Summary
After having pointed out weaknesses in traditional approaches to exploration in a preceding paper, it will now be shown what can be gained by using statistical methods in practical application to exploration. In particular, statistical data collection for joint surveys will be presented including methods for error reduction. Extensive treatment will be given to subjective assessment of uncertainty, a methodology that is well suited to engineering geology; its use in describing tunnel geology is given as a practical example. Finally, it will be shown how these methods of rational uncertainty description are employed to plan exploration in an optimum manner, with an example in exploration planning for underground gas storage caverns.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
Ashley, D. B., Veneziano, D., Einstein, H. H., Chan, M. H. (1981): Geologic Prediction and Updating in Tunnelling — A Probabilistic Approach. Proceedings, 22nd U. S. Symposium on Rock Mechanics, MIT.
Baecher, G. B. (1978): Analyzing Exploration Strategies. In: C. H. Dowding (ed.), Site Characterization and Exploration, ASCE/NSF.
Baecher, G. B., Lanney, N. A. (1978): Sampling for Joint Persistence. 19th U. S. National Symposium on Rock Mechanics.
Barnett, V. (1973): Comparative Statistical Inference. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Cruden, S. M. (1977): Describing the Size of Discontinuities. Int. J. of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences14, 133–137.
Einstein, H. H., Vick, G. G. (1977): Geologic Model for a Tunnel Cost Model. Proceedings, 2nd Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference, San Francisco.
Einstein, H. H., Markow, M. J., Chew, K. (1977): Assessing the Value of Exploration for Underground Gas Storage. Proceedings, Rockstore.
Einstein, H. H., Labreche, D. A., Markow, M. J., Baecher, G. B. (1978): Decision Analysis Applied to Rock Tunnel Exploration. Engineering Geology12, 143–161.
Einstein, H. H., et al. (1980): Risk Analysis for Rock Slopes in Open Pit Mines, Parts I–V, USBM Technical REport J0275015.
Einstein, H. H., Baecher, G. B. (1982): Probabilistic and Statistical Methods in Engineering Geology — Problem Statement and Introduction to Solution. Rock Mechanics, Suppl. XII, 47–62.
Epstein, B. (1954): Truncated Life Tests in the Exponential Case. Annals of Mathematical Statistics25, 555.
Fisher, R. A. (1931): The Truncated Normal Distribution. British Association of Advanced Science, Math. TablesI, XXXIII-XXXIV.
Hald, A. (1949): Maximum Likelihood Estimators of the Parameters of a Normal Distribution Truncated at a Known Point, Skand. Aktuar Tidskr.32, 119.
Kendall, M. G., Stuart, A. (1967): The Advanced Theory of Statistics, Hafner.
Larsson, I. (1952): A Graphic Testing Procedure for Joint Diagrams. American Journal of Science250, 586–593.
Moavenzadeh, F., Markow, M. J. (1974–1978): Tunnel Cost Model, Series of 10 reports.
Priest, S. D., Hudson, J. (1981): Estimation of Discontinuity Spacing and Trace Lengths Using Scan Line Surveys. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci.18, 183–198.
Sander, B., et al. (1954): Einführung in die Gefügekunde. Wien: Springer-Verlag.
Snow, D. (1966): Disc'n. — Theme III, Int. Cong. Rock Mechanics, Lisbon.
Staël von Holstein, C. S. (1974): A Tutorial in Decision Analysis. In: R. A. Howard, et al. (eds.), Reading in Decision Analysis, SRI.
Terzaghi, R. (1964). Sources of Error in Joint Surveys. Geotechnique15, 287–304.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Einstein, H.H., Baecher, G.B. Probabilistic and statistical methods in engineering geology. Rock Mech Rock Engng 16, 39–72 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01030217
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01030217
Keywords
- Statistical Method
- Statistical Data
- Traditional Approach
- Subjective Assessment
- Optimum Manner