Levelling

Leveling is the art of determining the relative heights of points on, above and below the surface of
the earth. The measurements of distance on vertical plane are very essential for almost all type of
civil engineering projects such as railways, roadways, bridges, dams, air port and water supply
schemes.
5.1. Terms used in levelling.

1. Level surface
A level surface is the surface traced by all points which are equidistant from centre of the earth. As
shape of the earth can be approximated as a perfect sphere for practical purpose, the level surface can
be assumed similar to the surface of a sphere. Surface of still water body is a clear example of level
surface.
2. Level line
A level line is line coinciding with the level surface.
3. Horizontal line
A line tangential to any point on the level surface is called a horizontal line
4. Horizontal surface
A horizontal surface is a surface generated by revolution of a horizontal line.
5. Vertical line
A vertical line is a line joining any point on the level surface and centre of the earth. It is practically a
line defined by the plumb line.
6. Mean sea level (MSL)
It is the elevation of the surface defined by the average water level obtained at selected location of
sea, after a long period of observation. The elevation the mean sea level is considered as datum for
referring elevations for various requirements. The elevation of mean sea level at Karachi (Pakistan)
was fixed as zero and considered as our datum. Now a level net of nine points laying various places
are connected from MSL at Karachi and is using as our (India) datum or permanent bench mark.
7. Bench mark (BM)
Bench mark is a point of known elevation. It is of mainly three types.
8. GTS Bench mark
It is the bench mark established by the survey of India department at various place of our country.
The elevations of GTS bench marks are referred from datum.
9. Permanent benchmark
It is the elevation established by the various departments at various places, connecting from perma-
nent bench marks for further use.
10. Arbitrary bench mark
It is the elevation arbitrarily assumed for solving a leveling problem

5.2. Methods of leveling

1. Barometric leveling
The principle s of barometric leveling is that the difference in elevation between two points is pro-
portional to the difference in atmospheric pressure at these points. Making use of this principle the
elevation of the point is demined if the pressure of the same point is known. The average reading of
barometer at sea level is 30 inch and the barometer falls 1 inch for 900 ft
2. Trigonometric leveling
The principle of trigonometric leveling is based on determination of height of a point from the hori-
zontal distance and the vertical angle measured to the point. It is nothing but solution of triangles
constituted by the horizontal and vertical distance and the vertical angle.
3. Spirit leveling
In this method the difference in elevation of points are determined by measuring the vertical distance
of those points using a graduated staff, from a horizontal plane. A horizontal plane can easily estab-
lish by using a telescope and spirit level in combination, can be used reading the graduated staff.
 Continuous levelling
5.3. Methods of spirit leveling
1. Differential leveling
It is the method of direct leveling with the object of determining the difference in elevation of points
regardless of its horizontal position. The differential leveling which involves a series of instrument
set up is called fly levelling.
2. Profile leveling
It is the method of differential leveling in which the elevations of points at specified intervals are de-
termined to get the profile of the area.
3. Cross sectioning
It is the method of differential leveling in which the elevations of points at specified intervals at right
angles to a line, ie right or left to get cross section of an area.
4. Precise leveling
It is the method of leveling in which the degree of accuracy required is too to be attained by ordinary
method and therefore special method or techniques are employed.
5. Reciprocal leveling

It is the method of leveling in which the difference in elevations between two points is accurately de-
termined by two set of reciprocal observations, when it is not possible to set the level midway of
those points.
5.4. Differential leveling
1. Instruments used in leveling
1. A level
2. A leveling staff
1. Types of level
a. Dumpy level
The dumpy level consists of a telescope assembly mounted on a leveling head designed to facilitate
leveling. The telescope assembly consists of a telescope tube and the vertical spindle cast in one
piece and a long bubble tube is attached to top of the telescope. The accessory said above can easily
attach and dethatched to a tripod as and when necessary.
b. Y Level
c. Reversible level
d. Tilting level
2. Types of leveling staff
a. Self reading staff
The staff is held vertically on a point of which the level is to be determined. On looking through the
telescope, when the line of sight is horizontal, the level of the graduation on the staff coinciding with
the horizontal cross hair shows the level of line of sight. Self reading staff may be of solid, folding or
telescopic type.

b. Solid staff
It is a one piece staff of 3m length. Because it contains any hinge or any piece sliding inside a hollow
it can provide precise measurements and is used in precise leveling.
c. Folding staff
It consist of two pieces each of length 2m, hinged together to make a total length of 4m.It can be
folded easily for portability and can be used in two separate piece in case of need.
d. Telescopic staff
It consists of three pieces each of 1.25m, one piece which is solid and other two pieces are hollow.
The solid piece slide into the middle hollow piece and the middle one can slide in to the bottom
piece. The upper piece and the lower piece are held with the help of brass sprig when opens and the
total length is 4m.
e. Target staff
This is usually made of two pieces which one solid piece slide into the hollow of the other an index
called ‘target’ slide across its graduation on the staff. On looking through the telescope the target is
brought in to coincidence with the horizontal cross hair by the staff man holding the staff vertically
and the vernier provided with the staff is also adjusted by him according to the instruction from the
level man looking through the telescope, for accurate measurements.

Fig no Telescopic staff Fig no Folding staff Fig no Target staff

 3. Temporary adjustment of Dumpy level

Temporary adjustments are a series of operations to be performed in the instrument as a preparatory

for observation with the instrument. The following steps are carried out in temporary adjustment.

a. Setting up the Instrument

i. Fixing the instrument on tripod

ii. The foot screws are brought to the middle of its run
iii. Approximate leveling by the leg adjustments
 Keep the telescope parallel to any two legs, and bring the bubble at centre of its run by to and fro
motion of third leg. Rotate the telescope 90 degree and bring the bubble at centre of its run by mov-
ing the same leg inward or outward.
b. Leveling up
Foot screw adjustments, the following steps are done
i. Keep the telescope parallel to any two foot screws
ii. Bring the bubble at centre of its run by moving those two foot screws simultaneously either in-
ward or outward direction.ie, movement of our thumb is in same direction.
iii. Rotate the telescope 90 degree and bring the bubble at centre of its run by moving the other foot
screw or screws, in case four foot screws in the desired direction.
iv. Repeat the same procedure as in step 2 and 3 until the bubble remains its centre when the tele-
scope rotates 360 degree in horizontal plane.

c. Elimination of parallax
These are done by the following steps
i. By focusing the eyepiece
Direct the telescope towards sky or hold a white paper in front of the telescope, and move the focus-
ing screw in or out until the cross hair is seen clear and distinct. The diaphragm containing the cross
hair is now in the focal plane.
ii. By focusing the objective
Direct the telescope towards the leveling staff and move the focusing screw in or out until the clear
image is seen through the objective. The image of the leveling staff is now at mutual focal plane of
objective and eyepiece.

5.5. Leveling practice with Dumpy level

1. Terms and abbreviations

Station stations are the points where the leveling staff is held vertically to read the staff for determi-
nation of elevation.

a. Height of Instrument
Height of the interment is the elevation from the datum considered, of the plane of collimation of the
level in a particular set up.
b. Back sight
It is the staff reading taken on a point of known elevation, to determine the elevation of the plane of
collimation.
c. Fore sight
It is the staff reading taken on a point of unknown elevation, to determine the elevation of the point
and is taken immediately before shifting the instrument to a new station.
d. Intermediate sight
It is the staff reading taken in between the back sight and foresight.
e. Tuning point
It is the station on which both the back sight and for sight are taken, while shifting the instrument to a
new position.
f. Reducing levels
This is the process of determination of the elevation of points with reference to the known elevation
or the elevation of another point.
2. Methods of reducing levels
Height of Instrument method
Rise and fall method
a. Height of Instrument method
In this method, the elevation of the line or plain of collimation is determined by adding the back sight
to the elevation of the bench mark, where the back sight is taken. The elevations of the required
points are then determined by deducting the respective staff readings from the elevation of the plain
of collimation
Station B.S I.S F.S H.I R.L Remarks

Sum

b. Rise and fall method

The difference in successive staff readings are recorded as rise or fall, according as the sign is posi-
tive or negative. If sign of the differences are positive value, it indicates that the point is lies at a
higher level compared to the previous point. Similarly if sign of the differences are negative value, it
indicates that the point is lies at a lower level compared to the preceding point. Hence the elevation
of the point under consideration is determined by adding the rise to the elevation of the preceding
point or deducting the fall from the elevation of the preceding point.
Station B.S I.S F.S RISE FALL R.L Remarks

Sum