DEM generation method from contour lines based on the steepest slope segment chain and a monotone interpolation function
In this paper, a method to generate a digital elevation model (DEM) from contour lines is proposed. The method is characterized by 16 search directions to find the steepest slope direction from a grid point to the nearest and second nearest contour lines, an interpolation along the steepest slope segment chain, an improved identification of slope grid points, and a monotone interpolation provided by a simple cubic Hermit function to interpolate slope grid points. Noticeable improvements are achieved in the generated DEM from the proposed method against the DEM produced by the Geological Survey Institute (GSI) of Japan.
dem contour lines monotone interpolation function steepest piecewise segment