Physical Modeling of Shallow Karst Systems Using Additive Manufacturing Techniques: Applications in Drilling Hazard Evaluation and Prevention

Abstract Karstification is a widespread phenomenon in the arid environment of the Arabian Peninsula, posing significant risks to drilling operations due to its unpredictable nature. As a result, identifying karst features through geophysical methods is essential to mitigate potential hazards. Numerical modeling has been employed to test ideas, but it often oversimplifies or neglects crucial phenomena such as visco-elasticity and attenuation, limiting its accuracy. To address this limitation, physical modeling can bridge the gap by simulating real-world complexities. This paper presents a novel approach to constructing realistic physical models that mimic the characteristics of shallow karsts, and provides an overview of the laboratory setup designed to validate methods for identifying these features.