Computing Volumes Based on Thickness Values

RockWorks | Utilities | Volumetrics | EZ-Volume

This "EZ" volume calculator is used to compute the volume for a column of thickness values in the 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. Volumes are output in the units specified under Adjustable Units at the bottom 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

• Input Columns:
  • X Column, Y Column: In these drop-down boxes along the left side of the window, 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: Here, you must 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.
• Filter Thickness Values: Insert a check in this box if to establish a filter for the thickness values to be processed. If activated, expand this item to enter the settings:
  • Minimum Thickness: Click on this item to type in 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 Thickness: Click on this item to 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.
• 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.
• Density Conversion Factor: Enter a real number value if you wish the volume units to be multiplied by a density factor to determine mass. The appropriate value to enter would depend on the density of the unit.
  ! RockWorks will convert the density units to the necessary mass volume units.
  • If you want no conversion, enter 1.

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Access the RockWorks Utilities 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 RockWorks Utilities datasheet for detailed volume computations.)
3. Select the Volume | EZ Volume 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 a text output tab.

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).

6. At this time you can:
   • Click the Copy All button to copy the volume report text to the computer's Clipboard, for pasting into another document.
   • Click the Save button to save the report as a text file.
   • Click the Print button to send a copy of the report to the default printer.
   • Click the Windows close button in the upper-right corner of the window to close this report and return to the main menu.
     
     

Back to Volumetrics Menu Summary

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