scholarly journals Mapping the fracture network in the Lilstock pavement, Bristol Channel, UK: manual versus automatic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Weismüller ◽  
Rahul Prabhakaran ◽  
Martijn Passchier ◽  
Janos L. Urai ◽  
Giovanni Bertotti ◽  
...  

Abstract. The 100,000 m2 wave-cut pavement in the Bristol Channel near Lilstock, UK, is a world-class outcrop, perfectly exposing a very large fracture network in several thin limestone layers. We present an analysis based on manual interpretation of fracture generations in selected domains and compare this with automated fracture tracing. Our dataset of high-resolution aerial photographs of the complete outcrop was acquired by unmanned aerial vehicle, using a survey altitude optimized to resolve all fractures. We map fractures and identify fracture generations based on abutting and overprinting criteria and present the fracture networks of five selected representative domains. Each domain is also mapped automatically using ridge detection based on the complex shearlet transform method. The automatic fracture detection technique provides results close to the manually mapped fracture networks, however, with a bias towards closely spaced Y over X nodes. The assignment of fractures into generations cannot be done automatically yet. Generations one and two are long fractures that traverse our domains. Generation three is only present in the southwestern domains. Generation four follows an ENE-WSW striking trend, is sub-orthogonal to generations one and two and abuts on them and generation 3 if present. Generations five is the youngest fracture set with diffuse orientation, creating polygonal patterns by abutting on all older fracture generations. Our mapping results show that the northeastern domains only contain four fracture generations, thus the five generations of the outcrop identified in the southwestern domains are either not all present in each of the five domains or vary locally in their geometry, preventing the interpreter to link the fractures to their respective generation over several spatially separate mapping domains. The domains have different P21 fracture intensities which is lowest in the NE with 7.31 m/m2 and highest in the SW with 10.01 m/m2, coinciding with different fracture orientations, and distributions of abutting relationships. Each domain has slightly different fracture network characteristics. The network analysis shows that connectivity increases, depending on the evolving fracture generations.

Solid Earth ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1773-1802
Author(s):  
Christopher Weismüller ◽  
Rahul Prabhakaran ◽  
Martijn Passchier ◽  
Janos L. Urai ◽  
Giovanni Bertotti ◽  
...  

Abstract. The 100 000 m2 wave-cut pavement in the Bristol Channel near Lilstock, UK, is a world-class outcrop, perfectly exposing a very large fracture network in several thin limestone layers. We present an analysis based on manual interpretation of fracture generations in selected domains and compare it with automated fracture tracing. Our dataset of high-resolution aerial photographs of the complete outcrop was acquired by an unmanned aerial vehicle, using a survey altitude optimized to resolve all fractures. We map fractures and identify fracture generations based on abutting and overprinting criteria, and we present the fracture networks of five selected representative domains. Each domain is also mapped automatically using ridge detection based on the complex shearlet transform method. The automatic fracture detection technique provides results close to the manually traced fracture networks in shorter time but with a bias towards closely spaced Y over X nodes. The assignment of fractures into generations cannot yet be done automatically, because the fracture traces extracted by the automatic method are segmented at the nodes, unlike the manual interpretation in which fractures are traced as a path from fracture tip to fracture tip and consist of several connected segments. This segmentation makes an interpretation of relative age impossible, because the identification of correct abutting relationships requires the investigation of the complete fracture trace by following a clearly defined set of rules. Generations 1 and 2 are long fractures that traverse all domains. Generation 3 is only present in the southwestern domains. Generation 4 follows an ENE–WSW striking trend, is suborthogonal to generations 1 and 2, and abuts on them and generation 3, if present. Generations 5 is the youngest fracture set with a range of orientations, creating polygonal patterns by abutting at all other fracture generations. Our mapping results show that the northeastern domains only contain four fracture generations; thus, the five generations of the outcrop identified in the southwestern domains are either not all present in each of the five domains or vary locally in their geometry, preventing the interpreter from linking the fractures to their respective generation over several spatially separate mapping domains. Fracture intensities differ between domains where the lowest is in the NE with 7.3 m−1 and the highest is in the SW with 10 m−1, coinciding with different fracture orientations and distributions of abutting relationships. Each domain has slightly different fracture network characteristics, and greater connectivity occurs where the development of later shorter fractures is not affected by the stress shadowing of pre-existing longer fractures.


Author(s):  
А.С. Алексеев ◽  
А.А. Никифоров ◽  
А.А. Михайлова ◽  
М.Р. Вагизов

В связи со старением информационных материалов о состоянии лесов существует потребность в разработке новых методов таксации древостоев, основанных на применении последних научно-технических достижений в области теории структуры и продуктивности древостоев, дистанционных методов изучения лесов, информационных и ГИС технологий. В статье приведены результаты разработки и проверки нового метода определения таксационных характеристик сомкнутых насаждений на основе правила 3/2 и подобных ему правил Хильми и Рейнеке, с одной стороны, и определения числа деревьев на единице площади по снимку сверх высокого разрешения, полученного с помощью БПЛА, с другой. С теоретической точки зрения эта зависимости величин запаса, средней высоты и среднего диаметра от числа стволов на единице площади относятся к классу аллометрических связей, очень часто встречающихся при количественном описании соотношений частей биологических систем разных уровней иерархии, от организмов до экосистем. Параметры аллометрических зависимостей запаса, средних высоты и диаметра от числа стволов на единице площади были определены для основных лесообразующих пород по данным таблиц хода роста нормальных (полных) древостоев с теоретическим показателем степени и затем использованы для расчетов. Число деревьев на единице площади определялось по снимку с разрешением 7,13 см/пиксель, полученному с помощью 4-роторной платформы. Обработка материалов аэрофотосъемки была выполнена в специализированной фотограмметрической системе Agisoft Photoscan. В результате были получены ортофотоплан и цифровая модель поверхности крон деревьев на изучаемую территорию с определением их высот. Для автоматизированной обработки полученных изображений с целью получения значений числа деревьев на единицу площади был создан специализированный скрипт на языке Java. Погрешности определения таксационных характеристик древостоев предлагаемым методом не выше установленных действующими нормативными материалами. Every time there is a demand for new innovative methods of forest resources estimation based on last achievements in theoretical science, remote sensing methods, information and GIS-technologies. In the paper are presented a new method and the results of its application to forest stands growing stock, mean height and diameter determination. The method is based on rule 3/2 and similar Reineke and Hilmy rules, on one hand and high resolution image made by unmanned aerial vehicle, which used for determination of number of trees per area unit, on other. The above rules are well known in quantitative biology as an allometric and widely used for description of different kind of relations in biological systems of various scale: from organisms to ecosystems. Parameters of above allometric relationships between growing stock, mean height and diameter and stems density per area unit was determine on the base of full stock growth and yield tables for main tree species and after used for experimental calculations. The number of trees per area unit was determined after special treatment of high resolution image made by unmanned flying machine. The growing stock, mean height and diameter determined by suggested method was compared with the data of regular forest inventory. Comparison gives positive result and method may be recommended for further development.


1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 135-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Deguchi ◽  
S. Sugio

This study aims to evaluate the applicability of satellite imagery in estimating the percentage of impervious area in urbanized areas. Two methods of estimation are proposed and applied to a small urbanized watershed in Japan. The area is considered under two different cases of subdivision; i.e., 14 zones and 17 zones. The satellite imageries of LANDSAT-MSS (Multi-Spectral Scanner) in 1984, MOS-MESSR(Multi-spectral Electronic Self-Scanning Radiometer) in 1988 and SPOT-HRV(High Resolution Visible) in 1988 are classified. The percentage of imperviousness in 17 zones is estimated by using these classification results. These values are compared with the ones obtained from the aerial photographs. The percent imperviousness derived from the imagery agrees well with those derived from aerial photographs. The estimation errors evaluated are less than 10%, the same as those obtained from aerial photographs.


Author(s):  
Hannes Hofmann ◽  
Tayfun Babadagli ◽  
Günter Zimmermann

The creation of large complex fracture networks by hydraulic fracturing is imperative for enhanced oil recovery from tight sand or shale reservoirs, tight gas extraction, and Hot-Dry-Rock (HDR) geothermal systems to improve the contact area to the rock matrix. Although conventional fracturing treatments may result in bi-wing fractures, there is evidence by microseismic mapping that fracture networks can develop in many unconventional reservoirs, especially when natural fracture systems are present and the differences between the principle stresses are low. However, not much insight is gained about fracture development as well as fluid and proppant transport in naturally fractured tight formations. In order to clarify the relationship between rock and treatment parameters, and resulting fracture properties, numerical simulations were performed using a commercial Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) simulator. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis is presented to identify typical fracture network patterns resulting from massive water fracturing treatments in different geological conditions. It is shown how the treatment parameters influence the fracture development and what type of fracture patterns may result from different treatment designs. The focus of this study is on complex fracture network development in different natural fracture systems. Additionally, the applicability of the DFN simulator for modeling shale gas stimulation and HDR stimulation is critically discussed. The approach stated above gives an insight into the relationships between rock properties (specifically matrix properties and characteristics of natural fracture systems) and the properties of developed fracture networks. Various simulated scenarios show typical conditions under which different complex fracture patterns can develop and prescribe efficient treatment designs to generate these fracture systems. Hydraulic stimulation is essential for the production of oil, gas, or heat from ultratight formations like shales and basement rocks (mainly granite). If natural fracture systems are present, the fracturing process becomes more complex to simulate. Our simulation results reveal valuable information about main parameters influencing fracture network properties, major factors leading to complex fracture network development, and differences between HDR and shale gas/oil shale stimulations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 014459872098153
Author(s):  
Yanzhi Hu ◽  
Xiao Li ◽  
Zhaobin Zhang ◽  
Jianming He ◽  
Guanfang Li

Hydraulic fracturing is one of the most important technologies for shale gas production. Complex hydraulic fracture networks can be stimulated in shale reservoirs due to the existence of numerous natural fractures. The prediction of the complex fracture network remains a difficult and challenging problem. This paper presents a fully coupled hydromechanical model for complex hydraulic fracture network propagation based on the discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) method. In the proposed model, the fracture propagation and rock mass deformation are simulated under the framework of DDA, and the fluid flow within fractures is simulated using lubrication theory. In particular, the natural fracture network is considered by using the discrete fracture network (DFN) model. The proposed model is widely verified against several analytical and experimental results. All the numerical results show good agreement. Then, this model is applied to field-scale modeling of hydraulic fracturing in naturally fractured shale reservoirs. The simulation results show that the proposed model can capture the evolution process of complex hydraulic fracture networks. This work offers a feasible numerical tool for investigating hydraulic fracturing processes, which may be useful for optimizing the fracturing design of shale gas reservoirs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Deffontaines ◽  
Kuo-Jen Chang ◽  
Samuel Magalhaes ◽  
Gérardo Fortunato

<p>Volcanic areas in the World are often difficult to map especially in a structural point of view as (1) fault planes are generally covered and filled by more recent lava flows and (2) volcanic rocks have very few tectonic striations. Kuei-Shan Tao (11km from Ilan Plain – NE Taiwan) is a volcanic island, located at the soutwestern tip of the South Okinawa trough (SWOT). Two incompatible geological maps had been already published both lacking faults and structural features (Hsu, 1963 and Chiu et al., 2010). We propose herein not only to up-date the Kuei-Shan Tao geological map with our high resolution dataset, but also to create the Kuei-Shan Tao structural scheme in order to better understand its geological and tectonic history.</p><p>Consequently, we first acquired aerial photographs from our UAS survey and get our new UAS high resolution DTM (HR UAS-DTM hereafter) with a ground resolution <10cm processed through classical photogrammetric methods. Taking into account common sense geomorphic and structural interpretation and reasoning deduced form our HR UAS-DTM, and the outcropping lithologies situated all along the shoreline, we have up-dated the Kuei-Shan Tao geological mapping and its major structures. To conclude, the lithologies (andesitic lava flows and pyroclastic falls) and the new structural scheme lead us to propose a scenario for both the construction as well as the dismantling of Kuei-Shan Tao which are keys for both geology and geodynamics of the SWOT.</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 160 ◽  
pp. 103-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benqing Chen ◽  
Yanming Yang ◽  
Hongtao Wen ◽  
Hailin Ruan ◽  
Zaiming Zhou ◽  
...  

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