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Canadian Centre for Geodetic Engineering

Researchers at the Canadian Centre for Geodetic Engineering (CCGE) specialize in the development and world-wide applications of new methods and techniques for engineering and mining surveys focusing on monitoring and analysis of structural and ground deformation. Dr. Adam Chrzanowski, a Professor Emeritus at UNB, serves as the Director of CCGE. Dr. Anna Szostak-Chrzanowski, an Adjunct Professor, leads a research group in geomechanical engineering and numerical modelling of deformations.

CCGE works in a close cooperation with a number of other geodetic and geomechanical research centres, particularly with the Hong Kong Polytechnical University (Dr. Chen Yong-qi and Dr. Xiaoli Ding), Université de Moncton (prof. M. Massiéra), and several researchers in Poland: Prof. W. Prószyñski and Dr. W. Gambin from Warsaw Techn. University, Prof. S. Oszczak and Prof. Z. Rzepecka from University of Warmia and Mazury, Prof. S. Cacoñ from Wroclaw University of Natural Sciences, and Prof. E. Popiolek from the Techn. University of Mining and Metallurgy in Krakow.

The recent achievements of CCGE include

• enhancement of the FEMMA (Finite Element Method for Multi-purpose Applications) software for the finite element analysis of elastic and non-linear elastic deformation analysis, gravity changes, heat transfer, and error propagation in the physical interpretation of deformations


• development and implementation of DIMONS (Displacement Monitoring System) software followed by ALERT system for a fully automated deformation data collection, data processing, and deformation analysis using multiple robotic total stations


• development and implementation of GEODAN (Geodetic Deformation Analysis) software based on the earlier developed Generalized Method of Deformation Analysis


• development of methodology and software (PPMS-Precision Position Monitoring System) for a fully automated determination of displacements using GPS augmented with pseudo-satellites (terrestrial transmitters of GPS-like signals)


• development of a methodology for a semi-automatic monitoring of oil storage tanks


• industrial verification and implementation of the earlier developed S-C (Sequential-Computations) method for modeling and predicting ground subsidence in mining areas and in oil fields using the finite element method


• use of numerical modeling of deformations in the design of monitoring schemes


• development and verification of the concept of using surface deformation measurements in mining areas for determination of stress change distribution in rock mass


• verification of geotechnical parameters of large embankment dams using results of monitoring surveys

The research results have been implemented world-wide in several industrial projects in Canada, USA, Chile, Venezuela, Poland, and Pakistan. The current (2007) projects include

• ground subsidence studies in potash mines of the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan


• monitoring of large dams for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California


• monitoring of deformations in large open pit mines of Highland Valley Copper in BC and Codelco Norte in Chile


• evaluation of monitoring systems of large dams in California (cooperation with Genterra Consultants)


• modeling of ground subsidence in oil fields in Venezuela (PDVSA petroleum company)