Lab Report: Surveying and Leveling Experiment

1. Introduction

1.1 Description

Surveying is the science and profession of determining points and the distances and angles between them. It plays a vital role in various fields, including construction and land measurement. One essential test in surveying is leveling, which is widely used to measure height differences and establish relative heights of objects or marks in reference to sea level.

1.2 Objective

The objective of this experiment is to establish points in the same horizontal plane to find the relative height levels of objects or marks relative to sea level.

1.3 Materials Used

During the course of this experiment, the following materials were used:

• Optical Level
• Tripod
• Measuring Tape
• Leveling Staffs

2. Procedure

1. Get the necessary equipment: Tripod, leveling staff, optical level.
2. Mount the tripod in the specified location and attach the optical level to it.
3. Calibrate the optical level by setting up the tripod properly and using calibration tools on the optical level to ensure that the 'bubble' is in the middle of the circle.
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4. Set up leveling staffs on designated points of measurement.
5. Adjust the focus on the optical level to suit eyesight and ensure a proper view of the leveling staff.
6. Measure the elevation of the point with respect to the optical level by looking at the leveling staff through the machine and recording values.
7. Perform necessary calculations (Addition/Subtraction) to calculate elevation, ensuring the use of appropriate units.

3. Results

The calculated elevation (0.986 m) is obtained by subtracting the backsight (BS) from the foresight (FS), as follows: Elevation = BSB - FSA = 15.

63 – 5.63 = 9.86 dm = 0.986 m.

4. Conclusions

The readings obtained from this test are logical and conclusive, as the calculated elevation is consistent with the expected results.

5. Sources of Error

Several sources of error may occur during the process of leveling, including:

1. Blunders/Gross Errors: These errors result from misinterpretation of measurements by the surveyor, leading to incorrect numerical values. They can be minimized by performing multiple readings by different surveyors to cross-check the measurements.
2. Systematic Errors: These errors occur due to imperfections in the surveying equipment or specific surveying methods, as well as variations in environmental conditions. Proper calibration and maintenance of equipment can help reduce systematic errors.
3. Random Errors: Even after minimizing blunders and systematic errors, random errors can still occur, leading to discrepancies in numerical values. To address this, it is recommended to take the mean of multiple observations to obtain more accurate and precise results.

Overall, understanding and addressing these sources of error are crucial for achieving reliable and precise measurements in surveying and leveling experiments.