F U N D A M E N TA L S

OF SURVEYING
CE010

E.G. Escondo
LEVELING
W H AT I S L E V E L I N G ?

• The process of finding the elevation at a specified location relative to another known elevation
• Leveling is the determination of the elevation of a point or difference between points referenced
to some datum
• The general term applied to any of the various processes by which elevations of points or
differences in elevation are determined
W H AT I S L E V E L I N G ?
Leveling is the general term applied to any of the various processes by which elevation are
determined. It is a vital operation in producing necessary data for mapping, engineering design,
and construction. Leveling results are used to:

(1) design highways, railroads, canals, sewers, water supply systems, and other facilities having
grade line that best conform to existing topography
(2) lay out construction projects according to planned elevations
(3) calculate volumes of earthwork and other materials
(4) investigate drainage characteristics of an area
(5) develop maps showing general ground configurations
(6) study earth subsidence and crustal motion
LEVELING METHODS
1. Differential Leveling
2. Profile Leveling
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Differential leveling is the process of determining the difference in elevation between two or more
points some distance apart.

It requires a series of set ups of the instrument along a general route and, for each set up, a rod
reading back to the point of known elevation and forward to a point of unknown elevation are taken.

The basic equipment used in differential leveling include a graduated leveling rod and a leveling
instrument such as a dumpy level, automatic level, or an engineer’s transit.

These leveling instruments are used to establish a horizontal line of sight and to measure the vertical
distance between the line of sight and the point on which the rod is held.
DEFINITION OF TERMS AND
PROCEDURE
DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Bench Mark (BM). A bench mark is a fixed point of reference whose elevation is either known
or assumed. They may be permanent or temporary. Permanent bench marks (PBM) are those which
are established at intervals throughout the country by the Philippine Coast and Geodetic Surveys
(PCGS) or the Bureau of Lands. Accurate records should be kept for each bench mark since they
may be frequently referred to later by other surveyors. They should be thoroughly described in the
field notes.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

2. Backsight (BS). A backsight is a reading taken on a rod held on a point of known or assumed
elevation.
3. Foresight (FS). A reading taken on a rod held on a point whose elevation is to be determined.
4. Backsight Distance (BSD). The backsight distance is measured from the center of the
instrument to the rod on which a backsight is taken.
5. Foresight Distance (FSD). The horizontal distance from the center of the instrument to the rod
on which a foresight is taken is referred to as the foresight distance.
6. Turning Point (TP). A turning point is an intervening point between two bench marks upon
which point foresight and backsight rod readings are taken to enable a leveling operation to
continue from a new instrument position.
7. Height of Instrument (HI). The height of instrument is the elevation of the line of sight of an
instrument above or below a selected reference datum.
LEVELING NOTES
It is important that all data gathered in differential leveling work be properly recorded in a
special field notebook ruled with suitable lines. There is a standard format used in
recording leveling notes and a typical example is as shown:
EXAMPLE 1
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING. Complete the differential level notes shown below and
perform the customary arithmetic check.
STA BS HI FS ELEV
BM1 1.256 127.133m
TP1 1.116 1.886
TP2 1.228 1.527
BM2 1.189 2.246
BM3 1.070 2.017
TP3 1.831 2.656
BM4 2.765
EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 2
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING. Prepare and complete the differential level notes for the
information shown in the accompanying illustration, include the customary arithmetic check.
EXAMPLE 2

STA BS HI FS ELEV

BMa 0.68 125.45m

TP1 0.98 3.75

TP2 3.73 3.52

TP3 3.90 1.64

BMb 0.35
EXAMPLE 2
EXAMPLE 3
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING. The accompanying schematic arrangement of lines portray a
differential level route. The values indicated represent backsight and foresight taken at a
different points as labeled. Prepare and complete differential level notes for the information
shown and show the customary arithmetic check.
EXAMPLE 3

STA BS HI FS ELEV

BM1 2.35 356.65m

TP1 1.37 3.28

TP2 3.08 2.04

TP3 1.54 3.61

TP4 0.85 3.69

BM2 3.07
EXAMPLE 3
PROFILE LEVELING
PROFILE LEVELING
The process of determining differences in elevation along a fixed line at designated short
measured intervals is referred to as profile leveling.

It is executed to provide data from which a vertical section of the ground surface can be plotted.

A profile is necessary for the design and construction of roads, railroads, canals, culverts,
bridges, sewer lines, etc.

The fieldwork involved is identical to differential leveling since it also requires the
establishment of turning points on which foresight and backsight readings are taken before the
terminal point is reached.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. Profile. The profile is a curved line which graphically portrays the intersection of a
vertical plane with the surface of the earth.
2. Stationing. A numerical designation given in terms of horizontal distance any point
along a profile line is away from the starting point.
3. Intermediate Foresights. These sights, which are also known as ground rod readings,
are taken along the centerline of the proposed project to provide an accurate representation
of the ground surface.
4. Full Stations. Are points which are established along the profile level route at uniformly
measured distances.
5. Plus Stations. Any other intermediate point established along a profile level route which
is not designated as a full station is called a plus station.
6. Vertical Exaggeration. Is a process of drawing the vertical scale for a profile much
larger than the horizontal scale in order to accentuate the differences in elevation.
7. Profile Paper. A special heavy grade graphing paper used for plotting profiles.
PROCEDURE OF PROFILE LEVELING
1. Before profile levels are run, the line joining the initial and terminal points must first be
established.

2. A transit and tape survey is undertaken starting at the beginning of the line which is
designated as station 0+00.

3. The length of the level route is measured and stakes are set at each full station to define
the path to be followed.

4. The instrument is set up at a convenient location and a backsight is taken on a reference

5. A series of intermediate foresights are next taken along the center line to determine
elevations of ground points.

6. By the time it is no longer possible to continue with the foresight readings on

a.) A turning point along a profile level route measures 126.44m beyond station 8 + 24.50.
Determine the stationing of this turning point.
b.) For the illustrated problem given above, determine the stationing of the turning point if it
is instead located 83.45m before the given reference station.
c.) Determine the distance between station 33 + 45.02 and station 26 + 62.75.
EXAMPLE 4
PROFILE LEVELING. Complete the following set of profile level notes and show the
customary arithmetic check.
EXAMPLE 5
PROFILE LEVELING. The figure shows a schematic arrangement of a profile level route
from BM33 to BM34. The values indicated represent backsight, foresight, and intermediate
foresight readings taken on stations along the route. Prepare and complete profile level notes
for the portrayed information. Show the customary arithmetic check and plot the profile.
EXAMPLE 5
EXAMPLE 5