Ensc 234-Laboratory No.5

LABORATORY NO.
5
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
INTRODUCTION:
The method of finding the difference in elevation between two or more places is
known as differential leveling. When determining the difference in elevation between two
points that are too far apart from each other and the variation in height between those two
points is far great, differential leveling is utilized in surveying. When there are difficulties in
the way of leveling, differential leveling is utilized so that the points are not evident from a
single setup of the instrument. As a result, the instrument must be set up in various locations
and worked on in phases. When the distance between the two sites is greater, the differential
leveling process is appropriate.
Differential leveling helps the surveyor to make counter map of land surface or sea
surface. It helps surveyor to lay a ground level on which they can built a building. It helps
pipe transport engineer to ensure appropriate slope of land that will allow smooth movement
of liquid. Theodolite is a tool used by surveyors to determine the horizontal and vertical
angles to a specified point with remarkable precision. To ensure that the device is level, the
surveyor utilizes a round bubble level. The compensator then takes control and keeps the line
of sight horizontal. Advantages of Theodolite are portable and light weight, have fewer
settings to fix it on a station, the error in direction produced in a single survey line does not
affect other lines, and it is suitable to retrace old surveys. Disadvantages are errors due to
leveling, inaccurate centering of theodolite instrument over station mark point, error due
slipping of lower plate of theodolite instrument, taking reading wrong from vernier scale, and
errors due to not holding ranging rod vertically.
MATERIALS:
Dumpy or Wye Level, Leveling Rod, Hubs or Pegs, Range Poles, Hammer or Mallet,
Chalk, and Tape Measure.
PROCEDURES:
1. Designate the initial or reference point of the level route as BM-1 and the final or
terminal point as BM-2.
2. Set up and level the instrument at a convenient location along the general designated
route between the two points.
3. Take and record a backsight on BM-1.
4. Direct the rodman to move forward along the level route (not necessarily in a straight
line between BM-1 and the next point) and establish TP-1.
5. Take and record a foresight in TP-1.
6. Transfer and set up the level at another suitable location beyond TP-1 and take and
record a backsight on TP-1.
7. Direct the rodman to move a convenient distance ahead of the instrument and
establish TP-2.
8. Take and record a foresight in TP-2.
9. Repeat the procedure until a foresight is finally taken on BM-2.
10. Refer to the accompanying sample tabulation for the recording of observed field data.
DI (m) STA BS HI FS ELEVATION

4.07 BM1 1.18 48.18 47
12.29 TP1 1.185 48.01 1.355 46.825
24.08 TP2 1.22 47.78 1.45 46.56
22.44 TP3 1.85 47.97 1.66 46.12
37.38 TP4 1.3 47.79 1.48 46.49
37.38 BM2 1.7 46.09
COMPUTATION:
1. Computing Height of Instrument and Elevation.
In Differential Leveling, the following two equations are repeatedly used:
a.) HI = ELEV + BS b.) ELEV = HI – FS
where:
HI = Height of Instrument above a reference datum
BS = Backsight reading on the rod (or plus sights)
FS = Foresight reading on the rod (or minus sights)
ELEV = Elevation above a reference datum of a point sighted
2. Arithmetic Check
To check the accuracy of the arithmetical computations, add all backsights as
well as all the foresights. The difference between these two sums must be
equal to the difference in elevation between the initial and final points of the
level line.
REMARKS, HINTS AND PRECAUTIONS:

1. To reduce to a negligible amount the effect of curvature and refraction, keep the
backsight distance approximately equal to its corresponding foresight distance.
2. Limit foresight and backsight distances to a maximum of 90 meters since most
leveling rods cannot be read accurately beyond this distance.
3. Always keep the telescope bubble centered at instant of sighting. The accuracy of
leveling depends on the bubble being in this position during each rod sighting.
4. Avoid reading too near the top of bottom of the rod. Select suitable locations for the
instrument so that backsight and foresight rod readings will fall between 0.05 and
1.50m marks of the leveling rod.
5. Avoid the use of long (extend) rod especially when it is windy and leveling rod is not
provided with a rod support.
6. Since more time is spent at a set up of the instrument, care must be observed so as to
prevent settlement of the instrument between backsighting and foresighting periods.
To guard against settlement of the instrument, such as when working on soft grounds
during rainy days, the tripod legs must be driven firmly into good bearing soil.
7. Turning points should have a rounded or levelled top to give a definite point of
support for the bottom of the leveling rod. If a hub or peg is used, avoid locating such
points on soft and unstable grounds.
8. The rod should be held plumb and steady when a reading is made on it. Preferably,
use a rod level to assure that the tod will always be held plumb and keep fingers off
the face of the rod.
9. Use the proper tension on the leveling screws. They should have bearing on the tripod
head without being too tight.
10. For non-precise surveys, rod readings may be made to the nearest hundredth of a
meter.
11. The number of instrument set-ups will depend largely on the configuration of the
terrain, length of level circuit of route, and the length of sight distances. It is best to
select the shortest level route possible to reduce the amount of error closure.
At 1300H, my co-members and I conducted Laboratory No. 5 in Surveying near
Davao del Sur State College. Theodolite is a measurement instrument that we used in our lab.
This group had 12 members, each of whom was assigned a duty, and I was in charge of data
collection. Our laboratory was completed at 1600H, and the data was precise.

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LABORATORY NO.

DI (m) STA BS HI FS ELEVATION

REMARKS, HINTS AND PRECAUTIONS:

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