The techniques and challenges of GPS surveying for vertical alignments in high-rise buildings

Purpose: Vertical alignment in high-rise building is a very important aspect. The architects are nowadays interested in improvising untypical complicated morphology in building designs which increase the difficulty in surveying for vertical alignments. Although the GNSS survey techniques are widely applied in constructions, there is a lack of data sources to explicitly expose their applicability in high-rise buildings and the challenges to be considered. This study has been oriented to find out the best suitable GPS survey technique for the vertical alignment in high-rise buildings and the practical challenges to be considered. Design/methodology/approach: The findings have been attained by analyzing the reliable data gained through experts' comments through structured questionnaire survey, case studies and experiments on different GPS survey techniques. Findings: The findings express that the GPS techniques can be used for vertical alignments in high-rise buildings except for direct setting out for which only RTK GPS can be used. There are some practical challenges to be considered in such GPS applications. Research limitations/implications: The findings encourage the research community to further focus on the GNSS survey applications in the constructions of high-rise buildings. Practical implications: The research expresses applicability of easier and less time-consumed modern GNSS survey techniques instead of traditional survey methods for expediting building constructions. Social implications: The knowledge on such modern rapid survey techniques with accuracy, efficiency and reliability highly affects the process of infrastructure development. Originality/value: The research presents a useful new knowledge on applying GNSS survey techniques for precise survey requirements in the construction industry and exposes the gateways for further researches and development.