Topography

On the Topography tab of the Grade Estimator form, configure the topography used to estimate the grade estimation blocks and select to use the Majority blocks, or defined Sub-Blocks.

Restrict Estimate Below Topography

Select the Restrict Estimate Below Topography option to specify a topographic DTM for which blocks above and outside will not be estimated (if they are not deleted).

Note: The Output fields for the restricted blocks will still be cleared if the Clear output fields option is selected.

Select a Type and Name for the topography from the fields provided.

Majority

Select the Majority option to assign the Majority assign method to the block trimming by the specified topography.

This is a good option for speed and ease of use. A minimum volume factor value of 0.5 is applied based on a Union of volume factor values. Blocks less than 0.5 are deleted.

When the Blocks Input | From File options are specified, blocks cannot be deleted and only the Majority option is available.

Sub-blocks

If you selected Sub-blocks as the sub-blocking method; directly enter or select from the drop down lists, the number of blocks in each direction, into which the block will be subdivided.

Although any number up to 64 can be directly entered, the factor of two (2) numbers in the drop down lists will provide better performance. The more sub-blocks there are, the more accurate the assignment will be; but be aware that sub-block numbers will create a larger file, leading to exponentially longer run times. The smaller the number of sub-blocks, the smaller the file and the better the performance.

The maximum number of sub-blocks is 64, which can be selected from the drop down lists. However, as the application will warn, a maximum of 16 sub-blocks is recommended. A warning will not be displayed for any factor of two number up to 64.

Note: Block size should be REAL type (double precision), as the display precision may be important to see differences.

Delete blocks outside

The Delete blocks outside option will delete all blocks outside of the specified Topography and configured assign method.

Delete blocks above

The Delete blocks above option will delete all blocks above the specified Topography and configured assign method.

As previously outlined, when the Blocks Input | From File options are specified, blocks cannot be deleted.

Domains