TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING

Resection and Intersection

Pramod Devkota
MSc in Geospatial Engineering

Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

 Topics to Cover: Resection and Intersection
A. Defination and principles
B. Purpose and scope
C. Analytical intersection and resection
D. Two points and three-point resection
E. Instruction on field application

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 Intersection : Introduction
▪ Intersection is the method of locating a point by sighting it from two or more known
control points.
▪ This method is suitable for the case where there is difficult to occupy the point to be
located.
▪ On construction sites, predominate marks around the site, such as tall buildings and
other clearly defined features may be used as control points during construction.
▪ It is obviously not possible to set up an instrument at these but it is possible to obtain
their coordinates by using intersection
▪ Since they are usually in elevated positions they can be seen when the lines of sight to
other control points at ground level become obscured as construction proceeds.

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 Importance of Intersection
▪ Seen from most part of the construction site
▪ Used to connect the triangulation network
▪ Establishing control point without occupying it.
▪ Pickup inaccessible prominent detail
▪ Visible from most of the control point

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 Methods of intersection

▪ Method 1: Bearing Method

• Let the point P is to be located by sighting
from known points A and B.
• the bearings of the lines AP and BP are
computed first by observing PAB and PBA
and computing the bearing of the line AB
with the known coordinates of the points A
and B, then the coordinates of P are
computed
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Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Method : Angle Method
Intersection by solution of triangle
 Resection
▪ Resection is the method of determining the position of the point occupied by the
instrument by taking the measurements of horizontal angles between at least three
known control points.
▪ This method is considered to provide a weaker solution than other methods, even than
the method of intersection, so it is preferred to take horizontal angle measurements at
more than three control points so that more checks and adjustments can be applied.
▪ This method is very useful when we need to fix the position very quickly. Since it needs
only a single instrument setup.
▪ it obviously reduces the fieldwork. More over no need of linear measurement is it’s
another plus point.

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 Resection
▪ Resection: Set up ON the UNKNOWN point.
▪ Fundamental Inputs:
I. Known Coordinates of Control Points (≥ 2).
II. Observed Angles/Horizontal Directions (Crucial!).

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 Why Resection
▪ Overcoming Access Limitations:
• Hazardous areas (traffic, unstable ground).
• Inaccessible locations (middle of rivers, tall structures).
• Areas with limited intervisibility between control points.

▪ Efficiency & Speed:

• Single setup can provide position and orientation.
• Reduces time spent moving between control points.

▪ Flexibility:
• Ideal for construction layout (setting out from anywhere visible).
• Tunneling, mining, monitoring.
• Establishing control in difficult terrain.

▪ Foundation for Modern Techniques:

• Underpins Free Stationing in Total Stations & Scanners.
• Core principle in Photogrammetric Aerial Triangulation.
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 THE TWO-POINT RESECTION
▪ The Scenario: You see only TWO known control points (A & B).
▪ The Challenge: Two points define a line, not a unique position!
The Solution Requires MORE:
Option 1: Measure BOTH Angles (α & β):
Option 2: Measure Distance to ONE Point & Angle:
Calculation: Trigonometric solution on the defined circle/arc. Involves solving triangles.

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 THE TWO-POINT RESECTION

•Significance:
• Lifesaver when only two control points are visible/available.
• Faster than traversing if only position (not extensive orientation) is critical.
•Critical Cautions:
• Dangerous Geometry: Prone to large errors if points A, B, and P are nearly collinear.
• The Third Point (C): Must be well-defined and stable, even if its coordinates are
unknown. A fuzzy target (e.g., tree top) introduces error.
• No Redundancy: Only minimal observations – NO CHECK on the position of P. Any
blunder (wrong point, bad angle) goes undetected!
• Limited Use: Generally less preferred than 3-point resection due to lack of checks.

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 THE THREE-POINT RESECTION
▪ Resecting using THREE known control points (A, B, C).
▪ Measure horizontal angles/directions from P to A, B, C (e.g., α = ∠APB, β = ∠BPC).
Distances optional but beneficial.
▪ Key Advantage: Redundancy & Checking: Three observations for two unknowns
(Xₚ, Yₚ) – allows calculation of residuals and assessment of error!
▪ Calculation method:
▪ Graphical: (Historical/Conceptual) Using tracing paper or plotting with protractors.
▪ Trigonometric (Collins Point Method): Elegant geometric construction solving auxiliary
triangles.

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 THREE-POINT RESECTION: SIGNIFICANCE
▪ Provides both (Xₚ, Yₚ) and the orientation of the instrument (direction of zero).
▪ Residuals from the Least Squares adjustment reveal observation errors or blunders.
▪ Allows identification of unstable control points.
▪ While still sensitive, dangerous zones (e.g., on the "Circle of Uncertainty") are smaller
and more predictable than in 2-point.

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 Resection
▪ There are several approaches for the solution of the resection problems, the most
commonly used methods are as follows:
1. Photonot-Snellius Method
2. Dr. T. L. Thomas Method
3. Tienstra Method
4. Collin’s point Method (Bessel’s Method)
5. Anonymous Method
Among the above listed methods, we will discuss Analytical and Tienstra
method, as it is frequently used in theodolite resection problems.

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 Let A,B,C be the known control points in clockwise manner and the α, β and γ are the
angles between the directions PB and PC, PC and PA, and PB and PA respectively in
clockwise direction. An anticlockwise convention throughout is also permissible but
the random is not.

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Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
 Danger Circle:
❑ The triangle formed by joining the three control points
from which resection is to be fixed is called great
triangle and the circle circumscribing this great triangle
is called great circle.
❑ If the point where the resection is desired lies on or
near the circumference of the great circle, then the
circle is known as danger circle.
❑ This circle is danger in the sense that the strength of
fixing goes on decreasing as the point lies nearer the
circumference. Such resection points are not reliable
and accurate.
❑ So, it is recommended that the resection points should
not lie on or in the periphery of circumference by 1/3 rd

of the radius of the great circle.

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 Precautions to be taken during resection:
In theodolite resection the strength of fix depends upon the relative position of the known points
A,B,C and the occupied position P.
▪ When the occupied station is inside the great triangle, the station should be selected near the
centroid of the great triangle. Strength of fix is a maximum when P is at the centroid of the great
triangle ABC .
▪ In case of outside resection, the occupied station P should be selected near the middle known
station. This makes the fix stronger.
▪ Occupied station should never be selected near the circumference of the great circle. It reduces
the strength of fix. It should not be near the periphery of circumference by 1/3rd of the radius of
the great or danger circle
▪ Observations and computations should be carried out very carefully to avoid possible errors and
mistakes

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 Advantages
▪ It needs less field work because only a single setup can fix the position of the occupied
station.
▪ Measurement of distance is not needed which further reduces the volume of the
fieldwork and hence the cost of the project
▪ Position of a point at any desired place can be established without visiting the known
control points. So, it is the quickest method for establishing a control.
▪ No need of figural adjustment, only adjustment for horizontal misclosure is needed.

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 Disadvantages
▪ As only a single station is occupied, it provides a weaker solution than intersection.
▪ Visibility of at least three known control is needed which might not be possible from the
desired location.
▪ Difficult to judge whether the occupied station lies on the circumference of the great
circle or not.
▪ The computation is cumbersome as it needs lengthy formula.

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 Numerical

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 Value of A and B are
different in this example
case

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 Numerical
A, B and C are three visible stations in a hydrographic survey.
The computed sides of the triangle ABC are AB = 1200 m, BC = 1442 m and CA = 1960
m. A station O is established outside the triangle and its position is to be determined by
resection on A, B and C, the angle AOB and BOC being respectively 45°30 and 52°15 .
Determine distances of OA and OC, if O and B are on the opposite sides of line AC.

Find angle z using cosine law.

Find x+y using (360-(alpha+beta+z)
Compare BO from triangle ABO and BOC

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 Resection by Analytical Method

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 Resection by Analytical Method

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 Numerical
▪ The following observations were made on three stations A, B and C from a boat at O
with the help of a sextant. Station B and O being on the same side of AC.
▪ AOB = 30°25 , BOC = 45°25 , ABC = 130°10
▪ AB = 4000 m, BC = 4995 m
Calculate the distances of the boat from the three stations.

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