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An irregular triangle mesh buffer analysis method for boundary representation geological object in three-dimension

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Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) buffer analysis is a basic function of spatial analysis used widely in 3D Geographic Information Systems (3DGIS). Current buffer analysis methods for spatial points and curves generally function well. One exception is buffer zone of surface. Previous researchers in this field have used voxel models to overcome this limitation; however, defects with voxel model buffer analysis include redundancies, approximations, and poor visualization characteristics. In this contribution, a surface buffer analysis method is presented for the boundary representation of geological objects. Exact geometric representation is achieved via the construction of irregular triangle meshes in 3D. The results can be used for 3D structural modeling and then form the basis for spatial analysis or model-based quantitative assessment in mineral potential mapping and resource evaluation. Three comparisons between existing voxel methods and our new method, evaluating visualization, precision and redundancy, are conducted. The comparisons show that our proposed method is robust and provides a higher quality output than voxel modeling. Finally, uncertainty analysis of buffer distance in different geological objects was discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by 41302262 from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, http://www.nsfc.gov.cn/), the National Key Technology Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2006BAB01A01), and the Central Non-profit Organization Foundation of China (K1316). The anonymous reviewers are also thanked for their constructive comments regarding the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MLR Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Resource Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China

    Nan Li & Xianglong Song

  2. Centre for Exploration Targeting, School of Earth and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Nan Li, Leon Bagas, Mark Lindsay & Daniel Wedge

  3. Geomathematics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China

    Lin Bai

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  1. Nan Li
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Correspondence to Nan Li.

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Responsible editor: H. A. Babaie

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Li, N., Bagas, L., Lindsay, M. et al. An irregular triangle mesh buffer analysis method for boundary representation geological object in three-dimension. Earth Sci Inform 10, 149–167 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-016-0283-1

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