Creating a 3D Isopach Model for a Selected Lithotype

RockWorks | Borehole Manager | Lithology | Isopach (3D)

Use this program to read an existing lithology solid model (an .RwMod file) and determine the uppermost and lowermost elevations for a selected lithology type in each vertical column of nodes in the input model.  The thickness of this interval - regardless of materials that lie between - will be stored for the corresponding node in the output grid model (.RwGrd file). A "null" value (-1.0e27) is assigned to any grid nodes that do not have a corresponding lithology within the original lithology block model.  The resulting isopach will be displayed as surfaces with side panels in 3D.

! This tool requires that you've already created a lithology model (.RwMod file).
! This tool does not take into consideration any material types that lie between the uppermost and lowermost occurrences of the selected lithotype.

See also: Creating an Upper Surface Model, a Lower Surface Model, or a 3D Isopach for a Selected Lithotype

Feature Level: RockWorks Standard and higher

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary

Menu Options

• Lithology Model Name: Click on this item to browse for the name of the existing lithology model (.RwMod file) to be used as the basis for this isopach diagram.
   
• Lithologic Unit: Click here to select the name of the lithology material type for which you want to create the isopach diagram.  The list of materials you see here is pulled from the Lithology Types Table in the current project database.
   
• Upper Surface Output Grid: Click here to type in the name to assign the output grid that will be created to represent the uppermost lithology surface, such as "lithtop.RwGrd".   
   
• Lower Surface Output Grid: Click here to type in the name to assign the output grid that will be created to represent the lowermost lithology surface, such as "lithbase.RwGrd".   
   

Step-by-Step Summary

Follow these steps to create grid models and 3D diagram that represents the total thickness of a selected lithology type in an existing lithology model. 

1. Access the RockWorks Borehole Manager program tab. 
2. Be sure you've already created the lithology model (.RwMod file) to be used.
3. Select the Lithology | Isopach (3D) menu option. 
4. Enter the requested menu items, described above.
5. Click the Process button to continue. 

The program will determine the uppermost elevation for the requested material in each vertical column of nodes in the input lithology model.  That elevation will be stored in the corresponding node in the Upper Surface Output Grid. The program will then determine the lowermost elevation for the requested material in each vertical column of nodes in the input lithology model.  That elevation will be stored in the corresponding node in the Lower Surface Output Grid.  Any locations for which there are no occurrences of the selected material, a null value will be assigned in the output grids.

The program will create the 3-dimensional image representing the grid models, appending side panels to connect the surfaces where possible.  The requested diagram(s) will be displayed in a RockPlot3D tab in the Options window.  

! Note: The grid models that are generated, and the diagram which represents it, are based on all voxels from the uppermost occurrence of the designated lithology to the lowermost occurrence. This means that other lithologies may exist between these two surfaces.

6. You can adjust any of the modeling or diagram options in the pane to the left and then click the Process button again to regenerate the isopach diagram.

   ! Each time you click the Process button, the existing grid models and display will be replaced. 

7. View / save / manipulate / export / print the diagram in the RockPlot3D window. 
    

See also:

• Lithology Types Tables
• Creating Lithology Models
  
  

 Back to Lithology Menu Summary 

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