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Contours

Contours are lines connecting points of equal elevation, used by surveyors and engineers for accurate terrain representation and various engineering applications. Key characteristics include spacing related to slope steepness and the necessity for contour lines to close upon themselves without crossing. Methods of contouring include direct contouring on-site and indirect contouring using a grid system for level determination.

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1 views2 pages

Contours

Contours are lines connecting points of equal elevation, used by surveyors and engineers for accurate terrain representation and various engineering applications. Key characteristics include spacing related to slope steepness and the necessity for contour lines to close upon themselves without crossing. Methods of contouring include direct contouring on-site and indirect contouring using a grid system for level determination.

Uploaded by

fchirambo1
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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1/10/2021

Contours Contours (cont…)

• Contour defined: • Surveyors and engineers use contours to depict


– A line connecting points of equal elevation; Charles relief. Why?
Ghilani & Paul Wolf, (2008). • Because they provide accurate quantitative
– A line joining all points of equal level; W. Schofield, representation of terrain.
(1984).
• Contours are used by engineers in the following
• A contour is an imaginary line of constant elevation ways:
on the ground surface. a) In the computations of volumes.
• If locations of several ground points of equal b) In the construction of lines of constant gradient.
elevation are plotted on a drawing, a line joining c) In delineating the limits of construction work.
these points is called a contour line. d) In delineation and measurement of drainage areas.

Contours lines
Characteristics of Contour lines
• Note that the V- shape
points downwards the 1. The horizontal distance between contour lines is
slope (valley). inversely proportional to slope. On steep slopes the
contour lines are spaced closely.
• In contrast to the ridge the 2. On uniform slopes the contour lines are spaced
V- shape points upwards to uniformly.
indicate a ravine. 3. Along plane surfaces contour lines are straight and
parallel to one another.
4. As contour lines represent level lines, they are
perpendicular to lines of steep slopes.
Mountainous terrain &
steep sided valley

5. All contour lines must close upon themselves. It Contours Interval


follows that a closed line on a map indicates either
a summit or a depression. • Contour Interval –constant vertical distance
6. Contours cannot merge or cross one another on a between contours.
map. • The contour interval used is dependant upon:
7. A single contour line cannot lie between two 1) The desired accuracy elevation read from the map.
contour lines of higher or lower elevation. 2) The characteristic features of terrain.
3) Cost: the smaller the interval adopted, the greater the
amount of work resulting in higher cost.
4) Legibility and purpose of map: where a plan is
required for detailed design, the interval may be as
low as 0.5m or up to 2m on larger sites. For general
topographic mapping the interval may range from 5 –
20m depending on nature of terrain.

1
1/10/2021

Methods of contouring

1) Direct contouring; the actual contour is pegged


out on the ground and its planimetric position
surveyed (leveling). It is adopted on sites where
construction is done. End of lesson
2) Indirect contouring; it involves establishing a
grid over the area and obtaining levels at corners
of grid squares. Linear interpolation between
levels is used to locate the contours.

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