Piled Fuels Biomass and Emissions Calculator Support Documentation

• Procedures for estimating pile volume, biomass, and emissions: [View as webpage] [Download PDF]
   
• Saving inputs to csv file
  To save pile group data to a csv file, click the link reading "Export inputs to text" in the upper righthand corner of the Pile Group Data table. The page will reload with a new link reading "Right-click-save to download comma-delimited text file of inputs." The csv file will be formatted for upload in batch mode.
   
• Saving results to csv file
  To save pile group results to a csv file, click the link reading "Export results to text" in the upper righthand corner of the Pile Group Results table. The page will reload with a new link reading "Right-click-save to download comma-delimited text file of results." The csv file will contain both inputs and otuputs, and will be formatted for upload in batch mode.
   
• Using the Pile Calculator in batch mode
  You can enter pile group characterics manually, using the web form, or as a batch, using the csv template (right-click-save to download). After entering your data in the template (refer to directions: [html] [rtf file]), upload your csv file by clicking the "Batch" link in Step 1.
   
• Contacts
  For technical support with using this site, send questions, bug reports, and screencaps (if possible) to Paige Eagle (pceagle@uw.edu).

• The hand-piled fuels calculator component of this site is a companion to the publication:
  Wright, Clinton S.; Balog, Cameron S.; Kelly, Jeffrey W. 2009. Estimating volume, biomass, and potential emissions of hand-piled fuels. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-805. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 23 p. (https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/34607)
   
• The machine-piled fuels calculator component of this site is a companion to the publication:
  Hardy, Colin C. 1996. Guidelines for estimating volume, biomass and smoke production for piled slash. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-364. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 17 p. (https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/26244)

• 2024.03.22:
  Corrected code to calculate the volume of a half-frustum of cone with rounded ends (hat tip to Duncan Lutes at the Missoula Fire Lab)
• 2020.11.12: Added species composition and weight wood density columns to results table for better clarity regarding selected inputs vis a vis outputs.
• 2015.04.21:
  Updated deprecated php code (mysql_ to mysqli_) after server upgrade to PHP 5.5.21
• 2014.03.26:
  Corrected batch upload behavior with metric units. Batch template reverted to original format. See batch instructions to download.
• 2012.08.03:
  Troubleshooting errors cascading from the decision to call a centralized python-based pile calculator rather than embed the algorithms in the php.
• 2012.03.26:
  Corrected equations for English units in online documention: Procedures for estimating pile volume, biomass, and emissions.
• 2012.01.17:
  Added print-friendly report option, removed default consumption percent.
• 2011.04.01:
  Corrected error of using the number of piles blow-up factor a second time for biomass after it had already been applied to volume.
• 2011.04.01:
  Changed algorithm for multiple piles such that biomass is now estimated based on the volume of one pile only, then blown up by the factor of number of piles, rather than estimating the biomass given the total estimated volume for all given piles.
• 2011.04.01:
  Formula for geometric volume for half-spheroid changed from V = (PI * H1^3)/6 to V = 2/3 * PI * H1^3