LiDAR-based 3D litho-stratigraphic models calibrated with limited boreholes

• DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107461
• Publication Date: 2024-02-29T16:19:07Z
• Authors: Chih-Hsiang Yeh; Yu-Chen Lu; Sara Khoshnevisan; C. Hsein Juang; Yong-Ming Tien; Jia-Jyun Dong

An accurate and reliable 3D engineering geological model (expressed herein as a litho-stratigraphic model) is essential for designing slopes, underground structures, tunnels to reduce the risk of failure. Due budget constraints, subsurface investigations with traditional methods (e.g., boreholes geophysical prospecting) are often limited in quantity. Insufficient investigation leads inadequate data that can degrade reliability developed models. To this end, LiDAR, which collect topographic more efficiently economically, may complement developing However, task integrating LiDAR create models applications challenging. This paper proposes methodology combines LiDAR-derived (Type I herein) borehole II develop realistic demonstrate methodology, we took 1.2 km × area sedimentary rocks northern Taiwan study area. Under assumption strata parallel, first fitted Type surface regression (a polynomial mathematical model). Then, incorporated into regressive process desired model. Comparing former (based on data) latter + through Root-Mean-Squared-Error (RMSE) analysis, it was found RMSE decreased significantly, indicating decrease error between 'ground truth.' verify finding, compared newly 'known' cross-section Qidu Tunnel constructed nearby. The results indicated distribution primary sandstone uncovered from previous project those projected by highly consistent. Thus, demonstrates combined few has potential models, providing an effective solution obtaining information at scale boreholes. Finally, proposed modeling approach further demonstrated two hypothetical application cases.