Surveying 1

Contouring

Eng. Anas Al-Hares

Zarqa University
Engineering and Technology
Civil Engineering

Introduction
Contouring is the process of tracing contour lines on the
earths surface.
Contour line is a line drawn on a plan joining all points of the
same height above or below some datum.

Introduction
A contour line represents
an imaginary line of
intersection between a
level and ground surface.
Contouring is the
commonly used method
of showing height.
Contoured plans can be
produced from a variety
of surveyed data.

Introduction
Contour maps are very useful since they provide valuable
information about the terrain.
Some of the uses are as follows:
The nature of the ground and its slope can be estimated.

The routes of the railway, road, canal or sewer lines can be

decided so as to minimize and balance earthworks.
Earth work can be estimated for civil engineering projects like
road works, railway, canals, dams etc.

Introduction
The nature of the ground and its slope can be estimated.
The routes of the railway, road, canal or sewer lines can be
decided so as to minimize and balance earthworks.
Earth work can be estimated for civil engineering projects like
road works, railway, canals, dams etc.

Contour line

Contour line

Contour line

Contour line

Contour line

Contour line

Contour line

Elevation from contours

Elevations of points between contours can be determined by
interpolation.

Elevation from contours

Reading contours
There are basically eight terrain features that can be broken
down into two separate groups.
These two groups are major features and minor features.

Reading contours
There are five major terrain features:
1. hill
2. Ridge
3. valley
4. Saddle
5. depression
There are three minor terrain features:
1. Spur
2. draw
3. cliff

Reading contours
Hill-A hill shows you the top of the hill as viewed from above.

Reading contours

Reading contours
series of closed contour lines on the map represent a hill, if
the higher values are inside.

Reading contours
A series of closed contour lines on the map indicate a pond or
other depression, if the higher values are outside.

Reading contours
When the contour lines are close together at the top of the hill,
the hilltop is pointed. When the contour lines are widely spaced,
the hilltop is flat.

Reading contours
Ridge-A ridge is nothing more than a series of hills in a row. It
is a sloping line of high ground.

Reading contours

Reading contours
Contour lines forming a ridge tend to be U-shaped or Vshaped. The closed end of the contour line points away from
high ground

Reading contours
Valley-A valley is a gently sloping area generally connected to
a stream or river.

Reading contours
Valley

Reading contours
valleys

U -shaped valleys

Reading contours

Reading contours
Saddle-A saddle is the spot between two hilltops.

Reading contours

Reading contours
Depression-A depression is a circular spot of land that is lower
in elevation than the surrounding terrain and is not filled with
water.

Reading contours

Reading contours
Spur-A spur looks like a spur on a chicken. It is the part of
some hills that sticks out like a chickens spur.

Reading contours

Reading contours
Draw-A draw is the spot between two spurs.
The contour lines depicting a draw are U-shaped or V-shaped,
pointing toward high ground.

Reading contours

Reading contours
Cliff-A cliff is that thing I always manage to find while
navigating in the dark without a map. It is also a nearly vertical
or vertical change in elevation as noted by the extremely close
contour lines.

Reading contours
Cliff-A cliff is that thing I always manage to find while
navigating in the dark without a map. It is also a nearly vertical
or vertical change in elevation as noted by the extremely close
contour lines.

Reading contours

Reading contours
Cut / Fill: Railroads
or highways are
sometimes cut or
filled into the terrain
to make ascending
and descending
easier. This is
indicated on the map
as a series of hashed
lines parallel to a
road or railway.

Reading contours

Characteristics of contour
All points on a contour line are of the same elevation.
No two contour lines can meet or cross each other except in the
rare case of an overhanging vertical cliff, wall or a cave.
Closely spaced contour lines indicate steep slope.
Widely spaced contour lines indicate gentle slope.

Equally spaced contour lines indicate uniform slope.

Characteristics of contour
Closed contour lines with higher elevation towards the center
indicate hills.
Closed contour lines with reducing levels towards the center
indicate pond or other depression.
Contour lines of ridge show higher elevation within the loop of
the contours. Contour lines cross ridge at right angles.
Contour lines of valley show reducing elevation within the
loop of the contours. Contour lines cross valley at right angles.

Characteristics of contour
A contour line cannot branch into two contours of the same
elevation.
Contour lines are not drawn through buildings or other
significant construction objects.
Irregularly spaced contour lines represent rough or rugged
ground (uneven surface).

Reading contours

Match the contours on

the left with the terrain
on the right