LABORATORY MANUAL

BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING & MECHANICS LAB

SEM – I/ II

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

 List of Experiments
(minimum 10 to be performed)
Pg. No.

1. Water Absorption Test on Bricks 1

2. Compressive Strength test on Bricks 2
3. Fineness of Cement by Sieve Analysis 3
4. Standard Consistency of Cement 4-5
5. Initial Setting Time of Cement 6-7
6. Compressive Strength test of Cement 8-10
7. Sieve Analysis and Fineness Modulus of Fine Aggregate 11-12
8. Sieve Analysis and Fineness Modulus of Coarse Aggregate 13-14
9. Compressive Strength Test of Concrete 15-16
10. Difference in level between two given stations by Height of 17-19
Instrument Method
11. Difference in level between two given stations by Rise & Fall 20-22
Method
EXPERIMENT NO. - 01

AIM –Water Absorption test on Bricks

Theory : Bricks for external use must be capable of preventing rainwater from passing
through them to the inside of walls of reasonable thickness. A good brick should absorb
maximum 1/7th of the weight of the brick. After immersion in cold water for 24 hours, the
average water absorption shall not be more than 15 % and 20 %, by weight for first/ second,
and third class bricks respectively.

Apparatus : Oven
Materials : Water, Bricks

Procedure :

1. Take 3 bricks and measure its normal weight, then keep that bricks in oven at 105ºC-
110º C for 24 hours.
2. Cool the bricks at room temperature and measure the weight as W1 (specimen warm
to touch should not be used for test).
3. Immerse the dry specimen in clean water for 24 hrs.
4. Remove the bricks, wipe out any traces of water with damp cloth, and measure the
weight as W2 within 3 minutes after removal from water.

Observation :

S. No. Brick No. Weight of dry Weight of wet % of water

brick (W1) brick (W2) absorption
1.
2.
3.
Average
Calculations :
𝑊2 −𝑊1
Water absorption % by mass after 24 hr immersion in cold water = ∗ 100
𝑊1

Result :

Water absorption of brick is … % .

Based on water absorption bricks can be classified as … class bricks.

1
EXPERIMENT NO. - 02

AIM –Compressive Strength test on Bricks

Theory : Compressive strength test on bricks are carried out to determine the load
carrying capacity of bricks under compression with the help of compression testing machine.
Bricks are generally used for construction of load bearing masonry walls, columns and
footings. These load bearing masonry structures experiences mostly the compressive loads.
Thus, it is important to know the compressive strength of bricks to check for its suitability for
construction.
The compressive strength of brick is determined by dividing the maximum load of failure by
average area of bed faces.
𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑒 (𝑁)
Compressive Strength (N/mm2) = 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 (𝑚𝑚2 )

Apparatus : Compression Testing Machine, Trowel

Materials : Bricks, Sand, Cement

Procedure :

1. Take 3 bricks, measure the dimensions and then immerse in water for 24 hr.
2. Remove the specimen and drain out moisture at room temperature.
3. Fill the frog and voids in the bed face with cement mortar for 3mm thick.
4. Store that cement-filling specimen in clean water for 3 days.
5. Then remove and wipe out the moisture.
6. Put the brick centrally in compression testing, apply the load at the rate of 14 N/mm 2,
and find out the load at crushing.

Observation :

S. Brick Length of Breadth Area of Load (N) Compressive

NO. No. brick of brick brick Strength
(mm) (mm) (mm2) (Load/
Area)(N/mm2)
1.
2.
3.
Average
Result :

Compressive Strength of burnt brick is … N/mm2.

2
EXPERIMENT NO. - 03

AIM – Fineness of Cement by Sieve Analysis

Theory : The fineness of cement is measured by sieving it on standard sieve of size 90µ.
The proportion of cement which the grain sizes are larger than the specified mesh size is thus
determined. Finer cement offers a greater surface area for hydration and hence faster the
development of strength.

A good cement should retain less than 10% weight of cement when it is sieved with the 90µ
IS sieve.

Apparatus : Test Sieve 90 microns, Balance, Gauging Trowel, Brush

Procedure :

1. Fit the pan under the sieve, weigh approximately 100 g of cement to the nearest 0.01 g
and place it on the sieve, being careful to avoid loss. Rub the cement with your hands
so that the cement sample is free from lumps. Fit the lid over the sieve. Agitate the sieve
by swirling, planetary and linear movement until no finer material passes through it.
2. Remove and weigh the residue (W2). Express its mass as a percentage, R1, of the
quantity first placed in the sieve to the nearest 0.1 percent. Gently brush all the fine
material off the base of the sieve into the tray.
3. Repeat the whole procedure two times more using a fresh 100 g sample to obtain R2,
R3. Then calculate the residue of the cement R as the mean of R 1, and R2, as a
percentage, expressed to the nearest 0.1 percent.

Observation :

S. No. Weight of cement taken Weight retained of 90 % weight retained on

(W1) micron sieve (W2) 𝑊
sieve (𝑊2 × 100)
1

1.
2.
3.
𝑊
Calculation : % of weight retained on sieve, R = ∗ 100
10

Result : The fineness of a given sample of cement is …. % .

Precaution : 1. Sample to be taken dried.

2. Sieving to be done by wrist action to prevent losses.

3. Weighting to be done accurately.

3
EXPERIMENT NO. - 04 (a)

AIM – Standard Consistency of Cement

Theory : The standard consistency is defined as the consistency which will permit the
vicat plunger of diameter 10 mm and length 50 mm to penetrate to a point 5 to 7 mm from the
bottom of the vicat mould.

The standard consistency helps us in determining various parameters of cement such as

setting times (i.e. initial and final setting time), soundness of cement, and strength parameters
of cement.

Apparatus : Vicat Apparatus, Plunger, Vicat Mould (of length 50 mm & 10 mm dia)
Procedure :

a. Initially a cement sample of about 300 g is taken in a tray and is mixed with a known
percentage of water by weight of cement, say starting from 30% and then it is increased
by every 1% until the normal consistency is achieved.
b. Prepare a paste of 300 g of Cement with a weighed quantity of potable or distilled water,
taking care that the time of gauging is not less than 3 minutes, nor more than 5 min, and
the gauging shall be completed before any sign of setting occurs. The gauging time
shall be counted from the time of adding water to the dry cement until commencing to
fill the mould.
c. Fill the Vicat mould with this paste, the mould resting upon a non-porous plate. After
completely filling the mould, smoothen the surface of the paste, making it level with
the top of the mould. The mould may be slightly shaken to expel the air.
d. Place the test block in the mould, together with the non-porous resting plate, under the
rod bearing the plunger; lower the plunger gently to touch the surface of the test block,
and quickly release, allowing it to sink into the paste. This operation shall be carried
out immediately after filling the mould.
e. Prepare trial pastes with varying percentages of water and test as described above until
the amount of penetration is 5-7 mm from bottom of the mould or 33-35 mm from top
of the mould.

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Diagram : (To be drawn on the left side of the written matter and on a blank page)

f.

Observation :
Express the amount of water as a percentage by mass of the dry cement to the first place of
decimal.

S. No. Weight of Percentage by Amount of Penetration

Cement (gm) water of dry water added (mm)
Cement (%) (ml)
1.
2.
3.

Result : The normal consistency of a given sample of cement is ………. %

Precaution : 1. There should be no vibration on the working table.
2. The test should be conducted at room temperature 27 ˚C± 2 ˚C.

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EXPERIMENT NO. - 04 (b)

AIM – Initial Setting Time of Cement

Theory : Initial Setting Time – is regarded as “the time elapsed between the moments
that the water is added to the cement, to the time that the paste starts losing its plasticity.” The
Initial Setting Time is the time elapsed between the time water is added to cement and time at
which 1 mm2 needle fails to penetrate the cement paste placed in the Vicat’s mould 5 – 7 mm
from the bottom of the mould.

Apparatus : Vicat Apparatus, Needle (circular needle of cross-sectional area 1mm2), Vicat
Mould, Stop Watch, Gauging Trowel

Procedure :

1. Preparation of Test Block –

a. Prepare a neat 300 gm. cement paste by gauging the cement with 0.85 times the
water required to give a paste of standard consistency. Potable or distilled water
shall be used in preparing the paste.
b. Start a stop-watch at the instant when water is added to the cement. Fill the Vicat
mould with a cement paste gauged as above, the mould resting on a nonporous
plate. Fill the mould completely and smooth off the surface of the paste making
it level with the top of the mould.
c. Immediately after moulding, place the test block in the moist closet or moist
room and allow it to remain there except when determinations of time of setting
are being made.
2. Determination of Initial Setting Time –
d. Place the test block confined in the mould and resting on the non-porous plate,
under the rod bearing the needle; lower the needle gently until it comes in
contact with the surface of the test block and quickly release, allowing it to
penetrate into the test block.
e. Repeat this procedure until the needle, when brought in contact with the test
block and released as described above, fails to pierce the block beyond 5.0 ± 0.5
mm measured from the bottom of the mould shall be the initial setting time.

Observation :

1. Weight of given sample of cement is _ _ _ _ gm.

2. The normal consistency of a given sample of cement is _ _ _ _ %.

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 3. Volume of water added (0.85 times the water required to give a paste of
standard consistency) for preparation of test block _ _ _ _ ml.

S. No. Time Elapsed Penetration of Initial Setting Time

needle from
bottom of mould
(mm)
1.
2.
3.
4.

Result : i) The initial setting time of the cement sample is found to be ….. min.
ii) The final setting time of the cement sample is found to be … min.

Precaution : 1. The test should be conducted at room temperature i.e. 27 ˚C ± 2 ˚C

2. There should be no vibration on the working table.

Discussion :
1. What should be the minimum and maximum setting time of ordinary
portland cement?
2. What is the difference between setting of cement and hardening of cement?

7
EXPERIMENT NO. - 05

AIM – Compressive Strength test of Cement

Theory : The compressive strength of hardened cement is the most important of all the
properties. Therefore, it is not surprising that the cement is always tested for its strength at the
laboratory before the cement is used in important works. Strength tests are not made on neat
cement paste because of difficulties of excessive shrinkage and subsequent cracking of neat
cement.

Apparatus & Materials : The standard sand, Cube Vibrator, Poking Rod, Cube Mould of 70.6
mm size, Balance, Gauging Trowel, Stop Watch, Graduated Glass Cylinders, etc.

Procedure :

1. Preparation of test specimens - Clean appliances shall be used for mixing and the
temperature of water and that of the test room at the time when the above operations
are being performed shall be 27 ± 2˚C. Potable/distilled water shall be used in preparing
the cubes.
2. The material for each cube shall be mixed separately and the quantity of cement,
standard sand and water shall be as follows:
Cement 200 g and Standard Sand 600 g
𝑃
Water = ( + 3.5 ) percent of combined mass of cement and sand, where P is the
4

standard consistency of cement.

3. Place on a nonporous plate, a mixture of cement and standard sand. Mix it dry with a
trowel for one minute and then with water until the mixture is of uniform colour. The
quantity of water to be used shall be as specified in step 2. The time of mixing shall in
any event be not less than 3 min and should the time taken to obtain a uniform colour
exceed 4 min, the mixture shall be rejected and the operation repeated with a fresh
quantity of cement, sand and water.
4. Moulding Specimens - In assembling the moulds ready for use, treat the interior faces
of the mould with a thin coating of mould oil.
5. Place the assembled mould on the table of the vibration machine and hold it firmly in
position by means of a suitable clamp. Attach a hopper of suitable size and shape
securely at the top of the mould to facilitate filling and this hopper shall not be removed
until the completion of the vibration period.

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 6. Immediately after mixing the mortar in accordance with step 1 & 2, place the mortar in
the cube mould and prod with the rod. Place the mortar in the hopper of the cube mould
and prod again as specified for the first layer and then compact the mortar by vibration.
7. The period of vibration shall be two minutes.
8. At the end of vibration, remove the mould together with the base plate from the machine
and finish the top surface of the cube in the mould by smoothing the surface with the
blade of a trowel.
9. Curing Specimens - keep the filled moulds in moist closet or moist room for 24 ± 1
hour after completion of vibration. At the end of that period, remove them from the
moulds and immediately submerge in clean fresh water and keep there until taken out
just prior to breaking.
10. The water in which the cubes are submerged shall be renewed every 7 days and shall
be maintained at a temperature of 27 ± 2°C. After they have been taken out and until
they are broken, the cubes shall not be allowed to become dry.
11. Test three cubes for compressive strength for each period of curing mentioned under
the relevant specifications (i.e. 3 days, 7 days, 28 days) 12. The cubes shall be tested
on their sides without any packing between the cube and the steel plattens of the testing
machine. One of the plattens shall be carried on a base and shall be self-adjusting, and
the load shall be steadily and uniformly applied, starting from zero at a rate of 35 N/mm 2
/min.

Observation :

S. No. Age of Cross-sectional Load (N) Compressive Average

Cube Area (mm2) Strength Compressive
(N/mm2) Strength (N/mm2)
1. 3 days
2.
3.
4. 7 days
5.
6.
7. 28 days
8.
9.
Calculation :
𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑒 (𝑁)
Compressive Strength (N/mm2) =
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑢𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 (𝑚𝑚2 )

9
Result :

i) The average 3 Days Compressive Strength of given cement sample is found to be…
ii) The average 7 Days Compressive Strength of given cement sample is found to be ….
iii) The average 28 Days Compressive Strength of given cement sample is found to be …

Precautions :

1. The time of mixing is very important and in no case shall not be less than 3minutes.
2. The Temperature of water should be maintained at 27 ± 2 ˚C
3. The mould should be oiled before use.

Discussion : 1. Why cement paste is not used to determine compressive strength of cement?

2. What ratio of cement to sand is used to determine the compressive strength

of cement?

10
EXPERIMENT NO. - 06

AIM – Sieve Analysis and Fineness Modulus of Fine Aggregate

Theory : Fineness modulus of aggregates represents the average size of the particles in
the aggregate by an index number. It is calculated by performing sieve analysis with standard
sieves.

Fine aggregate means the aggregate which passes through 4.75mm sieve. To find the fineness
modulus of fine aggregate we need sieve sizes of 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600 µ, 300 µ,
150µ.

Apparatus : Test Sieves 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 1.18 mm, 600 µ, 300 µ, 150µ, Balance,
Gauging Trowel

Procedure :

1. The sample shall be brought to an air-dry condition before weighing and sieving. The
air-dry sample shall be weighed and sieved successively on the appropriate sieves
starting with the largest. Care shall be taken to ensure that the sieves are clean before
use.
2. The shaking shall be done with a varied motion, backward sand forwards, left to right,
circular clockwise and anti-clockwise, and with frequent jarring, so that the material is
kept moving over the sieve surface in frequently changing directions.
3. Material shall not be forced through the sieve by hand pressure. Lumps of fine material,
if present, may be broken by gentle pressure with fingers against the side of the sieve.
4. On completion of sieving, the material retained on each sieve, together with any
material cleaned from the mesh, shall be weighed.

Observation :

Weight of fine aggregates taken (W1) = …… gm

I S Sieve Weight Retained on Cummulative % of cumulative weight

Sieve (gm) (W2) Weight Retained Retained (%) = 𝑾
𝑾
𝟐
× 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟏
(gm) (W3)
4.75 mm
2.36 mm
1.18 mm
600 µ
300 µ
150 µ
Total

11
Calculation : Fineness modulus is an empirical factor obtained by adding the cumulative
percentages of aggregate retained on each of the standard sieves ranging from 4.75 mm to 150
micron and dividing this sum by an arbitrary number 100.
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 % 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
Fineness Modulus, FM = 100

Result :

1. Fineness modulus of a given sample of fine aggregate is ……

12
EXPERIMENT NO. - 07

AIM – Sieve Analysis and Fineness Modulus of Coarse Aggregate

Theory : Fineness modulus of aggregates represents the average size of the particles in
the aggregate by an index number. It is calculated by performing sieve analysis with standard
sieves.

Coarse aggregate means the aggregate which is retained on 4.75mm sieve when it is sieved
through 4.75mm. To find fineness modulus of coarse aggregate we need sieve sizes of 80mm,
40mm, 20mm, 10mm, 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 0.6mm, 0.3mm and 0.15mm. Higher the
aggregate size higher the Fineness modulus hence fineness modulus of coarse aggregate is
higher than fine aggregate.

Fineness modulus of coarse aggregate varies from 5.5 to 8.0.

Apparatus : Test Sieves 80 mm, 40 mm, 20 mm, 10 mm, 4.75 mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 600
µ, 300 µ, 150µ, Balance, Gauging Trowel etc.

Procedure :

1. The sample shall be brought to an air-dry condition before weighing and sieving. This
may be achieved either by drying at room temperature or by heating at a temperature
of 100‖ to 110°C. The air-dry sample shall be weighed (5 kg) and sieved successively
on the appropriate sieves starting with the largest. Care shall be taken to ensure that the
sieves are clean before use.
2. Arrange the sieves in descending order.
3. Each sieve shall be shaken separately over a clean tray until not more than a trace
passes, but in any case for a period of not less than two minutes. The shaking shall be
done with a varied motion, backward sand forwards, left to right, circular clockwise
and anti-clockwise, and with frequent jarring, so that the material is kept moving over
the sieve surface in frequently changing directions.
4. Material shall not be forced through the sieve by hand pressure. Lumps of fine material,
if present, may be broken by gentle pressure with fingers against the side of the sieve.
5. On completion of sieving, the material retained on each sieve, together with any
material cleaned from the mesh, shall be weighed.

13
Observation :

Weight of coarse aggregate = 5000 gm

IS Weight Cummulative Weight % of cumulative

Sieve Retained on Retained (gm) (W3) weight retained
Sieve (gm) (%) = 𝑾𝑾
𝟐
× 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟏
(W2)
80 mm
40 mm
20 mm
10 mm
4.75 mm
2.36 mm
1.18 mm
600 µ
300 µ
150 µ
Total
Calculation : Fineness modulus is an empirical factor obtained by adding the cumulative
percentages of aggregate retained on each of the standard sieves ranging from 80 mm to 150 µ
and dividing this sum by an arbitrary number 100.
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 % 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
Fineness Modulus, FM = 100

Result :

Fineness modulus of a given sample of coarse aggregate is ….

Precautions :

1. Sieves to be arranged in the descending order.

2. The test sample shall be dried to constant weight at a temperature of 110 ˚C ± 5 ˚C and
weighed to the nearest 0.1 percent.

Discussion : 1. Coarse Aggregates should retain on which IS sieve?

14
EXPERIMENT NO. - 08

AIM – Compressive Strength Test of Concrete

Theory : Age at Test - Tests shall be made at recognized ages of the test specimens, the
most usual being 7 and 28 days. The ages shall be calculated from the time of the addition of
water to the dry ingredients.
Number of Specimens - At least three specimens, preferably from different batches, shall be
made for testing at each selected age.
Apparatus : Testing Machine, Cube Moulds of size 150 x 150 x 150 mm3

Procedure :

1. All materials shall be brought to room temperature, preferably 27 ± 30 ˚C before

commencing the test.
2. The proportions of the materials, including water, in concrete mixes used for
determining the suitability of the materials available, shall be similar in all respects to
those to be employed in the work.
3. The quantities of cement, aggregate and water for each batch shall be determined by
weight.
4. The concrete shall be mixed by hand, or preferably, in a laboratory batch mixer, in such
a manner as to avoid loss of water or other materials.
5. Test specimens cubical in shape shall be 150 x 150 x 150 mm shall be filled with the
concrete prepared in step 4. The concrete shall be filled into the moulds approximately
5 cm deep. Each layer should be compacted by hand or by vibration.
6. The test specimens shall be stored in a place, free from vibration, in moist air at a
temperature of 27 ± 2 ˚C for 24 ± 0.5 hr from the time of addition of water to the dry
ingredients.
7. After 24 hours the concrete specimens are demoulded and water cured until the day of
testing i.e. 7 and 28 days.
8. After the curing duration of concrete is over, the specimens are removed from water
and then the surface water is dried with the help of a dry cloth.
9. The bearing surfaces of the testing machine shall be wiped clean and any loose sand or
other material removed from the surfaces of the specimen which are to be in contact
with the compression platens.
10. The specimen shall be placed in the machine in such a manner that the load shall be
applied to opposite sides of the cubes as cast, i.e. not to the top and bottom.

15
 11. The load shall be applied without shock and increased continuously at a rate of
approximately 140 kg/cm2/ min until the resistance of the specimen to the increasing
load breaks down and no greater load can be sustained.
12. The maximum load applied to the specimen shall then be recorded and the appearance
of the concrete and any unusual features in the type of failure shall be noted.

Procedure :

S. No. Age of Cross-sectional Load (N) Compressive Average

Cube Area (mm2) Strength Compressive
(N/mm2) Strength (N/mm2)
1. 7 days
2.
3.
4. 28 days
5.
6.
Calculation :
𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑒 (𝑁)
Compressive Strength (N/mm2) = 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑢𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 (𝑚𝑚2 )

Result :

i) The average 7 Days Compressive Strength of given concrete sample is found to

be ….
ii) The average 28 Days Compressive Strength of given concrete sample is found
to be …

16
EXPERIMENT NO. - 09

AIM – Difference in level between two given stations by Height of

Instrument Method
Theory : Levelling – it’s a branch of surveying, the object of which is: (a) to find the
elevations of given points w.r.t. a given or assumed datum, and (b) to establish points at a given
elevation or at different elevations w.r.t. 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. It deals with measurements in vertical plane.
Reduced Levels - The system of working out the reduced level of the points from staff reading
taken in the field is called as reduced level (R.L) of a points is the elevation of the point with
reference to the same datum.
Procedure :
a. Setting Up of Level
1. Find a benchmark location near the spot you want to measure. A benchmark
location is a spot that you already know the height.
2. Set your tripod up near the spot you want to measure. Place your tripod on a patch
of flat, clear ground that sits between your benchmark location and the spot you want to
measure. Then, undo the latches on your tripod’s legs and extend each leg out. Adjust
the legs until your tripod is completely level, then close each latch.
3. Connect your device to the tripod and position it over 2 levelling screws. Screw your
dumpy level onto the tripod’s base plate, then connect the base plate to the main tripod
body. Once the instrument is securely attached, turn the dumpy level’s telescope so that
it sits parallel with 2 of the device’s levelling screws.
4. Level the device by adjusting the 2 leveling screws. Look for the bubble level located
somewhere on your device. Grab the 2 leveling screws that are parallel to the device’s
telescope and twist them in opposite directions. Do this until the bubble sits in the exact
center of the level. For the best results, turn the screws with an even amount of force and
pressure.
5. Turn your telescope 90˚ and adjust the third leveling screw. After adjusting your first
2 leveling screws, turn your telescope approximately 90 degrees so that it sits parallel to
the device’s third leveling screw. Then, adjust this screw until the bubble once again sits
in the center of the level.

17
 6. Check your level’s calibration by turning it 180 degrees. After making your initial
leveling adjustments, return your telescope to its starting position and check that the
bubble still sits in the center of the level. If it does, turn the telescope 180 degrees and
check the level again. You can focus the device once all 3 positions show the bubble in
the center of the level.

7. If the bubble is not centered in any of the 3 positions, repeat the leveling process
until it is.
b. Taking Measurement
Suppose that B, C, and D are points whose reduced levels is to be determined as in below
figure:
1. Place the staff over benchmark (BM), whose reduced level is known, and set up the
instrument in a convenient and safe location where BM (point A) is visible. Take a sight
on the staff, that reading is called back-sight (B. S.).

Points whose Reduced Level is to be determined

2. Place staff over B. Take a sight on the staff, that reading is called intermediate sight
(I. S.) See Below Figure.

Levelling Procedure

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 3. Place staff over C. Since the distance between the level and D is so long, so it is not
possible to read the staff over D from the current level positions (pos 1). So take the
last reading over C for this position, this will be a foresight (F. S.). See below figure.
4. Now move the instrument to a new position (position 2) and take the reading on the
previous position of the staff (over C). This position of staff is known as turning
point (T. P.) and this reading will be back-sight.
5. Now, shift the staff to point D and take the reading, this reading will be foresight.
Observation Table :

Calculation :
Using H. I. method
1. The height of instrument at position 1 can be calculated as
H. I. of position 1 = Elevation of B. M. + B. S. at B. M.
2. The reduced level of any point (i) taken from position 1 can be calculated as :
R. L. of Point (i) = H. I. of position 1 – staff reading at point (i).
3. The height of instrument at position 2 can be calculated as :
H. I. of position 1 = Reduced Level at T. P. 1 + B. S. at T. P. 1.
4. The reduced level of any point (i) taken from position 2, can be calculated as :
R. L. of position (i) = H. I. of position 2 – staff reading at point (i).
5. And so on.
Result : The difference between the two stations by Height of instrument is ….. m.

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EXPERIMENT NO. - 10

AIM – Difference in level between two given stations by Rise & Fall Method
Theory : Levelling – it’s a branch of surveying, the object of which is: (a) to find the
elevations of given points w.r.t. a given or assumed datum, and (b) to establish points at a given
elevation or at different elevations w.r.t. 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. It deals with measurements in vertical plane.
Reduced Levels - The system of working out the reduced level of the points from staff reading
taken in the field is called as reduced level (R.L) of a points is the elevation of the point with
reference to the same datum.
Procedure :
a. Setting Up of Level
1. Find a benchmark location near the spot you want to measure. A benchmark location
is a spot that you already know the height.
2. Set your tripod up near the spot you want to measure. Place your tripod on a patch of
flat, clear ground that sits between your benchmark location and the spot you want to
measure. Then, undo the latches on your tripod’s legs and extend each leg out. Adjust the
legs until your tripod is completely level, then close each latch.
3. Connect your device to the tripod and position it over 2 levelling screws. Screw your
dumpy level onto the tripod’s base plate, then connect the base plate to the main tripod
body. Once the instrument is securely attached, turn the dumpy level’s telescope so that
it sits parallel with 2 of the device’s levelling screws.
4. Level the device by adjusting the 2 leveling screws. Look for the bubble level located
somewhere on your device. Grab the 2 leveling screws that are parallel to the device’s
telescope and twist them in opposite directions. Do this until the bubble sits in the exact
center of the level. For the best results, turn the screws with an even amount of force and
pressure.
5. Turn your telescope 90˚ and adjust the third leveling screw. After adjusting your first
2 leveling screws, turn your telescope approximately 90 degrees so that it sits parallel to
the device’s third leveling screw. Then, adjust this screw until the bubble once again sits
in the center of the level.
6. Check your level’s calibration by turning it 180 degrees. After making your initial
leveling adjustments, return your telescope to its starting position and check that the

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 bubble still sits in the center of the level. If it does, turn the telescope 180 degrees and
check the level again. You can focus the device once all 3 positions show the bubble in
the center of the level.
7. If the bubble is not centered in any of the 3 positions, repeat the leveling process until it
is.
b. Taking Measurement
Suppose that B, C, and D are points whose reduced levels is to be determined as in below figure:
1. Place the staff over benchmark (BM), whose reduced level is known, and set up the
instrument in a convenient and safe location where BM (point A) is visible. Take a sight
on the staff, that reading is called back-sight (B. S.).

Points whose Reduced Level is to be determined

2. Place staff over B. Take a sight on the staff, that reading is called intermediate sight
(I. S.) See Below Figure.

Levelling Procedure
3. Place staff over C. Since the distance between the level and D is so long, so it is not
possible to read the staff over D from the current level positions (pos 1). So take the
last reading over C for this position, this will be a foresight (F. S.). See below figure.
4. Now move the instrument to a new position (position 2) and take the reading on the
previous position of the staff (over C). This position of staff is known as turning
point (T. P.) and this reading will be back-sight.

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 5. Now, shift the staff to point D and take the reading, this reading will be foresight.
Observation Table :
Station Readings Rise Fall Reduced Remarks
B. S. I. S. F. S. Level

Calculation :
Using Rise & Fall method
1. Rise or fall can be calculated by subtracting the consecutive staff readings. If back sight
is more than foresight or indetermediate sight, it is indicated as Rise, and when back
sight is less than the foresight it is fall.
2. RL of station = RL of BS + Rise
OR, RL of station = RL of BS – Fall
3. RL of next station = RL of previous station + Rise
OR, RL of next station = RL of previous station – Fall.
4. And so on.
Check: - ∑ BS - ∑ FS = Last RL – First RL = ∑ Rise - ∑ Fall
Result : The difference between the two stations by Height of instrument is ….. m.

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