CONTOUR • For preparing contour maps to

select the most economical or

➢ An imaginary line on ground
suitable site.
joining the points of equal
• To locate the alignment of a canal
elevation above the assumed
so that it follows a ridge line.
datum is called a contour.
➢ They can be used to learn about • To mark the alignment of roads
the shape of the land (the relief). and railways so that the quantity of
➢ The actual pattern of the lines will earthwork and the filling is
tell you more detail about the area. minimized.
• To obtain information about the
ground, whether it is flat,
undulating, or mountainous.
• To determine the capacity of a
reservoir and the volume of
earthwork, especially in
mountainous regions.
• To trace a given grade along a
particular route.
• To identify physical features of the
Contour Map - A map showing contour ground such as ponds,
lines is known as a contour map. depressions, hills, and steep or
gentle slopes.
➢ A contour map shows both the
elevation and layout of surface
features, combining plan and
cross-section information.

➢ The process of tracing contour

lines on the surface of the earth is
called contouring.

Purpose of Contouring

A contour survey is conducted at the

beginning of engineering projects such Contour interval:
as roads, railways, canals, dams, and
The vertical distance between any two
buildings.
consecutive contours is called the
contour interval.
 6. Closed contours show a hill or
depression, and low areas between hills
are called saddles.

METHODS OF CONTOURING

1. Direct Method

Horizontal equivalent: The Direct Method is a technique where

contour lines are located and drawn
The least horizontal distance between directly in the field by identifying points
any consecutive contours is known as that have the same elevation. Instead of
the horizontal equivalent. calculating elevations later, the surveyor
actually traces each contour line on the
ground.

• Contours to be located are directly

traced out in the field by locating
and marking a number of points
on each contour. These points are
then surveyed and plotted on plan
and the contours drawn through
them.
• this method is most accurate but
Characteristics of Contour Lines very slow and tedious as a lot of
time is wasted in searching points
1. Contour lines are close together on
of the same elevation for contour.
steep slopes and far apart on gentle or
flat areas. • This is suitable for small area and
where great accuracy is required.
2. Uniform spacing of contour lines
indicates a consistent slope, while
straight, evenly spaced lines show a flat PROCEDURE
surface. a) A leveling instrument is set up at a
3. Contour lines do not cross or merge, suitable position in the survey
except in cases like vertical or area.
overhanging cliffs. b) A specific contour value (e.g. 50m,
48m) is selected.
4. Contour lines always form closed c) The surveyor moves the staff
loops and never end abruptly. around the area to find points that
5. Contours do not have sharp turnings. match the required elevation.
 d) When the staff reading DIRECT METHOD BY RADIAL LINES
corresponds to the chosen
➢ Suitable for small areas controlled
contour value, that point is marked
from a single central point.
on the ground.
➢ Radial lines extend from the
e) Several such points are located
center using a theodolite or
and marked to represent the same
compass.
elevation.
➢ Positions of lines determined by
f) These points are then connected
horizontal angles and bearings.
directly in the field to trace the
➢ Known as the Radial Lines
contour line.
Method of contouring.
g) The process is repeated for other
contour values until the entire area
is covered.
PROCEDURE

a) Temporary benchmarks are set at

EXAMPLE: the center and ends of radial lines.
b) Contour points are marked on
1. Instrument height example: 82.48
these lines by measuring their
m
distances.
2. Staff readings for contours at 82,
c) Points are plotted on the plan, and
81, and 80 m are 0.48, 1.48, and
contours are drawn by connecting
2.48 m respectively.
them using a plane table.
3. Staff is positioned approximately
at a point and moved along the
slope to get the desired reading.
2. Indirect Method
4. Mark each point with a peg once
the correct reading is found. ➢ Indirect method of contouring is
5. Repeat for various points on each commonly employed in small
contour line. scale surveys of extensive areas.
6. Join all marked points to form the This method is cheaper, quicker
contour line. and less tedious as compared with
7. Locate one contour at a time. direct method of contouring.
8. After fixing contours within Indirect method of contouring can
instrument range, move and set be employed in three different
up the level at a new position. ways:
a. By Squares Method

b. By Cross Sections Method

c. By Radial Lines Method

 determined using leveling
instruments.
➢ In this method, the points located
d) The grid system is plotted on
and surveyed are not necessarily
paper to the required scale, and
on the contour lines but the spot
the corresponding elevations are
levels are taken along the series
written at each corner.
of lines laid out over the area.
e) The positions of contour lines are
➢ The spot levels of the several
estimated between points of
representative points representing
known elevations through
hills, depressions, ridge and valley
interpolation.
lines and the changes in the slope
f) Finally, smooth contour lines are
all over the area to be contoured
drawn by connecting points of
are also observed.
equal elevation.
➢ Their positions are then plotted on
the plan and the contours drawn
by interpolation.
➢ This method of contouring is also
known as contouring by spot
levels

a) By Squares Method

➢ is an indirect method of contouring

where the survey area is divided
into a grid of equal or varying
b) By Cross Sections Method
squares. Elevations are measured
at the corners of each square, and ➢ The Cross Section Method is an
contour lines are later drawn indirect method of contouring
based on these values. mainly used for route surveys
such as roads, railways, and
PROCEDURE
canals. Instead of covering the
a) The area to be surveyed is first whole area with a grid, elevations
divided into a series of squares are taken along a central line and
based on the required accuracy across it.
and nature of the ground.
PROCEDURE
b) The corners of each square are
marked on the ground using pegs a) A center line is first established
to establish reference points. along the proposed route of the
c) The elevation (Reduced Level) of road, railway, or canal.
each corner point is then b) At regular intervals along this
center line, cross-sections are
 taken perpendicular (or slightly a) A survey station is first
inclined) to it. established, usually at a
c) The spacing of these cross- convenient location such as the
sections depends on the terrain, top or base of a hill.
being closer in hilly areas and b) From this station, several radial
wider in flat areas. lines are laid out at equal angular
d) Along each cross-section line, intervals using an instrument like a
elevations (Reduced Levels) of theodolite.
various points are measured using c) Along each radial line, points are
leveling instruments. selected at different distances
e) All measured points are then from the station.
plotted on a plan at their correct d) The horizontal distance to each
positions. point is measured.
f) Points with equal elevations are e) Staff readings are taken using a
identified between sections using leveling instrument, typically using
interpolation. the top, middle, and bottom hairs
g) Finally, contour lines are drawn by (stadia method).
joining points of equal elevation f) Using these readings, the
smoothly across the sections. distance and elevation (Reduced
Level) of each point are
calculated.
g) All points are then plotted on a
plan based on their distance and
direction from the station.
h) Finally, contour lines are drawn by
interpolation, connecting points of
equal elevation.

C) by Tachometric/Radiation method

➢ is an indirect method of contouring

that is especially suitable for
mapping hills or elevated areas. In
this method, measurements are
taken along lines radiating from a
single point, similar to spokes of a
wheel.
PROCEDURE
 DIRECT INDIRECT
METHOD METHOD
The method is Not very accurate
accurate but very but quicker
slow and
troublesome
expensive cheap
For small projects For larger projects
where greater where greater
accuracy is accuracy is not
required required
Unsuitable for hilly Suitable for all
areas types of projects
Calculation is Calculation is not
done in the field done in the field