ENGINEERING SURVEY

LEVELLING

1.0 )

Introduction
Levelling is a method to measure the elevation difference between two (2) or more points. In this

practical, focus is shifted to one of levelling techniques namely, fly level observation or also known as
the rise and fall method. The observation will be initiated from a known reduced level (RL) value of a
benchmark (BM) and end at another known RL value of BM.

In between the BMs, a number of change points (CPs) will be set up to observe the fore sight
reading and the back sight reading of each stationed staves and the values are booked. Upon
completion of the observation, the RL values will be calculated and booked. After the RL values are
known, three (3) arithmetical checks will be calculated to ensure the precision of the works.
Consequently, the adjustment value can be computed where this value will be distributed accordingly
to each station. Finally, the adjusted RL values are booked and the misclosure will be calculated to be
compared with the adjusted values to determine whether the levelling works is accepted or
unsatisfactory.

2.0 )

Objective & Instruments Used

Objective in this report for :

1. Able to carry out fly level observation (Rise and Fall method) from BM/standard bench mark
(SBM) to temporary bench mark (TBM).
2. Able to compute the transferred RL from BM/SBM to TBM.
3. Able to adjust and check the levelling data.

Instrument used :
1. 1 x Level
2. 2 x Staff
3. 3 x Tripod

ENGINEERING SURVEY
LEVELLING
3.0 )

Methodology and Data Processing:

1. The level is set up at a convenient position, I1. The staff is held on the BM and a reading is taken.
This will be a back sight (BS), because it is the first staff reading after the levelling instrument
has been set up. The length of foresight and back sight should be as equal.
2. The staff is moved to point A and take reading. This will be a foresight (FS). And point A will be
a change point (CP).
3. Next, the levelling instrument is moved to position I2 and the staff is left at point A and point B on
the change point (CP). The staff is turned so that it faces the level and a reading is taken. This will
be a back sight for point A and fore sight for point B.
4. Next, the levelling instrument is moved to position I3 and the staff is left at point B and point C on
the change point (CP). The staff is turned so that it faces the level and a reading is taken. This will
be a back sight for point B and fore sight for point C.
5. The same step is repeated for the position I4. The level instrument is set up and the reading for
both staff at point C and D are taken.
6. While the staff remains at D, the instrument level is moved to another position, I5. A reading taken
from new position to the staff at D. This is a BS.

ENGINEERING SURVEY
LEVELLING
7. The staff is moved to TBM and E in turn and reading taken while the level at I 5. Point E will be
the FS and TBM will be an intermediate sight (IS).
8. Move the level at position I6 and move the staff at point E and point F then take both readings.
The BS is point E and FS is point F.
9. The same step for position I7, move the staff at point F and point G and take the readings.
10. Finally, the level is moved to I8, a BS is point G and FS is the BM. The final staff position is at a
point of known RL. This is most important as all levelling fieldwork must start and finish at
points of known reduced level, otherwise it is not possible to detect misclosures in the levelling.

4.0 Result & Analysis

The reading are shown booked by the rise and fall method in table 1.1. These are normally recorded
in a level book containing all the relevant column. Each line of the level book corresponds to a staff
position and this is confirmed by the entries in the Remarks column. The calculation proceeds in the
following manner, in which the reduced level of a points is related to that of a previous point.
Back
sight
(BS), m
2.225
2.006
2.234
2.548
1.258

Intermediate
Sight
(IS), m

Fore
sight
(FS), m
0.823
0.790
0.910
1.259

1.024
0.843
0.292
0.509

11.915
- 11.915
00.00

Rise, m

1.402
1.216
1.324
1.289
0.234

1.631
1.928
2.384
2.190

11.915

Fall, m

0.607
1.085
2.092
1.681

5.465
+ (-5.465)

5.465

0.00

Adjusted
RL, m

Remarks

44.565
45.967
47.183
48.507
49.796
50.030
49.423
48.338
46.246
44.565

BM 44.565
A
B
C
D
TBM 50.030
E
F
G
BM 44.565

44.565
- 44.565
0.00

Table 1.1 Rise and Fall Method

Allowable
Misclosure
= 5 mm
=14.142mm
=0.014 m

ENGINEERING SURVEY
LEVELLING
1) From the first BM to A there is a rise. A BS of 2.225 m has been recorded at the BM and FS of
0.823 m at A. The resulting height difference is given by (2.225m 0.823m) = +1.402 m. The
positive sign indicates the rise and is entered at point A.
2) The procedure is repeated and the height difference from A to B is given by (2.006m -0.790m) =
+ 1.216 m. This is entered at point B.
3) When calculating the rises or falls in the FS or IS column must be subtracted from the line
immediately above, either in the same column or one column to the left. The FS is subtracted
from the IS or BS in the line above and the BS on the same line as the FS is the used to continue
the calculation with the next IS or FS in the line below.
4) When the table is complete, a check on the arithmetic involved is possible and must always be
applied. This check is
(BS ) - ( FS ) = ( RISES ) - ( FALLS )
= LAST RL FIRST RL

5) In table 1.1, the difference between the adjusted RL of the first BM and adjusted RL of the final
BM is 0.00. The result show that the levelling is accurate and pricise. It is mean that we do not
have to make an adjustment.

6) The allowable misclosure for any levelling sequence is

allowable misclosure = 5

mm

where n is the number of instrument positions. If the actual value is greater than the allowable
value, the levelling should be repeated. However, if the actual value is less than the allowable
value, the misclosure should be distributed equally between the instrument positions.

ENGINEERING SURVEY
LEVELLING
5.0 Conclusion

We manage to carry out fly level observation from Bench Mark (BM) to Temporary Bench Mark
(TBM). All the readings data were booked by the rise and fall method. Arithmetical check was
applied in fly level method for verify the accuracy of calculation. BS FS = rises falls =
last RL 1st RL is the arithmetical check to verified the accuracy of calculation. The arithmetical
check found that all the value were equal to 0.00m, meant that the accuracy of calculation were
verified.

The leveling was done from a known BM to unknown TBM and reversed to the known BM
again. Then we compute the transferred level from BM to TBM and compute the level back to the
BM to checked our data is correct. The compute reduced level on the TBM is 50.030m and the
reading from TBM back to the BM is equal to the known level of the BM , 44.565m.
The allowable misclosure is used to check the precision of leveling data, 5n mm where n is the
number of instrument positions. The allowable misclosure is found to be 14mm in our practical
which is we have eight of instrument positions. The actual value is less than the allowable value,
which is that actual value is 0.00m and the allowable misclosure is 0.014m . It proved that our work
is accepted.

6.0 Comments

6.1
Upon completion of the transferred of height using the levelling technique practical, we have
learned five new things which are:

a) Measuring height using staff

b) Setting up, operate and balancing the staff with the circular bubble
c) Learning how the levelling is conducted
d) Calculating the reduced levels
e) Learning the precision of levelling

ENGINEERING SURVEY
LEVELLING
6.2
Levelling is a task that requires teamwork and accuracy to be carried out fly level observation
from Bench Mark (BM) to Temporary Bench Mark (TBM) efficiently. By the end of the
practical, we have met the objectives in this practical which are transferred of reduced level from
BM to TBM and calculation of reduced level. Firstly, in carrying out this fieldwork, we assigned
all the procedure required according group set up the tripod, ensure the top is level, push legs
firmly into the ground, use foot screw to centralize the circular bubble, test to see if the
compensator is working and remove the parallax.

After that, we conduct the test by assigning different individuals holding the staff. We also let
everyone read the levelling instrument so that everyone can learn how to read values on the staff
and record the data. In calculating the reduced level of levelling instrument, we gathered all the
data and booked the reading by the rise and fall method.

6.3
In this practical, we managed to fulfill all the requirements and specifications of this practical
tasks such as reading the staff from the instrument position. All our practical of fly level
observation, we read back sight , intermediate sight and fore sight.

6.4
A problem we encountered during the practical was reading and booking errors. Many
mistakes can be made during the booking of staff readings taken with an tilting level, and the
general rule is that staff readings must be carefully entered into the levelling table or field book
immediately after reading. We have done this practical twice, which is our first practical result
was rejected. This is because the actual value is greater than allowable value.

The next problem we faced was balancing the staff. When the reading is being taken, the staff
is unbalanced due to the uneven ground surface and hot weather disrupted the holders
concentration. Alas, we gave timed signals so that the staff holder can concentrate for a few
seconds while the reading is being taken.

The next problem is weather conditions .In strong winds, a level can become unstable
because the line of sight is always moving and it is also difficult to hold the staff steadily. For
6

ENGINEERING SURVEY
LEVELLING
these reasons, it is not possible to take reliable readings under these conditions which should be
avoided when levelling. Therefore we had to find the suitable time to carry out our fieldwork.

6.5
We truly appreciate each others commitment and attention when conducting the levelling
practical to achieve the objective efficiently. Even we have to stopped half way of our practical
because of the rainy day , but our members do not give up to continue the practical on other day. Not
only that we need to redo our practical because the first practical result is not acceptable. At last, we
manage to complete our second practical smoothly.

6.6
Faiz Arif

: Commitment: 10/10
Leadership: 10/10
Attendances: 10/10

Mohd Norizuan

: Commitment: 10/10
Leadership: 10/10
Attendances: 10/10

Nurfatin Aida

: Commitment: 10/10
Leadership: 10/10
Attendances: 10/10

Farah Nurain

: Commitment: 10/10
Leadership: 10/10
Attendances: 10/10

Assyiffa

: Commitment: 10/10
Leadership: 10/10
Attendances: 10/10

Rabiatul Adawiyah

: Commitment: 10/10
Leadership: 10/10
Attendances: 10/10

ENGINEERING SURVEY
LEVELLING
7.0)
1.

References
SURVEYING FOR ENGINEERS : J.UREN AND W.F.PRICE : THIRD EDITION : ISBN
0-333-57705-1 .

2. 2) LECTURE NOTE, PROF SR. DR. HJ. ABD MANAN BIN HJ.SAMAD, ENGINEERING
SURVEYING 1.

8.0)

Appendix

Diary of work :
We were given a task to do in a group, this task must complete in duration two weeks,
this task about transfer of height using the levelling techcnique. The first week on 13 october,
2014 we were not able to do this practical because the first week we still using for finish the
second task (two peg test). We started our field work for transfer of height using the levelling
technique is on 20 October, 2014 Monday and 24 October, 2014 Friday in the evening, on this
date was to spare us.
Firstly before starting the work we need preparation of equipment first. We go to G-store
science surveying geomatic for get instrument such level, staff and tripod. We bring tools go to
the work area near the pusat islam there are bench mark (BM) and temporary bench mark (TBM).
Before start reading we must know where the point for start, first conduct fly level from BM to
TBM and assume the distance from BM to TBM. After that set up the instrument levelling at the
point A and staff at the point BM get the reading back side (BS) and get the reading fore side(FS)
next change the levelling at the point B(change point) and staff stay at the same point then get the
reading back side(BS) and get the reading fore side(FS). do it until at the final point at the TBM,
next repeat reading another point and get the reading from TBM to BM also.
We finally finish our work on that field day. All the data we recorded.

ENGINEERING SURVEY
LEVELLING
Supporting information :