The reference point - what is it? Why do we need reference points in construction, geodesy, business or science?

Sometimes scientific or other specific concepts are used in areas not related to the original. So it happened with the geodetic term "reference point". According to the definition, a geodetic reference is a mark or sign fixed at a particular point on the earth's surface. The coordinates and height of this place are calculated by leveling a relatively known and generally accepted value.

Level systems of heights

In Russia and some countries of the former USSR, the Kronstadt footstep is considered as the zero mark for counting the surface level. All the geodesic marks indicated on the maps of these countries were calculated according to the Baltic system of heights adopted in 1977. In the regions of the Far East, calculations are carried out on the Okhotsk system of heights. Its error with respect to DSV is less than one meter.

A footstool is a rake with divisions to determine the level of water in a river or other body of water. Sometimes permanently installed footsteps, as strong points and reference points in geodesy, are used by scientists to observe changes in the water level in the seas, behind the movements of the earth's surface layers along the vertical.

About Kronstadt footwell and sea level determination

Initially, the change in the height of the water level of the Gulf of Finland was noted by horizontal notches on the walls of channels and basins, on the surfaces of locks. When in 1777 a special service was organized in Kronstadt, observations of water were carried out on the marks of the footwell from the bottom of the Obvodniy Canal.

Perennial (since 1731) and regular notes, observations of fluctuations in water levels in the Gulf of Finland were processed by the hydrograph MF Reineke in 1840. According to the averaged indications calculated on the stone support of one of the bridges across the Obvodnaya Canal, a horizontal line was cut out. A few tens of years at this level fixed a metal plate with a horizontal mark, almost coincident with the zero reading of the footwell.

Sea level transfer to land

On the mainland, this level indicator was transferred by means of a leveling along the railway line "St. Petersburg - Oranienbaum" and "tied" with a bolt mark to one of the buildings at the Baltic Station. This bolt since 1892 was the main reference for all leveling measurements in the country.

In 1946, a unified system of coordinates and heights was introduced in the territory of the Soviet Union. For the initial took the level of the Baltic Sea with a mark corresponding to zero on the Kronstadt footstep. This is the control benchmark of the state leveling system. From the mark of absolute zero, calculations of heights and depths are carried out for all domestic maps and sailing directions, orbits for flights of spacecraft are determined.

Varieties of reference frames in geodesy

On the ground, the reference point is designated by a pyramid-shaped construction of stones, planks or metal pipes. Depending on the purpose, there are several types of reference frames:

• Centuries are distributed in accordance with a special scheme throughout the country. They are set according to the instructions in the given geographical points. They are used mainly for scientific purposes.
• Fundamentals are equipped on all leveling lines of the first class (between the century) and on the most important lines of the second class. The distance between the points is from 50 to 80 km. They are laid exclusively in the ground in the form of reinforced concrete pillars and pylons. Since the fundamental reference frame can only be used in certain cases, an ordinary reference frame with accurate data transferred is set up near it. It is used as a support for leveling 3 and 4 classes.
• Ordinary benchmarks are wall, rock and soil. Fixed at a distance of 3.5 to 7 km from each other, these signs can be laid on all leveling lines.

The system of interrelated fundamental and rank-and-file reference points forms the GGS, the state geodetic network.

Cartographic designation of geodetic signs

On maps, the reference point is marked with special icons. They are distinguished as follows:

• For astronomical points;
• For GHS points;
• For central points fixed in the territory;
• For points of survey networks;
• For points of the state level geodetic network.

All these points are marked on the real surface of the Earth by metal pyramids or ordinary frames. Geodesic centers pointing to the location of the point are plotted on maps according to coordinates, that is, as accurately as possible, with indications of height marks.

What is a reference point? Included in the general geodetic network are elevations, mounds, hills or freestanding buildings with spiers, towers or bell towers denoted by conventionally accepted combined icons. Points of GHS in maps with large scale are indicated absolutely everything. Astronomical points, which are landmarks, are designated only in cases when they are the starting points in a given locality.

Triangulation (reference) points, their installation

The installation of permanent signs is handled by the State Geodetic Leveling Network. The terrestrial parts of the frames are mutually visible to each other at a certain distance. The design and height of the signs depend on the purpose, local conditions, soil and distances from one point to another.

Geodetic points can be made in the form of metal or wooden pyramids, stone or reinforced concrete pillars. The height of each design depends on the location of the binding. Any benchmark serves as a tripod or support for a measuring instrument and an observer.

The underground part of such a construction is made in the form of a concrete foundation concrete filled with concrete. At the very point, which is the center of the point, a metal-cast mark is made. The inscription on the last one indicates the number and type of this item. The name of the organization that completed the work and the year of installation are cast along with the label (usually cast iron).

Construction and reference marks

The disc-shaped points, made by the method of cast-iron casting, are installed in the walls of industrial buildings, locks, in the foundations and supports of bridges. This is done to observe the static state of large structures. On the disc marks, in addition to the inscriptions, there are projections intended for the installation of the leveling rod. The purpose of geodetic signs can be divided into the following categories:

• Support, or control, which are the basis for determining the position of the established brands, taking into account the safety and stability over time;
• Auxiliary are intermediate signs for the transfer of coordinates and values between deformation and reference marks;
• Deformation marks, which are fixed directly on the walls of the observed structures or buildings (with spatial changes in the position of the object, these marks move with it).

The reference points in construction are a guarantee of timely detection of mobility or instability of a large object, such as a dam of a hydroelectric power station or a high-rise building.

Who needs it all?

Due to the interrelated system of designated points, a state geodetic network is formed. Special directories contain lists with the specified coordinates of all such points. These data are used by surveyors to study the surface of the planet, in engineering and geodetic surveys, for various needs of the country's economy.

Lists with the indication of coordinate values are communicated to the army officers together with topographic maps. Artillerymen also know well that the reference point is a mark designating a certain height, a kind of support for spotting on the ground.

The reference points on the temperature scale of Celsius are considered to be the values of the boiling and freezing of water at sea level.

In business, this concept is used to describe a certain state of affairs, when certain actions can lead either to a complete failure or to success.

Health, entrepreneurship

Since the reference point is a certain indicator of readout, a "clue", the given concept can be applied in many spheres of human activity.

Investigating the causes of frequent stress in people permanently living in megacities, scientists found that the reason for this is an unnatural visual environment. The spreading of right angles and lines, buildings of monotonous coloring, a large number of static objects adversely affects the emotional state of a person. Psychophysiological direction in science, called visual ecology, argues that the lack of distinctive features of architectural decorative elements overloads the optic nerve.

The eye should highlight, fix some point, detail, element in the visual space, so that the brain perceives the environment as comfortable, close to the natural and harmonious. Only then does a person have a sense of aesthetic and emotional satisfaction.

The reference points in business are a kind of airbag. They can be used to increase the competitiveness of the enterprise. If you take as a basis some marketing techniques or the state of affairs in the current period, you can identify the comprehensive measures that need to be taken to change the situation for the better.