H) + 0.741 (BS on TP3L)
205.521 (HI4H) 205.497 (HI4L)
- 2.634 (FS on BM2) - 2.634 (FS on BM2)
202.887 m (ELEV BM2) 202.863 (ELEV BM2)
STA BS HI FS ELEV
BM1 1.964 207.513 205.549m
1.964 207.513
TP1H 2.187 208.596 1.104 206.409
TP1L 2.629 208.593 1.549 205.964
TP2H 1.393 208.195 1.794 206.802
TP2L 1.780 208.171 2.202 206.391
TP3H 0.317 205.521 2.991 205.204
TP3L 0.741 205.497 3.415 204.756
BM2 2.634 202.887
2.634 202.863
+12. 975 -18.323
∑BS ∑FS
e.) Arithmetic check
Mean Elev BM2 = 202.875 m
DE1 = (∑BS + ∑FS)/2 = (+12.975-18.323)/2 = -2.674 = 2.674 m
DE2 = Elev BM1 – Mean Elev BM2 = 205.549-202.875 = 2.674 m
Since DE1 = DE2, it can be assumed that the arithmetical computations performed are correct.
BS FS
STA HAIR MEAN S HI HAIR MEAN S ELEV
RDGS RDG RDGS RDG
BM1 1.152
0.935 444.242 m
0.718
TP1 2.784 1.117
2.420 0.899
2.057 0.682
TP2 1.713 1.900
1.440 1.537
1.166 1.172
TP3 2.591 1.450
2.094 1.177
1.599 0.904
TP4 0.913 2.210
0.730 1.714
0.547 1.218
BM2 1.593
1.410
1.227
Solution:
BS FS
STA HAIR MEAN S HI HAIR MEAN S ELEV
RDGS RDG RDGS RDG
BM1 1.152
0.935 0.935 0.434 445.177 444.242 m
0.718
TP1 2.784 1.117
2.420 2.420 0.727 446.698 0.899 0.899 0.435 444.278
2.057 0.682
TP2 1.713 1.900
1.440 1.440 0.547 446.602 1.537 1.536 0.728 445.162
1.166 1.172
TP3 2.591 1.450
2.094 2.095 0.992 447.520 1.177 1.177 0.546 445.425
1.599 0.904
TP4 0.913 2.210
0.730 0.730 0.366 446.536 1.714 1.714 0.992 445.806
0.547 1.218
BM2 1.593
1.410 1.410 0.366 445.126
1.227
8. Assessment Task
Perform Activity 10(QUIZ 3). Submission of required output via E-mail @
[email protected] or on designated drop-off / pick up points.
9. References
1. La Putt, J.P., Elementary Surveying (3rd Edition) 2013 Reprint
2. La Putt, J.P., Higher Surveying (2nd Edition) 2013 Reprint
3. Surveying for Civil and Geodetic Licensure Exam by Bessavilla