The application of the geometric method of local geoid model determination which requires the fitting of geometric surfaces to known geoid heights to enable geoid heights of new points to be interpolated involves the use of least squares technique for computation of the models' parameters. The selection of polynomial geometric surfaces depends on the size of the study area, the variation of the geoid heights and the number of measurement points. The accuracy of the geometric geoid model increases as the number of observation points approximates the number of geometric surface terms. But in most cases, the number of observation points is not considered. To this effect, this paper presents the relationship between geometric surfaces terms and observation points numbers and effect in the accuracy of geometric geoid models. A total of 23 points of known local gravimetric geoid heights were used. Two polynomial geometric (third and fifth degrees) surfaces were fitted to the geoid heights at various observation point numbers and compared to determine the relationship between the number of model terms and that of observation points and effect in the accuracy of the models. Least squares adjustment technique was applied to obtain the model parameters. The differences between the models and the known geoid heights of the points were computed and used to obtain the RMSEs as well as the accuracy of the models. The obtained results showed that the accuracy of the polynomial geometric geoid models tends to the highest as the number of measurement points approximates the number of the model terms and in a unique solution where the number of observation points is equal to the number of the polynomial geometric model terms, the model accuracy is highest. The paper recommends that the geometric method of local geoid model determination should be strictly applied in small areas. Where the method will be applied in considerable large areas, higher degrees polynomial geometric surfaces with a larger number of terms approximating the number of observation points should be applied. This will enable a proper fit of the polynomial surface to the known geoid heights, as well as high accuracy to be obtained.

The geoid is used as a transformation linkage between ellipsoidal heights (h) determined from DGPS observations and orthometric heights (H). Widespread acceptability and adoption of GPS in local geospatial data acquisitions require the development of a local geoid model (N) for use to obtain orthometric heights in the absence of a national geoid model. Geoid model can be developed by gravimetric approach; global geopotential model (GGM); geometric technique among others. The conventional approach to GPS measurements is the use of one base reference station for field measurements. It has several drawbacks e.g. in signal range/coverage, accuracy degradation of results, etc. Based on Grashof's law of stability of triangles, this study was therefore based on dual reference base stations to improve on DGPS signal range and stability of results. Pro-online matrix solver was applied to the least squares observation equations of the two modelled FCT surfaces (multiquadratic and bicubic) to determine polynomial coefficients. The geoid undulation was computed and orthometric height generated for production of a topographical plan at 1m contour interval for elevation data in surveying, engineering and environmental applications. Skill =1 and bias = 0 were computed to confirm the predictive capability of the models and that no bias/errors were introduced into the respective modelling exercise. Diagnostic test also confirmed the viability and feasibility of providing vertical datum surface for FCT by this approach. Standard deviation (σ) as accuracy indicator was computed and the multi-quadratic model with σ =11cm was the better geoid surface for modelling of orthometric height in the FCT by the geometric method.

Consistency is an important characteristic in height systems which the mean sea level (msl) surface cannot guarantee. Only a geoid surface can provide height consistency. The quality of geoid undulation (N) will obviously affect the resulting orthometric height (H) determined from GNSS. The geoid undulation may be global, regional/national and local. Online software CSRS-PPP was used for post processing rinex data. 2008 was computed from AllTrans EGM2008 geoid calculator while h was used to compute from the relationship N= h-H. H is the existing orthometric height. Twenty-four controls with FCT 260 P as base reference station were used for this study. The computed standard deviation of differences in − 2008 (σ) is used as accuracy indicator and σ =0.419m .The root mean square error (RMSE) is 0.934m. This indicates the quality and reliability of the geoid undulation from the EGM2008 model. Comparing the observed and 2008 , the use of global models may not satisfy the accuracy level of orthometric height desired for local applications in the FCT, Abuja. GNSS (GPS) may be used along with local geoid model as a way to acquire acceptable orthometric height. The smaller the-2008 makes it better model. The range of 1.585m from (-2008) in this study is a strong indication that global models should be avoided as much as possible in local applications.

The conversion of theoretical, as well as geometric heights to practical heights requires the application of geoidal undulations from a geoid model. The various global geopotential models that are readily available for application in any part of the world do not best-fit regions, as well as countries. As a result, there is a need to determine the local geoid models of local areas, regions and countries. This study determines the local geoid model of Kampala in Uganda for orthometric heights computation by comparing three plane geometric geoid surfaces. A total of 19 points were used in the study. The least squares adjustment technique was applied to compute the models’ parameters. Microsoft Excel programs were developed for the application of the models in the study area. The Root Mean Square Index was applied to compute the accuracy of the models. The three geometric geoid models were compared using their accuracy to determine which of them is most suitable for application in the study area. The comparison results show that the three models can be applied in the study area with more reliability, with greater confidence in model 2.

As the application of gravity data in applied sciences such as geodesy, geodynamics, astronomy, physics and geophysics for earth shape determination, geoid model determination, computation of terrestrial mass displacement, orbit computation of natural and artificial celestial bodies, realization of force standards and derived quantities and density distribution in the different layers in the upper crust and having considered the cost of direct gravity survey, the study presents modelling local gravity anomalies from processed observed gravity measurements for geodetic application in Benin City. A total of 22 points were used. The points were respectively observed with CHC900 dual frequency GNSS receivers and SCINTREX CG-5 Autograv to obtain their coordinates and absolute gravity values. The theoretical gravity values of the points were computed on the Clarke 1880 ellipsoid to obtain their local gravity anomalies. The free air and the Bouguer corrections were applied to the computed gravity anomalies to obtain the free air and the Bouguer gravity anomalies of the points. Least squares adjustment technique was applied to obtain the model variables coefficient/parameters, as well as to fit the fifth-degree polynomial interpolation surface to the computed free air and the Bouguer gravity anomalies. Kriging method was applied using Surfer 12 software to plot the computed and the models' free air and Bouguer gravity anomalies. Microsoft Excel programs were developed for the application of the models in the study area. The Root Mean Square Errors (RMSEs) and the standard errors of the two models were computed to obtain the dependability, as well as reliability of the models. It is recommended that whenever either free air or Bouguer gravity anomalies of points within Benin City are to be obtained for application in applied sciences, the determined models should be applied.