Search

This article describes the use of non-stationary covariance functions with compact support to estimate and simulate a random function. Based on the kernel convolution theory, the functions are derived by convolving hyperspheres in $$\mathbb{R}^n$$ followed by a Radon transform. The order of the Radon transform controls the differentiability of the covariance functions. By varying spatially the hyperspheres radius one defines non-stationary isotropic versions of the spherical, the cubic and the penta-spherical models. Closed-form expressions for the non-stationary covariances are derived for the isotropic spherical, cubic, and penta-spherical models. Simulation of the different non-stationary models is easily obtained by weighted average of independent standard Gaussian variates in both the isotropic and the anisotropic case. The non-stationary spherical covariance model is applied to estimate the overburden thickness over an area composed of two different geological domains. The results are compared to the estimation with a single stationary model and the estimation with two stationary models, one for each geological domain. It is shown that the non-stationary model enables a reduction of the mean square error and a more realistic transition between the two geological domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estimation of overburden sediment thickness is important in hydrogeology, geotechnics and geophysics. Usually, thickness is known precisely at a few sparse borehole data. To improve precision of estimation, one useful complementary information is the known position of outcrops. One intuitive approach is to code the outcrops as zero thickness data. A problem with this approach is that the outcrops are preferentially observed compared to other thickness information. This introduces a strong bias in the thickness estimation that kriging is not able to remove. We consider a new approach to incorporate point or surface outcrop information based on the use of a non-stationary covariance model in kriging. The non-stationary model is defined so as to restrict the distance of influence of the outcrops. Within this distance of influence, covariance parameters are assumed simple regular functions of the distance to the nearest outcrop. Outside the distance of influence of the outcrops, the thickness covariance is assumed stationary. The distance of influence is obtained thru a cross-validation. Compared to kriging based on a stationary model with or without zero thickness at outcrop locations, the non-stationary model provides more precise estimation, especially at points close to an outcrop. Moreover, the thickness map obtained with the non-stationary covariance model is more realistic since it forces the estimates to zero close to outcrops without the bias incurred when outcrops are simply treated as zero thickness in a stationary model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]