fxs-cfjw-ixx (2020-05-19 at 20:37 GMT-7)

ENGINEERING SURVEYING
UNIT – 2

Contouring
 Contents
• Definition
• Objectives
• Counter interval
• Horizontal equivalent
• Uses of contours
• Characteristics of contours
 COUNTOUR
• A contour is defined as an imaginary line of constant
elevation on the ground surface or
• A line passing through the points of equal level/reduce level
• A line of intersection of level surfer with the ground.
• For example, the line of intersection of the water surface of
a still lake or pond with the surrounding ground
represents a contour line.
COUNTOUR
 COUNTOUR
• A contour lines on a plan indicate illustrate the topography
of the area.
 COUNTOUR
• A contour lines on a plan indicate illustrate the topography
of the area.
 Contour Interval
The vertical distance between any two contour lines in a
map is called the contour interval (C.I.) of the map.
Figure (a) CI = 1m
Figure (b) CI = 10m.

Figure (a) Fig. (b)

 Horizontal Equivalent
• The horizontal distance between two points on two
consecutive contour lines for a given slope is known as
horizontal equivalent. It tells us about the slop between
two contours.

• For example, in Fig. (b) having contour interval 10 m, the

horizontal equivalent, in a slope of 1 in 5, would be 50 m.

• Thus, horizontal equivalent depends upon the slope of the

ground and required grade for construction of a road, canal
and contour interval.
 Characteristics of Contour

• The principal characteristics of contour

lines help us in plotting or reading a contour
a map.
• These are:

• The variation of vertical distance between

any two contours is assumed to be uniform
i.e. the contour interval is assumed to be
constant.
 Characteristics of Contour

2. The horizontal between any

distance two
contour lines indicates the amount of
slope.
Thus, contours are equally spaced for
uniform slope and closely for steep
slopes.
 Characteristics of Contour
3. The steepest slope of terrain at any point on a contour is represented
along the normal of the contour at that point. They are
perpendicular to ridge and valley lines where they cross such
lines.
4. Contours do not pass through
permanent structures such as buildings
 Characteristics of
Contour
5. Contours of different elevations cannot cross
each other except caves and overhanging cliffs
which are the exceptions.
 Characteristics of
Contour
6. Contours of different elevations cannot unite to form one
contour (vertical cliff is an exception).
7. Contours line always form a closed circuit. But these
lines may be within or outside the limit of the map.
8. The contour can not begin or end on the plan.
 Characteristics of Contour
• A closed contour on a map
represents either depression
or hill as shown in Fig. (a)

• A set of ring contours with

higher values inside, shows a
hill whereas the lower
value inside, shows a
depression - figure (b).
 Characteristics of Contour
10. Contours deflect upwards at valley and downwards at ridges.
 Uses of Contours
• The nature of the ground and its slope can be
estimated
• Earth work can be estimated for civil
engineering projects like road works, railway,
canals, dams etc.
• It is possible to identify suitable site for any project
from the contour map of the region.
• Inter-visibility of points can be ascertained using
contour maps. This is most useful for
locating communication towers.
• Military uses contour maps for strategic planning.