Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
With this formula and an understanding of the relationship of the
three elements (slope, vertical elevation difference, and horizontal dis-
tance), one can determine the slope of a landscape (e.g., Figure 9.3-B) or
pavement plane and establish spot elevations for buildings, walls, paved
and unpaved surfaces, and just about any existing or proposed physical
feature in the landscape.
a
V
H
b
c
Figures 9.3-a and 9.3-B Two examples of sloped surfaces: laptop computer screen and grassy slope embankment. The
process for calculating the slope or percent of incline is the same.
a feW SLope conventionS
What is slope? If you have ever gone on a hike and walked
up or down a mountain, you have experienced slope. Moun-
tains that are easy to walk up have a shallow slope or degree
of inclination. A mountain that is difficult to walk up is
described as having a steep slope (see Figures 9.4-A and
9.4-B). Slopes are expressed in percent; slope percents of 2
percent, 5 percent, and 8 percent are easy to walk up, while
slopes of 20 percent, 30 percent, or more increase in difficulty
as the number increases.
Obviously, one can walk up as well as down a mountain
slope. Slopes that we walk up are defined as positive slopes (see
Figure 9.5-A). The experience of walking up a steep slope may
not be described as a positive experience, but in grading, uphill
Figure 9.4-a Trekker walking
up a trail with a slope of 10 to 15
percent
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