Custom Grade and Inclined Base Plane

Terminology Explanation

• Definition: A base plane in 3D space is defined by three parameters, which are center point coordinates, grade degrees, and azimuth degrees. The center point is defined by (x,y,z), the default center point is the center point of the 2D map with the lowest elevation, which is
• Elevation: Elevation is one input field, which will define the elevation of the center point. It won’t change the X and Y of the center point.
•  Grade: Grade is the second input field. Grade is the degree angle between the base plane and the horizontal plane. If grade is 0, the base plane would be horizontal.
• Azimuth: Azimuth is the third input field. Azimuth is the degree angle between normal vector of the base plane and the true North direction on the 2D map. Grade and Azimuth together define the normal vector of the base plane.

How to use the inclined base plane feature in the Blast design and Volume calculations

Blast Design - ShotPlan Toe Plane

1. Set up toe plane when creating Shotplan:

After drawing the AB line, you can set up toe plane by entering ‘Toe Elevation’, ‘Toe Plane Grade’ and ‘Toe Plane Azimuth’ information. Click the ‘Done’ button will automatically set up your holes based on your input. If the grade is set as 0, it will generate a horizontal toe plane.

Another way to set up the toe plane is to click ‘+ select on model’. In 3D view,  you can move your mouse to select toe elevation. To rotate the toe plane, toggle on ‘Rotate Plane’ button on the top, and drag the mouse to rotate and select your desired grade and azimuth value. The updated elevation, grade and azimuth information will be displayed on the top center of the screen.

After finishing selecting, don’t forget to double click mouse to exit from 3D view, and all the updated information will be reflected on the same input filed.

2. Edit Toe Plane in Shotplan design

Not satisfied with the toe plane that you just set up?  

No worries, there is an additional place to edit toe plane before calculating burdens. Toggle on ‘Toe Plane and Sample Spacing’ button and you will see the same input fields. Edit the values in the fields will automatically change the toe elevation for every hole. OR like before, you can directly select on 3D model.

3. Now, Let’s calculate the burdens and see the result.

TURN OFF the burden visualization, it’s easy to see that toe holes are placed on the designed toe plane and toe elevation differences will be reflected in burden report as well.

Inclined Base Plane for Stockpile Volumes

Create a polygon annotation and select ‘Manual’ for volume calculation in the ‘Annotations’ tab. You will see the same input field.  The same, you can edit the base plane by directly entering the information or by selecting on the 3D model.

If you are selecting in 3D model, turn on ‘Rotate Plane’ button and drag the mouse to do rotation, move mouse (without click) to select on elevation. Don’t forget to double click to exit from 3D view.

After the selection is done, the CUT and FILL volume will be automatically calculated, and in 3D view, you will be able to see the cut (red) and fill (blue) actual geometries.