📚 User Guide

Complete guide to using Ilystics

Welcome to Ilystics

Ilystics helps construction professionals predict and plan for weather-related delays using historical weather data and soil science.

Account Comparison:

Feature Guest Member (Free) Pro ($149/mo)
Estimates 1 per day Unlimited Unlimited
Projects None Unlimited Unlimited
Soil Data Manual NRCS Map Picker NRCS + Geotech overrides
Advanced Logic None Gradient & Exposure Thaw Reset & Anomaly Alerts
Monitoring Search only Regional Mud Map Auto-Alerts for all sites

Estimate Tool

Generate professional PDF reports showing anticipated mud days for contracts.

Creating an Estimate

1Navigate to Estimate Tool

Click "Estimate Tool" in the sidebar or visit estimate.php

2Enter Location

Enter the project's ZIP Code. This determines the weather station for historical data.

3Select Soil Type

Choose the predominant soil type at your site. Pro Tip: Logged-in users can use the NRCS Map Picker to get official government data for their exact coordinates.

Soil / Group Base Drying NRCS Source Data
Clay (Group D) 4.0 days Very slow infiltration
Silt (Group B/C) 3.0 days Moderate to slow
Mixed 2.5 days Standard baseline
Sand (Group A) 1.0 days Rapid gravity drainage
Rock / Urban 0.5 days Variable (fast runoff)

4Set Date Range

Select start and end months for your project timeline.

5Advanced Parameters Logged In Only

Site Gradient:

  • Flat (0-2%): Water pools (1.4x multiplier)
  • Moderate (2-5%): Normal drainage (1.0x)
  • Steep (>5%): Fast runoff (0.8x)

Site Exposure:

  • Open: Full sun, faster drying
  • Shaded: Tree cover, adds 0.5 days

6Generate PDF

Click "Generate Estimate" to download your professional report!

Best Practice: Always use gradient and exposure parameters for maximum accuracy!

Dashboard

Interactive Map Features

Project Markers

Projects are color-coded by mud risk:

  • Green: Low risk - site workable
  • Yellow: Moderate risk - monitor conditions
  • Red: High risk - mud delays likely

Click any marker to view project details and quick actions.

Mastering the Mud Map New!

The Mud Map is a real-time command center for regional accessibility.

1. The Risk Layer (Choropleth)

We analyze a 10x10 density grid across your current view. Each cell represents a specific localized weather study. Risk Calculation: If a cell shows Red, the localized 7-day saturation index is above 1.5 days of required drying.

2. Live Radar (NWS NEXRAD)

Toggle this on to see where rain is currently falling. This is raw data from the National Weather Service MRMS system, updated every 2 minutes.

3. 7-Day Precipitation Heatmap

Shows exactly where the heaviest "Ground Saturating" rain has fallen over the last week. Useful for identifying why a specific site is still problematic even when it's sunny today.

4. Analysis Controls
  • Baseline Soil Type: Toggle between Clay, Silt, and Sand to see how the regional risk shifts based on site-specific geo-tech conditions.
  • Redo Search: Pan the map to a new area and click this to run a batch analysis on the new viewport.

Statistics Cards

  • Active Projects: Total non-completed projects
  • Mud Risk Sites: High-risk projects flagged
  • Avg Drying Days: Based on soil types

Project List

View all projects with filtering and sorting:

  • Search: Find projects by name
  • Filter by Status: Planning, Active, Completed, etc.
  • Filter by Type: Excavation, Concrete, Foundation
  • Sort: Newest, Oldest, Name (A-Z)

Managing Projects

Creating a Project

1Click "New Project"

From dashboard or sidebar, click "+ New Project"

2Set Location on Map

Click the map to place your project marker, or enter coordinates manually.

3Fill Project Details

Required:

  • Project Name
  • Location (coordinates from map)
  • Soil Type

Optional:

  • Site Gradient & Exposure
  • Job Type (Excavation, Concrete, Foundation, Grading, Other)
  • Contractor Name
  • Crew Size
  • Equipment Details
  • Project Notes

4Save

Click "Create Project". It appears on your map immediately!

Editing & Deleting

Click any project marker or card to:

  • Edit: Update any project details
  • View Logs: See daily log history
  • Weather History: Historical data for this location
  • Delete: Permanently remove (deletes all logs too!)
Warning: Deleting a project also deletes all associated daily logs. This cannot be undone!

Daily Site Logs

Record site conditions, crew activities, and weather impacts daily.

Creating a Daily Log

1Select Project

Click project on map/dashboard, or visit Daily Logs page.

2Set Date

Choose the log date (defaults to today).

3Record Conditions

  • Site Workable: Yes/No
  • Notes: Describe conditions and work performed
  • Weather: Auto-captured (temp, precipitation)

4Add Crew (Optional)

  • Crew member names
  • Roles (Foreman, Operator, Laborer)
  • Hours worked

5Save

Click "Save Log". Logged permanently!

Best Practice: Log daily, even on non-workable days! Creates complete documentation for claims and disputes.

Why Daily Logs Matter

  • Documentation: Permanent site condition record
  • Claims: Evidence for weather delay claims
  • Trends: Identify accessibility patterns
  • Compliance: Meet contract requirements

Understanding the Formula

The Ilystics estimate uses the Unified Soil Scientist Formula (Expert Edition) to calculate anticipated mud days.

The Core Formula

Delay = [(Base × Gradient) + Exposure] × Season × Intensity × Sponge

What Makes It "Expert Edition"?

Recent updates added three intelligent factors that make estimates more realistic:

Saturation Logic (v3.0)

Our "Saturation Engine" ensures that heavy rain events aren't "forgotten" by following light rain:

  • Memory Logic: If 2.0" of rain falls on Monday, the site is saturated. A 0.1" sprinkle on Tuesday will NOT reset the clock to "light" drying; the Monday saturation governs.
  • Extreme Weather Shield: Rain > 2.0" triggers a permanent "High Risk" state that overrides standard multipliers.

Sprinkle Check

Light rain (< 0.05") is ignored if the soil is already dry, preventing false positives from trace sprinkles.

Thermodynamic Seasonality

Uses actual evapotranspiration rates based on temperature:

  • Winter (Dec-Feb): 0.5x drying speed (Slow)
  • Shoulder (Mar-May, Sep-Nov): 0.75x drying speed (Moderate)
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): 1.0x drying speed (Fast)

Thaw Reset Trigger

A critical engineering fix: if the ground thaws after being frozen (max temp > 32°F), the drying clock resets to the full base soil value due to supersaturated conditions.

Intensity Tiering

Accounts for rain volume impact on soil structure. Specifically, thresholds at 0.5", 1.0", and 2.0" trigger mandatory minimum drying windows.

Granular vs. Cohesive Logic

The formula behaves differently for different soil types:

  • Sand/Rock (Granular): Drains by gravity. Slope and shade have minimal impact.
  • Clay/Silt (Cohesive): Drains by evaporation. Slope and shade matter significantly.

A day is considered "lost" if:

  1. Precipitation > 0.1 inches (active rain)
  2. OR Drying days remaining > 0 (mud recovery)
  3. OR Max temperature < 32°F (frozen ground)
The Result: More accurate estimates that account for real-world soil behavior, not just simple multipliers.

Account Settings

Changing Password

  1. Navigate to ⚙️ Settings
  2. Click "Change Password"
  3. Enter current and new password
  4. Click "Update"

Forgot Password?

  1. On login page, click "Forgot Password?"
  2. Enter your email
  3. Check email for reset link (valid 1 hour)
  4. Click link and set new password

Updating Profile

Update name, company, or email in Settings panel.

Tips & Best Practices

Estimate Tool Tips

  • Always use gradient & exposure for accuracy
  • Match soil type to actual site conditions
  • Generate at planning stage for realistic timelines
  • Update if conditions change during work

Project Management

  • Use descriptive names: "Main St Excavation - Phase 1"
  • Create separate projects for different phases
  • Update status regularly (Planning → Active → Completed)
  • Use soil map to verify soil type before creating project

Daily Logging

  • Log end of each day while fresh
  • Be specific: "Heavy rain 2-4pm, site flooded" not just "Rained"
  • Log non-workable days - critical for documentation!
  • Review logs weekly to spot trends

Map Features

  • Use soil map when planning new projects
  • Check precipitation overlay before daily schedules
  • Monitor red markers - adjust schedules proactively
  • Click markers for quick project access

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are estimates?

Based on 10 years of historical weather and scientifically-validated soil formulas. Provides realistic averages, but actual conditions may vary.

How does the soil map work?

Connects to USDA NRCS database. Click map to query official soil survey data for that exact location.

What's the precipitation overlay?

Real-time weather radar showing current rainfall. Updates automatically to help with daily planning.

Can I edit old logs?

Yes! Click any log in project history to edit or delete.

How is risk calculated?

Based on current weather, forecast, and site's soil/drainage characteristics. Updates automatically.

Is my data backed up?

Yes! Automatic backups run regularly. Export important reports for your records too.

Need More Help?

📧 Email: support@ilystics.com

📚 Check Methodology page for technical details