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3d-DigPlus has a number of components, some of which are controlled and manipulated directly by the user, and some under the control of the system. It is not necessary to understand the entire structure of the 3d-DigPlus system to become a proficient user. However, it is important to be familiar with the major components of the system and to understand how they interact.

The following is a brief description of the major 3d-DigPlus components.

Digital terrain modelling engine.

The digital terrain modelling engine allows topological data, including topography, design surface and geological data to be loaded and processed into three-dimensional solid models. Both triangulated irregular network (TIN) and fine mesh grid models are supported. The digital terrain modelling engine supports a variety of functions including surface manipulation and volume calculation. Most of the functioning of the digital terrain modelling engine takes place automatically and requires no user input. However when data are initially imported some user input is required in the triangulation and gridding processes.

Layer Modelling System.

The layer Modelling System allows a Layer to be defined as an interval between two surfaces. A coal seam is a typical example of a structure modelled as a Layer. Once the Layer is created its material can be identified by rendering in a distinctive colour and other Layer specific functions may be performed on it.

Excavation Engine.

The Excavation Engine models excavations. It applies various design criteria and constraints to construct and execute an excavation. The excavation modifies the topography accordingly and transfers volumes to the Material Log. In large simulations the continuous excavation process conducted over time by equipment fleet is modelled as a sequence of small discreet excavations. It is these incremental discreet excavations which are conducted by the Excavation Engine.

The Excavation Engine functionality is accessed via the Excavation Settings dialog box. This allows individual excavations to be designed according to various criteria and allows entire strips to be subdivided into incremental excavation steps suitable for simulation.

Dumping Simulator.

3d-DigPlus creates material dumps by modelling the incremental dumping process conducted by the equipment being simulated. Dumps are built up progressively by the sequential dumping of small parcels of excavated material. Material is dumped onto the topography at repose angle and at the appropriate location. The Dumping Simulator simulates the way an individual parcel of material will spread over the adjacent topography when dumped. The Dumping Simulator allows for a variety of design criteria and constraints to be applied to the dumping procedure in order to produce the required final dump topography.

The Dumping Simulator is accessed via the Dump Settings dialog box. The Dump Settings allow individual dumps to be designed to dump the material acquired from individual excavations. It also allows for the design of complete spoil dumps which are built up automatically in lifts and passes as part of the simulation process.

Simulation Sequencer.

The Simulation Sequencer allows the user to set up a schedule of excavation. This schedule is controlled by a structure known as a Supersequence. The Supersequence is a tree structure that controls the sequential excavation. When a Supersequence is run the excavation is performed as a series of sequential Steps. An individual Step is typically the material associated with a particular block of a particular lift in a particular pass. Large and complex mine schedules can be implemented as a Supersequence.

The Simulation Sequence also links Dumps with Excavation Steps. As each Step is excavated it reports to the appropriate Dump. In this manner the Supersequence controls the sequencing of Dumps as well as Excavation.

Supersequences are assembled in an interface window called the Supersequence Editor. This allows complex Supersequences to be assembled via an interactive point and click process.

Material Log and Reporting System.

The Material Log and reporting system record volumes of excavated and dumped material. The material log records the volume and location of material for individual steps in the simulation.

Where equipment simulation is performed the reporting system records detailed information on equipment productivity. This information is output to a text or spreadsheet file.

Road Design System.

The Road Design System allows three-dimensional roads to be created for use in truck and shovel simulation. The Road creation is an interactive process which involves the creation of firstly a horizontal alignment and then vertical alignment. When both alignments are complete the user assigns various dynamic characteristics (friction maximum speeds etc) to complete the Road design. 3d-DigPlus also incorporates a system called Virtual Roads which allows roads to be modelled rapidly as a series of parameters.

Machine Simulator.

Where full machine simulation is conducted 3d-DigPlus uses a Machine Simulator. This system allows the user to specify individual pieces of equipment. The specification includes machine dynamic characteristics (e.g. speed versus rim pull curves for trucks).

During the excavation of a Supersequence machine productivities for each step are determined by establishing the source (excavation) and destination (dump) for each step and using the intervening topography, as appropriate to each equipment type, to determine machine cycle times and hence productivity. For example in truck shovel simulation truck cycle time is determined by connecting the excavation and dump locations with the appropriate road system and modelling truck cycle times.