Abstract
Abstract. Three-dimensional (3D) geological models are important representations of the results of regional geological surveys. However, the process of constructing 3D geological models from two-dimensional (2D) geological elements remains difficult and time-consuming. This paper proposes a method of migrating from 2D elements to 3D models. First, the geological interfaces were constructed using the Hermite Radial Basis Function (HRBF) to interpolate the boundaries and attitude data. Then, the subsurface geological bodies were extracted from the spatial map area using the Boolean method between the HRBF surface and the fundamental body. Finally, the top surfaces of the geological bodies were constructed by coupling the geological boundaries to digital elevation models. Based on this workflow, a prototype system was developed, and typical geological structures (e.g., folds, faults, and strata) were simulated. Geological modes were constructed through this workflow based on realistic regional geological survey data. For extended applications in 3D modelling of other kinds of geo-objects, mining ore body models and urban geotechnical engineering stratum models were constructed by this method from drill-hole data. The model construction process was rapid, and the resulting models accorded with the constraints of the original data.
Highlights
Three-dimensional (3D) modelling of geo-objects, such as subsurface stratum, deep geological structures and ore body, plays a very important role in the geological survey results expression, mine predication and exploitation, underground resources evaluation etc
More convenient, faster and more precise modelling methods are desiderated to be promoted in 3D geological modelling
The radial basis surface is especially adaptable in 3D geological modelling, which took coordinates and vectors as constraint conditions to construct a spatial surface and was adopted in mining industry, 3D geological mapping etc
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) modelling of geo-objects, such as subsurface stratum, deep geological structures and ore body, plays a very important role in the geological survey results expression, mine predication and exploitation, underground resources evaluation etc. Since the proposal of 3D geoscience modelling in 1990s (Houlding S., 1994), there has been a series of proposed geological modelling methods, including section connection (Ming, J., 2010), GTP method (Wu L., 2004) and free form surface method (De Kemp E A, 2003) etc Based on these methods, a number of geological modelling systems were developed (Qingyuan Li, 2013), such as GOCAD (Zanchi A, 2009), GeoModeller (Vance T C, 2007), GSI3D (Kessler, H., 2009) etc. Due to the three degrees of freedom in the 3D space treated as independent variables in the function, the surface could simulate complex spatial objects more flexibly and Among these implicit surfaces, the radial basis surface is especially adaptable in 3D geological modelling, which took coordinates and vectors as constraint conditions to construct a spatial surface and was adopted in mining industry, 3D geological mapping etc
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