Rock Mapper Knowledge Base - Step 4: Geological & Geotechnical Mapping

Intro

Rock Mapper allows you to directly draw onto a face photograph or LiDAR scan to capture geological data. Moreover, it has a dedicated tool for Rock Mass Assessment using the Q System (after Barton et al. 1974).

👉 Geological Mapping

Tap onto the annotation layer to select it (Contacts, Structures, POI or Scribbles) & then draw onto the face photograph or LiDAR scan (to set up mapping layers, please read this article). For georeferenced face photographs and LiDAR scans, 3D coordinates for all drawn lines & points are automatically computed in the background and stored in the [FaceID]_mapping.csv / dxf and [FaceID]_mapping_3D.csv / dxf file.

In order to record structural measurements use the dedicated Structural Measurement Tool by tapping the strike-dip icon in the upper right. To configure structural measurements and set the convention (such as dip/dip dir OR dip/strike), go to Settings > Mapping > Structures (more details here).

ℹ️ Use the slider to change Dip and Dip Dir values or directly enter the them into the text field.

On page 2 of the Structural Measurement window you can find Structure Attributes. They are freely configurable in the settings (see details here). To get to page 2 either swipe left within the window or tap the two points at the bottom of the Structural Measurement window.

ℹ️ Everything you draw in Rock Mapper by hand will be stored in a digital file.

👉 Geotechnical Mapping / Rock Mass Assessment

Rock Mapper has a dedicated tool for Geotechnical Assessments based on the Q System (Barton et al 1974). It can be accessed via the Q button in the lower right corner on the Mapping page. For more details about the Q system, please download the freely available Q System Handbook from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institut (NGI).

Rock Mapper allows to configure individual Rock Mass Zones. For each Rock Mass Zone, a Q value is automatically calculated based on the selected values for RQD, JR, Jw, Jn, Ja and SRF which are presented to the user in pre-configured lists.