Survey Level Instruments: The History and Types

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Survey Level Instruments: The History and Types

Surveying is a profession that has been around since 2500 BC which was when Stonehenge was thought to be built. However, when this occurred the tools used to survey were different from the tools and equipment used today. The people who built Stonehenge did this through what is known as geometry today and with the use of a peg/rope system. However, the Greeks were the first to develop surveying equipment to help divide land plots. As advancements have been made, the understanding of geometry, calculus, physics, and engineering is required for todays surveyor to use proper equipment in order to survey correctly. In the context of the evolution of survey-level instruments, it’s crucial to consider the role of survey design. Survey design has fundamentally shaped the functionality and accuracy of these tools, guiding the development of more precise and reliable methods for capturing topographical data. This approach not only streamlines data collection but also enhances the interpretative capabilities of surveyors in diverse fields. This paper is structured on the different types of survey levels, such as the dumpy, Cushing, Cooke’s reversible, and automatic level and the history of these levels. This topic is of interest to the author in order to become more familiar with the survey levels to accurately determine which level should be used for different surveying requirements.

The first level that will be discussed is the dumpy level, otherwise known as the builders level. The dumpy level is one of the most used instruments found in surveying. William Gravatt, who was an English engineer, invented the dumpy level while using many components of the wye level in 1832.2 Gravatt also created supplementary parts to add to the leveling equipment, but this additional equipment added additional weight as well which made it hard for surveyors to effectively transport the equipment. The dumpy level determines the distance and height while surveying the land. This type of level has a fixed telescope to observe the distance of an item through a straight line and rotates along a spindle. The dumpy level has an eyepiece to view the item that is far in the distance, an objective lens with crosshairs, a focusing screw to bring clarity to the distant item, a bubble tube in order to make sure that the telescope is level when surveying, and it is usually mounted on a tripod. The dumpy level is used for fieldwork since it is more compatible and stable. The dumpy level can measure vertical distances to 300 feet, depending on atmospheric conditions.

The next survey instrument to be discussed is the Cushing level, which is like the dumpy level in the fact that the scopes are both fixed to the rest of the equipment. The Cushing level was created by Mr. Thomas Cushing, who was an Inspector of Scientific Instruments for India. Cushing levels were an improvement from the dumpy level for the fact that the objective and eyepiece ends can be interchangeable.

The next level to be discussed is Cookes Reversible level which combines the features of the dumpy level as well as other levels. The telescope can be rotated as well as removed from the rest of the equipment. The Cookes level was patented by Messre. T. Cooke & Sons. This level would be well-liked by surveyors since the error can be eliminated because of the left and right bubble readings of the telescope.

The last level to be discussed is the automatic level is much like the dumpy level in the fact that the scope is attached to the legs and supports of the equipment. This level is advanced compared to the other levels discussed and is modern-day equipment. The automatic level includes an internal compensator and removes and reduces any variation in the measurements. This level is very accurate, but form more accurate readings many people add compensators to the inside of the telescope. The compensator is two prisms inside of the telescope to create a path with the objective and eyepiece.

Throughout the course of history, high precision equipment has been made to help advance ancient societies into the society it is today. Even though many surveyors now use GPS and GIS systems to survey plots of land, many steps had to be taken before this technology came into existence. There are many different types of levels such as the most well known, dumpy level, which was one of the first leveling tools that led the blueprint for more leveling tools. The wye level was similar to the dumpy level but is more accurate and precise. The Cushing level allows for the eyepiece and objective to be used on either end of the scope. The Cooke’s reversible level is very similar to the dumpy and wye levels, but it has many upgrades. Finally, the automatic level combines many of the other features of the previous levels. The advancement of surveying level equipment has provided assistance to Geodetic surveyors to measure large quantities of land and property across the globe. Surveying and the equipment used with surveying are extremely important for humans for the advancement of understanding Mother Earth and to protect our planet.

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