Enhanced NURBS modeling and visualization for large 3D geoengineering applications: An example from the Jinping first-level hydropower engineering project, China

Authors:
Deng-Hua Zhong;Ming-Chao Li;Ling-Guang Song;Gang Wang
Affiliations:
School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;Department of Engineering Technology, University of Houston, Texas 77204, USA;Chengdu Hydroelectric Investigation & Design Institute, Chengdu 610072, China
Venue:
Computers & Geosciences
Year:
2006

Citing 11
Cited 2

Curves and surfaces for computer aided geometric design

Curves and surfaces for computer aided geometric design
The NURBS book

The NURBS book
Visualization of complex geological structures using 3-D Bézier construction tools

Computers & Geosciences
3D visualization of structural field data: examples from the Archean Caopatina formation, Abitibi greenstone belt, Québec, Canada

Computers & Geosciences
Simulation of wrinkled surfaces

SIGGRAPH '78 Proceedings of the 5th annual conference on Computer graphics and interactive techniques
Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology

Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology
Delaunay Triangulation in Three Dimensions

IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications
Interpretive Tools for 3-D Structural Geological Modeling Part I: Bézier-Based Curves, Ribbons and Grip Frames

Geoinformatica
An approach to computer modeling and visualization of geological faults in 3D

Computers & Geosciences
Interpretive Tools for 3-D Structural Geological Modelling Part II: Surface Design from Sparse Spatial Data

Geoinformatica
An effective method for 3D geological modeling with multi-source data integration

Computers & Geosciences

Wire frame: A reliable approach to build sealed engineering geological models

Computers & Geosciences
GSIS: A 3D geological multi-body modeling system from netty cross-sections with topology

Computers & Geosciences

Quantified Score

Hi-index	0.00

Visualization

Abstract

Large engineering projects with complex underlying geologic structures require 3D geological integration and analysis. Presented is an example of a large hydroelectric dam, highlighting the need for 3D visualization and modeling as a requirement for the engineering design and construction process. Due to the complex nature of these projects, geological analysis using 3D modeling is commonly necessary. In this paper we present an integrated 3D geological modeling methodology for the analysis of large amounts of exploration data, and subsequent geological interpretation based on the non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) technique, the triangulated irregular network (TIN) algorithm and boundary representation. The procedural details and application of the proposed approach are demonstrated with reference to an actual hydropower engineering project. The new approach offered a good scheme to solve the inconsistencies among storage, accuracy and operational speed of the model. A 3D model was developed and validated using testing data from the engineering project. Visual analysis of the 3D model helps engineers to comprehend the complexity of geological structures, and enables arbitrary cutting, rock-mass quality classification, and digital drilling.