Patent ID: 6028270
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: G01G,G01V

Abstract:
A method of determining the weight of stockpiled materials comprising the steps of:(a) determining the elevation of the pile surface at a plurality of points and constructing a three-dimensional elevation surface model;(b) defining a two-dimensional planar surface through the elevation points along the toe of the pile;(c) calculating the volume of the stockpiled material from the region defined between the two-dimensional planar surface and the three-dimensional elevation surface model;(d) measuring the gravitational field at the surface of the pile along predetermined profile lines and at predetermined spacings along the profile lines using a gravimeter according to a prescribed measurement progam;(e) adjusting gravitational field measurements by reference to a base station and making gravity corrections for the effects of latitude, elevation, topography, and earth tides:(f) interpreting gravity values determined along the profile lines by analytical and statistical methods to determine a volume-average bulk density value of the pile material; and(h) multiplying the pile volume by the volume-average bulk density; whereby the weight of the stockpiled materials is obtained.