This method is used for establishing the instrument stations only. After fixing the stations, details are located either by radiation or intersection. The characteristic feature of resection is that the point plotted on plan is the station occupied by the plane table.
Procedure:
(1)As in the intersection method select a base line PQ on the ground. Measure it accurately with the steel tape and plot it to scale on the sheet as pq in suitable position.
(2)Set up the table at P. Centre it so that p is vertically over P and level it.
(3)Placing the alidade along pq. Orient the table by turning the board until the signal at Q is bisected, and then clamp it.
(4)With the alidade touching p, sight the station R which is to be located by resection and draw a ray along the ruling edge of the alidade. Mark the point r along the ray by estimation.
(5)Shift the table and set it up at R with r over R. Orient the table by taking a back sight on P and clamp it.
(6) With the alidade centered on q, sight the station Q and draw a ray. The point of intersection of this ray and that previously drawn from p gives the required point r.
(7)Continue the process to establish other station points.
The method described above is called the back ray method as it is necessary to draw a ray from the preceding station to the station to be occupied by the instrument.
This method requires the previous selection of the instrument station .It is a particular case of resection.
Errors of centering though inevitable in this method will not affect the accuracy of work since resection is used for small scale work only.
The other cases of resection are
(1)The Two Point Problem, and
(2)Three Point Problem.