From 2D fracture trace interpretation to 3D fracture surfaces on a 3D Digital outcrop Model: Python implementation thanks to GoPy and case studies in fractured carbonates

The characterization of fracture networks in rock masses has several applications in structural geology, reservoir characterization and geomechanics. In this contribution, we present a workflow that allows reconstructing the 3D fracture pattern on an outcrop starting from 2D fracture trace interpretation performed on a Digital Outcrop Model (DOM). For this purpose, we developed Python scripts based on the GoPy SKUA/Gocad plugin. The scripts automatically reconstruct fracture surfaces starting from fracture traces obtained from 3D DOM interpretation (Mittempergher et al., this meeting). Fracture surfaces are created from fracture traces with different methods depending on structural constraints and local morphology of the outcrop. Then structural parameters like length, height, azimuth and dip of single fractures, and cumulative properties of the fracture network like fracture intensity/density, intersections, etc., can be automatically extracted and analyzed with Python and particularly Numpy/Scipy tools, including advanced statistical libraries and plotting utilities. Our scripts are presented with examples on outcrop analogues in fractured carbonates