72794 - Applied Geomatics

Learning outcomes

The course provides insights into the modern technologies offered by Geomatics for the survey and metrical representation of the landscape or of specific infrastructures. Students gain awareness on potentials and limitations of the discussed techniques, especially in terms of accuracy and productivity, and learn how to choose and integrate them to support different environmental and civil engineering applications.

Course contents

The following topics are discussed in the course.

Elements of geodesy and surveying
Reference systems and cartographic projections to support the management of spatial data in a GIS environment.
Positioning and georeferencing methods, in particular through space geodesy techniques (GNSS global navigation systems). Examples of field surveys and data processing.
Acquisition and processing of aerial laser data for land modelling.

GIS
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Definition and characteristics of spatial data.
Conceptual models of space. Raster and vector formats; format conversions.
Georeferencing of digital cartography: algorithms and strategies.
Main operations of spatial data management and analysis.
Practical examples of GIS applications for Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Terrain modelling
Generation and management of Digital Terrain Models (DTM) and Surface Models (DSM) and their use in GIS.
Interpolation of surfaces from sparse points: global and local methods (e.g. Kriging). Grid and TIN models.
Generation of products derived from DTMs (slope, exposure, intervisibility, extraction of basins, etc.).

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliographic references for home study and further reading materials:

- Slides and notes from the lectures, scientific literature provided in digital format.

- C. D. Ghilani, P. R. Wolf: "Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to Geomatics", Pearson, 2015.

- Dong P., Chen Q.: "LiDAR Remote Sensing and Applications", CRC Press, 2018.

- Li Z., Zhu Q. & Gold C.: "Digital Terrain Modeling: Principles and Methodology", CRC Press, 2005.

- Burrough P.A., McDonnell R.A., LLoyd C.D.: "Principles of Geographical Information Systems", Oxford University Press, 2015.

Teaching methods

The lectures will be supplemented with practical exercises on the field and in class using open-source software packages. These activities are structured so that during each session students will be able to produce practical solutions to the theoretical problems outlined during lectures.

Assessment methods

The final examination consists of a practical GIS exercise and a written test (with possible brief oral integration). It aims to assess the achievement of learning objectives related to:

- Reference Frames, Georeferencing, GNSS surveying

- GIS analysis for civil and environmental applications

- Digital terrain modelling

Further details are given on the course page on Virtuale.

Teaching tools

Slides or multimedia tools are used for the lectures in classroom.

Many practical exercises are carried out on students’ personal computers, using preferably open-source software.

The Virtuale didactic platform is used.

Office hours

See the website of Emanuele Mandanici