On the Two Different Formulas for the 3D Rectangular Prism Effect in Gravimetry

The direct problem of simple geometrical bodies plays an important role in the gravimetrical processing and modelling tools. We focused on the 3D rectangular prism, which is widely used in such processes. Even though the solution for this body is well known, there are still some issues about it, which are not answered or not answered completely in the available literature, e.g. the presence of the singularities in the source-free points or a continuity of the solutions. We present the singularity-free solution valid for the each position of the calculation point. Next, the analysis of the two basic types of the formulae for the 3D rectangular prism’s gravitational effect is held on. We discuss the ways of their derivation, the validity and the problems connected with them. Later, special attention is paid at the problems with the citation of these two formulae types within the gravimetrical literature.