Contouring
Part 2
Contouring Methods:
1- Direct contouring
In this method, the positions of contours are located on the ground by leveling as shown
in the figure below.
A level is set up in the area so that as much ground as possible can be covered by staff
observations from the instrument position. A back sight is taken to a bench mark or other
point of known elevation. The height of the line of sight above sea level called also
height of instrument (HI) is calculated. For example:
H(BM) = 911.87 m
BS= 1.78 m
HI= H(BM) + BS = 911.87 +1.78 =913.65 m
To locate each contour, the required staff readings are:
At 910 m contour = 913.65 – 910 = 3.65 m
911 m contour = 913.65 - 911 = 2.65 m
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912 m contour = 913.65 – 912 = 1.65 m
913 m contour = 913.65 - 913 = 0.65 m
Considering the 912 m contour, the surveyor directs the person holding the staff to move
until a staff reading of 1.65 m is obtained. At this point a signal is given by the surveyor
so that the staff position can be marked with a peg. With the staff in other positions the
procedure is repeated until the complete 912 m contour is clearly marked on the ground.
Only one contour is set out at any one time.
When other contours are located, care must be taken to ensure that pegs of different
contours are coded so that one set cannot be mistaken for another. As soon as all
contours have been marked on the ground the plan positions of all the pegs have to be
established. This can be done by some convenient detail surveying method.
Since two operations are involved the method takes longer than others but the advantage
of this technique is that it is accurate.
2- Indirect contouring
This method consists of determining the elevations of points that do not, in general,
coincide with the contour positions. These points are used as a framework on which
contours are later interpolated on a drawing. Different techniques are used in the field to
collect the coordinates (X, Y, H) of these points.
a- By grid
The area to be contoured is divided into a series of lines forming squares and ground
levels are taken at the intersection of the grid lines.
The sides of the squares can vary from 5 to 30 m, it depends on the accuracy required
and on the nature of the ground surface. The more irregular the ground surface the
greater the concentration of grid points. Methods of setting out the grid are numerous
such as: 1-chain surveying 2- theodolite and tape 3- totalstation
Following the field work, the grid is plotted and the contours interpolated either
graphically or mathematically ( see the figure below). Surveying softwares are used
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often to get the the contour map such as Liskad, Surfer. You should provide the
software with an Excel file containing the coordinates of points (X,Y,H).
b- By controlling points
For large areas, contours can be drawn from levels taken at prominent points called
spot heights such as: summits, depressions, changes in slope, and especially points
along ridge and valley lines. The total station can be used to get the coordinate of
these points. The contours are drawn by interpolation as in the previous method or by
a software. The figure below illustrates this method.
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c- By cross-section profiling
This method is suitable for route survey. Cross-sections perpendicular to the central
line of the route are taken at constant intervals. The levels of cross-section points are
determined. From this system of points, the contour lines may be drawn as shown in
the figure below.
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Applications:
In highway design, contour lines can be used to get profiles and cross-sections as illustrated in
the figure below. It is helpful in the design of vertical curves for highways and calculation of
earthwork quantities.