DIGITAL TERRAIN MODELLING SYSTEM FOR ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Digital terrain modelling (DTM) is representation of spatial characteristics in discrete or functional form. The data defining the topographic/geographic features of an area of a region are systematically stored in the form of a data bank, which can be subsequently utilised in a variety of ways for engineering, forestry, agricultural and other applications using digital computer. The commercial DTM packaged available from different agencies abroad are not only expensive but also do not provide flexibility to suit individual requirements. These packages are difficult to maintain and in case of any problem, the specialist from outside has to be called for debugging which is an uneconomical and time consuming propos ition . The objective of the present work is to develop necessary software to generate a DTM and utilise the same for engineering applications. Such a work is of immense importance to our country's development plans as it would enable the resources to be utilised in an optimised manner. It is worthwhile to mention that the work presented in the present dissertation is a first attempt in India towards the development of a software package for utilisation of DTM for engineering applications. The entire work has 11 been condensed into six chapters. Chapter I presents a general introduction of the subject matter and defines the problem for research^enunciating the objectives and motivations for the same. Chapter II deals with background