CHAPTER 8

INTERSECTIONS

8.1 Introduction
The concept of intersection plays an important role in many engineering applications. In the
orthographic drawings lines of intersections between the various surfaces of different objects are
common. Intersection of objects is called the locus of points of contact of the objects. The
intersection of two planes is given by a straight line. The intersection between a plane and a
cylinder gives either a circle or an ellipse. Some examples of intersections including simple
geometric forms will be given in this chapter.

8.2 Some Common Objects

Before going to discuss about the intersection, it will be relevant to introduce some very common
types of objects, which are often used in the intersection. In Figures 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4
respectively, some common types of prisms, some common types of pyramids, some common
types of cylinders and some common types of cones have been shown. In Figure 8.1, it can be
seen that a right prism has faces and lateral surfaces perpendicular to the bases while an oblique
prism has faces and lateral edges oblique to the bases.

Right Right Right Right

Triangular Square Rectangular Pentagonal

Right Truncated Oblique Oblique

Hexagonal Right Square Rectangular Hexagonal
Figure 8.1: Some Common Types of Prisms
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In case of right pyramids, cylinders and cones the axis is perpendicular to the base of them.
However, when the pyramids, cylinders and the cones are oblique the axis is not perpendicular to
the base. When the object is cut with a plane not parallel to the base, it is called truncated. If a
cone or a pyramid is cut with a plane parallel to its base, it is called a frustum. In Figure 8.4 an
oblique circular frustum is shown.

Right Right Right

Triangular Square Hexagonal

Oblique Oblique Truncated

Rectangular Hexagonal Right Square
Figure 8.2: Some Common Types of Pyramids

Right Truncated Oblique

Circular Right Circular Circular
Figure 8.3: Some Common Types of Cylinders
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Right Circular Oblique Circular Truncated Right Circular

Truncated Oblique Circular Oblique Circular Frustum

Figure 8.4: Some Common Types of Cones

8.3 Intersection of a Plane and a Cone

Figure 8.5: Intersection of a Plane and Right Circular Cone

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In Figure 8.5 intersection of a plane and a right circular cone has been shown. The steps to
determine the line of intersection are as follows:
• First the base circle of the cone in the top view is divided into a number of equal
divisions represented by the lines 01, 02, 03, 04 etc.
• Then these division lines are drawn in the front view taking projection from the top view.
• Next in the front view from the intersecting points of the lines 01, 02, 03, 04 etc. with the
plane at a, b, c, d etc. respectively, the projections are drawn in the top view.
• Now the intersecting points of the projection lines and the lines 01, 02, 03, 04 etc. in the
top view are joined with the help of smooth curve.

8.4 Intersection of Two Prisms at Right Angles

In Figure 8.6 intersection of two prisms at right angles has been presented. The steps of
intersection are as follows:
• First the end view of the horizontal prism is marked with 1,2,3 and 4 and the
corresponding points in the top view are marked.
• Next the projections are taken from the top and the end view to the front view to find the
required lines of intersection.

Figure 8.6: Intersection of Two Prisms at Right Angles

8.5 Intersection of Two Cylinders

In Figure 8.7, the intersection of two circular cylinders at right angles has been shown. The
intersection may be obtained in accordance with the following steps:
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• In the right side view the circular part of the horizontal cylinder is divided into a
reasonable number of equal spaces and they are marked with 1, 2, 3, 4 etc.
• Now in the top view on the circular part of the vertical cylinder, the projections are drawn
corresponding to the points 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. in the right side view. They are respectively
represented by 1, 2, 3, 4 etc.
• Next from the top and right side views, projections are drawn in the front view to find the
required points of intersections, which are also marked with 1, 2, 3, 4 etc.
• Finally to complete the intersection, smooth curves are drawn through the points 1, 2, 3, 4
etc. in the front view with the help of irregular curve.

Figure 8.7: Intersection of Two Circular Cylinders at Right Angles

8.6 Intersection of a Cylinder and a Cone

In Figure 8.8, the intersection of a circular cylinder and a right circular cone has been shown. The
steps to draw the intersection are as follows:
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• First in the top view equal divisions are made on the base circle of the cone. They are
represented by the lines 01, 02, 03, 04 etc.
• Now in the front and right side views the corresponding lines 01, 02, 03, 04 etc. are
drawn in respect of projections from the top view.
• In the right side view the lines 01, 02, 03, 04 etc. intersect with the circular part of the
horizontal cylinder at the points a, b, c, d.
• Then the projections from the points a, b, c, d are drawn in both the top and the front
views which intersect with the division lines 02, 03. These intersecting points are joined
with the help of irregular curve.

Figure 8.8: Intersection of a Circular Cylinder and a Right Circular Cone

8.7 Intersection of a Prism and a Cone

Intersection of a prism and a right circular cone has been shown in Figure 8.9. The steps of
drawing line of intersection are as follows:
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• First the division lines are drawn in the right side view such that they pass through the
edge points of the prism a, d, f which intersect the surface of the cone and the
intermediate points b and e. The division lines are marked with 1, 2, 3 etc. at the base of
the cone.
• Now the division lines are drawn in the top view taking projection from the division lines
in the right side view and they are marked with 1, 2, 3 etc.
• Next the division lines in the front view are drawn with respect to the division lines in the
top view.
• Then taking projection from the right side view the points of intersection in the top and
front views are obtained and they are joined with the help of irregular curve.

Figure 8.9: Intersection of a Prism and a Right Circular Cone

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Example Problems
Note: For solutions see the following section of Solutions for Example Problems.
Prob. 8.1: Find the line of intersection of a right circular cone and a plane as shown in Fig. P8.1.

Fig. P 8.1
Prob. 8.2: Find the line of intersection of two circular cylinders at right angles to each other as
shown in Fig. P8.2.

Fig. P8.2
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Prob. 8.3: Find the line of intersection of the two cylinders as shown in Fig. P8.3.

Fig. P8.3

Prob. 8.4: Find the line of intersection of a circular cylinder and a triangular prism as shown in
Fig. P8.4.

Fig. P8.4
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Prob. 8.5: Find the line of intersection of a hexagonal prism and a square prism at right angle to
each other as shown in Fig. P8.5.

Fig. P8.5

Prob. 8.6: Find the line of intersection of a rectangular prism and a triangular prism at right angle
to each other as shown in Fig. P8.6.

Fig. P8.6
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Prob. 8.7: Find the line of intersection of two square prisms at right angle to each other as shown
in Fig. P8.7.

Fig. P8.7
Prob. 8.8: Find the line of intersection of a hexagonal prism and a triangular prism whose axes are
at 450 angle to each other as shown in Fig. P8.8.

Fig. P8.8
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Solutions for Example Problems

Solution of P8.1

Solution of P8.2
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Solution of P8.3

Solution of P8.4
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Solution of P8.5

Solution of P8.6
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Solution of P8.7

Solution of P8.8
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Problems
Prob. 8.9- 8.12: Determine the line of intersection between two prisms as shown in Fig. P8.9 to
P8.12.

Fig. P8.9 Fig. P8.10

Fig. P8.11 Fig. P8.12

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Prob. 8.13 – 8.16: Determine the line of intersection between two cylinders as shown in Fig.
P8.13 to P8.16.

Fig. P8.13 Fig. P8.14

Fig. P8.15 Fig. P8.16

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Prob. 8.17 – 8.20: Determine line of intersection between a cylinder and a prism as shown in Fig.
P8.17 to P8.20.

Fig. P8.17 Fig. P8.18

Fig. P8.19 Fig. P8.20

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Prob. 8.21 – 8.24: Determine line of intersection between a cone and a cylinder as shown in Fig.
P8.21 to P8.24.

Fig. P8.21 Fig. P8.22

Fig. P8.23 Fig. P8.24

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Prob. 8.25 – 8.26: Determine the line of intersection between a cone and a prism as shown in Fig.
P8.25 to P8.26.

Fig. P8.25 Fig. P8.26

Prob. 8.27 – 8.28: Determine the line of intersection between a cone and a prism as shown in Fig.
P8.27 to P8.28.

Fig. P8.27 Fig. P8.28