AIM

To understand the various concerns while planning with contours.

LIMITATIONs

Calculation part is not discussed.

INTRODUCTION

An imaginary line that connects all points of equal elevation above or below a fixed reference plane or
datum.
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.
Contour line is a graphic representation of a contour on a plan or map.

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

TERMINOLOGY

Steep slopes - Contours are closely spaced.

Gentle slopes - Contours are less closely spaced .

Horizontal Equivalent The horizontal distance between two consecutive contour lines .

Contour Interval -The constant vertical distance between two consecutive contours is called the contour
interval.

Mean Sea Level - Average height of the surface of sea for all stages of the tide.

Elevations - Vertical distance from the datum to the plane.

Datum It is a reference point from which all elevations are measured.

HILL
A hill is a point or small area of high ground. When you are on a hilltop, the ground slopes down in all
directions.
The height and slope of a hill are represented on a map by the number of concentric contour rings and
the distance between the rings.

RIDGE
A ridge is a line of high ground with height variations along its crest.
The contours along the sides of the ridge will be relatively parallel and there will be several high points
along the ridge.

VALLEY
A valley is an elongated depression that forms the space between two ridges.
Valley and ridges are interconnected.
Ridge side slope create the valley walls.

SADDLE
A saddle is a dip or low point along the edge of a ridge.
A saddle is not necessarily the lower ground between two hilltops.
It may also be a break along an otherwise level ridge .

DEPRESSION
Depression is a low point or hole in the ground that is also surrounded on all sides by higher ground.
Lowest contour at the centre.
The map symbol that represents a depression is closed contour lines.

CHARACTERISTIC

All points in a contour line have the same elevation.

Flat ground is indicated where the contours are widely separated and steep-slope where they run close
together.
A series of closed contour lines on the map represent a hill, if the higher values are inside.
A series of closed contour lines on the map indicate a depression if the higher values are outside.
Water flows perpendicular to contour lines.
Contour line cross ridge or valley line at right angles.

Contour lines cannot merge or cross one another on map except in the case of an overhanging cliff.
Contours cannot end anywhere but close on themselves either within or outside the limits of the map.
Contour lines never run into one another except in the case of a vertical cliff. In this case ,several
contours coincide and the horizontal equivalent becomes zero.

SLOPE ANALYSIS

It is a analysis of the steepness of the terrain.

To determine the best areas for placing buildings, roads, parking lots and other activities on a particular
site.
Used for consideration such as economics, vegetation, drainage, soils etc.
Slopes of less than about 2 percent in the open landscape appear flat to the human eye.
In order to conduct a slope analysis on a map information required is- Horizontal scale
- Contour interval
- Percentage of slope categories.
- Scale and contour interval are established by the analysis.

GRADING

Grading is the process of modification of existing landform to accommodate new structures, parking and
circulation and to ensure positive drainage.
The process of developing grading plans involves manipulation of three factors:

- Gradient. (G)
- Horizontal distance. (H)
- Difference in elevation between two points. (D)
G = D/H

GRADING VOCABULARY

Contour Line - A line made up of points all equal in elevation

Gradient - The rate of regular ascent or descent
Swale - A depressed area of land used to collect and direct surface water runoff
Cross-slope - The latitudinal pitch across an area to increase surface drainage
Easement - Land owned by another which entitles the holder to specific limited uses

SITE GRADING TECHNIQUES

Analyze existing conditions of the site:
General flow of water
Existing flow lines for surface runoff
Existing structures, trees, etc. to be saved
Set preliminary elevations of structures:
Analyze existing elevations of structures
Check elevations with adjacent elements
Check relationships between buildings, walks, parking lots, etc.
Modify appropriate contours:
Begin from known points and calculate slope to next contour
Work each contour line completely to be sure to meet to existing
Calculate required slopes and modify all other contours as necessary

GRADING METHODS
1. Grading by cutting:
Advantages: By cutting offers the advantage of greater soil stability.
It is already well compacted.
Erosion and setting are minimized.
Disadvantages: involves disposal expence.
Loss of top soi, reslulting exposure of non fertile soil.
Deep cuts expose soil that are not well suited to growing vegetation.
Respreading of soil over the new surface provides a profile suitable for vegetative growth but erosion
control advantages are lost.

2. Grading by fill:
This is the method used to raise a low spot when no other method will successfully drain surface water.
Difficult to compact large areas to fill in such a way that further settling will not occur.
Erosion occur more readily.

Cost effective due to locating, acquiring and transporting.

3.Combining cut and fill:
Involves both cut and fill in equal measure.
It prevents the introduction of foreign soils into the area being graded and makes heavy transportation
expenses unnecessary.
Newly introduced soil causes problems with plant growth.
SURFACE DRAINAGE:
Rules of drainage are simple, water always runs downhill, steeper the hill, the faster the pace of the
drainage.
When we design changing pattern, we create hills (bunding) and harmony with surrounding natural
patterns.
Designer try to minimizes the erosive effect of drainage.
Surface drainage systems intercept and collect storm water runoff and convey it away from a building
and site with the use of large inlets and storm drains.
Surface and subsurface systems typically require discharge either through a pumping station or by
gravity drainage to an adequate outfall.
Surface drainage systems are designed to collect and dispose of rainfall runoff to prevent the flow of
water from damaging building structures (through foundation leakage), site structures, and the surface
grade (through erosion).
The shorter the horizontal space between contours lines, the faster water will flow.

BUILDING LAYOUT ON CONTOURS

The building should be placed along the contours to increase the stability of the structure and to cut
down the cost on the site development.
The existing form of the terrain welcomes some building forms while rejects some.
In hills building break the continuity of landscape and hence appear rigid.