Tectonic and hydrodynamic control of landslides in the northern area of the Central Rif, Morocco

The northern edge of the Central Rif (Morocco) is subject to numerous landslides where mechanisms do not correspond to the classical models used by geomechanics specialists. It is necessary to adopt a multidisciplinary approach that combines geomorphology, geology, hydrogeology, and geotechnics in order to understand how such slope failures are generated, especially in a region with a heterogeneous structure characterised by significant lithological differences, severe fracturing, and thrust sheets where tectonic contacts play a major role in groundwater circulation. This report shows that these failures are essentially controlled by the tectonic contact separating the Tisirene and Chouamat thrust sheets and by subsurface hydrodynamic conditions. A model of spatial and temporal variations in the factor of safety is proposed.     

Consideration of time-correlated errors in a Kalman filter applicable to GNSS

An algorithm for considering time-correlated errors in a Kalman filter is presented. The algorithm differs from previous implementations in that it does not suffer from numerical problems; does not contain inherent time latency or require reinterpretation of Kalman filter parameters, and gives full consideration to additive white noise that is often still present but ignored in previous implementations. Simulation results indicate that the application of the new algorithm yields more realistic and therefore useful state and covariance information than the standard implementation. Results from a field test of the algorithm applied to the problem of kinematic differential GPS demonstrate that the algorithm provides slightly pessimistic covariance estimates whereas the standard Kalman filter provides optimistic covariance estimates.     

Modelling of groundwater flow in heterogeneous porous media by finite element method

The HySuf‐FEM code (Hydrodynamic of Subsurface Flow by Finite Element Method) is proposed in this article in order to estimate the spatial variability of the transmissivity values of the Berrechid aquifer (Morocco). The calibration of the model is based on the hydraulic head, hydraulic conductivity and recharge. Three numerical tests are used to validate the model and verify its convergence. The first test case consists in using the steady analytical solution of the Poisson equation. In the second, the model has been compared with the hydrogeological system which is characterized by an unconfined monolayer (isotropic layer) and computed by using PMWIN‐MODFLOW software. The third test case is based on the comparison between the results of HySuf‐FEM and the multiple cell balance method in the aquifer system with natural boundaries case. Good agreement between the Hydrodynamic of Subsurface Flow, the numerical tests and the spatial distribution of the thickening of the hydrogeological system is deduced from the analysis and the interpretations of hydrogeological wells. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Precise aircraft single-point positioning using GPS post-mission orbits and satellite clock corrections

Summary Aircraft single point position accuracy is assessed through a comparison of the single point coordinates with corresponding DGPS-derived coordinates. The platform utilized for this evaluation is a Naval Air Warfare Center P-3 Orion aircraft. Data was collected over a period of about 40 hours, spread over six days, off Florida's East Coast in July 94, using DGPS reference stations in Jacksonville, FL, and Warminster, PA. The analysis of results shows that the consistency between aircraft single point and DGPS coordinates obtained in single point positioning mode and DGPS mode is about 1 m (rms) in latitude and longitude, and 2 m (rms) in height, with instantaneous errors of up to a few metres due to the effect of the ionosphere on the single point L1 solutions.     

Temporal impact of selected GPS errors on point positioning

This paper is aimed at investigating the stability of point positions over time in support of applications that require high position stability when differential GPS is not feasible. One such application is the use of a P3-Orion aircraft offshore for magnetic measurement in support of submarine detection. Temporal changes in several GPS errors lead to variability in the computed positions, so it is not the absolute errors, but rather their temporal variations that are of importance. Furthermore, the temporal variability of the different error sources may dictate a certain algorithm approach and processing strategy. This paper analyzes the temporal variations of the broadcast satellite clock model and orbit parameters, as well as ionospheric errors, because these will typically be the dominant errors for real-time point positioning. These three errors are analyzed independently. A tropospheric correction is applied when computing all of the position results, so the tropospheric error itself is not investigated. Satellite clock and orbit errors are analyzed by comparing broadcast and precise post-mission SV clock corrections and orbits. For the ionosphere, the effect is separated using dual-frequency data. The analysis comprises primarily of assessing error behaviors and magnitudes through time and frequency analyses. In this way, the differences in variability of the errors are easily determined. The effect of each error in the position domain is also investigated in addition to the combined effect. Results show that, on a typical day when single frequency data are processed with broadcast orbit and clock data, the root mean square (RMS) of the changes in the position errors over a 50-s interval is about 5.8 cm in northing, 4.0 in easting, and 11.0 cm in height. When using precise orbits and clocks, in addition to dual frequency data, these values improve by 46–56% to 2.7 cm in northing, 2.2 cm in easting, and 4.9 cm in height. Under severe ionospheric activity, the RMS of the errors decrease from 8.1 to 3.3 cm in northing, 5.7 to 2.6 cm in easting, and 17.0 to 4.9 cm in height, which are improvements of 54–71%. Electronic Publication     

A comparison of P code and high performance C/A code GPS receivers for on the fly ambiguity resolution

Carrier phase ambiguity resolution on the fly is investigated using two receiver technologies, namely dual-frequency P code and high performance, single frequency, C/A code receivers. Both receiver types were used simultaneously in a series of land kinematic trials. A least-squares search technique is used to find the correct double difference carrier phase ambiguities. Both C/A and single frequency P code technologies are found to be equivalent and capable of resolving the integer ambiguities on the fly using some 30 to 200 seconds of data under benign multipath conditions. Successful ambiguity resolution on the fly results in cm-level accuracy kinematic positioning. The ambiguity resolution time required and success rate are however found to be strongly dependent on the level of carrier phase multipath and, as a consequence, on the error variance assigned to the carrier phase measurements. The use of widelaning with the dual frequency P code results in ambiguity resolution in seconds. The performance of widelaning is also superior in a comparatively high carrier phase multipath environment.     

Least-squares prediction of horizontal coordinate distortions in Canada

A least-squares prediction method is described to estimate horizontal coordinate distortions at lower order points of a network using known coordinate differences (NAD27 coordinate distortions Δϕ′s and Δλ′s) at higher order points between NAD27 coordinates and coordinates derived from a recent (MAY 76), relatively distortion free, adjustment of these points. Empirical autocovariance functions of Δϕ and Δλ and crosscovariance function between Δϕ and Δλ are derived from some 5,250 data points and modelled using series of exponential functions. Empirical mean square values of Δϕ and Δλ, which are a measure of the distortions in NAD27 ϕ and λ, are 0.051 and 0.645 arcsecs² respectively. The corresponding mean value of the product ΔϕΔλ, which is a measure of the correlation between Δϕ and Δλ, is 0.056 arcsecs². The accuracy obtainable for predicted Δϕ and Δλ at an arbitrary point (e.g., lower order station) is a function of the accuracy and configuration of known Δϕ′s and Δλ′s in the surrounding area. Accuracies obtainable for various types of data configuration are given. Under favorable conditions taking place in about 60% of cases, accuracies in terms of ms agreement with known values of 0″.02 (0.6 m) and 0″.01 (0.2 m along parallel at latitude 50°) for the predicted latitude and longitude distortions are obtainable. Finally, a comparison with a method based on the use of complex polynomials is made. Presented at International Symposium on Geodetic Networks and Computations, Munich, August–September 1981.     

Coherent integration time limit of a mobile receiver for indoor GNSS applications

There is an emerging requirement for processing global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals indoor where the signal is very weak and subjected to spatial fading. Typically, longer coherent integration intervals provide the additional processing gain required for the detection and processing of such weak signals. However, the arbitrary physical motion of the handset imputed by the user limits the effectiveness of longer coherent integration intervals due to the spatial decorrelation of the multipath-faded GNSS signal. In this paper, limits of coherent integration due to spatial decorrelation are derived and corroborated with experimental verification. A general result is that the processing gain resulting from direct coherent integration saturates after the antenna has moved through a certain distance, which for typical indoor propagation, is about half a carrier wavelength. However, a refined Doppler search coupled with a prolonged coherent integration interval extends this limit, which is effectively a manifestation of selective diversity.