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MapSmart Volume Training: Restore Culverts & Measure Pits

by S. Colburn ,03/16/23

Laser Tech’s (LTI) Application Training Specialist offers a streamlined overview of basic MapSmart volume training. The quick, easy, and accurate workflow uses two examples for volume assessment via our LaserSoft MapSmart data collection app and TruPulse laser rangefinders.

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MapSmart Volume Training: Overview/System Components

Distance

• Pulse laser using time of flight

• Measures directly to any type of surface

• Will discriminate a prism target

Inclination

• Measures vertical angle from the horizon

• Used to calculate Horizontal Distance for XY positioning

• Used to calculate Vertical Distance for Elevation (Z)

Azimuth

• Compass bearing from Magnetic North

• Direction and HD are used to locate a point

• Effected by local distortion to Earth’s magnetic field

Horizontal Angle

•Measures horizontal angle from a known reference

• Direction and HD are used to locate a point

• Not influenced by Earth’s magnetic field

LaserSoft MapSmart app

•Fully functional data collection tool

• Onboard Volume routine

• Measure in minutes

• Immediate results

MapSmart Volume Training: Culvert Restoration

These images help provide a visual reference for MapSmart volume training for a culvert restoration project.

These images help provide a visual reference for MapSmart volume training via culvert restoration.

Assess the site

• Select a suitable place for the starting instrument position, or Origin, where you can see most of the culvert fill

• Make sure you can shoot to a second point that may be necessary to see all of the fill

Measure the Culvert

• Set the Origin or starting Control Point

• Put a temporary mark in the ground at the Origin and set the laser system up over it

• Start a New File and select either a ‘Volume with Azimuth’ or ‘with Angle’ survey

• Enter an accurate height for the laser Instrument above the mark on the ground

• The target height will typically be 0.0 when shooting directly to the surface

• Accept the default values of 0,0,0 for the Origin and reference the angle, if used

Culvert Fill Volume Workflow

• With the Base shot icon highlighted, shoot in the points (yellow)

• Follow the line of separation between the fill and the existing ground

• Shoot in more points where the line changes direction often, fewer where it is straight

• Make sure to measure points at all major breaks in slope and direction

• Tap the Pile icon and shoot in points on the material (red)

• Make sure to get good coverage and take points at all the breaks in the slope

• If another instrument position is required, tap the Create New CP button

• Move the system to the other side and use the same workflow to map in the base and pile points

MapSmart Volume Training: Pit Volume & Reclamation

These images help provide a visual reference for MapSmart volume training as the volume of a pit is acquired through 4 primary actions.

These images help provide a visual reference for MapSmart volume training via pit volume measurements.

Assess the site

• Select a suitable place for the starting instrument position, or Origin, where you can see most of the pit

• Make sure you can shoot to a second point that may be necessary to see all of the pit

• Set the Origin or starting Control Point

• Put a temporary mark in the ground at the Origin and set the laser system up over it

• Start a New File and select a ‘Volume with Azimuth’ or ‘with Angle’ survey

• Enter an accurate height for the laser Instrument above the mark on the ground

• The target height will typically be 0.0 when shooting directly to the surface

• Accept the default values of 0,0,0 for the Origin and reference the angle, if used

Pit Volume Workflow

• With the Base shot icon highlighted, shoot in the points (yellow)

• Follow the topmost edge of the pit before the slope breaks down

• Shoot in more points where the line changes direction often, fewer where it is straight

• Make sure to measure points at all major breaks in slope and direction

• Tap the Pile icon and shoot to points down in the pit (red)

• Make sure to get good coverage and take points at all the breaks in the slope

• If another instrument position is required, tap the Create New CP button

• Move the system to the other side and use the same workflow to map in the base and pile points

Reports

Generate a Volume Report

• When complete, tap the Calculate button and choose Volume

The final step in MapSmart volume training is to analyze the results.

The final step in MapSmart volume training is to analyze the results.

• Select a Material type if the tonnage is desired and tap the Calculate button to view the fill or pit volume result

• Uncheck the Triangles box to view the Contour map only

• Make sure the shape looks correct and that nothing is out of place. This gives you confidence in the result.

• Tap the Save button to generate a PDF report

Receive the Full Training Document as a PDF

Laser Technology, Inc. (LTI, Laser Tech) is a company devoted to the design and manufacture of innovative laser-based speed and distance measurement instruments, using ISO-compliant and continuous improvement techniques.

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