Kriging interpolation-based RQD prediction and engineering modeling of mineral deposits: A case study

Rock Quality Designation (RQD) is an important index for assessing rock mass integrity. In this paper, the RQD of geological cores drilled from geological exploration boreholes of Qinglonggou Mine is used as the basic data to analyze spatial correlations of discrete RQD borehole data through statistical methods. The mean RQD profile method was used to test the smoothness of RQD(x). The normal score method was applied to transform the original RQD(x) data into a standard Gaussian distribution function to reduce the difference between the extremes of the original RQD(x) and to reduce the heteroskedasticity of the RQD. A semi-variogram model was established to characterize RQD(x) spatial structure in the 323-South section. Kriging interpolation method was used for RQD interpolation prediction, based on which a three-dimensional RQD model was constructed for 323-South mine section. The RQD prediction and modeling results of the 323-South section show that the spatial variability characteristics of the RQD of the 323-South section are positively correlated with the fault structure, lithology and weathering conditions.