How to enrich the semantics of geospatial databases by properly expressing 3D objects in a conceptual model

Abstract

Geospatial conceptual data models represent semantic information about the real world that will be implemented in a spatial database. When linked to a repository, they offer a rich basis for formal ontologies. Several spatial extensions [5, 15, 17] have been proposed to data models and repositories in order to enrich the semantics of spatial objects, typically by specifying the geometry of objects in the schema and sometimes by adding geometric details in the repository. Considering the success of such 2D spatial extensions as well as the increased demand for 3D objects management, we defined a 3D spatial extension based on the concept of PVL already used in Perceptory and elsewhere. This paper presents 3D concepts and 3D PVL to help defining the geometry of 3D objects in conceptual data models and repositories. Their originality stems from the fact that no similar solution exists yet for real-life projects. The enrichment of the meaning of 3D objects geometries is discussed as well as its impact on costs, delays and acquisition specifications. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.