Virtual Surveyor includes Stockpile tool that allows you to easily measure quantities from drone surveys. The Stockpile button appears in the TOOLS tab when a Boundary or Surface item is selected.



The final outputs are stockpile items. Quantities and values display in the Selection box when a Stockpile is selected.


Overview


Stockpile Use Type

You can select the Use Type when using the Stockpile tool with a Boundary. You can choose among four surface types:

  • 3D Surface: Surface extrapolated from the boundary vertices.
  • Flat: User defined flat surface. 
    • The elevation value needs to be set by the user in the Elevation box.
  • Flat Minimum: A flat surface set at the lower vertex elevation of the boundary. 
  • Timestep: Additional terrain models of the same area—captured at different times—that are available in the project on separate dates. 
    • Each dataset by date/purpose needs to be set by the user in the Compare to box. 
    • This option is only available when the project contains multiple Timesteps on the Timeline.


Creating a Stockpile from a Surface 

  1. Select a surface.
  2. Go to TOOLS tab.
  3. In the Volumes group, select the stockpile Material [optional].
  4. Calculate the volume by clicking on the Stockpile button.
  5. A Stockpile item is created in the Viewport, and the quantities are available in the Selection box.





Creating a Stockpile from a Boundary 

  1. Select a boundary.
  2. Go to TOOLS tab.
  3. In the Volumes group, select the Use Type and set the expected value/terrain if needed.
  4. Select the stockpile Material [optional].
  5. Calculate the volume by clicking on the Stockpile button.
     
  6. A Stockpile item is created in the Viewport and the quantities are available in the Selection box.


Uses for Stockpile Volume Calculations

  • Quantity survey - Stockpile Volume Calculation. 
    • As describe in the article, the tool is useful to assess stockpile quantities. 
    • Even in complex scenarios, like when the piles are dumped within walls.


Tips and Tricks

  • When you calculate a stockpile, the volume calculation is done between the current terrain and the selected/compared to surface. 
    • A "current terrain" means the elevation terrain and the active terrain modifiers (e.g., a removed conveyor or truck) that are applied on top of the terrain.
    • All available data points are used in the calculation.
  • The Stockpile output is a Stockpile item. 
  • You can also select multiple surfaces/boundaries and their volumes are calculated separately for each selected item.
  • You can export the stockpiles as a PDF report or a CAD file.