Calculating of adjusted geoid undulation based on EGM08 and mean sea level for different regions in Iraq

Abstract

In last decades Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or as known Global Positioning System (GPS) technique is considered a revolutionary technique in the field of geodetic survey in comparison with traditional techniques (level, theodolite and total station). The height obtained from GNSS technique is ellipsoid height and to have a physical meaning in a surveying or engineering application it must be transformed to orthometric height. Therefore, a geoid model has to be used to do this transformation process. In Iraq there is no specific geoid that can be used in order to get proper orthometric height. This research aims to calculate adjusted geoid undulation based on Earth Gravitational Model 2008 (EGM08) through observation of Iraqi official vertical network using GNSS technique. Different regions in Iraq have been chosen to perform this research. The result of this research can assist a lot to enhance the accuracy of elevations obtained from GNSS and support the establishment of Iraq geoid.