Triangulation and Trilateration: J. Uren Et Al., Surveying For Engineers © J. Uren and W. F. Price 1985

6
Triangulation and Trilateration

In the previous chapter, the method of establishing horizontal control by traversing
is described . However, horizontal control can also be established by such methods
as triangulation, trilateration, intersection and resection . Triangulation and tri-
lateration are described in this chapter and intersection and resection in chapter 7.
A triangulation network consists of a series of single or overlapping triangles as
shown in figure 6.1, the points (or vertices) of each triangle forming control
stations . Position is determined by measuring .all the angles in the network and by
measuring the length of one or more baselines such as AB or HJ in figure 6.1.
Starting at a baseline, application of the Sine Rule in each triangle throughout the
network enables the lengths of all triangle sides to be calculated. These lengths ,
when combined with the measured angles, enable the coordinates of the stations
to be computed.
A trilateration network also takes the form of a series of single or overlapping
triangles but in this case position is determined by measuring all the distances in the
network instead of all the angles. To enable station coordinates to be calculated ,
B
H
Figure 6.1 Triangula tion network
J. Uren et al., Surveying for Engineers

© J. Uren and W. F. Price 1985
164 SURVEYING FOR ENGINEERS
the measured distances are combined with angle values derived from the side
lengths of each triangle.
Until the advent of EDM, the measurement of distances in a trilateration scheme
with sufficient accuracy was a very difficult and time consuming process and
because of this trilateration techniques were seldom used for establishing horizon-
tal control. Traversing techniques were also limited since it was not possible to
maintain a uniformly high accuracy when traversing over long distances. As a
result, triangulation was used extensively in the past to provide control for surveys
covering very large areas. For example, the triangulation network throughout
Great Britain that provides control for mapping was first established by the
Ordnance Survey (see section 1.7) between 1783 and 1853 , and was subsequently
resurveyed from 1935 to 1962.
Nowadays, however, because of the high precision and accuracy of modern EDM
equipment (see section 4.13), traversing, triangulation and trilateration can all be
used as methods of establishing horizontal control.
Triangulation and trilateration are often used together in combined networks in
which a combination of angles and distances is·measured. When properly observed
and adjusted , combined networks are the most accurate form of horizontal control.
For engineering surveys, separate triangulation or trilateration networks are
often used on sites where control is required to be spread over large areas. Such
projects may include major roads and bridges, dams, pipeline crossings, irrigation
schemes and so on. Although combined networks have the same applications, they
are usually used to provide reference points for monitoring and for other precise
engineering work.
Once a control system has been established on site, the stations in the network
can be used either for control extension or directly in detail surveying, setting out
and other everyday engineering surveying activities.
6.1 Triangulation Specifications
As in traversing, triangulation surveys can be carried out using a number of different

field techniques, each giving a different standard of precision in the values obtained
for the coordinates of the stations. The specifications given in table 6. I are a general
guide to triangulation classification and associated precisions, the precision of a
survey being linked to the field methods and type of equipment used.
For ordinary engineering work and site surveys, a precision in the range I in
10 000 to I in 20 000 is normally required for horizontal control and the notes in
this chapter are directed towards such second-order surveys only.
6.2 Triangulation Figures
Although triangulation schemes could be made up entirely from single triangles as

in figure 6.2a, it is often better to use a more complicated network involving such
figures as braced quadrilaterals (figure 6.2b) and centre point polygons (figures
6.2c and 6.2d). Compared to a network consisting of simple triangles, these figures
usually require more fieldwork and the subsequent computations are often more
complicated. However, the advantage of incorporating such figures into a network

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6

Triangulation and Trilateration

Figure 6.1 Triangula tion network

J. Uren et al., Surveying for Engineers

6.1 Triangulation Specifications

As in traversing, triangulation surveys can be carried out using a number of different

6.2 Triangulation Figures

Although triangulation schemes could be made up entirely from single triangles as

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