On the GTP-Based 3D Modeling Method for Complex Geological Body

Three-dimensional (3D) modeling of geological body is an important issue of 3D GIS and 3D geosciences modeling (3DGM). Generalized tri-prism (GTP) model and its components are introduced in this paper. Based on the analysis of previous researches on 3DGM, a new approach (rock pillar body partition modeling, RPBP) for 3D modeling and visualization of complex geological body (CGD) based on GTP was proposed. Two important concepts such as rock pole body (RPB) and limit triangle are defined. The limit triangles act as "limiting" during 3DGM, the complex faults are subdivided into simple faults by construction the limit triangles of fault, and the rock characters repeated are avoided in the close parts by construction shaft limit triangles of complex folds. The modeling difficulty is hence reduced and geological knowledge is applied during the course of 3DGM. The programming test showed that the RPBP methods can accurately construct the 3D models of complex geological faults and folds.