ENSC 27 – SURVEYING

Laboratory Exercise 7
Topographic Mapping
I. Introduction

II. Objectives
1. understand contour mapping using square grid method
2. know how to construct simple topographic map;
3. learn the analytical method of interpolating (or spacing) contour lines proportionally
between points of known locations and elevations;

III. Methods

Materials: engineer’s transit, tripod, markers, plumb bob, leveling staff, measuring tape

Grid Setup and Obtaining Elevations

1. In the field choose base line AA and clearly mark it with ranging poles. This base line
should preferably be located at the center of the site, and it should be parallel to the
longest side of the site. When you work with a compass, you may find that it helps to
orient this base line following the north-south direction.
2. Working uphill, chain along this baseline from the perimeter of the area, and set stakes
at intervals equal to the size you have chosen for the squares, such as 5m. Clearly
number these stakes 1, 2, 3, . . . n.
3. From each of these stakes, lay out a line, perpendicular to the base line that runs all
the way across the site.
4. Proceed by chaining along the entire length of each of these perpendiculars, on either
side of the base line. Set a stake every 20 m (the selected square size). Identify each
of these stakes by:
○ a letter (A, B, C, etc.) which refers to the line, running parallel to the base line,
to which the point belongs;
○ a number (1, 2, 3.... n) which refers to the perpendicular, laid out from the base
line, to which the point belongs.
5. Now that you have laid out the square grid on the ground, you need to find the elevation
of each corner of the squares, which you have marked with stakes. First establish a
bench-mark (BM) on base line AA near the boundary of the area and preferably in the
part with the lowest elevation. This bench-mark can be either at a known elevation
(such as one point on a previously surveyed traverse), or at an assumed elevation
(such as 100 m).
6. You will level the square grid points in two stages.
○ Starting from the bench-mark, measure the differences in elevation for all the
base points A1, A2, A3,.. An. This is called longitudinal profile leveling
○ Then, starting at these base-line points with known elevations, measure the
differences in elevation for all points of each of the perpendiculars, on each
side of the base line (for example, B2, C2 and D2 followed by E2, F2 and G2)
7. Set up your level at LS1 and take a backsight reading on the bench-mark (BM). Then,
take foresight readings on as many base-line points as possible. From this, find the
height of the instrument (HI) and point elevations, with HI = E(BM) + BS and E (point)
= HI- FS. When necessary, change the levelling station and find a new HI on the last
known point, which is used as a turning point. Then measure a series of foresights.
Since the distances of the square grid are all fixed, you do not need to measure them
anymore. Note down your measurements in a table, as shown in the example:
Leveling Point BS HI FS Elevation Remarks
Station

8. Enter all your measurements in a table, and find the elevation of each point of the
square grid.

Contour mapping

9. Draw the same grid that is established on the ground on the drawing sheet to a
suitable scale.
10. Indicate on the drawn grid the elevation of each grid point.
11. Choose suitable values for elevations of contour lines. The following formula may
be used in determining the proportional spacing of contour lines between
points the locations and elevations of which are known:

where h = scaled horizontal distance on the map from point A-1 to the contour line to
be located, cm
de =difference in elevation between the contour line to be located and point A-1,
m
DE = difference in elevation between points A-1 and A-2, m
H = scaled horizontal distance on the map between points A-1 and A-2, cm

A1 B1

A2 B2

12. Indicate elevations of the index contours in whole numbers with 1m interval. For
intermediate contours, use 0.2m interval.
13. Draw contour lines on the grid by interpolation. Index contours must be drawn thicker
than intermediate contours. The following rules must be followed:
○ · Every point along a contour line is exactly the same elevation
 ○ · Contour lines can never cross each other
○ · A contour line must close itself

IV. References:

8. Topographical surveys - Direct levelling. 8. Topographical Surveys - Direct Levelling.

(n.d.). Retrieved January 9, 2023, from
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