What is Contour Survey?

In olden times, map makers were the revered artisans and scientists of their day. They were the creators of outlines of continents and the illustrators of sections of unexplored oceans. Land surveyors blow past this antiquated mapping model, stacking dimensional aspects on top of information-constricting two dimensional assets thanks to developments in contour mapping.

A contour survey maps crucial elevation data onto parcels of land, outlining a real-world topographical view. The height datum partners with area outlines to show detailed spatial information, translating that data into contours that can be rendered within a flattened perspective. Any engineer, architect, or construction expert can then easily decipher the contours, how they band, the distance between the bands, and other relevant factors. For example, the rise and fall of soil within the parcel of land, the irregularities that define its topography, will assist a civil engineer in planning drainage ditches and flood remediation strategies. Additionally, the contours illustrate how the land falls off around an existing property, thus demonstrating obstructions to a planned home extension.

On Carrying Out the Process:

It's not a particularly challenging task, but readers need to be aware that a single error in a contour survey will affect every stage of the construction process. Floor levels and retaining walls will be ever so slightly off because of poor data collection, and this mistake will have effect continuous, spreading outward to throw off other measurements. It's therefore essential to hire a reputable land surveyor, someone who can set a solid bench point and gather height datum from a grid of data points as set along the property parcel. Specialist spatial measuring tools are used to accurately aggregate the dimensional information, with new techniques being developed that create a "cloud" of data points. Imagine lasers and radio scanning tools that can make a high-resolution map of all three dimensions within minutes.

Compiling Contour Survey Data:

It typically depends on the level of expertise of the survey professional, but the gathered data is going to be useless, unless it's translated into the standard contour map format. One answer to this question is to use specialist computer software, a digital terrain model (DTM). Here's a few rules and directives that govern the deciphering of a contour survey.

• The closer the bands are, the greater the gradient of the land. The reverse also holds true
• Contours do not cross
• When the spacing in equal, this indicates a uniform section of land

There are, of course, many other cues to become familiar with, and only a surveyor can properly provide these contoured survey outlines. Ensure your contour survey is professionally commissioned if you want to build on a complex section of topography. This way, you'll always be able to calculate the volume of soil to remove or add, and know the precise depth of services.