Estimation of joint length distribution using window sampling

One of the most difficult procedures in statistical joint modeling is the d etermination of the joint length distribution. In this study, a window samp ling method was adopted to estimate the trace length distribution for the P oisson disc joint model. Four kinds of equations were derived for estimatin g the trace length distribution from contained or dissecting trace length d istributions in a rectangular or circular window. The equations were tested for accuracy through Monte Carlo simulation and their efficiencies for est imating the trace length distribution were compared. This new technique usi ng window sampling was compared with the method using a semi-trace or compl ete trace length distribution from scanline sampling. A numerical technique for determining the diameter distribution from the trace length distributi on was also suggested. To check the validity of this numerical method, it w as applied to solving foul example cases and their results were compared wi th theoretical solutions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.