On the deformation analysis of point fields

Abstract

A new approach to determine a multi-point deformation of the earth’s surface or objects upon it, represented by point fields measured in two epochs, is presented. The problem of determining, which points have been deformed, is not approached by testing point-by-point, but by formulating alternative hypotheses that test if one, two or more subsets of points have been deformed, each subset in its own way. The method is based on the least squares connection adjustment, defines alternative hypotheses and searches the best one by testing a large amount of them. If the best hypothesis is found, a least squares estimation of the deformations is provided. The test results of the presented method are invariant under changes of the S-systems in which the point coordinates are defined. The results of a numerical test of the method applied to a simulated network are given. In designing a geodetic deformation network minimal detectable deformations can be computed, belonging to likely deformation patterns. The proposed method leads to a reconsideration of the duality of reference and object points. A comparison with the method of testing confidence ellipsoids is made. The relevance of the difference between geometric and physical interpretations of deformations and the consequences of the presented method for future developments are discussed.