Range Diagram

The Range Diagram command is an interactive tool that displays graphics which are dynamically updated when adding or editing values in the spreadsheet text below. This is a quick and easy way to find parameters such as pit width, or to size a dragline to fit the geology. Output includes both drawing the sections in CAD and printing out reports as PDF files, where each step is a separate page. Each option is detailed below.

Input Parameters

Top Elevation: Sets the top elevation of the ground surface
Pit Width: Sets the width of the open pit. This could be the previous pass, or a boxcut
Spoil Angle: Sets the angle of repose of the spoil pile
Cut Width: This parameter is the width of the new cut. This is the field that is frequently changed to see what pit widths will work
Cut Direction: This determines whethere the cut is advancing to the right or left in the graphics window. It is just a mirror image of either.

Dragline and Seam Data

Dragline: This dropdown displays a list of predefined draglines. These can be added and edited with the separate command Define Dragline Equipment.
Reach: This displays the horizontal reach of the selected dragline. Since it is colored blue, it cannot be edited here.
Max Height: This displays the vertical dumping height of the selected dragline. Since it is colored blue, it cannot be edited here.
Max Depth: This displays the vertical digging depth of the selected dragline. Since it is colored blue, it cannot be edited here.
Swing Angle: This parameter controls the swing of the dragline. Enter in values from 0-90 degrees.
Offset from Crest: This sets the distance for the dragline center pin offset from the crest of the highwall.
Strata: This is the list of strata added to the cross section.
Key: The Key setting controls whether it is waste (NO), and coal (YES).
Thickness: This is where the thickness of each strata or bench is entered. The section will update graphically when a new value is entered.
Face Angle: This setting controls the highwall angle of each strata. It will update graphically with any change here.
Swell%: This is the swell factor of the material as it is moved from in-place to the spoil.
Spoil: This option controls whether to place the waste into the spoil with the dragline. If it is pre-stripped and hauled away, or interburden removed with other equipment, then the setting here would be NO.
Key Cut

Cut: The Key cut gives the option to split the overburden block into two sections. The choices are None, Left or Right. An image of Left and Right is shown here. This allows for moving the dragline to get more spoil distance.

Left Key Cut

Right Key Cut

Width: The width is entered in to set the horizontal distance of the Key cut.

Angle: This is the angle of the key cut highwall.
D/L Offset: This is the distance for the dragline center-pin from the crest of the highwall. It is usually more than the initial offset defined above.
Spoil: This option determines whether to spoil or not. If it is hauled away by other equipment, then this should be NO. If it is spoiled with the dragline, then it should be YES.

Add Dragline (+): This option places the dragline on another strata. It can be the same dragline on another pass, or it can be another dragline if there are more than one working in that pit. Additional Draglines or passes show up as different tabs below the spreadsheet. Shown here is the same dragline as dragline2, working on the IB3 seam on another pass deeper in the pit.

Remove Dragline (-): This takes away the dragline tab that was added to the diagram.
Add Strata (+): Use this button to add each strata to the diagram, such as OB, Coal or interburden. Once it is added, then pick in the cell to give it the proper name.
Remove Strata (-): This takes away the strata that was added to the diagram.
Move Up or Down: This moves the selected strata up or down in the section.

Graphics Window: The ground surface is color coded. When it is green, then the spoil will fit into the pit and not cover the coal.

Pan: Pans around in the window
Zoom: Zooms in and out in the window
Zoom Extents: Zooms the diagram to fit the entire display window.
Settings: This button brings up the following dialog for settings:

Show Current Dragline Only: This should be on to see the dragline locations with a Key Cut, and also to see the other dragline locations on other passes.
Label: These options will label the angles, distances, thicknesses and strata names in the display window.

Output: The output shows up in the lower right. It displays the area of the cuts and fills, as well as dimensions of each step in the section.

Draw: This option will draw the steps in CAD as polylines with fill. It will prompt for the starting point in CAD to draw them. Exit the command to see them in CAD. Here is an example of what it draws, their colors and entities.

Report: The report button will create a PDF document where each step in the section will be on a separate page. Then at the end, one final page will show all the steps together with the finished section.

Pulldown Menu Location: Surface
Keyboard Command: ranged
Prerequisite: dragline equipment defined