Creating Solid Models and 3D Diagrams of Downhole Fracture Data

RockWorks | Borehole Manager | Fractures | Model

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.
• Display the model in RockPlot3D as a 3D isosurface diagram or voxel diagram which illustrates proximity to downhole fractures.

! This is typically the first step in interpolating your downhole fracture data.  Once you have a solid model that represents your data well, you can use that existing .RwMod file for the other visualization tools in the Fractures menu (sections, fences, etc.).

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
Tips
 

Menu Options

• Solid Modeling Options: First, tell the program whether you wish to use an existing solid model (from a previous use of this tool or another Fractures menu tool) 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 profile, for example, you can use the same model, which was stored on disk as an .RwMod file, for the solid or isosurface.
  • Create New Model: If want to create a new model, click in this radio button, and expand this item to establish the modeling settings.
    • Solid Model Name: Click to the right to enter a name for the solid model, with an .RwMod file name extension.
      
      
    • Model Dimensions: Expand this item to set the model density. (More.)  Unless there's a specific reason to do otherwise, you should probably leave the solid model dimensions set to the current output dimensions.
      
      
    • Type of Model: 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 frature.
      • 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.).

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    • 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.

    

    • Smooth Solid: 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.)
  • Use Existing Model: Click in this radio button if you wish to use an already-existing solid model of your fracture data.  Expand this item to select: 
    • Model Name: Click to the right to browse for the name of the existing solid model (.RwMod file) to be used for this isosurface display. 
       
• Create Solid Diagram: Insert a check here to display the new or existing solid model as a 3D diagram.  Expand this heading to establish the diagram options.
• • Diagram Type: Choose from one of the following. (More.)
    • All Voxels: Click in the All Voxels radio button to represent the solid model in the 3D display as color-coded voxels.  You can choose to display either the Full Voxel, or just the Midpoint.  Display of the midpoint only can significantly improve display time for huge models.
      
    • Isosurface: Click in the Isosurface radio button to display the solid model as if enclosed in a "skin."  This view will be smoother than a voxel display.
      
  • Iso-Mesh: Use this option to plot a series of polylines that represent three-dimensional contours at a user-defined cutoff. Expand the heading to establish the settings.  (More.)
  • Plot Logs:  Check this box to append striplogs to your 3D diagram. 
  • • Clip Logs: Check this sub-item if you want to restrict the logs to a particular elevation range.  This should match the elevation range of the model you are creating at this time (or the existing model, if specified).
    • 3D Striplog Designer: Click on the 3D Striplog Designer tab to the right, to select the items to display in the individual logs to plot with the model.  

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      • Visible Items:  Use the check-boxes in the Visible Items column to select which log items are to be displayed.  See Visible Item Summary for information.
      • Options: Click on any of the Visible Items names to see the item's settings in the Options pane to the right.  See Visible Item Summary for links to the Options settings.
      • Layout Preview: For each item you've activated, you'll see a preview cartoon in the upper pane, showing an overhead view of the log columns.  Click and drag any item to rearrange the log columns; click and drag the circle handles to resize a column.  See Using the 3D Log Designer.
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  • Reference Cage: Insert a check here to include vertical elevation axes and X and Y coordinate axes in the 3D diagram. Expand this item to set up the cage items.  (More.)
  • Diagram Title: Click here to type in the name to be displayed for the block or isosurface in RockPlot3D's data listing, such as "Fracture Model."  You can change the name later in RockPlot3D if you wish.
  • Color Scheme: Click on the Options button to define the display's color scheme - automatic, table-based, etc. (More.)
  • Include Color Legend: Insert a check here to include an index to the colors and G values in the diagram.  (More.)
    
    

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Access the RockWorks Borehole Manager program tab. 
2. Enter/import your data into the Borehole Manager. This tool specifically reads location, orientation (if any), and Fractures data.
3. Select the Fractures | Model menu option. 
4. Enter the requested menu options, described above.
5. If you are including logs with the diagram, be sure to click on the 3D Striplog Designer tab to establish how you want the logs to look.
6. Click Process to proceed with model and diagram generation. 

If you've selected Use Existing Model, the program will load the information from the existing model (.RwMod file), and will proceed to diagram generation.

If you've selected Create New Model, the program will scan the project database and extract the XYZ points for all of the downhole fracture measurements.

7. If you requested Confirm Dimensions, the program will first prompt you to confirm the default solid model dimensions.  (More.)

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, and easier to filter from the display in RockPlot3D.

If you requested a diagram, the model will be displayed in a RockPlot3D tab in the Options window, using the using the requested display type.   If you activated the Plot Logs feature, the program will also append the 3D logs to the diagram.

8. You can adjust any of the following items and then click the Process button again to regenerate the display.
   • Fracture model settings in the Options pane on the left*, and/or
   • Diagram settings in the Options pane on the left, and/or
   • Striplog settings in the 3D Striplog Designer tab.

   ! Each time you click the Process button, the existing 3D display will be replaced. 
   ! * If the fracture 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 3D view.

9. View / save / manipulate / print / export the model in the RockPlot3D window. 
   
   

Tips

• You can double-click on the solid model name in the data portion of the RockPlot3D window to access the model settings: transparency, data filters, color scheme, etc.
• Use the File | Append command to append other RP3D images such as surfaces or other solids/isosurfaces.
• Once you have a solid model that appears to represent well your fracture proximities, you can use that existing model (.RwMod file) to create other diagram types: profiles, sections, fences, plan and surface maps, using the other tools in the Fractures menu.  You don't need to re-interpolate the background solid model each time.
• The Borehole Manager's Fractures | Model program performs the same function as the combination of the File | Export | Fractures | Fracture Data -> Utilities Datagrid and the Solid | Fracture-Discs -> Solid tools.  

 Back to Fracture Menu Summary 

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