CIE 112: Fundamentals of Surveying 

Module #5 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Lesson title: Trigonometric Leveling Materials:

Lesson Objectives: Calculator, Pen, Paper
At the end of this module, you will be able to: References:
1. Apply the appropriate methods in trigonometric leveling Roy, S.K. (1999). Fundamentals of
for short line measurement and long line measurement. Surveying. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of
2. Determine the elevation and difference of elevation of India Private Limited
different points of interest using trigonometric leveling. Schofield, W. & Breach, M. (2007).
Engineering Surveying. Burlington,
Canada: Elvesier Ltd

Know your weaknesses as much as knowing your strengths. Test

yourself frequently, think on how your professor give exams and
quizzes. Solve problems with different levels of difficulties to
identify what areas still needs improvement and more practice.

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
1) Introduction (2 mins)
Have you ever thought on how engineers provide a perfect slope in canals for the water to flow
freely? This is done with the help of leveling. Leveling specializes in measurement of vertical distances
to determine the elevation of points as well as their difference in elevation. It is used in surveying to
establish the elevation of a point relative to a datum or a fixed point.
Leveling operations are undertaken to provide necessary data for engineering design and
construction. The accumulated data from leveling is used to successfully plan and design every
engineering project from the beginning until its completion.

2) Activity 1: What I Know Chart, Part 1 (3 mins)

What I Know Questions: What I Learned (Activity 4)
1. Site two purpose/importance
of leveling in design and
construction.
2. What are the different types
of leveling?

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 CIE 112: Fundamentals of Surveying 
Module #5 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

B.MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 2: Content Notes (13 mins)
Uses of Leveling:
a. Design highways, railroads, canals, sewers, water supply systems, and other facilities having
grade lines that best conform to existing topography.
b. Layout construction projects according to planned elevations.
c. Calculate volumes of earthworks and other materials.
d. Investigate drainage characteristics of an area.
e. Develop maps showing general ground configurations.
f. Study earth subsidence and crustal motion.
Trigonometric Leveling
Trigonometric leveling is used where difficult terrain, such as mountainous areas, precludes
the use of conventional differential leveling.
In this method the difference in elevation between two points can be determined by
a) The inclined or horizontal distance between them
b) The zenith angle or the altitude angle to one point from the other.
 Trigonometric Leveling for Short Lines D

Rod 𝑟

𝑆 𝑉

𝛼 ∆

C Horizontal E

ℎ 𝐻

A
Figure 4.1 Trigonometric Leveling for Short Lines

In the Figure 4.1, if the slope distance 𝑆 and the zenith or altitude angle between C and D are
observed,

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 CIE 112: Fundamentals of Surveying 
Module #5 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

𝑉 𝑉
cos 𝑧 or sin 𝛼
𝑆 𝑆
Alternatively, if horizontal distance 𝐻 between C and S is measured,
𝑉 𝐻
tan 𝛼 or tan 𝑧
𝐻 𝑉

The difference in elevation ∆ between points A and B in the figure shown is given by
∆ ℎ 𝑉 𝑟
where,
ℎ height of the instrument
𝑟 reading on the rod held at B when zenith angle 𝑧 or atitude angle 𝛼 is read.

 Trigonometric Leveling for Long Lines

E
Refraction
D

Rod 𝑟
𝑉

𝛼 F
𝑧
𝛼 Earth
G Curvature
𝑧 ∆

C
H
S
ℎ
A

Figure 4.2 Trigonometric Leveling for Long Lines

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 CIE 112: Fundamentals of Surveying 
Module #5 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

For a longer line, earth’s curvature and refraction must be considered. Figure 4.2 illustrates the
situation. Here an instrument is set up at C over point A. Sight D is made on a rod held at point B,
and zenith angle 𝑧 , or altitude angle 𝛼 , is observed.
∆ ℎ 𝑉 ℎ 𝑟

2) Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (18 mins + 2 mins checking)
Solve the following problems then box your final answer. If the space provided is not sufficient, you
may provide a clean sheet of bond paper. Check your answers against the Key to Corrections found
at the end of this SAS. Write your score on your paper.
Problem 1.
Based from the Figure 4.2, a vertical angle of +13°45’ is read to a target 1.23 m above point B.
The measured inclined distance S is 823.29 m and the elevation of point A is 123.65 m above the
datum. The height of the instrument at A is 1.35 m. Consider the effect of earth’s curvature and
refraction.
a) Determine the difference in elevation between A and B
b) Determine the elevation of B

Problem 2.
A is a point having an elevation of 130.48 m above datum, and b and C are points of unknown
elevation, B is in between A and C. By means of an instrument set 1.22 m above B, vertical angles
are observed, that to A being -14°45’ and that to C being +8°32’. The horizontal distance AB is 547.20
and the horizontal distance BC is 923.25 m. Making due allowance for earth’s curvature and
atmospheric refraction.
a) Compute the difference in elevation between A and B.
b) Determine the difference in elevation between B and C.
c) Determine the elevation of C.

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 CIE 112: Fundamentals of Surveying 
Module #5 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

3) Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (2 mins)

Now answer the “What I Learned” part in Activity 1.

4) Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

Solve the following problems then box your final answer. If the space provided is not sufficient, you
may provide a clean sheet of bond paper. Check your answers against the Key to Corrections found
at the end of this SAS. Write your score on your paper.
Short Quiz!
Problem 1.
A trigonometric leveling conducted by Jereza Surveying Company, the two points A and B of a
certain rough terrain are each distance 2000 m from a third point C, from which measured vertical
angles to A is +3°30’ and to B is +1°30’. Elevation at C is known to be 342.60 m above sea level. Point
C is in between A and B.
a) Compute the difference in elevation between A and B considering the effect of the earth’s
curvature and refraction.
b) Compute the difference in elevation between B and C.
c) Compute the elevation of A.

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 CIE 112: Fundamentals of Surveying 
Module #5 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
1) Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)

Three things you learned:

1.

2.

3.

Two things that you would like to learn more about:

1.

2.

One question you still have:

1.

KEY TO CORRECTIONS
Activity 3: Activity 5:
1. a) 195.847 m 1. a) 69.96 m
b) 319.497 b) 52.638 m
2. a) 142.83 m c) 465.20 m
b) 139.81 m
c) 413.12 m

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