PHYSICAL GEODESY

2nd Semester 2020 - 2021

ENGR. ROSALIE DC. FLORENTINO, MBA,
MSEM
RADIUS OF CURVATURE OF AN ELLIPSOID

In differential geometry, the radius of curvature, R, is the reciprocal of the curvature. For a curve, it equals the
radius of the circular arc which best approximates the curve at that point. For surfaces, the radius of curvature is
the radius of a circle that best fits a normal section or combinations thereof.
 Radius of Parallel

Radius of Curvature in the Meridian

 SAMPLE PROBLEMS

1) Geographic coordinates of a given point on a spheroid is expressed as latitude and longitude. At a point whose
latitude is 15° N and longitude of 120°30’ E, the semi-axis a = 6374402 m, b = 6354684 m, compute the
radius of the prime vertical.

Solution:
2)
  Geographic coordinates of station Alpha on a spheroid are latitude of 15° N and longitude of 120° E. If the
semi-axis a = 6378422 m, b = 6356494 m, determine the radius of the meridian of station Alpha.

Solution:
3)
  Geographic coordinates of station Bravo on a spheroid are latitude of 15° N and longitude of 120° E. If the
semi-axis a = 6369404 m, b = 6348302 m, determine the radius of the parallel thru station Bravo.

Solution: