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LEVELING SURVEY
Mohd Effendi Daud (Dr. Sc)
B.Surv (UTM, Malaysia) Msc (UTM, Malaysia), Dr.Sc, (Nagoya Univ., Japan)
(Geomatic Division)
Faculty of Civil & Environmental Engineering,
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, MALAYSIA.
Phone : +6074537363; +60197853740; Fax : +6074537060
E-mail : effendi@uthm.edu.my
Web: http://www.fkass.uthm.edu.my/

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 Leveling Survey
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Learning Outcomes
Explain the basic principle of leveling process,
Set up and carry out adjustment of a level
instrument, book leveling data, adjust for errors,
Carry out reductions of field observations and
apply checks to leveling work, and
Explain the concept of cross-sections and profiles

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 Introduction
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Leveling is the most frequently used survey

skill.
Geomatic or Civil engineers can determine the
elevation of a specified location relative to
another known elevation.
It is a simple concept that measures vertical
distance relative to a horizontal line of sight.

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 Introduction
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Leveling requires a graduated staff for the

vertical measurements and an instrument
called level that will provide a horizontal line
of sight.
Leveling is perhaps the most basic of geomatic
surveying operation and form an important
fundamental part of almost every geomatic
project.

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 Principles and
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Application of Leveling

Leveling is a measurement process whereby

the difference in height between two or more
points can be determined.
The engineer will first take a backsight reading
(BS) to a point of known elevation (datum) to
determine the elevation of the instrument.

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 Principles and
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Application of Leveling
The engineer will then took a foresight
reading (FS) to a point of unknown elevation.
Finally the elevation of that points (FS) can be
determined using the elevation of the
instrument minus the value on the level staff
read through the levels telescope (BS FS).

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 Principles of Leveling
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 Principles of Leveling
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BS Rod FS Rod
Reading Reading

A: known elevation B: unknown

elevation

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 Principles of Leveling
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HI FS = ElevB
ElevA + BS = HI
ElevB = ElevA + BS - FS

BS (+) FS (-)
1.037m 0.895m

elevA = 103.459m HI = 104.496m elevB = 103.601m

A: known B: unknown
elevation Datum: elev = 0.000m elevation

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 Principles of Leveling
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Once the elevation of a point is determined,

that point can be used for determining the
elevations of other points.
Therefore, the concept of leveling involves the
measurement of vertical distance relative to a
horizontal line of sight.

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 Principles of Leveling
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Leveling requires a graduated staff (level staff)

for the vertical measurements and an
instrument (level) that will provide a
horizontal line of sight.

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 Applications of Leveling
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Typical examples of leveling applications

includes;
Establishing new vertical control (BM or TBM)
Determining the heights of discrete points,
Providing spot heights or contours on a plan,
Providing data for road cross-sections or volumes
of earthworks, and
Providing a level or inclined plane in the setting
out of construction works.
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 Leveling Terms
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There are various terms in leveling procedure

that should be familiarized.
Datum
A datum is any reference surface to which elevations of
points are referred to. In most case the most common
datum which is used that of Mean Sea Level (MSL).

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 Leveling Terms
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Bench Mark (BM)

For a datum to be accessible to users, a series of
permanent marks must be established. These marks
are known as Bench Marks. The elevations of these
Bench Marks can be established by differential leveling
over a period of years.
Reduced Level (RL)
The reduced level (RL) of a point is its elevation above
or below a reference datum of BM.

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 Leveling Terms
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Temporary Bench Mark (TBM)

A point placed or selected (e.g. peg, nail, spike, center
of manhole) to provide a temporary reference point
during a construction or surveying work.
Backsight (BS)
Always the first reading for a new instrument station.

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 Leveling Terms
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Foresight (FS)
Always the last reading from the current instrument
station.
Intermediate Sight (IS)
Any sighting that is not a backsight or a foresight.
Change Point (CP)
Location of the staff when the level is moved. Changed
point should be
Stable,
Well defined

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 Leveling Terms
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Leveling Staff
This is the instrument where the vertical distance
above or below the horizontal surface is read off. It
may be telescopic or folding, extending to a
length usually of 4m or
5m and graduated to be
easily read in the field of
view of the level
telescope.

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 Exercise 3.1
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What are the applications of leveling in civil

engineering?
What is the relation between
Datum & Bench Mark?
What are the staff reading
of A, B, and C?

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 Classification of Level
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The level instruments may be classified on the

following basis:
Classification of level based on accuracy, and
Classification of level based on design.

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 Level Based on Accuracy
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The levels can be divided into three types

based on their accuracy;
Precise Level
Precise level is a very accurate instrument for geodetic
or any other very precise leveling work.
Medium Accuracy Level
There are used for engineering surveys. They may be
tilting or automatic instruments.

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 Level Based on Accuracy
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Builders Level
Builders level is a low accuracy instrument which is
used for short range leveling such as setting out on
building sites.

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 Level Based on Design
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There are three types of levels

Dumpy Levels

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 Level Based on Design
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Tilting Levels

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 Level Based on Design
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Automatic Levels
Automatic level is almost universal now.

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 Level Based on Design
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Automatic Levels

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 Temporary Adjustment
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Temporary adjustments are the adjustments

which are carried out at each setting of the
level instrument.
These are of three types;
Setting Up,
Leveling, and
Focusing

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 Pond Bubble (Leveling)
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o When pond bubble is center in the instruments

standing axis approximately vertical.

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 Parallax (Focusing)
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o When focusing any optical instrument it is vitally

important that we eliminate Parallax.
Elimination of Parallax

Focus the crosshairs (using the Eyepiece)

Focus the object (using the Focusing screw)

Move eye up and down over the eyepiece

Images appears to move

Parallax exists and must be removed by better focusing

Parallax has been removed. Therefore focusing is good

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www.uthm.edu.my

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 Exercise 3.2
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Define the following terms:

Reduced Level,
Bench Mark,
Change Point, and
Parallax.

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 Rules of Leveling
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The rules of leveling are:

Always commence and finish a level run on a
Benchmark (BM or TBM) of known height,
Keep foresight and backsight distances as equal as
possible,
Keep lines of sight short (normally <30 m),
Never read below 0.5 m on a staff (refraction),
and
Use stable, well defined change points.
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 Field Procedure
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Observation Procedures
Consider a series of measurements of level loop
as shown.

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 Observation Procedures
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1.055m 1.451m
0.927 1.295m
m
BM A (elev. 0.713m 1.835m
134.685m)
TP1
TP2

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 Field Procedures
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Booking Procedures
Two methods of leveling field book and
computation.
Rise & Fall, and
Height of Collimation

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 Booking Procedures
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Rise & Fall Method

BS IS FS RISE FALL REDUCE ADJUSTMENT REDUCE DIST. REMARK

LEVEL LEVEL (T)
2.390 31.517 0 31.517 0 TBM=31.517
1.985 0.405 31.922 0 31.922 A
1.318 0.667 32.589 0 32.589 B
0.988 1.612 0.294 32.295 -0.002 32.293 60 C (TP)
1.502 0.514 31.781 -0.002 31.779 D
1.415 0.087 31.868 -0.002 31.866 E
2.420 0.316 1.099 32.967 -0.003 32.964 120 F (TP)
0.532 1.888 34.855 -0.005 34.850 160 TBM2=34.850

CHEKS
BS= FS= RISE= FALL= R.L(B)=
5.798 2.460 4.146 0.808 34.855
FS= FALL= R.L (T)=
2.460 0.808 31.517
+3.338 +3.338 +3.338
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www.uthm.edu.my
BS IS FS RISE FALL REDUCE ADJUSTM REDUCE DIST. REMARK
LEVEL ENT LEVEL (A)

2.390 31.517

1.985 0.405 31.922

1.318 0.667 32.589

0.988 1.612 0.294

1.502 0.514

1.415 0.087

2.420 0.316 1.099

0.532 1.888

CHECKS

BS = 5.798 FS = 2.460 R = 4.146 F = 0.808

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www.uthm.edu.my
BS IS FS RISE FALL REDUCE ADJUSTM REDUCE DIST. REMARK
LEVEL ENT LEVEL (A)

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 Closure
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o Page checks
o Compute closure
o based on endpoint
o define allowable closure
o compared field closure to allowable
closure
o apply correction

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 Page Checks
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BS IS FS RISE FALL REDUCE
LEVEL
2.390 31.517
1.985 0.405 31.922
1.318 0.667 32.589
0.988 1.612 0.294 32.295
1.502 0.514 31.781
1.415 0.087 31.868
2.420 0.316 1.099 32.967
0.532 1.888 34.855

CHEKS
BS= FS= RISE= FALL= R.L(B)=
5.798 2.460 4.146 0.808 34.855
FS= FALL= R.L (T)=
2.460 0.808 31.517
+3.338 +3.338 +3.338

BS FS = 5.798m 2.460m = 3.338m

RISE FALL = 4.146m - 0.808m = 3.338m
R.LBottom - R.LTop = 34.855m - 31.517m = 3.338m

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 Closure
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BS IS FS RISE FALL REDUCE ADJUSTMENT REDUCE DIST. REMARK

LEVEL LEVEL (T)
2.390 31.517 0 31.517 0 TBM=31.517
1.985 0.405 31.922 0 31.922 A
1.318 0.667 32.589 0 32.589 B
0.988 1.612 0.294 32.295 -0.002 32.293 60 C (TP)
1.502 0.514 31.781 -0.002 31.779 D
1.415 0.087 31.868 -0.002 31.866 E
2.420 0.316 1.099 32.967 -0.003 32.964 120 F (TP)
0.532 1.888 34.855 -0.005 34.850 160 TBM2=34.850

End closure = 34.855m - 34.850m = 0.005m @ 5mm

Allowable closure: acceptable
distance
20
D
mm
0.16
20 mm
= 8mm
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 Adjustment
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Adjustment = End closure/TP, or

Adjustment = Loop closure/TP
= 0.005/3
= 0.0017m per FS

BS IS FS RISE FALL REDUCE ADJUSTMENT REDUCE DIST. REMARK

LEVEL LEVEL (T)
2.390 31.517 0 31.517 0 TBM=31.517
1.985 0.405 31.922 0 31.922 A
1.318 0.667 32.589 0 32.589 B
0.988 1.612 0.294 32.295 -0.002 32.293 60 C (TP)
1.502 0.514 31.781 -0.002 31.779 D
1.415 0.087 31.868 -0.002 31.866 E
2.420 0.316 1.099 32.967 -0.003 32.964 120 F (TP)
0.532 1.888 34.855 -0.005 34.850 160 TBM2=34.850

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 Field Procedures
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Height of
Collimation

BS IS FS HOC REDUCE CORRECTION REDUCE DIST. REMARK

LEVEL LEVEL (T)
2.390 33.907 31.517 0 31.517 0 TBM=31.517
1.985 31.922 0 31.922 A
1.318 32.589 0 32.589 B
0.988 1.612 33.283 32.295 -0.002 32.293 60 C (TP)
1.502 31.781 -0.002 31.779 D
1.415 31.868 -0.002 31.866 E
2.420 0.316 35.387 32.967 -0.003 32.964 120 F (TP)
0.532 34.855 34.855 -0.005 34.850 160 TBM2=34.850

CHEKS
BS= FS= R.L(B)=
5.798 2.460 34.855
FS= R.L (T)=
2.460 31.517
+3.338 +3.338

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 Summary
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Rise & Fall Method

o BS FS = +ve (RISE)
o BS FS = -ve (FALL)
Height of Collimation Method
o HOC = RL + BS
o RL(N) = HOC FS/IS
Arithmetic Check
o BS- FS = RISE- FALL = RL(E)-RL(B)
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 Errors in Leveling
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The following are the sources of errors in

levelling:
Gross Errors (Most Common)
Wrong staff reading,
Wrong crosshair used to read staff,
Wrong booking,
Omission or wrong entry on booking sheet, and
Spirit level not centered

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 Errors in Leveling
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Constant Errors
Non-Vertically of staff,
Collimation error of instrument, and
Staff graduation errors.
Random Error/Accidental
Weather-strong wind/ground shimmer,
Movement of the change point, and
Human error-eyesight peculiarities

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 Errors & how to eliminate
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o Refraction - varies with line of sight, and time

Horizontal

BS = FS
Sight top the same staff first
Dont take reading lower than 0.5m
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 Errors & how to eliminate
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o Sighting errors
o Minimize line of sight
o Compare readings on left and right hand side of the
staff
o Instrument errors
o Adjust of the circular bubble
o Staff errors
o Graduation errors
o Staff not verticality

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 Exercise 3.3
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What are the sources of errors in leveling?

What precautions you will take to avoid them.

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 Permanent Adjustment
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of Levels
The permanent adjustment is carried out to
establish the fixed relationship between the
fundamental lines of a level.
The fundamental lines of level are Bubble axis,
line of collimation, vertical axis, and the axis
of the telescope

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 Permanent Adjustment
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of Levels
The only permanent adjustment that will be
discussed here is the collimation error i.e. to
determine the line of collimation parallel to
the bubble axis.
Collimation error is much more significant
than the other errors. It should be kept as
small as possible so that one need not be too
precise in ensuring that ?

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