Modelling spatial distribution of geometric objects in a discontinuous environment e.g. geological faults

摘要

In a method for modelling, in particular, the fault configuration of a subsoil zone having a base network made up of major faults detected by exploration of the zone, minor faults not detected during the exploration, corresponding to a same type of tectonic event, are positioned in this network. The base network is analysed to determine its fractal characteristics and minor faults are selected at random from among a set of minor faults observing a given statistical distribution. Each of these minor faults is sited by determining the fractal dimension of the base network as well as the density function defining the distribution of fault lengths, selecting a set of fault lengths using the defined distribution of lengths, and positioning each fault in the base network at random and testing the position to check that the network of faults as positioned retains a fractal nature. IMAGE