Adjusting DEM Grids to Fit Measured Elevations

Table of Contents
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:

Importing Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) into RockWorks ........................................................................... 1

Comparing the Resampled DEM Grid to Surveyed Elevation Data .................................................................... 2
Creating a Residuals Grid .................................................................................................................................... 3
Adding the Residual Grid to the Original DEM Grid .......................................................................................... 4

Step 1: Importing Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) into RockWorks

There are a number of ways to import DEM models into RockWorks. The Grid / Import tools in
RockWorks currently supports 30 meter USGS DEMS. If you have a 10 meter DEM, or if you have a
DEM in the standard SDTS format, then you will need to use another program to convert the DEM to a
RockWorks GRD file, or a format that can be imported by RockWorks (such as a Sufer grid or an ESRI
ArcASCII grid).
In this paper, the Global Mapper program was used to convert two SDTS files to a RockWorks Grid. The
Grid was also reprojected from a UTM meters in the NAD27 projection to UTM feet NAD83.

The RockWorks grid was resampled in RockWorks using the Grid Math Resampling tool. The
original grid spacing of about 30 meters (or about 100 feet) was resampled to 1000 feet, which was the
grid spacing used for the RockWorks project. The resampled grid was named: DEM resampled.grd.

Step 2: Comparing the Resampled DEM Grid to Surveyed Elevation Data

The difference between surveyed elevations at specific boring locations the DEM elevations can be found
using the RockWorks Utilities. Create an ATD file containing the following data: Borehole ID, Easting,
Northing and Elevation. This data will serve as the input columns for the following calculations. Create
two additional columns on the spreadsheet: Modeled Elevation and Residuals.
The Grid / Statistics / Residuals tool allows the user to specify point locations and a grid file as input. It
will populate the output columns with the DEM elevation at these points, and the Residual, which is the
difference between the DEM elevations and the surveyed elevations.

In this case, the residuals range from -69 feet to 49 feet. The statistics report for the residuals (create
through the Stats / Univariate tool in RockWorks) is below.

Here is a map displayed the DEM elevations and the residuals for the surveyed points.

Step 3: Creating a Residuals Grid

Create a grid file representing the residuals displayed above through the Map / Grid-Based map menu.
Use the following interpolation options:
New Grid Name: Residuals.grd
Method/Algorithm: Closest Point
Maximum Distance Filter Cutoff Distance: 1.5%
Maximum Distance Replacement Value: User Defined: 0
You may have to experiment with the Maximum Distance Cutoff Distance. It will vary depending on
your total grid size and your grid spacing. It should be very low so that the residuals extend out only into
3

the grid cells that contain your boreholes, and those just surrounding your boreholes. The grid cells in the
rest of the model will have a value of 0.
Here is a contour map of the residuals grid:

Step 4: Adding the Residual Grid to the Original DEM Grid

You can add the Residuals.grd to the DEM resample.grd file through the Grid / Math / Grid and Grid
Math menu item. The new model is named Grid plus Residuals.grd.

Here is a map showing the new elevation grid and residuals from the original grid.