Alright looking for a little input on different methods of calculating stockpile volumes with Carlson Civil.
-Method One: Volumes by Triangulation (Two Surfaces)
This is what I typically do; create one surface for the perimeter (and in turn assume this as the "bottom" or existing grade), and then create another surface that includes the perimeter and all the points/breaklines for the "top" or the pile itself.
In this case I yield a volume of 13,962.8 CY
-Method Two: Calculate Stockpile Volume
With this method I select all entities and my perimeter 3D polyline and then I have to select a grid size for my Grid Resolution. This is where I get fuzzy. This pile is roughly 270' long and 180' wide and about 15' tall on one side.
Bellow are the Grid Cell Sizes that I tried (to see the difference):
5x5 16,810.20 CY
10x10 14,787.30 CY
25x25 14,269.87 CY
50x50 14,268.54 CY
75x75 14,262.69 CY
85x85 17,214.34 CY
100x100 18,382.77 CY
It appears that somewhere between 25-75 would be the grid size to use.
Any opinions on these two methods? We have estimators in-house for construction work, and their software uses Grid Resolutions, but they seem to just use whatever number they think is "right". We have also had some discrepancy between our numbers and theirs and I believe this is why.
Thanks!
Triangular method will yield best results.
I never use GRID method for volumes.
I agree, I have always used this method. It just intrigues me that there is a 300 yard difference.
Perhaps this link to a Carlson tutorial can help.
300 CY Is 2%, Amazingly Close
Paul in PA
300 CY Is 2%, Amazingly Close
:good: Just what I was thinking for a pile of dirt.
When using the stockpile command, I use grid cell size of 1' or down to 0.5' depending on size of the piles or type of pile. Are you using the number of cells instead of dimension of cells? I am usually matching quantities using this method versus two surface tins.