Validating a CMS Pickup in Surpac

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In GEOVIA Surpac™, a Cavity Monitor System (CMS) picks up the 3D shape of a stope to help calculate the volume, tonnage and grade of that stope. The design stope can then be compared to the actual stope as a means to measure and monitor performance using Surpac’s Mesh Tools > Deviation Analysis. For Mining Engineers, this function is particularly useful as validated CMS data can be used in stope performance reports.

Here are the steps to quickly and easily import an externally-validated CMS pickup in Surpac:

1. To begin validating your CMS pickup, open up the .dxf file in the graphics window and save it in a binary fomat.

2. Verify that the CMS solid object is a valid solid using Solids > Validation > Validate object/trisolation.

Note: A valid solid has no errors, such as intersecting triangles, holes, and invalid edges. Once the solid is valid, many other advanced Surpac solids functions can be performed on your CMS. You can correct any errors as part of the validation process, and set the CMS to be a solid or a void. The autocorrect can be a timesaver – tick the box “attempt to auto correct problems”. 

3. Inspect the results in the Graphic viewport by orbiting and zooming the display to inspect the results in detail.

Note: If you have previously processed other CMS stopes in Surpac, it is helpful to provide them with unique object and trisolation numbers and identify them by underground level, or stope number.

4. Renumber the main object to a new number. We renumber the main object so we can visually filter out the main object  from the smaller objects.

5. Hide object 2. We hide the main object so we can visually look at the remaining objects to make sure they are not important to the shape and volume of the CMS pick up.

6. Look at the triangles that are left in Object 1. Delete object 1 by clicking on Solids > Object> Delete.

Display the remaining object which should be Object 2 and re-validate.


7. Save the CMS as a Surpac DTM using File > Save > String/DTM.

In the form that is displayed, enter your preferred file name, then choose Output Format Type=Surpac DTM Files, and the File format buttons choose binary.  Click the <Apply> button to validate and save your CMS.

Note: You should always save the DTM as a binary format file. By choosing binary format you ensure that the full coordinate precision of your stope is retained.

 

Looking for more Surpac Tips & Tricks? Check out these past posts on Using the Advanced Blast Firing Sequence and How to model a fault in Surpac. 

Be sure to check back next week for more Product Tips & Tricks. 

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Kim Ferguson-Thomas

Kim Ferguson-Thomas

Technical Customer Support Consultant, GEOVIA at Dassault Systèmes
Kim Ferguson-Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience as a geologist in the mining industry, working in exploration, underground and open-cut mines within Australia.