Split-FX™ Software

for Automated Rock Mass Fracture

Characterization

New software is now being offered to automatically perform rock mass fracture characterization on
exposed rock faces. The software, Split-FX™, can analyze rock slopes, underground excavations,
dam and bridge foundations, and other rock engineering sites of interest. Using the two imaging
technologies described below, a field survey is first conducted, which can take as little as 10 minutes.
The results of the field survey are then automatically processed with the Split-FX software, resulting
in three-dimensional information about the rock mass, including stereo nets of fracture orientation
and distributions of fracture size and roughness estimation. From start to finish, you can accurately
characterize the fracturing at a field site in less time than it takes to make a few strike and dip
measurements manually!

Seeking Case Study Partners and Software Beta Testers: The Split-FX software allows rock mass
site characterization to be carried out in a safe and timely manner. As opposed to traditional rock
characterization where measurements on the face are required, analysis can be conducted at
significant distances from the rock face. This allows rock mass characterization to be carried out in
situations where access to the face is not possible due to safety or other concerns. Also, the Split-FX
software can produce a database of thousands of fractures for a rock site in less time than just a few
fractures could be characterized using traditional techniques. Finally, the Split-FX software
eliminates human bias by automating the process of collecting and processing rock mass data.

As part of the development of the Split-FX software, we are conducting case studies in the primary fields of
interest, including highway slopes, tunneling, underground and open-pit mining, rock foundations, and
petroleum. Depending on the nature of the case study we can provide research services from the University of
Arizona or commercial laser scanning and analysis from Split Engineering. If you are interested in participating
in a case study or trying out a free beta version of our Split-FX software as part of one of your ongoing
projects, please contact Dr. John Kemeny (kemeny@spliteng.com).

The software utilizes two technologies, Ground-Based LIDAR imaging and Digital Image
Processing. Ground-Based LIDAR imaging involves conducting a field survey with a 3D Laser
scanner. A picture of a 3D laser scanner in the field is shown below. At a rate of at least 1000
points/second, the laser scanner captures millions of laser distance measurements of a rock site of
interest, which is referred to as a point cloud. An example of a 3D point cloud is also shown below.
Copyright © 2005 by Split Engineering LLC. Split-FX is the trademark of Split Engineering, LLC.
The Split-FX software allows visualization of the point cloud in three dimensions and the
reorientation of the point cloud using the results of field surveying. The second imaging technology
involves taking digital images of the rock faces using commonly available digital cameras. The Split-
FX software allows visualization of the images and the storing of information related to each image
(such as the location and orientation of the face).

3D Laserscanner (Optech ILRIS-3D) Point cloud of a highway road cut

LIDAR Processing: The first type of processing the Split-FX software performs is on the LIDAR
point clouds. A triangular mesh of the rock surface is first produced from the point cloud and the
orientation of each individual triangle is calculated. From this information fracture patches are
identified, by looking for neighboring patches with similar orientations. The middle figure below
shows the patches found in the first figure with the Split-FX software (fracture patches in yellow,
holes in the patches in blue). The Split-FX software allows the fracture patches to be hand edited,
including adding, deleting and/or modifying a patch. The Split-FX software then calculates the
properties of each patch, including orientation, size and roughness estimation. Finally the Split-FX
program outputs the results in various formats, including stereographic projections and ASCII output.
The third figure below is a plot of fracture poles for the fractures found with the Split-FX software.

Point cloud Fracture patches (surfaces) found using Split-FX

Copyright © 2005 by Split Engineering LLC. Split-FX is the trademark of Split Engineering, LLC.
 Fracture poles on a stereonet

Digital Image Processing: The second type of processing the Split-FX software performs is on the
digital images of the rock faces. Two dimensional images acquired with a standard digital camera
are used as the input in this case. The first step is to delineate the fracture traces that are visible in
each digital image. Then, like the point cloud processing, the Split-FX software allows hand editing
of the fracture traces, including adding, deleting, and/or modifying a trace. Standard trace statistics
are calculated, including distributions of trace length and trace roughness estimation.

Analysis: Information from both 3D LIDAR point clouds and 2D digital images can be combined
together into one analysis of the rock mass. Numerous point clouds and digital images can be
utilized together in a single analysis.

Digital image with fracture traces Trace sets output screen

Related References
Donovan, J., Handy, J., Kemeny, J. and G. O'Brien. 2005. Automatic acquisition and determination of rock discontinuity properties using three-
dimensional laser scanning. Proceedings of Applications of Computers and Operations Research in the Mineral Industry (APCOM 2005), S.
Dessureault Editor, Tucson, AZ.
Kemeny, J. and Post, R. 2003. Estimating Three-Dimensional Rock Discontinuity Orientation from Digital Images of Fracture Traces, Computers &
Geosciences, 29/1, pp. 65-77.
Kemeny, J., Mofya, E. and J. Handy. 2003. The use of digital imaging and laser scanning technologies for field rock fracture characterization,
Proceedings of Soil and Rock America 2003 (12th PanAmerican Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering and the 39th US Rock
Mechanics Symposium), Eds. J. Culligan, H. Einstein, A. White, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, pp. 117-122.
Kemeny, J., Monte, J., Handy, J. and S. Thiam. 2003. The use of digital imaging and laser scanning technologies in rock engineering, International
Symposium on the Fusion Technology of Geosystem Engineering, Rock Engineering and Geophysical Exploration, Seoul, Korea, Nov. 18-19.
Kemeny, J. and J. Handy. 2004. Improving blast fragmentation prediction with new technologies for rock mass characterization, Proceedings of the 30th
Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, International Society of Explosive Engineers, New Orleans, LA.
Kemeny, J., Monte, J., Handy, J. and S. Leech. 2004. Estimating Rock Mass Classification Ratings from Digital Images of Rock Masses, submitted to Int. J.
Rock Mech. Min. Sci., January, 2004.
Kemeny, J., Handy, J., Donovan, J. and S. Thiam. 2004. Automatic Discontinuity Characterization of Rock Faces Using 3D Laser Scanners and Digital
Imaging, Gulf Rocks 2004 (ARMA 2004 Rock Mechanics Symposium and the 6th NARMS), Houston, TX.
Monte, J. 2004. Rock mass characterization using laser scanning and digital imaging data collection techniques, M.S. Thesis, University of Arizona.
Nasrallah, J., Monte, J. and J. Kemeny, 2004. Rock mass characterization for slope/catch bench design using 3D laser and digital imaging, Gulf Rocks
2004 (ARMA 2004 Rock Mechanics Symposium and the 6th NARMS), Houston, TX.
Post, R., Kemeny, J. and R. Murphy. 2001. Image Processing for the Automatic Extraction of Rock Joint Orientation Data from Digital Images,
Proceedings of the 38th US Rock Mechanics Symposium, Washington, D.C., A.A. Balkema, pp. 877-84 (with R. Post, R. Murphy).
Slob, S., Hack, R., van Knapen, B. and J. Kemeny. 2005. A method for automated discontinuity analysis of rock slopes with 3D laser scanning,
Proceedings of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 84th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Developed and Manufactured By: Latin American Office:

Split Engineering LLC Split Engineering Chile Ltda.
110 S. Church Ave, Suite 8312 Eduardo Marquina #3937 Oficina 1201Vitacura
Tucson, Arizona 85701 USA Santiago, Chile
Phone: (520) 327-3773 Fax: (520) 326-7532 Phone: (56-2) 206-4674 Fax: (56-2) 206-4668
WWW.SPLITENG.COM WWW.SPLITENG.CL

REV 3: 07/27/2005

Copyright © 2005 by Split Engineering LLC. Split-FX is the trademark of Split Engineering, LLC.