Dr. J.

Sevugan Rajkannu
Assistant Professor

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITT

 INTRODUCTION

• Contour An imaginary line on the ground surface joining the

points of equal elevation is known as contour.

In other words, contour is a line in which the ground surface is

intersected by a level surface obtained by joining points of equal
elevation. This line on the map represents a contour and is called
contour line.

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITT

 INTRODUCTION

• Contour Map
• A map showing contour lines is known as Contour map.
• A contour map gives an idea of the altitudes of the surface
features as well as their relative positions in plan serves the
purpose of both, a plan and a section.

Contouring
• The process of tracing contour lines on the surface of the earth
is called Contouring.

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITT

View of contours in 3D and 2D

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITT

 PURPOSE OF CONTOURING

Contour survey is carried out at the starting of any engineering

project such as a road, a railway, a canal, a dam, a building etc.

i) For preparing contour maps in order to select the most

economical or suitable site.

ii) To locate the alignment of a canal so that it should follow a

ridge line.

iii) To mark the alignment of roads and railways so that the quantity
of earthwork both in cutting and filling should be minimum.
 PURPOSE OF CONTOURING

iv) For getting information about the ground whether it is flat,

undulating or mountainous.

v) To find the capacity of a reservoir and volume of earthwork

especially in a mountainous region.

vi) To trace out the given grade of a particular route.

vii)To locate the physical features of the ground such as a pond

depression, hill, steep or small slopes.

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS

i) All points in a contour line have the same elevation.

ii) Flat ground is indicated where the contours are widely

separated and steep- slope where they run close together.

iii) A uniform slope is indicated when the contour lines are

uniformly spaced and

iv) A plane surface when they are straight, parallel and equally
spaced.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS

v) A series of closed 80
contour lines on the
map represent a hill , 75
if the higher values 70
are inside
65
HILL
60
60
65
70
75
80

A HILL
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
80

vi) A series of closed 75

contour lines on the DEPRESSION
70
map indicate a
depression if the 65
higher values are
60
outside

70
60
65
70
75
80

A DEPRESSION
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
vii) Contour line cross ridge or valley line at right angles.

100 If the higher values are

90 inside the bend or loop
in the contour, it
80 indicates a Ridge.
70

60
50

RIDGE LINE
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
vii) Contour line cross ridge or valley line at right angles.

If the higher
values are
100 outside the bend,
90
it represents a
80
Valley

70

60

50

VALLEY LINE
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS

viii) Contours cannot end anywhere but close on themselves

either within or outside the limits of the map.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS

ix) Contour lines cannot

merge or cross one another
40
on map except in the case of
an overhanging cliff. 30

20

10

40 30 20 10

OVERHANGING CLIFF
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS
x) Contour lines never run
into one another except in 50
the case of a vertical cliff. 40
In this case ,several
30 VERTICAL
contours coincide and the CLIFF
horizontal equivalent 20
becomes zero.
10

10 20 30 40 5050

OVERHANGING CLIFF
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOURS

X. depressions between
summits is called a saddle. It
is represented by four sets of
contours as shown. It
represents a dip in a ridge or 70 SADDLE 70
80 80
the junction of two ridges. 90 90
And in the case of a mountain 90
range ,it takes the form of a 100
pass . 110

Line passing through the

saddles and summits gives
water shed line.
CONTOUR INTERVAL
The constant vertical distance between two consecutive contours is
called the contour interval.

HORIZONTAL EQUIVALENT
The horizontal distance between any two adjacent contours is
called as horizontal equivalent.

The contour interval is constant between the consecutive

contours while the horizontal equivalent is variable and depends
upon the slope of the ground.
FACTORS ON WHICH CONTOUR -INTERVAL
DEPENDS
The contour interval depends upon the following factors:-

i) The Nature of the Ground In flat and uniformly sloping country,

the contour interval is small , but in broken and mountainous
region the contour interval should be large otherwise the
contours will come too close to each other.

ii) The Purpose and extent of the survey. Contour interval is small if
the area to be surveyed is small and the maps are required to be
used for the design work or for determining the quantities of
earth work etc. while wider interval shall have to be kept for
large areas and comparatively less important works.
FACTORS ON WHICH CONTOUR -
INTERVAL DEPENDS
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.

iv) Time and Expense of Field and Office work. The smaller the
interval, the greater is the amount of field-work and plotting
work.
 COMMON VALUES OF THE CONTOUR -
INTERVAL
The following are the common values of the contour interval adopted
for various purposes:-
i) For large scale maps of flat country, for building sites, for
detailed design work and for calculation of quantities of earth
work;
0.2 to 0.5 m.
ii) For reservoirs and town planning schemes; 0.5 to 2m.

iii) For location surveys. 1 to 3m.

iv) For small scale maps of broken country and general

topographic work; 3m,5m,10m,or 25m.
 METHODS OF CONTOURING
Direct Method:
•This method is most accurate but very slow and tedious as a lot of
time is wasted in searching points of the same elevation for a
contour.
•This is suitable for small area and where great accuracy is required

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
 METHODS OF CONTOURING
Direct Method:
• Contour to be plotted actually traced on ground by locating points
of that elevation
• Horizontal positions of points located was then determined and
points were plotted on plan
• Pegs of different contours were coded so that one set cannot be
mistaken for another

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITT

 Direct Method:

• Instrument was set up in commanding position L1 in the area and

accurately levelled
• H .I was determined after taking back sight on B.M
• From known H.I & required elevation of contour, staff reading to
fix points on contour was determined

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITT

 Direct Method:
• Assume H.I = 201.450
• Contour of R.L. = 200.00 is to be traced in field
• So points which give staff reading of 1.450 will be on contour of
200.00
• Staff was held to give intermediate sight of 1.450
• Instrument man directs staff man to move until staff reading of
1.450 was obtained
• Points so determined was marked by means of stakes or white
on ground
• Similarly other points A, B, C, D, E and F were located on same
contour
• These points joined will give contour of 200.00
 Direct Method:

Horizontal control
• Positions of these points A, B, etc. was located horizontally by
taking offsets Aa, Bb, etc. using chain surveying, compass
surveying, etc.
• Survey should be conducted as soon as possible to avoid error
due to displacement of the stakes

 One party locates points on contours

 Other party surveys these points and locates horizontally wrt
traverse lines
 For small areas, one party do both jobs

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
 INDIRECT METHOD
• Spot levels are taken at some selected guide points & levels of
these points were determined
• Horizontal positions of these points are determined & points are
plotted on plan
• Contours are then drawn by interpolation from levels of the guide
points
Indirect Method:

• In this method the points located and surveyed are not necessarily
on the contour lines but the spot levels are taken along the series of
lines laid out over the area .
•The spot levels of the several representative points representing
hills, depressions, ridge and valley lines and the changes in the slope
all over the area to be contoured are also observed.
•Their positions are then plotted on the plan and the contours drawn
by interpolation.
•This method of contouring is also known as contouring by spot
levels.
SQUARE METHOD

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
 This method is commonly employed in all kinds of surveys as
this is cheaper, quicker and less tedious as compared to direct
method. There are mainly three method of contouring in indirect
method:
(i) By Squares. In this method, the whole area is divided into
number of squares, the side of which may vary from 5m to
30m depending upon the nature of the ground and the
contour interval. The square need not be of the same size
throughout.

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITT

Indirect Method: (Square Method)
The corners of the squares are pegged out and the reduced
levels of these points are determined with a level.

100.4 97.60 96.05 94.40

13 14 15 16
98.00 98.00
98,00
97.45 99.25 98.75 99.40
9 10 11 12

98.65 99.60 97.80 89.55

5 6 7 8 98.0
99.0 99.0

100.90 99.70 99.85 98.45

1 2 3 4
SQURES LAID ON GROUND CONTOURS INTERPOLATED
Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,
Mangalore
 2. Indirect Method: (Square Method)

The important points

within the squares may
be taken when required
and located by 100.4 97.60 96.05 94.40

measurements from the

98.00
corners. The squares are 98.00
98,00
plotted and the reduced 97.45 99.25 98.75 99.40

levels of the corners are

written on the plan.
98.65 99.60 97.80 89.55
98.0
99.0 99.0

100.90 99.70 99.85 98.45

SQUARE METHOD
Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,
Mangalore
Indirect Method:

By Cross- Sections: This method is most suitable for the

survey of long narrow strips such as a road, railway or canal etc.

70
69 68.8 69.169
RD 580 70.6 70 69.1 70.8

RD 560 70.8 70.2 69.1 70.4 70.5

71

RD 540
71.2 70.8 66.3 70.6 70.8
67 71
68
69

70
RD 520 71.6 71.2 70.6 72.4 71.7
71 71
Fig. X-Section Method
Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,
Mangalore
Indirect Method:
By Cross- Sections:
• This method is most suitable for the surveys of long narrow strips
such as a road, railway or canal etc.
• Cross sections are run transverse to the centre line of the work and
representative points are marked along the lines of cross-section.
• The cross-section lines need not necessarily be at right angles to the
centre line of the work.
• This may be inclined at any angle to the centre line if necessary.
• The spacing of the cross-sections depends upon the topography of
the country and the nature of the survey.

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
 Indirect Method:

By Cross- Sections:

The common value is 20 to 30 m in hilly

country and 100m in flat country. The levels of the points
along the section lines are plotted on the plan and the
contours are then interpolated as usual as shown in the
fig.

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
INTERPOLATION OF CONTOURS
The process of spacing the contours
proportionally between the plotted ground – points is
termed as interpolation of contours .
This becomes necessary in the case of
indirect contouring as only the spot levels are taken
in this method.
While interpolation of contours the ground between
any two points is assumed to be uniformly sloping.

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
 INTERPOLATION OF CONTOURS
There are three main methods of interpolation:
i) By Estimation: The position of the contour points
between ground - points are estimated roughly and
the contours are then drawn through these points.
This is a rough method and is suitable for small scale
maps.
ii) By arithmetical calculation: This is very tedious but
accurate method and is used for small areas where
accurate results are necessary. The contours are
interpolated as under:

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
 INTERPOLATION OF CONTOURS
ii) By arithmetical calculation:
•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 .
•Taking the contour interval as 1m, 26 and 27 m contours may be
interpolated in between A and B.
•The difference of level between A and B is 2.09m.the difference of
level between A and 26m,and A and 27m is 0.55mand 1.55 m
respectively.
Therefore the horizontal distance between A and 26 m contour
=0.55/2.09 x 30m and
Between A and 27 m contour =1.55/2.09 x 30m.
These distances are then plotted to scale on the map.

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
 INTERPOLATION OF CONTOURS
(iii) By Graphical method:
Graphical method of 65
interpolation is simpler as
compared to arithmetical B
62.5m
method and also the results
obtained are accurate. Out of 60
2
60m
several graphical methods, the
most common is as given
below:
55 1
55m

A 51.5m
50
Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,
Mangalore
Graphical method:
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.

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
INTERPOLATION OF CONTOURS
(iii) By Graphical method:

• If the bottom line represents an elevation of 50m. Then the

successive thick lines will represent 55m, 60m and 65m, etc.

• Place the tracing cloth so that the point A is on the third line from the
bottom, now move the tracing cloth until B is on the fifth line above
the 60m thick line.

•The intersection of the thick lines 1 and 2 representing elevations of

55m and 60 m and the line AB give the position of the points on the
55m and 60m contours respectively and are pricked through on the
plan with a pin.

Dept. of Civil Engineering, NITK, Surathkal,

Mangalore
DRAWING THE CONTOUR LINES

•Contour lines are drawn as fine and smooth free hand curved lines.
Sometimes they are represented by broken lines .
•They are inked in either in black or brown colour.
• A drawing pen gives a better line than a writing pen and French
curves should be used as much as possible .
•Every fifth contour is made thicker than the rest.
The elevation of contours must be written in a uniform manner,
either on the higher side or in a gap left in the line .When the contour
lines are very long, their elevations are written at two or three places
along the contour .In the case of small scale maps, it is sufficient to
figure every fifth contour.
 USES OF CONTOUR MAP
(i) A contour map furnishes information regarding the features of
the ground , whether it is flat, undulating or mountainous.
(ii) From a contour map , sections may be easily drawn in any
direction
(iii) Intervisibility between two ground points plotted on map can be
ascertained
(iv) It enables an engineer to approximately select the most
economical or suitable site for an engineering project such as a
road, a railway, a canal or a pipe line etc.
(v) A route of a given grade can be traced on the map.
(vi) Catchment area and capacity of a reservoir may be determined
from the contour map.
(vii) Contour map may be used to determine the quantities of earth
work.