A contour is defined as an imaginary line of constant elevation on the ground

surface. It can also be defined as the line of intersection of a level surface with the
ground surface. For example, the line of intersection of the water surface of a still
lake or pond with the surrounding ground represents a contour line.
A line joining points of equal elevations is called a contour line. It facilitates
depiction of the relief of terrain in a two dimensional plan or map
Contour interval
The difference in elevation between successive contour lines on a given map is
fixed.
This vertical distance between any two contour lines in a map is called the contour
interval (C.I.) of the map. Figure 17.1(a) shows contour interval of 1m
whereas Figure 17.1(b) shows 10m.

The choice of suitable contour interval in a map depends upon four principal
considerations. These are:

Nature of the Terrain

Scale of the Map
Accuracy
Time of Cos

Nature of Terrain

The contour interval depends upon the nature of the terrain (Table 17.1). For flat
ground, a small contour interval is chosen whereas for undulating and broken
ground, greater contour interval is adopted.

Table 17.1 Contour Interval ( CI) for different types of Survey

Sl. No

Purpose of
survey

Scale

Building site

1/1000 or less 0.2 to 0.5

Town
planning,
reservoir etc.
Location
Survey,
earthwork, etc.

CI (m)

1/5,000 to
1/10,000

0.5 to 2

1/10,000 to
1/20,000

1 to 3

Scale of the Map

The contour interval normally varies inversely to the scale of the map i.e., if the scale
of map is large, the contour interval is considered to be small and vice versa (Table
17.2).
Table 17.2 CI for different scales and types of Ground
Type
SI.NO Map Scale

of

CI(m)

Terrain

Large
(1:1000 or

Rolling 0.5 to 1

less)

Hilly

Intermediate Flat
2

0.5

1 to 2
0.5 to
1.5

(1:1000 to 1: Rolling 1.5 to 2

10,000)
Hilly 2 to 3
Small

0.2 to

Flat

Flat

1 to 3

(1: 10,000 or Rolling 3 to 5

more)

Hilly

5 to 10

Accuracy
Accuracy need of surveying work also decide the contour interval. Surveying for
detailed design work or for earthwork calculations demands high accuracy and thus a
small contour interval is used. But in case of location surveys where the desired
accuracy is less, higher contour interval should be used.

Time and Cost

If the contour interval is small, greater time and funds will be required in the field
survey, in reduction and in plotting the map. If the time and funds available are
limited, the contour interval may be kept large.

Horizontal equivalent
The horizontal distance between two points on two consecutive contour lines for a
given slope is known as horizontal equivalent. For example, in Figure 17.1
(b) having contour interval 10m, the horizontal equivalent in a slope of 1 in 5
would be 50 m. Thus, horizontal equivalent depends upon the slope of the ground
and required grade for construction of a road, canal and contour interval.
Characteristics of contour
1. The variation of vertical distance between any two contour lines is assumed
to be uniform.
2. The horizontal distance between any two contour lines indicates the
amount of slope and varies inversely on the amount of slope. Thus,
contours are spaced equally for uniform slope (Figure 17.2); closely for
steep slope contours (Figure 17.3) and widely for moderate slope (Figure
17.4).

3. The steepest slope of terrain at any point on a contour is represented along

the normal of the contour at that point (Figure 17.5). They are

perpendicular to ridge and valley lines where they cross such lines.

4. Contours do not pass through permanent structures such as buildings

(Figure 17.6)

5. Contours of different elevations cannot cross each other (caves and

overhanging cliffs are the exceptions). (Figure 17.7)

6. Contours of different elevations cannot unite to form one contour (vertical

cliff is an exception). (Figure 17.8)

7. Contour lines cannot begin or end on the plan.

8. A contour line must close itself but need not be necessarily within the limits
of the map.
9. A closed contour line on a map represents either depression or hill (Figure
17.9(a)). A set of ring contours with higher values inside, depicts a hill
whereas the lower value inside, depicts a depression (without an

outlet) Figure 17.9(b).

10. Contours deflect uphill at valley lines and downhill at ridge lines. Contour
lines in U-shape cross a ridge and in V-shape cross a valley at right angles.
The concavity in contour lines is towards higher ground in the case of ridge
and towards lower ground in the case of valley (Figure 17.10).

11. Contours do not have sharp turnings.

Contoring methods
The method of establishing / plotting contours in a plan or map is known as
contouring. It requires planimetric position of the points and drawing of contours
from elevations of the plotted points. Contouring involves providing of vertical
control for location of points on the contours and horizontal control for
planimetric plotting of points. Thus, contouring depends upon the instruments
used (to determine the horizontal as well as vertical position of points). In general,
the field methods of contouring may be divided into two classes:
Direct methods
Indirect methods
Direct Method
In the direct method, the contour to be plotted is actually traced on the ground.
Points which happen to fall on a desired contour are only surveyed, plotted and
finally joined to obtain the particular contour. This method is slow and tedious and
thus used for large scale maps, small contour interval and at high degree of
precision. Direct method of contouring can be employed using Level and Staff as
follows:
Vertical control : In this method, a benchmark is required in the project area. The
level is set up on any commanding position and back sight is taken on the bench
mark. Let the back sight reading on the bench mark be 1.485 m. If the reduced
level of the bench mark is 100 m, the height of instrument would be 100 + 1.485 =
101.485 m. To locate the contour of 100.5 m value, the staff man is directed to
occupy the position on the ground where the staff reading is 101.485 -100.500 =
0.985 m. Mark all such positions on the ground where the staff reading would be
0.985 m by inserting pegs. Similarly locate the points where the staff reading
would be 101.485 -101 = 0.485 m for 101m contour. The contour of 101.5 m
cannot be set from this setting of the instrument because the height of instrument
for this setting of the instrument is only 101.485 m. Therefore, locating contours
of higher value, the instrument has to be shifted to some other suitable position.
Establish a forward station on a firm ground and take fore sight on it. This point
acts as a point of known elevation, for shifting the position of the instrument to
another position, from where the work proceeds in the similar manner till the
entire area is contoured.
Horizontal control : The horizontal control is generally provided by method of
plane table surveying or locating the positions of points by other details in which
will be discussed in later module (Figure 17.11).

Grid method

In this method, the area to be surveyed is divided into a grid or series of squares
(Figure 17.12). The grid size may vary from 5 m x 5 m to 25 m x 25 m depending
upon the nature of the terrain, the contour interval required and the scale of the
map desired. Also, the grids may not be of the same size throughout but may vary
depending upon the requirement and field conditions. The grid corners are
marked on the ground and spot levels of these comers are determined by leveling.
The grid is plotted to the scale of the map and the spot levels of the grid corners
are entered. The contours of desired values are then located by interpolation.
Special care should be taken to give the spot levels to the salient features of the
ground such as hilltops, deepest points of the depressions, and their
measurements from respective corners of the grids, for correct depiction of the
features. The method is used for large scale mapping and at average precision.

Radial method

In this method, a number of radial lines are set out at known angular interval at
each station and points are marked at the ground at convenient distance apart on
the rays that are set. Spot levels of these points are determined by leveling. The
points are plotted to the scale of the map and spot levels are entered. The

contours of desired values are then located by interpolation. This method is

convenient in hilly terrain with level stations chosen at high points so as to
command a large area from each. Horizontal control may be obtained by taping
Comparision b/w direct and indirect method
Direct Method
Indirect Method
Very accurate but slow and Not very accurate but quicker
1
tedious
and less tedious.
2 Expensive
Reasonable cost
Suitable for large projects
Appropriate for small
requiring moderate to low
projects requiring high
accuracy, e.g., layout of
3 accuracy, e.g., layout of
highway, railway, canal, etc.
building, factory, structural
foundations, etc.
More suitable for low
undulating terrain.
Calculations need to be
5
carried out in thefield
After contouring,
6 calculation cannot be
checked.
4

Suitable for hilly terrain.

Calculation in the field is not
mandatory.
Calculations can be checked as
and when needed

Drawing of contours
Points of desired elevation, at which contours are desired to be drawn, are
interpolated in between observed points. Then, contours are drawn by joining
points of equal elevation by smooth curves keeping in mind the principal
characteristics of contour. They are then inked in, preferably in brown to
distinguish them from other features. The contour value is written down in a gap
in the line provided for the purpose. Every fifth contour is drawn bolder to make it
distinguishable from the rest.

An imaginary line on the surface of the earth having a constant inclination with
the horizontal (slope) is called contour gradient. The inclination of a contour
gradient is generally given either as rising gradient or falling gradient, and is
expressed as ratio of the vertical height to a specified horizontal distance. If the
inclination of a contour gradient is 1 in 50, it means that for every 50 m horizontal
distance, there is a rise (or fall) of 1 m.
When the inclination of a contour gradient is given its direction from a point may
be easily located either on the map or on the ground by the methods discussed
below.
Contour gradient
With the aid of contour plan, it is easy to trace a contour gradient of desired
inclination on a paper, and even transfer it later to the ground (Figure 18.1).

To locate a rising gradient of 1 in 100 from a point say P situated on 200 m

contour on the map having contour interval 5 m at a scale of 1: 5000, draw an arc
of radius

with radius at P. The arc cuts the 205 m contour at Q. Locate R and S on 210m and
215 m contours taking arcs of radius of 10 mm with centres at R and S,
respectively. Join P,Q,R and S. The line P to S represents the contour gradient on
the ground having constant slope of 1 in 100.
Uses of contour
Contours provide valuable information about the nature of terrain. This is very
important for selection of sites, determination of catchment area of a drainage
basin, to find intervisibility between stations etc. Some of the salient uses of
contours are described below.

Nature of ground

To visualize the nature of ground along a cross section of interest, a line say XY is
being considered through the contour map (Figure 18.3). The intersection points
between the line and contours are projected at different elevations of the contours
are projected and joined by smooth curve. The smooth curve depicts the nature of
the ground surface along XY.

To locate route

Contour map provides useful information for locating a route at a given gradient
such as highway, canal, sewer line etc.
Let it be required to locate a route from P to Q at an upward gradient of 1 in 100.
The contour map of the area is available at a contour interval of 5 meter at a scale
of 1:10000. The horizontal equivalent will therefore be equal to 100 meter. Then
with centre at P with a radius of 2 cm draw an arc to cut the next higher contour,
say at q. With q as centre, mark the next higher contour by an arc of radius 2 cm
say at r. Similarly, other points such as s,t,u. etc are obtained and joining the
points provides the location of route.

Intervisibility between Stations

When the intervisibility between two points can not be ascertained by inspection
of the area, it can be determined using contour map. The intervisibility is
determined by drawing a line joining the stations / points say PQ and plot the
elevations of the points and contours intersected by PQ as shown in Figure 18.3. If
the intervening ground is found to be above A'B' line, the intervisibility is
obstructed. In the figure, the ground is obstructing the line of sight.

To Determine Catchment Area or Drainage Area

The catchment area of a river is determined by using contour map. The watershed
line which indicates the drainage basin of a river passes through the ridges and
saddles of the terrain around the river. Thus, it is always perpendicular to the
contour lines. The catchment area contained between the watershed line and the
river outlet is then measured with a planimeter (Figure 18.4).

Storage capacity of a Reservoir

The storage capacity of a reservoir is determined from contour map. The contour
line indicating the full reservoir level (F.R.L) is drawn on the contour map. The area
enclosed between successive contours are measured by planimeter (Figure 18.5).
The volume of water between F.R.L and the river bed is finally estimated by using
either Trapezoidal formula or Prismoidal formula.

The elevation of a terrain thus topography of earth is represented by contour. It is

depicted pictorially by lines joining points of equal elevations obtained either by
radial line or by grid method of leveling. Contour map is used for locating/laying
of routes, to determine the storage capacity of reservoir etc. and many other
engineering works.

Contour : Line joining points of equal elevation.

Prismoidal formula :

V=

1 [A1 + An + 4 (A2 + A4 +...... ) + 2 (A3 + A5 + ...)]

where V = Volume orcapicity of the reservior

A1 = Area enclosed by F.R.L. contour
A2, A3 , . , An = Area enclosed by other successive contours
h = contour interval
Trapezoidal formula :

V=h[

+ A2 + A3 + An-1]

where V = Volume orcapicity of the reservior

A1 = Area enclosed by F.R.L. contour
A2, A3 , . , An = Area enclosed by other successive contours
h = contour interval