Generic and Topographic Simulation

Simulate your earthmoving

This is 3D-Dig’s terrain modelling "engine". It also contains functionality for modelling excavation and dumping in defined areas, and many very useful add-ons. Unlike conventional systems which model excavations and dumps according to predefined geometry, 3D-Dig allows excavation and dumping to be simulated in small increments similar to the excavation and dumping processes implemented by mining machinery. This module forms the base for all other 3D-Dig Modules.

Software provides rich functionality

Rapid dynamic 3D visualization
- Smooth hardware rendering of topo and mining machinery uses the latest OpenGL graphics engine.
- Interactive 3D graphics allows easy manipulation of design elements.
- Advanced display options include rendering of layers exposed on terrain, contours superimposed on rendered views, and slope-based coloring of the terrain grid.
- Multi-step undo and re-do for all functionality facilitates interactive design.
Surfaces and layers
- Detailed modelling of mining geometry uses multiple surfaces above and below the topo.
- Layers formed between surfaces readily model ore and waste, including ore lenses.
Earth moving — excavation, multi-stage dump design and optimization
- Flexible excavation from topo to any surface is done within a polygon, with variable batter angles.
- Additional constraints such as surfaces, can be applied to any excavation.
- A unique dump algorithm calculates the spread of dumped material on any topo, load by load.
- This dump algorithm rapidly simulates multi-stage dumps, allowing maximum material fit and minimized transport inefficiencies to be determined.
Logging of swell and material in user-defined logs
- Volumes of excavated and dumped material are saved to internal tables (material logs).
- Swell and density of blasted and excavated material is recorded along with these volumes.
- Material log tables can be exported to Excel for further processing and reporting.
Tracking and separately reporting prime and re-handle
- Material not previously dumped (i. e. prime material) is accurately separated from previously dumped material (i. e. re-handled material), during each excavation.
- Areas of the topo can be marked as previously dumped (i. e. re-handled) material.
Rapid planning of roads, ramps and drains
- A point-and-click interface for horizontal and vertical alignments allows rapid design of roads, with detailed reporting of cut and fill material.
- The same interface works well for creation of ramps and drains on the topo.
Blast wizard
- A user-defined two-dimensional blast profile is applied along a section of topo, to simulate the effect of blasting in three dimensions.
- Local mass balance and correct treatment of swell ensure an accurate, real-life result.
Online help
- An on-line explanation of the parameters in each dialog box (accessed through the F1 key), is available for most of the dialog boxes in Generic Simulation.
- Detailed description of functionality, along with training and tutorial material, are available through an internet-based online system.

The system comes with comprehensive online manuals as well as extensive training material and resources.

The 3D-Dig mining simulation modules

3D-Dig benefits and applications

Life-of-mine landform and spoil transport analysis.
Optimization of pit design, scheduling and spoil placement.
Troubleshooting studies targeting issues such as access and spoil fit.
Researching and validating new and novel mining methods.
Highly effective communication tool, for both corporate and field communications.
Assists and supports equipment purchasing and upgrade decisions.
Improved allocation of waste to different equipment types.