Understanding Earthworks Sites - Site Mass Haul Analysis
Borrow and waste sites (earthworks sites) can be used in a site mass haul analysis to balance the earthworks at the job site. To create an earthworks site see Create Earthwork Sites.
An earthworks site may be used if the haul road connects it to the job site. The site mass haul analysis will determine the most efficient use of material cut from the surface, material available at the borrow sites and the available capacity at the waste sites. The presence of red warning flags in a site zone may indicate additional earthworks sites need to be added.
To determine if an earthworks site has been used in the site mass haul analysis select Mass Haul Balance View. A list of the balances for the selected analysis appears. Click on a balance with an earthworks site to view the balance details in the Properties page.
Borrow Sites
Borrow material is collected from the borrow zone, transported along the haul roads and dispersed around the zone.
The use of a borrow site is optimized based on:
- the cost to borrow each material at the borrow site.
- the cost of hauling material on the haul roads that connect the borrow site to the job site.
- the location of haul roads. (Are they connecting the borrow site to the zones that require additional material?)
- the cost of dispersing material around the zone.
If a borrow site has been created and has unexpectedly not been used by the analysis make sure:
- the site mass haul analysis has been refreshed.
- the borrow material is needed by the analysis.
- the cost of the borrow material is correct.
- there is a haul road connecting the borrow site to the zone where it is required (within the Site Connection Tolerances)
- the borrow material is not being used elsewhere. (view the Site Mass Haul Report - the source section shows where the borrow material is being used and the capacity that remains at the borrow site.)
- the analysis is not sourcing cheaper material from elsewhere.
Hint: Before adding haul roads from the borrow site to the zone, run the site mass haul analysis with Auto-create path set to Yes. This will show you where the analysis needs the borrow material. You may need to add to existing haul roads to make sure the borrow material can reach the zone where it is needed.
To edit the properties of a borrow site, right click the borrow site in the Plan View and select Properties. To edit the materials available and the cost associated with borrowing the material, in the properties toolbar click DEFINE SITE MATERIALS or right click the borrow site in the Plan View and select Edit.
Waste Sites
Waste material (excess cut or unusable material) is collected from around the zone, transported along the haul road to the waste site.
The use of waste sites is optimized based on:
- the cost to dump material at the waste site,
- the capacity at the waste site
- the cost of hauling material on the haul roads that connect the waste site to the job site.
- the cost of collecting material from around the zone.
If you have created waste sites and there is still excess material at the job site, make sure:
- the site mass haul has been refreshed.
- the cost to waste the material is correct.
- there is a haul road connecting the waste site to the zone that is in excess (within the Site Connection Tolerances)
- the capacity at the waste site is sufficient. (View the Site Mass Haul Report - the destination section shows where material at the waste site has come from and the capacity that remains at the waste site.)
To edit the properties of a waste site, right click the waste site in the Plan View and select Properties.
