MODULE 3 – VERTICAL DISTANCE

MEASUREMENT

ENGR. MELKISIDICK L. ANGLOAN, CE, ME-1

 Leveling is the general term applied to any of the various process by which
elevations of points or difference in elevations are determined. It is a vital operation in
producing data for mapping, engineering design, and construction.

Application of Leveling:
 Design highways, railroads, canals, sewers, etc.
 Layout of construction projects
 Calculate volume of earthwork and other materials
 Investigate drainage characteristics of the area
 Develop maps showing ground configuration
 And others

LEVELING
 Level Surface- defined as a curved surface which at each point is perpendicular to the
direction of gravity at the point. Surface of a still water is a level surface.
Elevation- vertical distance above or below an arbitrarily assumed level surface or datum. The
difference in elevation between two points is the vertical distance between the two level
surfaces in which the two points lie.
Difference in Elevation- vertical distance from one point to another. It is the difference between
elevation of the two points.
Datum- any level surface to which elevations are referred. The mean sea level affords a
convention datum world over and elevations are commonly given as distance above or
below sea level.
Mean Sea Level- average height of the sea for all stages of the tides.
Station- a point whose elevation is to be determined.
Bench Mark (BM)- relatively permanent point of reference whose elevation with respect to
assumed datum is known.
Turning Point (TP)- a point denoting the shifting of the level. A point on which the fore and back
sights are taken.
Backsight (BS)- a rod reading on a point whose elevation is known.
Foresight (FS)- a rod reading on a point whose elevation is to be determined.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
A. Direct or Spirit Leveling
This method of leveling uses the measured vertical distance to carry elevation from
known point to an unknown point. Direct leveling is the most precise method of determining
elevation and yields accuracies of third or higher orders.

1. Differential Leveling – most common leveling method.

Height of Instrument = Known Elevation

+ Backsight
𝐻𝐼 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴 + 𝐵𝑆 → 𝑬𝒒. (𝟏)

Unknown Elevation = Height of Instrument

- Foresight
𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 = 𝐻𝐼 − 𝐹𝑆 → 𝑬𝒒. (𝟐)

*Substitute Eq.(1) in Eq.(2) HI

𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴 + 𝐵𝑆 − 𝐹𝑆 FS
𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 − 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴 = 𝐵𝑆 − 𝐹𝑆 BS
B
DEAB = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 − 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴 = ∑𝐵𝑆 − ∑𝐹𝑆 (Unknown Elevation)

A (Known Elevation)

METHODS OF LEVELING
 A differential leveling activity was performed to determine the vertical height between Points
A and B and to determine the elevation of point B. The activity started at point A which is located
at Elevation 100 m.

EXAMPLE
 Station BS HI FS Elevation (m)
BMA 12.64 100 + 12.64 = 112.64 100

TP1 10.88 120.41 3.11 112.64 – 3.11 = 109.53

TP2 9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85

BMB 3.10 124.47

∑ 33.24 8.77

Solution:
𝑬𝒍. 𝑩 = 𝟏𝟐𝟒. 𝟒𝟕 𝒎 * Arithmetic Checking:
DEAB = ∑𝐵𝑆 − ∑𝐹𝑆
“Difference in Elevation between A & B” DEAB = 33.24 − 8.77
DEAB = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 − 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴 DEAB = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟒𝟕 𝒎
DEAB = 124.47 − 100 OK!
DEAB = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟒𝟕 𝒎
“ point B is higher than point A”
 2. Double-Rodded Leveling – its process is the same as differential level only that two level
routes are considered. In each setup of the leveling instrument, two independent
backsight and foresight are taken. This method has an advantage of providing a
continuous check on the process of determining ground elevations.

Stadia Rod Stadia Rod

FSL BSL
TP1L TP2L FSL
BSL FSL
BSL
Instrument
FSR BMB
BSR
BMA FSR BSR
FSR
Instrument
BSR
TP2R
TP1R Stadia Rod

METHODS OF LEVELING
 Complete the following differential notes for a double-rodded line from BMA to BMB. Show the
customary arithmetic check.

Station BS HI FS Elevation (m)

1.964 205.549 + 1.964 = 207.513
BMA 205.549
1.964 207.513
TP1L 2.187 208.596 1.104 207.513 – 1.104 = 206.409
TP1R 2.629 208.593 1.549 205.964
TP2L 1.393 208.195 1.794 206.802
TP2R 1.78 208.171 2.202 206.391
2.991 205.204
BMB 204.98
3.415 204.756
∑ 11.917 13.055

EXAMPLE
Solution:
𝐸𝑙.𝐵L +𝐸𝑙.𝐵R * Arithmetic Checking:
𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 =
2 ∑𝐵𝑆−∑𝐹𝑆
205.204+204.756 DEAB =
𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 = 2
2
𝑬𝒍. 𝑩 = 𝟐𝟎𝟒. 𝟗𝟖 𝒎 11.917−13.055
DEAB =
2
“Difference in Elevation between A & B” DEAB = −𝟎. 𝟓𝟔𝟗 𝒎
DEAB = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 − 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴 OK!
DEAB = 204.98 − 205.549
DEAB = −𝟎. 𝟓𝟔𝟗 𝒎
“ point B is lower than point A”
 3. Three-Wire Leveling – Each backsight and foresight is recorded by reading the stadia hairs
in addition to the main horizontal cross hair. The three readings are averaged to obtain
the desired value. The stadia hairs are positioned in an equal distance above and below
the main cross hair and are spaced to give 1 meter (1 foot) interval for each 100 meter
(100 feet) horizontal distance.

Upper Reading (UR)

Stadia Hairs Middle Reading (MR)

Lower Reading (LR)

METHODS OF LEVELING
Where:
m = mean of the three hair readings

𝑈𝑅 + 𝑀𝑅 + 𝐿𝑅
𝑚=
3
H = horizontal distance from the instrument to the rod
𝐻 = 𝐾𝑠 + 𝐶
*** total horizontal distance from the first point to the last point***
𝐻 = 𝐾(∑𝑠) + 𝑛𝐶 ; 𝑛 = # 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑠
K = stadia interval factor
s = stadia intercept
𝑠 = 𝑈𝑅 − 𝐿𝑅
C = instrument constant
 Complete the differential notes shown below and perform the customary arithmetic check.
Given the stadia interval factor (K=100) and the instrument constant (C=0).

Backsight Foresight Elevation

Station HI
Rdgs. Mean s Rdgs. Mean s (m)
1.152
BMA 0.935 0.935 0.434 445.177 444.242
0.718
2.784 1.117
TP1 2.420 2.420 0.727 446.698 0.899 0.899 0.435 444.278
2.057 0.682
1.713 1.900
TP2 1.440 1.440 0.547 446.601 1.537 1.536 0.728 445.162
1.166 1.172
1.450
BMB 1.177 1.177 0.546 445.424
0.904
∑ 4.795 1.708 3.613 1.709

EXAMPLE
Solution:
“Horizontal Distance from point A to point B”
𝑬𝒍. 𝑩 = 𝟒𝟒𝟓. 𝟒𝟐𝟒 𝒎
𝐻 = 100 1.708 + 1.709 + 6(0)
“Difference in Elevation between A & B” H = 𝟑𝟒𝟏. 𝟕𝟎 𝒎
DEAB = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 − 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴
DEAB = 445.424 − 444.242
DEAB = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟖𝟐 𝒎
“ point B is higher than point A”

* Arithmetic Checking:
DEAB = ∑𝐵𝑆 − ∑𝐹𝑆
DEAB = 4.795 − 3.613
DEAB = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟖𝟐 𝒎
OK!
 B. Reciprocal Leveling

Used when it is impossible to keep backsight and foresight since instrument can not be
set between two points. This condition usually exists when running a survey across bodies of
water or deep ravines. In each setup, more trials will be taken from the distant point than the
other.
“Difference in Elevation from A to B”
a' b'
* Instrument set near “A”
DEA = 𝑎 − 𝑏 a b

* Instrument set near “B” A TDE B

DEB = 𝑎′ − 𝑏′ “Deep Ravine/
Bodies of Water”
“True Difference in Elevation from A to B”

DEA + DEB
𝑇𝐷𝐸 =
2

METHODS OF LEVELING
 In leveling across a deep and wide river, reciprocal level readings
were taken between two points, X and Y, as follows:

Solution:
Instrument Readings at X Readings at Y * Instrument set near “X”
Set-up Trials Mean Trials Mean DEX = 1.284 − 2.620
2.618 DEX = −1.336 𝑚
1.283
2.619
Near X 1.284 2.620 * Instrument set near “Y”
2.621 DEY = 2.143 − 3.477
1.285
2.622 DEY = −1.334 𝑚
2.143
3.478
2.14 “True Difference in Elevation from X to Y”
Near Y 2.143 3.477
2.146 −1.336+(−1.334)
3.476 𝑇𝐷𝐸 =
2.144 2
𝑻𝑫𝑬 = −𝟏. 𝟑𝟑𝟓 𝒎
“ point B is lower than point A”
Determine the difference in elevation
between the two points and the elevation of “Y” if “Elevation of point Y”
“X” is at elevation 290.082 meters. 𝐸𝑙. 𝑌 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝑋 + 𝑇𝐷𝐸
𝐸𝑙. 𝑌 = 290.082 + −1.335
𝑬𝒍. 𝒀 = 𝟐𝟖𝟖. 𝟕𝟒𝟕 𝒎
EXAMPLE
 C. Trigonometric Leveling

This method of leveling is employed in determining by trigonometric computations the difference in

elevation between two points from measurement of its horizontal or slope distance and the vertical angle
between the points.

“Difference in Elevation b/n Two Points”

DEAB = 𝐻𝐼 + 𝑉 − 𝑅𝑅
“Elevation of Second Point” 𝑅𝑅
El.B = El.A+DEAB
𝑆
B
Where: 𝑉
H = horizontal distance b/n two points
𝛼 𝐻
V = vertical distance on the triangle
𝐻𝐼
S = inclined distance of the line of sight (LOS) 𝑉 = 𝑆 sin𝛼
A
RR = rod reading at the 2nd point 𝐻 = 𝑆 cos 𝛼
𝛼 = vertical angle to the 2nd point
𝑉 = 𝐻 tan 𝛼

METHODS OF LEVELING
 Example 1: Let A be a point of elevation 130.48m, and let B and C be points of unknown elevation. By means of an
instrument set 1.22m above B and a rod at C with reading to be 1.55m, vertical angles are observed , that to A
being -14°45’ and that to C being +8°32’. If the horizontal distance AB is 547.20m and the horizontal distance BC is
923.95m, determine the elevations of B and C.

Given:
El.A = 130.48m
HI = 1.22m 𝑅𝑅
RR = 1.55m
𝛼𝐴𝐵 = -14°45’ 𝑉𝐵𝐶 C
𝛼𝐵𝐶 = +8°32’ 𝐻𝐴𝐵 𝛼𝐵𝐶 𝐻𝐵𝐶
HAB = 547.20m 𝛼𝐴𝐵
HBC = 923.95m 𝐻𝐼
El.B = ? 𝑉𝐴𝐵 B
El.C = ?

A
Solution:
𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴 + 𝑉𝐴𝐵 − 𝐻𝐼 𝐸𝑙. 𝐶 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 + 𝐻𝐼 + 𝑉𝐵𝐶 − 𝑅𝑅
𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴 + 𝐻𝐴𝐵 tan 𝛼𝐴𝐵 − 𝐻𝐼 𝐸𝑙. 𝐶 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 + 𝐻𝐼 + 𝐻𝐵𝐶 tan 𝛼𝐵𝐶 − 𝑅𝑅
𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 = 130.48 + 547.20 tan 14°45’ − 1.22 𝐸𝑙. 𝐶 = 273.33 + 1.22 + 923.95 tan 8°32’ − 1.55
𝑬𝒍. 𝑩 = 𝟐𝟕𝟑. 𝟑𝟑𝒎 𝑬𝒍. 𝑪 = 𝟒𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟑𝒎
Effect of Earth’s Curvature and Refraction (vertical correction)

Effect of Earth’s Curvature:

horizontal line (LOS)

ℎ𝑐
level line
𝐾

level surface/datum

ℎ𝑐 = 0.0785 𝐾 2

where: hc = correction due to Earth’s Curvature (m)

K = horizontal distance b/n two points in kilometers (km)
Effect of Refraction:

refracted line of sight (LOS)

ℎ𝑟
horizontal line

level surface/datum

ℎ𝑟 = 0.011 𝐾 2

where: hr = correction due to Refraction (m)

K = horizontal distance b/n two points in kilometers (km)
Combined Effect of Earth’s Curvature and Refraction:

horizontal line (LOS)

ℎ𝑐𝑟
level line

level surface/datum

ℎ𝑐𝑟 = ℎ𝑐 − ℎ𝑟
ℎ𝑐𝑟 = 0.0785 𝐾 2 − 0.011 𝐾 2

ℎ𝑐𝑟 = 0.0675 𝐾 2

where: hcr = correction due to Earth’s Curvature and Refraction (m)

K = horizontal distance b/n two points in kilometers (km)
 Example 1: Let A be a point of elevation 130.48m, and let B and C be points of unknown elevation. By means of an
instrument set 1.22m above B and a rod at C with reading to be 1.55m, vertical angles are observed , that to A
being -14°45’ and that to C being +8°32’. If the horizontal distance AB is 547.20m and the horizontal distance BC is
923.95m, determine the elevations of B and C, making due allowance for earth’s curvature and refraction.

Given:
El.A = 130.48m
HI = 1.22m 𝑅𝑅
RR = 1.55m
𝛼𝐴𝐵 = -14°45’ 𝑉𝐵𝐶 C
𝛼𝐵𝐶 = +8°32’ 𝐻𝐴𝐵 𝛼𝐵𝐶 𝐻𝐵𝐶
HAB = 547.20m ℎ𝑐𝑟𝐴 𝛼𝐴𝐵 ℎ𝑐𝑟𝐶
HBC = 923.95m 𝐻𝐼
El.B = ? 𝑉𝐴𝐵 B
El.C = ?

A
Solution:
𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴 + 𝑉𝐴𝐵 − ℎ𝑐𝑟𝐴 − 𝐻𝐼 𝐸𝑙. 𝐶 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 + 𝐻𝐼 + ℎ𝑐𝑟𝐶 + 𝑉𝐵𝐶 − 𝑅𝑅
𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐴 + 𝐻𝐴𝐵 tan 𝛼𝐴𝐵 − 0.0675𝐾𝐴𝐵 2 − 𝐻𝐼 𝐸𝑙. 𝐶 = 𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 + 𝐻𝐼 + 0.0675𝐾𝐵𝐶 2 + 𝐻𝐵𝐶 tan 𝛼𝐵𝐶 − 𝑅𝑅
𝐸𝑙. 𝐵 = 130.48 + 547.20 tan 14°45’ 𝐸𝑙. 𝐶 = 273.31 + 1.22 + 0.0675 0.92395 2
−0.0675 0.5472 2 − 1.22 +923.95 tan 8°32’ − 1.55
𝑬𝒍. 𝑩 = 𝟐𝟕𝟑. 𝟑𝟏𝒎 𝑬𝒍. 𝑪 = 𝟒𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟕𝒎
Example 2: Try This In Your Own………(to be submitted before the discussion)
A vertical angle of -12°25’ is measured to the top of a water tank from an instrument set up on a hill 585.0m
away from it. The telescope of the instrument is 1.45m above the ground whose elevation is 462.73m. Considering
the effect of earth’s curvature and refraction, determine the elevation of the base of the water tank if the tank is
32.0m high.
REFERENCE:
Elementary Surveying (3rd Ed.)
by: J.P. La Putt

END OF SLIDE………….