6 Slope Earth shape and

earthwork
analysis & Topographic
map
Grading Slope form
Slope analysis
Grading

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 Topographic Topographic Contour map
Map Topographic contour map are composed of a series of line
that designate the elevation of the land above sea level. Each
line called contour line represents specific level (, elevation).
Contour Interval is the difference in elevation values between
two adjacent contours, so it indicates the elevation change from
one contour line to the next one. Contour Interval is the same
value for every elevation change in the same topography map.

c o n t o u r

map area

Landform

Topographic area
(surface area)
Topographic area represented
by ABE, can be computed
using slope data read from
topographic contour maps. Maps disregard slope in representing land area, therefore in
rough terrain, topographic area may be much greater
source of illustrate: Environmental Analysis by William M.Marsh page 31

Slope Form Slope form and topographic map

interpretation
Site Planning and Landuse Planning requires accurate slope
information which is available in form of topographic map and
aerial photography. The topographic contour map represents an
elevation data to show landform in two-dimentional drawing

Drawing illustrating the

technique of slope profiling
(Source of drawing: Marsh, William
M. Environmental Analysis for
Land use and Site Planning p. ..)

82
 Graphical slope information can be generated by simple tech-
niques from the contour map. Constructing a slope profile from
a topographic contour map is to plot the elevation of contour lines
on a two-dimentional graph.
• Contour interval: the height between each contour line.
• Cross section show specific section of that shape
• X axis represents distance, Y axis represents level change

Contours are set of lines of equal elevation above the same

reference plane, the number indicated on each line referenced
tothe DATUM PLANE, which is the level at “Mean Sea
Level”. A CONTOUR INTERVAL is the verticle distance
(Height) between contours.

Topographic model
Models are good mediums to give the feeling of the earth
form and study the natural drainage pattern

Basic elements that should show on

study model
Landform of the ground
Group of existing trees
Surface water body

The model of Doi Intanon shows

landform of Royal project at Doi
Intanon, Chiengmai and the
surrounding area. which will help
site planner to understand landform,
drainage pattern, visual quality and
the overall elevation relationship of
the site and its surrounding
source: 3rd year Architectural
student Soa&D 2004

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 contour Slope profile shows earth form
characteristics To know the characteristics of contours is important for their
interpretation and essential to understand the nature of that land-
form.
A Uniform slope is sndicateed by evenly spaced contour plan.
A Ridge and Valley are shown similarity, but note that RIDGE
with the higher contour inside (contour line pointing down to lower
level), VALLEY with the lower contour inside (contour line point-
ing up to higher level)
If two sides of VALLEY contour lines are quite closed, it
indicates STREAM.
CONVEX and CONCAVE landforms are the most common
landform found in nature and express the felling differently.
High point on SUMMIT or low point in a DEPRESSION
are indicated by spot elevation.
Existing contour lines are shown in dashed line, proposed
new Grade is shown in a set of solid lines.

slope profile

Source of drawing: Untermann, Richard K.: Grade Easy

84
source of drawing: Untermann, Richard K: GRADE EASY

Topography map: contour Read the contour line

characteristics
1. Same elevation on one contour line and same level
change in between each contour line. (called contour interval)
2. Every contour closes on itself.
3. A summit or depression indicated by the elevation at
highest, lowest points.
4. Contour lines never cross.
5. Uniform sloping surface
6. Convex slope
7. Concave slope
8. Valleys
9. Steep slope
10. Relatively level.
11. Ridge

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 Drainage Natural drainage pattern : Water always flows in 90 degrees
direction of contour line. Always check the topography of overall
pattern large scale drainage pattern besides the on-site topography.
Natural drainage pattern can be easily read from the topo-
graphic model to see how criticle the drainage factor is in each
particular area. In order to do a good site planning, we should try
to avoid to disturb or change the major natural drainage pattern
of the site.

Runoff water flows downhill

perpendicular to contour lines

slope Problem Slope failures generally fall into 3 catagories

1. Grade: slopes that are too steep or too gentle for paricular
landuses and inclined by undercutting by construction processes
(cut-fill)
2. Erosion: slopes with steep inclinations, less vegetative
cover, loose soil materials and eroded caused by waves, streams,
heavy rainfall.
3. Failure: slopes that are composed of weak, soft material
which have low bearing capacity and have tendency to mass
movement problem such as mudflow, slides, sinking which worsen
by increased or decreased ground water.

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Mapping slope from Topography map Gradient
Slope compares the vertical distance to the horizontal dis-
tance. This comparison can be expresses as an angle, a percent-
age or as a ratio. the slope ratio is expressed by putting horizontal
distance firse and vertical distance second such as a 4:1 slope
means 1 metres of vertical rise in 4 metres of horizontal distance

Percent of slope = elevation(in depth, height)*100

Distance (length)
Grading formula percent slope G=D/L*100
Gradient percent = D/L*100 Horizontal distance L=D/G *100
G= the gradient in percent Verticle distance D=GL/100
D= the distance in elevation between two points
L= the horizontal length between two points

Example of slope analysis

The topographic map of “Royal Same project, the slope analysis was done to show
Project at Doi Intanon, Chiengmai” percent slope which will be factor to determine
done on GIS shows contour lines, constraints and opportunities of land development in
landuse, circulation. each portion.

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 Slope Analysis Interpreting slope
Slope analysis is the most basic crucial information in site
analysis to determine the appropriate location for site develop-
ment

Slope analysis of 20.8 acre site.

Diagram shows the use of
graduated scale for mapping slopes
from a contour map.

Diagram show the use of graduated scale for mapping slope

analysis(percentage of slope) from a contour map.
Source:

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slope Criteria
Recommended suitable slope for each use concerning
possible cut-fill, mobility and drainage ability

89
 Slope criteria Slope Ratio for suitable uses
Slope ratios are determined by constraints such as design
grade, soil stability, amount of planting, type of determined func-
tion, program and circulation.
Design height is determined by aesthetics and functional
requirement for each particular uses. Stability is related to angle
of repose of each natural material and soil. Slope stability is
also affected by water and wind.
Slope Criteria is suitable & recommended slope for each
use concerning mobility, possible cut-fill, maintenance and drain-
age ability. In addition, for some specific uses such as sport field,
tennis lawn, basketball field, we must try to follow the slope cri-
teria to get the acceptable standard.

Angles of Angles of repose for various types of slope materials.

(Angles are given in degrees.)
Repose • Maximum angle for earth material that it can be in-
clined, and it will fail if beyond.

A standard from: Marsh, William M. : Environmental Analysis for Land Use

and Site Planning P.56, Mcgraw-Hill, NY)

90
Designing a level plane on steeply
sloping site.

Designing a level plane on steeply sloping site.

Source: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, John Ormsbee Simands.

Avoid grading on the following conditions When not to

(From Grade Easy by Richard Untermann) Grade
1. Grading that results in radical loss of vegetation and
topsoil
2. Grading that interrupts the natural drainage
3. Grading that results in aesthetic degradation
4. Grading on difficult slopes (excess of 25%)
5. Grading in environmental unique condition; floodplain,
bogs,
6. Grading in areas effected by natural disaster; mudslides
or along earthquake fault lines

91
 Grading Grading
Grading : is the modification of existing land form. It is one
of the most important items in site planning, landscape design
and construction. Grading serves three main purposes:
1. To create a level to put something on; for a house, car,
sport play field, a hotel, etc.
2. To create circulation ways; road way, loading ramp, handi-
capped ramp, bicycle track, etc.
3. To create special effect and solve special problem ; make
a mound to hide parking lot or reduce sound, prevent erosion and
landslide, aesthetic or psychological purposes.
However, to make a land usable, all three purposes must
concern drainage factor and grading is essential to direct water
away from building and outdoor surfaces and conducted to drain-
Purposes
age channel.
(see chapter 7 Drainage)

Manipulating contour line

To do the grading plan is to manipulate contour for that pur-
pose. The grading plan should show both existing and revised
contours so we will see how much the grade has been changed.

souce of drawing: Brook, Gene R.,

Site Planning, Environmental
Grading: making an area level to put
process and Development, p. 149- something on
153

By cutting only
– the soil is stable
– require less cost for
foundation construction
– be able to do very
steep slope
– cost to transport earth
from the site

Cutting procedure

92
 By filling only
– easier to make a very
level elevation
– good for low land,
flood problem area.
– Unstable earth, needs a
compaction.
– Cost of transporting
Filling procedure
earth into the site
– Soil cost

By the combination of
cut and fill
– balance earth in the
site, no transportation cost.
– Less earth cost Balance cut-fill
– Machine cost procedure
– Must has good con-
struction schedule and man-
agement

By the combination of
cut and fill: plan of slab on
sloping topography

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 Grading: making a proper slope for
circulation
Circulation routes should be level as possible.Two ways to
travel up slope terrain
(maximum slope for local street is 8%)
The normal grading method is
something between the two extremes
with roads or paths climbing and
falling

94
 Circulation routes cross-
ing level country are relatively
easy to grade— providing
uniform surface and assuring
the roadway drains properly.

1. A uniform surface crown

means smoothing out the
bumps by spacing contours
Section through road with CROWN
evenly.
2. Draining the level road
sometimes requires creating
artificial high and low points
for water flow direction.
These can be shown graphi-
cally with contours, spot
elevations, or sections.
Road sloped from side to side

The picture shows shortest

Center line
distance but results extensive
cutting and would have erosion
problem at the road bank.
The natural slope is
steep, the road crosses series
of contour will causes a very
steep bank since it needs
UNIFORM slope. We should
try to compromise the cut and
fill along the centerline.

To Design the road

centerline aligned with or
parallel to the contour lines
with minimal grading and
smoothly change in slope
from one contour line to
another

95
 When grading by CUT-
TING , begin with the lowest
contour and work up, by
FILLING, begin with the top
contour and work down.
Contours are spaced
according to the gradient of
the proposed route typically
expressed in percent. For 10%
slope, one meter interval
contours would be spaced 10
m. apart

cutting

Filling

The most common way if existing topography is NOT to

steep and the road is not too long, the method is to select the
contour in the middle of the road and cut half the contour above,
fill half of the contour below.

96
 If cut/fill creates a steep bank, a heavy rainfall can cause
erosion. Proper retaining wall with good drain must be used on
the high side of the slope along with the consideration to sepa-
rate road way into two levels.

Additional
technique

Road crosses drainage swale, the problem concerning the

intersection between road and topographical depression, the use
of BOX CULVERT or BRIDGE would be chosen depend on the
length and depth of the swale and the image of the design.

Source of drawing: Brook, Gene

R., Site Planning, Environmental
process and Development p.149-
153

97
 Source of drawing: Marsh, William M. Environmental Analysis for Land
use and Site Planning
Source of drawing: Untermann, Richard K.: Grade Easy
Source of drawing: Brook, Gene R., Site Planning, Environmental process
and Development p.149-153

Reference books
1. Prof. Untermann, Richard K. ,Grade Easy,Department
of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington, Seattle
2. Brooks,Gene R.,Site Planning : Environmental pro-
cess and development P.129-171, , Prentice Hall N.J. 07632
3. Boomkum, Decha, Site Planning p.83-106, Lecture
sheet , Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
4. Marsh, William M., Environment Analysis for Land
use and Site Planning, Mcgraw-Hill Company, NY.

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