For architects and property developers, various industry jargon and technical terms are used on a daily basis. It’s essential to become familiar with them because misunderstandings have the potential to lead to big mistakes. Among these crucial terms are slope and incline. What is the difference between slope and incline? These terms are often mixed up, and while it may make little or no difference in other settings, you’ll need to know if you’re in the property industry. Let’s discuss it.
Slope and Incline Are Similar, but Not The Same
These two terms get mixed up because they are rooted in the same concept, though they are used in various contexts to describe different aspects of a gradient. Slope and incline are often used interchangeably; however, their meanings have nuanced differences.
What Is a Slope?
Slope is a general term used to describe the steepness or gradient of a surface. It can be used to describe natural or man-made terrain, though it typically doesn’t imply an intentional design, but rather the overall angle or gradient of a surface.
People usually use the word slope when designing drainage systems, roads, or buildings, as the slope of the land will determine how water will drain, the stability of the land, and how easy the land is to develop.
What Is an Incline?
When referring to a surface that is intentionally designed to have a specific angle or elevation, we use the term incline. You’ll usually discuss inclines in reference to wheelchair ramps, staircases, roof pitches, and transportation systems like roads and railways. An incline is typically a straight line, while a slope may have a curve to it.
Both a slope and an incline can be defined as a change in the vertical elevation over a horizontal distance.
Measuring Slopes and Inclines
Various mathematical formulas can be used to measure slopes and gradients. While slope is more of a general term, it can still be expressed mathematically in the same way as a gradient. Architects, land surveyors, builders, and property developers will quantify the gradient as a ratio, percentage, or degrees based on the rise over run, which is the vertical change over the horizontal distance.
How To Find the Slope or Incline of a Property
To calculate the slope of a property, you need access to property development plans, a topographical map or to physically take the measurements on site. You can get topographical information from your local council, but the fastest and easiest method is through property development and architectural software, like Archistar. These always up-to-date maps will show you critical overlay information. Simply find your property and view the slope of the site with an easy-to-use overlay function. High resolution aerial imagery allows you to further survey the site without having to visit the location. In addition, you will be able to assess the risk of bushfires, flooding, and other environmental factors using the same overlay function.
While there is overlap in how slope and incline are used, incline is typically used in architecture and engineering and slope is more commonly associated with property development. Archistar can help identify and display slope on any site of interest, to access the information you need for your next project Create a free account and immediately gain access to critical information and see the benefits for yourself.
