Reduction of levels - 1.15.5 | 1. Measurement of Levels | Surveying and Geomatics
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Understanding Rise and Fall Method

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we are going to learn about the Rise and Fall method of reducing levels. Can anyone tell me what we mean by 'rise' and 'fall' in this context?

Student 1
Student 1

I think 'rise' means the height goes up when the staff reading increases, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly, Student_1! And how about 'fall'?

Student 2
Student 2

It means the elevation goes down if the staff reading decreases.

Teacher
Teacher

Great! Now, remember this acronym: RISE—R for Readings, I for Increase, S for Subtract, and E for Elevation. When your Back Sight (BS) minus your Fore Sight (FS) is positive, it's a rise. Can anyone explain how we calculate the reduced level for the next point?

Student 3
Student 3

We take the previous RL and add the rise or subtract the fall based on the readings.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Now, let's check our work by applying the formula Σ BS - Σ FS = Σ Rise - Σ Fall. Why is this check important?

Student 4
Student 4

To ensure that our calculations are correct! It helps avoid errors.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Always verify your results. Remember, accuracy is vital in leveling work.

Height of Instrument Method Introduction

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let's discuss the Height of Instrument method. Who can tell me what the Height of Instrument (HI) is?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it the height of the line of collimation above a known benchmark?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly right! The formula is HI = RL(BM) + BS. Now, why might this method be faster than the Rise and Fall method?

Student 2
Student 2

Because we don’t have to keep checking each rise and fall! We just calculate the RL using one known point.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! And what do we do with the FS readings to find the reduced levels?

Student 3
Student 3

We subtract the FS from the HI to get the RL of that point.

Teacher
Teacher

Well done! Do you remember the importance of checking your final calculations?

Student 4
Student 4

Yes! We still check Mai values to ensure everything is accurate.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly. Both methods have their strengths. Knowing when to use each one is crucial. Great job today!

Comparing Methods

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Teacher
Teacher

Now that we’ve learned both methods, let’s compare them. When would you choose the Rise and Fall method?

Student 1
Student 1

In precise leveling where we need to account for every detail. It’s thorough!

Student 2
Student 2

Right! And for simpler projects where there’s a lot of data, we could use the Height of Instrument method because it's faster.

Teacher
Teacher

Great insights! Let’s visualize this. Imagine you’re surveying a bumpy terrain. Which method would suit better, and why?

Student 3
Student 3

Rise and Fall makes sense for a bumpy terrain since we want precise info about each rise and fall.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! See how the context of your survey influences your decision? This is a key skill in surveying.

Student 4
Student 4

Yes! I now see why knowing both methods is essential.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly. Always assess your project needs. Great job today, everyone!

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section covers the processes for reducing observed staff readings to find the reduced levels (RLs) of points, focusing on two primary methods: the Rise and Fall method and the Height of Instrument method.

Standard

The section details the reduction of levels in leveling surveys, introducing two methods for calculating reduced levels: the Rise and Fall method, which considers the relative elevation changes between points, and the Height of Instrument method, which simplifies computations using known elevations. Each method's processes and their significance in different surveying scenarios are explained.

Detailed

Reduction of Levels

The reduction of level is fundamental in surveying, focusing on accurately determining the elevations of points based on observed staff readings. There are two main techniques for reducing levels:

1. Rise and Fall Method

This method operates on the principle that variations in staff readings reflect the changing ground elevations. If a staff reading increases relative to the previous point, it indicates a rise; conversely, a decrease indicates a fall. The exact calculation is performed by adding or subtracting these rises and falls to the known elevation of the preceding point.

Formula:

  • If BS > FS, then it's a rise:
  • RL(Point) = RL(Previous Point) + (BS - FS)
  • If BS < FS, then it's a fall:
  • RL(Point) = RL(Previous Point) - (FS - BS)

At the end, a check is applied:
- Σ BS - Σ FS = Σ Rise - Σ Fall = First RL - Last RL
This method, while thorough, can be labor-intensive as each point needs careful calculation.

2. Height of Instrument Method

This efficient approach calculates the reduced levels by first determining the Height of Instrument (HI), which is the height of the line of collimation above a benchmark:

Formula:

  • HI = RL(BM) + BS
  • The reduced level of any point is determined by:
  • RL(Point) = HI - FS(Point)

The HI method demands fewer calculations and can be faster, especially with many intermediate sight readings, but it lacks the intermediate checks inherent in the Rise and Fall method. A similar check applies at the conclusion of the calculation, ensuring accuracy in results.

Understanding these methods is crucial for accuracy in surveying, especially in projects involving earthworks or when determining gradients.

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Overview of Reduction of Levels

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The reduction of level is the operation where the observed staff readings are used to find out the elevation (RLs) of points. There are two methods for reduction of levels:

Detailed Explanation

The reduction of levels is a fundamental process in surveying where the readings obtained from the levelling staff are utilized to calculate the elevations of various points. This is critical for establishing a clear understanding of the terrain and ensuring accurate construction and design work.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a zookeeper who wants to build a fence around an enclosures. To ensure the fence is level around the entire area, they must measure the height at several points. The zookeeper writes down the height measurements from various spots. The process of reduction of levels is similar to how they would use those measurements to ensure that the fence doesn't end up lower in one area than another.

Rise and Fall Method

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(a) Rise and Fall Method
Since the ground is undulating, the Staff reading will be more if kept at a lower point, and less if kept at a higher point. Thus, the staff readings provide information regarding relative rise and fall of ground points. The difference in the staff readings indicates a rise or fall according to if the staff reading is smaller or greater than that at the preceding point, respectively. The difference between consecutive points is calculated by comparing each point after the first with that immediately preceding it. The RL of each point is then determined by adding rise or subtracting fall to/from the RL of the preceding point. This is the basic concept behind rise and fall method for finding out the elevations of unknown points. If BS - FS is positive. then it is the rise, and if BS - FS is negative, it is fall.

RL of the point = RL of previous point ± (rise or fall)

At the end of all computations, check is applied as:

Σ BS – Σ FS = Σ Rise – Σ fall = First RL – Last RL (1.6)

Detailed Explanation

The Rise and Fall Method is a technique to determine the changes in elevation across uneven terrain. The method involves looking at staff readings of points on the ground. If the staff reading is higher at the next point, it indicates a 'fall', while a lower reading indicates a 'rise'. The current point's RL (reduced level) is then calculated based on the previous point's RL, adding or subtracting the respective rise or fall. Overall, it ensures that accurate elevations are recorded that reflect the terrain's undulations.

Examples & Analogies

Picture hiking up a hill. At each step, you either go up or down depending on the terrain. If you record your height every few steps, you can identify how steep your hike is overall—whether you're climbing or descending by comparing your height at each step to your last.

Height of Instrument Method

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(b) Height of Instrument method
Height of Instrument (HI) method deals with obtaining the RL of the line of collimation by adding BS reading of a point whose RL is known, as shown in Figure 1.28. The RL of line of collimation is called the Height of Instrument. From this, the staff readings of all intermediate stations are subtracted to get the RL at those points. It is always measured from the benchmark. The HI method involves less computation in reducing the levels, so when there are large numbers of intermediate sights, it is used. It is a faster than the rise and fall method, but it has a disadvantage of not having check on intermediate sights.

HI = RL of BM + BS
RL of point = HI - FS of that point

At the end of all computations, check is applied as:

Σ BS – Σ FS = First RL – Last RL (1.7)

Detailed Explanation

The Height of Instrument Method simplifies the process of determining the elevation levels of points in surveying. In this method, you find the RL of the line of sight (known as the Height of Instrument) by adding the back sight (BS) reading from a known reference point (the benchmark). Once you have this height, you simply subtract the fore sight (FS) reading for each point to derive their specific elevations. This method is beneficial when you have many points to read quickly, though it does not offer checks on the intermediate readings, making it slightly less precise.

Examples & Analogies

Consider standing atop a diving board with a known height. If you know the height of the board (RF) and can measure the distance from that height to the water's surface, you can quickly determine how deep the water is below the board without having to measure from the ground up every time. This is akin to how the Height of Instrument method helps surveyors quickly deduce elevations from a benchmark.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Rise and Fall Method: A method for reducing levels that calculates elevation changes by adding or subtracting differences in staff readings.

  • Height of Instrument Method: A streamlined approach to determine reduced levels based on the height of the line of collimation.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • In a section of land measuring uneven terrain, staff readings may vary significantly; the Rise and Fall method would record each change in elevation precisely.

  • For a large construction project requiring speed, the Height of Instrument method allows quick calculations from known benchmarks and reduces lengthy processes.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When leveling is the aim, remember rise and fall is the game.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine surveying a valley: as you climb the ridge, you note your staff readings and calculate the height. As you descend, measuring the dips. This is what rise and fall entails.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Use RISE: Readings, Increase, Subtract, Elevation to recall the Rise and Fall process.

🎯 Super Acronyms

HI

  • Height of Instrument = RL(BM) + BS.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Height of Instrument (HI)

    Definition:

    The height of the line of collimation above a datum, calculated using the back sight reading from a known elevation.

  • Term: Reduced Level (RL)

    Definition:

    The elevation of a point concerning a designated benchmark, calculated during the leveling process.

  • Term: Back Sight (BS)

    Definition:

    The reading taken on the leveling staff at a point with a known elevation.

  • Term: Fore Sight (FS)

    Definition:

    The reading taken on the leveling staff at an unknown elevation point.