A novel method for modeling complex 3D geological body with stratal pinch-out

Abstract

With the rapid development of computer technology and spatial information theory, 3D geological modeling and visualization has become a hot spot in geosciences research such as mathematics geology, geotechnical engineering and so on. In recent years, several kinds of modeling methods have been developed for 3D modeling of simple geological structures. However, for complex geological structures, such as stratal pinch-out, fold and fault, there are still not any automatic modeling methods. This paper mainly introduces an effective method to model geological body with stratal pinch-out based on degradated GTP (Generalized Tri-Prism) model. By using inputted parameter, further degradation (parameterized degradation) could be evolved from simple degradated GTP model. The result of further degradation could be divided into two parts, one part belongs to the current strata, and the other part belongs to previous strata or user specified strata. Compared with standard GTP method, the stratum body modeled by this new method is more accurate and more consistent with the real stratal situation.