CONTOURS IN SURVEYING

The ground may be of undulated nature. That is, it shall have elevations or depressions. These
are represented on a map using Contours.
Contours are lines joining points of same elevation.

3D Surface

Contour Map

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Prepared by Kiran S. R., Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic College
 Contour interval is the difference in elevations between two successive contour lines in
a contour map. The contour interval is selected based upon many factors like nature of ground
surface and purpose of contouring.
The horizontal distance between any two adjacent contours is called horizontal
equivalent. It is not constant, but depends upon the slope of the ground.

Characteristics of Contours:
1. Contour lines must close, not necessarily in the limits of the plan.
2. The horizontal distance between any two contour lines indicates the amount of slope and
varies inversely on the amount of slope.
3. Widely spaced contour indicates flat surface.
4. Closely spaced contour indicates steep slope ground.

5. Equally spaced contour indicates uniform slope.

6.Irregular contours indicate uneven surface.

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Prepared by Kiran S. R., Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic College
7.Approximately concentric closed contours with decreasing values towards centre indicate a
pond.

8.Approximately concentric closed contours with increasing values towards centre indicate
hills.

9.Contour lines with U-shape with convexity towards lower ground indicate ridge.
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Prepared by Kiran S. R., Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic College
10.Contour lines with V-shaped with convexity towards higher ground indicate valley.

11.Contour lines generally do not meet or intersect each other. If contour lines are meeting in
some portion, it shows existence of a vertical cliff.

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Prepared by Kiran S. R., Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic College
12.Contours of different elevations cannot cross each other. If contour lines cross each other, it
shows existence of overhanging cliffs or a cave.

13.The steepest slope of terrain at any point on a contour is represented along the normal of
the contour at that point.
14.Contours do not pass through permanent structures such as buildings.

15.A contour line must close itself but need not be necessarily within the limits of the map.

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Prepared by Kiran S. R., Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic College
Uses of Contours:
(i) By inspection of a contour map, information regarding the characters of the terrain is
obtained, whether it is flat, undulating or rolling etc.
(ii) Contour map is very useful for taking up land leveling works.
(iii) With the help of contour map, suitable site for reservoirs, canal, drainage channels, roads,
railway etc. can be selected.
(iv) Total drainage area and capacity of reservoirs can be determined with the help of contour
map.
(v) Computation of earth work is possible from contour map.
(vi) Contour maps are essential for taking up any soil conservation works like terracing, bunding,
construction of structures and spillways.
(vii) In coastal areas for construction of brackish water fish farm contour map is required to
decide about the type of farm to be constructed i.e. tide-fed or pump-fed farm.
(viii) Intervisibility of any two points can be known from the contour map.
(ix) From the contour map of agricultural land, most suitable method of irrigation for a particular
crop can be decided.
(x) Section can easily be drawn from contours.
(xi) A route with a given slope can be traced on a contour map.

Methods of Contouring:
(1) Direct Method: Here, the desired contours are obtained by trial and error. It is exceptionally
difficult, however precise methods of contouring. It is used when the extent of survey is small
and greater accuracy is required in locating the contours. Here, The levelling staff is held at
various points on the ground until the desired staff reading is obtained.

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Prepared by Kiran S. R., Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic College
(2) Indirect Methods:
(a) Radial Method: The contouring small hilly areas, radial line method of contouring are
run from the peak to cover the area. Here, levels are determined on different points taken on the
radial lines and the contour lines are then drawn by interpolation.

(b) Grid Method: The grid method of contouring is used when the area is not very large
and where the ground is not very much undulating. Here the area is divided into squares or
rectangles and levels are evaluated at grid points, as shown. The contours of different
elevations are then drawn by interpolation.

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Prepared by Kiran S. R., Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic College
Determination of Capacity of Reservoir:

The storage capacity of a reservoir is determined from contour map. The contour line indicating
the full reservoir level (F.R.L) is represented on the contour map. The area enclosed between
successive contours can be 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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Prepared by Kiran S. R., Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic College
See the contour map of the reservoir shown above. Here C 1, C2, …. represent the contours.
If V = Volume of water in reservoir
L = Contour Interval
A1, A2, ….Ak = Entire area enclosed by ‘k’ contours (as measured by planimeter)
Trapezoidal Formula:
L
V= 2
(A1+ Ak + 2(A2+ A3 +…..+ Ak-1))

Prismoidal Formula:
This is applicable only in cases of odd number of contours.
In case of even number of sections, the end segment shall be treated separately.
L
V= 3
(A1+ Ak + 4(A2+ A4 +…..+ Ak-1) + 2(A3+ A5 +…..+ Ak-2))

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Prepared by Kiran S. R., Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic College
Numerical Example 1:

Numerical Example 2:

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Prepared by Kiran S. R., Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Government Polytechnic College