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8 Contouring Lecture
8 Contouring Lecture
8 Contouring Lecture
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Source: www.chennaitrekkers.org
Source: http://www.codex99.com/cartography/47.html
Himalayan Region 4
CONTOUR DEFINITION
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Lets Clear the confusion about the size of scales
before proceeding further
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The contour interval depends on:
I. Nature of the Ground
Flat and uniformly sloping country: Contour Interval shall be
small
Mountainous and Steep Terrains: Contour Interval shall be large
(otherwise the contours will come too close to each other)
III. The Scale of the Map: The contour interval should be in the inverse ratio
to the scale of the map i.e. the smaller the scale, the greater is the contour
interval
Note: The contour interval is constant between the consecutive contours while the
horizontal equivalent is variable and depends upon the slope of the ground.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
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5. A series of closed
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contour lines on the
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map represent a hill,
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if the higher values HILL
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are inside 60
65
70
75
80
A HILL
CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
80
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6. A series of closed DEPRESSION
contour lines on 70
depression if the 60
A DEPRESSION
CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
Contour line cross ridge or valley line at right
angles.
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If the higher values are
90
inside the bend or loop in
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the contour, it indicates
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a Ridge.
60 50
RIDGE LINE
CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
100
50
VALLEY LINE
CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
40 30 20 10
OVERHANGING CLIFF
OVER
HANGING
CLIFF
Probably Exploring how does it feel like when
contours merge or cross each other
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CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
VERTICAL CLIFF
V
E
R
T
I
C
A
L
C
L
I
F
F
CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
Depressions between
summits is called a
saddle. It is
represented by four
70 SADDLE 70
sets of contours as 80 80
90
shown. It represents 90
90
a dip in a ridge or 100
the junction of two 110
Indirect Method
B.M 50
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Direct Method:
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In this method, the 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 DIRECT METHOD OF
and the contours drawn through them. CONTOURING
PROCEDURE:
A temporary B.M is established near the area to
be surveyed with reference to a permanent B.M
fly leveling.
The level is then set up so that the maximum
number of points can be covered
The height of instrument is determined by taking
a back sight on the B.M. and adding it to the R.L.
of bench mark.
The staff reading required to fix points on the
various contours is determined by subtracting the
R.L. of each of the contours from the height of
instrument.
Example:
Let the height of instrument is 82.48m
Staff readings required to locate contours
with RLs of 82, 81 and 80m contours are
0.48, 1.48 and 2.48m respectively.
The staff is held on an approximate position
of point and then moved up and down the
slope until the desired reading is obtained.
The point is marked with a peg.
Similarly multiple points are identified for
each contour and pegs are installed
DIRECT METHOD BY RADIAL LINES
98.00 98.00
5 6 7 8 98,00
97.45 99.25 98.75 99.40
CONTOURS INTERPOLATED
Indirect Method: (Square Method)
SQUARE METHOD
Indirect Method: (Cross Sections)
By Cross- Sections: Suitable for the survey of long
narrow strips such as a roads or railway lines or canals
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69 69
RD 580 70.6 70 69.1 68.8 69.1 70.8
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O N
RD 540
71.2 70.8 66.3 SSI 70.6
70.8 P RE
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DE 71
68
69
70
RD 520 71.6 71.2 70.6 72.4 71.7
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By Arithmetic Calculation
This is very tedious but accurate method
and is used for small areas where accurate
results are necessary. The contours are
interpolated as per the following procedure
CONTOUR INTERPOLATION
By Arithmetic Calculations
Suppose A and B are two points at a distance of 30 m and the
reduced level of A and B are 25.45m and 27.54m respectively
Graphical method of
B
interpolation is simpler 62.5m
as compared to 2
60 60m
arithmetical method
and also the results
obtained are accurate.
55 1
55m
Out of several graphical
methods, the most
common is this one A 51.5m
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CONTOUR INTERPOLATION
As shown in the fig. suppose the contour
interval is 5m, then on a piece of tracing cloth, a
number of parallel lines spaced at 0.5 m
(usually 1/10th of the contour interval) are
drawn. Every tenth line being made thick.
Suppose it is required to interpolate contours
between two points A and B of elevation 51.5m
and 62.5m respectively.
CONTOUR INTERPOLATION
If the bottom line represents an elevation of 50m.
Then the successive thick lines will represent 55m,
60m and 65m, etc.
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EXAMPLE 2
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CONTOUR GRADIENT
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USES OF CONTOURS
Contour map provides useful information for locating a route
at a given gradient such as highway, canal, sewer line etc.
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USES OF CONTOURS
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TO DETERMINE CATCHMENT AREA OR DRAINAGE AREA
The catchment area of a river is determined by using contour map. The watershed line which
indicates the drainage basin of a river passes through the ridges and saddles of the terrain
around the river. Thus, it is always perpendicular to the contour lines. The catchment area
contained between the watershed line and the river outlet is then measured with a planimeter
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STORAGE CAPACITY OF A RESERVOIR
The storage capacity of a reservoir is determined from contour map. The contour line
indicating the full reservoir level (F.R.L) is drawn on the contour map. The area enclosed
between successive contours are measured by planimeter. The volume of water
between F.R.L and the river bed is finally estimated by using either Trapezoidal formula
or Prismoidal formula.
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