Linked Simulation Window

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Linked Simulation Settings

A Linked Simulation Template connects an Excavation Template with a Dump Template. A default linked simulation template, a default excavation template and a default dump template already exist in 3d-DigPlus.

To carry out a linked simulation:

•Place the program in Linked Simulation mode (Linked item on the toolbar, or Simulate/Linked Excavate&Dump menu).

•Open a terrain window (grid-based is best).

•Create excavation polygons.

•Create a point, line or area dump.

•Start the simulation through the Start simulation icon or the Simulate/Start simulation menu.

Undo applies to each session in this dialog box. So pressing the Undo toolbar icon or the Edit/Undo menu item after this dialog box is closed will undo all actions that took place in this dialog box. Undo actions for this dialog box will be placed in the Undo/Redo stack.

Active Simulation Template

This is the name of the linked simulation template that will be started through the Start simulation icon (also the Simulate/Start simulation menu) or by pressing Start Button on this dialog box. Starting a simulation will only be possible when all the elements of the simulation are in place. These elements are described in the points listed above.

Close Button

Pressing the button will cause this dialog box to close. The program will prompt with an option to save changes, should any changes be outstanding.

Start Button

Pressing this button will start the simulation based on settings in the active simulation template. Changes to the active simulation template will be saved before simulation starts. This acts as if the Save button had been pressed before Start. Changes in the terrain during simulation will be shown in the current terrain graphics window.

New Button

This button creates a new Linked Simulation Template. After pressing this button, a list of the existing Linked Simulations (together with the unaltered Default) is presented. The new simulation’s parameters are copied from the simulation selected from this list.

The new Linked Simulation may be named through a dialog box offered during the process of creation. Linked Simulations are named by default as "Simulation n", where n is a count of existing simulations.

Delete Button

This button deletes the Active Simulation. Users are asked to confirm this before deletion actually takes place. In addition the Undo facility can be used to restore simulations deleted in the Linked Simulation dialog box.

Save Button

This button saves all changes to the Active Simulation. Pressing this button before changing the active simulation and before pressing the Close button will stop the prompt dialog box.

General Log

This setting specifies the general material log, which will be used with the simulation. Excavated and dumped volumes associated with the simulation will be reported to this log. The general log is selected using the General Log pull-down list, which lists all available logs.

Machines Page

This page establishes settings to do with calculations and data logging for the Machine used in the simulation.

Machine Name

A linked simulation assumes some ("generic") earthmoving machine will carry out the development. The productivity will be modelled for the same generic machine.

A generic machine name can be entered into the Machine Name field. This name will appear in productivity reports of linked simulations carried out using this simulation template.

Calculate Productivity

This option calculates the machine productivity for the simulation. Productivity is calculated by adding the times for each cycle. This calculation is based on machine bulk productivity and the number of machines in the fleet.

Bulk Productivity per Machine &

Number of Machines

These parameters are entered in the Bulk Productivity per Machine and the Number of Machines input fields. The Bulk Productivity per Machine is measured in unswelled (bank) volume units per hour. The modelled machine hours are determined by dividing the volume excavated and dumped by the total productivity. The total productivity is the Bulk Productivity per Machine multiplied by the Number of Machines. So we get the relationship:

Modelled Machine Hours = Bank Volume Moved / (Bulk Productivity per Machine x Number of Machines)

Log Report Info

Checking this box setting tells the system to create and maintain a history of information associated with each simulation obtained using this simulation template. This report can later be viewed, printed and saved to a file. The log is accessed through the Linked Report (Simulate | Simulation report menu when the program is in Linked Simulation mode).

Limit Dig Depth and/or Dump Height

The generic machine system can limit the excavation depth or dump height relative to a reference height. If you want this limit to be applied, first select this check box. Then enter the Reference Elevation, Dig Depth and Dump Height. The simulation will stop if these values are exceeded.

Reference Elevation

This parameter is used as the "zero point" to determine the dig depth and dump height associated with a simulation. All dig depths and dump heights will be measured relative to the value entered for this parameter.

Max Dig Depth

This parameter specifies the maximum allowable dig depth. This is the vertical distance from the Reference Elevation to the deepest allowable floor of the excavation.

Max Dump Height

This parameter specifies the maximum allowable dump height. This is the vertical distance from the Reference Elevation to the highest allowable dump point.

Capture

This setting enables simulation auto capture. When the Capture check box is selected the system will capture an image of the active window before each layer is excavated and after each layer is dumped. This capture will be subject to Capture Settings (see Options | Capture Settings).

Link Page

This page provides access to the settings, which link excavation and dump templates in the simulation process.

Active Excavation Template

This is the name of the Excavation that will be used for excavating material moved by the machine. This excavation may be chosen from the full list of excavations that currently exist in 3d-DigPlus.

New excavations may be created through the Edit/Create Button described below (next item).

Edit/Create Button

This button accesses the Excavation Settings dialog box. This allows editing of the properties of the Active Excavation.

When accessed through this Edit/Create button, the Excavation Settings dialog box allows existing excavations to be deleted and new excavations to be created. When this dialog box is directly accessed through the toolbar or menu these operations are not allowed in Linked Simulation mode.

Active Dump Template

This is the name of the Dump that will be used for dumping material moved by the machine. This dump may be chosen from the full list of dumps that currently exist in 3d-DigPlus.

New dumps may be created through the Edit/Create Button described below (next item).

Edit/Create Button

This button accesses the Dump Settings dialog box. This allows editing of the properties of the Active Dump.

When accessed through this Edit/Create button, the Dump Settings dialog box allows existing dumps to be deleted and new dumps to be created. When this window is directly accessed through the toolbar or menu these operations are not allowed in Linked Simulation mode.

Number of Excavation Layers

This determines the number of layers into which an excavation is divided vertically during a linked simulation. Each layer is excavated and dumped in turn.

These layers are of "proportional thickness". This means that the thickness of an excavation layer at a point is calculated as the depth of excavation at that point divided by the number of layers.