Methodology for local correction of the heights of global geoid models to improve the accuracy of GNSS leveling

At present,one of the methods used to determine the height of points on the Earth’s surface is Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)leveling.It is possible to determine the orthometric or normal height by this method only if there is a geoid or quasi-geoid height model available.This paper proposes the methodology for local correction of the heights of high-order global geoid models such as EGM08,EIGEN-6C4,GECO,and XGM2019e_2159.This methodology was tested in different areas of the research field,covering various relief forms.The dependence of the change in corrected height accuracy on the input data was analyzed,and the correction was also conducted for model heights in three tidal systems:"tide free","mean tide",and"zero tide".The results show that the heights of EIGEN-6C4 model can be corrected with an accuracy of up to 1 cm for flat and foothill terrains with the dimensionality of 1°×1°,2°×2°,and 3°×3°.The EGM08 model presents an almost identical result.The EIGEN-6C4 model is best suited for mountainous relief and provides an accuracy of 1.5 cm on the 1°×1°area.The height correction accuracy of GECO and XGM2019e_2159 models is slightly poor,which has fuzziness in terms of numerical fluctuation.

Performance evaluation of high/ultra-high-degree global geopotential models over Vietnam using GNSS/leveling data

The availability of many high-degree Global Geopotential Models(GGMs), namely EGM2008, EIGEN-6C4,GECO, SGG-UGM-1, SGG-UGM-2, XGM2019e_2159, and GGMPlus, challenges users regarding which model is best for Vietnam. This study, therefore, evaluates their performance by comparing them with GNSS/leveling data over Vietnam. Results show that their absolute and relative performances are largely independent of topographic conditions and geographical location and can be ranked into three classes:(1)XGM2019e_2159 has the highest accuracy,(2) the models EIGEN-6C4, GECO, SGG-UGM-1, SGG-UGM-2, and GGMPlus, have a very similar level of medium accuracy, while(3) EGM2008 is found to be the least accurate. In an absolute sense, the differences between GNSS/leveling and EGM2008-based height anomalies have a standard deviation(STD) of 0.290 ± 0.010 m, whereas, for XGM2019e_2159, this is 0.156 ± 0.006 m.All other models have STDs of(0.18-0.19) ± 0.007 m. Regarding relative performance without fitting, all GGMs have comparable accuracies for baseline length of 5-20 km, while for baselines longer than 20 km,the STD of XGM2019e_2159 is 1.5 ppm-0.5 ppm(approximately 19%-40%) lower compared with EGM2008, and 0.5 ppm-0.25 ppm(approximately 7%-36%) lower compared with EIGEN6C4, GECO,SGG-UGM-1, SGG-UGM-2, and GGMPlus. In addition, the STDs decrease significantly from 20 to 12 ppm in the range of 5-10 km, slightly from 12 to 6 ppm for 10-35 km, very slightly from 6 to 2.5 ppm for35-200 km, and then remain almost unchanged for longer baselines. After fitting, the relative accuracies of all GGMs are at the same level with negligible STD/RMSE values. Furthermore, only EGM2008 experiences significant regional differences, while other GGMs show more homogeneous spatial variation of absolute accuracy over Vietnam. These findings can contribute to the development of local quasigeoid models in Vietnam and may be helpful with the improvement of GGMs in the future.

Vertical deformation analysis based on combined adjustment for GNSS and leveling data

A method is proposed to fuse the velocity data of the global navigation satellite system(GNSS) and leveling height via combined adjustment with constraints. First, stable GNSS-leveling points are uniformly selected, and the constraints of the geodetic height change velocity and normal height change velocity are given. Then, the GNSS vertical velocities and leveling height difference are used as observations of combined adjustment, and robust least-squares estimation are used to estimate the velocities of the unknown points. Finally, a vertical movement model is established with the GNSS vertical velocities and leveling vertical velocities obtained via combined adjustment. Data from the second-order leveling network and GNSS control points in Shandong Province are taken as test data, and eight calculation schemes are used for discussion. One of the schemes, the bifactor robust combined adjustment method based on variance component estimation with two kinds of vertical velocity constraints achieves the optimal results. The method applied in the scheme can be recommended for data fusion of GNSS and leveling, further improving the reliability of vertical crustal movement in Shandong Province.

Using WGM2012 to Compute Gravity Anomaly Corrections of Leveling Observations in China

Gravity Anomaly Correction(GAC)is a very important term in leveling data processing.In most cases,it is troublesome for field surveyors to measure gravity when leveling.In this paper,based on the complete Bouguer Gravity Anomaly(BGA)map of WGM2012,the feasibility of replacing in-situ gravity surveying in China is investigated.For leveling application,that is to evaluate the accuracy of WGM2012 in China.Because WGM2012 is organized with a standard rectangle grid,two interpolation methods,bilinear interpolating and Inverse Distance Weighted(IDW)interpolating,are proposed.Four sample areas in China,i.e.,Hanzhong,Chengdu,Linzhi and Shantou,are selected to evaluate the systems bias and precision of WGM2012.Numerical results show the average system bias of WGM2012 BGA in west China is about-100.1 mGal(1 mGal=10^(-5) m/s^(2))and the standard deviation is about 30.7 mGal.Tests in Shantou indicate the system bias in plain areas is about-130.4 mGal and standard deviation is about 6.8 mGal.All these experiments means the accuracy of WGM2012 is limited in high mountain areas of western China,but in plain areas,such as Shantou,WGM2012 BGA map is quite good for most leveling applications after calibrating the system bias.

Research on Deformation Mode of the Longmenshan-Longriba Region Using GPS and Leveling Data

The Longmenshan-Longriba region is located on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, and is an ideal place to study the eastward extrusion and uplift mechanism of the plateau. Previous studies on this area mainly focused on tectonic activity and seismic hazard, with few studies giving its overall deformation characteristics and dynamic mechanism. This paper uses the latest dense GPS data, combined with precise Leveling data to analyze the kinematic characteristics and deformation mode of the Longmenshan fault zone (LMSF) and the Longriba fault zone (LRBF). The results show that both the Longmenshan fault zone and the Longriba fault zone have certain right-lateral strike-slip and thrusting, indicating that they play an important role in adjusting strain distribution and absorbing tectonic deformation;The strain-rate field on the Longriba fault zone is broadly distributed, suggesting that the deformation field is at least partially coupled;while the strain-rate field on the Longmenshan fault zone presents a non-uniform distribution, indicating different dynamic sources acting on segments. The high strain rate areas revealed in this study points us to the high-risk area for future earthquakes. The present-day vertical motion velocity field in the region obtained from Leveling and GPS data shows a mismatch between the regional deformation field and active tectonics, which can be explained by the incomplete coupling of deformation between the lower and upper crust.

Research on Precise Trigonometric Leveling in Place of First Order Leveling

Through the analysis of the principle, error sources and precision of trigonometric leveling, this paper points out the key problems about first order leveling replaced by trigonometric leveling; and for the first time puts forward that, in some given conditions, it is not only feasible but also valuable to replace first order leveling by precise trigonometric leveling, and proves it by experimentation as well. The content and conclusion of this paper have consulting significance and practicable value for our setting down relational criterion and production practice.

结合GPS/Leveling和正高改正确定GPS常年观测站正高

利用精密几何水准测量结合GPS/Leveling方法计算韩国行政自治部管辖内30所GPS常年观测站天线基准点的正高。并联合进行对水准点和GPS常年观测站偏心点的重力测量,使用正高改正方法计算出其改正量,提高正高的精确度。

Parameter Method Data Processing for CPⅢ Precise Trigonometric Leveling Network

In view of the limitation of the difference method,the adjustment model of CPⅢprecise trigonometric leveling control network based on the parameter method was proposed in the present paper.The experiment results show that this model has a simple algorithm and high data utilization,avoids the negative influences caused by the correlation among the data acquired from the difference method and its accuracy is improved compared with the difference method.In addition,the strict weight of CPⅢprecise trigonometric leveling control network was also discussed in this paper.The results demonstrate that the ranging error of trigonometric leveling can be neglected when the vertical angle is less than 3 degrees.The accuracy of CPⅢprecise trigonometric leveling control network has not changed significantly before and after strict weight.

Coseismic vertical deformation of the M_S8.0 Wenchuan earthquake from repeated levelings and its constraint on listric fault geometry

The devastating Ms8.0 Wenchuan earthquake ruptured two large parallel thrust faults along the middle segment of the Longmenshan thrust belt. Preseismic and postseismic leveling data indicated the hanging wall of the Yingxiu-Beichuan-Nanba thrust fault mainly presented coseismic uplift with respect to the reference point at Pingwu county town, and the observed maximum uplift of 4.7 m is located at Beichuan county （Qushan town） which is about 100 m west of the fault scarp. The foot wall of the Yingxiu-Beichuan-Nanba thrust fault mainly showed subsidence with maximum subsidence of 0.6 m near the rupture. By employing a listric dislocation model, we found that the fault geometry model of exponential dip angle δ=88°×[1-exp（-9/h）] with depth of 18 km and uniform thrust-slip of 5.6 m could fit the observed coseismic vertical deformation very well, which verifies the listric thrust model of the Longmenshan orogenic zone.

Numerical Simulation of Continuous Tension Leveling Process of Thin Strip Steel and Its Application

Cold-rolled thin strip steel of high flatness quality undergoes multistage deformation during tension leveling. Thus, the parameters of set-up and manipulating are more difficult. With the aid of FE code MSC. MARC, the tension leveling process of thin strip steel was numerically simulated. Concentrating on the influence of the roll intermeshes in 2# anti-cambering on the distribution and magnitude of residual stresses in leveled strip steel, several experiments were clone with the tension leveler based on the results from the simulation. It was found from the simulation that the magnitude of longitudinal residual stresses in the cross-section of the leveled strip steel regularly presents obvious interdependence with the roll intermeshes in 2# anti-cambering. In addition, there is a steady zone as the longitudinal residual stresses of the surface layers in leveled strip steel vary with the roll intermeshes of 2# anticambering, which is of importance in the manipulation of tension levelers. It was also found that the distribution of strains and stresses across the width of strip steel is uneven during leveling or after removing the tension loaded upon the strip, from which it was found that 3D simulation could not be replaced by 2D analysis because 2D analysis in this case cannot represent the physical behavior of strip steel deformation during tension leveling.

Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control for the Vehicle Height and Leveling Adjustment System of an Electronic Air Suspension

The accurate control for the vehicle height and leveling adjustment system of an electronic air suspension(EAS) still is a challenging problem that has not been effectively solved in prior researches. This paper proposes a new adaptive controller to control the vehicle height and to adjust the roll and pitch angles of the vehicle body(leveling control) during the vehicle height adjustment procedures by an EAS system. A nonlinear mechanism model of the full?car vehicle height adjustment system is established to reflect the system dynamic behaviors and to derive the system optimal control law. To deal with the nonlinear characters in the vehicle height and leveling adjustment processes, the nonlinear system model is globally linearized through the state feedback method. On this basis, a fuzzy sliding mode controller(FSMC) is designed to improve the control accuracy of the vehicle height adjustment and to reduce the peak values of the roll and pitch angles of the vehicle body. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed control method more accurately, the full?car EAS system model programmed using AMESim is also given. Then, the co?simulation study of the FSMC performance can be conducted. Finally, actual vehicle tests are performed with a city bus, and the test results illustrate that the vehicle height adjustment performance is effectively guaranteed by the FSMC, and the peak values of the roll and pitch angles of the vehicle body during the vehicle height adjustment procedures are also reduced significantly. This research proposes an effective control methodology for the vehicle height and leveling adjustment system of an EAS, which provides a favorable control performance for the system.

Model for the Whole Roller Leveling Process of Plates with Random Curvature Distribution Based on the Curvature Integration Method

A model based on the curvature integration method has been applied in an online plate leveling system. However, there are some shortcomings in the current leveling models. On the one hand, the models cannot deal with the leveling process of plates with a random curvature distribution. On the other hand, the current models are suitable only for stable leveling processes and ignore the biting in and tailing out stages. This study presents a new plate-leveling model based on the curvature integration method, which can describe the leveling process of plates with random curvature distribution. Further, the model is solved in two cases in order to take the biting in and tailing out stages into consideration. The proposed model is evaluated by comparing with a plate leveling experiment. Finally, the leveling process of a plate with a wave bent is studied using the proposed model. It is found that the contact angles vary greatly during the biting in and tailing out stages. However, they are relatively steady during the 5 roller leveling stage. In addition, the contact angle of roller No. 2 is the smallest, which is close to 0. Roller leveling can effectively eliminate bending in the plate, but there are regions in the head and tail of the plate, where roller leveling is not effective. The non-leveling region length is about 2 times that of the roller space. This study proposes a quasi-static plate-leveling model, which makes it possible to analyze the dynamic straightening process using a curvature integration method. It also makes it possible to analyze the straightening process of a plate with random curvature distribution.

Present-day 3D deformation field of Northeast China,observed by GPS and leveling

A broad view of present-day 3D deformation field around the Northeast China region was derived from GPS and leveling observations. We draw the following conclusions： First, the Northeast China region moved towards northwest with an average velocity of 5 ram/a, with respect to South China. The entire Northeast China region was in a low strain state from the strain rate field. Second, we processed two periods of first- order leveling data in 1970s and 1990s, showing the vertical deformation of the Northeast China region is ＂uplift in western part and subsidence in eastern part＇

Layering Precision Land Leveling and Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed Planting: Productivity and Input Use Efficiency of Irrigated Bread Wheat in Indo-Gangetic Plains

Stagnating yield and declining input use efficiency in irrigated wheat of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) coupled with diminishing availability of water for agriculture is a major concern of food security in South Asia. The objective of our study was to establish an understanding of how wheat yield and input use efficiency can be improved and how land leveling and crop establishment practices can be modified to be more efficient in water use through layering of precision-conservation crop management techniques. The “precision land leveling with raised bed” planting can be used to improve crop yield, water and nutrient use efficiency over the existing “traditional land leveling with flat” planting practices. We conducted a field experiment during 2002-2004 at Modipuram, India to quantify the benefits of alternate land leveling (precision land leveling) and crop establishment (furrow irrigated raised bed planting) techniques alone or in combination (layering precision-conservation) in terms of crop yield, water savings, and nutrient use efficiency of wheat production in IGP. The wheat yield was about 16.6% higher with nearly 50% less irrigation water with layering precision land leveling and raised bed planting compared to traditional practices (traditional land leveling with flat planting). The agronomic (AE) and uptake efficiency (UE) of N, P and K were significantly improved under precision land leveling with raised bed planting technique compared to other practices.

Boundary determination of leveling capacity for plate roller leveler based on curvature integration method

Leveler is widely used to improve the quality of defective mild steel plates.Its typical ranges of the leveling capacity are constrained by three criteria,namely the maximum stroke of rollers,allowable total leveling force and motor power.In this work,an optimization model with equality and inequality constraints was built for the maximum yield stress search of each thickness of plates.The corresponding search procedure with three loops was given.The approximate range by the simplification model could be used as the initial value for the actual range search of the leveling capacity.Therefore,the search speed could be accelerated compared with a global search.The consistency of the analytical results and field data demonstrates the reliability of the proposed model and procedure.The typical ranges of the leveling capacity are expressed by several boundary curves which are helpful to judge whether the incoming plate can be leveled quickly or not.Also,these curves can be used to find the maximum yield stress for a specific thickness or the maximum thickness for a yield stress for plates.

Comparative study on vertical deformation based on GPS and leveling data

The development of GPS(Global Positioning System) technology has led to increasingly widely and successful applications of GPS surveys for monitoring crustal movements. However, multi-period GPS survey solutions have not been applied in monitoring vertical crustal movements with normal backgrounds. In this paper, we carried out a comparative study on the vertical deformation of the comprehensive profile of the cross-fault zone in Shanyin, Shanxi province, China, based on GPS and precise leveling observation data for multiple time periods. The vertical deformation rates observed with repeating GPS survey are obviously different(over 20 mm/y at some sites) from those with repeating leveling survey within a relatively short period. However, the deviations in the vertical displacement between GPS and leveling in a long-term survey(over three years) showed good consistency at 3-4 mm/y at most sites, on GPS forced offset surveying and fixed survey instruments in a long-term survey(over three years). Therefore, GPS vertical displacement results can be applied to the study of vertical crustal movements.

Quantitative feedback theory and zero phase error tracking control combined robust control for radar truck leveling simulator

Radar leveling system is the key equipment for improving the radar mobility and survival capability. A combined quantitative feedback theory (QFT) controller is designed for the radar truck leveling simulator in this paper, which suffers from strong nonlinearities and system parameter uncertainties. QFT can reduce the plant uncertainties and stabilize the system, but it fails to obtain high-precision tracking. This drawback can be solved by a robust QFT control scheme based on zero phase error tracking control (ZPETC) compensation. The combined controller not only possesses high robustness, but greatly improves the system performance. To verify the effiectiveness and the potential of the proposed controller, a series of experiments have been carried out. Experimental results have demonstrated its robustness against a large range of parameters variation and high tracking precision performance, as well as its capability of restraining the load coupling among channels. The combined QFT controller can drive the radar truck leveling platform accurately, quickly and stably.

Effects of wind guide plates on wind velocity acceleration and dune leveling： a case study in Ulan Buh Desert, China

The areas used to be covered by shifting sand dunes have been reclaimed rapidly in recent years. However, it is a challenge to reclaim high sand dunes because it is rather costly to level the high dunes to gentle arable lands. In this study, a wind guide plate was used to change the characteristics of natural wind to level the sand dunes. The use of wind energy could significantly increase the efficiency of dune leveling and decrease the cost. Low wind velocity is a typical characteristic in Ulan Buh Desert of China where the average wind speed is much lower than the threshold velocity for sand movement. The experiment of this study was conducted to accelerate the wind velocity by a wind guide plate to level a sand dune. Results show that the threshold velocity for sand movement is 3.32 m/s at 10 cm above the sand surface in Ulan Buh Desert. A wind guide plate set at an angle less than 50° could significantly increase the wind velocity. The wind velocity could be accelerated up to the threshold velocity for sand movement behind a plate when the plate is at the angles of 20°, 25°, 35° and 40°. The most significant acceleration of wind velocity appears at 1.5 and 3.0 m behind the plate with an angle of 25°. An obvious wind velocity acceleration zone exists behind the wind guide plate when the angles are at 25°, 35°, 40° and 45°, with the most obvious zone under the angle of 45°. The results also show that the total amount of sand transferred over the experimental period increased by 6.1% under the effects of wind guide plates compared to the sand moved without wind guide plates. The results of the study will provide theoretical and practical supports for desert management in sand dune areas.

Investigation and analysis of leveling deformation anomaly at Daixian station in Shanxi

The leveling measurements at Daixian station appeared increasing trend since March 25, 2013, which is credible, showing normal fault activity. According to the environmental survey, it contains some interference factors： first, the wind is big when the leveling measures in the afternoon, which has certain influence on the measurement results, but the impact is random and should be near the base value and not appear a trend. Second, the point BM3 was maintained during Sep. to Oct. in 2012 and occurred cracks in 2013, showing that the poor stability around the point. In addition, the change of recorded program is only to change the way of data record and can not affect the observation results during the same period.

Simulation by Dislocation Model and Anomaly Property Determination of Huge Leveling Deformation at Linfen Seismic Station

In this study,under the assumption that the two huge leveling deformation anomalies at Linfen seismic station were caused by the Luoyunshan fault( Tumen-Yuli section)movement, we computed the vertical deformation field distribution based on the rectangular fault dislocation model and measured the ground deformation field of the study area using D-InS AR technology. The results are as follows:( 1) Theoretically,the ground vertical deformation field caused by fault movement could be within the elliptical deformation area with the long axis parallel to the fault strike. The largest deformation region is located in the center of the area in the hanging wall of the fault,and the deformation gradually decreases to zero toward the periphery; the impact range induced by the two deformations is respectively as follows: The long axes are about 18 km and26km,the short axes are about 12 km and 17 km and the obvious deformation amplitude is about 1- 3mm and 4- 14 mm.( 2) The measured deformation field by D-InS AR shows that there is no continuous deformation area consistent with the fault strike,and only the presence of land subsidence possibly caused by groundwater excessive exploitation,with the deformation amplitude about 10- 12 mm and 1- 5mm.( 3) The measured deformation field is not consistent with the theoretical result on deformation area and amplitude,which indicates that the fault movement is not the main cause of Linfen huge leveling deformation,but may rather be because of local deformation of the soil layers in the hanging wall of the fault.( 4) By combining the fault dislocation model simulation with the D-InS AR technology measurement,we can determine effectively the nature of the anomalyof the huge cross-fault leveling deformation,thus provide scientific basis for verification of significant leveling anomalies.