3D Geoscience Data Management

LYNX incorporates the data types, data structures and functionality necessary for efficient management of geoscience information sources and subsurface characterization results. All information is spatially integrated in a coordinated 3D computer representation of the subsurface.

Geoscience Data Types
characteristics (e.g. lithology, mineralogy). variables (e.g. concentration, grade, property). functions of the above. 3D coordinates (UTM, project, local).	The basic data types are associated with appropriate 3D data structures. This allows all geoscience information to be spatially referenced in a coordinated 3D computer simulation of the geological subsurface.

3D Data Structures

• hole data structures (e.g. borehole logs, well logs); maximum 1000 hole data subsets with 10000 holes per subset; 2000 survey records and 5000 intervals per hole; 100 characteristic, variable, or function values per interval.

• map data structures (e.g. point samples, contours, survey information, site plans, geological sections and mapping); maximum 10000 features per map; 10000 points per feature; 100 characteristic, variable or function values per feature. (†)

• surface data structures (e.g. topographic, structural or stratigraphic surfaces); based on triangulated network (TIN) technology; dynamic data limits. (†)

• volume data structures (e.g. stratigraphic, lithologic or excavation volumes); maximum 32 characteristic values and 15000 volume elements per volume model; 2000 boundary points (x3 boundaries) per volume element. (†)

• grid data structures (e.g. spatial variations of project variables); maximum 200x500x200 grid cells per grid; 32 characteristic values and 100 geology-controlled variable or function values per grid cell. (†)

• (†) number of data structures limited by available disk storage space and memory.

All data structures have unique 3D geometries and data associations, and user-defined identities. Hole and map data structures provide vehicles for managing information from all site investigation sources. Surface and volume data structures are vehicles for interpreting and predicting structural and stratigraphic conditions .... and for representing geo-engineering design information. Grid data structures are vehicles for predicting a continuous measure of the spatial variation of a project variable. A key feature of the technology is the spatial integration of vector and voxel-based information .... this facilitates modeling, analysis and visualization of complex subsurface conditions.

Data Management Functionality

user-defined project characteristics and variables. 3D data structures designed for geoscience information sources and requirements. 10 character data identities. interactive data list selection. wild-card selection on most data structures. data structure integration with 3D Geological Modeling (see Technical Sheet # 2). Data structure integration with 3D Geostatistics (see Technical Sheet # 3), and Geo-Engineering Design (see Technical Sheet # 4) ASCII format report generation. ASCII format import/export for all data structures. 3D DXF format import/export of map data structures. HPGL format export of plot files.

Definition of the project characteristics and variables of interest at the start of a project provides complete flexibility in application. Data types may be redefined and reformatted at any stage of a project. All data identities are user-specified and may be retrieved using wild-card conventions or point-and-click data selection. Efficient organization of large volumes of information is crucial to successful characterization of the subsurface. Comprehensive input/output capabilities ensure integration of the LYNX System with client operations and characterization objectives. The ASCII and DXF file import/export capabilities facilitate system-interfacing with client-site source and target technologies (see Technical Sheet # 7).

Interactive Graphics Functionality

• zoom, pan, scale, refresh and extents functionality.
• point-and-click selection, definition and editing of graphical entities.
• snap-to point/line functionality for graphical entities.
• screen-form control of viewplane settings and displayed information.
• session facility for retention of viewplane settings and display parameters.

All applications functionality is fully integrated with the LYNX graphics user interface (X.Windows / OSF Motif Standard). LYNX provides 2D/3D visualization of all data structures in a wide variety of formats. Point-and-click operation of the interface and efficient use of the session facility minimize the user learning curve for complex modeling operations.