ABSTRACT Considering the importance of topographic surveys to determine soil volumes and study efficient and accessible alternatives for this operation, this study aimed to analyze methods and ...respective equipment for planialtimetric surveys to determine soil volume. An experimental grid was installed in an area locate in Fernandópolis, SP, Brazil, in which quotas were measured by geometric leveling (standard method), trigonometric leveling, leveling with receivers of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) by relative (frequencies L1/L2) and absolute positioning (code C/A) and extraction of altitudes in digital terrain model from SRTM and ASTER images. In comparison to geometric leveling, trigonometric leveling was the most accurate in determining soil volume (0.6% error), followed by GNSS leveling by relative positioning (23.7% error), and extraction of altitudes by SRTM (32.0% error) and ASTER images (38.3% error). GNSS leveling by absolute positioning presented the highest error in determining soil volume (287.4%) compared to the other methods.
Details regarding the public safety of engineering structures can be gleaned from measurements and monitoring. The development of a methodology for monitoring and analyzing structures' vertical ...displacement is explained in this paper. The developed methodology aims to add a new dimension to geometric leveling, and leveling routing, by applying a least squares solution for level network adjustment and performing statistical analysis to assess the change in vertical displacement. To monitor and analyze the vertical deformation of a building in Cairo, Egypt, the proposed methodology was utilized. Twenty monitoring points, five auxiliary points, and three local reference stations were utilized. All the measurements were taken with a geodetic invar staff and an automatic level with an attachment of a parallel plate micrometer. The observations were made for an interval of 81 months. The least squares adjustment technique was applied to obtain the adjusted levels and observations and to generate the required statistical data. The results of the subsequent epochs were compared to the results of the first epoch to determine the vertical movement of the monitoring points for each epoch. In addition, the significance of the present displacement was ascertained by comparing the values of vertical displacement to the determined 95% corresponding confidence intervals. The findings demonstrated that the building remained stable throughout the monitoring period. The case study demonstrates how effectively geometric leveling with least square adjustment can be used to monitor the vertical displacement of structures.
This paper examines how surveying and monitoring improve our knowledge about ancient buildings, allow the interpretation of their structural response and help in the search for the best solutions for ...their conservation. The case study of Palazzo del Capitano in Mantua (Italy) is analyzed. In particular, the attention is focused on the use of a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) for surveying and monitoring too, considering that the building structural control has been performed in combination with other traditional topographic techniques such as geometric leveling and topographic networks for 3D control based on measurements through total stations. The study of TLS monitoring has been tested only in the last decade and it is an innovative method for the detection of displacements of particular surfaces. Till now the research has focused only on the use of TLS monitoring to control large structures and in particular landscape situations; thus its use for a civil construction and historical buildings is a new field of investigation. Despite the fact technological development and new methodologies seem offer new future potential for the analysis of ancient buildings, currently there are still important limits for the application of the investigated surveying and monitoring techniques.
The city of Recife, in the northeast of Brazil, is formed by a coastal plain, which is surrounded by several hills, the Atlantic ocean and a number of rivers that cross the city. The plain was formed ...by fluviomarine sediment, which was produced by marine transgressions and regressions. Its hydrogeological characteristics and geographical position, located slightly above sea level, lead to water-related problems, such as coastal erosion and frequent flooding. In the last 50 years, an increase in the exploitation of groundwater has caused a lowering of the piezometric surface (up to 100 m at certain points). In porous sedimentary aquifers, pumping fluid decreases pore pressure and reduces the support provided by the overlying layers of soil. This reduction in pressure is caused by the lowering of the piezometric surface and leads to soil deformation, usually called subsidence. As a result of the excessive exploitation of groundwater in Recife, and the consequent decrease in groundwater levels, soil subsidence has become a great concern and requires careful investigation. Geodesic methods of monitoring and quantifying the vertical deformation of soil, caused by the removal of groundwater, have been used around the world. The present study describes a method of assessing the occurrence of soil subsidence in an area where excessive exploitation of groundwater has taken place. High-precision geometric leveling was used to quantify the phenomenon and to perform comparative analysis of altitude values from the year 1958 with more recent altitude values (from 2012 and 2015). The experiments confirmed a difference of 3.86 cm for one of the reference levels, located within the subsidence monitoring area. Thus, the leveling analysis provided estimates of a vertical displacement of approximately 0.68 mm/year in this area.
To assess the accuracy of vertical components obtained by Classical RTK and Network Real Time Kinematic positioning with different correction methods with setting of different number of epoch, height ...differences obtained from precise geometric leveling was used as reference height differences along with those obtained from static GPS only solutions, and combined solutions of GPS and GLONASS on different GNSS days. One-way variance analysis (ANOVA) were applied to the height differences to test them whether they are significantly different or not. The significant differences, if any, were further tested by using Post Hoc test to reveal the effects of the method used, the epoch number, or the measuring time, which is responsible for the significant differences. The results from ANOVA showed that the number of epoch had not much effect on the vertical components but on the correction methods. MAC method presented the most deviated results compared to the other methods with different GNSS days’ solutions. In general, VRS method was found to be the most consistent method among others used. This study is important in both; an accuracy assessment with respect to the most precise method in heights (i.e., precise geometric leveling) was carried. The techniques (ANOVA and Post Hock Test) used in the accuracy assessment.
The authors study the ground surface displacement in the area of Zhezkazgan copper ore field now subjected to extraction of ore reserves from rib pillars. The high-precision leveling procedure using ...digital leveling instrumentation and invar leveling staffs is proposed for the application in arrangement of a geodynamic test site at the settlements of Zhezkazgan and Lermontovo. The steel control survey points are firmly connected with rock mass by means of grouting. The observation results made it possible to detect and evaluate the ground surface displacements.
This study investigates the optimal distribution and pattern of ground control points (GCPs) in aerial photogrammetric projects. Aerial triangulation (AT), also known as bundle adjustment, is the ...fundamental step in refining 3D reconstruction models and camera positions, thereby minimizing reprojection errors. The study utilizes data from a national project in Romania, employing high-resolution aerial images acquisition using photogrammetric sensors. The project has rigorous requirements of ground control points (GCP) placement and field measurements using GNSS and geometric leveling techniques. The study employs various scenarios, manipulating the number and distribution of GCPs, to assess their influence on planimetric and altimetric accuracy. Results indicate that the configuration and number of GCPs significantly affect the accuracy of photogrammetric products, such as dense image point clouds, digital surface models, and orthophotos. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of precise GCP determination methods, especially in regions lacking a precise gravimetric geoid model. In scenarios with inadequate GCP coverage the outcomes have inferior quality, emphasizing the critical role of GCPs in ensuring the quality of photogrammetric products. Overall, the research gives a clear view on the best placement patterns of GCPs and their influence on AT process evaluation performed in check points (CHKs).
U ovom radu je opisana metoda geometrijskog nivelmana s posebnim fokusom na nivelman visoke točnosti i precizne nivelmanske letve. Navedeni su i objašnjeni utjecaji nesavršenosti preciznih ...nivelmanskih letvi na mjerenja u nivelmanu visoke točnosti, kao i metode modeliranja, minimiziranja i eliminacije sustavnih pogrešaka letvi. Također su opisani pojam i proces umjeravanja preciznih nivelmanskih letvi te razvoj metoda i komparatora za umjeravanje s fokusom na komparatore s integriranom CCD kamerom. Pobliže je opisan komparator Laboratorija za mjerenje i mjernu tehniku Geodetskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, te je prezentiran plan njegova osuvremenjivanja razvojem nove metode umjeravanja geodetskih linearnih mjerila integriranjem CCD kamere.
•High-precision topographic total stations are used to cross impassable areas.•Trigonometric levelling is proposed as an alternative to geometric levelling.•The procedure is based on a reciprocal and ...simultaneous levelling scheme.•The right geometrical and timing schedule, and the calibration of ATR are required.
With the arrival on the market of high-precision topographic total stations, professionals today, using appropriate methodologies, can determine altimetric connections to an accuracy that is almost comparable to those obtainable using high-precision geometric levelling. This aspect is of particular interest when it is not possible to proceed with classical geometric levelling operations due to logistical or other reasons: for instance, where levelling lines need to cross impassable areas such as streams, soft soils or canyons. Currently, height differences between two points separated by an impassable area are mainly measured using optical-mechanical levels by procedures that present a number of difficulties. This work presents the results achieved through several trials conducted on the use of high precision trigonometric levelling for measurement of height difference between benchmarks at opposite sides of streams. In particular, it describes the project where simultaneous and reciprocal measures were taken using two high-precision robotic total stations.