2/27/2018

Lec 10 +
Lec 11
CE 371 Surveying
PROFILE LEVELING &
Trigonometric LEVELING

Dr. Ragab Khalil

Department of Landscape Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King AbdulAziz University
Room LIE15

Overview 2/34

• Profile Leveling
• Two-Peg Test
• Trigonometric Leveling
• Elevation of Inaccessible Points
• Grid Leveling
• Radial Line Leveling
• Borrow-Pit Leveling

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Profile 3/34

• Profile leveling yields elevations at definite points along

a reference line.
• A profile is a curve resulting from a vertical plane
crossing the ground along the survey line.
• Used in designing linear facilities:
Highways, Railways, Transmission lines, Canals,
Sewers, Water mains, etc…
• Elevations along the line are taken every 10, 50, or 100
m depending on the purpose of survey and the terrain

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Stationing 4/34

• In route surveying, a system called stationing is used to

specify the relative horizontal position of any point
along the reference line.
• Stationing is the establishment of full & plus stations
• Full station: is a point on a survey route whose
distance from the starting point is a multiple of 100 m.
• Plus station: is a point established at critical locations
between full stations.

Full Full Full

station station station

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Example 5/34

• Write the distance 325 as:

 100 m stationing
 50 m stationing
 20 m stationing
• Solution
• Distance 325 m as 100 m stationing: 3+25
• Distance 325 m as 50 m stationing: 6+25
• Distance 325 m as 20 m stationing: 16+05

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Intermediate site 6/34

BS IS

FS

1.15 2.37 3.12 3.43 3.27

1.25
2.53 2.38 2.25
2.75
1.15 2.55 2.45 1.73 1.62
BM #1
140.506
TP #1 TP #2 BM #2
138.512
0+00

0+30

0+40

0+60

0+90

1+20

1+30

1+50

1+80

2+10

Profile Leveling
Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Profile Leveling Procedures 7/34

1. Mark all full and plus stations along the line. If necessary,
choose suitable locations for turning points.
2. Measure distances of all plus stations from the starting point
(0+00).
3. Set up the level instrument off the survey route such that BS
and FS distances are balanced.
4. For any setup, take a BS at the turning point (or the bench
mark) before, then take an IS at every intermediate point
until reaching the next turning point (or bench mark) at
which a FS is then taken.
5. Compute elevations of all stations and turning points.
6. If a grade is required along the line, compute grade
elevations at all stations, then compute the required cut and
fill at each station.
Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Rate of Grade 8/34

• Rate of grade (gradient or percent grade) is the

rise or fall in meter per 100 meter.
• A grade of 2.5% means a 2.5 m difference in
elevation per 100 m horizontally.
• A grade giving equal volumes of cut and fill is
preferred. = 43.5 + 3.75
= 47.25 m

=2.5 x 150
43.5 m
150 m =3.75 m

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Example 9/34

A profile leveling along the center line of a proposed

street starting at elevation 140.000 m with percentage
grade = -1.5%. The street starts at station 0+00 up to
station 2+10 using 100-m stationing. Compute elevations
of all full and plus stations along with the amount of cut
and fill.
BM#1= 140.506 BM#2=138.510

Solution

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Point BS IS FS HI Elev. Adj. E Formati GL-FL Cut -

Ground on F.L Fill
.L 10/34
BM #1 1.25 141.756 140.506 140.506
0 + 00 1.15 140.606 140.604 140.000 0.604 C
0 + 30 2.37 139.386 139.384 139.550 -0.166 F
0 + 40 3.12 138.636 138.634 139.400 -0.766 F
0 + 60 3.43 138.326 138.324 139.100 -0.776 F
TP #1 2.75 3.27 141.236 138.486 138.484
0 + 90 2.53 138.706 138.702 138.650 0.052 C
1 + 20 2.38 138.856 138.852 138.200 0.652 C
TP #2 1.15 2.25 140.136 138.986 138.982
1 + 50 2.55 137.586 137.580 137.750 -0.170 F
1 + 80 2.45 137.686 137.680 137.300 0.380 C
2 + 10 1.73 138.406 138.400 136.850 1.550 C
BM #2 1.62 138.516 138.510
S 2.90 4.89
Ec = 138.516 – 138.510 =.006 m
D -1.99 -1.99 EA = 6.1 3 = 10.6 mm > EC ok.
Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Drawing and Use of a Profile 11/34

Plotted profiles are used to:

1. Determine depth of cut/fill on proposed
highways, railroads and airports.
2. Study grade-crossing problems.
3. Determine the most economical grade, location,
depth of sewers, pipelines, tunnels, and
irrigation ditches.

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Drawing and Use of a Profile 12/34

Elevations 1:100

141
Cut
140 Formation Level
139 Fill
Cut
Ground Level
138
Cut
137
136
0+00

0+30
0+40

0+60

0+90

1+20

1+50

1+80

2+10

Distance 1:1000

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Collimation error 13/34

• Occurs when the line of sight (as defined by

the cross-hairs) is not horizontal
• Leads to an incorrect staff reading

error
horizontal line

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Two-Peg Test 14/34

b1
d1
e e

DH = (b1 – e) – (d1 - e) = b1-d1

DH

‫ متر‬30 ‫ متر‬30

d2
b2 3e
e

‫ متر‬30 ‫ متر‬30 ‫ متر‬30

DH = (b2 – e) – (d2 - 3e) = b1-d1 𝑏1 − 𝑑1 − (𝑏2 − 𝑑2)

𝑒=
b2 – d2 + 2e = b1-d1 2
Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying Adj d2=d2−3e

example 15/34

• A two-peg test is done with the following results:

b1=1.543 m, d1=1.586 m,b2=1.529 m, d2=1.588 m,
X=50.000 m. Compute the error in mm per m. Is the
error accepted. Compute the adjusted d2 value.

• Solution
• Error e = [(1.543-1.586)-(1.529-1.588)] /2 = 0.008 m =
8 mm per 50 m
• Error per 30 m=30(8/50)=4.8 mm > 2 mm per 30 m
(Adjustment is needed)
• Adjusted d2 rod reading = 1.588-3(0.008) = 1.564 m.
Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Trigonometric Leveling 16/34

Trigonometry can be used to compute difference in

elevation between two points by measuring horizontal
distance H between the two points and the vertical angle a
(or zenith angle z).

a= 90-z D

V= H. tan (a) S r
V
C z B ‫ق‬
V= H. cot (z) a
E
hi
A
ElevB= ElevA + hi + V - rB H
(For distances up to 300 m)
Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

17/34
Trigonometric Leveling Example
A theodolite is set up at point A whose elevation is 100.00
m. A level rod is put at point B whose horizontal distance
from A is 120.00 m. If rod reading is 2.29 m, zenith angle
is 65o, height of instrument is 1.50 m, find ElevB.

Solution:

V = 120.00 cot(65o) = 55.96 m

ElevB = 100.00 + 1.50 + 55.96 - 2.29 = 155.17 m

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Curvature And Refraction in

Trigonometric Leveling 18/34

• For long horizontal distances,

the effect of curvature and
refraction should be taken
into account.

ElevB= ElevA + hi + V – rB +.0675 H2

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Trigonometric Leveling _Long

distances Example
19/34

A theodolite is set up at point A whose elevation is 100.00

m. A level rod is put at point B whose horizontal distance
from A is 500.00 m. If rod reading is 2.29 m, zenith angle
is 65o, height of instrument is 1.50 m, find ElevB.

Solution:
V = 500.00 cot(65o) = 233.15 m
Combined curvature and refraction effect
CR = 0.0675(0.5)2 = 0.017 m
ElevB =100.00 + 1.50 + 233.15 - 2.29 + 0.017 = 332.38 m

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Trigonometric Leveling
With Unknown Distance 20/34

• If the horizontal distance is unknown, we can use Stadia

method or we have to take two level rod readings and
two zenith angles.

𝑟1 −𝑟2
𝐻= D r1
tan(𝑎1 )−tan(𝑎2)
S r2
z2 V V1
ElevB= ElevA + hi + V1 – r1 C z1 B ‫ ق‬2
a1 a2
E
hi
A
ElevB= ElevA + hi + V2 – r2 H

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Trigonometric Leveling With

21/34
Unknown Distance --- stadia
A theodolite is set up at point A whose elevation is 50.00 m. A
level rod is put at point B. The three hair readings at B were
2.162/1.780/1.398 m and taken at a zenith angle of 82o.
Compute horizontal distance AB and elevation of B. Height of
instrument is 1.50 m.
• Solution
• Vertical angle (a) = 90-82 = 8o
• I=U-L= 2.162-1.398= 0.764
• H= 100*I*{cos (a)}2 = 100x 0.764 x (cos (8))2 = 74.92 m

V= 74.92 x tan (8) = 10.53 m

ElevB= ElevA + hi + V – r

ElevB= 50 + 1.50 + 10.53 – 1.78 = 60.25 m

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Trigonometric Leveling With

22/34
Unknown Distance--- two readings
A theodolite is set up at point A whose elevation is 50.00 m. A
level rod is put at point B. A rod reading of 1.78 m is taken at a
zenith angle of 82o. A second rod reading of 0.45 m is taken at
zenith angle equals 83o. Compute horizontal distance AB and
elevation of B. Height of instrument is 1.50 m.
• Solution
a1 = 90-82 =8º a2 = 90-83 =7º
1.78−0.45
𝐻= = 74.90 m
tan(8)−tan(7)

V1= 74.90 x tan (8) = 10.53 m

ElevB= ElevA + hi + V1 – r1

ElevB= 50 + 1.50 + 10.53 – 1.78 = 60.25 m

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Elevation of Inaccessible Points

23/34

• Case 1. Base of the object accessible

• Case 2. Base of the object inaccessible, Instrument

stations in the vertical plane as the elevated object.

• Case 3. Base of the object inaccessible, Instrument

stations not in the same vertical plane as the elevated
object.

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Case 1. Base of the object accessible

B
24/34

A = Instrument station
Elev. of B = Elev. of B.M. + Bs + h
B = Point to be observed
= Elev. of B.M. + Bs + D. tan 
h = Elevation of B from the
instrument axis If distance is large, then add Cc & Cr
D = Horizontal distance between A
and the base of object Elev. of B = Elev. of B.M. + Bs + D. tan  + 0.0675 D2
h1 = Height of instrument (H. I.)
Bs = Reading of staff kept on B.M.
= Angle of elevation = L BAC
Elev. of B = Elev. of A+ hi + h
h = D tan 
Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Case 2. Base of the object inaccessible, Instrument

stations in the vertical plane as the elevated object.
25/34

There may be two cases.

(a) Instrument axes at the same level

(b) Instrument axes at different levels.

1) Height of instrument axis to the object is lower:

2) Height of instrument axis to the object is higher:

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Case 2. Base of the object inaccessible, Instrument

stations in the vertical plane as the elevated object.
26/34
(a) Instrument axes at the same level
D PAP, h= D tan 1
D PBP, h= (b+D) tan 2

D tan 1 = (b+D) tan 2

D tan 1 = b tan 2 + D tan 2
D(tan 1 - tan 2) = b tan 2

Elev. of P = Elev. of B.M + Bs + h

h= D tan 1
Elev. of P = Elev. of A+ hi + h

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

(b)Instrument axes at different levels.

1) Height of instrument axis to the object is
lower: 27/34

D PAP, h1 = D tan 1

D PBP, h2 = (b+D) tan 2

hd is difference between two height

hd = h1 – h2
hd = D tan 1 - (b+D) tan 2
= D tan 1 - b tan 2 -D tan 2
hd = D(tan 1 - tan 2) - b tan 2
hd + b tan 2 = D(tan 1 - tan 2)

h1 = D tan 1 Elev. of P = Elev. of A+ hi + h1 +CR

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Ex. 28/34

To determine the elevation of building p above point B in the

figure, the following measurements were made: b=50.00 m,
hiB=1.24 m, hiA =0.94 m, angle 2 = 13.125o, angle 1 =
18.626o. The instrument in the two positions was at the same
level. Compute Elevp above BM B.
Solution
hd = 1.24-0.94=0.30

0.3+50 tan(13.125)
𝐷 = tan 18.626 =115.12 h2 = 165.12 tan (13.125) =38.50
−tan(13.125)

Elev. of P = Elev. Of B+ hi + h2 +CR

Elev. of P - Elev. Of B = 1.24 + 38.50+ 0.0675 (165.12/1000)2 =39.74 m
Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

(b)Instrument axes at different levels.

2) Height of instrument axis to the
object is higher: 29/34

D PAP, h1 = D tan 1

D PBP, h2 = (b+D) tan 2

hd is difference between two height

hd = h2 – h1
hd = (b+D) tan 2 - D tan 1
= b tan 2 + D tan 2 - D tan 1
hd = b tan 2 + D (tan 2 - tan 1 )
hd - b tan 2 = D(tan 2 - tan 1)
- hd + b tan 2 = D(tan 1 - tan 2)

h1 = D tan 1 Elev. of P = Elev. of A+ hi + h1 +CR

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Case 3. Base of the object inaccessible, Instrument

stations not in the same vertical plane as the elevated
object. 30/34

Set up instrument on A
Measure 1 to P
L BAC = 
Set up instrument on B
Measure 2 to P
L ABC = 
L ACB = 180 – (  +  )

Sin Rule:
b
b· sin
BC=
sin{180˚ - (+ )}
b· sin
AC=
sin{180˚ - ( + 

h1 = AC tan 1 Elev. of P = Elev. of A+ hi + h1 +CR

h2 = BC tan 2
Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Borrow-Pit Leveling 31/34

• It is a method employed on construction jobs to

evaluate quantities of earth, gravel, rock, or other
material to be excavated or filled. Also to generate
contour maps
• Two methods can be used
 Grid Leveling
 Radial Line Leveling

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Grid Leveling 32/34

• Grid leveling is a method for locating contour lines and

topographic features by stacking an area in squares of
5, 10, 50, 100 m, or more depending on the project
extent, ground roughness, and accuracy required

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

Radial Line Leveling 33/34

• This method for locating contour lines and topographic

features is simpler to perform compared to grid
leveling, and it requires less time.
• The level instrument is set up in the middle of the field
and the rod person moves along radial lines from the
instrument. Radial lines are spaced at equal or unequal
central angles.

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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Summery 34/34

• Profile Leveling
• Two-Peg Test
• Trigonometric Leveling
• Elevation of Inaccessible Points
• Grid Leveling
• Radial Line Leveling
• Borrow-Pit Leveling

Dr. Ragab Khalil KAU – FED – CE371 - Surveying

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