Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Fracture mapping in challenging environment: a 3D virtual reality approach combining terrestrial LiDAR and high definition images

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The latest technological developments in computer vision allow the creation of georeferenced, non-immersive desktop virtual reality (VR) environments. VR uses a computer to produce a simulated three-dimensional world in which it is possible to interact with objects and derive metric and thematic data. In this context, modern geomatic tools enable the remote acquisition of information that can be used to produce georeferenced high-definition 3D models: these can be used to create a VR in support of rock mass data processing, analysis, and interpretation. Data from laser scanning and high quality images were combined to map deterministically and characterise discontinuities with the aim of creating accurate rock mass models. Discontinuities were compared with data from traditional engineering-geological surveys in order to check the level of accuracy in terms of the attitude of individual joints and sets. The quality of data collected through geomatic surveys and field measurements in two marble quarries of the Apuan Alps (Italy) was very satisfactory. Some fundamental geotechnical indices (e.g. joint roughness, alteration, opening, moisture, and infill) were also included in the VR models. Data were grouped, analysed, and shared in a single repository for VR visualization and stability analysis in order to study the interaction between geology and human activities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abellàn A, Oppikofer T, Jaboyedoff M, Rosser NJ, Lim M, Lato MJ (2014) Terrestrial laser scanning of rock slope instabilities. Earth Surf Proc Land 39:80–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Assali P, Grussenmeyer P, Villemin T, Pollet N (2014) Surveying and modeling of rock discontinuities by terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry: semi-automatic approaches for linear outcrop inspection. J Struct Geol 66:102–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton NR (1973) Review of a new shear strength criterion for rock joints. Eng Geol 7:287–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellian JA, Kerans C, Jennette DC (2005) Digital outcrop models: applications of terrestrial scanning lidar technology in stratigraphic modeling. J Sediment Res 75(2):166–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beshr AAA, Elnaga IMA (2011) Investigating the accuracy of digital levels and reflectorless total stations for purposes of geodetic engineering. Alex Eng J 50:399–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1989) Engineering rock mass classifications. Wiley, New York, p 272

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady BHC, Brown ET (1994) Rock mechanics for underground mining. Chapman & Hall, London, p 571

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckley S, Howell J, Enge H, Kurz T (2008) Terrestrial laser scanning in geology: data acquisition, processing and accuracy considerations. J Geol Soc 165(3):625–638

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carmignani L, Fantozzi PL, Giglia G, Meccheri M (1993) Pieghe associate alla distensione duttile del complesso metamorfico apuano. Mem Soc Geol Italiana 49:99–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmignani L, Conti P, Fantozzi PL, Mancini S, Massa G, Molli G, Vaselli L (2007) I marmi delle Alpi Apuane. Geoitalia 21:19–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Coli M, Grandini G, Matteini L (1987) Carta Strutturale del bacino marmifero di Orto di Donna (Alpi Apuane), 1:5000. SELCA, Firenze

    Google Scholar 

  • Deere DUR, Miller P (1966) Engineering classification and index properties for intact rock. Technical Report AFNL-TR-65-116, National Technical Information Service, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, New Mexico, pp 300

  • Deliormanli AH, Maerz NH, Otoo J (2014) Using terrestrial 3D laser scanning and optical methods to determine orientations of discontinuities at a granite quarry. Int J Rock Mech Min 66:41–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Fanti R, Gigli G, Lombardi L, Tapete D, Canuti P (2013) Terrestrial laser scanning for rockfall stability analysis in the cultural heritage site of Pitigliano (Italy). Landslides 10(4):409–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fekete S, Diederichs M, Lato M (2010) Geotechnical and operational applications for 3-dimensional laser scanning in drill and blast tunnels. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 25:614–628

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forzini C (2014) Analisi della fratturazione nei versanti in roccia a partire da dati laser scanner terrestre. Sperimentazione di differenti software per l’estrazione semi-automatica dei dati di giacitura. Dissertation, University of Siena

  • Francioni M, Salvini R, Stead D, Litrico S (2014) A case study integrating remote sensing and distinct element analysis to quarry slope stability assessment in the Monte Altissimo area, Italy. Eng Geol 183:290–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Francioni M, Salvini R, Stead D, Giovannini R, Riccucci S, Vanneschi C, Gullì D (2015) An integrated remote sensing-GIS approach for the analysis of an open pit in the Carrara marble district, Italy: slope stability assessment through kinematic and numerical methods. Comput Geosci 67:46–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Gigli G, Casagli N (2011) Semi-automatic extraction of rock mass structural data from high resolution LIDAR point clouds. Int J Rock Mech Min 48:187–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman RE (1989) Introduction to rock mechanics, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York, p 562

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartzell PJ, Glennie CL, Finnegan DC (2013) Calibration of a terrestrial full waveform laser scanner. In: Conference American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), Baltimore, Maryland, p 7

  • Jähne B, Haußecker H (2000) Computer vision and applications: a guide for students and practitioners. Academic Press, New York, p 679

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemeny J, Post R (2002) Estimating three-dimensional rock discontinuity orientation from digital images of fracture traces. Comput Geosci 29:65–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kemeny J, Turner K, Norton B (2006) LIDAR for rock mass characterization: hardware, software, accuracy and best-practices. In: Tonon F, Kottenstette JT (eds) Proceedings of the Laser and Photogrammetric Methods for Rock Face Characterization, American Rock Mechanics Association, Alexandria, pp 49–62

  • Lato MJ, Voge M (2012) Automated mapping of rock discontinuities in 3D lidar and photogrammetry models. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 54:150–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Lato M, Diederichs MS, Hutchinson DJ, Harrap R (2009) Optimization of LiDAR scanning and processing for automated structural evaluation of discontinuities in rockmasses. Int J Rock Mech Min 46:194–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lato M, Diederichs MS, Hutchinson DJ (2010) Bias correction for static LiDAR scanning of rock outcrops for structural characterization. Rock Mech Rock Eng 23:615–628

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leica Geosystems (2015a) Cyclone external camera workflow-Nodal Ninja bracket. http://scansw.leica-geosystems.com/public/camera/. Accessed 03 February 2015

  • Leica Geosystems (2015b) Leica TruView Accuracy. http://leica-geosystems.com/downloads123/hds/general/cyclone/white-tech-paper/Leica_Truview_Accuracy_us.pdf. Accessed 25 March 2015

  • Lerma García JL, Van Genechten B, Heine E, Santana Quintero M (2008) Theory and practice on Terrestrial Laser Scanning. Editorial de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, p 261

    Google Scholar 

  • Maerz NH, Otoo JN (2014) Integrating discontinuity trace and facet orientation measurements for improved discontinuity data analysis. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 72:300–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Mah J, Samson C, McKinnon SD (2011) 3D laser imaging for joint orientation analysis. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 48:932–941

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pejic M (2013) Design and optimisation of laser scanning for tunnels geometry inspection. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 37:199–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priest SD (1993) Discontinuity analysis for rock engineering. Chapman and Hall, London, p 473

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Riquelme AJ, Abellán A, Tomás R, Jaboyedoff M (2014) A new approach for semi-automatic rock mass joints recognition from 3D point clouds. Comput Geosci 68:38–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvini R (2014) Developments in UAV and LiDAR technology, data acquisition and processing. In: Stead D, Elmo D (eds) Short course on data collection for discrete fracture networks, 1st International conference on discrete fracture network engineering, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, p 55

  • Salvini R, Francioni M, Riccucci S, Bonciani F, Callegari I (2013) Photogrammetry and laser scanning for analyzing slope stability and rock fall runout along the Domodossola-Iselle railway, the Italian Alps. Geomorphology 185:110–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvini R, Mastrorocco G, Vanneschi C, Riccucci S, Francioni M, Stead D (2014) Excavation stability analysis in an underground marble quarry in the Apuan Alps (Italy): application of terrestrial LIDAR, conventional methods and numerical modeling. In: Kennard D, Stead D, Eberhardt E, Elmo D (eds) Proceedings of the 1st international conference on discrete fracture network engineering, Vancouver, October 19–22, p 11

  • Slob S, Van Knapen B, Hack R, Turner K, Kemeny J (2005) Method for automated discontinuity analysis of rock slopes with three-dimensional laser scanning. Transp Res Rec 1913:187–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strouth A, Eberhardt E (2005) The use of LIDAR to overcome rock slope hazard data collection challenges at Afternoon Creek, Washington. In: Proceedings of the 41st US Symposium on Rock Mechanics, American Rock Mechanics Association, Golden, Colorado, June 17–21, p 12

  • Sturzenegger M, Stead D (2009) Close-range terrestrial digital photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning for discontinuity characterization on rock cuts. Eng Geol 103:163–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sturzenegger M, Stead D, Elmo D (2011) Terrestrial remote sensing-based estimation of mean trace length, trace intensity and block size/shape. Eng Geol 119:96–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanneschi C, Salvini R, Massa G, Riccucci S, Borsani A (2014) Geological 3D modeling for excavation activity in an underground marble quarry in the Apuan Alps (Italy). Comput Geosci 69:41–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasuki Y, Holden EJ, Kovesi P, Micklethwaite S (2014) Semi-automatic mapping of geological Structures Using UAV-based photogrammetric data: an image analysis approach. Comput Geosci 69:22–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voge M, Lato MJ, Diederichs MS (2013) Automated rockmass discontinuity mapping from 3-dimensional surface data. Eng Geol 164:155–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vosselman G, Hans-Gerd M (2010) Airborne and terrestrial laser scanning. Whittles Publishing, Dunbeath

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the personal of the Romana Quarry and particularly Corniani M. This paper was possible because of support from the Tuscany Region Research Project known as “Health and safety in the quarries of ornamental stones—SECURECAVE”. The authors acknowledge Pellegri M and Gullì D (Local Sanitary Agency n.1, Mining Engineering Operative Unit—Department of Prevention) and Riccucci S (Centre of GeoTechnologies, University of Siena) for their support of this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment, Earth and Physical Sciences and Centre of GeoTechnologies CGT, University of Siena, Via Vetri Vecchi 34, 52027, San Giovanni Valdarno, AR, Italy

    G. Mastrorocco & R. Salvini

  2. Camborne School of Mines, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK

    C. Vanneschi

Authors
  1. G. Mastrorocco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Salvini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. Vanneschi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Mastrorocco.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mastrorocco, G., Salvini, R. & Vanneschi, C. Fracture mapping in challenging environment: a 3D virtual reality approach combining terrestrial LiDAR and high definition images. Bull Eng Geol Environ 77, 691–707 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1030-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1030-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation