Surveyaan: Drone Survey & Mapping Solutions - Blog #contoursSurveyaan: Drone Survey & Mapping Solutions - Blog #contourshttps://www.surveyaan.com/blogs/tag/contoursFri, 13 Mar 2026 09:12:04 +0530http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[LiDAR Surveying and Drones: What is Lidar Drone Survey ?]]>https://www.surveyaan.com/blogs/post/lidar-surveying-and-drones-what-is-lidar-drone-survey

In the fast-evolving field of geospatial technology, LiDAR surveying using drones is transforming how we map, measure, and manage the Earth’s surface. Whether it’s infrastructure planning, surveying, mining, forestry, or topographic mapping — LiDAR-equipped UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are becoming indispensable tools for professionals across industries.

In this blog, we’ll explore what LiDAR drone surveying is, how it works, its benefits, applications, and why it is a game-changer for modern surveying.

Quick Question Before We Start:
Have you ever used a drone for work or fun?

What is LiDAR Surveying?

Imagine a technology that can see through trees, map ancient ruins, and even help self-driving cars navigate — that’s LiDAR!

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances. These pulses are emitted from a LiDAR sensor, bounce off surfaces, and return to the sensor, allowing it to calculate the precise distance between the object and the sensor. When mounted on a drone, LiDAR can collect millions of points per second — creating highly accurate 3D point clouds of terrain and structures. LIDAR is an ideal system for a variety of industries, including the civil engineering, roadwork and mining industries.

What is a LiDAR Drone?

It is simply a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) equipped with a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor.

How Does LiDAR Drone Technology Work?

    1. Laser Pulses: The LiDAR sensor sends out rapid laser pulses — often hundreds of thousands per second.
    2. Return Signal: The laser hits a surface (ground, building, tree) and reflects back to the sensor.
    3. Distance Calculation: The time it takes for the laser to return is used to calculate the exact distance.
    4. 3D Model Creation: Combining all these points, software generates highly detailed 3D maps, called point clouds.

  1. This process allows surveyors to generate accurate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), and Digital Surface Models (DSMs).

Why Use a LiDAR Drone?

      Highly Accurate

      LiDAR drones can produce centimeter-level accuracy, making them ideal for topographic surveys, construction planning, and engineering projects.

      Vegetation Penetration

      Unlike cameras, LiDAR lasers can penetrate vegetation, allowing you to see the ground beneath trees and brush — crucial for forestry, archaeology, and environmental monitoring.

      Faster Data Collection

      Drone-based LiDAR surveys can cover large areas quickly — reducing time, labor, and cost compared to ground-based methods.

      Safe and Remote Access

      LiDAR drones can access steep, dangerous, or remote areas, reducing risk for field crews.

Think About It:
If LiDAR can “see through” foliage, where else could it be useful?

🌳 Forestry

🏗 Construction sites

🏛 Archaeology

Real-World Applications

Construction & Engineering

  No more guesswork! LiDAR drones create ultra-precise 3D models of construction sites.

  Cut costs by tracking stockpile volumes automatically.

Smart Farming

  Monitor crop health by scanning fields in minutes.

  Optimize irrigation with detailed elevation maps.

Mining & Quarries

  Measure stockpiles without climbing dangerous piles.

  Detect slope instability before collapses happen.

Forestry & Environment

  Count trees and estimate timber volume.

  Track deforestation with millimeter-level accuracy.

Did You Know?
LiDAR helped discover lost Mayan cities hidden under thick jungle!

Challenges & Limitations

High Initial Costs: Professional LiDAR drones cost $20,000–$100,000+.

Data Processing Complexity: Requires specialized software & expertise.

Regulatory Restrictions: Airspace regulations limit drone operations in urban areas.

Battery Life Constraints: Most drones have 20–40 min flight times, requiring multiple sorties.

LiDAR-equipped drones are transforming surveying by providing fast, accurate, and cost-effective geospatial data. Whether for construction, agriculture, mining, or urban planning, this technology enhances efficiency and decision-making.

This brings us to the end of the blog. I hope this article gained some knowledge for you!


Thank you for reading.

About SurveyGyaan


SurveyGyaan is an educational initiative under the Surveyaan brand, which is a subsidiary of Nibrus Technologies Private Limited. Surveypod specializes in DGNSS/DGPS manufacturing in INDIA.


Surveypod: www.surveypod.in


Surveyaan: www.surveyaan.com

]]>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:07:46 +0000<![CDATA[How DGNSS and Drone Surveying are Revolutionizing Land Surveying and Mining Industry]]>https://www.surveyaan.com/blogs/post/How-DGNSS-and-Drone-Surveying-are-Revolutionizing-Land-Surveying-and-Mining-Industry

When it comes to land surveying, accuracy and efficiency aren’t just nice to have — they’re everything. Whether you’re building roads, planning a mining site, or laying railway tracks, precision in your data collection is what lays the foundation for success. Enter DGNSS (Differential Global Navigation Satellite System) and drone-based surveying — two technologies that are transforming how surveyors and civil engineers work on the ground.

In this blog, we’ll break down what DGNSS and drone surveying are, how they work together, and why industries like mining, construction, road and railway departments are shifting to these modern tools.

What is DGNSS & Why Does It Matter for Drone Surveys? 

DGNSS = Differential GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)

Unlike standard GPS (which can have 5–10m errors), DGNSS corrects satellite signals using:

    A base station (on a known coordinate)

    A rover (drone/RTK receiver)

This brings accuracy down to 1–2 cm — critical for engineering-grade surveys.

Two Flavors of DGNSS:

    RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) — Corrections sent live to the drone (best for real-time mapping).

    PPK (Post-Processed Kinematic) — Data corrected later using software (more reliable in areas with poor                         connectivity).

    Fun Fact: Our SurveyPod DGNSS supports both RTK & PPK, so you’re covered in any terrain.

What is Drone Surveying?

Drone surveying uses UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) equipped with high-resolution cameras or LiDAR sensors to capture aerial data over large areas. Instead of spending days walking the terrain with a total station, drones can cover 60 hectares in one flight — in just minutes.

Why Drones Make Sense:

  • Speed: Quick data capture means faster project planning.
  • Safety: No need to send people into dangerous or inaccessible areas.
  • Coverage: Large areas can be surveyed in a single flight.
  • Accuracy: With GNSS correction, drone data is incredibly precise.

    Fun Fact: Our Surveyaan V1 drone is a compact, sub-2kg UAV perfect for this.

How DGNSS and Drone Surveying Work Together

Here’s where it gets interesting. Drone surveying becomes exponentially more powerful when paired with DGNSS. With a GNSS base station providing corrections, you can geo-tag aerial images with high-accuracy coordinates, enabling:
  • Accurate orthomosaic/orthophotos, dsm/dtm, point clouds
  • Precise 3D and 2D models
  • Reliable contour and elevation data
For instance, in a road widening project, you could:

Who’s Using This Technology?

Industries already adopting UAVs + DGNSS surveys include:
    • Civil engineers & Surveyors: For land survey, topographic surveys, aerial maps and more.
    • Mining departments: For volume calculations, pit mapping, and safety monitoring.
    • Highway & Road departments: For route alignment, site inspection, and project monitoring.
    • Railway departments: For corridor mapping and encroachment analysis.
    • Infrastructure companies: For project planning, reporting, and audit documentation.

In a world where projects are bigger, timelines are tighter, and accuracy is non-negotiable, DGNSS and Drone surveying are not just buzzwords — they’re becoming the new standard. Whether you’re surveying a quarry, planning a bridge, or laying down a new railway line, combining these two technologies can save time, cut costs, and boost reliability

If you’re curious to explore how modern tools can help your team, check out our Surveypod DGNSS receiver and Surveyaan V1 drone — designed and built for real-world survey professionals like you.

]]>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:44:52 +0000<![CDATA[IBM Drone Survey SOP March 2023 Updated]]>https://www.surveyaan.com/blogs/post/ibm-drone-survey-sop-march-2023-updatedThe Government has updated the SOP for drone surveys and submission of Digital Aerial Images of Mining areas to the Indian Bureau of Mines.]]>

The Government has updated the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for drone surveys and submission of Digital Aerial Images of Mining areas to the Indian Bureau of Mines. Let’s see what has been updated under the new SOP.


IBM has updated the Ground Control Points. With a certified DGPS instrument, the mine should establish at least 5 GCP per sq km of the lease area. An example is also provided to aid comprehension. If the leased area is 478 ha, a minimum of 24 GCPs, including three permanent GCPs, should be placed within the leased area.


The updated SOP has also given more comprehension of the leased area covered with thick canopies. It is not possible to place GCPs in areas filled with dense canopies within the leased area. In such leased areas with dense canopy parts, GCPs can be reduced proportionally and distributed well in the remaining parts of the leased area. E.g., If 200 ha of the 478 ha lease area is covered with a thick canopy, then 14 GCPs, including three permanent GCPs, must be established in the remaining 278 ha.

The figure above shows a leased boundary containing part of a canopy. It is not possible to place GCPs in areas filled with dense canopies. So here, the GCPs are distributed well in the remaining parts of the leased boundary.


The data outputs needed to be provided to IBM by the lessee have also been updated. The updated data outputs are discussed one below the other.

  •       The Orthomosaic image should include a buffer zone of 100m, and it should be a single image.The spatia        resolution of the image has also been defined, which should be less than or equal to 5 cm in UTM                    Projected Coordinate System and in Geotiff format.
        The previous SOP only mentioned submitting the Digital Elevation Model (3D), i.e., Digital Surface Model and Digital Terrain Model. In the new updated SOP, it has been made clear that the Digital Elevation Model (3D), i.e., Digital Surface Model and Digital Terrain Model, should include the 100m buffer zone. The spatial resolution of the image has also been defined, which should be less than or equal to 15cm in UTM Projected Coordinate System and in Geotiff format.

          Compared with the Previous SOP, the new updated SOP clearly defines the GCPs that must be submitted to IBM. The new updated SOP has divided the GCPs that must be submitted to IBM into three files.

  1.                 The total GCPs DGPS Survey data, including permanent GCPs, must be submitted to IBM in GCS                      WGS-84 datum and UTM Projected Coordinate System in Excel Format.
  2.                 The Permanent GCP data needs to be submitted to IBM both in GCS WGS-84 datum, and UTM                          Projected Coordinate System in Excel Format.
  3.                 The plan of GCPs needs to be submitted to IBM in UTM Projected Coordinate System in shapefile                      format.
  • In the new SOP, submitting the RMSE report in .txt, .doc, and .pdf format has been mandatory. Earlier, the RMSE report needed to be submitted only in .txt and .doc format.
  • There are also major updates in the map of the mining lease area. More features have been added to the map that needs to be marked in the map before submitting it to IBM. The updated features are listed below.
    1. 1. ML Boundary
    2. 2. Topsoil stack
    3. 3. Infrastructure
    4. 4. Roads
    5. 5. Railways
    6. 6. Tailing Pond
    7. 7. Effluent Treatment Plant
    8. 8. Mineral Separation Plant
    9. 9. Township Area
    10. 10. Others to specify (Green Belt area)

The data should be submitted in the UTM Projected Coordinate System in the shapefile format in polygon geometry along with the associated files. The above-mentioned applicable land use data needs to be provided in a single shape file with proper nomenclature of features in the attribute data of the shape file.

In the previous SOP, the Boundary Pillar coordinates must be submitted in the shapefile and Excel format in Geographic Coordinate System and Projected Coordinate System. In the new updated SOP, the boundary pillar coordinates must be submitted in Excel format in GCS and UTM. Also, a plan of the leased boundary pillar coordinates also needs to be submitted in UTM and GCS in WGS 84 datum. Although here, two separate shapefiles for GCS and UTM must be submitted.


Finally, As per the previous SOP, the Drone Survey Log Sheet needed to be submitted only in the .doc format, while in the new updated SOP, it has been made clear that the drone survey log sheet needs to be submitted both in .doc and pdf format.

As per the updated SOP, the processed output data must also be submitted to the State Governments. It had to be submitted to the Chief Mining Geologist and the Respective Regional Offices of IBM earlier.


]]>Mon, 08 Jan 2024 07:01:45 +0000<![CDATA[Projected Coordinate Systems]]>https://www.surveyaan.com/blogs/post/projected-coordinate-systemsThe Projected Coordinate System helps you to project a specific round-earth model onto a flat surface or map.]]>

The Projected Coordinate System helps you to project a specific round-earth model onto a flat surface or map. PCS are created by projecting the 3D GCS onto a 2D surface. The projected coordinate system tells the data on how to draw on a flat surface. There are many different map projections, and each displays the earth differently. Some are good for preserving areas on your map, others for keeping angles or distances.

The Projected coordinate system place points on 2-dimensional projections rather than using degrees to represent points on a spheroid. These coordinate systems frequently express the x and y coordinates for particular points using measurements in feet or meters. The benefits of these systems include easy-to-express and understand coordinates and more short distance and area calculations due to constant lengths and angles across the projection. Examples of projected coordinate systems include Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS), and Lambert Conformal Conic.

Converting from 3d to flat surfaces may cause distortions.

  • Area — These projections preserve the area of specific features. The Albers Equal Area Conic projection is an example of an equal area projection.
  • Shape — These projections preserve local shape for small areas. The Lambert Conformal Conic projections is an example of equal shape projections.
  • Distance — These projections preserve the distances between certain points by maintaining the scale of a given data set. The Equidistant Conic projection is an example of equidistant projection.
  • Direction — These projections preserve the direction from one point to all other points by maintaining some of the great circle arcs. The Lambert Equal Area Azimuthal projection is an example of a projection that preserve direction.

No projection can preserve all of these spatial properties


Depending on the projection used, different spatial properties will appear distorted. Projections are designed to minimize the distortion of one or two of the data’s characteristics, yet the distance, area, shape, direction, or a combination of these properties might not be accurate representations of the data that is being modeled. There are several types of projections available.

Universal Transverse Mercator

The UTM system comprises 60 zones, every six degrees of longitude in width. The zones are numbered 1–60, beginning at 180 degrees longitude and increasing to the east. The UTM CRS is a global map projection.

As you can see from the figure, India is covered by six UTM zones to minimize distortion. The zones are UTM 42N, UTM 43N, UTM 44N, UTM 45, UTM 46N, and UTM 47N. The N after the zone means that the UTM zones are north of the equator.

The UTM projection minimizes distortion within that zone. Distortion is small near the central meridian, and as you move away it worsens. It is difficult to use UTM if your area of interest covers more than one UTM zone. Therefore, using the UTM coordinate system is not the best choice for mapping extremely large areas.

The UTM zone number, zone letter, and the easting and northing planar coordinate pair in that zone give a position on the Earth.

For example, the location of the Taj Mahal is 27°10' 30.36"N and 78 2' 31.56"E in Geographic Coordinate System. After converting it to the Projected Coordinate System, we get UTM zone no 44 and zone letter R, and the grid position is 206910.89 m Easting, 3009286.62 m Northing.

Please find the video on our YouTube channel from here.

This brings us to the end of the blog. I hope this article gained some knowledge for you!

Thank you for reading.

]]>Thu, 04 Jan 2024 13:28:54 +0000<![CDATA[Vector Data in GIS]]>https://www.surveyaan.com/blogs/post/vector-data-in-gisVector data is a data structure that can be used to store spatial data. It is used to represent real-world features and assign attributes to those features.]]>

The spatial characteristics of features can be stored in GIS in one of 2 ways: Vector data or Raster data.

Raster data is made up of pixels (also referred to as grid cells). Each pixel is associated with a specific geographical location. The value of a pixel can be continuous (e.g., Slope) or discrete (e.g., Population Density). It is used in Aerial imagery, satellite images, and shaded relief raster’s as the base layer when making maps.

Difference between Raster Data and Vector Data

Vector data is a data structure that can be used to store spatial data. It is used to represent real-world features and assign attributes to those features. It comprises of individual points, stored as coordinate pairs that indicate a physical location in the world. Data in this format can have a geometry type of point, line, and polygon.

Point: They are simply X, Y, and Z coordinates. It typically represents a geographic feature too small to be displayed as a line or area. These features also consist of a node and vertex. They generally indicate distinct, discrete components such as buildings, trees, power poles, sample locations, etc. They only have the property of the location.

Line: They are composed of many (at least 2) points that are connected. It represents linear features such as roads, streams, faults boundaries, flight paths, and contours. E.g., If you want to express a route on a map, you can use line vector data to display it on a map.

Polygon: It consists of 3 or more vertices connected and closed. They have attributes that describe the geographic feature they represent. They are enclosed areas like dams, lakes, vegetation, country boundaries, etc. Like polyline features, they are created from vertices connected with a continuous line. However, because a polygon always describes an enclosed area, the first and the last vertices should always be in the same place. E.g., If you want the closed boundary of a rock on a map, then you can use polygon vector data to display it on a map.

Advantages of Vector Data

  • Topology: It can be wholly described and easy to maintain.
  • Storage: Easier to store since it requires less disk storage.
  • Spatial resolution: It has high spatial resolution and high-precision graphics.
  • Accuracy: It can represent all features will high accuracy.
  • Representation: Sharp, Clean, scalable, and aesthetically pleasing.

Disadvantages of Vector Data

  • Complexity: It has a complex data structure and algorithms.
  • Time Consuming: It depends on the size and number of features, so the editing and processing of vector data can be pretty time-consuming.
  • Continuous Data: Continuous data is poorly stored and displayed.
  • Compatibility: It is not compatible with remote sensing data.

Vector Data Formats

Each vector format represents a different way of storing geospatial data on a computer. Each data format is more or less suited to specific types of projects.

Some of the essential file formats are:

  • Shapefile (SHP): It is a popular geospatial vector data format for a geographic information system (G.I.S.) software storing geographic features, location, shape, and attributes.
  • Keyhole Markup Language (KML.): It is a standard format for sharing geographic data and visualizing it in three-dimensional earth browsers like Google Earth.

Figure above shows a KML boundary. This is discrete data and contains the location information. We get the coordinates of the points marked here. To get the coordinates right, click the file and open it in notepad.

  • AutoCAD Drawing Exchange Format (DXF): A CAD data file format is often used to share drawing data between other CAD programs.

In Figure above, the contour lines are in DXF format and can be opened in AutoCAD. They are discrete and contain the x, y, and z values. In the above figure, only the z coordinates are labeled. If we right-click on any contour file and go to properties, we get the x and y coordinates.

  • Comma Separated Values (CSV): It can be visualized as a table that can only represent point data. It is a delimited text file that uses a comma to separate values.

Figure above shows the X, Y, and Z values in a comma-separated value (CSV) file. Here, each row represents a single point, and if we open this file in any G.I.S. software, each row will be displayed as a single point.

  • Geodatabase (GDB): An ArcGIS-specific format for editing and data management.
  • OpenStreetMap (OSM): It is a key value format written in XML for creating and sharing map information.

This brings us to the end of the blog. Hope this article gained some knowledge for you! Let’s meet in the next article to learn more about Raster Data in GIS.


Thank you for reading.

]]>Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:52:14 +0000<![CDATA[Volume Calculation using Drone Survey]]>https://www.surveyaan.com/blogs/post/Volume-Calculation-using-Drone-SurveyVolumetric measurements are done using aerial or ground surveying techniques to calculate the volume of stockpiles and other materials.]]>

Volumetric measurements are done using aerial or ground surveying techniques to calculate the volume of stockpiles and other materials. Conventionally, it was done on the ground using total station but now, as an alternative, aerial UAVs are used to find the measurements. Surveyors now use drones to calculate the stockpile volume and amount of material removed from the ground. They plan accurate projects at different timeframes, and measure excavations. Surveys are done on the mine, quarry, landfills, coal yards, etc.



Advantages over traditional ground-based volumetric measurement

  • Low Risk: When traditional methods are used, the surveyors have to take points in risky areas of the field, while in aerial surveys, it is easy to take points from inaccessible and dangerous places.
  • Point Collection:The drone-generated point clouds gather millions of points compared to the hundreds gathered in a ground-based survey.
  • Flexible, Fast, and Time Saving:It reduces the time surveyors spend on the field.
  • Accuracy: It is more accurate when compared to traditional methods.

There are several methods for calculating the volume. The most straightforward technique uses Digital Terrain Model (DTM)/ Digital Surface Model (DSM). The Aerial surveying method generates aerial photography, which in turn is used to create Digital Terrain / Digital Surface models. Finally, the volume is calculated with the help of the software.

Before moving on to the Volumetric calculation, you have to be familiar with some terms given below.

Cut Volume: The cut is the portion above the base plane. In simple terms, the Earth is removed from an area.


Fill Volume: The fill is the portion below the base plane. In simple terms, the Earth is brought to an area.


Plane Height: It refers to the height of the plane. All volume above or below the plane will be calculated for the plane height.


Volume Calculation

The volume measurement tool available in Surveyaan Geoworkspace calculates the volume with the Digital Surface model (DSM)/Digital Terrain Model (DTM).


The Digital Elevation Model is a 3D representation of the terrain elevations on the earth’s surface.


The Digital Terrain Model is a subset of DEM and consists of the earth’s surface and excludes buildings, trees, etc.


The Digital Surface Model is a subset of DEM and consists of the earth’s surface, including all objects like buildings, trees, etc.


The Digital Terrain Model is generally used for the volume measurements since it only contains the terrain. Any photogrammetry software can be used to find the volume measurements, and here I have used Surveyaan Geoworkspace.

In Surveyaan Geoworkspace, there are four Base Elevation Methods.

Let’s look at them one by one:


Lowest Point: Among all the points in the polygon, the point with the lowest elevation is considered. A horizontal base plane is created at the lowest elevation point, and the cut and fill volume is calculated accordingly. The lowest point is used to calculate the volume of the stockpiles when it is flat ground.

Linear fit: Concerning the points in the polygon, a linear fitted plane will be considered, and the plane that fits the best will be used for calculating the volume. The linear fit is used to calculate the volume of stockpiles whenever the ground underneath the stockpiles is sloped or irregular.

Manual Base Plane Method: In this method, we have to select the base plane manually, and the volume is calculated using that. It creates a horizontal plance according to the height of the base plane entered.


Initially, we need to have the base elevation of the area. Here I have a known base elevation of 170.48096 m, and I have entered the known elevation in the Base Elevation field and clicked on the Calculate button to get the volume.

The last method is the Compare Dem Method. Before moving on to that, we need to be clear on Volumetric Survey using the Pseudo GCP Method.

We need GCP to improve the accuracy of our projects. One interesting point is that even without the help of DGPS, volume can be measured accurately. We use our self-devised Pseudo GCP method for volumetric survey.

Workflow


  1. Place at least 4–5 GCPs at the site. Make sure they are not placed at the location where Volumetric Survey needs to be conducted.
  1. Fly the drone and collect Raw photos.
  2. Keep the GCPs in the same place for the next time.
  3. Process the collected dataset in any photogrammetry software.
  4. Now, you have the initial Survey results, and you get the GCPs values too.
  5. Suppose you want to survey after 15 days. So, you go to the same site again. Ensure all the GCPs are placed at the exact location and fly the drone.
  6. This time, process the dataset using the GCP method. You can get the values of GCPs from the initial survey. This step would ensure that both topographical surveys have been conducted at the same base.
  7. Once processed, you can easily find the relative Cut and Fill volume.

  8. Since we know the Pseudo GCP method, let us look at the final volume method.


  9. Compare DEM: This method compares similar projects done at the same place in different time frames. Here we can select an existing project from the drop-down, and it automatically calculates the volume measurements.


Here in Figure 8 above, you can see two project photos. The photo on the left is the area surveyed first and to the right is a photo of the same area surveyed after one month.

In Figure 9 above, you can see two project photos with elevation profiles. The image on the top is the area surveyed first, and the bottom is a photo of the same area surveyed after one month. To compare the volume between such projects, follow the steps below:

  1. Select Compare Dem from the Base Elevation Method, select the project you need to compare from the Select Project field, and it automatically calculates the volume measurements.

In Figure 10 above, the project surveyed first has been selected from the dropdown of the Select Project field. Here the selected polygon is the area of the project that has been surveyed after one month and the selected polygon acts as the base plane. The cut volume here refers to the earth removed from the ground. As we can see the cut volume is more here since this marked area has been dug up.


This brings to the end of the blog. I hope this article gained some knowledge on measuring volumes using different base plane methods.


Give your response and stay connected for more.


Thanks for reading.

]]>Tue, 25 Apr 2023 09:59:00 +0000<![CDATA[Drone Survey & AutoCAD: Contours]]>https://www.surveyaan.com/blogs/post/drone-survey-autocad-contoursContouring, in surveying, is the determination of elevation of various points on the ground.]]>

Drone Survey & AutoCAD: Contours

Contouring, in surveying, is the determination of elevation of various points on the ground. When used traditional methods like total station, taking elevation data is a very tedious task and even if one gathers the data, it is very limited. Surveying through drone is a big relief knowing the fact that it takes less time and provides more & accurate points. Once the results are generated, getting contour is merely a click of button.

In this article, we will learn about the contour, terms related to contour, their characteristics and uses. We will also learn to examine contours and determine the nature of the land. The same content has been posted in video format on our YouTube channel SurveGyaan by Surveyaan.

Starting with the contour, it is an imaginary line which connects points of equal elevation.

The process of tracing these lines on the earth’s surface is called as contouring.
The contour lines in an area are drawn keeping difference in elevation of between two consecutive lines constant and this difference is known as Contour Interval. If the ground has large variation in levels, for instance, hills and ponds, or For small scale maps covering a wide area of varying terrain, or for rough topographical map meant for initial assessment only, then High Contour Interval can chosen. If the terrain is fairly level, or for preparation of detailed map for execution of work, Small Contour Interval can be selected.

Charaterstics of Contour

To explain the characteristics, AutoCAD drawing file, containing contour lines, has been used. For the same map, you may create a new layer and import orthomosaic. You can learn more about orthomosaic on this blog.

Fig. 1
  • Two contours of different elevation do not cross each other with only exception in the contours of a overhanging cliff.
  • All the points in the contour are at the same elevation.
Fig. 2
  • A series of closed interval with lower elevation indicates a depression. For example, a mine pit.
Fig. 3
  • A series of closed interval with higher elevation indicates a hill. For example, a stockpile.
Fig. 4
  • Equally spaced contour lines indicate a uniform slope.
  • Widely spaced lines indicates the flat ground.
  • A series of straight, parallel and equally spaced contours represent a plane surface like a Building.

Use Cases

  1. Contour lines can be used for determining the nature of the surface like sloppy, hilly or flat and it’s slope can be estimated.
  2. Military troops used them for their operation.
  3. They can be used for obtaining data used in the design and construction.
  4. Earth work can be estimated for civil engineering projects like road works, railway, canals, dams etc.
  5. They can be used for alignment of road, canals, railways, etc.

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