How to Use Smart Volume Surface Comparison

 


The Smart Volume tool triangulates a grid below the surface of a polygon feature drawn on your site. It uses this grid to estimate the base level of the area or feature and automatically calculates a volume above this base level.

Smart Volumes are useful for estimating volumes on a flat or largely even base level, such as:

  • Measuring stockpiled material in stockyards or ROM pads.
  • Measuring the volume of excavations, pits, and trenches.
  • Measuring the volume of material stockpiled on sloped ground.

How to use Smart Volume 

From the measurement toolbar, select Polygon

Select from the options in the dropdown menu. In this case, select Stockpile.

 Measurement Polygon Tool.png

Use the Magic Polygon tool or draw an outline of your stockpile.

Create A Measurement Magic Polygon Buffer.png

Draw Polygon Stockpile Example.png

Select the surface comparison you want to make. In this case, choose Smart Volume for the From or To Surface in the dropdown menus. 

Surface Comparison Smart Volume.png

The CUT Volume represents the total amount of material above the Smart Volume’s interpolated base level, while the FILL Volume represents the total amount below the  Smart Volume’s interpolated base level.  

The NET Volume represents the material required to reach the Smart Volume's interpolated base level. 

The difference between Smart Volume and Reference Level Volume

Smart Volumes 

Allow for the measurement of stockpiles on the ground that has a slope. (for example, gravel dumped on a ramp or other sloping surface). It also considers the sloped surface using polygon triangulation to interpolate the base of the stockpile from the elevation of the surrounding terrain.

Reference Level Volume

It uses a horizontal plane projected from a Reference Level and measures material stockpiled on a slope. This tool would include a slice of the terrain beneath the stockpile, as seen in the diagram below. The user can edit the elevation used for the horizontal plane.   

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