Search Help Return to Geomatics Science 1 Home
coloured square The University of Melbourne

Resection

Choose a Topic

 Resection
 Resection Summary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to top of page.

next

This method is a little different in that the stand point is unknown, and three directions are measured to three known features. Commonly used by bushwalkers for position fixing, but also capable of high accuracy when appropriate equipment is used. Reduced using fundamental triangle geometry, or more easily with Tienstra's formula:

k1 = 1 k2 = 1 k3 = 1
Cot A - Cot a Cot B - Cot b Cot C - Cot c

 

EP = K1EA + K2EB + K3EC NP = K1NA + K2NB + K3NC
K1 + K2 + K3 K1 + K2 + K3

 

Watch how the angles are named when changing the geometry of the field observations. Alpha, beta and gamma are observed, A B and C are obtained from the coordinates of the known points.

The full derivation of this can be found in Bannister, Raymond and Baker, Surveying, Chapter 7: Survey Methods, 6th Edition, p190.

back next



The Department of Geomatics
Maintained by:  Nicole Jones
Date Created:  March 1999