CHAPTER 4

SECTIONAL VIEWS AND CONVENTIONS

4.1 Introduction
The main objective of a drawing is to represent the size and shape of an object clearly. Sometimes
it so happens that lots of hidden lines are required to show the interior detail of an object. As such
it becomes very difficult to visualize the object thereby jeopardizing the primary objective of the
drawing. In order to overcome this problem, a sectional view is often necessary. A sectional view
is that view, which is seen beyond the imaginary cutting plane through an object at right angle to
the direction of sight. It represents the interior construction or details of hidden features clearly to
the users.
The exposed or cut surface is identified with the help of section lining or cross-hatching. Hidden
lines and details behind the cutting-plane line are usually omitted unless they are essential for
clarity or dimensioning. A sectional view frequently replaces one of the regular views. A regular
front view may be replaced by a front sectional view.

4.2 Generating Sectional View

Figure 4.1: Object with Cutting Plane Through Mid-Section

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Figure 4.2: Section After Cutting and Removal of Front Portion

It has been represented in Figures 4.1 and 4.2 how to generate sectional view. Figure 4.1 shows a
cutting-plane passing through the mid-section of the object while Figure 4.2 shows the section of
the object after removal of the front portion. The interior of the object has become very clear after
cutting. A cutting-plane line represents the plane, along which the object is cut. In Figure 4.3, the
cutting plane line has been shown on the view of the object, along which section has been made.
The sectional view has also been given in Figure 4.3.

Top View

Sectional View
Figure 4.3: Views Showing Cutting Plane and Section
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4.3 Section Lining

Figure 4.4: Symbols for Section Lining

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Section lining is often called cross-hatching. The purpose of section line is to indicate the surface
that has been cut hypothetically thereby clarifying the internal shape of the object and the material
from which the object is made of. The symbols of section lining for various materials have been
given in Figure 4.4.
The lines used to indicate section are thin and they are usually drawn at an angle of 450 to the
major outline of the object. The spacing of the lines has to be reasonably uniform for good
appearance. The pitch or in other words the perpendicular distance between the consecutive lines
may vary between 1 to 3 mm.
When two adjacent pieces are to be crosshatched in an assembly drawing, they may be done in
opposite directions. However, for more than two pieces, section angle other than 45 0 such as 300
or 600 may be used. Alternatively, all pieces may be sectioned at the same angle of 450 but with
different pitch. If a part is so shaped that section lining at 45 0 runs parallel to its principal outlines,
another direction may be chosen (Figure 4.5a). For the large area, section lines may be provided
only on the edges of the area (Figure 4.5b) depending on the size of the surface to be sectioned.
When the thickness is small such as for packing, gaskets, sheet metal, plastic sheet etc., the section
lining may be omitted and the area may be filled in completely (4.5c). Dimensions or other
lettering should not be placed in sectional areas in general. When it becomes essential omit the
section lining for them where they have to be inserted (Figure 4.5d).

Figure 4.5: Sectioning in Special Features

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4.4 Types of Sections

There are many types of sections, which are used in engineering drawings. These are explained in
concise form in the following subsections.

4.4.1 Full Section

When a cutting plane passes through the entire object, the section obtained is called the full
section of the object. The cutting plane may pass through the object either straight or change
direction while passing through. Figure 4.2 shows the full section of the object and Figure 4.3
provides the full section view of the same object.

4.4.2 Half Section

Sometimes for the symmetric object, one half is drawn in section and the other half is drawn as a
regular exterior view. Cutting plane line is extended half way across, then in forward direction
being perpendicular. Figure 4.6 shows the removal of the quarter portion of the object. In Figure
4.7 the cutting plane line has been shown. On the section view either a center line (Figure 4.8) or a
visible line (Figure 4.9) is used to divide the sectional half from the unsectioned half of the
drawing.
A half section has the advantage of showing both the interior and the exterior of the object on one
view without using hidden lines. However, when dimensioning is to be given, hidden line may be
added to accomplish that (Figure 4.10). In the assembly drawing half section may be used showing
both internal and external construction where only overall and center-to-center dimensions are
necessary.

Figure 4.6: Object With Half Section

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Figure 4.7: View With Cutting Plane Line

Figure 4.8: View With Half Section

(Divided With Center Line)

Figure 4.9: View With Half Section

(Divided With Visible Line)

Figure 4.10: View With Half Section

(For Dimensioning)
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4.4.3 Broken-Out Section

When an interior portion of an object is needed to visualize by a section, but full or half section
cannot be made because that removes some essential feature of the object. The section is made
directly on the exterior view. An irregular freehand line is drawn to limit the break. An object with
broken-out section and its view are shown in Figures 4.11 and 4.12 respectively.

Figure 4.11: Object with Broken-Out Section

Figure 4.12: View with Broken-Out Section

4.4.4 Revolved Section

Sometimes a revolved or rotated section becomes necessary to illustrate the shape of a bar, arm,
spoke, rib etc. An imaginary cutting plane is assumed to pass across them to obtain the section,
then the section is rotated by 900. In Figure 4.13, revolved T-section with break and elliptical
section have been shown. It can be observed that when the top and bottom lines are not parallel,
revolved section with break becomes suitable.
When the revolved sections are removed to other locations of the sheet, they are known as
removed section (Figure 4.13). When space limitation appears for revolved section or
dimensioning cannot be provided, removed section is required. Sometimes several sections are
necessary for the part with gradual change in shape and size, and then removed sections become
useful. Often the sections are drawn at a larger scale to show the dimensions; removed section
becomes suitable for that.
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Figure 4.13: Revolved Section

4.5 Parts Not Sectioned

Shafts, bolts, nuts, rivets, balls, pins and keys are not sectioned when they are in the line of cutting
plane. They are always left in full view. They have been shown in Figure 4.14.

(a) Shaft, Key, Ball

(b) Rivet (c) Bolt

Figure 4.14: Parts not to be Sectioned
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4.6 Ribs in Section

Figure 4.15: Object with Rib

(a) View with Cutting Plane Line

(b) Preferred Sectional View

(c) True Sectional View

Figure 4.16: Sectional View with Ribs
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An object with ribs and its sectional view are shown in Figure 4.15 and 4.16 respectively. When
the cutting plane passes longitudinally through the center of a rib or web, section lining is omitted
there (Figure 4.16b). Providing section lining throughout including the ribs the view cannot
describe the object clearly (Figure 4.16c) rather it makes the drawing misleading. On the other
hand, when the cutting plane cuts the ribs transversely, that is, at right angle to its length, it is
always sectioned.

An object with odd number of ribs and its sectional view are shown in Figures 4.17 and 4.18
respectively. When the ribs are odd in number, the true section cannot illustrate the shape of the
object properly (Figure 4.18b). In that case if the rib as well as the hole are aligned or rotated as
such, the view becomes symmetric and makes a good relationship (Figure 4.18c). This can
describe the object clearly.

Figure 4.17: Object with Odd Number of Ribs

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(a) View with Cutting Plane Line

(b) True Sectional View

(c) Preferred Sectional View

Figure 4.18: Sectional View with Odd Number of Ribs

4.7 Spokes in Section

In Figures 4.19 and 4.20, a wheel with odd number of spokes and its sectional view are shown
respectively. Figure 4.20a represents a view with cutting plane line while Figures 4.20b and 4.20c
represent the true sectional view and preferred sectional view respectively. The true sectional view
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does not illustrate the object clearly while the preferred sectional view represents the object
clearly. In the preferred sectional view the spoke has been made aligned to present a true
relationship.

Figure 4.19: Wheel with spokes

(a) View With Cutting Plane Line

(b) True Sectional View

(c) Preferred Sectional View

Figure 4.20: Sectional View with Odd Number of Spokes
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4.8 Lugs in Section

In Figure 4.21, an object with a lug has been presented. A view with cutting plane line of this
object has been given in Figure 4.22a. The sectional view has been shown in Figure 4.22b, where
the lug has not been sectioned.

Figure 4.21: An Object With a Lug

(a) View With Cutting Plane Line

(b) Preferred Sectional View

Figure 4.22: Sectional View with Lug

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Example Problems
Note: For solutions see the following section of Solutions for Example Problems.
Prob. 4.1: Draw the top view and a suitable sectional view of the bearing shown in Fig. P4.1
(Fillets and Radii are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.1
Prob. 4.2: Draw the top and front sectional views of the base plate as shown in Fig. P4.2 (Fillets
and Radii are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.2
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Prob. 4.3: Draw the top view and a suitable sectional view of the bearing retainer shown in Fig.
P4.3.

Fig. P4.3

Prob. 4.4: Draw the top, front sectional and right side views of the slider block as shown in Fig.
P4.4 (Fillets and Radii are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.4
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Prob. 4.5: Draw the top view and a suitable sectional view of the rotor shown in Fig. P4.5 (Fillets
are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.5

Prob. 4.6: Draw the top, front sectional and left side views of the tool post as shown in Fig. P4.6
(Fillets are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.6
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Prob. 4.7: Draw the front view and a suitable sectional view of the flat pulley shown in Fig. P4.7
(Fillets are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.7
Prob. 4.8: Draw the top and front sectional views of the offset bearing shown in Fig. P4.8.

Fig. P4.8
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Prob. 4.9: Draw the top, front sectional and right side views of the rod support as shown in Fig.
P4.9 (Fillets and Radii are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.9
Prob. 4.10: Draw the top view and a suitable sectional view of the rotary yoke shown in Fig.
P4.10 (Fillets and Radii are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.10
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Prob. 4.11: Draw the top, front sectional and left side views of the guide plate as shown in Fig.
P4.11 (Fillets and Radii are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.11
Prob. 4.12: Draw the top and front sectional views of the clamping bracket shown in Fig. P4.12
(Fillets and Radii are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.12
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Prob. 4.13: Draw the top, front sectional and left side views of the mounting bracket shown in
Fig. P4.13 (Fillets and Radii are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.13

Prob. 4.14: Draw the top, front sectional and right side views of the column collar as shown in
Fig. P4.14 (Fillets are 3 mm).

Fig. P4.14
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Solutions for Example Problems

Solution of P4.1

Solution of P4.2
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Solution of P4.3

Solution of P4.4
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Solution of P4.5

Solution of P4.6
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Solution of P4.7

Solution of P4.8
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Solution of P4.9

Solution of P4.10
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Solution of P4.11

Solution of P4.12
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Solution of P4.13

Solution of P4.14
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Problems
Prob. 4.15: Draw the top, front sectional and right side views of the support block shown in Fig.
P4.15 (Fillets and radii are 3mm).

Fig. P4.15

Prob. 4.16: Draw the top, front sectional and right side views of the yoke shown in Fig. P4.16.

Fig. P4.16
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Prob. 4.17: Draw the top and front sectional views of the channel frame shown in Fig. P4.17.

Fig. P4.17
Prob. 4.18: Draw the top, front sectional and left side views of the column base shown in Fig.
P4.18 (Fillets are 3mm).

Fig. P4.18
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Prob. 4.19: Draw the top and front sectional views of the support plate shown in Fig. P4.19.

Fig. P4.19

Prob. 4.20: Draw the front view and a suitable sectional view of the bearing as shown in Fig.
P4.20.

Fig. P4.20
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Prob. 4.21: Draw the top, front sectional and left side views of the special bearing as shown in
Fig. P4.21 (Fillets and radii are 3mm).

Fig. P4.21
Prob. 4.22: Draw the front view and a suitable sectional view of the column support as shown in
Fig. P4.22 (Fillets and radii are 3mm).

Fig. P4.22
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Prob. 4.23: Draw the front view and a suitable sectional view of the bearing shown in Fig. P4.23
(Fillets and radii are 3mm).

Fig. P4.23
Prob. 4.24: Draw the top, front sectional and left side views of the end plate shown in Fig. P4.24
(Fillets and radii are 3mm).

Fig. P4.24
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Prob. 4.25: Draw the top view and a suitable sectional view of the V-pulley as shown in Fig.
P4.25 (Fillets are 3mm).

Fig. P4.25

Prob. 4.26: Draw the top, front sectional and left side views of the bracket shown in Fig. P4.26
(Fillets are 3mm).

Fig. P4.26