Levelling and Trigonometric Surveying
Levelling and Trigonometric Surveying
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
LeveLLing anD Trigonometric • Horizontal line: It is a straight line tangential to the level
line at a point and it is also perpendicular to the plumb
LeveLLing line.
Introduction • Vertical line: It is line normal to the level line at a
point. It is commonly considered to be the line defined
Levelling is a branch of surveying which works with the
by a plumb line.
objective of finding or establishing the elevation of points.
• Datum: It is any surface to which elevations are referred.
This chapter deals with measurements in a vertical plane.
Mean sea level affords a convenient datum all over the
Object of Levelling world.
• Elevation: Vertical distance above or below an arbitrarily
1. To find the elevations of given points with respect to assumed level surface or datum.
a given or assumed datum—to enable works to be • Vertical angle: It is an angle between two intersecting
designed. lines in a vertical plane.
2. To establish points at a given elevation or at different • Mean sea level: Average height of the sea for all stages of
elevations with respect to a given or assumed datum— the tides. It is derived by averaging the hourly tide heights
to set out all kinds of engineering works. over a long period of 19 years.
• Bench mark: It is a relatively permanent point of ref-
Fundamental Definitions erence whose elevation with respect to some assumed
• Level surface: is defined as a curved surface which at datum is known and used as a starting point for leveling
each point is perpendicular to the direction of gravity at the or as a point upon which to close as a check.
point. The surface of a still water is a truly level surface.
Any surface parallel to the mean spheroidal surface of the Methods of Levelling
earth is, therefore, a level surface.
Three methods of leveling are used for determining differ-
• Level line: It is a line lying on the level surface. It is
ence in elevation.
therefore, normal to the plumb line at all points.
• Horizontal plane: It is a plane tangential to the level sur- 1. Barometric levelling: makes use of the phenomenon
face at that point and is therefore perpendicular to the that difference in elevation between two points
plumb line through the point. is proportional to the difference in atmospheric
pressures at these points.
2. Trigonometric levelling (indirect levelling): It is the •• Its advantage is that it can be done more quickly, but it is
process of leveling in which the elevations of points not so apparent when many readings are taken from one
are computed from the vertical angles and horizontal instrument setting.
distances measured in the field. In a modified form
called ‘stadia levelling’ is commonly used in Levelling Staff
mapping. It is a rectangular rod having graduations. It is used to estab-
3. Spirit levelling (direct leveling) A spirit level and lish a horizontal line of sight and to determine the amount
sighting device (telescope) are combined and vertical by which the station is above or below the line of sight.
distances are measured by observing on graduated 1. Solid staff
rods placed on the points. It is the most precise 2. Folding staff
method of determining elevations and the one most
3. Telescopic staff
commonly used by engineers.
Each metre is sub divided into 200 divisions, the thickness
of graduations being 5 mm and painted in alternate black
Levelling Instruments and white with 5 mm thickness each.
Level
Surveying Telescope
It is to provide a horizontal line of sight. It consists of four
parts. •• This telescope employs two convex lenses. One nearest to
object is called objective and other near to eye is called
1. A telescope to provide line of sight. the eye-piece.
2. A level tube to make the line of sight horizontal. •• Object glass provides a real inverted image infront of eye-
3. A levelling head (tribrach and trivet stage) to bring piece, while the eye-piece magnifies the image to produce
the bubble in its centre of run. an inverted virtual image.
4. A tripod to support the instrument. Line of Sight or Line of Collimation
Chief types of levels are: •• It is a line which passes through the optical centre of the
Dumpy Level objective and intersection of cross hairs and eye-piece.
•• This name originated from the fact that formerly this •• The telescope in which the focusing is done by the exter-
level was equipped with an inverting eye-piece and hence nal movement of either objective or eye-piece is known as
was shorter than wye level of the same magnifying power. external focusing telescope and the one in which focus-
•• Levelling head generally consists of two parallel plates ing is done internally with a negative lens is known as
with 3 or 4 foot screws. The upper plate is known as internal focusing telescope.
tribrach and the lower plate is known as trivet.
Parallax
Advantages of dump level over wye level: If the image formed by objective lens is not in the same
1. Simpler construction with fewer movable parts. plane with cross-hairs, any movement of the eye is likely to
2. Fewer adjustments to be made. cause an apparent movement of the image with respect to
the cross-hairs. This is called parallax.
3. Longer life of the adjustments.
Wye or Y Level Essential Parts of the Telescope
•• In dumpy level, telescope is fixed to the spindle and bub-
1. Objective.
ble tube must be of reversible type. While in wye level,
the telescope is carried in two vertical ‘wye’ supports and 2. Eye-piece.
bubble tube may be attached either to the telescope or to 3. Diaphragm.
the stage carrying the wyes. 4. Body and focusing device.
•• Advantage of wye level over dumpy level is that the
adjustments can be tested with greater rapidity and ease. Objective It is a compound lens called achromatic lens. It
consists of front double convex lens made of crown glass
Reversible Level Combines the features of both the dumpy and back concave-convex lens made of flint glass. It nearly
and wye level. For testing and making the adjustments, eliminates spherical and chromatic aberrations.
telescope can be taken out and reversed end for end.
Eye-piece
Tilting Level The line of sight and the vertical axis need •• Ramsden eye-piece is commonly used which is composed
not be exactly perpendicular to each other. This feature of plano-convex lenses of equal focal length placed at a
helps in quick levelling. 2
distance of f .
•• This is mainly designed for precise levelling work. 3
•• Huygen’s eye-piece composed of plano-convex lenses of 4. Fore sight (FS): Reading taken on a rod held at a
different focal length placed at a distance of two-third of point of unknown elevation. It is also known as minus
focal length of the larger. sight, as the fore sight reading is always subtracted
from HI to get elevation of the point.
5. Turning point (TP): is a point on which both minus
sight and plus sight are taken on a line of direct levels.
6. Intermediate station (IS): Intermediate point
between two turning points on which only one sight
(minus sight) is taken to determine the elevation of
the station.
2 2
f f
3 3 Steps in Leveling
Ramsden eye-piece Huygen’s eye-piece 1. To find the amount by which the line of sight is above
Diaphragm It consists of cross-hairs. Horizontal hair the bench mark.
is used to read the staff and the two vertical hairs enable 2. To know the amount by which the next point is below
the surveyor to see if the staff is vertical laterally. In stadia or above the line of sight.
tacheometry, two more horizontal hairs called stadia hairs •• Height of instrument, HI = Elevation of BM + BS
are provided. (at BM)
•• Elevation of a point = HI – FS (at that point)
Optical Defects of a Single Lens
Aberrations is the deviation of rays of light.
Booking and Reducing Levels
1. Spherical aberration: The defect or imperfection
arising from the form of curvature of the lens in Collimation or Height of Instrument Method
which the rays are all not collected exactly at one •• Height of the instrument (HI) is calculated for each set-
point is called spherical aberration. tling of the instrument.
2. Chromatic aberrations: A beam of light after •• Reduced levels (RL’s) of other stations are calculated
passing through a single lens, is distributed along based on height of the instrument.
the axis in a series of focal points in which violet ray •• Generally used for fly leveling or to establish BMs.
is refracted most and the red is refracted least. This •• This method is not suitable when there are intermediate
defect is called chromatic aberration. points.
•• The elimination of aberrations is only one of the
Check: SBS - SFS = Last RL - First RL
requirements in the design of a telescope.
•• Other possible defects which are of little importance
are coma, astigmation, curvature, distortion, etc. Rise and Fall Method
Temporary Adjustments of a Level •• Difference of level between consecutive points is found
by comparing the staff readings.
or Telescope
•• Higher staff reading indicates fall and lesser indicates
1. Setting up the level rise.
2. Levelling up with the help of foot screws •• Generally used in contour survey.
3. Elimination of parallax by two steps: •• Used when a number of Intermediate station readings are
(a) Focusing the eye-piece (for distinct vision of required and provides a complete check for intermediate
cross hairs) sights.
(b) Focusing the objective (for clear image of staff) Check: SBS – SFS = S Rise - S Fall
Terms and Abbreviations = Last RL – First RL
1. Station: It is that point where the level rod is held.
2. Height of instrument (HI): It is the elevation of Use of Inverted Staff
plane of sight with respect to assumed datum. When the point, whose elevation is much above the line of
3. Back sight (BS): Sight taken on a rod held at a point sight (For example, projection from the face of a building,
of known elevation. It is also known as a plus sight underside of beams, girders, arches, etc.) the staff is placed
as the back sight reading is always added to the level inverted with its zero end touching the point. The reading on
of the datum to get the height of the plane of sight. the staff is taken in the usual manner. Such an observation
is entered in the level page book with a minus sign for 2. Correction for refraction (Cr)—positive:
convenience. The levels of the points (using inverted staff) •• Refraction curve is irregular because of varying
can be obtained by simply adding the staff readings to the atmospheric conditions, but for average conditions
height of the instrument. it is assumed to have a diameter about 7 (diameter
of earth).
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1 d2
Example 1 Cr = (+ve)
7 2 R
A back sight reading on BM = 100 m was 2.67 m. The
= 0.01121d2 meters (d in km)
inverted staff reading to the bottom of a girder was 1.5 m.
The RL of the bottom of girder is 3. Combined correction due to curvature and
(A) 101.17 m (B) 98.83 m refraction (C):
(C) 104.17 m (D) 95.83 m
d2 1 d2
Solution C= −
2R 7 2R
Height of the instrument (HI)
6 d 2
= BM + BS
C = 7 2R
= 100 + 2.67 0.06728d 2 metres ( d in km)
= 102.67 m
RL of bottom of girder = HI – FS 4. Distance to the visible horizon (d): This takes both
But as the FS is inverted reading FS curvature and refraction into account
= –1.5 m
RL = 102.67 – (–1.5) C
d= km
= 104.17 m 0.06728
Hence, the correct answer is option (C). Where, C = Combined correction in metres
Balancing Back Sights and Fore Sights P d A
level and the height of the observers’ eye is 5 metres above This method eliminates:
the sea level. Find the distance of the observer from the light 1. Error in instrument adjustment.
house.
2. Combined effect of earth’s curvature and refraction of
(A) 26.9 km (B) 36.42 km
the atmosphere.
(C) 41.6 km (D) 45.32 km
3. Variations in the average refraction.
Solution The true difference in elevation (H) is equal to the mean of
Let A be position of top of light house at 52 m above ground the two apparent differences in elevation, obtained by recip-
and B be position of observers’ eye at 5 m above ground. rocal observations.
C1 = 52 m C2 = 5 m
Horizontal line
C
We know d = km ha
0.06728 Level line e hb
Line of sight
52 A
d1 = B
0.06728 River
= 27.8 km
Horizontal line
5
d2 =
0.06728 h1b
h1a Level line
Line of sight
= 8.62 km
B
\ Distance between A and B A
River
= d1 + d2
= 36.42 km.
Reciprocal levelling
Hence, the correct answer is option (B).
A O B •• H =
1
2
{ (
( ha − hb ) + ha1 − hb1 )}
d2
d1
C′ Where
A′ B′
ha, hb = Staff readings at A and B when staff is close
to A
h1a, h1b = Staff readings at A and B when staff is
close to B
•• H =
1
2
{
( ha − hb ) + ( ha1 − hb1 ) }
O′
•• Total error, e =
1
2
{
( ha − hb ) − ( ha1 − hb1 ) }
Types of Levelling Total error includes line of collimation error, curvature
Differential Levelling error and refraction error, e = ecol + ecur - eref .
•• The direct leveling which is used to determine the eleva-
Example 4
tion or difference in elevation of points at some distance
apart regardless of their horizontal positions is called dif- Two points A and B are 1720 m apart across a wide river.
ferential leveling. The following reciprocal levels are taken with one level:
•• It is also known as fly leveling Readings on
B But h1 = D tan q1
( s + d tan θ 2 ) tan θ1
h
h1 =
tan θ1 − tan θ 2
θ2 θ1 A
O2 O1 A′
S RL of B = RL of BM + S1 + h1
(OR)
BM d D
RL of B = RL of BM + S2 + h2
From DO1A′B h = D tan q1(1) (b) When instrument O1 is at higher level than O2:
d tan θ 2 O12 θ2 A″
D= S1
(tan θ1 − tan θ 2 ) S2 O1
h = D tanq1 O2
d D
d tan θ1 tan θ 2
\ h=
tan θ1 − tan θ 2 h2 - h1 = S1 - S2 = S
From DO11A′B h1 = D tan q1(1)
RL of B = RL of BM + S + h
From DO12A″B h2 = (D + d) tan q2(2)
2. Instrument axis at different levels
(a) When instrument O2 is above O1: Subtraction Eq. (1) from Eq. (2)
h2 - h1 = (D + d) tan q2 - D tan q1
B
d tan θ 2 − S
A h2 h
D=
O12 1 tan θ1 − tan θ 2
θ2 A′
O11 θ1 A″
S2 S But h1 = D tan q1
1
BM O2
O1 Hence,
d D
( d tan θ 2 − S ) tan θ1
h1 - h2 = A′A″ = S2 - S1 = S h1 =
tan θ1 − tan θ 2
From DO 1′ A′B′ h1 = D tan q1(1)
From D O 1A′B
1 h2 = (D + d) tan q2(2)
RL of B = RL of BM + S1 + h1
Subtraction Eq. (2) from Eq. (1)
(OR)
h1 - h2 = D tan q1 - (D + d) tan q2
RL of B = RL of BM + S2 + h2
S = D(tan q1 - tan q2) - d tan q2
Case 2(b):
s + d tan θ 2
D= Base of the object inaccessible: Instrument station not in
tan θ1 − tan θ 2
the same vertical plane as the elevated object.
Q
b sin θ1 + tan α 2
h2 =
sin(θ1 + θ 2 )
B h1 h2 RL of Q = RL of BM + S + h2
α2
R
Example 5
θ2 Q′ To find the elevation of top (Q) of a hill a flag staff of 2.5 m
Q″ height was erected and observations were made from two
stations P and R, 50 metres apart. The horizontal angle
b Q1 measured at P between R and the flag staff was 62°30′ and
α1
A that measured at R between the flag staff and P was 70°18′.
D
The angle of elevation to the top of the flag staff was meas-
θ1 ured to be 12°10′ and 12°55′ at P and R respectively. Staff
Readings on BM when the instrument was at P = 2.1 m and
S when at R = 2.2 m. Calculate the elevation of top of the hill
P
if the BM = 440 m.
BM
(A) 466.04m (B) 463.54m
Let P and R be the two instrument stations not in the same (C) 452.5m (D) 445.6m
vertical plane as that of Q.
Solution
•• AQ′ is the horizontal line through A, Q′ being the vertical
projection of Q and Q″ corresponding to B. AQQ′ BQQ″ b = 50 m
are the vertical planes. PRQ1 is the horizontal plane. q1 = 62°30′ q2 = 70°18′
•• q1 and q2 are the horizontal angles, and a1 and a2 are the a1 = 12°10′ a2 = 12°55′
vertical angles measured at A and B respectively.
b sin θ 2 tan α1
From DAQQ′ h1 =
sin(θ1 + θ 2 )
QQ′ = h1 = D tan a1(1)
50 sin(70°18′ ) tan(10°10′ )
From DPRQ1, PQ1 R = 180° - (q1 + q2) =
sin(12°10′ + 12°55′ )
= p - (q1 + q2) h1 = 23.94 m
By sine rule, RL of Q = (RL of instrument at P) + h1 - 2.5 m
(The height of flag stag staff is to be removed = 2.5 m)
PQ1 RP
= RL of Q = (BM + S) + h1 - 2.5
sin θ 2 sin(π − (θ1 + θ 2 ))
= 440 + 2.1 + 23.94 - 2.5
b = 463.54 m
=
sin(θ1 + θ 2 ) Hence, the correct answer is option (B).
b sin θ 2
⇒ PQ1 = D = (2)
sin(θ1 + θ 2 ) Tacheometry
b sin θ 2 Introduction
⇒ RQ1 = (3)
sin(θ1 + θ 2 ) Tacheometry is defined as an optical distance measure-
ment method. Though less accurate, this method of sur-
Substituting Eq. (2) in Eq. (1), veying is very rapid and convenient. The other names
given to tacheometry are tachymetry or telemetry. The
b sin θ 2 tan α1 primary object of tacheometric survey is the prepara-
h1 = D tan a1 =
sin(θ1 + θ 2 ) tion of a contoured plan. It is suitable for filling details
on topographical maps, preliminary location surveys. A
RL of Q = RL of BM + S + h1 tacheometer is essentially a transit theodolite, the dia-
phragm of which is furnished with stadia wires in addi-
Similarly if reading on BM is taken on B tion to the cross-wire.
α
α′ C
C′
Methods of Tacheometry
There are three methods of measuring distances using B B′
tacheometer: B ′′
1. Stadia method
2. Tangential method
When the parallactic angle a, defined by means of stadia
3. Special instruments. wires, is kept fixed and staff intercept is varied, this method
is called fixed hair method. In this method, the distance and
Stadia Method elevation for horizontal sights is given by
The term stadia is Greek word for a unit length. The stadia
method is classified into two methods.
d f2
f2 f1
A′ A″
O B
i C s
F′
B′ B″ A
C D – C
D = Ks + C 1. Angle of elevation:
Where, K and C are the respective multiplying and additive L = Kscos q + C
tacheometric constants. D = L cos q = K scos2q + C cos q.
Elevation of Q = Elevation of P + h - r K sin 2θ
V = L sin q =
+ C sin θ
The distance and elevation for inclined sight for staff held 2
vertical are:
Elevation of staff stations ‘Q’ = Elevation of p2 + h + v - r
A
A′
90° s
C
L h
B B′
V
E
α
O θ
θ
α
h
V
L
B′
B
90° C s
h
A′
A
E
A
s
C
L h
B
E′ E
V
O
θ
F F
O
F F′
V
L
A
C′ C
s
h
B
B
s
r
V
O θ1 P
θ2
K
O
D
O′
K
θ1
θ2
s
C
r
O′
θ1
s
K
θ2 s
V
h
C
O r
Tangential method (one angle of elevation and the other angle of depression)
•• This is the most commonly used method as it is less tedi- 4. Measurement of drainage area:
ous and takes less time. •• The drainage area for a given as point in a stream or
It is also preferred to increase the number of contours river can be defined the area that forms the source
of all water that passes that point.
1. By squares (spot leveling):
•• The extent of a drainage area may be estimated
•• This method is used when the area to be surveyed is
on a contour by locating the ridgeline around the
small and the ground is not very much undulating.
watershed.
•• The survey area is divided in to a number of
squares. 5. Calculation of reservoir capacity:
•• The elevations of the corners of the square are then •• A contour map helps in finding the possible
determined by means of a level and a staff. location of a dam and the volume of water to be
confined.
2. By cross-sections:
•• The capacity of reservoir can be calculated by the
•• In this method, cross-sections are run transverse to
following formulas
the centre line of a road, railway or canal, etc., and
is most suitable for railway route surveys. (a) Trapezoidal formula:
•• A transit traverse is run in this method. Volume
3. By tacheometric method: A + An
•• This method is best suitable in case of hilly terrain. V = h 1 + A2 + A3 + + An −1
2
•• The elevations and distances are calculated from
the observed data and contours are interpolated. (b) Prismoidal formula:
Volume
Uses of Contour Maps
h
1. Drawing of sections: The section along any given V = {(A1 + An) + 4(A2 + A4 + …
3
direction can be drawn to know the general shape of
the ground or to use it for earthwork calculations. + An-1) + 2(A3 + A5 + …+ An-2)}
2. Determination of indivisibility between two
points: A contour map may be used to determine the A1, A2, …, An are areas enclosed in a contour line,
inter-visibility of the triangular stations or of any two determined by a planimeter and h is the contour
points. interval.
3. Tracing of contour gradients and location of route. 6. Measurement of earthwork.
Exercises
1. While levelling in an undulating terrain, it is preferable is moved 5 divisions out of the centre, the reading is
to set up the instrument on 1.6 m the angular value of 1 division of bubble is
(A) the top of summit. (A) 20.62 second. (B) 41.25 second.
(B) the bottom of a valley. (C) 14.53 second. (D) 25.05 second.
(C) one side of the slope. 5. During a levelling work along a falling gradient using
(D) a flat location. a Dumpy level and a staff of 3 m length, following
2. The rise and fall method provides an arithmetic successive readings were taken: 1.785, 2.935, 0.360,
check on 1.320. What will be the correct order of booking these
(A) back sights and fore sights. four reading in a level book? (BS: Back Sight, IS:
(B) intermediate sights. Intermediate Sight, FS: Fore Sight)
(C) back sights and intermediate sights. (A) BS, FS, BS, FS (B) BS, IS, FS, FS
(D) back sights, intermediate sights and fore sights. (C) BS, IS, IS, FS (D) BS, IS, BS, FS
3. The combined correction due to curvature and refrac- 6. Consider the following statements:
tion (in m) for distance of 1 km on the surface of earth Assertion (A): Curvature correction must be applied
is ______. when the sights are long.
(A) 0.0673 (B) 0.673 Reason (R): Line of collimation is not a level line but
(C) 7.63 (D) 0.763 is tangential to the level line. Of these statements:
4. The staff reading at a distance of 80 m from a level with (A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explana-
the bubble at its centre is 1.52 m and when the bubble tion of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct expla- The tacheometric constants K and C are 100 and 0.4 m
nation of A. respectively. The horizontal distance between staff and
(C) A is true but R is false. instrument is
(D) A is false but R is true. (A) 90.8 (B) 100.8
7. To find the RL of a roof slab of building, staff read- (C) 110.8 (D) 120.8
ings were taken from a particular set-up of the levelling 14. For better accuracy in measuring and plotting the sides
instrument. The readings were 1.050 m with staff on the of a triangle by triangulation, the angles of the triangle
bench mark and 2.300 m with staff below the roof slab (A) should not be more than 30°.
and held inverted. Taking the RL of the bench mark as (B) should not be less than 30° or more than 120°.
135.15 m, the RL of the roof slab will be (C) are not restricted in magnitude.
(A) 129.800 (B) 131.900 (D) should not be less than 120°.
(C) 134.400 (D) 138.500 15. Consider the following figure, which is an extract
8. Two points A and B are 1530 m apart across a river. The from a contour map (Scale–1: 20,000) of an area, an
reciprocal levels measured are: alignment of a road at ruling gradient of 4% is to be
fixed from the point O and beyond. What should be the
Readings on (in m)
radius of the arc with O as the centre to get the point of
Level at A B alignment of the next contour on the map?
A 2.165 3.810
B 0.910 2.355
19. Following offsets were taken from a survey line to a Direction for questions for 26 and 27:
hedge: In reciprocal levelling, the following readings are taken:
Distance (in m) 0 5 10 15 20 30 40 Staff Reading
Instrument
Offsets (in m) 3 4 5.5 5 6 4 4.5 Station
A B
The area between survey line and the hedge is (by trap- A 1.286 2.768 Distance
ezoidal method): AB = 1150 m
(A) 185.5 m2 (B) 187.5 m2 B 1.292 2.432 RL of
(C) 189.5 m 2 (D) 289.5 m2 A = 100 m 0.003
Collimation error =
20. A closed contour line with one or more higher contour 150 m
lines inside represents
(A) cliff (B) hill 26. The correction for collimation is
(C) valley (D) cave (A) 0.021 (B) 0.048
21. The combined correction of curvature and refraction (C) 0.023 (D) 0.032
for distance of 1.29 km is 27. Correction for refraction is
(A) 0.234 m (B) 0.121 m (A) 1.33 m (B) 1.34 m
(C) 0.112 m (D) 0.187 m (C) 1.38 m (D) 1.29 m
22. The constant for an instrument is 750, the value of 28. The following observations were taken during testing
C = 0.3 m and intercept S = 2 m. The distance from of a dumpy levels:
instrument to the staff when the micrometer readings
Instrument Staff Readings at
are 4.326 and 4.283 and the line of sight is at +8° 361
at A B
when the staff was held vertical, is
(A) 172.4 m (B) 173.2 m A 1.342 2.125
(C) 174.8 m (D) 170.8 m B 1.485 1.683
23. The volume of 130 m long road of formation width If A and B are 100 m apart the angle of inclination of
10 m, side slopes 1 : 1, average depth of cutting along line of collimation is
centre of line is 5 m and slopes of ground in cross- (A) 14° 15.50′
section is 10 to 1 is (B) 12° 23.30′
(A) 9880 m3 (B) 9723 m3 (C) 10° 2.29′
(C) 9624 m 3 (D) 9892 m3 (D) 13° 3.40′
24. Match the following: 29. The correct sequence of temporary adjustment is:
(A) Leveling, Setting, Centering.
List I List II (B) Setting, Centering, Leveling.
i. Vertical cliff a. Contour lines of different eleva- (C) Setting, Leveling, Centering.
tions unite to form one line (D) Leveling, Centering, Setting.
ii. Steep slope b. Contour lines of different
30. A leveling instrument is set up at a point and back sight
elevations cross one another
is taken on a bench mark on top of roof is (−) 1.04 m.
iii. Hill c. Contour lines are closely
spaced
The benchmark of roof is 100 m. The staff reading on
the level is 2.4 m. The RL of sill is
iv. Overhanging cliff d. Closed contour lines with
higher values inside them
(A) 98.62 m
(B) 96.54 m
i ii iii iv i ii iii iv (C) 103.46 m
(D) 104.63 m
(A) d c a b (B) a c d b
(C) a b d c (D) d b a c 31. It is required to set up points on a sloping ground of l in
50 m at every 20 m contour interval. If the staff reading
25. Find the area between line AB and the stream taken at a
over first point is 0.55 m. The staff reading over next
regular interval of 30 m along line AB, using simpson’s
point A is
rule.
(A) 0.95 m (B) 0.15 m
Distance 0 30 40 90 120 150 180 210 240 (C) 1.05 m (D) 0.25 m
Offset length 23 40 42 30 32 60 10 14 22 32. Simpson’s rule can be used for computations of area
when the number of offsets is
(A) 7980 m2 (B) 6352 m2 (A) even. (B) odd.
(C) 5652 m2 (D) 4734 m2 (C) any number. (D) 3
33. RL of a floor level is 200.490 m. Staff reading on 39. How high should a helicopter pilot rise at a point A
the floor is 1.695 m, reading on the staff held upside just to see the horizon at point B, if the distance AB is
down against the bottom of roof is 3.305 m. Height of 40 km?
ceiling is (A) 101.75 m (B) 110.50 m
(A) 3.5 m (B) 4.0 m (C) 107.75 m (D) 105.50 m
(C) 5 m (D) 6 m 40. The leveling staff head at a distance of 200 m is read
34. The following readings were taken with a dumpy level at 4.54 m with the bubble out of centre by 2 divisions
and a 4 m leveling staff on a continuously sloping towards the observer. If the sensitiveness of the bubble
ground at 30 m interval: 0.680 m, 1.455 m, 1.855 m, is 25 s/division, and 1 division = 2 mm, the staff reading
2.330 m, 2.885 m, 3.380 m, 1.055 m. The RL of the must have been
further point was calculated to be 79.1 m. The RL of (A) 4.5 m (B) 4.492 m
point that was read 0.680 m is (C) 4.54 m (D) 4.62 m
(A) 80.750 m (B) 79.780 m 41.
(C) 78.420 m (D) 77.740 m 100
35. An object on the top of hill 100 m high is just visible 105
above the horizon from a station at sea level. The dis- 110
tance between the station and the object is 115
(A) 38.53 km
(B) 3.853 km
(C) 3853 km
(D) 385.3 km
36. The sensitiveness of a bubble tube in a level would
decrease if
(A) the radius of curvature of internal surface of tube
is increased.
(B) the diagram of the tube is increased.
(C) the length of vapour bubble is increased. The given contour diagram represents
(D) the viscosity of liquid is increased. (A) a valley. (B) a hill.
(C) ridge line. (D) valley line.
37. List I List II 42. Points C and D are 1530 m apart across a wide river.
a. Contour 1. Line joining magnetic north and The following are the reciprocal levels taken with one
south
level:
b. Line of 2. Line joining subsidiary station on
collimation mainline. Reading
c. Tie line 3. Line joining points of same Level at C D
elevation
C 3.810 m 2.165 m
d. Magnetic 4. Line joining optical center of
D 2.355 m 0.910 m
meridian optional centre of objective lens.
11. A tachometer was placed at point P to estimate the 13. In a leveling work, sum of the Back Sight (BS) and
horizontal distance PQ and PR. The corresponding Fore Sight (FS) have been found to be 3.085 m and
stadia intercepts with the telescope kept horizontal, 5.645 m respectively. If the Reduced Level (RL) of
are 0.320 m and 0.210 m, respectively. The ∠QPR is the starting station is 100.000 m, the RL (in m) of the
measured to be 61°30′30″. If the stadia multiplication last station is _________. [GATE, 2015]
constant = 100 and stadia addition constant = 0.10 m,
14. The combined correction due to curvature and refrac-
the horizontal distance (in m), between the points Q
tion (in m) for a distance of 1 km on the surface of
and R is _______. [GATE, 2014]
Earth is [GATE, 2015]
Q
(A) 0.0673 (B) 0.673
(C) 7.63 (D) 0.763
15. Two Pegs A and B were fixed on opposite banks of a
50 m wide river. The level was set up at A and the staff
P readings on Pegs A and B were observed as 1.350 m
and 1.550 m, respectively. Thereafter the instrument
was shifted and set up at B. The staff readings on
Pegs B and A were observed as 0.750 m and 0.550 m,
R respectively. If the RL of Peg A is 100.200 m, the RL
(in m) of Peg B is ______. [GATE, 2015]
12. Which of the following statements is FALSE?
[GATE, 2015] 16. The staff reading taken on a workshop floor using a
level is 0.645 m. The inverted staff reading taken to
(A) Plumb line is along the directions of gravity.
the bottom of a beam is 2.960 m. The reduced level of
(B) Mean Sea Level (MSL) is used as a reference
the floor is 40.500 m. The reduced level (expressed in
surface for establishing the horizontal control.
m) of the bottom of the beam is ______.
(C) Mean Sea Level (MSL) is a simplification of the
[GATE, 2016]
Geoid.
(A) 44.105 (B) 43.460
(D) Geoid is an equi-potential surface of gravity.
(C) 42.815 (D) 41.145
Answer Keys
Exercises
1. D 2. D 3. A 4. B 5. A 6. A 7. D 8. C 9. C 10. C
11. B 12. D 13. C 14. B 15. C 16. A 17. B 18. B 19. B 20. B
21. C 22. D 23. A 24. B 25. D 26. C 27. A 28. C 29. B 30. B
31. A 32. B 33. C 34. A 35. A 36. D 37. A 38. D 39. C 40. B
41. B 42. B 43. B 44. C