Integrating Discontinuity Trace and Facet Orientation Measurements for Improved Discontinuity Data Analysis

Abstract

Discontinuities, which are ubiquitous in most rock masses, influence the engineering properties and behaviors of all but the weakest of rock types. Thus, the properties of the discontinuities become of prime importance when dealing with rock masses. The orientation of the discontinuities is arguably the most important property in many instances.

The analysis of discontinuity data basically involves building models that represent the discontinuities. These models are in most cases based on the fact that geological processes usually generate one or more (typically at least three) clusters of nearly parallel discontinuities in a rock mass. Discontinuities manifest themselves in rock cuts and outcropping as fracture surfaces ‘facets’ that can be measured by LiDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging) or fracture ‘traces’ that can be measured from optical imaging methods. Measurements of the orientation of facets are recorded in terms of dip direction and dip angle. Traces, however, are recorded with trend and plunge, which unlike facet measurement, are a two dimensional measurement that represents the intersection of the fracture surface with a rock cut/outcrop surface.

This paper presents geometrical methods of integrating facet orientations measured from LiDAR point cloud data and trace orientations measured from optical images for better characterization of systematic discontinuity orientations.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Crack Propagation; Discontinuity; Fracture Mechanics; Fracture Orientation; Integrated Approach; Rock Mechanics

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1365-1609

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 2014

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