Trilateration Problem.
In the accompanying figure, the lengths of the sides of triangle ABC, as
measured with an EDM instrument, are AB = 923.245m, BC = 517.328m, and CA = 896.126m.
The azimuth from south of side CB is 340°15’20” and the coordinates of station B are 𝑁𝐵 =
9,450.085𝑚. and 𝐸𝐵 = 10,150.022𝑚. Assuming that the given lengths are free from systematic
errors, determine the following preliminary data which are to be used in subsequent adjustment
by trilateration:
a. Interior angles of the figure
b. Azimuth from south of sides AB and CA
c. Coordinates for points A and C
𝐍𝐁 = 𝟗, 𝟒𝟓𝟎. 𝟎𝟖𝟓 𝐦
𝐄𝐁 = 𝟏𝟎, 𝟏𝟓𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟐 𝐦
SOLUTION
Solving the interior angles of the figure using cosine law.
𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2
cos 𝐴 =
2 𝑏𝑐
896.126 2 + 923.245 2 − 517.328 2
cos 𝐴 =
2 896.126 923.245
𝑨 = 𝟑𝟐°𝟓𝟗′ 𝟒𝟔. 𝟗"
𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 − 𝑏 2
cos 𝐵 =
2 𝑎𝑐
517.328 2 + 923.245 2 − 896.126 2
cos 𝐵 =
2 517.328 923.245
𝑩 = 𝟕𝟎°𝟑𝟕′ 𝟏𝟒. 𝟕"
𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2
cos 𝐶 =
2 𝑎𝑏
517.328 2 + 896.126 2 − 923.245 2
cos 𝐶 =
2 517.328 896.126
𝑪 = 𝟕𝟔°𝟐𝟐′ 𝟓𝟖. 𝟒"
Solving the azimuth from south of line CA.
𝐴𝑍𝐶𝐴 = 𝐴𝑍𝐶𝐵 − 𝐶
𝐴𝑍𝐶𝐴 = 340°15′20" − 76°22′58.4"
𝑨𝒁𝑪𝑨 = 𝟐𝟔𝟑°𝟓𝟐′ 𝟐𝟏. 𝟔"
Solving the azimuth from south of line AB.
𝐴𝑍𝐴𝐶 = 𝐴𝑍𝐶𝐴 − 180°
𝐴𝑍𝐴𝐶 = 263°52′ 21.6" − 180°
𝐴𝑍𝐴𝐶 = 83°52′ 21.6"
𝐴𝑍𝐴𝐵 = 𝐴𝑍𝐴𝐶 − 𝐴
𝐴𝑍𝐴𝐵 = 83°52′ 21.6" − 32°59′46.9"
𝑨𝒁𝑨𝑩 = 𝟓𝟎°𝟓𝟐′ 𝟑𝟒. 𝟕"
Solving the coordinates of point A from given B.
Note: Based on the illustration above we can solve the coordinates of point A by:
NA = NB + Lat ab
EA = EB + Depab
But first we need to compute the Latitude and Departure
Lat ab
cos 50°52′ 34.7" =
923.245
Lat ab = 582.565 m.
Depab
sin 50°52′ 34.7" =
923.245
Depab = 716.240 m.
Northing of point A
NA = NB + Lat ab
NA = 9,450.085 + 582.565
𝐍𝐀 = 𝟏𝟎, 𝟎𝟑𝟐. 𝟔𝟓𝟎 𝐦.
Easting of point A
EA = EB + Depab
EA = 10,150.022 + 716.240
𝐄𝐀 = 𝟏𝟎, 𝟖𝟔𝟔. 𝟐𝟔𝟐 𝐦.
Solving the coordinates of point C from given B.
Note: Based on the illustration above we can solve the coordinates of point C by:
NC = NB + Lat bc
EC = EB − Depbc
But first we need to compute the Latitude and Departure
α = 360° − AZCB
α = 360° − 340°15′20"
α = 19°44′40"
Lat bc
cos 19°44′40" =
517.328
Lat bc = 486.914 m.
Depbc
sin 19°44′40" =
517.328
Depbc = 174.767 m.
Northing of point C
NC = NB + Lat bc
NC = 9,450.085 + 486.914
𝐍𝐂 = 𝟗, 𝟗𝟑𝟔. 𝟗𝟗𝟗 𝐦.
Easting of point C
EC = EB − Depbc
EC = 10,150.022 − 174.767
𝐄𝐂 = 𝟗, 𝟗𝟕𝟓. 𝟐𝟓𝟓 𝐦.