Chapter 4 : Contouring

Contents
4.1 Contour Characteristics
4.2 Method of Contouring
4.3 Choice of Vertical Interval
4.4 Interpolating the Contours

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(1.) Contouring line

A line drawn on a plan joining

all points of same height above
or below some datum.
Contour lines are continuous
lines and cannot meet or cross
any other contour line, nor can
any one line split or join any
other line, except in the case
of a cliff or overhang.

4.1 Contour
Characteristics

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(1.) Contouring line

Contour plan and section of an island.

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(2.) Gradients

The height between successive contours is

called the vertical interval or contour
interval and is always constant over a map
or plan.

Example:

4.1 Contour
Characteristics

In Figure 4.1, determine the gradient of the ground

between
(a) the point A and C, and;
(b) the point D and E.

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
Solution:
(a) Gradient between the point A and C
10/100
= 1/10
= 1 in 10

(b) Gradient between the point D and E

10/30
= 1/3
= 1 in 3

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(3.) Reading Contours

It should be clear from the above examples

that the gradient is steep where the
contours are close together and conversely
flat where the contours are far apart.

Regular gradient

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(3.) Reading Contours

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(3.) Reading Contours

Steep Slope

Moderate slope

Uniform slope

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(3.) Reading Contours

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(3.) Reading Contours

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(3.) Reading Contours

Saddle

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(3.) Reading Contours
Saddles are a natural travel funnel between
two high points of ground. A saddle can just
be a dip in the elevation between two ridges
or mountain peaks; they do not have to be a
drastic change in elevation.

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(3.) Reading Contours

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
Mark the following
topographic
features on a
contour map
shown:
(a)Valley
(b)Saddle points
(c)Ridge line

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
B
2

C2

A2

A1

C1
B1

Draw section
A1A2, B1B2, and
C1C2 from the
contour map
shown.

4.2 Method of
Contouring

There are 3 methods of determining contours.

4.2 Method of
Contouring
(1.) Direct Method

The point of required elevation are directly

located on the field with the help of levelling
and positions of these points are then
surveyed by either chain offset method or by
the method traversing.
The contours of the required elevations are
then directly obtained by joining those points.
Levelling.

4.2 Method of
Contouring
(1.) Direct Method

Direct method of locating contours.

4.2 Method of
Contouring
(2.) Indirect Method

The contouring spot levels of the ground are

taken at random and the positions of those
points are determined by either chain offset
method or be the method of traversing and
plotted on the paper.
After the points are plotted on the paper
with their elevations written against each
point the contours of required elevations are
then drawn by interpolation.

4.1 Contour
Characteristics
(2.) Indirect Method

4.2 Method of
Contouring
(3.) Square Method

It is an indirect method of contouring in

which instead of taking levels of points at
random the whole area is divided into
regular squares of convenient size
depending upon the size of the plot to be
contoured and levels taken at the junction
of each square.

4.2 Method of
Contouring
(3.) Square Method

4.2 Method of
Contouring
Comparison of direct and indirect methods of contouring :
Direct Method

Indirect Method

Most accurate but slow and

tedious.

Not very accurate but quicker and

less tedious.

Expensive.

Very cheap.

Used for small projects

requiring higher accuracy, e.g.
layout of building, factory,
structural foundations, etc.

Used for large projects requiring

lower accuracy, e.g. layout of
highway, railway, canal, etc.

Unsuitable for hilly areas.

Suitable for hilly terrain using

tacheometry.

Calculation to be done in the

field.

Calculation in the field not

required.

After contouring, calculation

can not be checked.

Calculations can be checked as

and when needed.

4.3 Choice of Vertical

Interval
The vertical interval of the contour lines
on any plan depend on several factors,
namely:

Purpose and Extent of Survey.

Scale of the Map or Plan.
Nature of Terrain.

4.3 Choice of Vertical

Interval
Purpose and Extent of Survey

If the survey is intended for detailed design

work or for accurate earthwork calculations,
a small contour interval will be required.
The extent of survey in such cases will
generally be small.
In the case of location surveys, for lines of
communications, and for reservoir and
drainage areas, where the extent of survey
is large, a large contour interval should be
used.

4.3 Choice of Vertical

Interval
Scale of the map or plan

On small-scale maps the vertical interval

has to be fairly large.
If not, some essential details might be
obscured by the
large number of contour lines produced by a
small vertical interval.
The contour interval is normally inversely
proportional to the scale of map.
If the scale is large, the contour interval
should be small, and vice versa.

4.3 Choice of Vertical

Interval
Nature of Terrain

A contour interval chosen for a flat ground will be

highly unsuitable for undulating ground.

For flat ground, a small contour interval is chosen

whereas for undulating and broken ground, larger
contour interval should be adopted.

4.4 Interpolating the

Contours

Contour lines may be interpolated

on the grid either mathematically
or graphically.

4.4 Interpolating the

Contours
In the figure below, the levels of the grid are indicated.
Draw a 7m contour line by interpolating mathematically.

4.4 Interpolating the

Contours
Figure below represents a contouring survey using 10 mx10 m
grid squares. Find the offset distances X, Y, and Z.

6.50

7.15

7.00

6.65

7.05

7.00

7.50
8.00

8.25

Y
8.00

7.50
7.65

7.35

7.95

Z
9.25