MODERN SURVEYING - 20CE32P (Session – 3) 2021-22

DEPARTMENT OF COLLEGAITE AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

STUDY MATERIAL

CONTOURING

SESSION 3

MODERN SURVEYING – 20CE32P

Department of Collegiate & Technical Education, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001 Page 1

MODERN SURVEYING - 20CE32P (Session – 3) 2021-22

METHOD OF PREPARING CONTOUR MAP FROM THE GIVEN RLS

OF GRID POINTS WITH EXAMPLES
Grid method is suitable for contouring of plains or gently sloping grounds. The method is
adopted for large scale mapping and at average precision. In this method, the area to be
surveyed is divided into a grid or series of squares. The grid size may vary from 5 m x 5m to 25
m x 25 m depending upon:
a. The nature of the terrain
b. The contour interval
c. The scale of the map
The grids may not be of the same size throughout but may vary depending upon the
requirement and field conditions. The grid corners are marked on the ground and spot levels of
these corners are determined by levelling.
The grid is plotted to the scale of the map and spot levels of the grid corners are entered. The
contours of desired values are then located by interpolation. Special care should be taken to
give the spot levels to the salient features of the ground such as hilltops, deepest points of
depressions, and their measurements from respective corners of the grids, for exact depiction of
the features.

INTERPOLATION OF CONTOURS
Interpolation of the contours is the process of spacing the contours proportionately between the
plotted ground points established by indirect methods. The methods of interpolation are based
on the assumption that the slope of ground between the two points is uniform. The chief
methods of interpolations are by estimation, By Arithmetic calculations & by graphical
Method.

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MODERN SURVEYING - 20CE32P (Session – 3) 2021-22

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MODERN SURVEYING - 20CE32P (Session – 3) 2021-22

ARITHMETIC CALCULATION:
The Arithmetic method of interpolation of contour is accurate and also time consuming. The
positions of contour points between the guide points are located by arithmetic calculations. For
example A1, A2, B1 & B2 are the guide points having elevation of 100.800, 101.1, 100.500 &
100.900 respectively.

To find contour line of 101 m elevation:

1. Along A1 and A2
RL at A1 is 100.8 m
RL at A2 is 101.1 m

ℎ − −
=
ℎ

101.1 − 100.8 101 − 100.8

=
5
0.2
0.06 =

0.2
= = 3.34
0.06

Thus, mark 3.34 m from A1 towards A2 to get contour of 101

To find contour line of 101 m elevation:

1. Along A2 and B2
RL at A2 is 101.1 m
RL at B2 is 100.9 m

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MODERN SURVEYING - 20CE32P (Session – 3) 2021-22

ℎ − −
=
ℎ

101.1 − 100.9 101 − 100.9

=
5
0.1
0.04 =

0.1
= = 2.5
0.04

Thus, mark 2.5 m from B2 towards A2 to get contour of 101. Similarly remaining contour
points are determined and plotted on the map.

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MODERN SURVEYING - 20CE32P (Session – 3) 2021-22

REFERENCES

1. Surveying Volume I by B.C. Punmia, Ashok Kumar Jain & Arun Kumar Jain.16 th Edition,
Laxmi publications.
2. Surveying and Levelling by S.S. Bhavikatti, I.K. International Publishing House Pvt. Ltd.
3. Surveying and Levelling by T.P. Kanetkar & S.V. Kulkarni, I.K. Pune Vidyarthi Griha
Prakashan

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