CE-106 Geomatics - I

Contouring
by

Jayanta Kumar Ghosh, Ph.D.

Geomatics Engineering Group
Civil Engineering Department
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Roorkee Uttarakhand 247667 INDIA
gjkfumfce@iitr.ernet.in
 Contents
• Introduction
• Contour
Contour interval
Choice of contour interval
Characteristics of contour

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 Contents
• Engineering Applications of Contours
Nature of ground
Intervisibility between stations
To locate Contour Gradient
Locating contour gradient on a map
Locating contour gradient on the ground
To locate route
To determine Catchment area or drainage area
Storage capacity of a reservoir
• Summary
• Glossary
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 Introduction
vertical positions of points are represented by contour
lines to facilitates depiction of the relief of terrain in a
two dimensional plan or map.

Contours :
defined as the line of intersection of a level surface
with the ground surface. A line joining points of equal
elevations is called a contour line.

Example : the line of intersection of the water surface

of a still lake or pond with the surrounding ground
represents a contour line.
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 Fundamental Definitions
Contour interval:
vertical distance between any two consecutive
contour lines in a map is called the contour
interval (C.I.) of the map. Fixed in any map

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 Choice of contour interval

Factors:
• Nature of terrain
• Scale of the map
• Accuracy
• Time and Cost

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 Definitions……
Horizontal Equivalent
horizontal distance between two points on
two consecutive contour lines for a given
slope is known as horizontal equivalent.
depends on slope of the ground or required
grade for construction of a road, canal and
contour interval.

Example: For CI of 10m, the horizontal

equivalent in a slope of 1 in 5 would be 50 m.
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 Engineering Applications of Contours
Nature of ground

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 Intervisibility between stations

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 Contour Gradient
An imaginary line on the surface of the earth having
a constant inclination with the horizontal (slope) is
called contour gradient.

The inclination of a contour gradient is generally

given either as rising gradient or falling gradient, and
is expressed as ratio of the vertical height to a
specified horizontal distance.

If the inclination of a contour gradient is 1 in 50, it

means that for every 50 m horizontal distance, there
is a rise (or fall) of 1 m.
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 Locating contour gradient on a map

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Locating contour gradient on the ground

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 To locate route

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 Catchment or drainage area

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 Storage capacity of a reservoir

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 SUMMARY & GLOSSARY
SUMMARY
The elevation of a terrain thus topography of earth is represented by
contour. It is depicted pictorially by lines joining points of equal
elevations obtained either by radial line or by grid method of
leveling. Contour map is used for locating/laying of routes, to
determine the storage capacity of reservoir etc. and many other
engineering works.
Glossary

Prismoidal formula : V= (h/3)[A1+An+4(A2+A4+ )+2(A3+A5+ )]

Trapezoidal formula : V= h [(A1+An)/2)A1+A2 +A3 +An-l ]
where V = Volume orcapicity of the reservior; A1= Area enclosed by
F.R.L. contour; A2, A3, ….,An= Area enclosed by other successive
contours; h = contour interval
Thanking You