Take Rod Readings and Calculate Elevations
Topic 2 – Take Rod Readings and Calculate Elevations
A leveling rod consists of multiple sections and rods are various lengths. Like a carpenter’s tape measure, rods can be in feet, inches and fractions (architectural) or in metric. Alternatively, Engineer’s rods can be used which are divided into feet and decimal feet. The markings on a leveling rod will vary in thickness to match the increments used.
A single elevation can be found by adding the benchmark to the backsight reading to determine the Instrument height. Then a foresight reading is taken to the desired location. This reading is either added (location is below the instrument) or subtracted (rod is inverted) from the Instrument height
For more details, review Instruction Sheet (IS) on Brightspace:
CNST 102 (p. 40 – 46, 51 – 54)
- IS 3.2 Levelling Rods
- IS 4.2 Calculate Elevations
For additional information and terms used for operating the builder’s level refer to Carpentry Chapter 27 – Leveling and Layout Tools.