Topographic survey

Qassim University

Unaizah College of Engineering

Civil Engineering Department

Survey Basics (CE 112)

Dr. Waleed Tahawy
 Topographic survey

Definition
Topographic Map: A topographic map is one which
shows with practical accuracy all the drainage, culture,
and relief features that the scale of the map will permit.
These features may be grouped under three heads as
follows:
(1) the culture, or features constructed by man, as cities,
villages, roads.
(2) the hypsography, or relief of surface forms, as hills,
valleys, plains.
(3) the hydrography, or water features, as ponds, streams,
lakes.
Dr. Waleed Tahawy
 Topographic survey

Definition
Contour line: is a line on a map joining points of similar
elevation.
Contour interval: is the difference between any two
adjacent contour lines.

Dr. Waleed Tahawy

 Topographic survey

Definition

Contour plan with derived profile

Dr. Waleed Tahawy
 Topographic survey

Definition

Contour map

Dr. Waleed Tahawy

 Topographic survey

Definition
Profile: A series of elevations taken along a baseline
at some repetitive station interval, as well as at each
significant change in slope.

Cross section: is a profile of the ground, showing

change in height along a line between two points.

Dr. Waleed Tahawy

 Topographic survey

Cross-section Leveling
Given:
The general direction of the specific route and the
location of a bench mark (BM) at the start of this
route.
Required:
1- Starting from the given BM, determine the
elevation every 10 meters along this route. You should
do at least three setup covering about 15 points.
2- Using any computer software such as Excel,
draw the Cross-section.
Dr. Waleed Tahawy
 Topographic survey

Cross-section Leveling
Procedure:
1-Set up the level 10 meters from the BM in the direction
of leveling.
2-Erect the leveling rod at the BM and take a reading
through the level. This reading is the first back sight
reading BS1.
3-Rotate the level head 180 without changing its position.
4-Erect the leveling rod at 50 m from the level location and
take the reading. This is the first intermediate reading IS.

Dr. Waleed Tahawy

 Topographic survey

Cross-section Leveling
Procedure cont.
5- Repeat step 4 as long as you can easily see the
leveling rod.
6- Once you cannot easily sight the leveling rod, you
have to relocate level (setup 2). This is done by keeping
the leveling rod in its last position (TP) and moving the
level to the new position. The reading of the rod taken
when the level was in first position (setup 1) is called FS1.
The reading of the rod at TP from the new position of level
(setup 2) is BS2.
Dr. Waleed Tahawy
 Topographic survey

Cross-section Leveling
Procedure cont.
7- Repeat steps 4 to 6 until you finish your assignment,
and summarize your data and calculations in a table
similar to the following:
Remark Station BS HI IS FS Elevation

Dr. Waleed Tahawy

 Topographic survey

Cross-section Leveling
Example
The following is a reduced set of Cross-section notes by
Excel software. Figure 5.1 shows a Cross-section plot of
the example done by excel software.
Remark Station BS HI IS FS Elevation
BM 0+00 1.880 201.88 200
0+50 0.50 201.38
TP 1+00 1.901 199.932 3.849 198.031
1+50 0.895 199.037
3.781 4.744
Dr. Waleed Tahawy
 Topographic survey

Cross-section Leveling

Example cont.
Arithmetic check: 200 + 3.781 4.744 = 199.037
Elevation
202
Fig. 5.1. Cross-section Leveling

201

200

Elevation
199

198

197
0 50 100 150 200
BM 0+50 TP 1+50

Station

Dr. Waleed Tahawy

 Topographic survey

Contour lines
Contour Characteristics
The following list provides a summary of contours:
1. Closely spaced contours indicate steep slopes.
2. Widely spaced contours indicate moderate slopes
(spacing here is a relative relationship).
3. Contours must be labeled to give the elevation value.
Either each line is labeled or every fifth line is drawn
darker (wider) and labeled.
4. Contours are not shown going through buildings.

Dr. Waleed Tahawy

 Topographic survey

Contour lines
Contour Characteristics
5. The ground slope between contour lines is
uniform. If the ground slope is not uniform between
the points, additional readings (by total station or
level) are taken at the time of the survey.
6. Important points can be further defined by
including a spot elevation (height elevation).
7. Contour lines tend to parallel each other on
uniform slopes.

Dr. Waleed Tahawy