Leveling – process of directly or indirectly measuring vertical
distances to determine the elevation of points or their
differences in elevation. It is vital and important aspect of
surveying since leveling operation are undertaken to provide
necessary data for engineering design and construction, and
the production of topographic maps. The suitability of a site
for development can be better determined by using the
results obtained from leveling operations. Through the
processes of leveling, buildings, roads canals , and other
vertical and horizontal structures can be designed and laid
out to best conform to the configuration of the ground.
Definition of terms:
1. Level Surface: a curved surface which is a curved
surface which is at any point perpendicular to the
direction of gravity or the plumb line. Is not a plane
and does not have a regular form because of local
deviations of the plumb line.
2. Level Line: is a curved line in a level surface all points
of which are normal to the direction of gravity and
equidistant from the center of the earth.
3. Horizontal Line: a straight line in a horizontal plane
which is tangent to a level line at one point. This line
is perpendicular to the direction of gravity at the
point of tangency.
4. Vertical Line: a vertical line at any point is a line
parallel to the direction of gravity.
5. Mean Sea Level: is an imaginary surface of the sea
which is midway between high and low tides. It is
taken as the reference surface to which most ground
elevations are referred. This surface is determined
by averaging the height of the sea’s surface for all it
died stages over a long period of time which may
extend to about 20 years. It is not a steady frame of
reference due to the melting of ice in the polar
regions, the effects of volcanic activity and many
other influencing factors.
6. Datum: is any convenient level surface coincident of
parallel with mean sea level to which elevations of a
particular are referred. Any surface may be used as
datum when relative elevations over a limited area
needs to be established.
7. Difference in Elevation: the difference in elevation
between two points is the vertical distance between
the two level surfaces in which the points lie.
There are various methods which could be employed to
determine the elevation of points and thei r differences in
elevation. Theses methods may be undertaken either directly
or indirectly in the field. The principle involved in each
method differ in some aspects. Also, they may differ with
respect to the tpe of instruments used the procedure
employed and the attainable degrees of precision.
Traditional methods: direct leveling, trigonometric leveling,
and barometric leveling.
Utilized electronic instruments: total geodetic stations, the
airborne profile recorder, satellite doppler systems, and
inertial surveying systems.
Methods:
1. Direct or Spirit Leveling: the commonly employed
method of determining the elevation of points some
distance apart by a series of setups of a leveling
instrument along a selected route. It is also referred
to as Spirit leveling since the device used is a spirit
level. In direct leveling vertical distances are
measured above or below a level line and these
values are used to compute the elevation of points
or their defferences in elevation. Being the most
precise method of leveling, it is used when a high
degree of accuracy is required.
a. Forms:
i. Differential leveling
ii. Double-rodded leveling
iii. Three-wire leveling
2. Reciprocal Leveling: is the process of accurately
determining the difference in elevation between
two intervisible points located at a considerable
distance apart and between which points leveling
could not be performed in the usual manner. This
method is commonly employed when leveling across
a wide river, a deep ravine, or impossible to maintain
a foresight and a backsight distance of nearly equal
lengths. It provides a faster method of determining
differences in elevation and when it carefully
conducted, it could be as preci se, as direct leveling.
In determining the difference in elevation between
the two points, it will require two sets of
observations and the mean of which is used. Since
there is inequality between the sights taken, the
process of reciprocal leveling is expected to
eliminate the errors resulting from curvature of the
earth and the refraction of the atmosphere.
3. Profile Leveling: this method of leveling is used to
determine differences in elevation between points
at designated short measured intervals along an
established line to provide data from which a
vertical section of the ground surface can be
plotted. In the design of roads, railroads, canals,
drainage systems, and transmission lines, it is
necessary to first obtain a profile of the existing
ground surface. It is this method of leveling which
will best suit such requirements.
4. Trigonometric Leveling: it is employed in
determining by trigonometric computations the
difference in elevation between two points from
measurements of its horizontal or slope distance
and the vertical angle between the points. The
required distances are usually obtained by stadia,
triangulation or by direct taping. It only provides a
very rough determination of differences in elevation.
Its degree of precision may be improved by using
precise measuring instruments such as optical
theodolites and total geodetic stations which
measure angles to seconds. However, there are
certain occasions such as in mapping or surveying
over very rugged terrain when it would be fully
justified to undertake trigonometric leveling. It is
also a convenient method to adapt when it is
required only to determine the elevation of
principal stations or control points.
 5. Stadia Leveling: combines features of direct leveling
with those of trigonometric leveling. This method is
in fact a form of trigonometric leveling. It can
provide reasonable accuracy for preliminary surveys,
mapping, and rough leveling where quick
measurements are needed. In stadia leveling,
differences in elevation between points are
computed from observed vertical angles and the
three intercepts on a rod held at each point
backsighted or foresighted. Any surveying
instrument may be employed in stadia as long as it
has a telescope to read vertical angles and is
equipped with stadia hairs in addition to the
standard cross hairs.
6. Barometric Leveling: involves the determination of
differences in elevation between points by
measuring the variation in atmospheric pressure at
each point by means of a Barometer. This leveling
method depends on the basic principle that
differences in elevation are proportional to the
differences in atmospheric pressure.
7. Cross-Section Leveling: in highway or railroad 3. Builder’s Level: is used primarily in the different
constructions it is often necessary to obtain in phases of building construction where a high degree
representation of the ground surface on either side of precision is not a primary requisite. Engineers,
of the centerline. Short profiles at right angles to the architects, and builders use it in the setting of
line of work are usually plotted at regular intervals concrete forms, batter boards, and in establishing
for this purpose. This type of data is obtained in the grades for earthwork. It is often called a construction
field by a process referred to as cross -section level or an architect’s level. The level vial is not as
leveling. sensitive as in other levels and its telescope has a
8. Borrow-Pit Leveling: is a method of determining the much lesser magnifying power. The horizontal circle,
relative elevations of points in borrow-pit which is found between the level vial and the
excavations for the purpose of calculating volumes leveling head, is its special feature. This circle is used
of earthwork. This type of work is usually when measuring or laying our Horizontal.
encountered in the construction of roads and
railroads.
Types of Levels
1. Dumpy Level: is the most widely used direct leveling
instrument. It has a long telescope which is rigidly
attached to the level bar.

4. Automatic Level: self-leveling features are

incorporated in automatic levels. This type of level
has become popular for conventional leveling work
because of the ease and speed of their operation.

2. Wye Level: is very identical to the dumpy level . The

only distinct difference between these two
instruments is in the manner by which their
telescopes are attached to the supporting level bar.
The wye level has a detachable telescope which rests
in supports called wyes.
 5. Tilting Levels: this type of leveling instrument can be
tiled or rotated about its horizontal axis. A bull’s -eye
level is employed for its quick and approximate
leveling. The tilt in knob is used to rotate the
telescope into a correct horizontal position.
6. Geodetic Level: is basically another type of tilting
level. Most of its metal parts are made of invar to
reduce the effects of temperature. Geodetic level s
are employed in first-order leveling work where
extreme precision is an important requirement.
7. Transit as a Level: the engineer’s transit has always
been referred to as “universal survey8ing
instrument” because of its variety of uses.
8. Laser Level: is a separate unit equipped with a
portable power supply and may be a helium-neon
laser or gas laser. They are usually mounted or
attached to conventional surveying instruments such
as levels, transits, and theodolites.
Leveling Rods
is a graduated rod which is used for measuring the
vertical distance between the line of sight through a leveling
instrument and the point whose elation is either required or
known.
Made of wood, fiberglass, or metal and have
graduations in meters and decimals which start from zero at
the bottom and extending upward to lengths of 3 or 4 meter.
Wooden rods are made from selected straight grain, hard
wood, carefully sanded and treated with a preservative stain
that resists moisture absorption. The ends of the rod are
protected by hard metal shoes and caps.
A wide choice of colors, patterns, and graduations is
available. Some are made in one two, or three sections and
may be either telescoping or hinged for ease in transporting.
May be either the following:
a. Self-Reading Rod – the most commonly
used type of leveling rod. It can be read
directly by the instrumentman through the
telescope by noting the apparent
intersection of the horizontal hair on the
rod.
b. Target Rod – the of rod has a sliding target
which is set and read by a rodman at the
position selected by the instrument man.
Other types of Rod
1. Rod Named After Cities or States: includes
Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Florida, Boston, New
York, Troy, and San Francisco Rods.
a. Philadelphia Rods- combination self-
reading and target rod and is the commonly
used type of rod. Made in two sections in
which the rear section slides over the front
section. It can read accurately with a
leveling instrument at distances up to 90
meters
b. Chicago Rods- comes in three sliding
sections and usually extends to either three
or four meters. It is graduated similar to
Philadelphia rod except that the figures on
the face of the rod are wider and thus more
suitable for longer distances.
2. Rod Ribbons- improvised type of od used in leveling
work. The graduations on this this rod are marked
either on canvass or metal strips which are attached
to a long piece of selected lumber by staples. Are
quite handy as these can be easily removed from the
 wood to which it is attached, rolled, and put into
one’s pocket.
3. Precise Rods- is a form of Rod Ribbon which uses a
graduated invar strip permanently fastened to a
four-meter long wooden or metal frame. It is
equipped with a rod level to allow the rodman to
hold the rod vertically when used.
4. Geodetic Rods- is similar to a precise rod except that
a nilvar metal strip is used instead of invar. Nilvar is
an alloy of metal with a very low coefficient of linear
expansion. The graduations on a geodetic rod are
painted upside down for use with inverting
telescopes and are shown in meters, decimeters, and
centimeters.
5. Tape Rod- this seldomly used rod is also known as
Telescopes
the automatic rod. It is used advantageously when
It is a metal tube containing a system of lenses which
numerous elevations are to be determined from a
are used to fix the direction of the line of sight and is
single set-up of the leveling instrument. It is useful in
magnifying the apparent size of the objects in its field of view.
profile leveling, in taking cross sections, and for the
different phases involved in building construction Jan Lippershay- First inventor of telescope.
and layout.
Johannes Kepler- suggested how the telescope could be
Rod Level employed for use I surveying instruments
Is a device used for fast and correct plumbing of a
leveling rod. It is L-shape in design and consists of a small
circular spirit level fastened to the rod or to a small bracket
held against the side of the rod.

Parts

1. Objective Lens- compound lens composed of crown

Targets
Is a small device attached to the rod when extremely
long sights make direct reading of the rod difficult or
impossible. Made of metal and may be circular, elliptical, or
rectangular in shape. Used not only on extremely long sights,
but also when the rod is held in poorly lighted places, where
atmospheric conditions may cause adverse effects on reading
a rod accurately.
and flint glass mounted in the objective end of the
telescope and has its optical axis concentric with the
tube axis. Its function is to allow light rays to enter
the telescope and form an image of the object
sighted within its field of view
2. Eyepiece- a form of microscope containing either
two or four lenses and is used to enlarge altogether
the image and the cross hairs.
3. Cross Hairs- consists of a pair of lines which are
perpendicular to each other and are used t define
the instrument’s line of sight. Are mounted in hair
ring near the eye piece of the telescope and located
at the principal focus.
Magnification
Setting Up the Level
It is the ratio of the apparent size of an object viewed
through a telescope to its size as seen by the unaided eye Leveling the Instrument
from the same distance.
1. Instruments with four leveling screws
It may also be taken as the amount by which an object is
increased in apparent size.

Level Vial

It is sealed graduated glass tube containing some amount

of liquid and a small air bubble.

It is used to determine the direction of gravity.

2. Instruments with three leveling screws

Holding the Level Rod

Is held on a point by a rodman when aa sight I to be

taken on it. To obtain the correct distance from the line of
Coincidence Bubble sight to the point on which the rod is placed

Type of bubble used on most modern precise instruments

such as the tilting and automatic level.
It employs an optical device which splits the bubble
longitudinally, then turns one end around to make it appear
adjacent to the other end.

Tripods

It serves as a base to prevent movement of the

instrument after it is set up.

It consists of three wooden or aluminum legs which are

securely fastened the tripod head by means of a hinged joint.
Each end of a tripod is attached a pointed piece of metal
called a SHOE.
Taking a Rod Reading Arm and Hand Signals

Before readings are taken on a rod, it is important to 1. Move Right or Left-to direct the rodman to move
first examine how the graduations are indicated on it either to the left or to the right. The desired
direction of movement is pointed out by a
Steps in taking a rod reading forefinger.
1. Position the rod 2. Give a Sight- the right or left hand is raised up and is
2. Focus on the Rod held from a moment in a vertical position.
3. Read the Rod 3. All Right- the levelman extends both arms
horizontally and moves them up or down. When
both arms are bought still and horizontal it is meant
to transmit a command to “hold steady.”
4. This is a Point- the rodman raises the rod and holds
it in a horizontal position over his head. It could also
be taken to mean, “give me a line.”
5. Move Back- to direct the rodman to move back
farther. He transmits the command by raising his
right hand with the palm facing toward the rodman
and them moving it into a horizontal position with
his palm faced down.
6. Pic Up Instruments- when a new set of the level is
desired, the chief of party signals the instrument
man by first extending both arms downward then
raising them up quickly as though an object is being
lifted.
7. Raise (or Lower) Target- the instrument man
Determining difference in Elevation motions the rodman by either raising his arm above
his shoulder to raise the rod, or by dropping his arm
1. Instrument is set up and leveled at a point about
below his waist to lower the target. When raised or
halfway between A and B
lowered target approaches the desired setting, the
2. Sight on the rod held vertically at point A and record
arm is brought back to a horizontal position.
the Rod reading.
8. Come In- the COP or the instrumenman use this
3. Rotate the Telescope carefully about the vertical axis
signal to direct any member of the survey party to
and sight on a rod held vertically at B. Record the
come in or assemble. It is executed by moving the
Rod reading at B
arm into a circular motion starting from below the
4. The difference in elevation between A and B is
waist to the front of his face.
determined y noting the difference in their
9. Plumb the Rod- the hand is extended vertically
respective rod readings.
above the head and moved slowly in the direction it
is desired to plumb the rod.
10. Establish a Turning Point- the arm is swung slowly in
a circle above the head.
11. This is a turning Point- the leveling rod (or range
pole) is raised overhead in a horizontal position. It is
then lowered into a vertical position and held on the
point.
12. Wave the Rod- the instrumentman holds his arm
above his head and continuously waves it back and
forth.
13. Face the Rod- to direct the rodman to face the rod
towards the line of sight. It is executed by raising
both arms above the head and twisting both hands
Lengths of Sight back and forth.
The most suitable sight lengths will depend upon the 14. Reverse the Rod- the command to reverse the rod is
required degree of precision, the surface of the terrain, the transmitted to the rodman by extending the arms
type of instrument used, and upon the distance at which the above the head and slowly rotating both arms in a
rod remains readable to the instrumentman. Under ordinary circular motion towards one side of the body.
conditions the length of sight should not exceed about 90 15. Move Forward- from a position where both arms are
meter where elevations to the nearest 0.001 meter desired. extended horizontally, the arms are slowly bent on
the elbows and the hands raised into a vertical
Waving the Rod position. Use to direct to rodman to move forward.
16. Use the Long Rod- to give the signal to sue the long
rod, the instrumentman extend both arms
downward then slowly raises it over his head.

3.
SOURCES OF ERROR IN LEVELING
The accuracy of leveling work may be affected by
numerous factors. However, it is not difficult to obtain
accurate and precise measurements in leveling as there are
different safeguards which could be taken against expected
errors and mistakes.
Principal sources of errors:
1. Instrumental Errors- errors attributed to
imperfections in the instruments either from faults
in their manufacture or from improper adjustment.
a. Instrument Out of Adjustment- when the
line of sight of the telescope is not parallel
to the axis of the level vial. The line of sight
will be inclined either upward or downward
when the bubble is not brought to the
center of the tube.
b. Rod Not Standard Length- it is possible to
have inaccurate graduations or division on a
rod. This is usually due to imperfections in
their manufacture.
c. Defective Tripod- the movement of the
level due to settling of the tripod legs can
cause possible errors in leveling work.
2. Personal Errors- Occur largely due to the limitations
of the senses of touch, sight or hearing of
individuals, the skills, training, and teamwork of the
members of a leveling party are also major factors to
be consider. Personal errors are usually caused by
erroneous manipulations and careless handling of
instruments when making observations. Such errors
includes:
a. Bubble not Centered
b. Parallax- if a pressure gauge or any
graduated circular meter is viewed from
different angles, but will notice that a
number of slightly divergent values should
be read.
c. Faulty Rod Readings- the instrumentman at
times may misread the number of meter
and decimals when taking a rod reading. An
incorrect rod reading is usually the result of
the length of sight poor weather conditions,
and the skill of the instrumentman and the
rodman.
d. Rod Not Held Plumb- aside from holding
the rod on a firm and definite poi nt, it
should also be held as nearly vertical as
possible.
e. Incorrect Setting of Target- the rodman at
times fails to et properly the target when a
high rod reading is made with it.
f. Unequal Backsight and Foresight
Distances- in leveling work it is usually good
practice to make backsight and
corresponding foresight distances nearly
equal.
Natural Errors- errors which are due to natural
sources and could not be totally removed but their
effects an be reduced by applying corrections and
using good judgment.
a. Curvature of the Earth- the effect of
curvature of the earth is to increase the rod
reading. From this error amounts about
0.07 cm per 100 meters.
b. Atmospheric Refraction- reading errors are
likely to occur when heat waves are present
since it makes the rod appear unsteady
when a sight is taken on it.
c. Temperature Variations- change in
temperature causes leveling rods to either
expand or contract and these could
introduce errors when taking rod readings.
d. Wind- a strong wind can shake a leveling
instrument making it difficult to center the
bubble in the level vial. It can also exert
sufficient amount of force to cause an
extended rod to vibrate making it stand
unsteady and hard to read or plumb.
e. Settlement of the Instrument- in soft or
thawing ground, mud, and swamps the
instrument may settle in the interval of time
between rod readings. This source of error
is cumulative since every settlement of the
instrument increases the computed
elevations of all other observed points by
the amount of the settlement.
f. Faulty Turning Points- in differential
leveling work, a poorly chosen turning point
may be a source of error.
Common Mistakes in Leveling
1. Misreading the Rod- during leveling the
instrument may occasionally read the rod
incorrectly.
2. Incorrect Recording- the recorder should
always call out the readings as he records
them in order to prevent the recording of
incorrect values.
3. Erroneous Computations
 4. Rod Not Fully Extended- when using a
Philadelphia rod it is important that it is
fully extended when reading the high or
long rod.
5. Moving Turning Points- a turning point
carelessly or accidentally moved out of its
position by a rodman will cause serious
mistake in leveling work.

Adjustment on Dumpy Level

The manufacturer does not guarantee that the

dumpy level will always remain in perfect adjustment. It still
has to be checked occasionally to determine if it has
remained in proper adjustment.

Three field adjustments often required for a dumpy

level:

1. Adjustment of the Cross Hairs- the retile or the

cross-hair ring is adjusted to see to it that the
horizontal cross hair lies in a plane perpendicular to
the vertical axis of the instrument.
a. Procedure of Testing- the instrument is first
approximately leveled then one end of the
horizontal cross hair is focused and sighted
on some well-defined stationary point.
b. Making the Adjustment- is made by
loosening two pairs of capstan headed
screws which hold the reticle
2. Adjustment of the Level Vial- the purpose of this
adjustment is to make the axis of the level vial
perpendicular to the vertical axis of the instrument
a. Procedure of Testing- align the level vial
along an opposite pair of leveling screws
and carefully center the bubble…
b. Making the Adjustment- this time bring the
bubble hallway back to the center by raising
or lowering one end of the level vial by
means of capstan screw
3. Adjustment of the Line of Sight- the line of sight is
adjusted to make it parallel to the axis of the level
vial.
a. Procedure of Testing- two pegs,
b. Making the Adjustment