ISPRS, Vol.34, Part 2W2, “Dynamic and Multi-Dimensional GIS”, Bangkok, May 23-25, 2001 
GEOLOGICAL DATA ORGANIZATION FOR FEM BASED ON 3D GEOSCIENCE MODELING* 
Lixin WU 1 Enke HOU 1 Chunan TANG 2 
‘3S& Subsidence Engineering Institute of China Univ. Mining & Tech., Beijing, 100083, P.R. China 
Tel: 86-010-62331012, E-mail: wlx@mail.cumtb.edu.cn 
2 Mining Department of Northeast University, Shenyang, 110000, P.R. China 
E-mail: tca@mail.neu.edu.cn 
Keywords: 3D geoscience modeling, finite element method, GIS, coupling 
Abstract 
The coupling strategies of 3D geoscience modeling (3DGM), finite element method (FEM) and GIS are analyzed in the paper. The 
LYNX, FLAC-3D, FLAC-2D and 2D-RFPA are selected as example study for the coupling of 3DGM and FEM. The space division, data 
organization and data file format of them are systematical introduced. A case for coal mining influence analysis in Pingdingshan is also 
introduced for the coupling applications. 
1 INTRODUCTION 
Finite Element Method (FEM) is a widely used powerful tool for 
complicated geoscience & civil engineering analysis, and mining 
engineering is one of its most important applications. But, its 
capability is greatly restricted by its fore-treatment for space 
division and data input. Besides, the analysis results 
visualization together with the surface and underground features 
is another key issues of post-treatment of FEM. 
The problems could be solved if 3D Geoscience Modeling 
(3DGM) could provide data for or completely replace the 
fore-treatment of FEM, and GIS could supply visualization 
environment for the post-treatment of FEM. 
2 COUPLING STRATEGIES OF 3DGM, GIS AND FEM 
This paper is to introduce the strategies for the coupling of FEM 
and 3DGM. There are three strategies respectively named as 
transferred coupling, consistent coupling and seamless coupling. 
The transferred coupling is based on a specifically designed 
module, which transfers data file from 3DGM to FEM. The 
consistent coupling is based on the consistent space division 
strategy and consistent design of data model and data structure 
both for FEM and 3DGM. The seamless coupling is not only 
based on the consistent space division, data model and data 
structure, but also the calculation modules for FEM are directly 
designed as the application modules of 3DGM or the plug-in 
components of 3DGM. The frameworks of the transferred 
‘Support by NSFC (ratified No. 59804006) 
coupling and consistent coupling in consideration of GIS are 
shown in figure 1 and figure 2. 
Fig. 1 transferred coupling of 3DGM and FEM 
Fig.2 consistent coupling of 3DGM and FEM 
3 SPACE DIVISION COMPARISION BETWEEEN 3DGM 
AND FEM 
Two typical 3DGM softwares (LYNX, microLYNX), a typical 3D 
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