Create switchback
You use this function to create a switchback on a ramp. A switchback is a sharp bend in a ramp, created at berm level. A switchback makes the road turn approximately 180° on itself, to continue in the opposite direction. This arrangement is often used when the slope wall is steep. You might also decide to use a switchback when you have a gently sloping ore contact and enough space to implement a switchback with little stripping cost.
To run this function: Choose Design > Pit design > Create switchback, or...
When you run this function you will see the following message in the Status bar:
Select one of the ramp end points where a switchback geometry is to be added.
Select the ramp point. You do not need to select both end points.
Output
The ramp direction is reversed at the switchback location. The elevation around the curve created for the switchback is constant.
Note: When you create a switchback with an inner radius of zero, Surpac does not remove the breakline intersections around the centre of the switchback curve. If you attempt to create a DTM graphically, it will fail because of these intersections. The current workaround for this issue is to save the pit design to a string file in text format, exit Graphics, reload the saved string file, and run GRAPHICS CREATE DTM.
This works because saving the pit design in a text format removes the rounding issue that creates the breakline intersection error.