Rockworks

First developed in 1985 by RockWare Inc, RockWorks is used by the mining, petroleum, and environmental industry for subsurface visualization, borehole database management as well as the creation of grids, solid models, calculating volumetric analysis, etc.

RockWorks background

Computer modeling in RockWorks provides a means for tailoring a mine, environmental, petroleum, etc. plan based on the end-user specifications. The basic strategy involves the creation of a borehole database that includes analytical results for various physical and chemical properties as a function of depth. Once the database has been created, visualizations such as cross-sections, fence diagrams, and block diagrams are generated to check the validity and geological reasonability of the modeling. The next steps can involve the calculation of volumetrics and optimal pit-designs for example, in mining, based on a series of user-defined parameters.

The foundation of these analyses involve the creation of imaginary block models in which a site is subdivided into a series of three-dimensional cells called a voxel (volumetric element). Values are estimated for these voxels based on their proximity relative to downhole data. For example, a clay deposit may involve the creation of separate models representing shrinkage, brightness, and slip. These models are then filtered and combined into a final model that shows where all of the parameters (models) meet a set of user-defined criteria. The net result is high-grade, or “surgical” mining in which the quarry is designed to maximize profitability rather than simply mining the entire lease and relying on the sorting/milling process to separate the ore and the non-ore.

A healthy level of skepticism must be employed when using computer software to compute resource volumetrics. The algorithms or methods used to create the volumetric models have limitations that may be acceptable for one type of deposit while being completely inappropriate for another. For example, a sand and gravel deposit requires an approach that is completely different from the methods used to evaluate a phosphate reserve. The best way to avoid misuse is to always compare “slices” through the models with borehole logs that show the original data. These cross-sections are used to make sure that the model “honors” the data. Just as importantly, cross-sections should be evaluated to make sure that the modeling conforms to the expected geology.

The raw dataset that are used for industrial mineral deposit modeling can be classified into two major types: borehole and non-borehole data. The management of borehole data is very different from non-borehole data. Specifically, borehole data requires a relational database management system (e.g. Access, FileMaker, SQL, Oracle,) whereas non-borehole data (with the exception of land ownership) can be handled with simple “flat” file managers (e.g. Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3).

Modeling

“Modeling” refers to the process of creating a spatial array of estimations. The parameter that is being estimated may be the thickness of the ore, the grade of the ore, or some other property that is useful for the evaluation of the resource. These arrays may be two or three-dimensional depending upon the number of independent variables. In a two-dimensional array (also referred to as a “grid model”), the dependent variable (z) is a function of the horizontal (x,y) coordinates. In a three-dimensional array (also referred to as a solid or block model), the dependent variable (g) is a function of the horizontal (x,y) and vertical coordinates (z). Grids are used to model topography, stratigraphic contacts, isopachs, and water levels, while solids are used to model geochemistry, ore grades, and geotechnical properties.

The key difference between grid models and block models is that a gridded surface (e.g. a stratigraphic contact) cannot fold or wrap under itself whereas an isosurface within a block model can. Stated differently, when dealing with grids, there can only be one z-value for any given xy coordinate. On the other hand, when dealing with block models, there can only be one g-value for any given xyz coordinate. Another major difference is that gridding is computationally fast while block modeling can be very slow.

Two-Dimensional Modeling (Gridding)

Consider the evaluation of a clay deposit in which the only important parameter is the thickness of the clay (i.e. the clay grade is homogeneous or “anisotropic”). Variations in the clay thickness encountered within nine boreholes are depicted by Figure 1.

The first step in the modeling process is to superimpose an imaginary grid (Figure 2) over the project area. This grid defines the resolution of the subsequent model in a manner analogous to pixels (picture elements) within a digital image. Specifically, as the pixels become smaller, smaller features are resolved at the expense of computer memory and speed. A general guideline for dimensioning the grid is to set the cell dimensions equal to the average minimum distance between the control points (e.g. boreholes).

Once a grid has been established, the clay thicknesses at the center of each grid node are estimated. These estimations are based on a weighted average of the values associated with the surrounding control points (Figure 3). A variety of interpolation methods or “algorithms” are available for performing these estimations. A popular and simple technique called inverse distance weighting (IDW) varies the influence of surrounding points based on the inverse of the distance between the control point and the interpolated point. Another technique, called Kriging varies the influence of surrounding points based on a statistical analysis of their relative distance and direction.

Grid models are commonly used to produce color-coded contour maps by averaging the regions between cells (Figure 4). In fact, most computer contouring uses gridding as a preliminary, behind-the-scenes, step towards producing contours. There are, however, many more things that can be done with grids, including volumetrics.

Three-Dimensional Block Modeling

Block modeling (Figure 1) is simply the three-dimensional version of gridding. The original data points typically consist of quantitative downhole data (e.g. geochemistry, ore grades, physical properties, etc.).

Software Versions

RockWare will discontinue their technical support and unlocking for any version prior to RockWorks15 after 12/31/2015.

RockWorks is currently on version 17 which was released on October 19, 2015. As of November 10, 2016, there have been 752 updates to the software since its development [1] RockWorks17 is the first 64bit version of the software. This new version also moves away from an MS Access database format to a native SQLite database format as well as the capability to utilize other database engines and Enterprise Database products.

The software is designed to analyze and visualize interval and point data such as stratigraphy, lithology, quantitative data, color intervals, fracture data and hydrology and aquifer data. The software is extensively used in the Geotechnical, Environmental, Mining, and Petroleum industries.

Some of the functions of the software include:

   ·Point Maps
   ·Line Maps
   ·Polygon Maps
   ·Image Stacking
   ·Flyovers
   ·Cell Maps
   ·Survey Maps
   · Contour Maps
   · Claim Maps and Lease Maps
   · Location Maps
   · Polygon Maps
   · Isopach Maps
   · Strike and Dip Maps
   ·Litohology
   ·Stratigraphy
   ·Interval and Point data (e.g. interpolated plume concentration based on sample data)
   ·Fence Diagrams
   ·Statistics reports
   ·Variography
   ·Volumetrics (for any interpolated solid)
   ·Unit Conversions and Calculation Tools
   ·Stereonets and Stereonet Maps
   ·Rose Diagrams
   ·Beta Intersections
   ·Fault Interpretation Modeling
   ·3D Faulting for Grid and Solid Modeling
   ·Piper Diagrams
   ·Stiff Diagrams and Stiff Diagram Maps
   ·Durov Diagrams
   ·Ion Balance
   ·Flow Line Interpretation 
   ·Hydrographs

The software comes in 3 Levels of capability after download for a limited time, but even after the trial period is over it still serves as a reader of all the file types and has the Earth Apps capability which allows output of files to Google Earth via creation of .klm files. Licensing of the software can be standalone computer license or network licensing. [2] Software purchased from the company comes with a 30 minutes of phone support and email support from actual in-house geologists (not outsourced tech support) as long as your software is the current or previous version.

License Level: Reader Basic Standard Advanced
Single License Price: (as of 3/2/2015)[2] Free $1,500 $3,000 $5,000
or Annual Rental: Free $650 $1,300 $2,200
EarthApps X X X X
RockPlot2D X X X X
RockPlot3D X X X X
ReportWorks X X X X
Utilities - X X X
Logs & Sections - - X X
Borehole-Based Modeling - - X X
RockWare GIS Link * - - - X

Revision History

Version: RockWorks RockWorks RockWorks RockWorks RockWorks RockWorks RockWorks
2002(discontinued) 2004(discontinued) 2006(discontinued) 14(discontinued) 15 16 17
Release Date 8/27/2001 4/6/2004 3/31/2006 3/31/2008 9/1/2009 7/1/2013 10/19/2015
Quarter Start End Items Items Items Items Items Items Items
4 10/1/2015 12/31/2015
3 7/1/2015 9/30/2015 174
2 4/1/2015 6/30/2015 56
1 1/1/2016 3/31/2016 278
4 10/1/2015 12/31/2015 156
3 7/1/2015 9/30/2015 46 10
2 4/1/2015 6/30/2015 23 63
1 1/1/2015 3/31/2015 69 15
4 10/1/2014 12/31/2014 70 Development
3 7/1/2014 9/30/2014 146
2 4/1/2014 6/30/2014 87
1 1/1/2014 3/31/2014 99
4 10/1/2013 12/31/2013 152
3 7/1/2013 9/30/2013 290
2 4/1/2013 6/30/2013 2 Development
1 1/1/2013 3/31/2013 4
4 10/1/2012 12/31/2012 10
3 7/1/2012 9/30/2012 3
2 4/1/2012 6/30/2012 7
1 1/1/2012 3/31/2012 1
4 10/1/2011 12/31/2011 3
3 7/1/2011 9/30/2011 15
2 4/1/2011 6/30/2011 11
1 1/1/2011 3/31/2011 75
4 10/1/2010 12/31/2010 63
3 7/1/2010 9/30/2010 70
2 4/1/2010 6/30/2010 85
1 1/1/2010 3/31/2010 102
4 10/1/2009 12/31/2009 80
3 7/1/2009 9/30/2009 134
2 4/1/2009 6/30/2009 72
1 1/1/2009 3/31/2009 39
4 10/1/2008 12/31/2008 48 143
3 7/1/2008 9/30/2008 112 Development
2 4/1/2008 6/30/2008 159
1 1/1/2008 3/31/2008 72 74
4 10/1/2007 12/31/2007 123 Development
3 7/1/2007 9/30/2007 76
2 4/1/2007 6/30/2007 71
1 1/1/2007 3/31/2007 124
4 10/1/2006 12/31/2006 78
3 7/1/2006 9/30/2006 98
2 4/1/2006 6/30/2006 137
1 1/1/2006 3/31/2006 2 171
4 10/1/2005 12/31/2005 11 Development
3 7/1/2005 9/30/2005 15
2 4/1/2005 6/30/2005 65
1 1/1/2005 3/31/2005 52
4 10/1/2004 12/31/2004 75
3 7/1/2004 9/30/2004 95
2 4/1/2004 6/30/2004 115
1 1/1/2004 3/31/2004 223
4 10/1/2003 12/31/2003 172
3 7/1/2003 9/30/2003 23
2 4/1/2003 6/30/2003 41 Development
1 1/1/2003 3/31/2003 52
4 10/1/2002 12/31/2002 40
3 7/1/2002 9/30/2002 61
2 4/1/2002 6/30/2002 42
1 1/1/2002 3/31/2002 149
4 10/1/2001 12/31/2001 114
3 7/1/2001 09/31/01 169
2 4/1/2001 6/30/2001 95
1 1/1/2001 3/31/2001 81
Total: 950 844 848 950 393 919 982 752
Average: 35/month 28/month 28/month 35/month 33/month 16/month 47/month 20/month

For information about specific current version fixes: https://www.rockware.com/rockworks/revisions/current_revisions.htm [3]

Notes

  1. ↑ https://www.rockware.com/rockworks/revisions/index.html
  2. 1 2 https://www.rockware.com/product/overview.php?id=165
  3. ↑ https://www.rockware.com/rockworks/revisions/index.html

References

RockWare, 2007, RockWorks/2006: Integrated geological data management, analysis, and visualization: http://www.rockware.com, accessed on March 12, 2007.

Software Review, RockWorks 2006, Clint Carney, Nebraska Public Power District and Colorado School of Mines, Southwest Hydrology March/April 2007. http://www.swhydro.arizona.edu/archive/V6_N2/dept-softwarereview.pdf

F. Trabelsi, j. Tarhouni, A. Ben Mammou, and G. Ranieri, 2011. Environ Earth Sci. Special Issue, October 21, 2011. Springer. "GIS-based subsurface databases and 3-D geological modeling as a tool for the set up of hydrogeological framework:Nabeul–Hammamet coastal aquifer case study (Northeast Tunisia)" http://www.academia.edu/2415396/GIS-based_subsurface_databases_and_3-D_geological_modeling_as_a_tool_for_the_set_up_of_hydrogeological_framework_Nabeul_Hammamet_coastal_aquifer_case_study_Northeast_Tunisia_ accessed on March 3, 2015.

External links

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