See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/313636528

EARTHWORK VOLUME CALCULATION FROM DIGITAL TERRAIN MODELS

Article · June 2015

CITATIONS READS

2 1,142

4 authors:

Nikolina Mijic Milorad Janić

University of Miskolc University of Belgrade
19 PUBLICATIONS   6 CITATIONS    21 PUBLICATIONS   17 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Gordana Đukanović Dragomir Grujovic

University of Belgrade University of Belgrade
3 PUBLICATIONS   3 CITATIONS    4 PUBLICATIONS   2 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

DETAILED DESIGN OF EDODED RIVERBANK REHABILITATION OF THE VRBAS RIVER IN THE AREA OF„OTOKA“, THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF KOSJEROVO, MUNICIPALITY
REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA View project

BESTSDI - Western Balkans Academic Education Evolution and Professional’s Sustainable Training for Spatial Data Infrastructures View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Nikolina Mijic on 12 September 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Milorad JANIĆ, Gordana DJUKANOVIĆ, Dragomir GRUJOVIĆ, Nikolina MIJIĆ
EARTHWORK VOLUME CALCULATION FROM DIGITAL TERRAIN MODELS

Abstract: Accurate calculation of cut and fill volume has an essential importance in many fields. This
article shows a new method, which has no approximation, based on Digital Terrain Models. A relatively
new mathematical model is developed for that purpose, which is implemented in the software solution. Both
of them has been tested and verified in the praxis on several large opencast mines. This application is
developed in AutoLISP programming language and works in AutoCAD environment.

Key words: surveying, earthwork, volume calculation, software, complex prisms

INTRODUCTION modelling of terrain surface by mesh of triangles,

Calculating the volume of excavation and
embankment in open pits until recently, was a very
laborious task. The common used method is the cross
sectioning method with profiles fixed in their position.
This method has a number of drawbacks, one of which
should be noted inaccuracy in the event of large spaces.
The introduction of new technologies in monitoring the
status of open pit mines, has led to new methods of
calculating the volume. Modern monitoring the situation
digs involves making digital topographic maps, and its
periodic update usually on a monthly basis and modern
technology now enable the collection, processing and
maintenance of a large number of spatial data.
definitely the technique of Delaunay triangulation is
adopted. The network of irregular triangles, representing
the terrain surface, is known as TIN (abbreviation of the
English words Triangulated Irregular Network). This
method has been known since the 1970s, but initially not
widely used in practice due to the limited capabilities of
the computers and complexity of the TIN data, however,
was overshadowed by GRID methods, that revived
around 1990. By definition TIN is a network of irregular
triangles, which are not mutually overlapped, designed so
that no point falls inside the circle circumscribed about
the triangle (Figures 1 and 3).

2. DIGITAL TERRAIN MODEL (DTM)

As a basis for the terrain modelling serves a set of

scattered points in 3D space. For the modelling of terrain
surface from that set of points, it can be used various
mathematical functions. In any case, the representation of
the terrain surface is realized by small surface elements.
For this purpose, there are two types of networks - a Fig. 2 Break line effect on the triangular mesh
network of quadrilaterals and triangles network.
Delaunay triangulation seeks to achieve such a set of
triangles that they are as regular as possible. This
corresponds to the modelling of natural terrain, where the
surface is continuous, without the expressed break lines,
such as watersheds, catchment lines, scarp lines, canal
edges etc. However, for surface modelling of open pits,
one must abandon the principle of Delaunay
triangulation, in order to comply with terrain break lines,
such as the edge of the plateau, slopes, dumps, landfills,
embankments, cliffs etc. (Figures 2 and 4).
Fig. 1 The network of triangles stretched to the
surveyed points

Terrain Modelling using the network quadrilaterals

(GRID) is more suitable for organizing and storing data
in the matrix form, and later to use various algorithms for
data processing. However, the heights of quadrilaterals
vertices, obtained by interpolation from surrounding
original set of points, will result in a loss of accuracy.
On the other hand, the triangular network is defined
by the triangles stretched between original points. In
addition, the element as a triangle, unlike quadrilateral,
unambiguously represents plane in the space. For the Fig. 3 Open pit modeled without respect of break lines
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING GRAPHICS 27
Earthwork volume calculation from digital terrain models
Fig. 4 Open pit modeled with respect of break lines
3. DEVELOPED SOFTWARE AND
TECHNOLOGY
For digital terrain modelling we have developed a
special software module in 1990. With regard to the
former software solution, which worked on a modest
computer platform, as well as other software packages,
had a limit of 4.000 points and 50 break lines in one set
of points. Within this software solution is applied static
triangulation Sweep-hull algorithm. Subsequently, in
1996, we have developed a completely new software
with dynamic construction of triangle networks - where
incremental algorithm is applied. The application is
written in the programming languages C and Visual LISP
and works within AutoCAD.
Thanks to the applied algorithm, developed a
software solution has no limitations in number of points
and break lines. The only limitation is the free space on
the hard disk, but this limitation was insignificant, even
for the largest open pit mines. As a logical sequence, we
have developed software for volume calculation from the
digital terrain models (DTM).
4. EARTHWORK CALCULATION METHODS
There are several earthwork calculation methods:
section method with several sub variants, contour
method, average method, simple prisms, layer thickness,
complex prisms and cell method. Every method has its
own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the
shape of the object. Those can be differed in two groups:
linear and surface objects. Streets, railways, dams, tunnel
etc. are seen as linear objects. Examples for surface
objects are landfills, open pits, dump etc. In this
document we will discuss some of them based on DTM.
4.1 Section method
For linear objects, the common used method is the
cross sectioning method. This method can be used for
surface objects as well, and is used as a control method.
The advantage of this method is that visually depicts
conducted excavations and embankments, and
disadvantage is insufficient accuracy for large profile
intervals.
4.2 Simple prisms method
This method consists in summing volumes of simple the second model, resulting in a set of polygons (Fig. 5).
three-sided prisms formed from a network of triangles.
28 VOLUME 10  SPECIAL ISSUE ICEGD JUNE 2015
TIN triangles are used to form the vertical three-sided
prism to some reference elevation, usually zero elevation.
In the case of calculating the volume between two
terrains surfaces, i.e. upper and lower, their difference is
the volume of excavation or embankment. The
disadvantage of this method is that both models must
have identical external border, and it is not possible to
get the information separated for excavation and
embankment. If the excavated material is dumped within
the common external border, this method will give the
volume of zero, which is not correct. This method is
applicable only when the excavation is transported
outside the external border.
4.3 Layer thickness method
In this method, the points on the first model (vertices
of triangles) are projected to the second model and
calculated height differences are thicknesses in the points
of the first model. Also in the points of the second model
similarly are calculated height differences to the first
model that also give the thicknesses in these points to the
first model. The third set of points consists of the
polygon boundary vertices, where the layer thicknesses
between two models are also calculated. Thus obtained
thickness now serve as input data for the thickness model
formation, where the points of both models and the layer
thickness in them as variable Z, forms a model, whose
volume should be determined. This method has the
advantage over the previous one, because both models do
must not necessarily to have identical external border,
and which gives information separately for excavation
and embankment. The disadvantage of this method is that
the upper and lower model may not have big changes in
elevations. It is recommended to calculate the volume of
ore reserves from the exploration boreholes.
4.4 Complex prisms method
This method gives the best results, because it takes
into account all the inputs from both terrain models:
points and break lines. It consists in projecting a network
of triangles of the first model to a network of triangles of
Fig. 5 Overlay of two triangle meshes with numbered
 Earthwork volume calculation from digital terrain models

Above each polygon is formed a vertical prism,

whose height is equal to the difference in heights of the
centre of gravity of the polygons on first and second
surfaces. For each individual vertical prism whose base
points are coplanar, and also the points on the prism top,
is calculated volume. The sum of all positive volumes
represents the excavation, and the sum of negative
volumes represents an embankment, or vice versa,
depending on whether the upper or lower model is taken
as the first one. For the volume calculation within the
specified areas affected, its boundary lines should be
included in the formation of polygonal meshes. This
method gives the highest accuracy, but is a bit slower
than the previous ones, due to overlap processing of two
meshes of triangles and the boundary polyline.

5. TEST EXAMPLE Fig. 8 Isometric view on terrain after excavation

The presented methodology of volume calculation

was verified in several large open pit mines in Serbia and
other countries in the world since 1994 [5]. At the next
small illustrative case (Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8) can be seen
the principle of calculating the volume of a limited part,
as well as output (Table 1).

Fig. 9 Rendered isometric view on terrain after excavation

Table 1
Volume report

Autodesk Development Network: DEYU0001

Dr M. Janić, Survey, Belgrade, SERBIA
--------------------------------------
VOLUME REPORT
Fig. 6 Digital terrain model before excavation
User: MJ
Date & Time: 04.01.2010. 16:58

Boundary line coordinates:

516082.24 961205.19
516124.44 961273.60
516233.77 961220.06
516195.06 961136.77
516082.24 961205.19
Area: 1ha 08a 92m2

Model #1 – LAYER name: TEREN

Model #2 - LAYER name: KOP
================================
Cut area.........: 9009.45
Fill area........: 1628.82
No earthwork area: 253.59
Total area.......: 10891.86

Fig. 7 Digital terrain models after excavation

JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING GRAPHICS 29

 Earthwork volume calculation from digital terrain models
6. CONCLUSION
The developed technology of volume calculation
using of complex prism method is superior to all others.
The explanation for this lies in the fact that the entire
layer between the first and second surface, is properly
decomposed into vertical prisms as volumetric primitives
(elements). Calculating the volume of the prism is
mathematically exact and there are not approximations.
There is no error of the mathematical model.
Both surfaces (upper and lower), obtained on the
basis of the original surveyed points, thus eliminating
errors of spatial interpolation and approximation of
surfaces. Variable density of recorded points are
correctly reflected in the network of triangles, so that the
smaller triangles obtained at points which are densely
recorded a larger triangles on the rarely recorded. Any
break in the continuity of the terrain surface, which is
typical on open pit mines, are respected and enters into
the calculation. Surveying of broken surfaces, like a
surface of open pit mines, is performed with a minimum
number of characteristic points of height and break lines.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This research was financially supported by the
Ministry of Science and Technological Development,
Republic of Serbia, project no. 37002.
30 VOLUME 10  SPECIAL ISSUE ICEGD JUNE 2015
View publication stats
REFERENCES
[1] Autodesk, Inc., (1990) AutoLISP, Programmer's
Reference, Autodesk Inc.
[2] Autodesk, Inc., (1997) ObjectARX for AutoCAD
Release 14, Developer's Guide, Autodesk Inc.
[3] Janić M., (1993) Software support for geodetic
monitoring the state of the mine, Proceedings of the
October Counselling Mining and Metallurgy, Bor
Lake.
[4] Janić M., (1994) AutoLISP 10, 11 i 12 – tehnike
programiranja, Faculty of Forestry, Belgrade.
[5] Janić M., (1998) Digital topographic map of the open
pit, Proceedings, Counselling Coal 98, Belgrade.
[6] Terje M., (1993) Spatial Modelling by Delaunay
Networks of Two and Three Dimensions, PhD thesis,
Norwegian Institute of Technology, University of
Trondheim.
Authors:
Milorad JANIĆ, Ph.D., Professor, Faculty of Forestry,
University of Belgrade, Serbia,
E-mail: milorad.janic@sfb.bg.ac.rs
Gordana DJUKANOVIĆ, Ph.D., Docent, Faculty of
Forestry, University of Belgrade, Serbia,
E-mail: gordana.djukanovic@sfb.bg.ac.rs
Dragomir GRUJOVIĆ, Mr. Assistant, Faculty of
Forestry, University of Belgrade, Serbia,
E-mail: dragomir.grujovic@sfb.bg.ac.rs
Nikolina MIJIĆ, M.Sc., EKO-EURO TIM, Krupa na
Vrbasu, Bosnia and Hercegovina,
E-mail: nikolinamijic7@gmail.com