Expand range
This function allows you to expand a range of strings and a range of closed segments of the strings by an offset distance or a percentage of area.
Only strings which are in the active layer are modified.
Prerequisites: A closed segment is displayed in Graphics.
To run this function: Choose Edit > Segment > Expand range, Underground design > Edit > Segment > Expand range, or...
Fields on the Expand or contract a segment form
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Layer name |
Display only. The name of the active layer. |
| String range | The string range to be expanded. |
| Segment range | The segment range to be expanded. |
| Offset amount |
The offset amount to control the size of the new segment. The units of the offset amount are determined by the entry above. If you enter a negative offset value, the segment is contracted. If you enter a positive offset value, the segment is expanded. |
|
Output
The expanded or contracted segments are displayed in Graphics.
.
Intersect Horizontal
This function allows you to find the intersection of a range of strings with a horizontal plane. The horizontal plane is defined by entering the Z value of the horizontal plane.
To run this function: Choose Create > Points > At intersection with horizontal plane, or...
Only strings from the active layer which intersect the plane are selected.
The Intersect Horizontal function adds the new points that are created to the end of the last segment of the design string number. If the design string number does not exist it will be created. The state of the point mode has no effect on the results of this function.
String range
Enter the range of strings which are to be intersected with the horizontal plane.
The design string number cannot be included in the range of strings to be intersected. To do so will cause a warning message to be displayed. You will not be able to apply the form until the problem is fixed.
Z values of planes
Enter the Z range (elevation) of the planes with which the strings are to be intersected.
The Intersect Horizontal function will continue until the Cancel button is pressed.
Each intersection point which is found is written into the design string as the last point on the last segment of the design string.
The screen is updated to reflect the changes made.
Intersect Vertical
This function allows you to find the intersection of a range of strings with a vertical plane. The vertical plane is defined by selecting two existing points on the screen.
To run this function: Choose Create > Points > At intersection with vertical plane, or...
Only strings from the active layer which intersect the plane are selected.
Select baseline start point
Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the start point of the vertical plane.
At the prompt:
Select baseline end point
Position the pointer and select the point which will be used as the end point of the vertical plane.
Selection of the baseline start and end points will display the INTERSECT STRINGS WITH VERTICAL PLANE form. Enter the string range to be intersected.
String range
Enter the range of strings which are to be intersected with the vertical plane.
The Intersect Vertical function will continue until the Cancel button is pressed.
Each intersection point which is found is written into the design string as the last point on the last segment of the design string.
The screen is updated to reflect the changes made.
Subdivide
This function allows you to subdivide the line along "horizontal", "slope" "X-axis" "Y-axis" "Z-axis" between two selected points. The new points which are created are always a specified distance apart regardless of the number of intervening points which already exist along the string path which they must follow.
To run this function: Choose Create > Points > Multiple points by subdividing, or...
Select baseline start pointPosition the pointer and select the point which will be used for the start point of the subdivision.
At the prompt:
Select baseline end point
Position the pointer and select the point which will be used for the end point of the subdivision.
When you select the baseline start and end points, the Subdivide a Line form is displayed.
Distance type
The method of distance measurement.
Horizontal
When the subdivision occurs, all new points are separated by the specified distance in plan view.
Slope
When the subdivision occurs, all new points are separated by the specified distance in three dimensions.
There are three possible results for this function.
The likely result is determined by:
- the current point mode,
- whether the points selected are on the same segment of the same string, and
- if so, the order of selection of the points relative to the segment direction.
If the point mode is MODE Insert, the two points you selected are on the same segment, they are in ascending order along that segment and the selected segment is in the active layer, then result A) will occur.
If the point mode is MODE Insert, the two points you selected are on different segments, or they are in descending order along a segment and the first selected point is in the active layer, then result B) will occur.
If the point mode is not MODE Insert, or the first selected point is not in the active layer, then result C) will occur.
- Result A) The new points are inserted into the selected segment between the selected points so that the shape of the segment is unchanged but the distance along the segment between any adjacent pair of the ''new'' points is equal to the distance entered above.
- Result B) The new points are added to the first selected segment, after the first selected point. The new points are on the direct line between the first and second selected points and they are the specified distance apart. The gradient between the new points is the gradient of a line joining the two selected points.
- Result C) The new points are added to the end of the design string and they are on the direct line between the first and second selected points. The points are the specified distance apart.
X-axis
When the subdivision occurs, all new points are separated by the specified distance along the X-axis.
Y-axis
When the subdivision occurs, all new points are separated by the specified distance along the Y-axis.
Z-axis
When the subdivision occurs, all new points are separated by the specified distance along the Z-axis.
Distance between new points
The distance which is required between the new points.
Output
The new points are created on the line.
Make Pillars
This function allows you to create a set of closed roadway and pillar outlines to represent the workings of an underground room and pillar mine.
To run this function: Choose Design > Underground tools > Room & pillar from centrelines, or Underground design > Tools > Room & pillar from centerlines, or...
The pillar and roadway strings are created by defining:
- the roadway centre line strings and
- the roadway widths
Make Pillars is intended for use in situations where the centre line strings define mine workings which are two dimensional. Undesirable intersections are likely to result if the centre line strings define true three dimensional workings.
Road width from desc field
Respond with:
- Y, means the width for each roadway is in the description field of the first point in each segment. The description field number is specified by the next input, or
- N, means that the same road width will apply to all roadways. The roadway width is entered for one of the following prompts.
Desc field number
This input is only used if the response above is ''Y''. Enter the number of the description field which contains the roadway width.
Road width
This input is only used if the response above is 'N''. Enter the roadway width which is to be used for all roads.
CL string range
Enter the range of centre line strings which are to be used to generate the roadway and pillar outlines. All segments of these strings are used. Only strings which exist in the active layer are used.
Each of the centre line strings is expanded, using the appropriate width, into a roadway outline. The roadway outlines are then merged by removing all intersections to create a set of closed segments. The string number of the new segments is the design string number.
The screen is updated to reflect the changes.
Note: There are some situations which give erroneous results if Make Pillars is invoked. These are listed below. If unexpected errors occur when using this function, check for the circumstances below in your centre line strings. In addition a pair of red circles will mark the region where the problem exists. Window In on this region to identify the problem.
- Avoid having centre line strings which are coincident for a portion of their length. Crossing centre lines are valid.
- Avoid having centre lines which diverge at very shallow angles.
- Avoid having centre lines which double back on themselves.
- Avoid having consecutive duplicate points in your centre lines.
- Avoid having centre lines which start or finish on the edge of where a road outline will be created.
Invalid width in description field
The contents of the specified description field in one of the centre line segments is not a valid numeric value which means it cannot be used as a roadway width. The function will not produce any results.
No roadway strings to form pillars
The string range specified did not have any segments which existed in the active layer and therefore the function cannot continue.
Error joining segments
For some reason it was not possible to join the created roadway and pillar segments to form a closed set of segments. If this occurs numerous unjoined segments will be created which represent the shapes.