Technical Papers
Aug 31, 2021

Rapid Prediction of Vertical Deflections and Their Statistics for Surveying and Mapping Applications: Three Case Studies

Publication: Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 4

Abstract

The accurate determination of deflections of the vertical is a complex scientific task that can be time-consuming and expensive. On occasion, good approximations are required for surveying and engineering applications. Although deflections of the vertical derived from geoid models are available online in certain regions, the exact computation procedure is not detailed and they generally are given without accompanying uncertainties. This work provides a simple, straightforward way, using least squares, to determine deflections of the vertical at geoid heights and their corresponding stochastic quantities, all based on undulations of the EGM2008 geoid model selected around the computation point. Three case studies were discussed, and an ancillary sample program is attached for completeness.

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Data Availability Statement

All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank three anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments that undoubtedly helped to enhance the comprehension of our original manuscript.

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Go to Journal of Surveying Engineering
Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 147Issue 4November 2021

History

Received: Jan 6, 2021
Accepted: Jun 19, 2021
Published online: Aug 31, 2021
Published in print: Nov 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jan 31, 2022

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Authors

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Tomás Soler, M.ASCE [email protected]
Retired, National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 13510 Flowerfield Dr., Potomac, MD 20854. Email: [email protected]
Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan Univ., 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan (corresponding author). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9555-4214. Email: [email protected]

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Cited by

  • Results from the Third QDaedalus Astrogeodetic System Observation Campaign in the Mountainous Terrain of the Surses Region in Switzerland, Journal of Surveying Engineering, 10.1061/JSUED2.SUENG-1401, 149, 3, (2023).
  • An adaptive approach to optimise regional geoid undulation model for engineering applications, Survey Review, 10.1080/00396265.2022.2096340, (1-17), (2022).
  • Field comparison of the total station-based QDaedalus and the zenith telescope-based CODIAC astrogeodetic systems for measurements of the deflection of the vertical, Survey Review, 10.1080/00396265.2022.2054108, (1-13), (2022).

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