APPLICATION OF QUANTIFICATION THEORY TO ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

Engineering geological problems are characterized by many influence factors including both qualitative and quantitative indicators. Therefore, quantitative evaluation of engineering geological problems is extremely difficult. The quantification theory guides to quantify the quantified and qualitative data, and to build the formula for prediction and evaluation. The quantification theory provides the convenience for the analysis of engineering geological problems. This paper summarizes the application of quantification theory to engineering geological analysis including recognition, prediction, coupling analysis and correlation analysis. Recognition refers to select significant geological features in numerous factors of the geological model, makes the evaluation of its importance. The prediction means to establish a model for similar samples calculated to evaluate its possible outcomes by using the data of existing factors and results of the evaluation. The discrimination of geological factors and correlation analysis of its consequent are the analysis of positive and negative correlation of the factors by inter-model affecting. According to the problems encountered in the practical application of quantification theory, the limitations of the theory is analyzed, which are otherness between the regions,posteriori comparisons of assessment and the scientificity of indicator selection. Two approaches to solve the problems are put forward: i)the model should be created based on geological survey for the site that match the model, ii) depending on the model created by a large number of different types of samples, such as lithology, combination of structural plane, discontinuities types, etc. When applying the geological model, specific computational model should be considered to evaluate the geological problems. At last, the suitability, the evaluation methodology and development trends of quantification theory are analyzed.