Introduction & methodology

The task of this exercise was to carry out a looped levelling survey using the rise and fall booking method
around the CSM building. Our group consisted of Christopher Crabb, Alex Levantis and Robin Watson. The
weather conditions were overcast with a fairly pervasive mist throughout.

We chose the corner of a drain cover closest to the campus buildings to act as our first Backsight (BS) and
last Foresight (FS), the level we determined for this point with a handheld GPS was 124m AOD. From here
we proceeded to take one Intermediate Sight (IS) for each setup of the level, before taking a FS onto our
first Change Point (CP) where the staff remained whilst the instrument was moved to its next setup
position. The difference between each sight and the previous IS or BS was then worked out and applied
to the RL level of the last point as either a rise or fall. This was repeated for 11 different set-ups.

As can be seen on Fig 1., where practicable we kept our sights to the magnitude of 20-25m to reduce
collimation error, with an IS on a memorable location between these two CPs. Each of us took turns to
read the level, book the results and hold the staff.

Results

Fig 1 showing the location of our survey stations, change points and intermediate sights.
 Point Name BS (M) IS (M) FS (M) Rise (M) Fall (M) Reduced Level (M) Remark

1 Back Site 1.856 124.000 BM

Corner of wall ESI
2 Building 1.551 0.305 124.305 IS
White wall below
3 camera 0.045 1.611 0.060 124.245 CP
Surveyors Mark
4 "JLI" by Mast 2.364 2.319 121.926 IS
Survey mark "TI"
5 by disabled 0.893 2.718 0.354 121.572 CP
Above 'FH' on
6 yellow drain 2.139 1.246 120.326 IS
Lampost side by
7 triangle key 0.513 3.005 0.866 119.460 CP
Left corner of
8 drain 2.983 2.470 116.990 IS
Corner of lower
9 curb by reception 1.999 3.874 0.891 116.099 CP
"00" in 2008 on
10 plaque 1.625 0.374 116.473 IS
Base of double
11 lampost 0.602 2.513 0.888 115.585 CP

12 Drain by bike rail 2.620 2.018 113.567 IS

Drain Kite Mark,
13 by designated 3.985 2.715 0.095 113.472 CP
North corner of
14 drain 2.435 1.550 115.022 IS
Drain SE shipping
15 container 3.060 0.509 1.926 116.948 CP
2nd pipe west of car
16 registration sign 0.714 2.346 119.294 IS

17 Curb Corner 4.380 0.659 0.055 119.349 CP

Drain by Nitrogen
18 Tank 0.402 3.978 123.327 IS
Driain by
19 Nitrogen 1.969 0.624 0.222 123.105 CP
Base of private
20 property sign 1.687 0.282 123.387 IS
Return to initial
21 BS 1.078 0.609 123.996 FS
Sum of the
recordings: 19.302 19.306 11.425 11.429 0.004

BS - FS = -0.004
Rises Falls = -0.004
Last initial RL
First RL 0.004

Fig 2. Booking sheet with arithmetic checks.

On completing our survey we originally calculated our final error to be 0.051m, on examining the booking
sheet, it was noticed that one fall (point 3) had been treated as a rise and this was responsible for 0.047m
of the error. The booking sheet shown at Fig 2. is the revised version. Our final error was then -0.004m;
well within the allowable misclosure where m=5mm

m11= 0.0165

Likely sources of error include wind buffeting the staff, especially at its fullest extension. The mist
certainly made sighting onto the staff difficult at certain points. Changing the position of the staff on the
CP is another possible source of error.

Use of sights of unequal lengths along steep slopes may have exacerbated any collimation error present
in the instrument, other calibration issues may also have affected our results.

Reading errors, or inconsistencies in the method of estimating to the nearest 1mm between the three
people taking those readings may also contribute; booking errors would certainly have caused an error
outside the allowable misclosure (0.051m) had this not been identified during our arithmetic checks
(Uren & Price, 2010: 43, 54-55).
Contouring exercise

The next part of the assignment involved the recording of a series of levels in a rough grid across a slop.
The position of these spot heights was then to be worked out using the Stadia Tachometry method. For
each point a bearing was recorded, along with the upper and lower stadia readings, and a reading from
the central crosshair. The difference between these points multiplied by 100 gave a horizontal distance to
the point being levelled.

A=100d,

where d = the difference between the upper and lower stadia. These coordinates and their heights are
shown in Fig 3.

Our coordinates were then calculated with the sin/cosine rule and plotted in fig 3.

N =cosA, E = sinA

where =the bearing of the point and A=the distance to the point calculated by the stadia tachometry
method above;

Results

Fig 3. Location of spot heights with Point 19s adjusted position in red.
POI Point Name BS (M) IS (M) FS (M) HPC (M) Level (M) Angle (Deg) Angle (RAD) Upper Stadia Lower Stadia Distance Easting Northing
Back sight taken
from 'FH' on
yellow drain
levelling point 1.801 122.082 120.281 33 0.576 1.895 1.706 18.900 10.2936778 15.8508737

1 First row (near

CSM) 1.953 120.129 103 1.798 1.978 1.926 5.200 5.06672434 -1.1697455

2
1.872 120.210 91 1.588 1.897 1.847 5.000 4.99923848 -0.087262

3
1.813 120.269 79 1.379 1.838 1.787 5.100 5.00629864 0.97312588

4
1.756 120.326 68 1.187 1.783 1.729 5.400 5.00679281 2.0228756

5 First row (ending

at tree) 1.721 120.361 59 1.030 1.749 1.693 5.600 4.80013688 2.88421322

6 Second row (at

Tree) 1.876 120.206 65 1.134 1.908 1.844 6.400 5.80036984 2.70475688

7
1.974 120.108 74 1.292 2.004 1.943 6.100 5.86369635 1.68138787

8
2.014 120.068 84 1.466 2.043 1.983 6.000 5.96713137 0.62717078

9
2.064 120.018 92 1.606 2.093 2.034 5.900 5.89640588 -0.205907

10 Second row
(ending at CSM) 2.183 119.899 101 1.763 2.214 2.153 6.100 5.98792582 -1.1639349

11 Third Row
(starting at CSM) 2.413 119.669 100 1.745 2.448 2.378 7.000 6.89365427 -1.2155372

12
2.359 119.723 91 1.588 2.394 2.324 7.000 6.99893387 -0.1221668

13
2.339 119.743 81 1.414 2.377 2.301 7.600 7.50643139 1.18890193

14
2.318 119.764 72 1.257 2.357 2.280 7.700 7.32313518 2.37943086

15 Third Row
(ending at tree) 2.269 119.813 64 1.117 2.310 2.227 8.300 7.45999058 3.63848052

16 Fourth Row
(starting at CSM) 2.535 119.547 70 1.222 2.579 2.491 8.800 8.26929506 3.00977726

17
2.718 119.364 77 1.344 2.763 2.675 8.800 8.57445657 1.97956928

18
2.859 119.223 84 1.466 2.904 2.816 8.800 8.75179268 0.91985048

19
2.938 119.144 91 1.588 2.993 2.892 10.100 10.0984617 -0.1762693

20 Fourth row
(ending at Tree) 2.996 119.086 100 1.745 3.040 2.951 8.900 8.764789 -1.5454688

Fig 4. Stadia Tachometry booking sheet with outlying result highlighted. Note conversion to radians for
use in Excel.

An obvious outlier in the results appears to be due to a reading/booking error, as the IS does not lie in the
middle of the upper and lower stadia readings as it should do. The IS for point 19 should be equidistant
between the upper and lower stadia; 2.9425 rather than 2.938 as booked.

Lower Stadia = 2.892 IS = 2.938 Upper Stadia = 2.993

Lower Stadia IS = -0.044, and IS Upper Stadia = -0.055

We would expect these two differences to be equal. If we adjust the upper stadia by the difference
between these two differences and recalculate the coordinates, then we can now mark the point at 9m
from the level, 8.998629256 -0.157071658.

2.993 0.011 = 2.982

so 100(2.982 2.892) = 9m

so cos91x9 = -0.157071658 and sin91x9 = 8.998629256

As shown in Fig 3. this point is far closer to the actual progression of points across the slope. Of course
the exact booking error cannot be known, but it seems reasonable that an extra 0.010m was added,
probably by reading the wrong 0.010m block on the E type staff used.

Alternative levelling methods

An electronic laser level would have eliminated our booking error of 0.047m and any other potential
errors from booking or reading the staff, laser levels can also be used accurately over greater distances
(up to 100m). Poor light or weather would affect the ability of the electronic level to sight on the
barcoded staff but these conditions affect all methods of levelling. Perhaps the only significant
disadvantage of the electronic level is the increase in price compared to the advantages it affords;
competent surveyors with a systematic approach to reading and booking can complete a survey in a
comparable period of time with an automatic level (Uren and Price, 2010: 41).

Levels can be calculated trigonometrically using a theodolite. Trigonometric levelling can be prone to
error as gravity is not used as a control element; sighting and reading of vertical angles must be
absolutely precise or errors in calculation become exacerbated as the slope distance increases (Uren and
Price 2010, p175). Another limitation is that the horizontal distance between the survey station and the
point being levelled must be known or calculated, again increasing the possibility for errors due to
inaccurate sighting. A survey of this kind involves far more calculation than direct levelling with an
automatic level, with the corresponding time required and increased chances of booking error. However,
the trigonometric method is useful (and indeed may be the only possible method) in circumstances
where the points to be levelled are inaccessible, such as mountaintops, or overheard power cables.

Levelling with an EDM or total station is entails using the same calculations involved with trigonometric
levelling, only carried out automatically by the instrument itself. The EDM allows this method to be used
where the distance to a point is not known by accurately measuring the slope distance. The same errors
resulting from inaccurate sighting still remain however, the instrument must be sighted exactly in the
centre of the prism, and it is advised that numerous readings be taken and any anomalies discarded, thus
adding to the length of the survey. Total stations are far more sensitive than automatic levels and
atmospheric conditions require that the instrument be given a chance to acclimatise to the ambient
temperature, and low and high levels of light or ground shimmer can require mathematical adjustments
to be made to the readings . Levelling with a total station is an effective way of obtaining heights for a
topographical or walkover survey (Uren & Price 2010: 174).

Alternative methods for a contouring survey could involve carrying out a detail survey with other
methods (i.e., total station, GPS or even chain survey), then simply adding spot heights with an automatic
level and the height of collimation method. Indeed this is the most common method within the
archaeological profession and one I have some experience of.

As can be seen there are advantages to using survey equipment other than an automatic dumpy level,
but these all have the potential for errors and a greater complexity than the direct levelling method. An
automatic level is economical, simple and robust where other methods may be complicated, delicate or
expensive.

Bibliography

Uren, J and Price, B. 2010, Surveying for Engineers, Fifth Edition, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.