INTRODUCTION

In surveying, reduced level (RL) refers to equating elevations of

survey points with reference to a common assumed vertical
datum. It is a vertical distance between survey point and
adopted datum [Link], it is considered as the base
elevation which is used as reference to reckon heights or
depths of other important places. Reduced here means
equating and level means elevations. Datum may be a real or
imaginary location with a nominated elevation of straight zero.

Significance -:
For drainage of water under gravity a suitable slope is
required. Thus, roads are built in the fashion that their
RL's on sides are comparatively smaller than the RL at the
mid-span of the road. This ensures proper drainage of
water from roads.
For construction of buildings, roads, and dams, a
horizontal levelled surface is required. So, at construction
sites, RLs of different points are obtained. The ground
surface is then being levelled to the RL, which is obtained
by taking the arithmetic mean of RLs of different points.
LEVELLING
Levelling:- Leveling is a branch of surveying, the object of which is: i) to find
the elevations of given points with respect to a given or assumed datum, and ii) to
establish points at a given or assumed datum. The first operation is required to
enable the works to be designed while the second operation is required in the
setting out of all kinds of engineering works. Levelling deals with measurements in
a vertical plane.

Level surface:- A level surface is defined as a curved surface which at each

point is perpendicular to the direction of gravity at the point. The surface of a still
water is a truly level surface. Any surface parallel to the mean spheroidal surface
of the earth is, therefore, a level surface.
Level line:- A level line is a line lying in a level surface. It is, therefore, normal
to the plumb line at all points.

Horizontal plane:- Horizontal plane through a point is a plane tangential to

the level surface at that point. It is, therefore, perpendicular to the plumb line
through the point.

Horizontal line:- It is a straight line tangential to the level line at a point. It is

also perpendicular to the plumb line.

Vertical line:- It is a line normal to the level line at a point. It is commonly

considered to be the line defined by a plumb line.

Datum:- Datum is any surface to which elevation are referred. The mean sea
level affords a convenient datum world over, and elevations are commonly given
as so much above or below sea level. It is often more convenient, however, to
assume some other datum, specially, if only the relative elevation of points are
required.

Elevation:- The elevation of a point on or near the surface of the earth is its
vertical distance above or below an arbitrarily assumed level surface or datum.
The difference in elevation b…

Vertical angle:- Vertical angle is an angle between two intersecting lines in a

vertical plane. Generally, one of these lines is horizontal.
Mean sea level:- It is the average height of the sea for all stages of the tides.
At any particular place it is derived by averaging the hourly tide heights over a
long period of 19 years.

Bench Mark:- It is a relatively permanent point of reference whose elevation

with respect to some assumed datum is known. It is used either as a starting point
for levelling or as a point upon which to close as a check.

Principle of Levelling:-The principle of levelling lies infurnishing a horizontal

line of sight andfinding the vertical distances of pointsabove or below the line of
[Link] line of sight is provided with a leveland a graduated levelling staff is
used by for measuring the height of the line ofsight above the staff positions.
Levelling Instruments

The instruments commonly used in direct levelling are:

1. Automatic level
2. A levelling staff
[Link] LEVEL

Introduction:
An automatic level is an optical instrument used to establish or verify points
in the same horizontal plane in a process known as leveling and is used in
conjunction with a leveling staff to establish the relative heights levels of
objects or marks. It is widely used in surveying and construction to
measure height differences and to transfer, measure, and set heights of
known objects or marks.

It is also known as a Surveyors level, Builders level, Dumpy level or the

historic “Y” level. It operates on the principle of establishing a visual level
relationship between two or more points, for which an inbuilt telescope and
a highly accurate bubble level are used to achieve the necessary accuracy.
It is usually used by contractors, builders, land surveying professionals, or
the engineer who demands accurate leveling every time. Auto Levels set
up fast, are easy to use, and save time and money on every job.

Parts:
An auto level consists of a telescope with various screws to adjust the line
of sight. A tripod is also used to mount and adjust the auto level.
Telescope:
It holds the lenses that magnify objects in the sight.

Objective Lens:
It catches the object being sighted and magnifies the object.

Eyepiece:
It is located at the viewing end of the telescope, it can be turned to bring
the crosshairs into focus.

Focusing Knob:
It can be turned to make objects appear crisp and clear.

Leveling Screws:
It allows adjustments to be made to ensure the instrument is level.

Base Plate:
It is the area to which the automatic level attaches on the tripod.

Horizontal Tangent Screw:

It can be adjusted to make the instrument move left or right on the
horizontal plate. It is also known as ‘slow motion knobs’.

Circular Level:
It is mounted on the automatic level, it ensures that the instrument is at a
true level point.

Tripod:
A tripod is a three-legged stand, important in providing the foundation for
auto levels and other leveling instruments. It is usually made up of
Aluminum for the sake of lightness.

Crosshairs:
It is a diaphragm consisting of horizontal hair and vertical hair fitted in the
Telescopic Tube of the Level. Staff is bisected at the intersection of the
crosshairs to take the reading.

Operation:
Mounting an Automatic Level:
Firstly the automatic level needs to be mounted on the tripod. For that
purpose, the instrument is placed on the head of the tripod carefully such
that the nuts under the instrument perfectly aligning with the bolts present
on the head of the tripod and then the bolts are tightened with the nuts
completing the mounting process.
Levelling an Automatic Level:
Once the auto level is properly mounted on the tripod it then needs to be
levelled before taking measurements as unleveled instrument gives
blunderous readings. In order to level the automatic level a very simple but
efficient enough instrument called “Circular Level” is used. Circular Level is
actually a very basic and cost-effective levelling tool, it contains a small
bubble floating inside a small circular glass which indicates the state of
levelling of a horizontal surface or in this case an instrument on the surface.
So to level, the instrument one needs to take that small bubble in the
middle of the circular level by adjusting the legs of the Tripod and by
moving the levelling screws carefully. When the bubble comes in the
middle of the circle the automatic level will then be considered as levelled
and ready to take measurements.

Focusing an Automatic Level:

After setting up the automatic level, the next step is focusing the automatic
level. Firstly the telescope is aimed at the target and is roughly aligned with
the target by means of “Alidade”. When seen through the eyepiece the
target may look blurry but turning the focusing knob either left or right
should make the object appear clearer.
Making a Reference Line:
After careful setup of the level, the height of the crosshair is determined by
either sighting from a known benchmark with the known height determined
by a previous survey or an arbitrary point with an assumed height is used.
Sighting is done with an assistant surveyor who holds a graduated staff
vertical at the point under measurement. The surveyor rotates the
telescope until the graduated staff is in the crosshairs and records the
reading. This is repeated for all sightings from that datum. The instrument
should be moved to another position within sighting distance, it is re-
leveled, and a sighting taken of a known level in the previous survey.

Leveling Staff :-

1) Graduated wooden rod used for measuring the vertical distance between
the points on the ground and the line of collimation.

2) Leveling staffs are of two types: 1) Target Staff 2) Self-reading Staff

3) Target Staff: Consist of movable target. Target is provided with a vernier

which is adjusted by the staffman, according to directions from the
levelman. Used for longbsightings.

4) Self-reading Staff: are of four types

a) Telescopic Staff: Arranged in lengths placed one into the other. It can be
extended to its full length by pulling. Top portion is solid & of 1.25m length,
the central box portion is hollow & of 1.25m length & bottom box portion is
hollow & 1.5m long. Total length of staff is 4m. Least count is 5mm. Values
in meters are marked in red on the left & value in cm on right in black.
b) Folding Metric Staff
c) One Length Staff
d) Invar Staff
Points to be remembered by Level Men :-
1) Instrument should not be too high or low.
2) Leveling should be done perfectly.
3) Instrument should not be placed on center line of project.
4) Eyepiece should be focused by holding a sheet of white paper in front of
telescoped.
5) The position of bubbles should be verified after taking reading.
6) The verticality of staff should be verified.

7) Parallax should be eliminated.

INVERTED STAFF READING

What is Inverted Staff Levelling?
 Inverted staff leveling is a technique used to determine the heights of
specific points, such as ceilings or the soffits of bridges, underpasses, or
canopies.
  Typically, these points are situated above the plane of collimation of the
level.
 To obtain the reduced levels of these elevated points, the staff is held
upside down (in an inverted position) with its base on the elevated points.

How Does It Work?

 The process involves using a leveling staff (also known as a leveling rod or
self-reading staff).
 The staff readings obtained during inverted leveling are recorded with a
negative sign in front of the reading (e.g., -1.520).
 These readings are referred to as Inverted Staff Readings2.

Practical Application: Measuring Building Height

 In construction and surveying, inverted staff leveling is particularly useful
for measuring building heights.
 By using an auto level, civil engineers can determine the height of a building
or structure.
 The method involves taking inverted staff readings at specific points on the
building frame.
 These readings help calculate the building’s elevation above a reference
point or benchmark.
CALCULATIONS
According to H.I method or Collimation method,

H.I = R.L + B.S

R.L = H.I – (B.S/F.S)

Where,

H.I = height of instrument, R.L = reduced level, B.S = Backsight, F.S = foresight
Inverted staff reading

When a point for which R.L is to be determined is at a very high level above the
line of sight, for example, the roof of a building, chajja, etc the leveling staff
should be inverted such that bottom of leveling staff should touch a point. It is
taken as a negative reading.

Height from the base to bottom of inverted staff is kept = B.S – F.S

As staff is inverted, therefore reading of B.S is taken as negative.

∴ Height from the base to bottom of inverted staff is kept = (-B.S) – F.S

We know that,

H.I = R.L + B.S

R.L = H.I – F.S

Calculation:
Given,

B.S = 0.645 m

F.S = (-2.960) m, it is taken as negative as it is inverted staff reading

Height of instrument,

HI = R.L + B.S

HI = 200.500 + 0.645
HI = 201.145 m

R.L. of bottom of beam

R.L = HI - F.S

R.L = 201.145 - (-2.960)

R.L = 201.145 + 2.960

R.L of bottom of beam = 204.105 m

R.L. of bottom of Slab

R.L = HI - F.S

R.L = 201.145 - (-3.985)

R.L = 201.145 + 3.985

R.L of bottom of Slab = 205.130 m

RESULT
1. The reduced level of bottom of Beam/ Chajja is 204.105 m.
2. The reduced level of bottom of Slab is 205.130 m

CONCLUSION
We determine the Reduce Level of pre-existing structures of building ( chajja and
slab ) by Height of Instrument (HI) method. We can determine the Reduce Level
of Workshop building in our college in the guidence of Mr. P.V. Dhali sir

REFERENCE
1. [Link]

2. [Link]

3.[Link]
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9jgGHSR6C94QFnoECC0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1h53xNOUgXj5C6NAEFhiLS

4. [Link]
engineering/levelling-in-surveying-definition-and-
types&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjSlo2xwLSFAxV-
9jgGHSR6C94QFnoECDAQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3QMnwCSM0gRfOKDpKOWWpS