Spatial indexing of geological models using linear octrees

Abstract

Recent developments in the field of solid modeling, most notably that of octree encoding, offer great potential for Computer Aided Design (CAD) applications in geological modeling. The ability of the octree encoding technique to index spatially attributable data as blocks of variable levels of resolution, enhances the manipulative properties of a geological database and reduces computational overheads. In addition, variable sized blocks are better suited to the representation of complex geological structures and boundary features, such as faults and igneous intrusions. This paper outlines the fundamentals of octree encoding and presents two algorithms, in a C programming language style pseudocode, for the compression, and performance of Boolean operations on linear octrees. © 1989.