What Does
Site Topography Mean?
Site topography can be defined as the study of the shape, landforms and other physical features of the site under consideration. This study is a part of the geotechnical investigation carried out prior to undertaking a trenchless pipeline installation project. The data from the investigation report including site topography helps engineers to assess the feasibility of a project and also provides insight into design constraints or benefits.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Site Topography
Site topography reveals the presence of hills, valleys, wetlands, estuaries, forests, structures and much more. Site topography can be studied using different survey techniques such as direct survey, remote sensing, photogrammetry, RADAR and global positioning system (GPS). The topography of a site influences various factors such as the flow of surface water, erosion and sedimentation, and vegetative growth.
These factors play an important role in site planning including locating and avoiding damage to environmentally sensitive locations. Knowledge of site topography also helps in selecting suitable location for drainage systems that work on gravity such as sewer lines and water pipelines. The four basic characteristics of site topography include elevation, slope, aspect and landform.