Exercises 5: Profile and Cross Section Levelling

1. Table below shows cross-sectional levels taken at chainage 40, 50 and 60 m of the proposed
roadway, R3-R14.

DIST.
BS IS FS HC RL REMARKS
(m)
1.630 Peg D (5.555 m)
1.230 1.005 40.000 Center line of proposed road
0.850 4 m left of center line
0.910 2 m left of center line
1.310 2 m right of center line
1.710 4 m right of center line
1.100 50.000 Center line of proposed road
0.890 4 m left of center line
1.110 2 m left of center line
1.390 2 m right of center line
1.600 4 m right of center line
1.390 1.260 60.000 Center line of proposed road
1.025 4 m left of center line
0.960 2 m left of center line
1.490 2 m right of center line
1.590 4 m right of center line
2.020 70.000 Center line of proposed road
1.980 Peg D (5.555 m)
(a) Reduce the level.
(b) Plot the profile sections of RL and FL with gradient of proposed roadway 1 in 100 rising from
chainage 40 to chainage 70 having the zero cut/fill at chainage 70.
(c) Plot the cross sections of chainage 40, 50 and 60 m to a natural scale 1:100.
(d) Add the cross sections of the proposed roadways to the drawing given that:
(i) Road width = 4.0 m,
(ii) Side slopes are 45°,
(iii) 𝐹𝐿 50 𝑚 = 5.320 𝑚 and 𝐹𝐿 60 𝑚 = 5.420 𝑚.

2. The following reduced levels were obtained along the center line of the proposed road between
two points A and B.
Chainage (m) Reduced level (m)
A 0 83.50
10 83.84
20 84.06
30 83.66
40 83.30
50 82.45
60 82.20
70 82.41
80 82.70
B 90 83.05
The roadway is to be constructed so that there is one regular gradient between points A and B.
(a) Draw a longitudinal section along the centre line at a horizontal scale of 1:100 and a vertical
scale of 1:100.
(b) Determine from the section the depth of cutting or height of fill required at each chainage point
to form a new roadway.
(c) Check the answers by calculation.
 Cross section are required at chainages 20, 40 and 60. Levelling were made, and the results
tabulated in the field book are shown in table below:
BS IS FS HC RL DIST. (m) REMARKS
1.52 85.58 84.06 20 Peg on center line
0.88 84.70 20 5 m left of center line
2.02 83.56 20 5 m right of center line
1.61 84.91 83.30 40 Peg on center line
0.56 84.35 40 5 m left of center line
2.34 82.57 40 5 m right of center line
1.47 83.67 82.20 60 Peg on center line
0.67 83.00 60 5 m left of center line
1.66 82.01 60 5 m right of center line
Using a natural scale 1:100 draw cross sections at 20, 40 and 60 m chainages, given that the
formation width of the roadway is 5 m and that the sides of any cuttings or embankments slope at
30° to the horizontal.

3. The following readings were taken on the ground surface, along the route of a proposed roadway
and sewer XY.
BS 1.370 m on BM 28 (RL 91.085 m)
FS 0.035 m at X (manhole, start of section), 0.00 m chainage
BS 2.795 m to X
IS 3.040 m (chainage 20 m); IS 1.765 (chainage 40 m)
FS 0.565 m (chainage 60 m)
BS 3.865 m (chainage 60 m)
IS 2.095 m at Y (end of section) (chainage 80 m)
FS 1.075 m to change point
BS 2.240 m to change point
FS 0.385 m BM 29 (RL 99.285 m)

The roadway is to be constructed on a regular gradient of 1 in 20 rising from the existing

formation level of point X (chainage 0 m) towards point Y (chainage 80 m). A sewer is to be
constructed along the center line of the roadway and is to connect into the manhole X (where the
existing invert level is 91.20 m) at a gradient of 1 in 40.
The roadway is to be 4.0 m wide and earthworks have side slopes of 45°. The sewer is to
be 0.8 m wide and the trench to be vertical.
(a) Book and reduce the levels.
(b) Draw a longitudinal section along the roadway and sewer (scale: horizontal 1:500, vertical
1:100).
(c) Draw natural cross sections at the various chainage points (scale 1:100) to show separately:
(i) The roadway earthworks and
(ii) The sewer trench.
4. Table below levels taken along the centre line of a proposed sewer. The sewer at chainage 0 m
has an invert level of 88.900 and is to fall towards chainage 50 m at a gradient of 1 in 100.
BS IS FS RISE FALL RL DIST. (m) REMARKS
1.670 BM (EL. 92.550)
1.520 3.870 0 Ground level
0.910 10 Ground level
1.590 20 Ground level
1.770 30 Ground level
1.660 40 Ground level
-4.200 50 Underside of bridge
0.720 50 Ground level

(a) Reduce the levels and apply the appropriate checks.

(b) Draw a vertical sections along the centre line of the sewer on a horizontal scale of 1:500 and
vertical scale 1:100
(c) From the section determine the depth of cover at each chainage point.
(d) A mechanical excavator being used to form the sewer requires a minimum working height of
4.50 m. What clearance (if any) will it have when working below the bridge?
(e) Given that the sewer track is 0.60 m wide with vertical sides, draw cross sections to a scale of
1:100 to show the excavation at each chainage point.

5.
BS IS FS RISE FALL RL DIST. (m) REMARKS
2.580 0 At A
2.340 15
2.640 30
2.130 45
0.830 2.580 60
0.930 62.5 At B
0.340 75
1.790 90
1.300 2.530 105
0.660 120
1.920 135
1.100 150 At C

(a) Table above shows notes made during a levelling for the construction of a new road. Complete
the table and show all checks.
(b) The roadway is to be graded from A to C, both of whose present levels are to remain unaltered.
Calculate the gradient AC and the depth of cut and fill required at B.
(c) Choose any suitable scales and draw a vertical section from A to C.
(d) Draw cross sections at the points of maximum cut and maximum fill to show the road
construction given that the road is 5 m wide with 45° side slopes.