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In the previous tutorials, we have used the Free and Linked simulation modes. Dragline simulation is a mode that uses excavation, dump and simulation templates but it also incorporates a dragline model. The dragline model assists you to set up a sequence of excavations and dumps conforming to the geometry of a dragline. It also estimates the dragline productivity. The operation of the dragline model is explained in the  Operation Guide in the Dragline Simulation topic.

Start by loading the file dlsim1.3dd

We will excavate the southern end of the pit in the terrain view. In this example, the first pass has already been excavated to remove the first coal seam. In addition, the in-pit spoil has been bulldozed to form a low bench. The figures illustrate this:

 

 

 

 

The dragline it is to perform a second pass operation on the part of the pit to the west of the ramp. The pit has a partially constructed dragline bench. The dragline will enter from the west walk along the bench to the ramp and commence excavating back to the west. In some places the bench is not sufficiently wide for the dragline to reach the highwall and it will need to be extended towards the highwall. This project requires two dragline Dumps, 1 to simulate dragline dumping under boom point and a second to simulate dragline/dozer dumping to bench.

The following video clip illustrates The process of setting up the Dragline Simulation.

Load the file:

DLSim1.3dd

 

 

 

 

 

The next two (final) video clips shows the process of simulating the second pass operation. In this simulation process the user controls the location of the dragline, the excavation polygons and the dumps. Hence the user has control over the degree of "resolution" of the simulation. It is possible to conduct a simulation down to the level of detail of every single dragline move and sub move. However it is often not feasible or necessary to complete an entire operation in this amount of detail. Assessing the appropriate detail requires experience and judgement. As a general rule block and move spacing can be increased in steady-state areas of the pit, but has to be more finely resolved around ramps and endwall's etc.

The 3d-DigPlus dragline simulation system can produce accurate dragline productivity estimates. However these estimates require a calibrated model of the dragline and fine resolution of the excavation and dumping. The productivity estimates should not be taken as accurate in the absence of detailed calibration and checking and finely resolved simulation. The swing angle dig depth and dump height estimates however may be usable even in the absence of fully calibrated model and finely resolved modelling.

The following part of this tutorial is split over two video clips, Dragline Simulation Tutorial 1 Part 2A & Part 2B.

Load the file:

DL_SIM_Setup.3dd