MODULE IN

Engineering Drawing
EnggDraw

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
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 CHAPTER 4: GEOMETRIC CONSTRUCTION

Objectives: At the end of this chapter students should be able to:

- Define geometric nomenclatures like angles, lines etc

- Discuss the steps to construct different geometric figures like lines, arcs,
polygon, ellipse etc

Introduction

Strict interpretation of geometric construction allows use of only the

compass and an instrument for drawing straight lines, and with these, the
geometer, following mathematical theory, accomplishes his solutions. In
technical drawing, the principles of geometry are employed constantly, but
instruments are not limited to the basic two as T-squares, triangles, scales, curves
etc. are used to make constructions with speed and accuracy. Since there is
continual application of geometric principles, the methods given in this chapter
should be mastered thoroughly. It is assumed that students using this book
understand the elements of plane geometry and will be able to apply their
knowledge.

The constructions given here afford excellent practice in the use of

instruments. Remember that the results you obtain will be only as accurate as
your skill makes them. Take care in measuring and drawing so that your
drawings will be accurate and professional in appearance.

GEOMETRIC NOMENICLATURE

A. POINTS IN SPACE A point is an exact location in space or on a drawing

surface. A point is actually represented on the drawing by a crisscross at its
exact location. The exact point in space is where the two lines of the crisscross
intersect. When a point is located on an existing line, a light, short dashed line or
cross bar is placed on the line at the location of the exact point. Never
represent a point on a drawing by a dot; except for sketching locations.

B. LINE Lines are straight elements that have no width, but are infinite in length
(magnitude), and they can be located by two points which are not on the

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same spot but fall along the line. Lines may be straight lines or curved lines.A
straight line is the shortest distance between two points. It can be drawn in any
direction. If a line is indefinite, and the ends are not fixed in length, the actual
length is a matter of convenience. If the end points of a line are important, they
must be marked by means of small, mechanically drawn crossbars, as described
by a pint in space.

Straight lines and curved lines are considered parallel if the shortest distance
between them remains constant. The symbol used for parallel line is //. Lines,
which are tangent and at 900 are considered perpendicular. The symbol for
perpendicular line is ⊥.

C. ANGLE

An angle is formed by the intersection of two lines. There are three major kinds of
angles: right angels, acute angles and obtuse angles. The right angle is an angle
of 900 , an acute angle is an angle less than 900 , and an obtuse angle is an
angle more than 900 . A straight line is 1800 . The symbol for an angle is <
(singular) and <’s (Plural). To draw an angle, use the drafting machine, a
triangle, or a protractor.

D. TRIANGLES

A triangle is a closed plane figure with three straight sides and their interior
angles sum up exactly 1800 . The various kinds of triangles: a right triangle, an

equilateral triangle, an isosceles triangle, and an obtuse angled triangle.

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E. QUADRIALTERAL

It is a plane figure bounded by four straight sides. When opposite sides are

parallel, the quadrilateral is also considered to be a parallelogram.

F. POLYGON

A polygon is a closed plane figure with three or more straight sides. The most
important of these polygons as they relate to drafting are probably the triangle
with three sides, square with four sides, the hexagon with six sides, and the
octagon with eight sides.

G. CIRCLE

A circle is a closed curve with all points on the circle at the same distance from
the center point. The major components of a circle are the diameter, the radius
and circumference.

- The diameter of the circle is the straight distance from one outside curved
surface through the center point to the opposite outside curved surface.

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- The radius of a circle is the distance from the center point to the outside
curved surface. The radius is half the diameter, and is used to set the compass
when drawing a diameter.

- A central angle: is an angle formed by two radial lines from the center of the
circle.

- A sector: is the area of a circle lying between two radial lines and the
circumference.

- A quadrant: is a sector with a central angle of 900 and usually with one of the
radial lines oriented horizontally.

- A chord: is any straight line whose opposite ends terminate on the

circumference of the circle.

- A segment: is the smaller portion of a circle separated by a chord.

- Concentric circles are two or more circles with a common center point.

- Eccentric circles are two or more circles without a common center point.

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H. SOLIDS

They are geometric figures bounded by plane surfaces. The surfaces are called
faces, and if these are equal regular polygons, the solids are regular polyhedral

TECHNIQUES OF GEOMETRIC CONSTRUCTIONS

To construct the above mentioned geometric figures, we have to know

some principles and procedures of geometric construction. Thus, the remaining
of this chapter is devoted to illustrate step-by-step geometric construction
procedures used by drafters and technicians to develop various geometric
forms

A. How to Bisect a Line or an Arc

To bisect a line means to divide it in half or to find its center point. In the
given process, a line will also be constructed at the exact center point at
exactly 900.

Given: Line A-B

Step 1: Set the compass approximately two-thirds of the length of line A-B and
swing an arc from point A.

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Step 2: Using the exact same compass setting, swing an arc from point B.

Step 3: At the two intersections of these arcs, locate points D and E.

Step 4: Draw a straight-line connecting point D with point E. Where this line
intersects line A-B, it bisects line A-B. Line D-E is also perpendicular to line A-B at
the exact center point.

B. HOW TO DIVIDE A LINE IN TO Number of EQUAL PARTS

Given: Line A-B

Step 1: Draw a construction line AC that starts at end A of given line AB. This new
line is longer than the given line and makes an angle of not more than 300 with
it.

Step 2: Find a scale that will approximately divide the line AB in to the number of
parts needed (11 in the example below), and mark these divisions on the line
AC. There are now ‘n’ equal divisions from A to D that lie on the line AC (11 in
this example).

Step 3: Set the adjustable triangle to draw a construction line from point D to
point B. Then draw construction lines through each of the remaining ‘n-1’
divisions parallel to the first line BD by sliding the triangle along the straight edge.
The original line AB will now be accurately divided.

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C. How to Bisect an Angle

To bisect an angle means to divide it in half or to cut it in to two equal angles.

Given: Angle BAC

Step 1: Set the compass at any convenient radius and swing an arc from point A

Step 2: Locate points E and F on the legs of the angle, and swing two arcs of the
same identical length from points E and F, respectively.

Step 3: Where these arcs intersect, locate point D. Draw a straight line from A to
D. This line will bisect angle BAC and establish two equal angles: CAD and BAD.

D. How to Draw an Arc or Circle (Radius) Through Three Given Points

Given: Three points in space at random: A, Band C.

Step 1: With straight line, lightly connect points A to B, and B to C,

Step 2: Using the method outlined for bisecting a line, bisect lines A-B and B-C

Step 3: Locate point X where the two extended bisectors meet. Point X is the
exact center of the arc or circle.

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Step 4: Place the point of the compass on point X and adjust the lead to any of

the points A, B, or C (they are the same distance), and swing the circle. If all
work is done correctly, the arc or circle should pass through each point.

E. How to Draw a Line Parallel to a Straight Line at a Given Distance

Given: Line A-B, and a required distance to the parallel line.

Step 1: Set the compass at the required distance to the parallel line. Place the
point of the compass at any location on the given line, and swing a light arc
whose radius is the required distance.

Step 2: Adjust the straight edge of either a drafting machine or an adjusted

triangle so that it line sup with line A-B, slide the straight edge up or down to the
extreme high point, which is the tangent point, of the arc, then draw the parallel
line.

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F. How to Draw a Line Parallel to a Line Curved Line at a Given Distance

Given: Curved line A-B, and a required distance to the parallel line,

Step 1: Set the compass at the required distance to the parallel line. Starting
from either end of the curved line, place the point of the compass on the given
line, and swing a series of light arcs along the given line.

Step 2: using an irregular curve, draw a line along the extreme high points of the
arcs.

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G. How to Draw a Perpendicular Lines to a Line at a Point Method 1

Given: Line A-B with point P on the same line.

Step 1: Using P as a center, make two arcs of equal radius or more continuous
arc (R1) to intercept line A-B on either side of point P, at points S and T.

Step 2: Swing larger but equal arcs (R2) from each of points S and T to cross
each other at point U.

Step 3: A line from P to U is perpendicular to line A-B at point P

H. How to Draw a Perpendicular to a Line at a Point

Method 2 Given: Line A-B with point P on the line.

Step 1: Swing an arc of any convenient radius whose center O is at any

convenient location NOT on line A-B, but positioned to make the arc cross line
A-B at points P and Q

Step 2: A line from point Q through center O intercepts the opposite side of the
arc at point R

Step 3: Line R-P is perpendicular to line A-B (A right angle has been inscribed in a
semi circle)

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I. How to Draw a Perpendicular to a line from a Point Not on the Line

Given: Line A-B and point P

Step 1: Using P as a center, swing an arc (R1) to intercept line A-B at points G
and H.

Step 2: Swing larger, but equal length arcs (R2) from each of the points G and H
to intercept each other at point J.

Step 3: Line P-J is perpendicular to line A-B

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J. How to Draw a Triangle with Known Lengths of Sides

Given: lengths 1, 2, and 3.

Step 1: Draw the longest length line, in this example length 3, with ends A and B.
Swing an arc (R1) from point A whose radius is either length 1 or length 2; in this
example length 1.

Step 2; using the radius length not used in step 1, swing an arc (R2) from point B
to intercept the arc swung from point A at point

Step 3: Connect A to C and B to C to complete the triangle

K. How to Draw a Square

Method-1 Given: The locations of the center and the required distance across
the sides of a square.

Step 1: Lightly draw a circle with a diameter equal to the distance around the
sides of the square. Set the compass at half the required diameter.

Step 2: Using triangles, lightly complete the square by constructing tangent lines
to the circle. Allow the light construction lines to project from the square, without
erasing them.

Step 3: Check to see that there are four equal sides and, if so, darken in the
actual square using the correct line thickness.

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Method-2 Given one side AB. Through point A, draw a perpendicular. With A as
a center, and AB as radius; draw the arc to intersect the perpendicular at C.
With B and C as centers, and AB as radius, strike arcs to intersect at D. Draw line
CD and BD.

L. How to Draw A Pentagon (5 Sides)

Given: The locations of the pentagon center and the diameter that will
circumscribe the pentagon.

Step 1: Bisect radius OD at C.

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Step 2: With C as center, and CA as radius, strike arc AE. With A as center, and
AE as radius, strike arc EB. Step 3: Draw line AB, then set off distances AB around
the circumference of the circle, and draw the sides through these points.

M. How to Draw A Hexagon (6 Sides)

N. To Draw Any Sided Regular Polygon

To construct a regular polygon with a specific number of sides, divide the given
diameter using the parallel line method as shown in fig below. In this example,
let us assume sevensided regular polygon. Construct an equilateral triangle (0-7-
8) with the diameter (0-7) as one of its sides. Draw a line from the apex (point 8)
through the second point on the line (point 2). Extend line 8-2 until it intersects
the circle at point 9. Radius 0-9 will be the size of each side of the figure. Using

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radius 0-9 step off the corners of the seven sides polygon and connect the
points.

O. To Draw A Circle Tangent to a Line at a Given Point

Given: Given line AB and a point on the line.

Step 1: At P erect a perpendicular to the line.

Step 2: Set off the radius of the required circle on the perpendicular.

Step 3: Draw circle with radius CP.

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P. To Draw a Tangent to A Circle through a Point

Given: Point P on the circle

Method-1

Move the T-square and triangle as a unit until one side of the triangle passes
through the point P and the center of the circle; then slide the triangle until the
other side passes through point P, and draw the required tangent.

Method-2

Given: Point P outside the circle

Move the T-square and triangles as a unit until one side of the triangle passes
through point P and, by inspection, is the tangent to the circle; and then slide
the triangle until the other side passes through the center of the circle, and
lightly mark the point of tangency T. finally move the triangle back to its starting
position and draw the required tangent.

Q. To Draw Tangents to Two Circles

Move the T-square and triangles as a unit until one side of the triangle is tangent,
by inspection, to the two circles; then slide the triangle until the other side passes
through the center of one circle, and lightly mark the point of tangency. Then
slide the triangle until the side passes through the center of the other circle, and
mark the point of tangency. Finally slide the triangle back to the tangent

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position, and draw the tangent lines between the two points of tangency. Draw
the second tangent line in similar manner.

R. HOW TO CONSTRUCT AN ARC TANGENT TO an Angle

Given: A right angle, lines A and B and a required radius.

Step 1: Set the compass at the required radius and, out of the way, swing a
radius from line A and one from line B.

Step 2: From the extreme high points of each radius, construct a light line
parallel to line A and another line parallel to line B.

Step 3: Where these lines intersect is the exact location of the required swing
point. Set the compass point on the swing point and lightly construct the
required radius. Allow the radius swing to extend past the required area. It is
important to locate all tangent points (T.P) before darkening in.

Step 4: Check all work and darken in the radius using the correct line thickness.
Darken in connecting straight lines as required. Always construct compass work
first, followed by straight lines. Leave all light construction lines.

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S. How to Construct an Arc Tangent to Two Radii or Diameters

Given: Diameter A and arc B with center points located, and the required
radius.

Step 1: Set the compass at the required radius and, out of the way, swing a
radius of the required length from a point on the circumference of given
diameter A. Out of the way, swing a required radius from a point on the
circumference of a given arc B.

Step 2: From the extreme high points of each radius, construct a light radius out
side of the given radii A and B.

Step 3: Where these arcs intersect is the exact location of the required swing
point. Set the compass point on the swing point and lightly construct the
required radius. Allow the radius swing to extend past the required area.

Step 4: Check all work; darken in the radii using the correct line thickness.
Darken in the arcs or radii in consecutive order from left to right or from right to
left, thus constructing a smooth connecting line having no apparent change in
direction.

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T. To Draw an Ellipse (By Four-Centered Method)

Join 1 and 3, layoff 3-5 equal to 01-03. This is done graphically as indicated in the
fig. Below by swinging 1 around to 5 with O as center where now 03 from 05 is 3-
5; the required distance. With 3 as center, an arc from 5 to the diagonal 1-3
locates 6. Bisect 1-6 by a perpendicular crossing 0-1 at 9 and intersecting 0-4
produced (if necessary) at 10. Make 0-9’ equal to 0-9, and 0-10’ equal to 0-10.
Then 9, 9’, 10, and 10’ will be centers for four tangent circle arcs forming a curve
approximating the shape of an ellipse.

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U. How to Draw an Ogee Curve

An ogee curve is used to join two parallel lines. It forms a gentle curve that
reverses itself in a neat symmetrical geometric form.

Given: Parallel lines A-B and C-D

Step 1: Draw a straight line connecting the space between the parallel lines. In
this example, from point B to point C.

Step 2: Make a perpendicular bisector to line B-C to establish point X.

Step 3: Draw a perpendicular from line A-B at point B to intersect the

perpendicular bisector of B-X, which locates the first required swing center. Draw
a perpendicular from line C-D at point C to intersect the perpendicular bisector
of CX, which locates the second required swing center.

Step 4: Place the compass point and adjust the compass lead to point B, and
swing an arc from B to X. Place the compass point on the second swing point
and swing an arc from X to C. This completes the ogee curve.

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Review questions 1. The side of a certain triangle is 2 cm. Construct an
equilateral triangle based on the given side by using compass and ruler.

2. Show the procedure how to divide a line in to number of equal parts

3. Draw a line parallel to straight line AB at 2cm distance.

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 ACTIVITY # 3
GEOMETRIC CONSTRUCTION

INSTRUCTIONS:
● Divide your plate into three equal parts,
● Use the following engineering tools (T-Square, Triangle/s (30-60) and (45-45), Protractor, Ruler),
secure black, blue, red ball pen. Recommend Uni pin, G-tech. (0.3 – red, 0.5 – blue, 0.8 – black)
● Strictly follow dimensions, line weight and line color required.

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● All units are in millimeters (mm)
● Use the correct pen in each exercise
● Use standard template for the title block (refer to plate 1)
● Strictly no free hand drawing

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