Fieldwork No.

03
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING USING THE AUTOMATIC LEVEL

Name : Garcia, Jay Sigfred S. Weather :Sunny

Group No. : Place :
Designation : Instrument Man Time, Start :
Instructor : End :
Class Schedule :1:30-4:30 TTH

I. Objectives

a. To know how to set-up and manipulate the engineer’s level.

b. To identify and describe the different parts and functions of an engineer’s level.
c. To learn the different technical terms associated in leveling works.
d. To determine the difference in elevation between two points on the ground

II. Instruments

1 unit - Engineer’s Level 1 pc - Tripod

1 pc - leveling rod 5 pcs - marking pins
1 pc – 50-meter tape

III. Procedure

A. Instrument Demonstration

a. Identification of the different parts and functions of an engineer’s level.

b. Setting up and leveling the engineer’s level.
c. Leveling rod reading.

B. Measuring the difference in elevation between two points on the ground and to
compute the elevation of points on the ground based on other points whose
elevation is known.

a. Designate an arbitrary point in the field as a reference point of the level

route as BM1. Assume a certain elevation for BM1.
b. Set up and level the instrument at a convenient location between BM1 and the
points whose elevations are desired. Take and record the rod reading on BM1
(Backsight).
c. The rodman then moves forward and position the rod on top of the points
whose elevations are desired. Take and record the rod readings (Foresights)
on those points.
d. Compute the corresponding elevation of the points.

C. Differential Leveling

a. Designate the initial or reference point of the level route as BM1 and the
final or terminal point as BM2.
 b. Set up and level the instrument at a convenient location along the level route.
Take and record a backsight on BM1.
c. The rodman then moves forward along the level route to some well defined
point TP1 (Turning Point – 1).
d. Set up and level the instrument in a new position beyond TP1, then take and
record a backsight on TP1.
e. The rodman again, moves further ahead and establishes TP2. Take and record
a foresight on TP2.
f. The process is continued until a foresight is taken on the final point BM2.
Perform the necessary computations and show the customary arithmetic
check.

Remarks:

1. To reduce instrumental and natural errors, keep the backsight distance approximately equal
to the corresponding foresight distance.
2. The telescope bubble must be centered at the instant of sighting and the rod must be held
vertical and steady.
3. Turning points should be well defined such as the top of a firm rock, the top of a fire
hydrant, or a peg driven on the ground.
4. The tripod legs should be driven firmly into the ground and care should be taken not to
disturb the instrument after it is leveled.
5. When using an instrument equipped with stadia hairs, care must be exercised to read the
middle cross-hair.
6. The level is a delicate instrument so care must be taken to protect it from shock or sudden
jolt and moisture.

IV. Findings

1. List down and describe the different parts and functions of an engineer’s level.
Focusing Knob - can be turned to make objects appear crisp and clear.
Telescope - holds lenses that magnify objects in the sight.
Objective Lens - catches the object being sighted and magnifies the object.
Graduated Horizontal Circle - marked by degrees, used for setting and reading
horizontal angles.
Leveling Screws - allows adjustments to be made to ensure the instrument is level.
Base Plate - area that the automatic level attaches to on the tripod.
Horizontal Tangent Screw - can be adjusted to make the instrument move left or
right on the horizontal plate.
Circular Level - mounted on the automatic level, this ensures that the instrument is
at a true level point.
Eyepiece - located at the viewing end of the telescope, it can be turned to bring
the crosshairs into focus.
2. Differentiate a level surface from a horizontal surface.
-A level surface is defined as a curved surface which at each point is perpendicular
to the direction of gravity or the plumb line at the point. While horizontal surface
through a point is a plane tangential to the level surface at a particular point. It is,
therefore, perpendicular to the plumb line through the point.

3. Define the following:

a. Datum line
- is any convenient level surface coincident or parallel with 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.

b. Elevation of a point
- for a particular point, its elevation is vertical distance above or below mean
sea level or any other selected datum.

c. Backsight and Foresight

- Backsight is a reading taken on a rod held on a point of known or assumed
elevation. First rod reading taken after the instrument has been set up and
leveled.
- Foresight is a reading taken on a rod held on a point whose elevation is to be
determined. Usually taken in the direction in which the leveling work proceeds.

d. Turning Point
- an intervening point between two bench marks upon a point between two
benchmarks upon which point foresight and backsight rod readings are taken to
enable a leveling operation to continue from a new instrument position.

e. Bench Mark (BM)

- a fixed point of reference whose elevation is either known or assumed. They
may be permanent or temporary.

f. Height of Instrument (H.I.)

- elevation of the line of sight of an instrument above or below a selected
reference datum.

4. Tabulate your data and computations.

Table 1. Level Notes

Station BS HI FS Elev Remarks

(m) (m) (m) (m)
BM1 0.2671 0.3314 0.0643
TP1 0.4071 0.6669 0.0716 0.2598
TP3 0.2393 0.8709 0.0696 0.8013
TP4 0.3000 1.3257 0.0177 1.0257
 TP5 0.2521 1.5514 0.0264 1.2993
TP6 0.2730 1.8138 0.0106 1.5408
TP7 0.2602 2.0491 0.0249 1.7889
BM2 0.1007 1.9484
∑BS=2.2409 ∑FS=0.3568

Sample Computations:

BM2 = ELEV@BM1 +∑ BS - ∑ FS
= 0.0643m + 2.2409 m
BM2 = 1.9484 m

HIBM = ELEVBM1 + BS
=0.0643 + 0.2671
= 0.3314 m

ELEVTP1 = H1 - FS
=0.3314 -0.0716
=0.2598 m

5. It is recommended to keep the backsight and foresight distance approximately

equal to reduce instrumental and natural errors. Identify the type error
involved in this case and explain why and illustrate.
-Curvature of the earth and refraction errors is the type of error present. Due to
curvature, the points appear to be lower than they actually are; while due to refraction,
they appear to be higher than they actually are. The effect of curvature being greater
than that of refraction, the combined effect causes the points to appear to be lower
than they actually are. This type of error can be eliminated by equaling length of
backsight and foresight because the errors cancel themselves. D1 = D2; e1 = e2

6. The telescope bubble must be centered at the instant of sighting and the rod
must be held vertical and steady. Explain the error involved in this case and
illustrate.
- Whether the station is on an unlevel surface or an horizontal level, it is important
to check the spherical level as it is a reference to the axis of the telescope, if the
bubble is not on the center, it will produce a systematic error that will affect the
readings and complications through the computation process.
V. Conclusion

Define and explain the purpose of leveling.

- Leveling is a branch of surveying, the object of which is to find the elevation of a
given point with respect to the given or assumed datum, it establish a point at a
given elevation with respect to the given or assumed datum.

What is the purpose and importance of leveling in surveying?

-Leveling is used for surveying it is the technique, and science of determining the
terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles
between them. These points are usually on the surface of the Earth, and they are
often used to establish land maps and boundaries for ownership, locations like
building corners or the surface location of subsurface features, or other purposes
required by government or civil law, such as property sales.
VI. Sketch

1. Sketch and label the different parts of an engineer’s level including its accessories.
(Show the elevation and plan view)

2. Sketch what you did during the differential leveling operation.