Semi-automatic calculation of joint trace length from digital images based on deep learning and data structuring techniques

A new semi-automated method is proposed in this study that detects joint traces from digital images and calculates the length distribution through three-dimensional data structuring. The method comprises detecting the pixels corresponding to the joint trace in digital images and calculating the length distribution through three-dimensional data structuring of the pixels detected as the joint trace. Semantic segmentation based on deep learning techniques is applied to the detection of joint trace pixels to overcome the limitations of rule-based image processing techniques. For training a deep learning network, various rock joint images were sampled and labeled, following which the data sets for training, validation, and testing were prepared through classification and augmentation. Using the prepared datasets, the performance of the classifiers based on widely used semantic segmentation networks, namely U-Net (University of Freiburg, Germany) network and DeepLabV3+ (Google, USA) network, was compared. The classifier based on the DeepLabV3+ network was ultimately selected and applied. The trained classifier successfully detected pixels corresponding to the joint trace in images of both flat and uneven rock surfaces, indicating that the deep learning technique could be applied effectively to joint trace detection from digital images. Further, a data structuring technique is proposed to calculate the joint trace length using pixelwise data detected through the trained classifier. This technique uses point cloud data obtained by photogrammetry, and comprises two-dimensional thinning and segmentation, three-dimensional projection, segmentation, and segment linking. The entire proposed method, from detecting the joint trace pixels to three-dimensional data structuring, was verified by applying it to both simple flat and uneven rock surface models. •New technique for joint trace detection using deep learning network is proposed.•New data structuring technique for pixelwise data is proposed.•Semi-automatic calculation of the trace length is possible using the two techniques.•Proposed techniques is verified by applying it to both flat and uneven rock surfaces.