Chapter 2 Workflows

CHAPTER 2 WORKFLOWS 1
2.1 Road railway design 1
2.1.1 Preparation of the existing ground surface model: 1
2.1.2 Design of the road (railway) axis: 2
2.1.3 Calculation of the road cross section rotation and rail superelevations 2
a) In the case of road design 2
b) In the case of railway design 2
2.1.4 Insertion of the Cross Sections along the Alignment: 3
2.1.5 Profile extraction 3
2.1.6 Profile analysis 3
2.1.7 Extract Cross Sections from the Model 3
2.1.8 Building and insertion of the template Sections 4
2.1.9 Earthwork computation 4
2.1.10 Cross Sections labelling 5
2.1.11 Reconstruction of the corridor Plan 5
4.1 Quick design of a 3D corridor model 5
4.2 Quarry design 5
2.1.12 Preparation of the terrain Model: 5
2.1.13 Definition of the Quarry foot zone: 6
2.1.14 Grading definitions 6
2.1.15 Close the Quarry bottom: 6
2.1.16 Volume computation: 6
4.3 Watershed analysis 8
2.1.17 Creation/Modification of a cross section 8
2.1.18 Watershed automatic recognition 8
2.1.19 Watershed analysis 8
2.1.20 Import/Expost from Hec-Ras 9
2.1.21 Creation of average Profile from sections 9
4.4 Calculation of an Aqueduct Network 9
2.1.22 Net insertion 9
2.1.23 Handling of the Net: modification and calculation 11
2.1.24 Profiles management 11
2.1.25 Structures management 11

2.1 Road railway design

Hereafter is displayed the sequence of the operations that must be done to make a road or railway
design by using the CIVIL Design software. The process is subdivided into 11 steps. Every step is
made by a short description and the name of the menu command is written in cursive.
Go to the Help on line manual for a more detailed description of all the commands. Steps that are pe-
culiar to rail design are put in brac kets.

2.1.1 Preparation of the existing ground surface model:

Import the Topographic Points (if they are not already in the drawing) by the command:
Handle points / Points group

Create the TIN surface by the command:

3D Surface Digital models / Create DTM

Create, if you want, contours:

3D Surface Digital models / Create contours

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2.1.2 Design of the road (railway) axis:

Set the Cross section type:
Alignments / Set / Road regulations

Insert curves by using the commands of Curves menu. For instance, use:
Alignments / Curves / Clothoid-Circle-Clothoid

(Alignments / Curves / Parabola Circle Parabola)

Define one or more Alignments starting from the base elements you just created. You can do it
by the command:

Alignments / Alignment

A 2D polyline will be superimposed to the base elements (at elevation z = 0) and it will represent the
planimetric design Alignment.

To modify an already created Alignment (or Alignments) use the following command:
-> Alignments/Edit Alignment

2.1.3 Calculation of the road cross section rotation and rail superelevations

a) In the case of road design

Calculate the road cross sections rotations by the command:

Alignments / Calculate Rotations

The command enables the automatic drawing of both 2D and 3D polyline s of edges, axis, rotation
axis, shoulders, lane axis and sidewalks.

At this point it is possible to check if the whole alignment parameters are in line with the values pro-
vided for by the regulations in force:
Calculate the speed diagram by the command:
Alignments / Road Alignment analysis / Speed diagram

To compare the Alignment parameters with those provided for by the regulations in force, use
the following command:
Alignments / Road Alignment analysis / Verification of the Alignment

You can also execute the 2D sight distance control by the command:
Alignments / Road Alignment analysis / Sight diagram

b) In the case of railway design

Set the parameters for calculation and verification with the standards provided for by the
regulation in force about italian railways:
Alignments / Set / Railways regulation

Calculate Superelevations:
Alignments / Calculate Superelevation

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2.1.4 Insertion of the Cross Sections along the Alignment:

Insert Cross Sections (lines at elevation z = 0) by:

Alignments / Sections on Alignment

2.1.5 Profile extraction

Extract the Profile from the terrain model:

3D Surface Digital models / Calculate profile

2.1.6 Profile analysis

Activate the object Profile, in which the terrain outline is drawn, by the co mmand:
Set Current Frame / Object

The XY axis will become respectively the chainage and elevation reference axis of the Profile.

Insert the Cross Sections, previously defined along the Alignment, on Profile:
Profiles / Profile Sections
by clicking on the Sections from Al. button. Now you can calculate the terrain elevations cor-
responding to the Cross Sections by the Elev. on <.

Insert the design Tangents by the command:

Profiles / Profile Tangents
or simply by drawing a 2D polyline.

Insert the design vertical Curves:

Profiles / Road Profile

Calculate the design elevations corresponding to the Cross Sections by:

Profiles / Profile Sections

Page up the Profile:

Profiles / Page up profile
This command leads to the layout space (variable Tilemode = 0), where the profile can be la-
belled.

Label the Profile:

Profiles / Profile labelling

2.1.7 Extract Cross Sections from the Model

Calculation of the Cross Sections:

3D Surface Digital Models / Calculate Sections from 3D model
3D polylines will be drawn on the Model corresponding to the planimetric Cross Sections.
Build a custom Cross Section Frame by the command:
Handle Objects / Creation Section frame

A san alternative, you can choose a template Cross Section frame.

Put the Cross Sections from the Model to the frames:

3D Surface Digital Models / Model -> Cross Sections

To sum up the situation, you can display a list of all frames existing in your dwg and quickly
zoom on each one of them by:
Manager

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which opens a dialog box containing the list of Cross Sections and Profiles related to the
Alignments present in the drawing. You can activate an object of the list by checking the box
near its name.

N.B. It makes no difference to extract first the terrain Profile and second the Cross Sections or vice
versa.

2.1.8 Building and insertion of the template Sections

Activate a Section object by the command:

Set Current Frame / Object
Coordinates will be set automatically on chainages and elevations of the Section, in addition all
the Section handling functions will be activated;

Build the template Section:

Cross Sections / Draw on Sections and Insert Templates / Terrain polyline, Design polyline

This command creates automatically the layers (CD-SE-MATERIALNAME); otherwise the tem-
plate Sections can be created by the classic AutoCAD commands ( 2D Polyline), paying atten-
tion to the layer.

It is possibile to associate parametric rules to the Section polyline points:

Handle Polylines / 2D Polyline

Create a template Cross Section that will be named CD-Tnumber, where number is a progres-
sive value to choose (for more information go to the Help on line or to the special section of
this manual);
To insert the template Sections launch the command:
Cross Sections / Draw on Sec tions and Insert Templates / Automatic Sections from tem-
plates
paying attention to the terrain layer to which the template Section will be extended and to
the layer on which is drawn the design polyline (belonging to the template Section) to e xtend.
Within the software is provided a library of template Sections to meet the majo rity of the de-
sign cases.

2.1.9 Earthwork computation

To compute Areas and Volumes it is necessay to define the computing Items by the co mmand:
Cross Sections/Areas and Volumes calculation / Define Items

Automatic computation of Areas:

Cross Sections/Areas and Volumes calculation/Calculate sections areas

or of a single one, after created a closed polyline by the AutoCAD command:

Handle Polylines/Recognize Boundary
and then:
Cross Sections/Areas and Volumes calculation/Single Section Area

This command must be used also to compute Volumes by the barycentre method. To compute
one single Area Item use the similar command:

Cross Sections/Areas and Volumes calc ulation/Single line

Compute Volumes:
Cross Sections/Areas and Volumes calculation/Volumes

Insert in every Section frame the table containing its own Areas data:
Cross Sections/Areas and Volumes calculation/Table Areas on Section frames

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2.1.10 Cross Sections labelling

Set labelling features by:

Cross Sections / Label Data Bands Setup

Label Sections:
Cross Sections / Label Data Bands

2.1.11 Reconstruction of the corridor Plan

Create the Plan by using the command:

Alignments / Draw Corridor

This command enables to draw Edges, Slopes and Slope Edges on Plan and/or Model.

Add particular elements (walls, ditches, ) by:

Cross Sections/Cross Sections -> 3D Model/Sections -> Plan Polyline

2.2 Quick design of a 3D corridor model

To create quickly a 3D corridor model follow the points 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 4.1.3,, 2.1.6; so the terrain
Model, planimetric Alignment and Profile will be done. The last step will be to create the template
Section or choose it between the existing ones.

Then run this command:

Alignments / 2D/3D Corridor Design
The road block is created and can be used for 3D Views, extraction of se ctions, etc.

In order to obtain perfect merging between the project model and the te rrain use:
3D Surface Digital Models/Divide DTM
to divide the triangles that are on the edge of the 3D polylines generated with the 3D Project com-
mand

To clear out the terrain triangles that are above and below the project model use:
3D Surface Digital Models / DTM Hole

To generate a video image of the road course use:

Modelling and Visualizing /3D Continuous View

Refer to the Tutorial to have a more accurate description of the proc edures to follow.

2.3 Quarry design

Hereafter is displayed the sequence of operations to carry out the design and computation of a Le v-
elling or a Quarry by using the CIVIL Design software. The process is subdivided in 5 steps.

2.1.12 Preparation of the terrain Model:

Import the topographic points group (if they are not already in the drawing) by the co mmand:
Handle Points / Edit Points Group

Make the triangulation:

3D Surface Digital Models / Create DTM

It is also possibile to create Contours:

3D Surface Digital Models / Create Contours

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2.1.13 Definition of the Quarry foot zone:

define the levelling contour by drawing a 2D polyline at elevation z = 0;

create its real 3D projection:

1. if the polyline defines the bottom of a quarry: elevate it by the command Move or by:
Handle Polylines / Polyline on Plane
2. if the polyline defines the contour of a quarry on the Model, project it on the Model by:
Handle Polylines / 2D Polyline -> Model

2.1.14 Grading definitions

Use the following command:

Levelling and Earthworks / 3D Gradings
selecting the limit polyline and creating the Model. To create some banks: generate the gra d-
ings in several moments by using limitation options at definite elevations (absolute or relative)
and drawing the grading end polyline too. The banks can be created by making an offset of
those polylines by:
Handle Polylines / Offset 3D Polyline
new polylines can be used to create other gradings.

2.1.15 Close the Quarry bottom:

Create the TIN Model starting from the polyline which defines the bottom of the Quarry:
3D Surface Digital Models / DTM by closed polyline

2.1.16 Volume computation:

compute the Volume by using the prisms method: effettuare il calcolo del Volume con il
metodo dei prismi con il c omando:
Levelling and Earthwork / Prismoidal Volumes

selecting as contour polyline that one limiting the Quarry perimeter. This command computes
the Volume difference (both in cutting and filling) produced by terrain and project in relation to
a fixed elevation plane.
To distinguish cut and fill Volumes use the command:
Levelling and Earthwork / Cut and fill Volumes between Models
As an alternative, the computing can be done by:

Draw the Alignment straights (the Axis Traverse) by AutoCAD lines;

Identify the Alignment:

Alignments/Alignment

Insert Cross Sections (that are lines at elevation z=0):

Alignments / Sections on Alignment

Calcolate Sections:
3D Surface Digital Models / Calculate Sections from 3D model

3D polylines will be drawn on the Model corresponding to the planimetric Cross Sections;

Create a Cross Section frame by the command:

Handle Frames/Objects / Creation Section frame

Draw both the Sections in the frames:

3D Surface Digital Models / Model -> Cross Sections
define the computing Items:

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Cross Sections / Areas and Volumes calculation / Define Items

Compute automatically Areas by:

Sections / Areas and Volumes calculation/ Calculate Sections Areas

Compute Volumes:
Cross Sections / Areas and Volumes calculation / Volumes
Insert in every Section frame the table containing its own Areas data:
Cross Sections / Areas and Volumes calculation / Table Areas on Section frames

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2.4 Watershed analysis

Hereafter is illustrated the workflow scheme to make a watershed analysis by CIVIL Design.

2.1.17 Creation/Modification of a cross section

The part of territory subject to the work must be found: river segments, watershed perimeter
and contours (or DTM, if already existing). If only contuors exist, the DTM must be created:

3D Surface Digital Models / Create DTM

Create a new cross section:

Watershed / Create section

Modify, if necessary, the section previously created:

Watershed / Edit section

2.1.18 Watershed automatic recognition

If the watershed perimeter is unknown, it can be identifyed automatically.

Create a section as already done:

Watershed / Create section
Insert only name and position of the section and press Enter to exit the command.

Launch the perimeter automatic recognition command:

Watershed / Watershed Automatic Recognition

2.1.19 Watershed analysis

Once section and general imput data have been inserted start the analysis proc edure:
Watershed / Watershed General Analysis

It is possible to make an analysis of the hypsographic curve and capacity:

Watershed / Ipsographic Curve

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2.1.20 Import/Expost from Hec-Ras

An alignment must be created along the segment that has to be exported. If necessary bring
the segment polyline to elevation 0.

Modify entity / Change Entity Elevation

Explode segment polyline:

Explode / Create the alignment:

Alignments / Alignment

Insert sections on alignment:

Alignments / Sections on Alignment

Extract sections from the digital model:

3D Surface Digital Models / Calculate Sections from 3D Model

Draw sections:

3D Surface Digital Models / Model -> Cross Sections

If some Profile is needed it can be drawn (not necessary to the e xport):

3D Surface Digital Models / 3D POlyline -> Profile (or Calculate Profile, if an alignment has al-
ready been done)

Export of the .GEO file for Hec -Ras:

Watershed / Segment Definition

Watershed / Export to HEC-RAS

Import of a .SDF file from Hec -Ras:

Watershed / Import from HEC-RAS

2.1.21 Creation of average Profile from sections

Once an alignment has been created along a river segment and cross sections have been in-
serted:

Watershed / Sections -> Average Profile

2.5 Calculation of an Aqueduct Network

Hereafter is displayed the sequence of operations necessary to design an Aqueduct net by CIVIL De-
sign. The flux of work gets along four steps.

2.1.22 Net insertion

Several approaches can be followed to insert a new net: create first the junctions and then
connect them by pipes; or insert directly the pipes (creating automatically also all nodes). In both
ways primary data about net elements will be required.

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Create a new junction:

Aqueducts / Insert Node

Insert a pipe between two junctions:

Aqueducts / Insert Branch

OR

Insert a pipe by first with creation of junctions at both ends:

Aqueducts / Insert Branch

Insert a Reservoir:
Aqueducts / Insert Reservoir

Modify a net element:

Aqueducts / Edit Network

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2.1.23 Handling of the Net: modification and calculation

Creation, modification and calculation of the network can be done entirely by a dialog box containing
the elements data base:
Aqueducts / Network Management and Comput ation

2.1.24 Profiles management

A profile of every path along the net can be drawn.

Aqueducts / Create Profile

Their representation can be completed by the insertion of Structures (see next section) and
their labelling:
Set Current Frame/Object

Profiles / Page up Profile

Profiles / Profile Labelling

2.1.25 Structures management

Customized structure styles can be created, choosing their base elements and dimensions.
Aqueducts / Structures Archive

Once created custom styles, longitudinal profiles can be completed by the insertion of stru c-
tures on junctions:
Set Current Frame/Object

Aqueducts / Structure Management

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