Dynamic Deformation Monitoring of Lotsane Bridge Using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Linear Variable Differential Transducers (LVDT)

The measurements and analysis of deformation of engineering structures such as dams, bridges and high-rise buildings are important tasks for civil engineers. It is evident that, all civil engineering structures are susceptible for deterioration over a period of time. Bridges in particular, deteriorate due to loading conditions, environmental changes, earth movement, material used during construction, age and corrosion of steel. Continuous monitoring of such structure is the most important aspect as it provides quantitative information, assesses the state of the structure, detects unsafe positions and proposes early safety measures to be taken before it can threaten the safety of vehicles, goods and human life. Despite government’s efforts to construct roads and highways, bridge deformation monitoring has not been given priority in most of African countries and ultimately causes some bridges to collapse unexpectedly. The purpose of this research is to integrate Global Positioning System (GPS) and Linear Variable Differential Transducers (LVDT) to monitor deformation of a bridge. The horizontal positions of reference and monitoring points were determined using Global Positioning System (GPS) while the vertical deflections, accelerations and strain were determined using Linear Variable Differential Transducers (LVDT). The maximum displacements obtained between zero and first epochs in x, y and z components were 0.798 m, at point LT08, 0.865 m at point BR13, and 0.56 m at point LT02 respectively. The maximum deflections for LVDT 1, 2 and 3 are 28.563 mm, 31.883 mm and 40.926 mm respectively. Finally, the correlation coefficient for the observations was 0.679 with standard deviations of 0.0168 and 0.0254 in x and y respectively. Our results identified some slight displacements in horizontal components at the bridge.

AN APPROACH TO IMPROVE PSEUDORANGE DIFFERENTIAL GPS

The pseudorange residual error of imperfect correction of the ionospheric time delay in pseudorange (PR) differential global positioning system (DGPS) is analyzed. The different vertical total electron content (TEC) and slant factors at the pierce points of satellite signals are the reasons of the residual error. An improved pseudorange differential approach is proposed and the effect of this new PR differential operation verified by using the simulation.

Research on an Urban Traffic Control System Based on DGPS

The basic principles of GPS (Global Positioning System) and DGPS (Differential GPS) are described. The principle and structure of vehicle navigation systems, and its application to the urban traffic flow guidance are analyzed. Then, an area coordinated adaptive control system based on DGPS and a traffic flow guidance information system based on DGPS are put forward, and their working principles and functions are researched. This is to provides a new way for the development of urban road traffic control systems.

THE STOCHASTIC ESTIMATION OF SATELLITE CLOCK CORRECTION INFORMATION IN WADGPS

Using autocorrelation information of the pseudorange errors generated by se- lective availability (SA) frequency dithering, we have constructed a simple first order stochas- tic model for SA effects. This model has been used in a Kalman filter to account for the stochastic behavior of SA dithering in estimating satellite clock information in wide area dif- ferential GPS. We have obtained fifteen percent improvement in the user positioning using the correlation information on the satellite clock information in a Kalman filter, when comparing the results obtained using a regular least square estimation.

Monitoring of Soil Loss from Erosion Using Geoinformatics and Geotechnical Engineering Methods

In this study, the position of all major rill and gully erosion sites were located using hand held GPS （Global Positioning System） receiver during reconnaissance surveys. Based on severity rating and geopolitical considerations, six of the erosion gully sites were selected for monitoring. Control points were established around each of the gully sites using three Leica 500 dual frequency GPS receivers by method of DGPS （differential GPS） surveys. Detailed topographical survey of the gully sites was carried out using total stations. With the aid of SPOT satellite imageries in combination with total station data and GIS （geographic information system） location maps, contoured maps along with DEM （digital elevation model） were generated using ARCGIS 9.2 software. The morphological parameters of the gullies including depth, width, length and area of the gullies were determined. Volumetric estimate of the amount of soil loss from gully erosion was also carried out. Soil samples were recovered from the gully sites to determine their erodibility and other parameters to be used for soil loss modeling. The result of the studies was used as an indicator for determining the gully initiation point. Slope-area relationship and threshold of gully initiation was established. The minimum volume of soil loss occurred in gully No. 2 （Queen Ede）. The minimum AS^2 value was 345 while the maximum was 3,267.