Computing Volumes 165

Volume Tools - Overview

RockWorks offers a number of tools for computing volumes of stockpiles, of formations, and of specific material zones in solid models.

The RockWare Utilities EZ Volume tool reads X, Y, and thickness values from the datasheet and computes volume using a Delaunay triangulation method. The output is a textual report. This is often used to compute stockpile volume.

The RockWare Utilities Extract Solid reads an existing solid model (such as soil chemistry or lithology type), determines the volume of a pit that would be required to extract the portions of the solid model that fall within a specified range (e.g. contaminated soil or a selected lithotype). The output is a report that lists the pit and contaminant volumes and the stripping ratios, a 2D diagram illustrating the pit elevations, and/or a 3D diagram showing the filtered solid and the pit elevations.

The Borehole Manager’s Stratigraphy Volumetrics tool computes volumes of

stratigraphic layers at elevation intervals, displaying a report in the RockWare Utilities datasheet. This is an easy method for computing volumes of stratified material.

The Borehole Manager’s Lithology Volumetrics tool computes volumes of lithology zones at elevation intervals, displaying a report in the RockWare Utilities datasheet. This is an easy method for computing volumes of non-stratified material.

The Borehole Manager’s I-Data Volumetrics tool performs a variety of filtering operations on an existing solid model to create a detailed report and diagram of material volume (or mass). Filters include overburden (stripping ratio), zone thickness, polygon boundaries, distances from boreholes. This can be used in both mining (marketable-material volumes) and remediation (contaminated soil volumes).

RockWare Utilities: EZ Volume of X, Y, Thickness Data

The RockWare Utilities Volumetrics / EZ Volume calculator is used to compute the volume for a column of thickness values in the RockWare Utilities datasheet and list the volume in a textual report. It uses a basic approach: Volumes are computed using a Delaunay triangulation method in which the samples are connected together in a network of triangles, a sample at each vertex. The volume of each triangle is computed, based on the thicknesses used as Z-values, and then the total volume added up.

This method tends to provide lower estimates of total volume than an orthogonal grid-based calculation. Optional volume-to-mass conversion is available.

Datasheet: RockWare Utilities. This tool reads XYZ files where the Z value represents thickness. (See page 74.)

Notes:

This tool is well suited to computing simple volumes of stockpiles. Be sure the surface elevations of your stockpile are adjusted to represent thickness (subtract the base elevation from the surface elevation).

The X and Y coordinates and the Thickness values must be in the same units in order for the volume calculations to make sense! (Cubic degree-feet units aren’t very intuitive.) Therefore, if your X and Y coordinates are in decimal longitude and latitude, for example, you would need to have the program convert them to feet or meters to match your thickness units in order to get a sensible volume calculation.

The Coords menu contains a variety of coordinate conversion utilities.

If you want meaningful mass computations, be sure that the conversion factor you enter matches the volume units that the program is using! If the program will be computing volume in cubic feet but your conversion constant represents weight per cubic inch, you would need to convert the constant to weight per cubic foot before entering it here. See the help messages for details. If you want no conversion, enter 1.

Help / Contents / Working in the RockWare Utilities/ Volume Tools / Computing Volumes based on Thickness Values.

RockWare Utilities: Extracting Solids

The RockWare Utilities Volume / Extract Solid tool reads an existing solid model (such as soil chemistry or lithology type), determines the volume of a pit that would be required to extract the portions of the solid model that fall within a specified range (e.g.

contaminated soil or a selected lithotype). The output is a report that lists the pit and contaminant volumes and the stripping ratios, a 2D diagram illustrating the pit elevations, and/or a 3D diagram showing the filtered solid and the pit elevations.

This program assumes you have already created a solid model that illustrates the distribution of the desired material. This can be created using the RockWare Utilities Solid / Model tool (for XYZG data in the datasheet or external file) or using the Borehole Manager Model tools (Lithology, Stratigraphy, I-Data, P-Data menus). You may also

input solid models that have already been filtered for G value range or with a polygon filter (Solid / Boolean Ops or Solid / Filter tools).

The program also requires that you have an existing grid model of the surface elevations for the project. This will create more accurate computations and surface models.

Notes:

This extraction process offers some options regarding maximum slope, and whether benches are desired and maximum bench height.

Use the Report Captions settings to fully customize your report to your units. See the help messages for examples.

Help / Contents / Working in the RockWare Utilities/ Volume Tools / Extracting Solids.

Borehole Manager: Creating a Lithologic Volume Report

Use the Borehole Manager’s Lithology / Volumetrics tool to read an existing lithologic solid model and compute volume, mass, number of nodes, and/or percent of each rock or soil type at user-declared elevation levels. Lithology solid models can be created in the Lithology / Profile, Section, Fence, Surface Map, Plan Map and/or Model options.

Notes: If you select the Mass option, these computations are based on the Density Factors declared in the current Lithology Table which declare mass per cubic unit.

Help / Contents / Working in the Borehole Manager/ Lithology Tools / Computing Lithology Volumes.

Borehole Manager: Creating a Stratigraphic Volume Report

Use the Borehole Manager’s Stratigraphy / Volumetrics tool to read a saved

stratigraphic model and compute volume, mass, number of nodes, and/or percent of each stratigraphic type in each user-defined elevation layer. Stratigraphic solid models (.MOD) can be saved when you create a block diagram using the Stratigraphy / Model tool.

Notes: If you select the Mass option, these computations are based on the Density Factors declared in the current Stratigraphy Type Table which declare mass per cubic unit.

Help / Contents / Working in the Borehole Manager/ Stratigraphy Tools / Computing Stratigraphy Volumes.

Borehole Manager: Creating Detailed Geochemistry Volume Reports and Diagrams

The Borehole Manager’s I-Data / Volumetrics tool is designed to perform a variety of

“what-if” filtering operations and volume computing operations on an existing solid

model. The input model can represent precious metal assays, contaminant concentrations, or any measurable component for which you wish to compute volume.

This volume calculator specializes in models that are not stratified or homogeneous. You can filter the solid model for interbed thickness, material zone thickness, polygon areas, and distance from a borehole.

Output windows:

The final, filtered Boolean solid model file that represents the distribution of favorable materials can be displayed in RockPlot3D.

The final thickness or mass grid model can be displayed in RockPlot2D or 3D.

The detailed or summarized text report is displayed in a text window.

See also: RockPlot3D for display of solid model or stratigraphy volume right in the 3D window. The Solid / Statistics / Report tool for a quick report of dimensions and volume of any solid model.

Help / Contents / Working in the Borehole Manager/ I-Data Tools / Creating Detailed I-Data Volume Reports and Diagrams.