Design Rule Purpose
Activating this design rule tells Optioneer to generated that avoid areas of high slopes. This is relevant for both onshore and offshore assets - steeper slopes mean more difficult construction, higher risk to the asset as a result of potential subsidence or long-term soil processes. A good, intuitive option for a linear asset follows mild slopes and only crosses high-slope areas if absolutely necessary.
How to Configure
This design rule is based on configuration of ranges of slope values and defining preference of crossing through these ranges by assigning a penalty.
In the example below, we demonstrate a simplified version of the model where only two slope ranges are present.
Slope values are derived from elevation or bathymetry dataset. Most systems in ArcGIS or QGIS would use logic similar to described in GDAL documentation here.
These slope values can be segmented into ranges. In this example, we consider two ranges - high slope (to be avoided) and low slope (below three degrees). The map, if segmented into separate datasets, would look as presented below.
In reality, Optioneer keeps the original dataset as-provided by users and samples values of the data along the centerline. The values are then divided into ranges and penalties are calculated appropriately. That allows the user to only provide a single dataset and make the configuration fully Optioneer-based and very flexible.
Important Notes
The dataset provides a single value for slope and there is no data about the direction of slope. In general, side slopes are often more challenging than 'head on' slopes. There is no distinction between upwards or downwards slope.
Users don't have to use all ranges. Ranges can be simply set to be bound between 0 and 0 and will effectively be ignored by Optioneer.
There is a final threshold beyond which slope is simply considered infeasible and this can be configured as a no-go zone.
The unit of the slope is the unit of the dataset that is uploaded. This allows you the flexibility to work in whatever unit is most suitable for the works.
Input & Output summary
Input Parameters
This design rule requires a dedicated 'slope' dataset which has to be uploaded by the user as a raster file.
Name | Default value | Unit |
'Preferable' slope range maximum penalty value | 0, 3, 1
| User defined, User defined, penalty points |
'Moderate' slope range maximum penalty value | 3, 5, 3 | User defined, User defined, penalty points |
'Acceptable' slope range maximum penalty value | 5, 10, 10 | User defined, User defined, penalty points |
'Difficult' slope range maximum penalty value | 10, 15, 30 | User defined, User defined, penalty points |
'Very difficult' slope range maximum penalty value | 15, 25, 100 | User defined, User defined, penalty points |
Threshold to consider slope infeasible | 25 | User defined |
Output Parameters
Name | Example value | Unit |
Total length through 'Preferable' slope range | 1000 | meters |
Total length through 'Moderate' slope range | 800 | meters |
Total length through 'Acceptable' slope range | 400 | meters |
Total length through 'Difficult' slope range | 1000 | meters |
Total length through 'Very difficult' slope range | 100 | meters |
Total slope penalty | 17800 | points |
This design rule can also provide visualisation of results along the centerline.
The plot can be accessed via Vertical Profile Chart > Composition > Penalty. The penalty will be mixed with other sources of penalty points, giving a quick insight into main risks related to the option being studied.