This document details Datarock’s product Fracture Orientation.
Widespread orientation measurement of fractures offers several significant benefits across the mining value chain, ranging from geological understanding to geotechnical assessments and mining efficiency.
Dependent Models
The outputs of the following models are used:
|
Model Name |
Model Type |
|
Fracture Detection and Classification |
Object Detection |
|
Drillers Break |
Object Detection |
|
Fracture Mask |
Instance Segmentation |
|
Orientation Line Tick |
Object Detection |
Data Processing
The following steps are taken to determine the orientation of a given fracture. This process is completed on every fracture we can measure.
-
Take the output of the fracture detection model, “simple” classes only
-
Run a segmentation model to extract the fracture profile
3. Prediction of the orientation line proceed with detection of the orientation tick marks on the core.
4. Combine the fracture profiles and the orientation line ticks
5. Fit ellipses to the left, middle and right of the fracture interface, undertake QA to determine which measurements are suitable.
6. Using survey file, determine the dip and dip direction of the fracture.
Product Configuration Options
|
Configuration |
Options |
|---|---|
|
Location of ori line as marked by the orientation tool |
Bottom (default) or top of core |
|
Positive dip direction as measured by the survey tool |
Down (default) or up |
User Data
Downhole survey data must be provided in the following format format:
-
HoleID_survey.csv
CSV file to contain the following headers:
|
File Header |
Description |
|
hole_id |
Hole Name |
|
depth |
The vertical distance from the surface down to the bottom of the drilled hole |
|
azimuth |
Azimuth is the horizontal orientation of the drill path, measured in degrees from true north (or grid north). |
|
dip |
Dip refers to the angle at which the drill hole deviates vertically from the horizontal plane, measured in degrees. |
|
fracture_uuid |
Universally unique identifier for the fracture |
Data Output
Results from this product is delivered in a batch nature.
Integration of the required technologies into Datarock production is ongoing.
The available CSV files include the following:
-
ProjectName_fracture_orientation.csv
This output includes a list of every detected fracture in the hole, with orientation measurements included, or reason for not successfully measuring.
|
File Header |
Description |
|
hole_id |
Customer’s Hole ID |
|
depth_m |
Depth of fracture downhole (metres) |
|
depth_ft* |
Depth of fracture downhole (feet) |
|
fracture_azimuth |
Fracture azimuth angle |
|
fracture_dip |
Fracture dip angle |
|
ori_tick_count |
Orientation tick marks associated with the ori line detection for that fracture |
*Only included if project depths are in feet.
Product Limitations
|
Limitations |
Comments |
|
Image Quality and Resolution |
Like all Datarock products, the accuracy of fracture orientation measurements rely on well presented and photographed drill core. Poor core markup and curation, as well as poor quality imaging can limit the quality of the outputs. |
|
Core Surface Conditions |
Drilled cores can have irregular surfaces, cracks, or fragmented areas. These conditions can obscure or mimic tick marks, leading to false detections or missed fracture measurements. |
|
Orientation Tick Mark Clarity |
Orientation line tick marks made during the core markup process may not always be clear or consistent. If the tick marks are faint, worn off or partially damaged, the models model may be limited in their ability to detect them. |
|
Overlap with Other Markings |
Other types of markings on the core, such as geological annotations and cut lines, can be mistaken for orientation lines if not clearly differentiated. We recommend following Datarock’s Core Photography Guidelines for best practice (contact us for details) |
|
Fractures parallel to core axis |
Fractures that are parallel to the core axis are generally not measured due to the way they are normally presented within the image. |
|
Difference between Datarock and logged data |
Datarock will measure and provide data for every measurable fracture, whereas manually logged data will include selected measurements only. |
Document Version
|
Version |
Date |
Author |
Rationale |
|
1 |
10 Jan 2024 |
L Yanez |
Initial release |
|
2 |
29 Jan 2024 |
S Johnson |
Updated to include depth in feet |