Comparative Studies Kriging, Multiquadric-Biharmonic and Other Methods for Solving Resources Problems

摘要

The multiquadric (MQ) method was discovered by Rolland L. Hardy in the late 1960s. It is a true scattered data, grid-free scheme for mapping of surfaces and volumes. It is a physically deterministic process and is related to concepts of the potential. With proper constraints it satisfies equilibrium and minimum energy conditions. The geostatistical kriging (K) method, developed by Matheron in the 1960s, is a stochastic process procedure based on the theory of regionalized variables. It is claimed to be different from classical statistics. This dissertation consists of two major research areas: a comparative study of both the MQ and K theories, and a comparative study of the application of both methods to directly or indirectly related mineral resources problem. The results of the research shows that the MQ method yields equal or better accuracy than the K method. The MQ method avoids the costly pre-processing steps which are required by the K method. The MQ variation varies with location but the K variance does not. Both methods were able to produce representations of isarithmic contours or surfaces for the variable under investigation (temperature, wind velocity, iron grade, manganese percent, simulated data, and Iowa coal thickness). However, the K method could not rigorously produce three dimensional maps for the cases in this research which involved non-simulated data. 102 refs., 58 figs. (ERA citation 14:018467)