Computing Triangulation-Based Volumes from Thickness Values

RockWorks | ModOps | Volume | Triangulation Volumetrics

This volume calculator is used to compute the volume for a column of thickness values in the RockWorks 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. Volumes are output in the units specified in the Units tab at the top of the program window.

This method tends to provide lower estimates of total volume than an orthogonal grid-based calculation.

This program may also be used to compute the volume of a stockpile by simply substituting the point heights for the thicknesses.

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary

Menu Options

• Data Columns
  • Easting (X), Northing (Y): Use these drop-down boxes to select the names of the columns in the current datasheet that contain the X (Easting) and Y (Northing) location coordinates for the drill holes or sample sites.
    Be sure you define your coordinate system and units.
  • Thickness: Select the name of the data sheet column that contains the thickness values upon which the volume report will be based.
    Be sure you define your thickness units.
  • ! RockWorks will convert the input units to the necessary output volume units.
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• Titles
  • Primary Title, Secondary Title: Click on these item to type in the titles, if any, to appear at the top of the volume report that is created. You may leave these blank.
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• Density
  • Density Conversion Factor: Enter a real number value if you wish the volume units to be multiplied by a density factor to determine mass. If you want no conversion, enter 1.
  • Units: Choose the units represented by the density conversion factor.
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• Thickness Filter: Insert a check in this box if to establish a filter for the thickness values to be processed. If activated, click on this tab to enter the settings.
  • Minimum: Enter a thickness value to be the minimum included in the computations. Any thicknesses below this limit will be left out of the processing. If you want all low values included, enter "0". Example: If you have determined that it is not economic to extract coal from a seam less than 5 feet thick, you would enter "5" as the minimum thickness so that those areas are not included in your volume or tonnage totals.
  • Maximum: Type in a thickness value to be the maximum included in the computations. Any thickness values above this limit will be left out of the processing. If you want all high values included, enter a number such as "9999999".
  • Units: Specify here the units that these filter values represent.
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• Output Options
  Click this tab to define the output format(s) for the report. (More info)
  • RwDat (RockWorks): Click in this button if you want the report generated in a RockWorks datasheet (.RwDat) format.
  • CSV (Excel): Click in this button if you want the report generated in a CSV file format for use in Excel.
  • TXT (Notepad): Click in this button if you want the report generated in a text (.txt) format.
  • RTF (Word): Click in this button if you want the report generated in an RTF file format for use in Word.
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Step-by-Step Summary

1. Access the RockWorks Datasheet program tab.
2. Open into the datasheet a data file that contains (at minimum) the X and Y coordinates of the sample locations, and a column of values that represent stockpile or formation thickness. Be sure you have defined the units for these columns.
   (Click here for instructions about how to export thickness values from the Borehole Manager to the Datasheet for detailed volume computations.)
3. Select the ModOps | Volume | Triangulation Volumetrics menu option.
4. Enter the requested menu settings, described above.
5. Click the Process button to continue.

The program will compute the volume for the selected column of data values, and create a report that is displayed in the requested output format.

Stockpile Volumetrics
Pile #22-B

Volumetric Report:

Volume .............................. 36,136.0 Cubic Meters
Mass ................................ 505.904 Tonnes
Minimum Thickness ................... 0.0 Meters
Maximum Thickness ................... 1.53 Meters
Total Points Used For Calculation ... 497

Volumetric calculations performed by Delaunay Triangulation method.

Mass calculated by multiplying volume by density factor (0.014 Grams Per Cubic Centimeter).

See also

• Adding this program to your Playlist
• Adding this program to your Favorites
• Save/load/view menu settings
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Back to Volumetrics Menu Summary

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