Stereonet Contours

Source file: create-stereonet-contours.htm

Stereonet contours help identify discontinuity sets. Contours represent density distributions of poles and can be displayed as either wire-frames or flat shaded regions. You can customise ranges of pole distribution and assign custom colours to these ranges. Smoothing and Terzaghi weighting options are also available.

With the stereonet in view, create contours as follows:

1. On the Geotechnical tab, in the Stereonet group, click Stereonet contours.

   

2. Drag the stereonet into the Stereonet to contour field.

3. From the Data to contour drop-down, select Poles or Intersections as the base objects for contours.

4. Adjust the colour scale as required. See Modifying a colour scale for detailed instructions.

5. Select Smoothing if required, and adjust the degree of smoothing.

6. Select Terzaghi weighting if desired.

   Terzaghi weighting uses the measurement orientation to counteract sampling bias. You can apply weighting as either of the following types:

   • Select either Planar or Linear from the Type drop-down.

   • Planar gives bias to discontinuities less likely to intersect the specified plane.

   • Linear gives bias to discontinuities less likely to intersect the specified line.

   • Set the Dip angle and Dip direction (for planar type) or Plunge and Trend (for linear type).

     Tip

     For planar type, create a discontinuity object of the whole slope face with the dip and strike Query tool, then drag the discontinuity object into the dip fields of the Stereonet Contours panel.

     For linear type, create a discontinuity object of the linear feature, then drag the object into the plunge and trend fields of the Stereonet Contours panel.

   • Set the Minimum angle as the lowest angle between the measurement orientation and the discontinuity that may be used for weighting.

7. Click OK or Apply to generate contours.

The contours are saved in the <stereonet name> container.