Import Joint Properties from Dips

If the SWedge Analysis Type = Deterministic, you can import individual plane orientations from a Dips file and assign the orientation.

If you are performing a Combination Analysis with SWedge, the Joint orientations can be imported from a Dips file. This allows you to quickly import all joint orientations from a Dips file into SWedge.

You may import a single set of joint data or multiple sets:

• If a single set of joint data is defined, then it is assumed that all joints have the same strength properties. All possible combinations of two joints within the single joint set will be analyzed.
• If two sets of joint data are defined, then you may define different strength properties for each set. All possible combinations of two joints, using one joint from each set, will be analyzed.
• If you are using the Basal Joint option, then you can also import a third joint set.

To import joint orientations from a Dips file for an SWedge Combination analysis:

1. Select Input Data and select the Joints tab.
2. If you will be defining two (or three) joint sets, select the Use Joint Sets check box. If you are defining a single joint set then do not select this check box.
3. Select the Import from Dips button.
4. You will see an Open file dialog. Navigate to the desired folder and open the desired Dips file. You may choose from:
• Dips *.dip files (created by Dips version 5)
• Dips *.dips6 files (created by Dips version 6)
• Dips *.dips7 files (created by Dips version 7)
• Dips *.dips8 files (created by Dips version 8)
*.dip and *.dips6, *.dips7, *.dips8 are the main data files created by Dips version 5 and Dips version 6 (and later) respectively.
5. You will see the Dips Data Import Options dialog. Select the desired data import options (see below for details), and select OK. The orientation data will be imported into SWedge and will appear in the spreadsheet area in the dialog.
At least one plane and/or joint set must be defined in Dips.
6. Define the strength properties for the joint set. You can choose Mohr-Coulomb, Barton-Bandis or Power Curve models. All joints in the joint set will be assigned these strength properties.
7. If you are importing additional joint sets, then select Joint Set 2 or Basal Joint Set from the combo box at the top of the dialog. Repeat steps 3 to 6 to import the joint orientations and define the strength for Joint Set 2 or the Basal Joint Set.
8. When you are finished defining the joint data, select OK or Apply to run the Combination analysis.

Dips Data Import Options

The Dips Data Import Options (see step 5 above) are described below.

DATA TO IMPORT

• To import all planes from a Dips file (.dip or .dips6, .dips7, .dips8) select the Individual Planes from Dips File option.

• To import planes from a Dips .dwp or .dipsvs file select the User Planes and Sets option.

• To simultaneously import planes from a Dips file (.dip or .dips6 and later) and the corresponding .dwp or .dipsvs file, select the Both option.

WEIGHTED OR UNWEIGHTED VALUES

The Weighted or Unweighted options will ONLY be available if you are importing a .dwp or .dipsvs file (see above). The weighting refers to the Terzaghi weighting which can be used to account for bias correction in joint orientation measurements (see the Dips documentation for information about bias correction weighting).

• If the Weighted option is selected, then only the Weighted mean orientations will be imported from the .dwp or .dipsvs file.
• If the Unweighted option is selected, then only the Unweighted mean orientations will be imported from the .dwp or .dipsvs file.

If you are only importing a .dip or .dips6 file, the Weighted / Unweighted options are not applicable and will NOT be available.

REPLACE OR APPEND

If the Replace option is selected, then any existing data in the spreadsheet (e.g. the default data) will be automatically deleted before the Dips data is imported.

If the Append option is selected, then any existing data in the spreadsheet will be preserved, and the new data will be appended after the last existing row of data in the spreadsheet.

QUANTITY COLUMN

If your Dips file includes a Quantity Column, then you can automatically add duplicate planes to the imported file, according to the quantity value for each plane in the original Dips file. See the Dips documentation for information about the Quantity Column.

Import of Dips Files

Most Dips files can be imported directly into SWedge. However, there is an important exception:

• If your Dips file (*.dip or *.dips6 and later) contains raw (unprocessed) Oriented Core (Borehole) data, then the file CANNOT be imported directly into SWedge.
• However, in all cases, it is possible to import a Dips file, if you simply use the Process Data option in Dips, to save the file in a processed format. SWedge will then be able to read the processed file without any problem.
• In general, if you are having a problem importing a Dips file into SWedge, try using the Process Data option in Dips to save the file in a processed format.

For information about the Process Data option in Dips, see the Dips documentation.