TRIANGULATION

A method for extending horizontal control for topographic and

similar surveys which requires observations of triangle figures
whose angles are measured and whose sides are determined by
trigonometric computations.

Four common geometric figures used in triangulations:

1. Chain of single and independent triangles.
2. Chain of quadrilaterals formed with overlapping triangles.
3. Chain of polygons or central-point figures.
4. Chain of polygons each with an extra diagonal.

G.W.B.Paule
PROBLEM 1
In the quadrilateral ABCD, the following angles are measured:
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐵𝐶𝐷 = 33°
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝐷𝐶 = 34°30′
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝐶𝐵 = 49°30′
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝐷𝐵 = 37°30′

a. Find the angle CAD. Ans. 𝟔𝟑°

b. Find the angle BAD. Ans. 𝟐𝟕°𝟏𝟕′
c. Find the angle ABC. Ans. 𝟒𝟎°𝟏𝟑′

G.W.B.Paule
Solution: 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐵𝐶𝐷 = 33°
a. Consider CAD 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝐷𝐶 = 34°30′
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝐶𝐵 = 49°30′
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝐷𝐵 = 37°30′

Consider CAD:

Angle CAD = 180° − 49°30′ − 34°30′

Angle CAD = 𝟔𝟑°

37°30′
49°30′

33° 34°30′

G.W.B.Paule
b. Angle BAD
Angle B = 180° − 33° − 72°
Triangle BCD:
Angle B = 75°

Assume CD = 1

75° Using Sine Law:

𝐵𝐶 1
=
sin 72 sin 75
𝐵𝐶 = 0.985
33° 72°
𝐵𝐷 1
=
sin 33 sin 75
𝐵𝐷 = 0.564

G.W.B.Paule
Consider ADC
Angle C = 49°30′ + 33°
A Angle C = 82°30′
Angle A = 180° − 82°30′ − 34°30’
63°
Angle A = 63°
Assume CD = 1
82°30’
34°30’ Using Sine Law:
C D
𝐴𝐶 1
=
sin 34°30’ sin 63°

𝐴𝐶 = 0.636

G.W.B.Paule
 Consider ABC
Using Cosine Law:
𝐴𝐵 2 = (0.636)2 + 0.958 2 − 2 0.636 0.985 cos 49 °30′
𝐴𝐵 = 0.749
Consider ABD
𝐴𝐶 = 0.636
𝐴𝐵 = 0.749
𝐵𝐶 = 0.985 Using Sine Law:
49°30’
0.564 0.749
=
𝐵𝐷 = 0.564 sin 𝐴 sin 37°30′
37°30′
𝐴 = 27°17′

𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝑩𝑨𝑫 = 𝟐𝟕°𝟏𝟕′

G.W.B.Paule
 c. Consider ABC

Using Sine Law:

𝐴𝐵 = 0.749
0.636 0.749
=
sin 𝐵 sin 49°30′
𝐴𝐶 = 0.636
𝐵 = 40°13′
𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝑨𝑩𝑪 = 40°13′
𝐵𝐶 = 0.985
49°30’

G.W.B.Paule
PROBLEM 2
From two inaccessible but intervissible points A and B, the angles
to two triangulation station C and D were observed as follows:
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐶𝐴𝐵 = 79°30′
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐷𝐴𝐵 = 28°30′
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐷𝐵𝐶 = 31°30′
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐷𝐵𝐴 = 84°30′

a. Find the distance BC. Ans. 𝟔𝟔𝟔. 𝟖𝟏 𝒎

b. Find the distance BD. Ans. 𝟐𝟓𝟗. 𝟏𝟖 𝒎
c. Find the distance CD. Ans. 𝟒𝟔𝟓. 𝟗𝟒 𝒎

G.W.B.Paule
PROBLEM 3
Triangulation stations A, B, C, and D has the following observation
angles.
Angle Value
ACB 50°
BAD 20°
BCD 30°
ABC 50°
CAD 60°

a. Find the angle CBD. Ans. 𝟖𝟎°

b. Find the angle BDA. Ans. 𝟑𝟎°
c. Find the angle CBD. Ans. 𝟕𝟎°

G.W.B.Paule
PROBLEM 4
Two stations A and B are 540 m apart. From the following
triangulation stations C and D on opposite sides of AB, the
following angles were observed.
Angle Value
ACD 54°12′
DCB 41°24′
ADC 49°18′
BDC 47°12′

a. Find the distance BC. Ans. 𝟑𝟓𝟑. 𝟑𝟖 𝒎

b. Find the distance CD. Ans. 𝟒𝟖𝟏. 𝟑𝟎 𝒎
c. Find the distance AC. Ans. 𝟑𝟕𝟓. 𝟑𝟖 𝒎

G.W.B.Paule
PROBLEM 5
The observed angles of a quadrilateral after station and side
adjustment are given in the accompanying tabulation.
Angle Observed
Value
DBA 30°
CBD 49°
BCA 59°
DCA 20°

a. Compute the angle BDA. Ans. 𝟕𝟖°

b. Compute the angle DAC. Ans. 𝟑𝟎°
c. Compute the angle DAB. Ans. 𝟕𝟐°

G.W.B.Paule