Methods and Interpolation

Depends on
• The Instruments available Methods of
• The use of contour map Contouring

For locating the point on the ground on

a contour,
• Position in horizontal plane and Direct Indirect
• Elevation should be known

Needs vertical and horizontal controls

• For Vertical Control: Levels, Cross
Theodolite, clinometers etc. Using Using Radial Grid/Square
Section
Traversing Lines Method
• For Horizontal control: Chain, Method
compass, plane table, theodolite etc
are used
 In the direct method, the contours to be plotted are actually located on the ground with a level by making various

points on each contour. The horizontal positions of the points so located is then determined and the points are
plotted on the plan.

1) For locating the points of the same elevation, the instrument is set up in a commanding position L in the area
and accurately levelled.
2) The height of collimation is determined after taking a back-sight on the B.M.

3) From the known height of instrument the required staff readings to fix points on the various contour points are
obtained.
4) Let the Height of Collimation = 202.50 and Let the R.L. of Contour of 200.00 is to be traced on the ground.

5) All the points which give a staff reading of 2.50 will be on the contour of 200.00.
6) To locate the R.L. of contour 199.00 the staff reading should be 3.50
and the staff readings for other contours can be determined
7) The instrument man directs the staff man to move until the staff
reading of 2.50 is obtained to locate the contour of 200
8) The points so determined is marked by means of stake... or white on
the ground.
9) Likewise other points such as A, B, C, D, E and F are
located on the contour.
10) These points are to be located by compass survey or plane table
survey
11) The survey should be conducted as soon as possible to avoid error
due to displacement of stakes
12) The points are then plotted on the plan and contours drawn by
joining them by dotted curved lines

Video [Link]
1) If the area to be contoured is small, it is more convenient to range out
radial lines from a common centre using theodolite or compass in
directions of greatest utility, their relative positions can be fixed by
measuring the angles between them or by chain survey..

2) After setting the levelling instrument at a convenient point,

commanding maximum area, the points are located of the same level
contour as shown in Fig.

3) All these points are plotted on plan and the contours drawn by joining
all the corresponding points.

Video [Link]
 The indirect methods are cheaper, quicker and less laborious than the direct method. The reduced level of a point

on the surface of the ground is called spot level or spot height.

1) The grid method is used when the area to be contoured is not very large and the ground is not much
undulating.
2) The area to be surveyed is divided in to a number of squares. The size of the square depends upon the nature
of the ground and the accuracy required.
3) A theodolite may be used to layout the lines at right angles to each other.
4) Grid lengths are marked on the ground.

5) Grid points are marked at the intersections of the grid lines. Tape and cross staff may also be used if theodolite
is not available.
6) The elevations of the ground at the corners of the squares are determined with a level.

7) To determine the levels of grid points, the levelling instrument to be set up in the middle of area at
commanding position.
8) The height of instrument is determined by taking the B.S. reading on a bench mark or by fly levelling from
bench mark.
9) The intermediate sights are taken on each of the grid points.

10) If necessary the instrument may be shifted to another point to take levels. Thus the elevation of all the grid
points are determined.
11) The system of squares is plotted and near each corner is written its elevation. The contour lines are
then interpolated.

Video [Link]
1) The cross sections method is generally used for the
determination of contours along a fixed route such as
a canal, road, railway etc.
2) Cross sections are located on the ground at right
angles to the fixed line of the route.
3) The spacing of the cross section depends upon the
nature of the ground, the contour interval and the
purpose of contouring.
4) The cross section line may be inclined at any angle to
the centre line if necessary.
5) The spacing should be kept small in ravines or of
spurs where the contours change directions abruptly
6) The reduced levels of the various points along the
section lines are plotted on the plan and the contours
are then interpolated.

Video [Link]
The process of spacing the contours proportionally between the plotted ground points is called the
interpolation of contours.

Interpolation of Contours

By Estimation By Arithmetical Calculation By Graphical Methods

In all the above methods it is assumed that the slope of the ground between any two random
points is uniform.
This method is very rough and is usually used on small scale maps. The position of contour points between the
two ground points are estimated and the contour lines are then drawn through these points

Let A and B be the two ground points which are 20 m apart and the reduced levels of A and B are 208 and 218
respectively.
The distance AC of the point C which is on the contour of R.L 210 is
 20 40
𝐴𝐶 = ×2= = 4𝑚
218 − 208 10
The distance of AD of the point D which is on the contour of R.L. 215.

20 140
×7= = 14𝑚
218 − 208 10

The points C and D are located by measurements distances AC and AD respectively with a scale divider.
 There are several graphical methods in use for interpolating contour

 In these methods the interpolation done with the help of lines drawn on a
tracing paper or tracing cloth is illustrated below in the Fig.
 In this method a number of parallel lines are drawn on a piece of tracing
cloth.
 The spacing between the lines is kept constant say representing an interval
of 1.0 m. Every fifth line being made thicker.
 Let there be two points P and Q whose elevations are 208 and 218
respectively. For locating the contour points between P and Q place the
tracing cloth on the plan such that the point P is on the third line from the
bottom.
 Thus if the bottom line represents the R.L. of 205 the point P represents an
elevation of 208.
 Now turn the tracing cloth until the point Q is on the thirteenth line from the
bottom to represent an elevation of 218
 Determine the points of intersection R and S of the line PQ with thick lines
representing 210 and 215. Pick these points on the plan. The points so
obtained are on the contours of 210 and 215.
 In this method a number of radial lines are drawn on a piece of
a tracing cloth. Draw a line A B and divide into number of equal
parts say 15.
 Bisect AB at C and draw a perpendicular CC to AB after
selecting a pole at suitable distance.
 Rule out suitable guide lines 1.1, 2.2, 3.3 etc., parallel to AB. All
the guide lines are thus equally divided by radial lines.
 The lowest radial line OB represents an elevation of 105.00.
Draw thick lines to represent an elevation of 110, 115 and 120.
 Move the tracing cloth over the plan so that, the point P lies on
the radial line representing an elevation of 108 and at the same
time the point Q lies on the radial line representing an
elevation of 118.00.
 Adjust the diagram so that line PQ is parallel to AB, pick points
of intersection of thick lines with the line PQ to obtain the
points R and S on the contours of 110 & 115.