Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

Civil 3D 2015 to 2018

1. User interface
1.1 Ribbon The place where most Civil 3D commands are launched.
1.2 Toolspace The Civil 3D “command center” where all the data and settings are laid out in
an organized fashion
1.3 Command Line The “chat window” where you and Civil 3D talk to one another.
Most of our work will be on those dashboards see figure 1.

figure 1 Civil 3D main dashboard

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

2. Points

Points in Civil 3D are represented as X, Y and Z (or Easting, Northing and Elevation) locations in
space. Each point has a unique number, name that can be used for labeling.
Points are used to identify the location of existing features (trees, corners, topography and/or
road geometry points)
So, where these points are come from?
The points are mostly come from surveying devices (Total Station, GPS, Laser scanner,
satellite images…etc.), also it can be entered manually.
2.1 Create a manual point.
A manual point may be needed if the coordinate of that point is known.
From the toolspace (prospector) → Points → RC (Right Click) → Create.. (Creation point board
will appear) → Choose the first button from the left (miscellaneous) →

- Manually choose any point form drawing area (follow the instruction in the Command
Line)
- Northing / Easting to enter the point coordination (follow the instruction in the
Command Line)
2.2 Import an external point.
The most common case, is to import points (data) of an existence objects that been surveyed.
Mostly, by external file.
Most of the point come in an excel file, in such order: Point Name or ID, point Easting, point
Northing, point Elevation, point Discretion or cade (PENZD). Note that the points can come in
on other order like the (PNEZ).
But we need to convert it to text file so the can deal with it.
SO, how to import it to CIVIL 3D?
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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

1- From Excel
File → Save as → Browse → from save as type choose Text (Tap delimited)

2- Now open the new Text file delete the first line (all the litters) because Civil 3D deal with
number only. Then save the file.

3- From Civil 3d
From the toolspace (prospector)→ Points → R.C. → Create → Choose the last button from the
left (Import Point),

a new window will appear (Import Points) →

from specify point file format (filtering OFF) choose the PENZD space delimited (because that
what was the order in our excel file) →
browse the text file from Add files (choose our text file) → ok.

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

In some CIVIL 3D versions, you may see green sign of √, and the points in Preview window.
if not, means you did something wrong.
2.2.2 For more details for the points (Point, easting, Northing, Elevation, Description, Type,
Hight, Kind. etc..).
In many cases the point from GPS and/or Total station need to have more details such as trees
manholes, Building corners, curbs, poles, etc.…
This can help the designer and make his/her life much easier.
1- -From the Excel
File → Save as → Browse → from save as type choose CSV (Comma delimited)

2- open the new CSV file (with notepad)

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

delete the first and second line (all the litters) → save as text file.

Before going to CIVIL 3D, we have to know that the PENZD file represents the five columns as
we shown before.
So, we need to define/add more columns to match the point file.
3- From Civil 3d
(a) To define/add more columns
From the toolspace (Sitting)→ Points (L.C. on +) → User-Define Property Classification (L.C. on
+) → Unclassified→ R.C. → New
A window of User-Define Property will appear
- From new write the point property use the same of Excel column name (in our case
Type, light pole height and light pole name). note that
- From Property file type choose (string for name and Distance or Dimension for
measured thing).
(b) To make a new Format
From the tool-space (prospector)→ Points → R.C → Create. → from specify point file
format (filtering OFF) choose manage format button
choose New button → (means you will make a new format that goes with your points
type → chose use point file

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

- A new window will appear → -

- From format name Put a name of for example test.
- From Format potion choose Delimited by and put comma [,].

Go to unused buttons and define them from left to right according order of imported point
file for example: the point format is point Name, Easting, Northing, Elevation, Discretion, Type,
pole Height, pole name.
- So, → LC on unused buttons → define → Ok.
You should find the new defend point property (column).
Know you can import the points from impost, as we did before

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

You can always modify this format from Manage format

The point should appear under toolspace (prospector) → choose one of them → RC → Zoom
to. Now it should appear on the drawing area.

3. Point group
why do you think we need to create a Point Groups?
Point groups is powerful techniques to select a certain surveying points like the ground point
or any points that represent trees, man holes, curbs, buildings...etc. A point group can ease or
filter the point data in the drawing.
Simply, we will categorize the point according to the description, type…etc. of the point, which
means that we make the point that represent that same thing in groups e.g. (points that
represent tree, manholes, curbs will be put in groups to ease dealing with.
So, ... How could we create a Point Groups?
3.1 From the toolspace (prospector) → Points Group → R.C. → New → A dialog window will
appear
- From Information → Name choose the point group name for example Tree

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

- From Include → Click on with Row Description Matching (Row Description was defined
from point before) → Write the same name from the fifth column from the point list file
that you imported followed by (*) (to include all points that have same litters) →apply
For example, [TR*]
- See point list if your points have been grouped
- Do the point grouping for all point according to the points code or Description that was
defend in as the row description column. EG, MNH

You can use other ways to choose points for the groups e.g. (with number matching: →
select form drawing).
 Also, you can exclude point from a set of points that been selected form in the
same manner for example we will make a point grope for EG only all point by
- From the toolspace (prospector) → Points Group → R.C. → New →
- From Information → Name

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

- From Include → with number matching → L.C. on selection set in Drawing. Then choose
all the point in then drawing area.
- From Exclude → Click on with Row Description Matching and write all other point
description, Our case TR*, MNH*, LP*. Now cheek the point list to if it works.

3.2 What if a point or a group of points had two types in the same description? for example
point ID tree that include Palms and Oaks or Manholes that includes sanitary and storm
manholes. They should be in the sixth column in the Excel sheet.
Easy, do the same thing as above and define the sixth column from query builder.
- Toolspace (prospector)→ Points Group → R.C. → New → From Information → Name
choose the name of the sub-group (SAN) → Include → Click on with Row Description
Matching and write the name of the main grope as before (MNH*) → Query building and
from it

- Click on modify query → go to property column and choose the name that you defined
to represent the sixth column in the excel sheet (type) → go to Value column and choose
the name in the point type column followed by (*) (SAN*).
See pint list if your points have been grouped.

3.3 you can change the point style (how it looks) and label (writing) to make the work on
the points easer by
Toolspace (prospector)→ Points Group → choose point group → R.C. → Properties

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

- Go to point style and choose the one you want. For example, you can change the marker
size, shape or color.
- you can go to point label style and choose the label that you want to show e.g. elevation
or easting and northing, type …... You can also add or modify any label you want.
Or you make label by Create New (may be difficult) or Copy Current Selection by
choosing the closest one and modify it.

-Form information you can change the name, date… etc.

-From layout you can do a lot of thing i.e (visibility, text place and text Hight…) → text
→ contents → another A dialog window will appear (Text Component Editor)
- Delete existence text in the black box → properties (choose the thing that you want to
show e.g. description, type) → L.C. on the arrow → OK→ OK.

4. Surfaces
One of the most fundamental elements in a three-dimensional model of any design is the
surface model.
The Civil 3D generates a triangular plane using a group of three points. Each triangular plane
shares an edge with another, and a continuous surface is made. This methodology is referred
to as a triangulated irregular network (TIN),
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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

4.1 Creating Surfaces

First, you need to create a surface in Civil 3D, you give it a name and set its style.
The surface will be empty, containing no data
Your next step is to add data to the surface definition. So,
- toolspace (prospector)→ surface → R.C → create a new surface.

- The create surface will appear

- You need to choose a type (TIN surface), Name (Test 1), Style (the accuracy that you
need). You can choose the Description and render style material that fits your work.

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

- know you created a the surface but, you make one

Surface → name of the new surface (Test 1) → Definition → Pint group → R.C. → add →
choose the point group (should be NGL or EG or existing ground pints) → O.K

You should have a surface now.

4.2 Surface boundary
the boundary of the surface (the green surrounding line) represent the real topography,
but as it could be seen in figure below, CIVL 3d calculate the in such area that does not
have the 3D point. So the surface may not be very accurate.

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

SO, we need to make a boundary

surface → name of the new surface (Test 1) → Definition → Boundaries → R.C. → add

Add Boundary window will appear:

- Make a Name of the surface. Type is explained blow :
to test the effect of surface you need to make an abject by polyline inside the surface

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

4.2.1 Outer an outer boundary establishes a perimeter for the surface. No surface data can
exist outside an outer boundary. Not that the counter line depend on the point outside the
boundary.

4.2.2 Hide A hide boundary creates a void or “hole” in the surface. Hide boundaries are
commonly used to remove surface data within buildings or any construction . Note that the
point in surface is contacted in surface, means that the point outside the object still recognize
the point in the object.

4.2.3 Show A show boundary creates an island of data within a hide boundary.
4.2.4 Data Clip The first three types of boundaries hide the surface data after it has been
created. A data-clip boundary is a special type of boundary that prevents data outside it
from ever becoming part of the surface.
Data-clip boundaries are used in cases where a small surface is representing the reality or
may affect the real TIN grid or even the data covers a large area.
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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

Note. The Data Clip may not appear unless re order the operation of the surface by:
- name of the new surface (Test 1) → R.C → Surface properties → Definition →
- form operation type → choose the data clip and make the first by the arrows
- Civil 3D will ask you to rebuild the surface. O.K

4.3 Surface BreakLines

A line that interpolation of the data if needed, not only the data itself. Mean the point cannot
make a contact of TIN grid through the Breakline.
- surface → name of the new surface (Test 1) → Definition → Breakline → R.C. → add
- make a name of the backline from Discretion and choose Type as the following
- to see the effect of the backline you need to make a line by polyline or a featureline
inside the surface. The Distance refer to the max distance for each interval.

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

4.3.1 Standard Defined by selecting 3D lines, grading feature lines, 3D polylines, or splines.
Which may prestart a curb line or and line may affect the surface.
4.3.2 Proximity deal with the XY coordinates of proximity breakline.
4.3.3 Wall A wall breakline is stored as a standard breakline, an elevation difference for each
vertex, or for the entire breakline. Mean that you will define a wall give its height to be
considered in the surface calculation, also the wall can be derived into several parts that may
vary in height, just follow the command line.

4.3.4 Non-destructive. Defined using grading feature lines and open or closed AutoCAD
objects. A non-destructive breakline maintains the integrity of the original surface. This for an
object that may not the surface grid like a low-level foot walk.

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

This could be a road that cross our surface, so we use the standard as a break line to define
the road in the surface. Note that the surface counter line will be changed due to the breakline
elevation. Try the wall.

4.4 Surface Editing

Manual edits allow further surface refinement by changing the surface TIN grid or triangles. A
number of manual edits can be performed on a surface. These edit options become part of the
definition of the surface and include the following.
- Left Click on any point on the surface → the Tin surface test will appear on the Ribbon
→ Edit surface
- OR form surface → name of the new surface (Test 1) → Definition → Edits → R.C.

Form Edit surface

- Add/Delete Lines: to add or delate any Tin line by clicking on it. This coud be used if you have
any couture line that does not represent the realty.
-Swap Edge: to change the Tin line direction.
-Add/Delete/Modify Points: this will deal with points and so will affect the Tin grid
-Minimize flat areas: by some option will appear when clicked i.e. add point or Swap Edge.
-Raise/Lower Surface. This will raise the whole surface by a number (i.e.5 meter)
-Smooth Surface: this will make a new grid (made after clicking and choosing grid X or Y
spacing) for a specify area.
-Paste Surface: Lee later
-Simplify Surface: to make simpler surface with many option can be seen after clicking.

4.5 Surface Label

You may need to show some information about the surface.
L.C. on the Add Labels form from the surface ribbon

This will appear

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4.5.1 Add surface Labels: include all the below

4.5.2 Slope: if click on it, it will ask you one point or two points.
If you choose one point, you can click on anywhere on the surface and it will give you slope
amount and direction.
If you choose two points, you can choose ant tow points on the surface and it will give you
slope amount and direction too.
4.5.3: Spot Elevations: choose it then click on anywhere on the surface and it will give the
elevation.
4.5.4 Contour - single: choose it then click on contour line and it will give the elevation.
4.5.5: Contour - Multiple: you can choose ant tow points on the surface and it will give the
elevation of all the contour line. The cross that line.
4.5.6: Contour – Multiple at Interval: same as above but it will ask you to an interval (ex
100m) to put the elevation one same contour line each 100m

4.6 Surface Analysis

You can perform many types of surface-related analysis, including contour, directions,
elevations, slopes, slope-arrows, watersheds, and water drop path.
First you have you have to modify the surface style then surface properties. We will do
elevation as an example then others are all most the same.

4.5.1 Elevations. Used for aspect analysis. Renders surface triangles differently according to
the Elevations they face.
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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

1- L.C. on any point on the surface → the Tin surface test will appear on the Ribbon → Edit
surface

2- Choose surface properties → Edit surface style → surface style cantors and triangle.
3- From analysis go to Elevation you can change the properties i.e.
- Range color scheme: means the colors of each elevation (make it rainbow)
- Number of Ranges: means how many range we need or divide the elevations into how
many ranges.
- Display style: 2D solid will work.
- Elevations Display Mode: use surface elevations

4- From Display go to visible column and click on the bulb of the Elevation, then o.k.

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To activate the that do step

5- Choose surface properties → surface properties → surface properties (win) will appear
6- Go to Analysis from analysis type go to Elevation –

- from number, you can choose how many zone you want to make
- . Then click on the arrow ↓
- you can adjust the zone that you made from ID scam fit to (maximum value and
minimum value) if you want to make each zone to start and end on a certain elevation.
Then O.k.
It is very important to show the legend of the direction that we made to make easy to be
underattended to anyone.
7- Surface ribbon → add legend → and follow the orders from the command line.
- First entre the table type [Directions, Elevations, Slopes, Slope Arrows, Watersheds,
Water Drop]. Choose Elevation

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- Then Behaver [Dynamic, Static] choose Dynamic (it will change when point changes).
- Choose the point of top left of the table (pick any pint on the drawing area)

4.5.2 Direction. Used for Direction analysis. Renders surface triangles differently according to
their Direction range. Do the same steps of 4.5.1 Direction but choose Direction in state of
Elevation.
4.5.3 Slopes. Renders surface triangles differently according to the slope range they fall within.
Do the same steps of 4.5.1 Direction but choose Slops in state of Direction.
4.5.4 Slope Arrows. Used for slope direction analysis. Do the same steps of 4.5.1 Direction but
choose Slops Arrows in state of Direction.
4.5.5 Watersheds. Renders watersheds differently according to their type Do the same steps
of 4.5.1 Direction but choose Watersheds in state of Direction.
4.5.6 Water Drop. Used to trace the path that water would take across a surface.
- Left Click on surface Ribbon → Water Drop → at Water Drop (win) you can change the
properties of it → o.k. → click on any point on surface to too the water path.
4.5.7 Left Click on surface Ribbon → Catchment Area → click on any point on surface and it
will show the area that water will go to that point.
4.6 Surface Volumes
Use the volumes dashboard to analyze volume between the surface and another area within
the surfaces. This by making in the Volumes between tow surfaces.
- You already made a surface as before we saw.
Now you have to make another surface to compare it with first one (ground)
- Make the an abject on the surface that represent the excavation (by polyline or
rectangular). RC on it→ Properties → go to Elevation and put the wanted elevation.
- Make the new surface and make (add) the New object as a Standard Breakline .

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- Left Click on any point on the surface → the Tin surface test will appear on the Ribbon
→ Volumes Dashboard → Volumes Dashboard (win)

- → go to Create a new volume surface

- From information, you can give volume a name

- From volume surface → From base surface choose the surface that you made from the
surveying point (test)
- From comparison surface choose that new surface that you just made (the one you need
to find its volume). O.K

- The amount of cut and fill will appear on Volumes Dashboard (win) you can click on
create cut/fill report to make it as a report.

5 Alignment
The alignment represents the 2D path or a top view of a (roadway, railway, pipeline, channel
etc... Civil 3D will just concentrate of the road alignment creation.
It’s important to mention that Civil3D is programed to work according to codes (i.e. AASHTO)
which will be seen next.

5.1 Create alignment from objects.

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the simplest way is to create an alignment from an existing object (by line, arc or polyline).
This is very useful if you have an old road that is need to be remade or you have to follow an
exact alignment.
- From the home ribbon → Alignment → Create alignment from objects

- Follow the comment line box, select the first line → second… → reverse (direction)
- A dialog win will appear → choose a name → the Type (center line for a new road)

→ -- discretion if needed → starting station (0+000 for a new

road)

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

. (1) From General: - site go with none → alignment style (choose the needed style
or go with layout) → alignment layer (work layer in Civil3D) → Alignment label set.
(label that will appear, or go with major and minor) → conversion option Click on add
curves between tangents and add the default radios → click on erase existing entity
To erase the objects after creation of the alignment.

. (2) Design criteria: - choose the design speed → Click on criteria-based design if you
want to change the
1- minimum radius.
2- number of lanes
3- attainment method (road transverse slope) → click on check list if you want to add
any other restriction (see later).

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

- You should see the alignment divided into stations, If not

L.C. to choose the alignment than R.C.
Form the menu go to Alignment Label editor

Form type choose major station then L.C. on Add>

Aging form type choose minor station then L.C. on Add>
Now form increment write the distance between the stations for example 100m for major
and 25m for minor

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

- An exclamation mark inside a yellow triangle will probably appear. Means that
this part of the alignment does not meet the specification.

So, how to fix the alignment?

1- First click on the alignment, the alignment properties will appear on the ribbon.
2- L.C. geometry editor → alignment layout tolls (win) will appear

3- L.C Alignment Grid view → The properties of all alignment segments will appear
(type, tangency consenters, length, radius, design speed, etc.) → go to the segment
that have the exclamation mark and change the property that have that mark (it
will be in bold line).you can simply use the minimum value.

4- It may not be possible to achieve the requirements of the specification (min radios,
design speed) due to the exiting alignment, so the design criteria should be
reconsidered.
So, this means that you change the alignment or the design speed

5.2 Alignment Creation tools.

In many cases, you’ll want to create alignments from scratch, meaning the exact geometry of
the alignment isn’t already in place as it was in the creation from object (the Civil 3D
Alignment Creation Tools).

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The Alignment Creation Tools are housed in Civil 3D’s version of a toolbar and consist of a
comprehensive set of commands to create and edit the lines, curves, and spirals that make up
an alignment.
- From the home ribbon → Alignment → alignment Creation tools
- A dialog win will appear and just as before → choose a name, Type, discretion, starting
station
(1)-From General: - setup the site, alignment style, alignment layer and as before.
(2)-Design criteria: - choose the design speed and as before too.
- For an existing alignment→ L.C on the alignment →Geometry editor (alignment property
will appear on the ribbon).
This toolbar provides two types of alignment creation tools: Freehand drawing tools for
lines, curves, and spirals. Constraint-based tools that define individual entities by
parameters such as length and radius.

Here, Civil 3D will do all the work, you just draw need to draw the alignment. Using
Draw is the first and the most important tool which includes
A- Tangent to tangent (no curves): - to make an alignment just with tangents
(straight lines). You can modify and add the curves (circular or spiral)
B- Tangent to tangent (with curves): - to make circular curves between tangents
when make the alignment.
C- Curve and spiral sitting: - adjust the sitting (default value of the curves and spirals)
Which is radius for curves and the length and A (flatness) for length of spirals (in &
out).

Here, you will do all the work using these more sophisticated tools. You need to explore,
train, try those.

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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

1- Draw fixed line (two points): - which includes –

A- Free is dependent on another alignment segment at both ends
B- Floating is dependent on another alignment segment at one end
C- Fixed that is not dependent on another alignment component at either end
Others are
-Add fixed curve (three points) - Add spiral carve spiral -Free component composite…..

Here, you will do all the work using these more sophisticated tools. You need to explore,
train, try those too. But let’s do some common ways

If we make an alignment without curves 5.2A you can easily use one of the above
- Ex1 use Free Curves Fillet (between two entities, radius), its simply means that it will
make a curve between two lines with known radius of that curve, you will only have to
follow the command line.
(1) It will ask you to choose the first and the second entity (L.C. on the lines). (2) then it
will ask if less or more the 180 (if the curve will be inside the lines it less than 180). (3)
inter the radius.
And So, try the others
- Ex2 use Free Spiral-Curves-Spiral (between two tangents)
(1) It will ask you to choose the first and the second entity (L.C. on the lines). (2) then it
will ask if less or more the 180 (if the curve will be inside the lines it less than 180). (3)
inter the radius (4) enter spiral length in (A) (5) enter spiral length out (A).
So. There are many ways to create and edit the alignment
- From object in the drawing, and the curve will be automatically made
- The tangent can be drowning first, then the curves and/or spiral curves can be added
from free curve/spiral fillet between two entities, radius or through point….
- The best fit floating can be used to make the alignment has a best fit of a set of points or
go through specific point. Try it
- The Civil 3D gives many drawing options (free, floating and fixed) for the tangent, curve,
spiral. These options are divided into many sub option to draw i.e. from entity(s), radius,
through point, by three points
Also, we can create an alignment then edit it to fit the specification or to desirable style.
- simply grab the curve and line manually to the desirable position.
- Also, the alignment can be edited from Alignment Grid view. As above
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Duhok Polytechnic University/Technical college of Engineering/Highways & Bridges Engineering / Fourth year/Computer Application/2020

You can always change or edit the style of the alignment can be edited by R.C. on the
alignment → edit Alignment style and then edit display sitting (color for line, curve or spiral).
To edit the design criteria R.C. on the alignment (show the alignment ribbon) → alignment
properties → design criteria
5.3 Alignment Criteria
it very useful to have the relation between the radius, speed, and super elevation values which
can be found and edited in civil 3D according to aashto.
from the alignment ribbon → design criteria editor → alignment → a needed information can
be seen or edited.
- Minimum radius table from a speed
- super-elevation from design speed and radius
- widening methods
5.4 Offset Alignment
an offset of the alignment can represent the rode width, the lane width, the shoulders, the
guardrail of the rode or to made all of them. An offset can be made for all alignment or spasific
stations.
From the alignment ribbon → offset alignment → a dialog win. will appear

- A choose the name of the alignment that you want to work with.
- The start and end station (where you want the offset to start and end).
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- Number of the offset for right and left.

- The increment (how much distance) of the offset for right and left.
- And like the alignment creation, style can be added from General and the design criteria
can be changed too.
- To show the label (stations) form Alignment label set.
5.5 Widening Regions
Widening is done on the offset alignment. This option is useful in roadway design, when you
must add turn lanes, bus bays, passing lane (i.e. near U-turn) or parking lanes.
From the offset ribbon → add widening → Look and follow the command line

1- Widening portion as a New Alignment? [Yes/No] (choose No to not make it a new

alignment).
2- Select stats station and end station. (you can write or from drawing area)
3- Enter widening offset, be aware that the distance is from the centerline.
4- dialog win. will appear offset alignment parameter (widening and transition). You can
edit the widening offset, start and end station
- transition type (line, curve, curve-line-curve) and length can be edited too.

You can add wedding to a wedding using the same manner.

6.Profiles
6.1 Create surface profile
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The main purpose of a profile is to show surface elevations along a horizontal alignment.
Use profiles to visualize the terrain along a route (alignment) of interest or across a particular
region.
There are several types of profiles: surface profiles, layout profiles, superimposed profiles,
quick profiles, and corridor profiles.
Simply we will make the existing profile for the alignment first, then we are going to design
one for the alignment.

From the home ribbon → Profile → Create surface profile → A dialog win. will appear.

- Choose the alignment name that you want to make profile for.
- Choose the surface that the alignment is on it.
- Choose the stations that you want to make profile for.
- Click on Sample offset, if you want to offset the profile by adding the distance in the box
below and add minus (-) for the left side, and Zero to make center i.e. to make 30m for
each side and the center (30, -30,0). Or just click on add to make it for the center line.
*The profile offset is necessary if any restriction line like river, power transmission line
etc... and the designer need to know about the profile of it.
- Click on Draw in profile view. Then, choose any space on drawing area to show the profile.

If you accidently clicked on OK, click on profile view → Create profile view form the Robbin.
- The profile properties can be edited, name, profile line style, start and end station, maximum
and minimum elevation, hatch cut and fill area.

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- click on create profile view and choose any space on drawing area to show the profile.

6.2 Design profile

After making the surface or ground profile, the design profile will be the next step. The design
profile can be made for a road way, railway, pipeline, canal, etc.… but this module will just
cover the profile of the road way.
From the home, Ribbon → Profile → Profile creation tools → it will ask you to select a profile
(L.C. on the surface profile that you just made)
A dialog win. will appear. This will be very similar to the alignment creation tool.

- Choose the alignment name, profile name, description, style, layer and label.
- Design criteria can be changed too. the profile layout tools will appear ass shown below.

- Like profile we can draw line and then make a curve (fixed, free or floating) in connection
points or draw tangents with curves.
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- You can draw tangent with or without curve, you can also add/edit vertical curves,
- General regulation for profiles
1- Parabolic curve is preferred than circular curve for roads vertical curves.
2- In sag curve, the head light sight distance should be considered.
3- In horizontal curve sight distance and passing sight distance should be considered.
4- The cut area should be more then fill if possible.
5- Grade of the profile should follow the road type i.e. highway is less the ruler way.
6- K is the value of horizontal distance along which a 1% change in grade occurs on the
vertical curve (affect the design speed).
An exclamation mark inside a yellow triangle will probably appear. Means that this part
of the profile does not meet the specification. How to fix the profile? By editing
6.3 Editing Profile style
- Editing profile geometrics: - L.C on the profile (to show profile Robbin) → Geometry
editor → profile grid view

1- The properties of all profile segments will appear (stations, PIV station, PIV elevation
grade in, grade out, k value, minimum K for passing sight distance and for headlight,
design speed, etc.) → go to the segment that have the exclamation mark and change
the property that have that mark (it will be in bold line).
2- It may not be possible to achieve the requirements of the specification (minimum K
for passing sight distance and for headlight), so the design criteria should be
reconsidered or the whole profile.
- Editing profile properties: - R.C on the profile → Profile properties→ (change its name,
design criteria).
- Editing profile style: - can be edited in many ways R.C on the profile → Profile style →
display (color) can be edited as it needed (line, curve or parabola.
- Editing profile view (fill the cut and fill area)
1- to show the design and the ground elevation: - R.C on the grid → profile view
properties → choose Band win. → make profile 1 surface and profile 2 layouts.

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2- to show the cut and fill area: - R.C on the grid → profile view properties → choose
Hatch win.
(or from create profile view (choose the alignment name ….) → profile hatch option)
click on cut and fill area. From shape style, the desired hatch and color can be chosen.
From profile, for cut upper boundary should represent ground profile and lower
boundary should represent design profile. Do the fill its Vice versa.

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Editing profile view style to change the station increment: - R.C on the grid → edit profile view
style→ Horizontal axes win. → major tick details → change the number in the interval box.
Also, other properties can be changed too (tick, justification, text. etc.).

6.4 Object view on Profile

If you have An object can be added to the profile to show its elevation and location regard the
profile as (points, object or 3D polyline). This might be important to strict the design or to
show an object on the ground profile or design profile.
Form the home Robbin → profile view → project object to profile view → now follow the
command line
- Select the object or objects, or select the objects (R.C. → select similar) then go to
Robbin….
- Select the profile that you want to view the object on. A new win will appear
- The style can be changed from the style. From the elevation option, the elevation of the
object can be made according chosen surface which can be seen on elevation value.

6.5 Multiple view of Profile

If you want to View many parts of profile separately.
Form the home Robbin → profile view → create many profile views → form general
(choose the name of the alignment and the profile)
Form profile view Height → click on specified box, and write the distance that you want for
each profile segment → create profile view and choose the view point on drawing area.

7. Super-elevation
Super-elevation is raised with respect to inner edge, providing a transverse slope which is
represented by “e “. This to counter-act the effect of centrifugal force (at horizontal curves)
and reduce the tendency of vehicle to overturn and to skid laterally outwards, pavement
outer edge.

7.1 Create Superelevation

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- Make sure you have a design speed when create your profile if not
L.C. on the alignment → Alignment properties → Design criteria (you can make a design speed
for any segment or part of the alignment you want just put start and end station)
- Form the Alignment Robbin → Superelevation

→ calculate/Edit Superelevation → it will ask if calculate a new one or open an old one (click
on calculate a new) → a dialog Win. will appear.

- Roadway type: choose the road type and their point of rotation.
a- Crown (Cumber) with common with single side or planner common with double side
b- divided Crowned with median (common with ditch) or undivided planner with
median (common with barrier).

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- Lanes: choose the number on lane and lane width and slope for both lanes. If the lanes
are not symmetric untick the Symmetric Roadway box and each separately

- Shoulders: if the road have shoulder,choose width and slope. (each or both)

- Attainment: if any previous specification (from alignment) wanted to be modified.

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Transitions formula for superelevation run of mean how much of superelevation transition you
want to occur on tangent and curve

- A chart for all the E values for each curve of the alignment will appear for spiral (in and
out) and circular curves. Also, Superelevation section will appear on the alignment.
- You can edit nay value and click on cheek on the right side to if fits

If you need to edit the superelevation, the above table con be showed:
form the Alignment Robbin → Superelevation → View tabular editor → the table of the all
curve, type (circular or spiral), length, stations, E values, slope (right and lift side), something.
Theses can all be edited.

7.3 Modifiing Superelevation criteria

if the criteria need to be changed for one some curves i.e. design speed, go to
Form the Alignment Robbin → Superelevation calculate/Edit Superelevation as you made one
already → a superelevation manager table will appear → choose the curve that need to
modify → change to desired specification. If you choose to change the design speed, it will ask
for the station for that.

7.3 View Superelevation

To view the cross-slope for the entire alignment (including curves and therefor superelevation)
Form the Alignment Robbin → Creat Superelevation View → a dialog Win. will appear
- Create a name, description, Alignment name (if there are more than one), view style (can
be modified, start and end station.
- Superelevation display option: color of right and lift lane and shoulder can be changed
or even hide.

8.Assembly
Assembly means to create the cross-section the road, channel or sidewalk Cross-section, in
our case we will deal with road’s cross section.
Form home Robbin → Assembly → Create Assembly

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→ a dialog min. will appear

- Create a name to assembly, description, style, type (divided, undivided, railway) then OK
- As it appears in the command line, you have to specify any point to make the assembly in
the drawing area.
- To start the drawing of the assembly, click on the Tool Palettes form the toolspace in
home Robbin.

8.1 Tool Palettes

The tool palettes are like a store that contain all item to build a cross-section of a road. It
consists from many pages (Assembly, Basic, Lane, Shoulder, Median, Curb, Daylight, Generic,
Conditional, Trench, retaining wall) which we use to create a cross section.
We will go through the important ones.
- Common assemblies: as you can see in the figure above. This page contains a whole
cross-section with daylight, shoulder, median……
- Basic Subassembly: This page contains the basics that you need to make the cross-
section lane, shoulder, curb, gutter, guardrail, sidewalk and barrier

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Basic Subassembly lanes Subassembly shoulder Subassembly

- Lanes Subassembly: several types of lane can be seen here

- Shoulder Subassembly: you can see shoulder with subbase, with vary width….
- Median Subassembly: many roads have median. See the type of median that suite for
example if have one barrier or tow or if it has a ditch in the middle.
- Curb Subassembly: many roads have a gutter and a curbstone at the end of it to collect the
surface water and for safety purpose, choose the one that will suite your project.
- Daylight Subassembly: it simply represents cut and fill slope.

Now we will build a road’s cross-section to learn how to use assembly.

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Midian Subassembly Curb Subassembly Daylight Subassembly

- By clicking on any of them, it’s properties (parameter) will appears. The dimension,
depth, inclination and direction can be changed before using it. For example, to make a
lane the width, thickness of each layer (asphalt, base, sub-base), slope and type can be
changed before drawing.
- Make sure to make the direction (right or lift) in the properties same, when you choose
to drown on assembly mark.

Lane parameter cross-section

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NOTE** Components of subassemblies are points, links, and

shapes. Points are connected by links, and when three or more
links enclose an area, a shape is created.
You can draw the above urban cross section with 1.2 m median
width and tow lane with 0.20cm width for each, -2% cross slope
and layers (0.20m paved surface and paved binder, 0.2m base course and 0.3m sub-base).

lanes detail
you can build any cross-section you want using the appropriate sub assembly.
Try to drew the above cross-section with more detail like attaching it with typical curbstone of
-2% slope and 3.5 m of paved sild walk with +4% slope.

- The median usually be the first part of the assembly in our case median → median flush
with barrier → adjust the dimension (1.2m width) and slope (-0.02)
- There are many lane type but to made the above cross-section, lane → super-elevation
AOR.
a- From side choose Right to draw in the right direction.
b- 3.6m width.
c- Default slope -2.00 %
d- Paved 1 depth 0.1m, paved 2 depths 0.1m, base depth 0.2m, sub-base depth 0.3m.
- Click on the higher point on the right of the median to draw the lane, click on the higher
point on the right of the first lane to draw the second lane and so on.
- The curb can be drawn from, curb → urban curb gutter general. Then the slope, width
and even curb dimension can be adjusted. Also, urban sidewalk can drown form curb
menu.
- The side slope can be made from, basic → basic side slope cut ditch
a- The cut slope and fill slope have to adjusted to soil properties.
b- For-slope, backslope and bottom width are forming the side ditch, the slope and
width of the slope can be made to fit the hydrological design (storm).
- The lift side can be made in the same way, but with choosing the lift side when drawing
- each element, or simply click on the assembly and go assembly Ribbon → mirror →
select the part from assembly the you want to mirror (not medium) → go to other side

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(lift on our example) of the medium and click on it.

To practice the assembly, try to make the as much road cross section as you can form
existence road around.

9 Corridor
applying the assembly on the alignment is called corridor, also defining the profile of the
alignment and the ground topography in the corridor to from the road in cut and fill cross
along the road alignment.

From the home Robbin, corridor → a dialog min. will appear

-Create a name for the corridor, description, style, layer.

-Choose Alignment that the assembly will be applied or which line the assembly will follow)
-Choose the Profile (Design) that made for the alignment.
-Choose the Assembly the will be applied
-Choose the Surface that the alignment will on form target surface. Then OK.
9.1 Corridor Properties

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- Base line a region parameter window will appear to modify or change (alignment,
profile assembly, start and end station) of the corridor.
- Add baseline to edited the Alignment.
- From set all frequency window of Frequency to Apply assemblies
a- Set Horizontal Baseline you can set the increment or calculation accuracy (the
distance between corridor lines). For straight line set along tangent (25m is default),
for curves change Curve increment (25m is default) for mare accuracy make less
distance, and the same with spirals curve.

- To modify the above properties can be founded from, corridor robbing → corridor
properties → parameter.

- It may ask to rebuild the corridor when make a change, it is ok.

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- To view each the cross-section for each station. Form corridor robbing (R.C on corridor)
→ section editor→ new drawing area will appear of the cross section. To view the any
station, go to its ribbon → select station.

9.2 Transition Lanes or Corridor with Different Width

In the case of the corridor have more than one width or a widening on some area, the
assembly should be made specially for that case.
- Make a traditional assembly, but with transition lane (form basic→ basic transition lane)

which can change in width and elevation.

- Now make the corridor
- Form the assembly, go to the transition lane → R.C. → sub assembly properties
→parameter → go transition and click to change width and elevation (for lift and right
side of the assembly).

Assembly parameter of Basiclane transition

- Now create a corridor as before.
- Go to the corridor properties → parameter → set all targets

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- Now a window of Corridor name: Click on the object name of the transition lane (object
name column, transition lane row)

→ a dialog win. will appear

- Select object type or target→

a- alignment (if you have a widening)
- If you have a widening, select the alignment (right of lift widening) → add→ ok
b- feature lane, survey figure or polyline
- If feature lane, survey figure or polyline → Select form drawing (choose form drawing
area) → add→ ok.
This can be applied for any change in the corridor with even if it’s not in regular, by drawing it
in polyline or feature line. Then, (form home ribbon) and set it as target for transition lane.

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9.3 Corridor surface view

Now you need to show your work which means to show the road sections, and cut and fill
amount.
9.3.1 Surface
To view surface of the corridor in means the surface of (pavement, curbs, base…) and cut and
fill area.
Corridor ribbon → corridor properties → surface.

1- Click on create corridor surface to choose the corrido that you want to view.
2- Form specify code choose the layer that you want to view top, paved, base… (for
earthwork or cut and fill, choose datum) then click on the plus singe. Apply.
Don’t forget to click on the Add as Beakline
3- Form Boundary page→ R.C. → select corridor extends as outer boundary. Then ok

4- Now look at the surface on the toolspace, you will see the corridor surface you just
made.

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5- This means you can calculate the cut and fill for all the corridor by volume
calculation in the surface ribbon (see cut and fill calculation form surface) note
that you should make the existing ground as a base surface and corridor as
comparison surface.
9.3.2 Sample line
Now you need to make a sample for the road
ribbon → Sample line → it will ask you to choose an alignment (choose the alignment that
made a corridor for). ok

This window will appear

You can change the name, style, line label… it’s very important to check that you have all the
ground, corridor and corridor surface.
Go to corridor surface style → R.C. → form Pick Section Ground choose finished ground. ok
This mean that the datum of your assembly is the finished level of earth work

Civil 3D will ask you to select a point form a center and point form left and right side of the
alignment and to choose a distance of a section form both side, this is for a station.
It will be easier to make a section each distance So, you will find a window of Sample Line Tool
Go to sample line method and choose by range of station

A window of Create a sample line- by station range will appear

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- Form General you choose the alignment.

- Form Station Range start to end station.
- You can change Left Swath Width and Right Swath Width means the width of sections.
- Sampling Increments: like-wise the corridor distance between section for tangents
(straight line) curves and spirals. The distance should be shorter for spiral then curves.ok
Now you can see your corridor is sectioned as we specified before
but we need to view the sections

9.3.3 Sections Views

We need to view the sections form ribbon → section views → create Multiple views

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Create multiple sections views window will appear

Form General select your alignment and sample line group (you just made), start and end
station and the style.
you can go through the pages (section placement, offset range, Elevation Range, section
displays options and data band) to modify or change the section views
then→ L.C. on Create Section Views → it will ask you to choose any point on drawing area
L.C. to show the sections

9.3.4 Earthwork calculation

Calculating the earthwork (cut and fill), It is very important in Highway.
Now we have the sections form last work

L.C. on the on any Sections to section ribbon

L.C. on Computer Material, a new window will appear of Select alignment

Select the alignment and sample line grouped (as we named it before), OK
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Compute Material window will appear

- Form Quantity Takeoff Criteria choose cut and fill

- From Volume calculation method choose Average End Area
- Now you will compare between two surfaces:
EG choose you ground surface by L.C. on Object name column
Datum choose (the corridor surface that we made before which is the level of top of the
earthwork (bottom of assemble surface) ok
Now you finished the earthwork calculation, we need to show it
Form Annotate Ridden → Add Table →Volume → Total Volume

Create Total Volume Table window will appear

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- You can change type and style, table layer, alignment, martial list (you make more than
one)
- Abject maximum rows per table (increase to make it all one table). Increase Maximum
table per stack if you a lot of tables. Offset for each cell.
- Tilt table, leave it and reactivity mode, Dynamic is preferred, ok, choose any point, L.C.

This table will appear…this is Great, BUT, if you want it on Excel sheet, Word or Pdf.
Go to the report manager by form
TOOLSPACE → Toolbox → Report Manager→ Corridor → Volume Report →R.C. →Execute

If you do not see Toolbox, Simply type report and L.C. on REPORTSMGR

This window will appear check the you corridor information

and L.C. on save report to, and a normal save file will appear

form Save as Type choose file type →Save→ Create report.

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