Height Systems and Precise Levelling Techniques

Mode of Delivery

Face to Face

Prerequisites and Co-Requisites

None

Recommended Optional Programme Components

Coordinate Systems and Transformations Surface Fitting Geodetic Parameters Advanced Physical Geodesy

Course Contents

Introduction and general concept. Determination of geoid and mean sea level. Height systems (geopotential height, orthometric height, normal height, ellipsoidal height). Leveling techniques, classical and electronic presice level instruments. Measurement and evaluaition. Presice trigonometric levelling. Motorize presice trigonometric levelling. Presice GPS levelling. Valley crossing levelling method. Hydrostatic levelling. Some example applications.

Weekly Schedule

1) Height concept. Height systems: Orthometric height, Ellipsoidal height, Geopotential height, Trigonometric height.
2) Height systems: Orthometric height, Ellipsoidal height, Geopotential height, Trigonometric height. Relations between height systems.
3) Precise geometric leveling equipments. Classic precise spirit levels, classical invar levelling rods. Plane-parallel plate micrometer and classical invar mira reading. Mira constant. Classic precise leveling measurements and precision calculations.
4) Precise geometric leveling equipments. Classic precise spirit levels, classical invar levelling rods. Plane-parallel plate micrometer and classical invar mira reading. Mira constant. Classic precise leveling measurements and precision calculations.
5) Precise geometric leveling equipments. Digital precise spirit levels, invar levelling rods with bar code. Reading principles of precise levelling rods with bar code. Precise digital geometric levelling measurements and precision calculations. Comparison of conventional equipments with digital equipments.
6) Precise geometric leveling equipments. Digital precise spirit levels, invar levelling rods with bar code. Reading principles of precise levelling rods with bar code. Precise digital geometric levelling measurements and precision calculations. Comparison of conventional equipments with digital equipments.
7) Sources of error in precise geometric levelling. Collimation error, it's control and calibration. Earth curvature error. Refraction error. Tidal acceleration. Rod plumbing error.
8) Midterm examination/Assessment
9) Precise Trigonometric Levelling Measurements: Leap-frog method, Reciprocal method.
10) Precise Trigonometric Levelling Measurements: Leap-frog method, Reciprocal method.
11) EDM-trigonometric levelling. Motorise trigonometric levelling.
12) EDM-trigonometric levelling. Motorise trigonometric levelling.
13) Sources of error in precise trigonometric levelling. Earth curvature error. Refraction error.
14) Valley crossing levelling.
15) Laser levels and it's precision.
16) Final examination

Recommended or Required Reading

1- Pelzer, H., (1983), Precise Levelling,, Contributions to the Workshop on Precise Levelling, Dümmler, Bonn.
2- NOAA: Geodetic Levelling, Manual NOS-NGS3. National Geodetic Survey, USA, 1981.
3- Kalkan, Y. (1988), Presizyonlu Nivelmanda Dengeleme Öncesi Stokastik Model için Bir Yaklaşım, Doktora Tezi, İ.T.Ü.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1) Lecture
2) Question-Answer
3) Discussion
4) Drill and Practice
5) Modelling
6) Group Study
7) Case Study
8) Self Study
9) Problem Solving
10) Project Based Learning

Assessment Methods and Criteria

Contribution of Quiz to Course Grade	50%
Contribution of Final Examination to Course Grade	50%
Total	100%

Language of Instruction

Turkish

Work Placement(s)

Not Required