Road engineering and geodesy research group
Head of the research group
Related department
TalTech priority area
Overview
The main research topics of the Road Engineering and Geodesy research group are as follows: Research on stabilized pavement layers; Development of methodology for elasticpavement design; Research on the road construction materials (bitumen, fillers, asphalt mixes, etc.); Analysis of increase in traffic and itsimpact, traffic safety (road safety auditing and inspection, road network impactanalysis, safety analysis, etc.); Development of the calculation method forsteel tube bridges based on the interactionbetween arc and soil; Development of bridge managing systemsand life cycle calculation for bridges; Specification of the load bearing capacityfor Soviet era standard reinforced concrete bridges according loadings based onEurocode; Geoid modelling research with emphasison the Nordic-Baltic region; Development of geodetic infrastructure(e.g. establishment/validation of gravitydatabases, geoid modelling computations,mean sea surface modelling, studies ofshipborne GNSS to evaluate geoid modelsat sea) for finalizing hydrographic surveysin the Baltic Sea; Development of technological solutions forcombining different spatial data acquisition sensors in a mobile platform and corresponding data processing; Geodetic SAR for Baltic Height SystemUnification and studies for marine processes; Assessment of existing structures based onvisual inspections, non-destructive testingor analytical models. Analysis of optimalintervention and inspection planning; Development of transport planning specifications with enhancement of informationabout infrastructure and heavy equipmenttransportation needs based on validationof load testing results; Investigation of specifications for concretestructures service life beyond 100 years onroad infrastructure with development ofdurability assessment methodology.
Research group member
Arde, Matiko
Värat, Kait
Eksi, Rainis
Kutsõn, Julia
Pirrus, Virko
Doctoral students
Endised liikmed
Research classification (Frascati)
Keyword
roads
bridges
geodesy
geoinformatics
- Ellmann, A., Kütimets, K., Varbla, S., Väli, E., Kanter, S. Advancements in underground mine surveys by using SLAM-enabled handheld laser scanners // Survey review (2022) vol. 54, 385, p. 363-374.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00396265.2021.1944545 - Varbla, S., Ågren, J., Ellmann, A., Poutanen, M. Treatment of tide gauge time series and marine GNSS measurements for vertical land motion with relevance to the implementation of the Baltic Sea chart datum 2000 // Remote sensing (2022) vol. 14, 4, art. 920, 24 p. : ill.
https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14040920 - Varbla, S., Liibusk, A., Ellmann, A. Shipborne GNSS-determined sea surface heights using geoid model and realistic dynamic topography // Remote sensing (2022) vol. 14, 10, art. 2368, 30 p. : ill.
https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14102368 - Varbla, S., Puust, R., Ellmann, A. Accuracy assessment of RTK-GNSS equipped UAV conducted as-built surveys for construction site modelling // Survey review (2021) vol. 53, 381, p. 477-492.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00396265.2020.1830544 - Mostafavi, M., Delpeche-Ellmann, N., Ellmann, A. Accurate sea surface heights from Sentinel-3A and Jason-3 retrackers by incorporating high-resolution marine geoid and hydrodynamic models // Journal of geodetic science (2021) vol. 11, 1, p. 58-74.
https://doi.org/10.1515/jogs-2020-0120 - Ellmann, A., Märdla, S., Oja, T. The 5 mm geoid model for Estonia computed by the least squares modified Stokes’s formula // Survey review (2020) vol. 52, 373, p. 352-372 : ill.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00396265.2019.1583848 - Varbla, S., Ellmann, A., Puust, R. Centimetre-range deformations of built environment revealed by drone-based photogrammetry // Automation in Construction (2021) vol. 128, art. 103787.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103787 - Varbla, S., Ellmann, A., Delpeche-Ellmann, N. Validation of marine geoid models by utilizing hydrodynamic model and shipborne GNSS profiles // Marine geodesy (2020) vol. 43, 2, p. 134-162.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01490419.2019.1701153 - Jahanmard, V., Delpeche-Ellmann, N., Ellmann, A. Realistic dynamic topography through coupling geoid and hydrodynamic models of the Baltic Sea // Continental shelf research (2021) vol. 222, art. 104421.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2021.104421 - Lill, K., Khan, A.N., Kontson, K., Hesp, S.A.M. Comparison of performance-based specification properties for asphalt binders sourced from around the world // Construction and building materials (2020) vol. 261, art. 120552, 8 p. : ill.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120552 - Varbla, S., Ellmann, A., Delpeche-Ellmann, N. Applications of airborne laser scanning for determining marine geoid and surface waves properties // European journal of remote sensing (2021) vol. 54, 1, p. 558−568.
https://doi.org/10.1080/22797254.2021.1981156 - Sakil, F. F., Erol, S., Ellmann, A., Erol, B. Geoid modeling by the least squares modification of Hotine's and Stokes' formulae using non-gridded gravity data // Computers & geosciences (2021) vol. 156, art. 104909.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2021.104909 - Abbak, R.A., Ellmann, A., Ustun, A. A practical software package for computing gravimetric geoid by the least squares modification of Hotine’s formula // Earth science informatics (2022) vol. 15, 1, p. 713-724.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-021-00713-3 - Gruber, T., Ågren, J., Angermann, D., Ellmann, A., Varbla, S. et al. Geodetic SAR for height system unification and sea level research - observation concept and preliminary results in the Baltic Sea // Remote sensing (2020) vol. 12, 22, art. 3747, 30 p. : ill.
https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12223747 - Varbla, S., Ellmann, A., Delpeche-Ellmann, N. Utilizing airborne laser scanning and geoid model for near-coast improvements in sea surface height and marine dynamics // Journal of coastal research (2020) vol. 95 (Sp1), p. 1339-1343.
https://doi.org/10.2112/SI95-257.1 - Jahanmard, V., Delpeche-Ellmann, N., Ellmann, A. Towards realistic dynamic topography from coast to offshore by incorporating hydrodynamic and geoid models // Ocean modelling (2022) vol. 180, art. 102124.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2022.102124 - Liibusk, A., Varbla, S., Ellmann, A., Vahter, K., Uiboupin, R., Delpeche-Ellmann, N.C. Shipborne GNSS acquisition of sea surface heights in the Baltic Sea // Journal of geodetic science (2022) vol. 12, 1, 21 p. : ill., map.
https://doi.org/10.1515/jogs-2022-0131 - Birgiel, E., Ellmann, A., Delpeche-Ellmann, N. Performance of sentinel-3A SAR altimetry retrackers: The SAMOSA coastal sea surface heights for the Baltic Sea // Fiducial Reference Measurements for Altimetry : Proceedings of the International Review Workshop on Satellite Altimetry Cal/Val Activities and Applications. Cham : Springer, 2020. p. 23-32. (International Association of Geodesy Symposia ; 150).
https://doi.org/10.1007/1345_2019_59 - Gruber, T., Agren, J., Angermann, D., Ellmann, A., Engfeldt, A., Gisinger, C., Jaworski, L., Kur, T., Marila, S., Varbla, S. et al. Geodetic SAR for height system unification and sea level research-results in the Baltic Sea test network // Remote sensing (2022) vol. 14, 14, art. 3250.
https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14143250 - Jahanmard, V., Varbla, S., Delpeche-Ellmann, N., Ellmann, A. Retrieval of directional power spectral density and wave parameters from airborne LiDAR point cloud // Ocean engineering (2022) vol. 266, art. 112694.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.112694 - Varbla, S. The influence of bathymetry on regional marine geoid modeling in Northern Europe // Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (2022) vol. 10, 6, art. 793, 25 p. : ill.
https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10060793 - Kütimets, K., Ellmann, A., Väli, E., Kanter, S. Underground oil shale mine surveying using handheld mobile laser scanner // Oil shale (2021) vol. 38, 1, p. 42–64.
https://doi.org/10.3176/oil.2021.1.03 - Sein, S., Campos Matos, J., Idnurm, J., Kiisa, M., Coelho, M. RC bridge management optimisation considering condition assessment uncertainties // Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences (2021) vol. 70, 2, p. 172-189 : ill.
https://doi.org/10.3176/proc.2021.2.07 - Maigre, R., Haav, H-M., Lillemets, R., Julge, K., Anton, G. A method of comparative spatial analysis of a digitized (LiDAR) point cloud and the corresponding GIS database // Databases and Information Systems : 14th International Baltic Conference, DB&IS 2020, Tallinn, Estonia, June 16-19, 2020 : Proceedings. Cham : Springer Nature, 2020. p. 219-232 : ill. (Communications in computer and information science ; 1243).
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57672-1_17 - Leetsaar, L., Korkiala-Tanttu, L., Jaaniso, V., Kurnitski, J., Idnurm, J. Extent of geotechnical site investigations for buildings in Estonia // 14th Baltic Sea Region Geotechnical Conference : 18-19th of January 2021, Helsinki, Finland. Bristol : IOP Publishing, 2021. art. 012001, 12 p. : ill. (IOP Conference Series : Earth and Environmental Science. Vol. 727).
https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/727/1/012001 - Sein, S., Sirvio, K. M. Implementation of COST Action TU1406 Quality Control framework as a part of Bridge Management System in Saint Lucia // IABSE Symposium Guimarães 2019 : Towards a Resilient Built Environment - Risk and Asset Management, March 27-29, 2019, Guimarães, Portugal. Zurich : International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), 2019. p. 833–840.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332264325_Implementation_of_COST_Action_TU1406_Quality_Control_framework_as_a_part_of_Bridge_Management_System_in_Saint_Lucia/link/5caaccc9a6fdcca26d0659b3/download - Kedar, A., Sein, S. First results from a benchmarking of quality control frameworks // Life cycle analysis and assessment in civil engineering: towards an integrated vision : proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE 2018), 28-31 October 2018, Ghent, Belgium. London : Taylor & Francis, 2019. p. 1799−1804 : ill.
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781351857574 https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315228914 - Kedar, A., Sein, S., Ademovic, N., Panetsos, P. et al. Developing case studies for implementing COST TU1406 Quality Control plan procedure for typical highway bridges // IABSE Symposium Guimarães 2019 : Towards a Resilient Built Environment - Risk and Asset Management, March 27-29, 2019, Guimarães, Portugal. Zurich : International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), 2019. p. 531–539 : ill.
Developing case... - Sein, S., Idnurm, J., Matos, J.C. Uncertainty in condition prediction of bridges based on assessment method - case study in Estonia // IABSE Symposium Guimarães 2019 : Towards a Resilient Built Environment - Risk and Asset Management, March 27-29, 2019, Guimarães, Portugal. Zurich : International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), 2019. p. 1758–1765 : ill.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333704021_Uncertainty_in_condition_prediction_of_bridges_based_on_assessment_method_-_case_study_in_Estonia https://doi.org/10.2749/guimaraes.2019.1758 - Kušar, M., Galvão, N., Sein, S. Regular bridge inspection data improvement using non-destructive testing // Life cycle analysis and assessment in civil engineering: towards an integrated vision : proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE 2018), 28-31 October 2018, Ghent, Belgium. London : Taylor & Francis, 2019. p. 1793-1797.
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781351857574 https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315228914 - Mill, T., Ellmann, A. Assessment of along-normal uncertainties for application to terrestrial laser scanning surveys of engineering structures // Survey review (2019) Vol. 51, 364, p. 1-16 : ill.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00396265.2017.1361565 - Metsar, J., Kollo, K., Ellmann, A., Rüdja, A., Pihlak, P. Multi-epoch GNSS campaigns of the National Geodetic Networkin Estonia // Geophysica (2019) vol. 54, 1, p. 51-60.
http://www.geophysica.fi/pdf/geophysica_2019_54_metsar.pdf - Oja, T., Ellmann, A., Märdla, S. Gravity anomaly field over Estonia // Estonian journal of earth sciences (2019) vol. 68, 2, p.55-75 : ill.
http://www.eap.ee/public/Estonian_Journal_of_Earth_Sciences/2019/issue_2/earth-2019-2-55-75.pdf https://doi.org/10.3176/earth.2019.06 - Märdla, S., Ellmann, A., Agren, J., Sjöberg, L.E. Regional geoid computation by least squares modified Hotine's formula with additive corrections // Journal of geodesy (2018) vol. 92, 3, p. 253-270 : ill.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-017-1061-7 - Birgiel, E., Ellmann, A., Delpeche-Ellmann, N. Examining the performance of the sentinel-3 coastal altimetry in the Baltic Sea using a regional high-resolution Geoid model // 2018 Baltic Geodetic Congress : BGC Geomatics, Olsztyn, Poland, 21-23 June, 2018 : proceedings. Piscataway : IEEE, 2018. p. 196–201 : ill.
https://doi.org/10.1109/BGC-Geomatics.2018.00043 - Kollo, K., Ellmann, A. Geodetic reconciliation of tide gauge network in Estonia // Geophysica (2019) vol. 54, 1, p. 27–38 : ill.
http://www.geophysica.fi/pdf/geophysica_2019_54_kollo.pdf - Julge, K., Ellmann, A., Köök, R. Unmanned aerial vehicle surveying for monitoring road construction earthworks // The Baltic journal of road and bridge engineering (2019) vol. 14, 1, p. 1-17 : ill.
https://doi.org/10.7250/bjrbe.2019-14.430 http://www.ester.ee/record=b2222369*est https://journals.vgtu.lt/index.php/BJRBE - Metsar, J., Kollo, K., Ellmann, A. Modernization of the Estonian national GNSS reference station network // Geodesy and cartography (2018) vol. 44, 2, p. 55-62 : ill.
https://doi.org/10.3846/gac.2018.2023 - Lõhmus, H., Ellmann, A., Märdla, S., Idnurm, S. Terrestrial laser scanning for the monitoring of bridge load tests - two case studies // Survey review (2018) Vol. 50, 360, p. 270-284 : ill.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00396265.2016.1266117 - Varbla, S., Ellmann, A. Iterative data assimilation approach for the refinement of marine geoid models using sea surface height and dynamic topography datasets // Journal of geodesy (2023) vol. 97, 3, art. 24, 22 p. : ill.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-023-01711-7 - Rajabi-Kiasari, S., Delpeche-Ellmann, N., Ellmann, A. Forecasting of absolute dynamic topography using deep learning algorithm with application to the Baltic Sea // Computers & geosciences (2023) vol. 178, art. 105406, 16 p. : ill.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2023.105406 - Mostafavi, M., Delpeche-Ellmann, N., Ellmann, A., Jahanmard, V. Determination of Accurate Dynamic Topography for the Baltic Sea Using Satellite Altimetry and a Marine Geoid Model // Remote sensing (2023) vol. 15, 8, art. 2189.
https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15082189 - Varbla, S., Puust, R., Ellmann, A. Quality evaluation of sizeable surveying-industry-produced terrestrial laser scanning point clouds that facilitate building information modeling - a case study of seven point clouds // Buildings (2024) vol. 14, 11, art. 3371.
https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113371 - Mostafavi, M., Ellmann, A., Delpeche-Ellmann, N. Long-term and decadal sea-level trends of the Baltic Sea using along-track satellite altimetry // Remote sensing (2024) vol. 16, 5, art. 760.
https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16050760 - Lill, K., Kontson, K., Aavik, A. Determining asphalt binder aging by using limiting phase angle temperature // Baltic journal of road and bridge engineering (2024) vol. 19, 4, p. 28-49.
https://doi.org/10.7250/bjrbe.2024-19.647