John Walker

Joseph L. Awange

"Indeed, the most important part of engineering work—and also of other scientific work—is the determination of the method of attacking the problem, whatever it may be, whether an experimental investigation, or a theoretical calculation. ... It is by the choice of a suitable method of attack, that intricate problems are reduced to simple phenomena, and then easily solved." Charles Proteus Steinmetz. The structure of this book is to provide a sequence of theory, workshops and practical field sessions that mimic a simple survey project, designed for civil and mining engineers. The format of the book is based on a number of years of experience gained in presenting the course at undergraduate and post graduate levels. The course is designed to guide engineers through survey tasks that the engineering industry feels is necessary for them to have a demonstrated competency in surveying techniques, data gathering and reduction, and report presentation. The course i s not designed to make engineers become surveyors. It is designed to allow an appreciation of the civil and mine engineering surveyor’s job. There are many excellent text books available on the subject of engineering surveying, but they address the surveyor, not the engineer. Hopefully this book will distil many parts of the standard text book. A lot of the material presented is scattered through very disparate sources and has been gathered into this book to show what techniques lie behind a surveyor’s repertoire of observational and computational skills, and provide an understanding of the decisions made in terms of the presentation of results. The course has been designed to run over about 6 weeks of a semester, providing a half unit load which complements a computer aided design (CAD) based design project.

Theory, Workshops, and Practicals

Surveying for Civil and Mine Engineers

Erik W. Grafarend

Silvelyn Zwanzig

This book provides numerous examples of linear and nonlinear model applications. Here, we present a nearly complete treatment of the Grand Universe of linear and weakly nonlinear regression models within the first 8 chapters. Our point of view is both an algebraic view and a stochastic one. For example, there is an equivalent lemma between a best, linear uniformly unbiased estimation (BLUUE) in a Gauss–Markov model and a least squares solution (LESS) in a system of linear equations. While BLUUE is a stochastic regression model, LESS is an algebraic solution. In the first six chapters, we concentrate on underdetermined and overdetermined linear systems as well as systems with a datum defect. We review estimators/algebraic solutions of type MINOLESS, BLIMBE, BLUMBE, BLUUE, BIQUE, BLE, BIQUE, and total least squares. The highlight is the simultaneous determination of the first moment and the second central moment of a probability distribution in an inhomogeneous multilinear estimation by the so-called E-D correspondence as well as its Bayes design. In addition, we discuss continuous networks versus discrete networks, use of Grassmann–Plucker coordinates, criterion matrices of type Taylor–Karman as well as FUZZY sets. Chapter seven is a speciality in the treatment of an overjet. This second edition adds three new chapters: (1) Chapter on integer least squares that covers (i) model for positioning as a mixed integer linear model which includes integer parameters. (ii) The general integer least squares problem is formulated, and the optimality of the least squares solution is shown. (iii) The relation to the closest vector problem is considered, and the notion of reduced lattice basis is introduced. (iv) The famous LLL algorithm for generating a Lovasz reduced basis is explained. (2) Bayes methods that covers (i) general principle of Bayesian modeling. Explain the notion of prior distribution and posterior distribution. Choose the pragmatic approach for exploring the advantages of iterative Bayesian calculations and hierarchical modeling. (ii) Present the Bayes methods for linear models with normal distributed errors, including noninformative priors, conjugate priors, normal gamma distributions and (iii) short outview to modern application of Bayesian modeling. Useful in case of nonlinear models or linear models with no normal distribution: Monte Carlo (MC), Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), approximative Bayesian computation (ABC) methods. (3) Error-in-variables models, which cover: (i) Introduce the error-in-variables (EIV) model, discuss the difference to least squares estimators (LSE), (ii) calculate the total least squares (TLS) estimator. Summarize the properties of TLS, (iii) explain the idea of simulation extrapolation (SIMEX) estimators, (iv) introduce the symmetrized SIMEX (SYMEX) estimator and its relation to TLS, and (v) short outview to nonlinear EIV models. The chapter on algebraic solution of nonlinear system of equations has also been updated in line with the new emerging field of hybrid numeric-symbolic solutions to systems of nonlinear equations, ermined system of nonlinear equations on curved manifolds. The von Mises–Fisher distribution is characteristic for circular or (hyper) spherical data. Our last chapter is devoted to probabilistic regression, the special Gauss–Markov model with random effects leading to estimators of type BLIP and VIP including Bayesian estimation. A great part of the work is presented in four appendices. Appendix A is a treatment, of tensor algebra, namely linear algebra, matrix algebra, and multilinear algebra. Appendix B is devoted to sampling distributions and their use in terms of confidence intervals and confidence regions. Appendix C reviews the elementary notions of statistics, namely random events and stochastic processes. Appendix D introduces the basics of Groebner basis algebra, its careful definition, the Buchberger algorithm, especially the C. F. Gauss combinatorial algorithm.

Fixed Effects, Random Effects, and Total Least Squares

Applications of Linear and Nonlinear Models

Ebenezer A. Sholarin

This book offers a new framework that facilitates the development of more intelligent systems and methods for data analysis and international information sharing, such as the use of satellite imaging and geospatial data to predict changes in weather conditions and shifts in water levels, and to assess the extent of the forest cover remaining on Earth that is visible from space. It brings together the many aspects of science and technology, as well as formula and analytical approaches required for more informed decision-making. It also highlights the vital importance of understanding the technological, economic and social dimensions of environmental projects that have short-term results and long-term impacts. It is unique in that it clearly distinguishes between environmental project management (EnvPM) and green project management (GreenPM), and presents an amalgamation of environmental management and project management concepts, using geospatial methods to form an EnvPM concept. The book sets a benchmark for the professionalism with which environmental projects should be planned, executed, monitored, assessed and delivered. While primarily intended for professionals responsible for the management of environmental projects or interested in improving the overall efficiency of such projects, it is also a useful handbook for managers in the private, public and non-for-profit sectors. It is a valuable resource for students at both undergraduate and master’s levels and an indispensable guide for anyone wanting to develop their skills in modern project management, environmental management and geospatial techniques. ``We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change, and the last generation that can do something about it.'' US President Obama's address to the United Nations on Climate Change and Global warming (2015) hison: This book provides an in-depth, well-researched and science-based approach to applying key project-management and spatial tools and practices in environmental projects. An important read for leaders considering projects that balance social-economic growth against minimising its ill-effects on Planet Earth. - Todd Hutchison, Global Chairman of Peopleistic group.

Principles, Methodology, and Processes

Environmental Project Management

John B. Kyalo Kiema

There is no doubt that today, perhaps more than ever before, humanity faces a myriad of complex and demanding challenges. These include natural resource depletion and environmental degradation, food and water insecurity, energy shortages, diminishing biodiversity, increasing losses from natural disasters, and climate change with its associated potentially devastating consequences, such as rising sea levels. These human-induced and natural impacts on the environment need to be well understood in order to develop informed policies, decisions, and remedial measures to mitigate current and future negative impacts. To achieve this, continuous monitoring and management of the environment to acquire data that can be soundly and rigorously analyzed to provide information about its current state and changing patterns, and thereby allow predictions of possible future impacts, are essential. Developing pragmatic and sustainable solutions to address these and many other similar challenges requires the use of geodata and the application of geoinformatics. This book presents the concepts and applications of geoinformatics, a multidisciplinary field that has at its core different technologies that support the acquisition, analysis and visualization of geodata for environmental monitoring and management. We depart from the 4D to the 5D data paradigm, which defines geodata accurately, consistently, rapidly and completely, in order to be useful without any restrictions in space, time or scale to represent a truly global dimension of the digital Earth. The book also features the state-of-the-art discussion of Web-GIS. The concepts and applications of geoinformatics presented in this book will be of benefit to decision-makers across a wide range of fields, including those at environmental agencies, in the emergency services, public health and epidemiology, crime mapping, environmental management agencies, tourist industry, market analysis and e-commerce, or mineral exploration, among many others. The title and subtitle of this textbook convey a distinct message. Monitoring -the passive part in the subtitle - refers to observation and data acquisition, whereas management - the active component - stands for operation and performance. The topic is our environment, which is intimately related to geoinformatics. The overall message is: all the mentioned elements do interact and must not be separated. Hans-Peter B ahr, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr.h.c., Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany.

Monitoring and Management

Environmental Geoinformatics

Obiero Ong'ang'a

This book constitutes a pioneering and unique work on Lake Victoria. It is the world’s second largest fresh-water lake and supports the livelihood of more than 30 million people. Surprisingly, there has been no comprehensive book addressing its problems and potentials. Ecology, environmental pollution and resource management are some of the issues addressed by this comprehensive insight into the limitations, challenges and opportunities facing Lake Victoria.

Ecology, Resources, Environment

Lake Victoria

Béla Paláncz

Piroska Zaletnyik

While preparing and teaching ‘Introduction to Geodesy I and II’ to undergraduate students at Stuttgart University, we noticed a gap which motivated the writing of the present book: Almost every topic that we taught required some skills in algebra, and in particular, computer algebra! From positioning to transformation problems inherent in geodesy and geoinformatics, knowledge of algebra and application of computer algebra software were required. In preparing this book therefore, we have attempted to put together basic concepts of abstract algebra which underpin the techniques for solving algebraic problems. Algebraic computational algorithms useful for solving problems which require exact solutions to nonlinear systems of equations are presented and tested on various problems. Though the present book focuses mainly on the two ?elds, the concepts and techniques presented herein are nonetheless applicable to other ?elds where algebraic computational problems might be encountered. In Engineering for example, network densi?cation and robotics apply resection and intersection techniques which require algebraic solutions. Solution of nonlinear systems of equations is an indispensable task in almost all geosciences such as geodesy, geoinformatics, geophysics (just to mention but a few) as well as robotics. These equations which require exact solutions underpin the operations of ranging, resection, intersection and other techniques that are normally used. Examples of problems that require exact solutions include; • three-dimensional resection problem for determining positions and orientation of sensors, e. g. , camera, theodolites, robots, scanners etc.

Algebraic Geodesy and Geoinformatics

Robert H. Lewis

Lajos Völgyesi

This book showcases powerful new hybrid methods that combine numerical and symbolic algorithms. Hybrid algorithm research is currently one of the most promising directions in the context of geosciences mathematics and computer mathematics in general. One important topic addressed here with a broad range of applications is the solution of multivariate polynomial systems by means of resultants and Groebner bases. But that’s barely the beginning, as the authors proceed to discuss genetic algorithms, integer programming, symbolic regression, parallel computing, and many other topics. The book is strictly goal-oriented, focusing on the solution of fundamental problems in the geosciences, such as positioning and point cloud problems. As such, at no point does it discuss purely theoretical mathematics. "The book delivers hybrid symbolic-numeric solutions, which are a large and growing area at the boundary of mathematics and computer science." Dr. Daniel Li chtbau

Joseph L. Awange

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