Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Akre University of Applied Sciences

Akre Technical Institute
Surveying Department

Fundamentals of Surveying

by: Bakhtiyar Q. Khawaja

Lecture 6: Leveling 1

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 Surveying Leveling
Levelling : It is the process of measuring the difference in elevation
(vertical distance) between two or more points by providing a horizontal
line of sight

The elevation of a point: vertical distance between point and a reference

level surface called datum.
•In topographical work the used datum is the mean sea level (MSL)
• + ve if above MSL
• - ve if below MSL
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Methods of Levelling

Leveling can be done in several ways:

1. Chain surveying
2. Barometric leveling: using barometer to measure the atm.Pressure to determine elevation
3. Trigonometric leveling: using Theodolite or by mathematical rules.
4. Photogrammetric leveling: using Camera
5. GPS leveling
6. Differential leveling: using level and staff

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Methods of Levelling
• Differential leveling: using level and staff

Barometric levelling Trigonometry levelling

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Relations among Fundamental Lines

1.Axis of the level tube is perpendicular to the Vertical axis
2.Horizontal cross hair should lie in a plane perpendicular to the Vertical axis, so that it will lie in a Horizontal plane
when the instrument is properly leveled.
3.The Line of sight is parallel to the axis of the level tube. 5
 Surveying Leveling
Some basic definition about leveling readings:
Back-sight (BS):This is the first reading taken by the observer at every instrument station
after setting up the level.
Foresight (FS): This is the last reading taken at every instrument station before moving
the level.
Intermediate Sight (IS): This is any reading taken at an instrument station between the
back-sight and the foresight.
Turning point (TP): This point at which both a foresight and a back-sight are taken
before moving the staff.

Height of Instrument (HI): The elevation of the line of sight established by the
instrument.
Bench Mark (BM): A marked point whose elevation has been accurately measured. 6
Surveying Leveling

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Ordinance bench marks (OBM) in figures

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Types of levels
(a) Tilting – adjustment of level bubble needed before every measurement.
(b) Dumpy – adjustment of level bubble needed only once after level set up.
(c) Automatic levels – includes an internal compensator mechanism (a swinging
prism) that, when set close to level, automatically removes any remaining variation
from level.
1.Circular Bubble (leveling Bubble)
2. Eye piece focus
3. Objective lens
4. Objective lens focus
5. Sight
6. Leveling or foot screws.
7. Horizontal slow motion screws.

(d) Digital levels- calculation are done by the device.

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Digital level

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2.Tripod: A tripod is a three-legged stand used to support a level.

3. Level staff:
1-The vertical distance above or below the horizontal surface is known by reading a
staff by a telescope, the staff length maybe 3m, or 4m, or 5m.
2-The staff must be held vertically as any leaning of the staff will result in a level
reading which is too great. Reading can be taken by holding the staff lightly between
the palms of both hands.
3-The material of level staff maybe steel, wood or aluminum. 11
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Reading 1.422 m

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SETTING UP THE EQUIPMENT

1. Set up the tripod.

2. Attached the level to tripod.
3. Adjust the levelling head
4. Adjust the eye piece to sharp focus.
5. Record the staff reading.

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Adjustment of the levelling head

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2- PERMANENT ADJUSTMENT OF A LEVEL
The level can be adjusted by following these steps:
1. Choose two points on a flat ground such as (A&B) so that the distance between
them (60-100) meters and install pin in each point.
2. The device is placed in the middle of the distance. After adjusting it temporarily.
Two readings are taken on the two staffs placed above the two points. The real
difference between the elevation of the two points is equal to the difference between
the readings (A1 and B1), whether the line of sight is horizontal or inclined. The
reason is that the error is equal in both readings because the device falls in the
middle distance between the two points.
3. Move the leveling device and place it near one of the points (A or B) Let the point
(A), for example. So readings can be taken. And after erecting the machine. Take
two readings on the two staffs at (A2 and B2)

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4. Calculation of the error of instrument as follows.
Difference in Case 1 = A1 – B1
Difference in Case 2 = A2 – B2
If Case 1= Case 2 there is no error
Error of instrument = Case 1 – Case 2
True reading on the staff in the point A of the case 2 = A2
True reading on the staff in the point B of the case 2 = B2 ± error.

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Example 1: - The level instrument was placed at mid-distance between two point (A,B)
and the reading on staff at the point A was taken (1.675 m) then reading at point B was
taken (1.383 m) then the instrument was placed near point A and the reading of staff on
the point A was taken (1.590 m) and reading at point B was (1.317 m).
Find the error in the instrument and the true reading on the staff in case2.
Sol.
Difference in case 1 = 1.675 – 1.383 = 0.292 m
Difference in case 2 = 1.590 – 1.317 = 0.273 m
Error of instrument = Case 1 – Case 2
Error in the instrument = 0.292 – 0.273 = 0.019 m
True reading on the staff in the point A of the case 2 = 1.590 m
True reading on the staff in the point B of the case 2 = 1.317 – 0.019 = 1.298 m

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