Determination of precise difference in elevation using the method of trigonometric leveling with Total Station

Abstract

The advances of the microelectronics applied to the instruments used in
Topography and Geodesy have led to the development of precise, light and easy
handling equipments, as the Total Stations, which have enormously facilitated the
field work. With such characteristics, an issue raises: the achievement of the precise
difference in elevation when using the method of trigonometric leveling with total
station. A research was carried out in order to find out the accuracy in the
determination of elevation difference by trigonometric leveling using total stations
classified by the Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) as of low,
medium and high precision - in comparison with the elevation difference obtained
by the method of the differential leveling established in accordance with the
Especificações e Normas Gerais para Levantamentos Geodésicos do Instituto
Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). The results present the expected
accuracy and depend on the precision of the total station.