AEROTRIANGULATION

Triangulation
In trigonometry and geometry,
triangulation is the process of determining
the location of a point by measuring angles
to it from known points at either end of a
fixed baseline, rather than measuring
distances to the point directly. The point
can then be fixed as the third point of a
triangle with one known side and two
known angles.
 Triangulation

Triangulation is the principle used by

photogrammetry to produce 3-dimensional
point measurements. By mathematically
intersecting converging lines in space, the
precise location of the point can be determined.
If the XYZ coordinates of the points on the
object are known, we can compute orientation.
 Aerotriangulation

Aero triangulation is a process of

determining X,Y,Z ground co-ordinates of
points based on measurements from
photos
Overlaps/Models
Overlaps/Models
Strip formation
 Aerotriangulation uses

• Control extension (2nd, 3rd,4th order

networks)
• Cadastral surveys
• Engineering surveys
• Determination of exterior and orientation
parameters
 Control extension

The practical minimum number of control points

required per stereo model are:

• Vertical (4)

• Horizontal (3)
Control extension
 Aerotriangulation uses
• Some models have a limited number of required
GCPs. Through aero triangulation, it is possible to
extend or densify the GCP network through the
Models/strips. While traditional methods such as
field surveying can be applied, for large areas, it will
be very expensive to establish GCPs.
• Besides cost saving, aerial triangulation is done in
office minimizing delays and hardships due to
adverse weather conditions.
• Access to the property is not required
• Field surveying in hazardous areas such as mountain
slopes, rocks is removed
 Aerotriangulation uses
• Cadastral surveying: Aerial triangulation can be
used to determine property boundaries.
• Topographic mapping: Aerotriangulation is
used to determine X,Y,Z ground co-ordinates for
systematic network of points. Such points can
be used to establish DTM
• Deformation monitoring: Aerotriangulation can
also be used to measure GCPs of points
overtime to monitor any movements of dams,
retaining walls and other structures or to
measure ground subsidence due to mining
activity.
 Cost of aerotriangulation
• Aircraft
• Crew time
• Scale of photography
 Quality of aerotriangulation
• Overlap (60% forelap, 20% sidelap)
• A point must appear in at least two photographs
• Coverage (complete coverage is a pre-requisite)
• Relief variations (must consider relief variations in
flight planning
 Aerial triangulation methods
• Analogue: involves manual relative and absolute
orientation of models using stereo plotters,
followed by photo co-ordinate measurements
• Semi-analytical: Relative orientation is carried out
manually followed by photo co-ordinate
measurement. The absolute orientation is carried
out using analytical methods:
• Analytical: Here, photo co-ordinates are first
measured followed by relative and absolute
orientation which is performed numerically.
• Digital: similar to analytical approach but based
on digital images processing
 Analytical aerotriangulation
Basic steps:
i. Relative orientation of each model
ii. Joining the models to form a strip
iii. Adjustment of the strip to surveyed GCPs
Analytical approach is more accurate compared to
analog and semi-analytical since it minimizes errors
due to: shrinkage, atmospheric refraction, camera
lens distortions.
Analytical approach does not suffer limitations
imposed on stereo plotters. It can allow analysis of
images taken with any focal length and scale.
 Basis for analytical aerotriangulation
Analytical triangulation is based on collinearity
equations:
• We need to relate measured photo co-
ordinates with camera constants as well as
GCP to establish elements of exterior
orientation. This will help to determine the
unknown co-ordinates from corresponding
measured photo co-ordinates.
• Collinearity equations are non-linear and must
be linearized using Taylor’s Theorem.
 Digital aerotriangulation methods
• Strip adjustment-sequential (most common)
• Independent model triangulation
• Bundle Block adjustment
 Strip adjustment
• RO + AO of first model
• Sequential RO of adjacent models
• Adjustment of strip co-ordinates
 RO of models

Model 1
Model 2
Model 3
O1 Model 4
O2
O2 O3 O3
O5
O4 O4

Photogrammetry - Dr. George Sithole 21

 RO of models

w Model 1
v w Model 2
v w Model 3
O1 v Model 4
u O2
O2
u O3 O3 w v
u O5
O4 O4 u

W
V
Object
co-ord
system

U
Photogrammetry - Dr. George Sithole 22
 AO of first model

w Model 1
v w Model 2
v w Model 3
O1 v Model 4
u O2
O2
u O3 O3 w v
u O5
O4 O4 u

W AO of model 1

Object
co-ord
system

U
Photogrammetry - Dr. George Sithole 23
 RO of model 2 to 1

w Model 1
v w Model 2
v Model 3
O1 Model 4
u O2 O2 O3 O3
u
O5
T1 O4 O4

W RO of model 1 and 2

U
Photogrammetry - Dr. George Sithole 24
 RO of model 3 to 2

w
v
w Model 3
O1 v Model 4
u O2
O3 w v
O3
u O5
T2 O4 O4 u

W
RO of model 2 and 3

U
Photogrammetry - Dr. George Sithole 25
 RO of model 4 to 3

w
v
O1 Model 4
u O2
O3 w v
O4
O5
O4 u
T3

W
V
Object RO of model 3 and 4
co-ord
system

U
Photogrammetry - Dr. George Sithole 26
 Complete strip model

w Strip co-ordinate system

v
O1
u O2
O3
O4
O5

W
V
Object
co-ord
system

U
Photogrammetry - Dr. George Sithole 27