Application of 2D K-S tests to evaluating statistical homogeneity of rock mass

The conventional methods for evaluating the statistical homogeneity of jointed rock usually give different conclusions about the similarity of the same occurrence data under different schemes for sub-partitions of the projection. Besides, these methods are generally unsuitable for small samples. In order to solve the above problems, the 2D K-S test is proposed to determine the similarity of occurrence data. The basic principle of K-S test is firstly introduced and the detailed algorithm for applying the 2D K-S tests to determining the similarity of occurrence data is then presented. Finally, the proposed algorithm is tested and verified by case studies and is successfully applied to evaluating the statistical homogeneity of the ramp of the Beishan exploration tunnel. The proposed algorithm does not need sub-partition and has been proven to be suitable for small samples. This study may provide a new approach to the evaluation of the statistical homogeneity of jointed rock mass.