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 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 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.

• 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

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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.