The document discusses contour lines, which are lines connecting points of equal elevation on a map. It describes how contour lines have consistent spacing and cannot intersect. The document also outlines different methods for creating contour maps, including directly following contour lines or taking spot elevations and interpolating the lines. It notes factors that influence the spacing of contour lines like terrain and map scale.
The document discusses contour lines, which are lines connecting points of equal elevation on a map. It describes how contour lines have consistent spacing and cannot intersect. The document also outlines different methods for creating contour maps, including directly following contour lines or taking spot elevations and interpolating the lines. It notes factors that influence the spacing of contour lines like terrain and map scale.
The document discusses contour lines, which are lines connecting points of equal elevation on a map. It describes how contour lines have consistent spacing and cannot intersect. The document also outlines different methods for creating contour maps, including directly following contour lines or taking spot elevations and interpolating the lines. It notes factors that influence the spacing of contour lines like terrain and map scale.
The document discusses contour lines, which are lines connecting points of equal elevation on a map. It describes how contour lines have consistent spacing and cannot intersect. The document also outlines different methods for creating contour maps, including directly following contour lines or taking spot elevations and interpolating the lines. It notes factors that influence the spacing of contour lines like terrain and map scale.
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
Download as doc, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1/ 1
CONTOURING
Contour line A contour line is a line drawn on a plan joining all points of the same height above or below some datum.Contour lines are continuous lines and cannot meet or cross any other line nor can any one line split or join any other line, except in the case of a cliff or overhang. Gradients The height between successive contours is called the vertical interval or contour interval and is always constant over a map or plan.The gradient is the ratio of the Vertical Interval to the Horizontal Equivalent. Contour characteristics The gradient is steep where the contours are close together and conversely flat where the contours are far apart. Methods of contouring Once a survey has been completed, the planimetric position of all points on the site relative to each other are known.The next task is to make a levelling to enable the accurate positioning of contour lines over the site. Choice of vertical interval The vertical interval of the contour lines on any plan depends on several factors, namely: (a) The purpose and extent of the survey. (b) The scale of the map or plan. (c) The nature of the terrain.
The methods of contouring can be divided into two classes:
1.Direct method Using this method, the contour lines are physically followed on the ground. The work is really the reverse of ordinary levelling, whereby in contouring it is necessary to establish the positions of known levels. 2. Indirect method When using this method, no attempt is made to follow the contour lines. Instead, a series of spot levels is taken and the contour positions are interpolated. Three distinct operations are involved. (a) Setting out a grid (b) Levelling (c) Interpolating the contours (i) Mathematically (ii) Graphically
