SBIR Phase I: Characterization of Three Dimensional Discontinuity Properties from Digital Images of Rock Masses

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将调查图像处理技术在表征岩石不连续性方面的有用性。岩体结构面包括节理、断层、层理等，这些特征的表征是岩体工程设计中最重要的输入之一。Split Engineering LLC开发了图像处理和数学算法，用于i)在岩石裂缝图像中描绘裂缝痕迹，以及2)从描绘的裂缝痕迹中提取三维属性(包括走向和倾角)。第一阶段工作的第一个目标是测试和进一步完善已经开发的图像处理和数学算法。第二个目标是研究这项技术与激光扫描技术之间的协同效应，激光扫描技术在骨折表征领域也具有巨大的商业潜力。第三个目标是进行一些实地案例研究，以验证踪迹分析方法，并确定在什么情况下将激光扫描技术纳入该方法是有益的。地质不连续知识对一些行业很重要。目前的技术要么因错过骨折而造成数百万美元的损失，要么由于误解的不连续性而导致不需要进行昂贵的加固。Split Engineering LLC提供的被称为痕迹分析技术的技术的重要最终用户是采矿和岩土行业。该功能特别适合自动化某些岩石表征任务的需要，并将产生的信息纳入采矿过程。如果该项目成功地改进了裂缝系统的表征，石油和环境行业也可能受益。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will investigate the usefulness of image processing technologies for characterizing discontinuities in rock masses. Discontinuities in rock masses include joints, faults, bedding planes, etc., and characterizing these features is one of the most important inputs to engineering design in rock masses. Split Engineering LLC has developed image processing and mathematical algorithms for I) delineating fracture traces in images of rock fractures, and 2) extracting three-dimensional properties (including strike and dip) from the delineated fracture traces. The first objective of the Phase I work is to test and further refine the image processing and mathematical algorithms that have been developed. The second objective is to investigate the synergies between this technology and the laser scanning technologies, which also have great commercial potential in the field of fracture characterization. The third objective is to conduct a number of field case studies to validate the trace analysis approach and to determine under what circumstances it is beneficial to incorporate laser-scanning technologies into the approach.Knowledge of geologic discontinuities is important for a number of industries. Current technologies have resulted in either millions of dollars in damage due to a missed fracture or costly reinforcement where it was not needed because of a misinterpreted discontinuity. Important end-users of the technology proffered by Split Engineering LLC, referred to as the trace analysis technology, are the mining and geotechnical industries. The capability fits in especially well with the need to automate certain rock characterization tasks and incorporate the resulting information into the mining process. If the project is successful in developing improvements in fracture system characterization, benefits for the petroleum and environmental industry are also plausible.