Study on automatic lithology identification based on convolutional neural network and deep transfer learning

Abstract Automatic and fast rock classification identification is an important part of geotechnical intelligent survey system. Image based supervised deep learning analysis, especially for convolutional neural networks (CNN), has potential in optimizing lithologic classification and interpretation using borehole core images. However, the accuracy and efficiency of lithology identification models are low at present. In this work, a systematic and enormous rock data framework based on the geological rock classification system is firstly established to provide rock learning datasets. The dataset is composed of approximately 150,000 images of rock samples, which covers igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks. Secondly, based on CNN-deep transfer learning algorithm, an end-to-end, image-to-label rock lithology identification is established. Finally, the generalization of the proposed model and the field drilling core verification test show that the constructed intelligent rock recognition model has an ability to identify rocks quickly and accurately, and the recognition accuracy of 12 kinds of common engineering rocks is more than 95%. The proposed rock intelligent classification model provides a convenient and fast tool for field geologists and scientific researchers.