The Kinds of LEVELLING Instrument

Classifications Levelling Instrument :

a. Based Degree of Precision :
1. Precisions Level → 0,2 – 0,5 mm
2. Universal Level →1 – 2 mm
3. General Purpose Level →3 – 5 mm
4. Builder Level → 6 – 10 mm

b. Broadly speaking levels can be divided in to 3

main groups :
1. Dumpy Level
2. Tilting Level
3. Automatic Level
Dumpy Level
Tilting Level
Automatic Level
Name of Parts Levelling Instrument
PARTS OF LENS AUTOMATIC LEVEL
The Essentials of Levelling Instrument :

1. The Vertical axis must be trully

vertical when the bubble of the
spirit level is central.
2. The Line of Sight must be parallel
to the newly adjusted spirit level, in
other words, the line of sight must
be horizontal.
3. The Cross-Hairs Diaphragm must
be horizontal
 Setting Up the Levelling
Instrument :
1. Setting the Tripode
2. Mounting the Instrument
3. Levelling the Instrument
4. Parallax elimination
PARTS OF LENS AUTOMATIC LEVEL
READING THE
CIRCLES

A. Methods the reading System Horizontal Circle:

1. Sentisimal system ==> Grade, Centi-
grade, Centicenti-grade
2. Seksadesimal System ==> Degree, Minute,
Second.

B. Methods Reading Scale Horizontal Angle :

1. Cara Vernier
2. Cara Optis
• Reading Horizontal Circle
• Horizontal Circle Reading
 CHECKING AND ADJUSMENT
1. CIRCULAR LEVEL ( PERPENDICULAR ALIGNMENT WITH THE
VERTIKAL AXIS)

Checking :

Adjust the levelling screws to centre the bubble in the

circular level (A), and turn the instrument 1800 ( or 200 gr)

The bubble does shift (B), compensate for one-half of the

shift by adjusting the levelling screws ( C ), and eliminate
the remaining half with the circular level adjusting screws
(D). Repeat the above check and adjustment untill no
bubble shift occurs in any telescope direction.
Figure Adjustment Circular
Level
 LINE OF SIGHT or LINE OF COLLIMATION
( Test Two Peg )

• Check by “ levelling from the middle “ :

• Set up instrument in G 1

• The distance Sr = Sv ( Back sight distance = Foresight distance )

• Take staff reading R1 and V1
• Error-free height difference results from Δ h1 = R1 - V1
• Set up instrument in G2 shortest distance to the foresight staff
• Take staff reading V2 and R 2 calculate the height difference Δh2= R2
-V2

• If the height difference value indicates a difference, the horizontal

cross line must be adjusted.( Δ h1 ≠ Δh2).
Figure “ Test two Peg “
Reading the staff
Reading the staff
 Levelling
• Principles and Definitions
1. Definition of Leveling : Leveling is the process of measuring the difference in height between points
on the surface of the earth.
2. A level surface or level line: This is a surface or line, all points of which are normal or at right-
angles to the pull of gravity as shown by plumb-line.
3. A horizontal surface or a horizontal line : This is a plane, flat surface or straight line which passes
through a point at right-angles to the pull of gravity at the point.
4. A datum surface : This is any level surface to which the elevations of points may be referred. The
surface most commonly adopted as a datum is the mean level of the sea. As the mean or average level
of the sea varies at different places because of the effect of winds, currents and tides, the mean level at
one place is adopted as a datum surface and is called the mean sea level ( M S L )
5. A reduced level : The reduced level of a point is its height or elevation above the surface adopted as
a datum.
6.Bench Mark : Bench Marks are stable reference points, the reduced levels of which are accurately
determined by spirit leveling.
7.Diffrerence of level between two points. In order to find this it is necessary to establish a level
surface above or below the two points and to measure the vertical distance from it to the points.
8.Stations In Levelling, a station is that point where the level rod is held and not where level is set up
9.Backsight. Back sight is the sight taken on a rod held at a point of known elevation.
10.Fore sight is taken on a rod held point of unknownelevation.
11.Station : In levelling a station is that point where the rod is helh and not level is set up.
12 Intermediate Station : Is a point intermediate between two turning points on which only one sight is
taken to determine the elevation of the station.
 METHODS OF LEVELLING
• BAROMETRIC LEVELLING : Makes use of the phenomenon that
difference in elevation between two points is proportional to the
difference in atmospheric pressures at these points. A barometer,
therefore may be used and the readings observed at different points
would yield a measure of the relative elevations of those points. At
given point, the atmospheric pressure does not remain constant in the
course of the day, even in the course of an hour. The method is
therefore, relatively inaccurate and is little used in surveying work
except on reconnaissance or exploratory.

• TRIGONOMETRIC LEVELLING ( INDIRECT LEVELLING ) :

Trigonometric or indirect Leveling is process of leveling in which the
elevations of points are computed from the vertical angles and
horizontal distances measured in the field, just as the length of any side
in any triangle can be computed from proper trigonometric relations. In
a modified form called stadia levelling, commonly used in mapping,
both the difference in elevation and the horizontal difference in
elevation and the the horizontal distance between the points are
directly computed from the measured vertical angle and staff readings.
 Spirit Levelling ( Direct Levelling )
• It is that branch of levelling in which the vertical
distances with respect to a horizontal (line
perpendicular to the directions of gravity ) may
be used to determine the relative diffrerencein
elevations between two adjacent points. A
horizontal plane of sight tangent to level surface
at any point is readily established by means of
spirit level. In spirit levelling a spirit level and a
sighting device ( telescope ) are combined and
vertical distance are measured by observing on
graduated rods placed on the points.
TYPES OF SPIRIT LEVELLING or
Classification of Levelling
• DIFFERENTIAL LEVELLING : It is method of direct
levelling the object of which is solely to determine
the difference in elevation of two points regardless
of the horizontal positions of the points with respect
of each other. When the points are apart, it may be
necessary to set up the instrument several times.
This type of levelling is also known as fly levelling.
• PROFILE LEVELLING : It is the method of direct-
levelling the object of which is to determine the
elevations of points at measured intervals along a
given line in order to obtain a profile of the surface
along that line.
 TYPES OF SPIRIT LEVELLING or
Classification of levelling
• CROSS SECTIONING : Cross Sectioning or cross-levelling is
process of taking levels on each side of a main line at right
angles to that line in order to determine a vertical cross section
of the surface of the ground, or of underlying strata, or of both.
• RECIPROCAL LEVELLING : It is the method of levelling in
which the difference in elevation between two points is
accurately determined by two sets of reciprocal observations
when it is not possible to set up the level between the two
points.
• PRECISE LEVELLING : It is the levelling in which the degree
of precision required is to great too be attained by ordinary
methods, and which, therefore, special precautions or both are
necessary to eliminate, as far as possible all sources of error.
 ERRORS IN LEVELLING
• INSTRUMENTAL :
– Error due to imperfect adjustment
– Error due to sluggish bubble
– Error due to movement of objective slide
– Rod not of standard length
– Error due to defective joint
 ERRORS IN LEVELLING
• NATURAL
– Earth’s curvature
– Atmospheric refraction
– Variations in temperature
– Settlement of tripode or turning points
– Wind vibrations
 ERRORS IN LEVELLING
• PERSONAL
– Mistakes in manipulation
– Rod handling
– Mistake in reading the rod
– Errors in sighting
– Mistake in recording
 Curvature and Refraction
• To Calculate the effect of curvature and Refraction

R = mean radius of the earth ( 6370 km)

By Pythagoras’s Theorem :
( CD + R )2 = ( K 2 + R 2 )
CD 2 + 2 CD.R + R 2 = K 2 + R 2
CD 2 + 2 CD.R = K 2 ---- CD ( CD+2R)=K 2

CD so small compared with R that fore can be ignored < R

 Curvature and Refraction
• CD= K2/ 2R ---- CD = K2/ 12740 km

• Correction for curvature= 0.0785 K2 m

• The effect of Refraction -- The Value is not constant so

correction taken as 1/7
curvature.
Combined Correction = 0.0785 L2 - 1/7( 0.0785 K2
= 6/7 ( 0.0785 K2)

= 0.0673 K2 ..m ( Where K in km )

 Reciprocal Levelling
• Difference Level between A and B is obtained
by the procedure :
– The Level set up at X, 5m from A, anh both staffs
are observed - Giving diff. level
– The level is next set up at Y, 5m from B, again
both staffs are observed  Giving second diff.
level.
 Reciprocal Levelling
– The errors of observation from each set-up are
approximately the same.
– The True diff.level : (as example)
• Observations from Station X :
• On staff held at A = 1.470
• On staff held at B = 3.562
• Diff. level = 2.092
• Observations from Station Y :
• On staff held at A = 0.516
• On staff held at B = 2.620
• Diff.level = 2.104
 Reciprocal Levelling

• The True Difference in level =

2.092 + 2.104
-------------------- = 2.098 m
2