Topographic Mapping

CE 1011

Civil Engineering Department

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768

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 Outline
• Introduction
– Topographic Surveys
• Representation of Elevation
– Contours
– Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)
• Planimetric Survey
– Azimuth & Horizontal Distance
• Symbology
• Legend
• Field Notes
• Computing and Plotting the Survey Data
– Data Collection
– Editing
– Final Map
• Examples
– Industry Products
– Available Maps Online
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 Introduction
• Topographic surveys show natural and cultural details on the
earth's surface.
• These surveys are either made using stadia principles for small
surveys, or using photogrammetry (aerial photos) for large
projects.
• Topographic surveys are used in civil engineering for all types of
projects and are required at the beginning of projects.
• Such surveys show the existing ground information including
elevation, which is usually represented by contours.
• A contour is a line connecting points of equal elevation.

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 Representation of Elevation
• There are two common forms of showing the elevations of points on
the ground on a map.
1. Contours are the oldest representation of elevations.

Figure 17.4 (a) Contours compiled by hand from controlling points A through N. (b) TIN model (dashed lines)
constructed from data of (a), and contours (solid lines) derived from TIN model. The stream is shown with a dotted
line. Note the striking differences between the 10- and 20-ft contours of (a) and (b). (c) TIN model (dashed lines)
constructed from data of (a) but with the addition of two points, P and Q, and the designation of lines EQ, QG, GP,
PI, and IJ as breaklines. Contours shown with solid lines were derived from this TIN model. Note the agreement of
these contours with those of (a).

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 Representation of Elevation

Figure 17.7 Coordinate squares.

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 Representation of Elevation
• Contours are obtained from the interpolation of specific values of
elevation.

Figure 17.2 (a) Plan view of contour lines, (b) and (c) profile views.
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 Representation of Elevation

2. Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are widely known as Digital

Terrain Models (DTMs).
• A DEM is a set of points with known XYZ coordinates.
• The four common ways of obtaining a DEM is by stadia survey,
from aerial photographs, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
and photogrammetric techniques that allow the visualization and
measurements in 3D models of the Earth’s surface, and using
Global Positioning System (GPS).
• DEMs can be either Regular or Irregular.
• In an irregular DEM, the points are not recorded in any particular
order and appear random in nature when viewed plotted out.
• A regular DEM follows a grid pattern.
• The standard method is to capture a random DEM and then
interpolate onto a regular grid.

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 Representation of Elevation
• Irregular DEM

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 Representation of Elevation
• Regular DEM

Puget Sound, WA Puget Sound, WA

Bare-earth derived DEM Bare-earth derived DEM
Hillshade map Elevation color map
• Aerial LiDAR mapping of coastal erosion and natural hazard. The spatial resolution of the DEM is 6
feet (1.83 m).
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 Planimetric Survey
• Planimetric survey are carried out from a traverse point.
• Side shots (azimuth and horizontal distance) locate the point and a
coordinate can be computed.
• If an elevation is required for the point a vertical or zenith angle
must be observed.
• The side shots are not usually checked, but major points like
building corners, road intersection should be checked.

Figure 17.5 Radiation survey from control traverse.

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 Symbology
• Since there are usually a very large amount of objects to reference
in the topographic map, symbology must be carefully chosen and
specified on a corner of the map.

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Symbology

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 Computing and Plotting the Survey Data

• Once the fieldwork is complete the data is usually input to a PC for further
processing. The computing process is as follows:
• Total Station
– Will have a data recorder. This is hooked up to a PC and the field data is transferred to
the PC disk.
• Theodolite + Stadia
– The field data must be manually keyed in to the PC. A file is created using the PC Editor
that allows input and correction of the data.
• Reduction of Data
– The next step is to compute the XYZ coordinates of each point using the reduction
equation given in on pg. 2 of lecture 12. This computes the point elevation and the
horizontal distance. Then the coordinates of each point is computed using the side shot
equations.
• Plotting the Data
– Now Computer Aided Drafting package is needed to produce a plot which can be viewed
on the PC monitor. The most popular CADD software is either Microstation or Autocad.
Autocad is used by most of the smaller engineering companies, whilst Microstation is the
choice of the Federal Agencies who let contracts to the larger engineering companies.
Microstation is probably the more technically advanced CADD software.

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 Computing and Plotting the Survey Data

• Editing
– To the basic plot of the points must be added contours. These are automatically
interpolated from the elevation points which are collectively called the DEM
(Digital Elevation Model). Then the planimetry must be added - line data such as
fences, streams, buildings, and symbols for poles, lights and manholes etc. Each
detail on the plan must have a color, a line weight (thickness) a style (dotted or
full line) etc so the compilation of the plan is fairly time-consuming.
• Macros
– Most CADD packages have a language that enables the experienced user to
automate some of the map editing. For example, knowing the sheet size, the
scale, the grid size and the coordinates of the sheet corners it is possible to write
a macro (computer program) to automatically draw the sheet outline and the grid.
• Final Plotting
– The edited topo map is now ready for output. If the PC has a plotting device
attached the map will be output on the plotter which may be a pen-plotter, an
inkjet (the most popular) or an electrostatic plotter. The pen plotter draws lines
and can take an hour or two for a really detailed map, whereas the other types of
plotter are raster plotters - they draw dots at a very fine resolution and can
therefore draw a map with thousands of lines in a matter of minutes.

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Examples

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Examples

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Examples

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Examples

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 Examples
• US Topo Quadrangles — Maps for America

• http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/
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 Examples
• US Topo Quadrangles — Maps for America

• Figure 17.3 Part of U.S.G.S. Lone Butte quadrangle map. (Courtesy U.S. Geological Society.)

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QUESTIONS???

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