Define Benches

To access this task:

  • Setup ribbon >> Blocks >> Define Benches.

The bench definition for a pit is a key component of Studio OP. It defines the bench heights and elevations for a pit, with each bench being defined to include the following parameters (either set manually or calculated):

  • HEIGHT
  • CREST (elevation)
  • MID (elevation)
  • TOE (elevation)
  • LABEL
  • SURFACE

Each pit has its own bench definition which appears as a table. You manage the contents of the table using automatic tools and manual editing.

Benches can be defined either by specifying a series of elevations (which can be extracted from the planning model, a string file or manually defined), or they can be defined using an existing 3D surface.

Setting up bench definitions is easy; you can either define them based on the geometry of the planning model (as defined in the Validate Planning Model task), from a nominated string file or set bench intervals manually by setting a top/final Crest Elevation, a static Bench Height and the No. of Benches to project downwards.

Note: When manually defining bench intervals, the projection direction is always downwards, so the crest elevation must be set for the top bench/pit rim.

To create a bench definition for a pit:

  1. Display the Bench Definition screen.

  2. Choose the Pit for which the bench definition applies. See Manage Pits.

  3. It can be useful to view the Topography surface (if you have defined one using the Manage Topography screen.

    Check to display the surface in the Task window.

    Tip: View the topography using a N-S or E-W by clicking into the Task window, typing "v1" and selecting a rotation. Use the Sheets or Project Data control bar to set up a world grid with elevation values. This lets you see how your bench definition levels align with your topography.

  4. Use Define benches using settings to choose how benches are represented.

    Select either Elevations to define your benches according to elevation data (manual, from a model or imported strings), or Surfaces to define your benches using existing 3D surface data, generated elsewhere.

  5. If you are creating a new bench definition table, you can remove existing entries with Clear all benches.

  6. What should happen next depends on your bench definition method:

    • If you are defining benches using Elevations, you need to choose where those elevations are coming from, which can be:

      • From planning model – Use the defined planning model to set the bench height based on the ZINC field values. Benches are then created from the Z origin (ZMORIG) and the number of cells in the Z direction (NZ).

      • From string file – Typically, this might be a set of contour strings or an existing design. This method looks for all strings with a single Z value and defines benches between them. The strings it finds are treated as lying on bench crests and toes.

      • Manual – Define your own consistent pattern of benches using Crest elevation (Z value), Bench height and No. of benches fields.

      In any case, click Apply to generate table rows.

    • If you are defining benches using Surfaces:

      Important: If you choose to define your benches using 3D surface data, you will not be able to access your product's Auto Design tools, which relies on elevation based bench data.

      1. Click Add New Bench to display the Import Bench Surface screen.

      2. Choose a wireframe (triangles) file.

      3. Click OK.

        Once a surface (filtered or otherwise) has been imported, it is analyzed and the following information posted back to the Define Benches task table:

        • Bench: an automatically generated index number. For each defined 3D bench, can optionally hide or display it.
        • Height: the calculated height of the bench
        • Crest/Mid/Toe: elevations for the crest, mid and toe positions of the bench
        • Label: the generated label (normally the Crest value)

        • Surface: the name of the surface as it will be stored within your current OP database.

          See Import Bench Surface.

  7. You can choose whether to use the Bench Number, Crest, Toe or Mid Benchelevation as the Label. Bench labels can be individually named if required. Click Apply to update the table above.

  8. If benches are defined using elevations, you can use Height Edit Options. Bench heights can be edited individually. If a bench height is edited you can choose whether to automatically apply the new bench height to all subsequent benches or just the current bench.

  9. Save your task settings.

  10. Save your project.

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