15-1.

SOURCES OF ERROR IN LEVELING

The accuracy of leveling work may be affected by numerous factors. However, it is
not difficult to obtain accurate and precise measurements in leveling as there are
different safeguards which could be taken against expected errors and mistakes.
Accuracy in leveling operations is primarily influenced by the type of instrument
used. A great deal will also depend on the skills of the numbers of a level party and
the degree of _________ with which the whole operation is performed. If current
leveling procedures and ___ are adapted in leveling work, systematic errors could be
significantly reduced or eliminated. The remaining errors expected to occur would
only the be random errors.
The principal sources of error in leveling wok may ____ from either
instrumental, personal, or natural errors. These sources of error are each decreased
below as to their nature, magnitude, and how they may bee minimized or
eliminated.

1. Instrumental Errors. These errors are ________ __ _______ in the

instruments either from faulys in their manufacture or from improper
adjustment. In leveling work instrumental errors are usually due to a
defective tripad, a leveling rod not of standards lengthy, or when the
instrument used is out of adjustment.
a) Instrument Out of Adjustment. The most common instrumental
error is caused by the level being out adjustment. Particularly
significant is when the line of sight of the telescope is not parallel to
the _____ _ ____ level lials. The line of sight wil be inclined either
upward or downward when the ____ is not brought to the ___ of the
tube. When reading is taken on a rod, __ ___is an error consistently
either plus or minus, and with a magnitude which is proportional to
the distance between the ___ or kept at minimum by frequently
testing the instrument and keeping it always in good adjustment.
The error will also be greately minimized or eliminated if the back
sight and foresight distance are kept nearly equal. ____ it would be
difficult to predict when an instrument goes out of adjustment , the
____ method is the more certain and should always be used for
careful leveling.
b) Rod Not Standard Lenght. It is possible to have inaccurate _____
or ____ on a rod. This is usually due to imperfections in their
manufacture. Inaccurate rod _____ can cause errors in measured
vertical distances similar to those ____ from incorrect markings on a
tape. In any case, a rod of Incorrect lenght will introduce a
systematic errors in leveling work.
It is important that rod lenghts are compared ____ wth a
standardized steel tape. Any error in lenght shoild be determned
and necessary corrections applied to all meansurements made with
the rod. Also, the rod must always be handled carefully. A ______ ___

is easily damaged when the upper part of the rod is allowed to slide
down so rapidly that the plocks as the two