What is Contour Surveying? Methods, Maps and Uses of Contours in Surveying

Contour Survey Meaning

Contouring in surveying is the determination of elevation of various points on the land and fixing these points of same horizontal positions in the contour map.

In the land property world, a contour is an outline of a mass of land. Main objective of conducting contour surveys is to identify any noticeable difference in elevation of the existing land. In land surveying a contour map is a map illustrated with contour lines, for example a topographic map, which thus shows valleys and hills, and the steepness or gentleness of slopes. Learn more…

Purposes of Contouring

A contour map is very useful since it provide valuable information about the land. Contour survey is carried out at the starting of any engineering project such as a road, a railway, a canal, a dam, a building etc.

 Methods of Contouring

There are two methods of Contouring.

  1. Direct method
  2. Indirect method

Direct Method of Contouring

In this method, the contours to be located are directly traced out in the ground by locating and making a number of points on each contour. These points are then surveyed and plotted on plan and the contours drawn through them. Direct method of contouring is the most accurate but very slow and tedious as a lot of time is wasted in searching points of the same elevation for a contour. Direct Method of Contouring is suitable for small areas and where great accuracy is required.

Indirect Method of Contouring

In Indirect Method of contouring, levels are taken at some selected points and their levels are reduced. Hereby in this method horizontal control is established first and then the levels of those points found. After tracing the points on the plan, reduced levels are marked and contour lines are interpolated between the selected points.

Use of Contouring in survey

  • It depicture slope and size of different landforms on map.
  • It provides complete and clear image of the land and the surrounding area.
  • By reading contour interval it is easy to sort out the different elevation of the landscape.
  • It provide the basis for coloring method.

Shradha Land Surveyors

We have 25+ years of experience. Our reputation in land survey industry has largely been counted by the shooting popularity of our offered Contour Survey.  This survey is imparted in a precise and prompt manner by our experienced team members who always strive hard to gain the maximum satisfaction of the clients by providing them with well managed survey.  Request A Quote.

Talk with our Survey Engineer : 09850264720

This article has 1 comments

  1. cat hat Reply

    Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit
    my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say wonderful blog!

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