Block Model Concepts

Table of Contents

Overview

 What You'll Learn

 What is a Surpac Block Model?
 Block Model Concepts
 Open model.
 Review
 Where To Next

Overview

This section introduces the concepts and terms fundamental to the understanding of the use of the Surpac Block
Model.

What You'll Learn

What is a Surpac Block Model?

In the past, resource modelling with Surpac software has relied heavily on traditional polygonal methods of modelling.
These methods are simple to use and understand, but are extremely time consuming, particularly if you wish to
modify or change parameters used in creating a model.

The Surpac three dimensional Block Model is still very simple to use and understand, but is significantly faster in its
creation, and modelling parameters can be added and modified at any time.

The Surpac Block Model is a form of database. This means that its structure not only allows the storage and
manipulation of data, but also the retrieval of information derived from that data. It differs from a more traditional
database, in that data stored are likely to be interpolated values, rather than true measurements. Another major
difference is that these values may be spatially referenced as well as being spatially related. A third important
difference is that the Block Model is recalled in its entirety into memory which makes dynamic operations such as
colouring of attributes possible but imposes significant memory overheads.

For example, consider the Geological database. Records have spatial attributes which relate them to a spatial
position. However, the converse does not necessarily hold as spatial positions are not necessarily related to a record
in the database.

The Block Model portions space into an exhaustive set of blocks, each being related to a record. The records may be
spatially referenced, that is, information may be retrieved for any point in space, not just for points that have been
explicitly measured. This spatial referencing allows the addition of a number of operators to the querying capabilities
of the database manipulation scheme, namely spatial operators such as INSIDE and ABOVE, which may operate on
solids and surfaces. Outside and below may be built using the NOT logical i.e. NOT INSIDE or NOT ABOVE.
The Block Model comprises of a number of components:

 Model Space

The model space is a cuboid volume outside of which nothing exists in terms of the Block Model.

 Attributes

The properties of the model space that are to be modelled are termed attributes. These attributes may be nominal,
ordinal, interval or ratio measurements expressed as numeric or character data. Attributes may also be calculated
from the values in other attibute fields, for reporting and visualising.

 Constraints

Constraints are the logical combinations of spatial operators and objects that may be used to control the selection of
blocks from which information may be retrieved and/or into which interpolations may be made. Constraints may be
saved and have file extensions of .CON.

The model itself is a binary image constructed in the model space and defined by the existence or non-existence of
blocks. Model files will have file extensions of .MDL

The Block Model may be applied to any situation where properties of a volume of space are to be modelled in terms
of the distribution of values through that space.

Block Model Concepts

The following terms are used in Surpac Vision model definition:

 Origin

The origin of the model is the lower, front, left hand corner (ie. the minimum Y, X and Z coordinates) of the model
expressed in Y,X,Z Cartesian coordinates. The origin is the anchoring point from which rotations involving the Bearing,
Dip and Plunge are to be performed.

 Extent

The extent of model is the dimensions of the model in the Y, X and Z directions.

For example, if a model was to cover the following area:

3000mN to 3650mN 1500mE to 2100mE 120mEl to 270mEl

The origin will be:

Y=3000 X=1500 Z=120

and the extent of the model will be:

Y=650 X=600 Z=150

 Bearing

The bearing of the model is the horizontal angle in degrees of the direction of the major axis of the model. A bearing of
zero indicates a non-rotated model where the major axis of the model is in a north-south orientation.

 Dip
The dip of the model is the vertical angle of the blocks in degrees from the horizontal in a direction perpendicular to
the bearing of the model. A negative dip is an angle below the horizontal to the right when looking along the bearing of
the model. A dip of zero indicates horizontal blocks normal to the bearing of the model.

 Plunge.

The plunge of the model is the vertical angle of the blocks in degrees from the horizontal along the bearing of the
model. This can also be referred to as the tilt of the model. A negative plunge is an angle below the horizontal when
looking along the bearing of the model. A plunge of zero indicates horizontal blocks along the bearing of the model.

 User Block Size

The block size in the Y, X and Z directions. The user block size is used as the reporting unit for the Block Model. The
user block is also the block size upon which interpolation is performed.

The user block size will depend on the Model purpose (ie. Grade Control, Resource Calculation, Pit Optimization) with
reference to the data spacing.

For example, what block size is appropriate for a prospect drilled on a 100m x 100m pattern, which is to have a
resource estimate completed? It would not be appropriate to set this model up with a block size of 5x5x5, as the small
blocks won't give a ``better'' estimate of the resource, as the original data is widely spaced. Perhaps, 25x25x10 may
be more realistic ( ie. one-third to one-quarter of the sample spacing).

 Maximum sub-blocks per side

The maximum number of blocks along each side of the model. This number must always be 2 to the power of an
integer. ( eg 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512)

This value will need to satisfy a base resolution. For the example used previously: extents Y=650 X=600 Z=150 user
block size 25x25x10

The number of blocks along each side will be 26x24x15(extent divided by user block size). This means that the base
resolution will be 32 (the number greater than the maximum number of blocks and is 2 to the power of something). If
we wish to allow sub-blocking (the sub-dividing of blocks), the resolution will need to be greater than base resolution.

For this example: if maximum sub-blocks per side = 64 smallest sub-block = 12.5x12.5x5 if maximum sub-blocks per
side =128 smallest sub-block = 6.25x6.25x2.5

In this way we find it possible to fill a model with interpolated values calculated at a User Block Size, i.e. user block
size 25x25x10 and still constrain the data within geological envelopes that are able to be sub-blocked to smaller sizes
i.e.6.25x6.25x2.5. This becomes important when considering the size of the model and the number of calculations to
be performed to fill the model.

Objective.

To ensure you understand the terms used in setting up a Block Model, answer the following questions. (Answers may
be found in Appendix 1).
1. What base resolution (maximum sub-blocks per-side) will be needed for a model with extents of Y=1000,
X=600, and Z=200, with a user block size of 20x10x5?
2. What resolution (maximum sub-blocks per-side) will be needed for a model which has extents of Y=1500,
X=1000, Z=300 and a user block size of 20X20X10, but sub-blocking to 10x10x5 is required?
3. What will be the smallest block size for a model which has, maximum sub-blocks per side=128, extents of
Y=500, X=250, Z=100 and a user block size of 10x10x5?
In the following exercise you will view two Block Models, in order that several more Block Model concepts may be
demonstrated.
If do not have the training data installed on your computer, run the Surpac2000 setup program on the installation CD
and choose to down load the demonstration data.

This is the list of files that are necessary for the completion of this tutorial.

Objective.

To become familiar with selecting existing block models.

1. Choose the block modelling menu by right clicking with your mouse at the end of the main menu bar (to
the right of Help)
This will bring up the block modelling menu bar.
2. Select Block Model New/Open. Enter the name of the model as shown below. Leave `Load with constraints'
field at the default setting of N.

Look at the bottom right corner of the status line - you will see the block model icon and the name of the active model.
Only one model may be active at a time -this is referred to as the current model.

This model was created using the following parameters:

Extents Y=160 X=160 Z=16 User Block Size 10 x 10 x 10 Maximum sub blocks per side 16

3. Choose Model Summary from the Block model menu.

This function shows details of the block model, for display purposes only. Clearly displayed are:

 Model origin
 Model extent
 Block size
 Rotation
Also displayed is the Block Resolution, which is the minimum resolution required for this model. The Maximum
Resolution, will always be the maximum sub-blocks per side, as defined when the model was set up. In the case of
this simple model, the block resolution and the maximum resolution are the same, which indicates that there will be no
sub-blocking in this model.

The total number of blocks, is also displayed. Why does this form indicate that this model contains only 1 block?
Surely, it would be more reasonable to expect that there would be 16 x 16 x 16 = 4096 blocks? To help conserve
memory, the Block Model will minimise the number of blocks required to represent the volume of space. This is known
as Block Aggregation. In this case, as each block has no attributes or values assigned, the blocks all have the same
value, and so have been combined into one block. The Storage Efficiency indicates how successful this aggregation
process has been, where 0% would indicate no aggregation.

The final part of the form shows any attributes that have been defined. Attributes reflect the properties of interest that
are modelled. The creation of attributes will be covered later in this manual.

It is possible to display the exterior faces of this model in Graphics.

4. Choose Display Block Model from the Block Modelling menu.

5. Apply the following form.

The Block Model will be displayed in plan view. Notice how the model is centred on the screen.
6. To obtain a better view of the model, try the following:
View By Bearing (alias VB) Bearing = 45, Dip = -45 and Zoom Out (alias ZO)

Alternatively try the interactive, on-screen 3D Viewing commands, by simply positioning your mouse in the Graphics
viewport, depressing a mouse button (the left button is best to start), and moving the mouse. Turn hidden surface
removal on (alias HON).

You will see one large pink block displayed.

7. From the navigator window on the left hand side, find Model2.mdl. Select this, and drag it across into the
Graphics window. Apply the following form:

Your model is not being `destroyed', just cleared from memory. There is no need to save it, as we didn't change
anything.

Your status line will be updated to reflect the new current model. This model was created using the following
parameters:

 Extents Y=100 X=100 Z=100

 User Block Size 10 x 10 x 10
 Maximum sub blocks per side 16
8. From the Model sub-menu, choose Summary. (Located at the top of the Block Model Graphics menu).

If the model was created with extents of 100 x 100 x 100, why does the model summary indicate the extent to be 160
x 160 x 160? This is because the block resolution specified indicates that the model has sixteen blocks in the Y, X and
Z directions. Thus, Surpac increases the extents in these directions to accommodate this. However, this does not
mean that there will be blocks located where not required. Notice also that the number of blocks and storage
efficiency is different from the first model. To illustrate these principles, we'll look at the model graphically.
9. Apply or cancel the Block Model Summary form.
10. From the Display menu, choose Display Block Model.
This model is not centred on the Graphics screen, reflecting the user defined extent (100 x 100 x 100) versus the
Surpac extent (160 x 160 x 160) (model space).
11. Draw a 2-Dimensional Grid (20 metre spacing) (alias 2DG).

Notice how blocks have not been created past Y =100 X = 100 (and Z = 100)

12. To obtain a better view of the model, try the following:

View By Bearing (alias VB) Bearing = 45, Dip = -45 Zoom Out (alias ZO)

Alternatively try the interactive, on-screen 3D Viewing commands, by simply positioning your mouse in the Graphics
viewport, depressing a mouse button (the left button is best to start), and moving the mouse.

13. From the Display menu, choose View attributes for one block and click on one of the large blocks and
then on a smaller block.
You will find you have blocks of dimension 80x80x80 and 20x20x20. Why haven't blocks been aggregated into one
large 100 x 100 x 100 block given that all blocks are the same?

This is because when Surpac Vision produces a sub-block, the block size in the Y, X and Z directions is halved, ie.
from one 3-dimensional block, eight equal size 3-dimensional blocks are produced. The same principle applies when
blocks are aggregated. Thus, from a user block size of 10x10x10, blocks of dimension 20x20x20 can be produced,
and then 40x40x40, 80x80x80, 160,160,160 and so on. Following this principle it is not possible to aggregate
10x10x10 blocks into 100x100x100.Review

You should now be familiar with the concepts and terms used specifically for the Surpac2000 Block Model.

Please review this chapter or consult the Online Reference Manual if you are unclear about the definitions used in this
section.Where To Next

The next section demonstrates the steps involved in creating a Surpac2000 Block Model.