CHAPTER 10 - CONTOURING

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• The relative position of different points on the surface of the

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earth in plan are represented by a map , In order to in-hance
the significance of these maps relative elevation of these

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points is also indicate with the help of contour .
• Contour are defined as intersection of level surface with
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• Note – If contour are drawn below water surface these are
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termed as Submarine contour / Fathoms / Bathymetric curve .

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• Importance of contour map – contour are used in
engineering work in many ways :

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1. Precise location of roads , canals , railway tracks , sewers ,

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pipeline etc .

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2. Planning and designing of dams , reservoirs , aqueducts etc .
3. Selection of sites of new industries .
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4. Deciding the profile of the country .
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5. To estimate the quantity of earthwork in cutting and filling .
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• Contour interval – it is the vertical distance between the
two consecutive contour .

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• It is desirable to have constant contour interval , however in

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some special cases it can be varied but in such cases it
become difficult to make an idea about steepness or flatness

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of slope .
• It is generally kept in range of (1m – 15m) .
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Smaller is the contour interval , more is the precision in
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accuracy .
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• The contour interval depends upon several factor :

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1. Scale of map – inversely proportional to scale of map .

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scale is more contour interval is less .

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2. Purpose of map –In detailed map contour interval is less

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while in reconnaissance contour interval is more .
3. Nature of ground –

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flat – contour interval less
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steep – contour interval is more
4. Time – it is also inversely proportional .
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time is more contour interval is less .

5. Cost – cost is more contour interval is less .
Scale of map Type of ground Contour interval (metre)

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Large Flat 0.2 to 0.5

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(1cm = 10m or less) Rolling 0.5 to 1
Hilly 1, 1.5 or 2

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Intermediate Flat 0.5, 1 or 1.5
(1cm = 10m to 100m) Rolling 1, 1.5 or 2
Hilly 2, 2.5 or 3

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Small Flat 1, 2 or 3
(1cm = 100m or more) Rolling 2 to 5
Hilly 5 to 10
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Mountainous 10, 25 or 50
Purpose of survey Scale Interval (metres)

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Building sites 1cm = 10m or less 0.2 to 0.5

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Town planning schemes, 1cm = 50m to 100m 0.5 to 2
reservoirs, etc.

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Location surveys 1cm = 50m to 200m 2 to 3

 Properties of contour lines
• The elevation of contour is being marked on contour itself .

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Hence datum contour indicate coast line ( MSL) .
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Two contour line do not intersect each other except in the
case of overhanging clip or cave hill side

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• in case of vertical cliff ( generally found near sea coast ) the
contour line coincides with each other .

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• A contour line a closed curve however it may close inside or

outside the plan depending upon topography .
• Equally spaced contour signifies uniform slope (same slope) ,
however magnitude of slope will govern the magnitude of
spacing of the contour .

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• Water shed line / ridge line and valley line cross contours at
right angle .
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• Irregular contour represents uneven ground surface .

• A set of closed contour having higher elevation ( values)
inside , and lower ( values ) outside represent hillock or cliff
and lower elevation inside and higher elevation outside

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represents depression river , ravine , valley , etc.

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• The direction of the steepest slope is along the shortest

distance between the contour .
• Ridge line is the line joining the top most point across the
different section of line and valley line is the line joining the
lower most point across to a valley .

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• Two contour line having same elevation can not merge as a
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unit and continue as one line similarly single contour can not
be split into two lines .
Properties of land features typically found
on earth surface

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1. High lying forms – ex hillocks , plateau

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their contours are more or less circular in shape with
elevation increasing inward direction .

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2. Slope / Crag / Scrap – their contour with closely spaced and over
crowded .
Note – a very steep slope is termed as scrap and a high Scrap is
termed as Crag

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3. Low laying forms – ex valley , ravines , lakes , pond etc .
Their contour would be having higher elevation outward .

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• Ravine – it is depression of the earth surface elongated on one

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side with bottom syncline towards one side .

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• Valley – it is broad ravine with gentle sloping bottom .

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• Depression – if the ground is low as compare to the
surrounding land and side slopes are gentle it is termed as
depression .

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• Gorge / Canyons – if the valley floor is narrow and steep
side slope are available it is termed as Gorge .

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5. Saddle – the lowest point on watershed line is termed as
passes .
• Passes is low laying area enclosed passing through high land

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forms ( hillock / mountains ) on both sides .
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Through these passes river stream may also pass.
• When this low laying area is broad it is termed a Saddle .

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6. Escarpment – it is a high land having narrow top flat with
steep slope on outside ( scrap ) and gentle slope on other side.

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 Method of contouring

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• Method of square – for the small open area where contour are

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required at a closed vertical interval .

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• Method of cross section – for road , railway and canal survey
• Tachometric method – for hilly areas

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• Direct method – for large scale maps when ground surface is
irregular .
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Q. A contour may be defined as an imaginary line passing
through

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1. Points on the longitudinal section

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2. Points of equal elevation

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3. Points of equal local ground slope

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4. Points of traverse section survey

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( IES 2012 )
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Q. Consider the following characteristics of contour :

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1. A uniform slope is indicated when contour lines are

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uniformly spaced

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2. Contour lines can not end anywhere but can close on
themselves

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3. A set of closed contour indicates a depression or a summit ,

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according to the lower or higher values being respectively
inward
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which of the above statements are correct ?

a. 1 and 2

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b. 1 , 2 and 3

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c. 1 and 3
d. 2 and 3

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Q. The contour line are perpendicular to the

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1. Ridge line

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2. Valley line

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3. Both 1 and 2

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4. None of the above

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( IES 2006 )
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Q. Closed contour with higher value inside represents

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1. Valley

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2. Hill

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3. Depression

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4. Ridge

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Q. Two contour of different elevation do not cross each other
except in case of a

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1. Cliff

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2. Ridge

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3. Overhanging cliff

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4. Valley

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( SSC JE 2010 )
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Q. The direct method of contouring is

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1. Very slow method

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2. Most accurate method

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3. Suitable for small areas

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4. All of the above

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( SSC JE 2009 )
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Q. The horizontal distance between any two consecutive contour
is called

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1. Vertical equivalent

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2. Horizontal equivalent

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3. Contour interval

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4. Contour gradient

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( SSC JE 2012 )
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