A new method of rapid test of rock mass jointing parameters

The article presents a rapid test method to determine geometrical parameters of jointing in rock masses, in particular, the angle (α) and azimuth (β) of joints. It is critical to known these parameters for solving problems in engineering geology and in mining as the orientation of joints can have an effect on mine roadway stability, fluid flows, stress–strain behavior of rock mass and efficiency of mining. Unlike expensive optical and ultrasonic televiewers, the proposed method is based on the analysis of images from inexpensive series-produced endoscopes equipped with side cameras. The method rests upon the hypothesis of planar geometry of a crack intersecting a hole, and the crack projection on the well wall development can be described by a harmonic function. Using two images of the opposite walls of the well, the slopes of the tangent lines to the line of the crack are determined at arbitrary points. Then, using trigonometric transformation, the parameters of the harmonic function are calculated and, finally, the geometrical characteristics of the crack are determined. The implementation of the method in Dip-Strike Imager, which allows automated calculation using the input images, is described. The software lets a user to set the measurement points manually and to obtain the values of the slopes. The method was tested on a physical model of a well with a preset crack. The results proved the method precision: the slope angle error was ±2° and the azimuth error was – ±3°. The article also gives details of the procedure of probe calibration using a stage micrometer. 

Nikolenko P. V., Vinnikov V. A., Gulyaev P. A. A new method of rapid test of rock mass jointing parameters. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2026;(4):5-15. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_4_0_5.

P.V. Nikolenko¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), e-mail: p.nikolenko@misis.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5126-6576,
V.A. Vinnikov¹, Dr. Sci. (Phys. Mathem.), e-mail: vinnikovva@misis.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3011-053X,
P.A. Gulyaev¹, Graduate Student, e-mail: pavelgulaev722@gmail.com,
¹ NUST MISIS, 119049, Moscow, Russia.

P.V. Nikolenko, e-mail: p.nikolenko@misis.ru.

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