PUB02-01 - SOCON Sonar Control Kavernenvermessung GmbH

A. REITZE, H. VON TRYLLER : PC-based 3D-Visualisation of Cavern Fields Page 1 of 10 

Solution Mining Research Institute, Fall 2001 Technical Meeting 

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, October 7-10 

PC-based 3D-Visualisation of Cavern Fields 

Andreas Reitze, Hartmut von Tryller 

SOCON Sonar Control Kavernenvermessung GmbH 

Schachtstr. 3b, 31180 Giesen, Germany 

Abstract 

The advent of ever more powerful personal computers has made it possible for such 

hardware to run applications that until just a few years ago were restricted to the 

realm of workstations and mainframe computers. Nowadays PCs running suitable 

software can be used to display entire cavern fields in a general 3D model depicting 

not only the cavern geometry but also the geology, the course of the wells and the 

Earth's surface. 

Here a practical example is used to show how 3D models of cavern fields can be 

efficiently generated by applying software optimized for this job. Such models are 

suitable not only for presentation purposes but also, for example, for correlating 

survey results with the geology or for supporting planning work. 

All the data and information needed for a 3D model are acquired via CavMap, the 

central program within the CavInfo software suite. Based on the acquired data, 

modeling is performed automatically by means of the CavWalk program, which has 

been specially developed for the 3D display of cavern fields. Finally a 3D animation 

created with CavWalk is presented. 

1. Introduction 

In the seventies and eighties caverns were predominantly displayed twodimensionally 

in the form of horizontal and vertical sections. As computers became 

more powerful, programs were developed for displaying individual caverns threedimensionally. 

The continued rapid development over the last few years in particular 

has now enabled standard personal computers to display not only individual caverns, 

but also entire cavern fields including supplementary information in a 3D model 

(Fig. 1).


1970 1980 1990 2000 

Fig. 1: Development of how a cavern can be displayed 

Just a few years ago such applications could be run only on workstations and 

mainframe computers, but nowadays PCs can be used to display entire cavern fields 

in a general 3D model depicting not only the cavern geometry but also the geology, 

the course of the wells and the Earth's surface. Besides being useful for presentation 

purposes such models prove helpful in correlating survey results with the geology or 

in various planning work. 

2. Data sources 

2.1 Subsurface data 

In addition to the void geometry of an individual cavern (Fig. 1), a cavern operator 

must nowadays collect, analyze, manage and if necessary suitably display a wide 

range of further data and information about a cavern or cavern field. Without the use 

of suitable software it would be virtually impossible to manage this mass of data. The 

information originating from the subsurface includes in particular geological data, well 

data and data about the cavern formed.


2.1.1 Geology 

Prior to constructing a cavern geological data are acquired during the investigation of 

the salt deposit. Besides the results of any seismic surveys that may have been 

carried out, the geological data normally originates from selective sources such as 

well coring and logs. In the first place geological data support the simulation and 

control of the leaching process, but the data are also needed so that they can be 

displayed along with the recorded cavern geometry (Fig. 2). Only then it is possible to 

better analyze and explain any irregularities in the cavern contours. Up to now 

geological information was visualized predominantly two-dimensionally. 

Tertiary 

Caprock 

Salt 

Fig 2: 2D display of geological data using CavMap, 

left: geological well profile, 

top right: geological section obtained from well profiles, 

bottom right: map showing interpreted geology


2.1.2 Wells and caverns 

In addition to the geological information gained from a well, it is important to know the 

subsurface course that a well takes. The precise course of a well obtained from a 

deviation survey is essential for determining the proper location of a cavern within a 

cavern field. It is possible to accurately determine pillar thicknesses and the shortest 

distances between adjacent caverns only if the cavity survey is precisely referred to 

the position of the reference point within the casing – normally this is the deepest 

cemented casing shoe. 

Important for visualizing the cavern situation are not only the pure geometrical data 

from wells and caverns but also a wide range of data that are acquired when creating 

the cavern as well as during the subsequent storage operation. This includes data on 

well completion, interfaces and amount of fill. 

Well 

course 

Position of hanging strings and 

interfaces 

Shortest 

distance 

Fig. 3: 2D displays of well and cavern data 

bottom left: well course in plan view 

top left: well course in vertical view 

right: vertical section between adjacent caverns


2.2 Surface data 

The subsurface details and data necessary for operating caverns must be 

supplemented by considering the situation at the surface. In the past these data were 

acquired and used mainly for internal company use – for example for planning 

operating facilities – but during recent years the relevance of surface information has 

become increasingly important for official purposes and for informing the public. 

Of particular significance with respect to cavern operations is the information about 

the surface pipelines and services network which connects the individual caverns 

with the operating facilities. So as to be able to show the services network in the 

correct location with regard to existing surface conditions, it is necessary to 

superimpose the topography (Fig. 4). This can be done by including official maps or 

aerial photographs. 

As all cavern operations eventually lead to surface subsidence, visualization of the 

surface changes in relation to the positions of the caverns can be useful. 

Fig. 4: 2D display of surface data 

top: aerial photograph, left: subsidence contours, right: services network map


3. 3D visualization of a cavern field 

3.1 Data acquisition with CavMap 

All the surface and subsurface data sources and information described above that 

need to be considered in 3D modeling must first of all be properly recorded and 

managed so that on the one hand visualization can be effected with a reasonable 

amount of manpower and on the other hand all the data can be displayed in a 

mutually logical and correct arrangement. CavMap, the key program in the CavInfo 

software suite [2,3], has been specifically developed for acquiring these data. 

CavMap enables several caverns to be displayed at the same time as a cavern field. 

CavMap is also an ideal company information system for cavern operations due to its 

internal database for storing operating data, its tailor-made cavern operation 

functions as well as its open architecture. This program has already been presented 

in detail [1]. 

Fig. 5: Maximum radii plot of caverns together with an aerial photograph of the 

surface in CavMap


3.2 Visualization with CavWalk 

3D modeling is effected with the CavWalk program based on the data acquired with 

CavMap. CavWalk is a component of the CavInfo software suite, and has been 

specially developed for the 3D display of cavern fields. The user has only to select a 

cavern field or part of a field in CavMap and then start CavWalk. When this is done 

all the data available to CavMap – from the cavern geometry and the casing levels to 

the geology and the surface situation – are automatically transferred to a 3D model 

and displayed with CavWalk. 

Fig. 6: 3D model of a cavern field in CavWalk 

In automatic modeling first of all each of the most recent sonar surveys of all caverns 

is transferred, considering the coordinates of their reference points, to a uniform 

three-dimensional coordinate system. 3D visualization of the caverns together with 

the course of the wells are presented within a cube, which has a map or picture of 

the Earth's surface on the top and geological sections on the sides.


From the geological information, which is usually available only for specific points, the 

relevant geological interfaces are calculated automatically from the existing data 

during modeling. The interfaces in the model shown in Fig. 6 are the bottom of the 

Quarternary as well as the top and bottom of the salt deposit. These surfaces can be 

displayed either as solid surfaces or as a grid. 

Geological sections can also run directly through a cavern field (Fig. 7) or directly 

through a cavern. In this case the lateral limits can be completed by coordinate grids 

and the floor by a plan view of the maximum radii. 

Fig. 7: 3D model of a cavern field in CavWalk


CavWalk now allows the user to make a virtual tour of the 3D model of the cavern 

field that has been generated. Using the mouse as his means of control the user can 

move anywhere outside and inside the model. In this way the user can view, for 

example, the inside of caverns (Fig. 8) as well as the Earth's surface above the 

caverns (Fig. 9), as would normally be seen only from the air. 3D animations can be 

generated from the model, saved and then played back as films using CavMovie. 

Figs 8 and 9 show four scenes of such a 3D animation that have been created from 

the 3D model shown in Fig. 6. 

Fig. 8: Scenes of a 3D animation created with CavWalk 

An excellent spatial presentation quality can be experienced with CavWalk provided 

the user has a computer with a suitable graphic card and wears the appropriate 3D 

glasses with LCD shutter technology. Images and animations then appear on 

conventional PC screens with an impressive three-dimensional depth, which is 

comparable only with that of holographic images.


Fig. 9: Scenes of a 3D animation created with CavWalk 

4. Bibliography 

[1] REITZE A., VON TRYLLER H.: Mapping of cavity fields using the CavMap 

program - an information system for cavity operators, SMRI Spring meeting, 

April 19-22, 1998, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. (1998). 

[2] REITZE A., VON TRYLLER H.: Einsatz der CavInfo Software Suite zur 

Darstellung und Analyse von Kavernenvermessungen, Logs sowie 

Kavernenfeldern, DGMK Report 2000-2, Spring meeting, April 27-28, 2000 in 

Celle, pp. 489-497. 

[3] REITZE A., VON TRYLLER H.: Correlation of cavern survey data with geological 

and log data, 8 th World Salt Symposium (SALT 2000)- Volume 1, 

Amsterdam, Lausanne, New York, Oxford, Shannon, Singapore, Tokyo; 

Elsevier Science b.v.:2000, pp. 313-317.

PUB02-01 - SOCON Sonar Control Kavernenvermessung GmbH

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