Last edited 08 Feb 2021

Levelling applications

1 Introduction
2 Fly levelling
3 Whole circle bearings
4 Traverse types
5 Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
6 External references

[edit] Introduction

In surveying, levelling is a process of determining the height of one point (or level) relative to another. It is used in surveying to establish the elevation of a point relative to a datum or to establish a point at a given elevation relative to a datum. Several different surveying instruments can be used for levelling, all of which are loosely referred to as ‘levels’, for example, a spirit level.

Different types of levelling include:

Fly levelling.
Whole circle bearing.
Traverse types.

[edit] Fly levelling

Fly levelling is a quick way of establishing a new temporary benchmark. The benchmark will help with the calculation of reduced levels. A temporary benchmark is usually used on smaller construction projects. On larger projects, levels will be linked to the Ordnance Survey Benchmarks.

Fly levelling is used for transferring levels and the only readings required are the backsight and foresight recordings. The intermediate sight readings are not used but the distance between readings should not exceed 50m. Fly levelling can be helpful when the benchmark is very far from the work station. In such a case, a temporary benchmark is located at the work station which is based on the original benchmark. It is not highly precise and is used for determining approximate levels only.

[edit] Whole circle bearings

Whole circle bearings refer to angles measured in a clockwise direction from north to establish levels. In whole circle bearing, the value of the bearing will vary from 0° to 360°. The angle between the north line to the survey line must be measured to establish the whole circle bearing. Co-ordinates are used in the calculations for whole circle bearings. The seconds, minutes and degrees of known points are used and deducted from each other to calculate the unknown angles’ co-ordinates.

[edit] Traverse types

Traverse levelling is the measure of the lengths and directions of a series of straight lines connecting a series of points. The straight lines are called traverse legs, and points are called a traverse station.

There are different types of traverse levelling applications:

Open traverse - Has a different start and endpoint. It begins at a point of known control and ends at a station whose relative position is known only by computations.
Closed traverse - Has the same start and endpoint.
Directional travers - Extends directional control only. This type of traverse can either be open or closed.