Computing Plane Orientations based on Three Points

RockWorks | Utilities | Planes | 3-Points -> Dip Direction

Given a list of xyz coordinates for three points along a series of planes, this program computes the dip direction (or strike) and dip angle for planes that pass through these points. The output is stored within two new datasheet columns.

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary

Menu Options

• Data Columns: These prompts tell RockWorks which columns in the current datasheet contain the input data, and where to store the output calculations.
  Click on an existing name to select a different name from the drop-down list.
  ! Note that the coordinate system and units must be defined for the XY coordinates (e.g. lon/lat, UTM meters, etc.), and the units (feet or meters) for the elevations. See Defining your Datasheet Coordinates for more information.
  • Input
    • X1: Select the name of the column in the Datasheet that contains the X (Easting) coordinates for the first point along each plane.
    • Y1: Select the column that contains the Y (Northing) coordinates for the first point.
    • Z1: Select the column that contains the Z (Elevation) coordinate for the first point.
    • 
      
    • X2: Select the name of the column in the Datasheet that contains the X coordinates for the second point along each plane.
    • Y2: Select the column that contains the Y coordinates for the second point.
    • Z2: Select the column that contains the Z coordinates for the second point.
    • 
      
    • X3: Select the name of the column in the Datasheet that contains the X coordinates for the third point along each plane.
    • Y3: Select the column that contains the Y coordinates for the third point.
    • Z3: Datasheet column that contains the Z coordinates for the third point.
    • 
      
  • Output
    • Direction: If the output style is set to dip direction (see below), this column will contain the dip direction of the plane. Otherwise, it will contain the strike (and the dip will be generated based on the right-hand rule).
    • Dip: Dip of plane (in degrees) whereby zero = horizontal, 90 = vertical, downward.
    • 
      
• Three Points - Dip Direction:
  • Output Style
    • Dip Direction:  Choose this if you want the output direction to represent Dip Direction in a 0 to 360 degree format.
    • Strike: Choose this option if you want the output direction to represent the strike of the plane.  The dip will adhere to the right-hand rule.
  • Decimal Places: Enter the number of decimal places for the output calculations.

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Access the RockWorks Datasheet program tab.
2. Create a new datasheet and enter/import your X1Y1Z1 X2Y2Z2 X3Y3Z3 data into the datasheet.
   Or, open one of the sample files and replace that data with your own. See Data Layout for datasheet examples.

   ! Click the Example button at the top of the window to load a sample file that is installed with the program.

3. Select the Utilities | Planes | 3-Points -> Dip Direction menu option.
4. Enter the program settings, described above.
5. Click the Continue button to proceed.

The program will compute the orientation of each plane and record the strike direction and dip angle, or dip direction and dip angle, in the specified output columns.

Tip: Use this data to create a stereonet diagram. Be sure to specify the format of the input data (strike & dip, or dip & dip angle).

See also

• Plotting Colored Triangles in 3D Space for a means of viewing these triangles in 3D.
• Adding this program to your Playlist
• Adding this program to your Favorites
• Save/load/view menu settings
• 
  

  Back to Planes Menu Summary

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