Create Fracture Fence Diagrams

RockWorks | Borehole Operations | Fractures | Fence

Use this program to:

Create a new 3-dimensional solid or block model representing distance to fractures or to fracture intersections across the study area (an .RwMod file)
- OR -
Read an existing .RwMod file you've already created.
Slice this model along multiple panels. Because the model is interpolated across the entire project, you can place the fence panels anywhere you like.

You may request regular panel spacing, in a variety of configurations, or you can draw your own panels. The data values can be color-coded in a variety of ways; 3D logs and other layers can be appended. The completed fence diagram will be displayed in RockPlot3D where there is a variety of visualization tools.

Unlike P-Data, T-Data and I-Data models, Fracture models are created using a specialized modeling algorithm that represents distance to fractures.

Feature Level: RockWorks Standard and higher

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary

Rules & Filters: Use the buttons at the top of the window to apply filters and rules for this program. (More info)
- Spatial Filter: Filter the input data for the fracture model based on XYZ location, filter the data to be displayed in striplogs, if activated. Note that these tools filter the data that is passed to the modeling and log-generating procedures. This is distinct from the filters that are applied once the model is completed, and described below.
- Time Filter: Filter any T-Data or Aquifer data in striplogs, if activated.
- Stratigraphic Rules: Apply stratigraphy rules for Stratigraphy data in striplogs, if activated.
3D Log Design
Click here to choose which data items are to be displayed in the logs, if activated via the Striplogs checkbox below, and in which order. See Using the 3D Log Designer and the Visible Item Summary.
Fence Location
Click on this button at the top of the window to draw or import, on a map display of your enabled boreholes, where the fence panels are to be placed. The most recent fence drawn for this project will be displayed (More info)
Location Map
Insert a check in this tab, at the top of the window, to create, along with the fence diagram, a reference map that shows the fence panel locations.
Click on this tab to set up the map options. (More info)
Model
Click this tab to define whether you wish to use an existing solid model (from a previous use of this program or another Fractures menu program) or you wish to create a new solid model, by clicking in the appropriate radio button.

! NOTE This is not trivial. Creating the solid model can take some time, depending on the resolution of the model and the detail of your data. If you already created a pleasing model for display as a 3D solid, for example, you can use the same model, which was stored on disk as an .RwMod file, for the fence.
- Create New Model: If want to create a new model, click in this radio button, and use the tabs to the right to establish the modeling settings.
  - Solid To Be Created: Click to the right to enter a name for the solid model. RockWorks should appen the .RwMod file name extension.
  - Fracture Options: Use these settings to define the type of frature model to be created:
    - Distance to Closest Fracture: This algorithm assigns block model node values that represent the distance to the closest fracture.
    - Distance to Closest Fracture Intersection (Very Slow): This algorithm assigns block model node values that represent the distance to the closest fracture intersection. Due to the huge amount of possible "beta" intersections, this algorithm can be very slow. The resolution of the model also determines the "granularity" of the intersection computations.These models can become very important when performing geotechnical analyses (tunneling, fluid flow, mineralization, etc.).
    - Negate Node Values: Fracture models represent distance-to-fractures, so sometimes you'll be looking for high values (long distances to fractures representing stable areas) and sometimes you'll be looking for low values (short distances to fractures, for material movement).
      - Leaving this setting OFF will result in close-fracture areas being at the bottom of the model's scale (low values) and distant-from-fracture areas being at the top of the model's scale (high values).
      - The Negate Node Values option basically switches the scale around by multiplying the distance values by -1, so that low-valued/close-to-fracture areas now plot at the top of the scale. This can be particularly handy when displaying isosurface models of fracture proximities in RockPlot3D, and you really want to see close-to-fracture zones. Note, however, that with Negate Node Values turned on, you'll get negative distance values.
      - Consider the following diagram of a solid fracture model, generated with Negate Node Values turned on, and shown with the isosurface filtered to show only high values. These represent close-to-fracture zones.
  - Dimensions: Click here to establish the output dimensions (and node density) of the Fracture model. Unless there's a specific reason to do otherwise, you should probably leave the solid model dimensions set to the current project dimensions. (More info)
  - Smoothing: Insert a check here to smooth the solid model G values based on a filter size and number of iterations. This can generally create a smoother, less "noisy" model. (More info)
- Use Existing Model: Click in this radio button if you wish to use an already-existing solid model of your fracture data.
  - Solid Model: Click to the right to browse for the name of the existing solid model (.RwMod file) to be used for this 3D display.
Color Scheme
Click on the this tab to define the display's color scheme - automatic, table-based, etc. (More info)
Panel Borders
Check this box to include a solid-line outline around each fence panel.
Click on this tab to define the line style and color.
Surface Profile
Insert a check here to include a solid line profile on each fence panel that represents a user-selected grid model, typically the ground surface.
Click on this tab to select the grid model to be represented in the fence diagram, and to establish the profile settings. (More info)
Striplogs
Check this item to include 3D logs with the fence display. Note that 3D logs for all active boreholes will be appended to the fence diagram.
Click the 3D Log Design button at the top of the window to set up how you want the logs to look.
- Clipping Dimensions: Insert a check in the X, Y, and/or Z axis options if you want to restrict the logs to a particular spatial area. (More info)
Other 3D Diagram Options: Use these checkboxes to append other layers to your 3D scene. (Summary)
- Draped Image: Include an image in this 3D scene, draped over an existing grid surface. (More info)
- Floating Image: Include an image in this 3D scene, floating at a specified elevation. (More info)
- Perimeter Cage Include a 3D reference cage around the fence diagram. (More info)
- Legends: Include one or more legends with the diagram.(More info)
- Infrastructure: Display buildings, pipes, or other infrastructure with your 3D scene. (More info)
- Faults: Include 3D fault ribbons with this scene. (More info)
- Other 3D Files: Include other, existing, RockPlot3D ".Rw3D" files in this scene. (More info)
Output Options: Use these settings to define whether the output scene is to be displayed after it is created and how/whether it is to be saved in a file in the project folder. (More info)

Access the RockWorks Borehole Manager program tab.
Enter/import your data into the Borehole Manager, if you have not done so already. This tool specifically reads location, orientation (if any), and Fractures data.
Select the Borehole Operations | Fractures | Fence menu option.
Enter the requested program settings, described above.
If you are including logs, be sure to click on the 3D Log Design tab at the top of the window to establish how you want the logs to look.
Click on the Fence Location tab at the top of the window to select the fence panel locations.
Click on the Continue button to create the fracture fence diagram.
If you've selected Use Existing Model, the program will load the information from the existing fracture model (.MOD file) and proceed to diagram generation.

If you've selected Create New Model, RockWorks will scan the project database and extract the XYZ points for all of the downhole fracture measurements, applying any input data filters.

The program will use its dedicated fracture-proximity algorithm to create a solid model of the distance to fractures or the distance to fracture intersections (as requested) in the project. The completed model will be stored on disk under the indicated file name.

If you have requested "Negate Values" then the distances will be multiplied by "-1" so that large distances will become very large negative numbers.

RockWorks will then look at the coordinates specified for each fence panel and determine the closest nodes along the cuts in the brand-new model, if created, or in the existing model. It will construct a vertical profile to illustrate the data values. This process will be repeated for each fence panel you drew. If strip logs were requested, the 3D logs will be appended to the 3D diagram, along with any other requested diagram layers. The completed diagram will be displayed in a RockPlot3D tab in the Options window.
You can adjust any of the program settings in the main Options tab to the left, and then click the Continue button again to regenerate the diagram.
! If the solid model looks OK and you just need to adjust one of the diagram settings, you don't need to keep re-interpolating the model. Choose Use Existing Model and browse for the .RwMod file to be used for the fence.
View / save / manipulate / print / export the image in the RockPlot3D window.

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