Multidimensional scaling and inverse distance weighting transform for image processing of hydrogeological structure in rock mass

SummaryA new imaging method based on the multidimensional scaling (MDS) and inverse distance weighting (IDW) transform is proposed in this study. This method aims to identify, characterize and process an image of the preferential flow path in a rock mass, which strongly governs the hydraulic behavior of this rock mass. This methodology uses pair-wise hydraulic diffusivity data from cross-hole hydraulic testing as the input data. The input data are then processed by MDS and IDW to generate a spatial distribution map of the hydraulic properties, which can be used to infer the preferential flow path in the rock mass. The reliability of this novel method was validated through numerical experiments using several continuum models with different hydrogeological structures, and the applicability of the developed method to the actual field was verified through in situ experiments.

► Pair-wise hydraulic diffusivity data from cross-hole hydraulic testing served as input in this methodology.
► Multidimensional scaling and inverse distance weighting is used for image processing of the flow path.
► Flow path is detected in vector-base manner in this methodology.
► This method does not require any kind of initial model and gives an invariably unique answer.