2.

Preparation and
interpretation of
topographic maps
(CENG MnEg414)
2.1 Cartographic
• Maps depict their subject matter from above
conventions
and incorporate diverse sets of data
• Maps usually follow several basic conventions that
help people make sense of these data right away
• Examples:
– Almost all maps use lines, symbols and colors to differentiate
between features and have a legend explaining their symbols
– Water is blue, Land masses are usually brown or tan, and vegetation
is green.
– Political maps tend to use similar symbols and type sizes to indicate
borders, cities and other objects.
– Many have a scale noting relationship between the size of the map
and the size of the real world.
– In many, but not all, maps, north is at the top - other maps
often include an arrow to indicate directions.
2.1 Cartographic
• According to cartographic conventions:
conventions
– Linear features are represented by lines of various
weights and styles (solid, dashed, dotted, or some
combinations).
– Structures, or individual features, are portrayed by a
system of pictographs or symbols.
– Letters and numbers are positioned carefully on the
map so that interference with other detail is kept to
a minimum.
• Marginal information are the peripheral information
on the edge of the map that provides useful
information to the map user.
– Are essential to the full understanding and use of the map
2.2 Topographic mapping
1. Topographic data collection using stadia surveying
• Stadia is a rapid and efficient way of
measuring distances
• It works based on trigonometric principles of
similar triangles
• Accurate method for contouring and
locating topographic details at small scale.
• The equipment used in this method are:
– An instrument consists of a telescope with
horizontal cross hairs (stadia hairs)
– and a graduated rod (stadia rod)
2.2 Topographic mapping
1. Topographic data collection using stadia
surveying
• Stadia over Horizontal plane
2.2 Topographic mapping
1. Topographic data collection using stadia
surveying
• Stadia over Horizontal plane
C = Stadia additive constant (=c + f)

r = distance from f to the staff rod

i = spacing between stadia hairs

(ab)

D = Distance from instrument center to the staff

station

K = Stadia interval factor (= f/i)

2.2 Topographic mapping
1. Topographic data collection using stadia
surveying
• Stadia over Horizontal
From similar triangles plane & ΔABf
Δa’b’f 𝒓 = ⇒𝑺𝒓 = 𝑺 =𝒇𝑲 𝑺
𝒇 𝒊 𝒊
𝒇
𝐊 = 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐥 = 𝒊

𝑫 = 𝒓 + 𝒄= 𝑲𝑺 +
𝑪
2.2 Topographic mapping
1. Topographic data collection using stadia
surveying
• Stadia over Inclined plane
2.2 Topographic mapping
1. Topographic data collection using stadia
surveying
• Stadia over Inclined plane

h = Middle stadia
S = Staff intercept
reading
(TL)

V = Vertical distance (MP)

Q = angle of inclination (vertical angle)

D = horizontal distance (EP)
hi = height of instrument
2.2 Topographic mapping
2.2.1 Topographic data collection using stadia
surveying
Suppose the line of sight (L) is perpendicular to the staff rod;
i.e., T’L’ is the staff intercept ⇒ 𝑳 = 𝑲 ∗ 𝑻 ′ 𝑳 ′ + 𝑪; 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑻 ′ 𝑳 ′ = 𝑻
′ 𝑴 + 𝑳 ′𝑴
However, the staff intercept is TL; ∴ 𝑳 = 𝑲 ∗ 𝑻𝑳 + 𝑪; ⇒ cos 𝜽 =
Consider ΔT’TM & ΔL’ML as a right angle triangles & angle T’MT =
Q 𝑻
⇒𝑴𝑇 ′𝑀 = 𝑇𝑀
cos 𝜃 𝑻′ 𝑴
⇒ cos 𝜽 =
𝑳 ′𝑴
𝑳⇒𝑴𝐿 𝑀 = 𝐿 𝑀
′

cos 𝜃
𝑬𝑷 ∴ 𝐿 = 𝐾𝑆 cos 𝜃
From ΔEMP; cos 𝜽 =𝑬 𝑴 ⇒ 𝐄𝐏 = 𝐄 𝐌 cos +𝜽 𝐶⇒ 𝐷
= 𝐿 cos 𝜃
⇒ 𝑫 = 𝑲 𝑺 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 + 𝑪)(𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽) =
𝑲𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐𝜽 + 𝑪𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
2.2 Topographic mapping
2.2.1 Topographic data collection using stadia surveying
The vertical distance V can be computed from ΔEMP as
follows:
𝑴 𝑷
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝑬 𝑴 = 𝑴 𝑷 =
𝑬𝑴𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 ⇒ 𝑽 = 𝑳𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽
=

𝑲𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 + 𝑪 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽
e= 𝑲𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 + 𝑪𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽

The elevation difference betwe n A & B (Δh) is given

by:
2.2 Topographic mapping
2.2.1 Topographic data collection using stadia
surveying
2.2 Topographic mapping
1. Topographic data collection using stadia
surveying
• Example: Stations M,N and O form a right angle triangle at
station M. A theodolite whose constants are K = 100 and C =
0 was used to collect the stadia data given in the table
below.

Compute:
A) Horizontal distance MN, MO &
NO
B)Reduced level of stations N & O
2.2 Topographic mapping
2. Topographic mapping routines
• Reconnaissance Survey: determine suitable area for
mapping and select points/stations for horizontal
control
• Traversing: measure horizontal distances and angle
between the traverse stations to determine the X,Y
values of each station
• Leveling: Run leveling along the traverse stations and
determine the elevation (Z) of each point
• Detailing: Employ stadia technique and collect the
relative positions of each natural and manmade
feature in the vicinity of the project/mining area
2.3 Measurement of areas on topographic
1.
mapsGive and take method
• The figure below shows an irregular plot divided into a
quadrilateral ABCDA by give and take line.
2.3 Measurement of areas on topographic
mapsGive and take method
1.
• The give and take line produces some excluded and
included areas and the quadrilateral is approximately
equal to the actual irregular area.
• The area of the irregular plot can be obtained by
calculating the areas of the triangles (ABD & BCD) and
converted to the actual area applying the scale of the
map.
2.3 Measurement of areas on topographic
2.
mapsDivision of square Method
• It consists of placing a piece of tracing paper over
the plan figure of the plot, which is ruled out into
squares
2.3 Measurement of areas on topographic
2.
mapsDivision of square Method
• Number of complete squares, half squares, one third,
and one fourth included in the irregular plot shall be
counted.
• The other approach is to count the complete squares
within the boundary of the plan figure first then count
all incomplete squares which are equal or more than
half as a complete one and squares less than have are
neglected.
• In either case, the total square multiplied by the
definite area of a square provides the approximate
area of the irregular plot.
2.3 Measurement of areas on topographic
3.
mapsPlanimeter
• The planimeter is a simple instrument for the precise
measurement of areas of plane figures of any shape
on a topographic map.
2.3 Measurement of areas on topographic
mapsPlanimeter
3.
• To measure an area it is only necessary to trace the
outline of the figure in a clockwise direction with the
center point (within the ring) of the tracing lens and to
read off the result on the scales.
• The area measured by a planimeter is more accurate
than the methods discussed above.
• Planimeters may be mechanical or digital
• All have a reset which returns the measuring dial and
venire scale to zero before the next use