Abstract:
The paper presents a series of
results regarding the application of GNSS
technology for measuring displacements to
earth dams. An appropriate horizontal and
vertical deformation-tracking network must
be established for the rapid monitoring of
earthmoving movements. Data obtained from
the monitoring network can be used in the
earth dam stability analysis program. Periodic
tracking of earth dams using GNSS
technology provides high accuracy of spatial
distortions. The results of the paper show the
application of GNSS technology to monitor
the deformations of the Podisu earth dam
located on the Sheep Valley River in Iasi
County. In the first stage of research (2019
and 2020), the local geodetic tracking
network was created. To monitor the dam,
four control landmarks were placed on the
crest of dam and seven landmarks on the
downstream slope. In the second stage of the
research (year 2021) the measurements of
the displacements at the earth dam were
performed. The GNSS monitoring method
has the advantage of positioning the target
quickly, statically, and with high accuracy.
The measurements used fixed stations
located at two points in the local geodetic
network. Four Trimble GNSS receivers were
used for the measurements. The resulting
data was processed using the Trimble
Business Centre program. The obtained
results were analysed in comparison with
those existing in the design documentation
and technical expertise of the dam. The
results highlight the presence of
displacements on the crest of a dam and
slopes of the dam. The final findings
highlight the performance of GNSS
technology in the monitoring process, where
it provides millimetre-accurate accuracy
with high spatial and temporal accuracy.
