C3D Guide 2023 Suneth

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE COMPUTER
AIDED HIGHWAY DESIGN IN SRI LANKA
Eng. S.A Suneth Thushara Salawavidana

MEng (Highway & Traffic), CEng, BSc.Eng (Hons), MIE (SL), Adv.Cert (IT)
Chartered Civil Engineer
January 2022
“For free circulation among RDA Engineers”

A C o m p l e t e G u i d e t o t h e C o m p u t e r A i d e d H i g h w a y D e s i g n i n S r i L a n k a
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1
1.1 GENERAL BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................... 1
1.2 AUTODESK’S CIVIL 3D ............................................................................................................ 1
1.3 FILE HIERARCHY OF THE DESIGN ............................................................................................. 1
1.4 DESIGN TEMPLATE ................................................................................................................... 2
CHAPTER 2: SURFACE CREATION .......................................................................................... 3
2.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 SURFACE CREATION USING A POINT FILE (.CSV) ...................................................................... 3
2.2.1 Break Lines ..................................................................................................................... 9
2.2.2 Boundary .......................................................................................................................11
2.3 SURFACE CREATION USING A POINT FILE (.TXT) .....................................................................12
2.4 SURFACE CREATION USING CONTOURS ...................................................................................12
2.5 SURFACE CREATION USING EMBEDDED DATA.........................................................................15
2.6 EXPORTING THE SURFACE TO LANDXML FORMAT .................................................................18
CHAPTER 3: HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT .............................................................................19
3.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................19
3.2 STARTING AN ALIGNMENT IN CIVIL 3D ...................................................................................19
3.3 FIRST ELEMENT OF THE ALIGNMENT .......................................................................................21
3.3 DESIGN OF A SIMPLE CIRCULAR CURVE ..................................................................................21
3.3.1 Tangent-Tangent (No Curve) Method ...........................................................................22
3.3.2 Floating Curve (From Entity, Radius, Through Point) Method ....................................24
3.3.3 Floating Line .................................................................................................................25
3.3 DESIGN OF COMPOUND CURVES ..............................................................................................26
3.4 DESIGN OF REVERSE CURVES ..................................................................................................27
3.5 DESIGN OF TRANSITION CURVES .............................................................................................27
3.5 QUICK PROFILE FUNCTION TO AID THE ALIGNMENT DESIGN...................................................28
3.6 DESIGN CENTRE LINE LABELS.................................................................................................29
3.7 DESIGN CENTRE LINE COORDINATES ......................................................................................30
CHAPTER 4: SUPERELEVATION .............................................................................................31
4.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................31
4.2 SUPERELEVATION TERMINOLOGY IN CIVIL 3D ........................................................................31
4.3 ENTERING SUPERELEVATION VALUES (MANUAL METHOD) ....................................................32
4.4 ENTERING SUPERELEVATION VALUES (USING SUPEL-1000C EXCEL SHEET) .........................34
CHAPTER 5 VERTICAL ALIGNMENT ...................................................................................37
5.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................37
5.2 OFFSET METHOD OF SURFACE CREATION ...............................................................................37
5.2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................37
5.2.2 Surface File for Vertical Alignment...............................................................................38
5.2.3 Data filtering for TE ......................................................................................................38
5.2.4 Importing Level Data and VA Surface Creation ...........................................................43
5.3 CREATING THE EXISTING PROFILE ...........................................................................................45
5.3 CREATING THE RECAMBERING PROFILE ..................................................................................48
5.3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................48
5.3.2 Creating the Recambering Assembly.............................................................................49
5.3.3 Creating the Existing Tar Edges and Design Lane Edges Alignments ..........................52
5.3.4 Creating the Recambering Corridor .............................................................................54
5.3.5 Creating the Recambering Surface ...............................................................................57
5.3.6 Adding the Recambering Surface to the Profile View ...................................................58
Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

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5.4 DESIGN OF VERTICAL ALIGNMENT ..........................................................................................59

5.4.1 Drawing Initial Profile View .........................................................................................59
5.4.2 Adding Vertical Curves to the Profile ...........................................................................61
5.4.3 Correcting the Profile View Labels and fine tuning ......................................................62
CHAPTER 6 DRAWING SHEET GENERATION....................................................................64
6.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................64
6.2 CREATING VIEW FRAMES ........................................................................................................65
6.3 CREATING SHEETS ...................................................................................................................67
CHAPTER 7 DESIGN CROSS SECTIONS ...............................................................................70
7.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................70
7.2 CREATING THE BASIC ASSEMBLY ............................................................................................70
7.3 CREATING THE ASSEMBLY: EXISTING ROAD ...........................................................................71
7.4 CREATING THE ASSEMBLY: WIDENING SECTION .....................................................................72
7.5 CREATING THE ASSEMBLY: SHOULDERS .................................................................................74
7.6 CREATING THE ASSEMBLY: DRAINS ........................................................................................75
7.7 CREATING THE ASSEMBLY: DAYLIGHT ...................................................................................77
7.8 CREATING THE CORRIDOR .......................................................................................................78
7.9 CREATING THE SAMPLE LINES .................................................................................................82
7.10 CREATING THE CROSS SECTIONS ........................................................................................83
CHAPTER 8 MATERIAL CALCULATIONS ...........................................................................85
8.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................85
8.2 EARTH WORK CALCULATIONS ................................................................................................85
8.3 ROAD MATERIAL CALCULATIONS ...........................................................................................90

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 General Background

The geometric design standards of roads in Sri Lanka are primarily based on the
Geometric Design Standards of Roads (GDSR) of Road Development Authority
(RDA), 1998.
While it is the Design Engineer’s sole responsibility to apply the theories of Highway
Design to produce a good design, there are some computer packages that help
automate the design process into some extent. Most common packages are Civil 3D,
Geopack, 12D etc. RDA is currently using AutoDesk’s Civil 3D software on which
this guide is based, to do the highway designs.
1.2 AutoDesk’s Civil 3D

AutoDesk’s Civil 3D is a design software that is basically used to model and design
the roads. A 3D model is developed using the data obtained from the Total Station
(TS). The software has the facilities to conveniently design Horizontal Alignment,
Vertical Alignment and develop Cross Sections. Further, quantity calculation can
also be carried out in to an acceptable accuracy for the road projects.
1.3 File Hierarchy of the Design

For the convenience of the file management of the design, we at RDA are using a
typical file hierarchy for the design as follows;

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Anuradhapura-Trinco : This is the main folder of the design

Road A-012 : There may be several designs for different s
ections. So this is the section of our design
1-SUR-OR1-A012 : The original survey file as received should be
saved here without doing any adjustments
2-SUR-EDIT-A012 : Sometimes it is necessary to do some
adjustments in the original survey file (creating
poly lines etc.) The survey file after adjustment
should be saved here.
3-ACADCIVIL-3DA012 : This is the major file of the Engineering
Design
1-DESIGNDATAA012 : Photographs, videos and other supporting
documents should be saved here.
2-DESIGNWORKA012 : This is the major file of the design
1-POINT-A012 : All the point files in a suitable format should
be saved here.
2-SURFACE-A012 : Surface designed as per Section 1-2 of this
guide should be saved here.
3-ALIGNMENTA012 : Alignment designed as per Section 1-3 of this
guide l should be saved here
4-PROFILE-A012 : Profile designed as per Section 1-4 of this
guide should be saved here
5-CROSSSECTIONA012 : Cross sections designed as per Section 1-5 of
this guide should be saved here
1.4 Design Template

In order to ensure the integrity of the Design, it is usual practice to use a Design
Template for the design. The Design Templates are created based on the need of the
digital display and the clarity of the print where necessary.

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CHAPTER 2: SURFACE CREATION
2.1 Introduction
A Surface in Civil 3D is a 3D model of the existing road and topography, created
using TS or other available data. There are few methods available to create the
surface depending on the data available
 Using a Point File (.txt or .csv)
 Using Contour Lines
 Using Embedded data
2.2 Surface Creation using a Point File (.csv)

In this instance, the Designer is given the Topographic Survey File and a Point File
(.csv) format
A Snapshot of the Topographic Survey Drawing

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A Snapshot of the Excel File submitted by the Surveyor
 Open the Civil 3D program usually as any other Windows based program.
 Open Civil 3D Worksheet
 File  New
 You will get the ‘Select Template’ dialog box.
 Select HighwayHO1.dwt (Template can be changed according to how you name your
customized template)
 Press Open.
 Save the Drawing as per the file hierarchy given, naming it Surface.dwg.

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 Open the Topographic Survey FileSelect the drawingEditCopy

 Switch to the Surface.dwg fileEditPaste to original coordinates.
 Save the drawing
Now it is necessary to prepare your Excel file in order to import the data to the
Surface.dwg File. Owing to the obvious reasons of copyright infringement, an Excel
file cannot be imported to Civil 3D file as it is. So it is necessary to make a .csv file
from the Excel file.
It is important to check the coordinate system before importing the data. Usually
Civil 3D uses N,E,Z or E,N,Z formats. It will be a good idea to check a point in the
drawing to see what will be X (N or E?) and what will be Y (N or E?)
 Delete the first row of the Excel file if it has any texts (like Point Number, Position X,
Position Y etc)
 FileSave As (Browse to the relevant Folder)
 Save As Type = CSV Comma Delimited
 Save
Now the data set is stored as a .csv file.
 In the Civil 3D File, Toolspace[Drawing Name]PointsCreate

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 Create Points dialog box will appear.

 Press Import Points tool bit.
 ‘Import Points’ dialog box will appear.

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 Here you have to set the format according to your data file (In this case, PENZ Comma
delimited)
 Press the ‘+’ mark.
 Browse to the Folder in which your .csv file is saved
 Select and Open (Make sure the Files of Type = .csv)
 Check ‘Add Points to Point Group’
 Press the tool bit right to the empty combo box, ‘Add Points to the Point Group’.
 Give a suitable name (eg. TOPO)Press OK
 Press OK
 Then the points will be imported to the File.
When you try to import the .csv file to the Civil 3D, make sure the .csv file is not
used by any other programme (i.e. it is not open in MS Excel). Otherwise a sharing
violation will occur and data will not be imported.

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A Snapshot of the Topographic Survey Drawing with Points
Now you have a Flat Plan of the road with all the 3D points imported it. Next step
will be to create the Surface
 ToolspaceProspectorSurface[RC]Create Surface
 ‘Create Surface’ dialog box will appear.
 Press Name under Information.
 Change the Name to EG.
 ToolspaceProspectorSurfacesEGDefinition Point group [RC]Add
 Select Topo which we created earlier.
 Press OK.
 Now the surface will be drawn.
Sometimes it is necessary to Regen the drawing to visualize the created surface.

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A Snapshot of the Topographic Survey Drawing with the Created Surface
2.2.1 Break Lines

The basic modelling concept of Civil 3D is to draw lines joining the available points
and to interpolate the levels in between. This could result in a wrong interpretation if
such a line crosses the existing centre line or the tar edges of the road etc. Break
Lines are introduced to avoid this.
Following are the main candidates for the Break Lines in Civil 3D
 Existing Centre Line
 Tar Edges
 Retaining walls
 Dam tops etc

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Any candidate selected to be a Break Line should be a continuous polyline.
 ToolspaceProspectorSurfaceEGDefinition Break lines[RC]Add

 ‘Add Breaklines’ dialog box will appear.
 Give the description as CL, TarEdge, etc according to the line you select.
 Give the Type = Proximity
 Press OK.
 ‘Select objects’ will appear in the command line.

 Select the appropriate line.
 Press Enter.
 Then that line will be added as a breakline.

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2.2.2 Boundary
The boundary is drawn in order to restrict the surface to an area in which the survey
points are available. As obvious, it makes no sense to have the surface beyond the
area where survey points are not taken.
 Draw a closed boundary in RDA-TOPO-SUR_NEG layer in 2D poly. (If this layer is not
available, create it in the layer manager).
 The closed boundary should be drawn in polylines.
 ToolspaceSurfacesDefinitionBoundariesAdd.
 ‘Add Boundaries’ dialog box will appear.
 Change the parameters appropriately.
 Press OK.
Now the surface will be restricted only to the relevant area.
This ends the surface creation using .csv File

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2.3 Surface Creation using a Point File (.txt)

Some Surveyors submit the Point details in a Notepad file as follows;
Point Details in a Notepad File
These points can be directly imported to the Civil 3D file as in 2.2.
2.4 Surface Creation using Contours

Sometimes the Contour Lines are available in the Topographic Survey File. There is
a different method to derive the Surface using them.
 Select a Contour Line

 [RC]Select Similar
 [RC]Isolate ObjectsIsolate Selected Objects
 ToolspaceProspectorSurface[RC]Create Surface
 ‘Create Surface’ dialog box will appear.
 Press Name under Information.
 Change the Name to EG.
 ToolspaceProspectorSurfacesEGDefinition Contours [RC]Add
 ‘Add Contour Data’ dialog box will appear.

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 Change the Parameters as shown and Press OK

 ‘Select Contours’ will prompt in the command line
 Select the Contours and Press Enter
 The Surface will be drawn
It should be noted however, that contour drawings are usually used to do the
Preliminary Road Designs. Therefore, corrections like Break lines cannot be applied
to this Surface. A Boundary may be added depending on the requirement.

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A Snapshot of the Surface created using Contours

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2.5 Surface Creation using Embedded Data

Some Surveying Software produce the topographic surveying files with the levels
embedded in the file itself. This may be through the means of a piece of text which is
referenced exactly to the relevant point or a point itself which is located at the actual
coordinates and the elevation. In the case of the piece of text, this method will not be
accurate if the text is not referenced to the point with correct coordinates.
A topographic survey drawing with embedded data is shown in the following figure.
A Snapshot of a topographic survey drawing with embedded data
“EATTEXT” Method is usually used to extract data from such a file and to create the
surface.

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 Select the piece of text depicting the level (or the point itself) as the case would be, in the
drawing.
 [RC] Select Similar
 [RC] Isolate ObjectsIsolate Selected Objects
 Type “EATTEXT” in the command line and Enter
 ‘Data Extraction Begin (Page 1 of 8)’ dialog box will prompt.
 Select ‘Create a New Data Extraction’ and Press Next.
 ‘Save Data Extraction As’ dialog box will prompt. Browse to the relevant Folder, Give a File
Name (eg. Data) and Save
 ‘Data Extraction Define Data Source (Page 2 of 8)’ dialog box will prompt. Press Next
 ‘Data Extraction Select Objects (Page 3 of 8)’ dialog box will prompt. Here it is necessary to
select the item(s) your data are stored. It could be one or any of text, point, etc. Press
Next.
 ‘Data Extraction Select Properties (Page 4 of 8)’ dialog box will prompt. You have to select
properties so as to get x,y,z coordinates. Press Next
 ‘Data Extraction Refine Data (Page 5 of 8)’ dialog box will prompt. Press Next.

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 ‘Data Extraction Choose Output (Page 6 of 8)’ dialog box will prompt.
 Tick ‘Output Data to External File’
 Browse to your Data Folder, give a name (eg. Extracted Levels) and Save the File. It will be
saved as an MS Excel File.
 Press Next and the Wizard will reach the Final Step,
 ‘Data Extraction Finish (Page 8 of 8)’ dialog box will prompt.
 Press ‘Finish’
 Now in your Data Folder, an MS Excel File has been created.
 Open it, remove unnecessary rows/columns and save as a .csv file.
 Create the Surface as described in 2.2
A Snapshot of the Created MS Excel File

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2.6 Exporting the Surface to LandXML Format

XML is an intermediate data format which is usually used in transferring data from
one data base to another data base etc. The importance is to diminish the points
which are there in the Surface.dwg file and to increase the speed.
 ToolspaceSurfacesEG[RC]Export Land XML

 ‘Export to LandXML’ dialog box will appear.
 Check Surfaces and EG
 Press OK.
 ‘Export LandXML’ dialog box will appear.
 Browse to the required location.
 Press Save.
 Save the Surface.dwg File as well and close it.

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CHAPTER 3: HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT

3.1 Introduction
A Horizontal Alignment of a road is defined as a series of straights and circular
curves connected by transition curves indicating the path of the road in plan. Further,
the tangents may directly be connected where a transition curve could be omitted.
The types of curves used for horizontal geometry are as follows;
 Simple Circular Curves
 Compound Curves
 Reverse Curves
 Similar Curves
 Transition Curves
3.2 Starting an Alignment in Civil 3D

A Civil 3D Alignment is started as follows;
 Open a new drawing with your template.

 Save it in the Alignment folder naming it Alignment.dwg.
 FileImportImport LandXML
 Browse to the required folder and select Surface.XML.
 Press Open.
 Import LandXML dialog box will appear.
 Press OK.
 Now the surface will be imported.
 You can change the surface style to display Contours Triangles & Boarders if necessary.
 Paste the Surveyor’s drawing to original coordinates.
 Save the Alignment.dwg file
 From main menu, get AlignmentsCreate alignment by lay out.
 ‘Create Alignment Layout’ dialog box will appear.
 Change the parameters appropriately.
 Press OK.

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A Snapshot of the Create Alignment Dialog Box
 Then the Alignment Layout Tools will prompt.

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3.3 First Element of the Alignment

First Element of the Alignment should usually be a “Fixed Line” or a “Fixed Curve”
Tool Bit for the Fixed Line
Tool Bit for the Fixed Curve
3.3 Design of a Simple Circular Curve

A Simple Circular Curve is a curve engaged between two tangents. Following are the
two major methods engaged in designing of a Simple Circular Curve in Civil 3D.
 Tangent-Tangent (No Curve) Method
 Floating Curve Method

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3.3.1 Tangent-Tangent (No Curve) Method

In this method, the designer is using the method of drawing two tangents and
engaging a curve in between them.
 Draw two tangents using Tangent-Tangent (No Curves) tool bit
Tangent-Tangent (No Curves) Tool Bit
Two Tangents drawn using the Tangent-Tangent (No curves) tool bit
 Select “Free Curve Fillet (Between two entities, radius) tool bit

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 “Select First Entity” will prompt in the command line

 Select the first Straight
 “Select Next Entity” will prompt in the command line
 Select the next Straight
 Is Curve Solution Angle (Greater than 180 Lesser than 180) will prompt.
 Select Lesser than 180
 Specify Radius will prompt
 Give the radius
 The curve will be drawn

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3.3.2 Floating Curve (From Entity, Radius, Through Point) Method

In this method, the Designer is using a Curve tangential to the immediate Straight
before it, give the radius and specify the point the curve should pass. This method is
highly useful for the rehabilitation projects where the liberty to deviate from the
existing centre line is limited.
Floating Curve (From entity, radius, through point) tool bit
 Select “Floating Curve (From entity, radius, through point) tool bit.
 “Select entity to attach to” will prompt in the command line.
 Select the Straight
 “Specify Radius” will prompt in the command line.
 Give the radius
 “Specify end point” will prompt in the command line.
 Specify the end point to match with the existing Centre Line.
 Press Enter
 The curve will be drawn.

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3.3.3 Floating Line

Once a Simple Curve is designed using the above 3.3.2 Method, the necessity of a
floating line can arise.
Floating Line (From curve, through point) tool bit

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 Select “Floating Line (From curve, through point) tool bit.

 Select the Curve
 Press Enter
 The Straight will be drawn.
3.3 Design of Compound Curves

Compound curves are the curves which are same in direction and have the same
point as the end point of the first curve and the beginning point of the next curve.
 Select “Floating Curve (From entity, radius, through point) tool bit.
 Give the radius
 “Is curve compound or reverse to curve before?” will prompt in the command line.
 Select Compound
 Press Enter
 The Curve will be drawn.

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3.4 Design of Reverse Curves

Reverse curves consist of adjacent curves with a common tangent point but not
unidirectional.
 Select “Floating Curve (From entity, radius, through point)” tool bit.
 Give the radius
 “Is Curve Solution Angle (Greater than 180 Lesser than 180)” will prompt.
 “Is curve compound or reverse to curve before?” will prompt in the command line.
 Select “Reverse”
 Press Enter
 The Curve will be drawn.
3.5 Design of Transition Curves

Transition curves are usually used in Expressways. There is a tool bit for the
transition curves in the Alignment tool bar which is self-explanatory.

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3.5 Quick Profile Function to aid the Alignment Design

The original Surface drawn in Chapter (2) was by using the levels obtained from the
Total Station. These levels are not that accurate and cannot be used for the detailed
Vertical Alignment Design. The significance of these levels are mainly to get a
coarse idea of the topography of the terrain the road is running and to adjust the
Horizontal Alignment accordingly. A quick cross section of the road at any preferred
location can be drawn as follows;
 Draw a short line cutting the Design Centre Line

 [RC] Quick Profile
 ‘Create Quick Profiles’ dialog box will appear.
 Change the Profile View Style = customized (RDA style)
 Press OK
 ‘Select Profile View Origin’ will prompt in the command line
 Give a suitable location.
 Road Cross Section along the line will be drawn.
A Snapshot of a Quick Profile drawn along a random line
Once the Alignment is done, save the drawing.

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3.6 Design Centre Line Labels

The Design Centre Line needs to be labelled with curve radii, straight lengths etc to
make sure that it was designed fulfilling all the design requirements.
 Main MenuAlignmentsAdd TablesRenumber Tags

 ‘Select label to renumber tag or (Settings)’ will prompt in the command line
 Select Settings and Enter
 ‘Table Tag Numbering’ dialog box will appear.
 Change all the values to 1
 Press Apply & OK
 Main MenuAlignmentsAdd Alignment LabelsMultiple Segment
 ‘Select Alignment’ will prompt in the command line
 Select the Alignment
 Labels will appear in the Alignment
A Snapshot of the Alignment with Labels

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3.7 Design Centre Line Coordinates

The Design Centre Line should be marked on the road to do the fine adjustments if
any, after site visits. For this, the Design Centre Line Coordinates should be
generated and delivered to the Surveyor.
 Main MenuGeneralToolspaceToolbox
 Reports ManagerAlignment[DC] Incremental Stationing Report
 ‘Create Reports Alignment Incremental Stationing Report’ dialog box will appear.
 Change the parameters as per the requirement and press ‘Create Report’
 Alignment Incremental Station Report will pop up.
This may be copied to an Excel sheet to do the required adjustments before

delivering to the Surveyor.

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CHAPTER 4: SUPERELEVATION
4.1 Introduction
Cant, camber or superelevation, is the difference in elevation of two road edges.
Designers ensure that a curved road is sloped so it is higher on the outside of the
curve.
Superelevation can be conveniently entered using the tools available with the Civil
3D.
4.2 Superelevation Terminology in Civil 3D

Civil 3D uses a distinct terminology for the critical points of superelevation
development that may seem peculiar to the beginner. A good understanding of this
terminology is a prerequisite. The Superelevation terminology is described below;
A Figure depicting the critical points of superelevation

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SN Abbreviation Description
1 ENC End Normal Crown
2 RC Reverse Crown
3 BFS Begin Full Super
4 EFS End Full Super
5 BNC Begin Normal Crown
4.3 Entering Superelevation Values (Manual Method)

The superelevation can be calculated either manually or using an Excel Sheet
prepared for this purpose. The manual method is as follows;
 ToolspaceSitesSite (No)DCL
 [RC] Edit Superelevation
 Select “Open the Superelevation Curve Manager” from the incoming dialog box.
 Superelevation Curve Manager will appear
 Press Tabular Editor
Here, all the curves in the Alignment are displayed in the Tabular Editor.
A Snapshot of the Tabular Editor
 [RC] on the Curve.1Add Station

 ‘Specify station along baseline’ will prompt in the command line

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 Usually the beginning point of the alignment should be given here (even if it is not a
superelevation critical point as per the calculation)
 Type the begin point Chainage and press Enter
 It will be added to the Tabular Editor
 [RC] Manual StationAssign Critical Station

 All the critical station options will be displayed as a dropdown list
 Usually, the begin station is given the “Begin Normal Crown” value
 Type the relevant superelevation values for all the required shoulders and lanes depending
on the road cross section.
 Add all the critical points under each curve as described above
It should be noted however, that the Civil 3D displays the Superelevation diagram
only in the Profile View (Vide Chapter 5)

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4.4 Entering Superelevation Values (Using SupEl-1000C Excel Sheet)

Civil 3D versions after 2013 allow the users to do the superelevation calculations in a
third party program, save it in .csv format and import to the Civil 3D. Such a Macro
enabled program developed by this author is widely used to do the superelevation
calculation.
 Get a Copy of the SupEl-1000C.xls file and open it

 Enable Macros
 Select the Alignment in Alignment.dwg file[RC] Edit Alignment Geometry
 ‘Alignment Layout Tools’ will prompt. Select ‘Alignment Grid View’
 ‘Alignment Entities’ dialog box will appear.

 [RC] Copy All
 In the SupEl-1000C.xls file, paste the values to the A1 Cell of RD1 Sheet
 In the Alignment.dwg file, ToolspaceReport ManagerAlignment[DC]
Alignment_Curve
 ‘Export to XML Report’ dialog box will appear

 Press OK
 Save the resulting file in the relevant folder

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 Copy All from the resulting XML file

 In the SupEl-1000C.xls file, paste the values to the A1 Cell of RD2 Sheet
 Press ‘Extract Data’ button in the Data sheet
 All the relevant data will be extracted
 Now in the Design Sheet, give relevant details
 Press the Calculate button

 The superelevation will be calculated and displayed in the Output sheet

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 Save this Sheet in .csv format

 In the Alignment.dwg file:
 ToolspaceSitesSite (No)DCL
 [RC] Edit Superelevation
 Select “Open the Superelevation Curve Manager” from the incoming dialog box.
 Superelevation Curve Manager will appear
 Press ‘Tabular Editor’
 Press ‘Import superelevation data from file’
 Browse to the created .csv file and open

 ‘Superelevation Import’ dialog box will appear
 Press OK
 Press ‘Accept All Data’ if prompted
Now the superelevation is entered. Last curve needs to be corrected manually. It

should be noted however, that the Civil 3D displays the Superelevation diagram only
in the Profile View (Vide Chapter 5)

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CHAPTER 5 VERTICAL ALIGNMENT

5.1 Introduction
The vertical alignment is necessary for the determination of the elevation of highway
points to ensure proper roadway drainage and an acceptable level of safety. The
transition of roadway elevation between two grades is the primary challenge of
vertical alignment. This transition is effectively achieved by means of a vertical
curve. Usually the longitudinal profile of a road consists of straight gradients and
vertical curves.
Vertical curves can be broadly categorized to two categories namely;

 Crest Vertical Curves.
 Sag Vertical Curves.
5.2 Offset Method of Surface Creation

5.2.1 Introduction
Once the Alignment is finalized, it is being set out on the road. Cross Section Levels
are taken at 10m or 20m intervals depending on the terrain and the accuracy required.
Such a data set is shown in the following figure.

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This is a method used to take levels very accurately using The Level instrument.
However, the levels taken are referenced to a chainage and not into a coordinate
point as in the Total Station. Centre Line is marked on the road initially according to
the coordinates given by the Designer. The levels are taken perpendicular to the road
centre line reference to each chainage.
5.2.2 Surface File for Vertical Alignment

 Open the Civil 3D program and load the customized folder
 Save the drawing in the Surface Folder naming VA Surface.
 Copy the topographic survey from the Surveyor’s file and paste to original coordinates
 Copy the CL Alignment from the Alignment.dwg and paste to original coordinates
 If the initial EG is also copied, delete the EG in the Toolspace
 If the initial points are also copied, delete them in the Toolspace
 Only the Topographic Survey and the Alignment should be available in the VA Surface File.
5.2.3 Data filtering for TE

As discussed in the Chapter (2), Break Lines are very important in Civil 3D terrain
modelling. Break lines can be drawn only connecting the points taken. So it is
necessary to filter the Break Line Points (TE) to draw them in the new VA Surface
file. Tar Edges which are already drawn in the Topographic Survey file are drawn
based on the TS points. Therefore, they can no longer be considered for the new
surface.
 Open the Excel Sheet with new levels data and remove unnecessary texts (Only 4 rows
Chaiange, Offset, Level, Description should be available)
 All the data should be in numerals only.
 If the Chainages are given as 0+000 etc, convert them to numerals.
 There should be no blank rows in between chainages
 None of the cells of these 4 columns should be kept blank
 A minus offset represents a length measured left from the CL point.

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A Snapshot of the modified data
 Sort the description column and get the TE rows separately

 Cut and paste them into a separate sheet.
Now it is necessary to get the LHS TE and RHS TE separately. Although it may
seem that TE with a (-) value as the LHS TE and one with a (+) value as the RHS
TE, this is always not true. If the DCL has shifted to one side altogether, away from
the existing road, both LHS TE and RHS TE will have either (-) or (+) values both.
In order to solve this problem, a simple equation is developed in the Excel as

follows, that effectively filters the LHS and RHS values separately.

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Considering F2 Cell;
=IF(A2=A1,IF(B2>B1,"R","L"),IF(A2=A3,IF(B2>B3,"R","L"),"Error"))
 Drag the F2 Cell down to the end of the data rows

 Check the LHS/RHS side of the first row in the drawing and insert
 If any F Cell outputs “Error”, the Surveyor has only taken one TE (either LHS or RHS).
Check with the drawing and insert R or L
 Amalgamate the Side column (L or R) with TE in a separate column
Considering H1 Cell;
==F1&D1
 Drag the H1 Cell to the end of the data rows

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 Cut the H column and Paste to D column (using paste as Values)

 Now sort the D column
 LHS TE will come first followed by RHS TE, in the order of the Chainages.
 Type the following equation in the F1 Cell
Considering F1 Cell;
=A1&","&B1&","&C1&","&D1
 The data will be arranged comma delimited in the F1 Cell.

 Drag the F1 Cell down to the end of the data rows

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 Copy the F column fully to a Notepad File

 Save it as TE
 Apply the same F1 equation to the balance of the points sheet and drag down, copy to
Notepad File and Save it as Total

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5.2.4 Importing Level Data and VA Surface Creation

First task of importing data to VA Surface File is to get the TE points to the Civil 3D
File and draw the required polylines.
 Toolspace[File Name]Points[RC] Create

 ‘Create Points’ dialog box will appear
 Go to ‘Import from File’ as shown
 ‘Import Alignment Station and Offset File’ dialog box will appear
 Browse to TE.txt file and press Open
 ‘Enter File Format’ will prompt in the command line
 Type ‘5’ and Enter
 ‘Enter a delimiter’ will prompt in the command line
 ‘Enter an invalid indicator for elevation’ will prompt in the command line
 ‘Enter an invalid indicator for Station Offset’ will prompt in the command line
 ‘Select Alignment’ will prompt in the command line
 Select the Alignment
 Only TE points will be imported to the Civil 3D File

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 Make Sure our customized Point Set Style is made default. Otherwise the texts will not
be displayed.
Now if the point numbers are closely examined, it will be noticed that the each set of
LHS TE and RHS TE points are numbered sequentially. This facilitates the Designer
to automatically draw both the TE lines, instead of doing it manually.
 Select ‘Create Line by Point# Range’
 ‘Enter Point Number’ will prompt in the command line

 Type the first point number of LHS TE points and last point number of LHS TE points
separated by a (-) Eg. 1-850
 Lines will be drawn connecting all the points of LHS TE automatically
 Do the same to RHS TE points also.
Then these 2 lines (LHS TE and RHS TE) should be converted to polylines.
After that, the balance data should be imported and the Surface should be created as
described in Section 2.2.
This Surface should be exported as Land XML for future use of the Vertical
Alignment.
Since the Surveyor usually does not take existing CL in this Level Survey, it is not
possible to make it a Break Line as we did in the previous chapter.

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5.3 Creating the Existing Profile

Existing profile of the road is created using the level data that are obtained through
the Level Instrument. In the previous section (4.2), the Surface related to these data is
already drawn and saved as a LandXML file.
 Open a new drawing with your template.

 Save it in the Profile folder naming it Profile.dwg.
 Copy the DCL Alignment from Alignment.dwg and paste to original coordinates
 Delete EG Surface and Points if they are also imported.
 FileImportImport LandXML
 Browse to the required folder and select VASurface.XML.
 Press Open.
 Import LandXML dialog box will appear.
 Press OK.
 Now the surface will be imported.
 You can change the surface style to display Contours Triangles & Boarders if necessary.
 Paste the Surveyor’s drawing to original coordinates.
 Save the Profile.dwg file
 Main MenuCreate Profile from Surface
 ‘Create Profile Surface’ dialog box will appear
Here you will see the available surfaces are shown in the Select surfaces panel

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 Select ‘EG for VA’ Surface and press Add

 Press ‘Draw in Profile View’
 ‘Create Profile View-General’ dialog box will appear
 Change the Parameters appropriately and press Next

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 Forthcoming dialog boxes ‘Create Profile View-Station Range’, ‘Create Profile View-Profile
View Height’ and ’Create Profile View-Profile Display Options’ need not be changed.
 Press ‘Next’ for each of the three dialog boxes
 ‘Create Profile View-Data Bands’ will appear.
 Change the band set to the preferred one in ‘Select band set:’
 Press Next
 ‘Create Profile View-Profile Hatch Options’ will appear. No need to change anything
 Press ‘Create Profile View’
 ‘Select Profile View Origin’ will prompt in the command line.
 Select a convenient location.
 Then the Existing profile will be drawn.
 You are at liberty to select the Datum and labelling frequency (10m, 20m etc)

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A Snapshot of the Existing Profile
5.3 Creating the Recambering Profile

5.3.1 Introduction
Usually the roads are cambered towards the centre line. When a new design is done
for an existing road, the New Centre Line does not necessarily follow the exact
previous Centre Line. This rises the need to change the camber towards the new
centre line. In doing so, sometimes the road cutting may be required which is usually
not allowed in the rehabilitation projects. So the recambering is carried out to make
sure the minimum thickness required by the Pavement Design is ensured throughout
the road and no road cutting will take place in the construction.

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5.3.2 Creating the Recambering Assembly

The concept of an Assembly is that a Typical Cross Section for the road is drawn
using available sub-assemblies (lanes, shoulders, drains etc) provided in the Civil 3D
software. Then this Assembly is run along the Design Centre Line (DCL) and
Finished Road Profile (FRF) to generate cross sections, volumes etc. This concept
will be discussed in detail later, with the Cross Section Generation.
 Main MenuCorridorsCreate Assembly

 ‘Create Assembly’ dialog box will appear
 Change the Parameters as shown and press OK
 ‘Specify Assembly baseline location’ will prompt in the command line

 Give a location near the Profile View Diagram
 Assembly will be drawn.

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A Snapshot of the Assembly
 Main MenuGeneralTool Palette Window

 Tool Palette Window will appear
 Rehab Tab OverlayMillAndLevel2
 ‘Select marker point within assembly’ will prompt in the command line
 Select the blue circle in the Assembly
 Sub Assembly will be drawn
 [RC] on the Sub Assembly Sub Assembly properties
 Sub Assembly Properties dialog box will appear
 Shift to ‘Parameters’ tab and change the parameters as required
 Press Apply and OK
 Sub Assembly will change according to the given parameters.
A typical set of parameters are inserted in the following figure

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There is a sub assembly help tab in the bottom right of the Subassembly properties
dialog box. Clicking that button will demonstrate the parameters of this dialog box.
A snapshot of the completed assembly
Overlay depth and the minimum clearance should be given according to the
Pavement Design.

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5.3.3 Creating the Existing Tar Edges and Design Lane Edges Alignments
Once the Assembly is completed, it is necessary to run the Assembly along the
Design Centre Line. For this, the constraints should be specified. Civil 3D uses
alignments to specify these constraints.
 Copy the two TE lines drawn in the VA Surface and paste to the original coordinates
 Alignments Create Alignment by Polyline
 ‘Select the first line/arc/polyline’ will prompt in the command line
 Select the LHS TE
 You may be prompted to change the direction. If you selected the TE LHS towards the
beginning side of the DCL alignment, there is no need to change the direction
 Enter (2 times)
 ‘Create Alignment from Objects’ dialog box will appear
 Change the Parameters as shown and Press OK

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 LHS TE will become an Alignment,
LHS TE has become an Alignment without labels

 Do the same to TE RHS also. Name it as E-RHS
 Offset the DCL to LHS and RHS in a width similar to the lane width
 Make them alignments in the same manner, naming them D-LHS and D-RHS
All Alignments (E-LHS, E-RHS, D-LHS, D-RHS and DCL)

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5.3.4 Creating the Recambering Corridor

Running the ‘Recamb’ Assembly along the Design Centre Line subjected to the
provided constraints will result in a solid corridor.
 Main MenuCorridorsCreate Corridor

 ‘Create Corridor’ dialog box will appear

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 Fill the parameters as shown and press OK

 ‘Baseline & Region Parameters’ dialog box will appear
 Click the frequency button
 ‘Frequency to apply assemblies’ dialog box will appear
 Change the parameters appropriately and press OK
 Click the ‘Target’ Button

 ‘Target Mapping’ dialog box will appear
 To change width or offset targets, click a <none> parameter under Object Name
 ‘Set Width or Offset Targets’ dialog box will appear
 Change the ‘Select object type to target:’ to Alignments
 Now Alignments will be displayed
 You can add the relevant alignment to match with the requirement using ‘Add’ button and
pressing OK.
 Fill the parameters as shown in the ‘Target Mapping’ dialog box

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 Press OK
 Recambering corridor will be drawn
A Snapshot of the Recambering Corrior

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5.3.5 Creating the Recambering Surface

Now the recambering corridor is created. It is necessary to create the topmost surface
of the Recambering Corridor.
 ToolspaceCorridors[RC] RecambProperties
 Corridor Properties dialog box will appear
 In the Surfaces Tab, press ‘Create a Corridor Surface’
 While Data type = Links and Specify code = Top, press ‘Add surface item’

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Now you will see the top surface of the Corridor is added under the Surfaces in the
Toolspace
5.3.6 Adding the Recambering Surface to the Profile View

Now it is necessary to add the created Recambering Surface to the Profile View.
 Profiles  Create Profiles from Surface
 Select Recambering Surface in the list of surfaces into the right and press ‘Add’
 It will be added to the Profile list down
 Press OK
 Now the recambering surface will be drawn in the Profile View.

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5.4 Design of Vertical Alignment

An initial vertical alignment can be drawn as follows. In this step, the Designer does
not pay attention to the layer thickness or K values. But it will be convenient later, if
proper distancing of PVI (Point of Vertical Intersection) is maintained at the first
instance.
5.4.1 Drawing Initial Profile View

 Main MenuProfiles Create Profile by Layout
 ‘Select profile view to create profile’ will prompt in the command line.
 Select the Profile View
 ‘Create Profile – Draw New’ dialog box will appear
 Fill the parameters appropriately and press OK

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 Now the Profile Layout Tools tool bar will appear.
 Use ‘Draw Tangents’ tool bit to draw the Profile
It is necessary to make sure that these lines are drawn above the recambering surface
and also to match as much as possible to the same. The distancing between two
PVI’s is such that it is greater than the permissible minimum Vertical Curve Length
(VCL) of the selected Design Speed.
Any adjustment can be done later, but a robust design at the first instance will make
it easy to fine tune in the next step.

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5.4.2 Adding Vertical Curves to the Profile

Now the curves need to be added considering the permissible VCL and K values of
the selected Design Speed
 Use the ‘Free Vertical Parabola (PVI based)’ tool bit to add curves
 ‘Pick Point near PVI or Curve to add curve’ will prompt in the command line
 Select the first PVI
 ‘Specify Curve Length’ will prompt in the command line
 Give the Vertical Curve Length and Enter
 The Vertical Curve will be drawn

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 Complete the design using curves and PVI’s where permissible as per the Design Speed.
5.4.3 Correcting the Profile View Labels and fine tuning

It will be noted that the Profile View Labels will not automatically change even after
the applying of Design Profile. This needs to be manually changed.
 Select the Profile View  [RC] Profile View Properties
 ‘Profile View Properties’ dialog box will appear.
 Go to the ‘Bands’ tab and change the Profile View as follows;
 Then the labels in the Profile View will change to represent the values of the FG profile

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A Snapshot of a completed profile view diagram
Now the FG profile should be matched with the Recambering surface as much as
possible ensuring the VCL and K values satisfy the selected design speed. A routine
practice for this task is to insert another band showing the difference between the FG
profile and the recambering surface.
A Snapshot of a profile view diagram showing the difference between FG and

Recambering

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CHAPTER 6 DRAWING SHEET GENERATION
6.1 Introduction
Drawing sheets should be generated showing the Plan and Profile to issue to the
Construction site. While the preparation of the drawing sheets is usually done in the
draughtsman’s section, initial sheet preparation can be done using Civil 3D Software.
In order to do the drawing sheet preparation, a template should be prepared at first.

Such a template usually includes two view ports, exclusively for the Plan and Profile
generation. The balance of the sheet includes the Road name and other details.
A typical template showing Plan and Profile View Ports

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6.2 Creating View Frames

View Frames are created to show the section of road each sheet includes.
 Main MenuGeneralPlan Production Tools Create View Frames
 ‘Create View Frames-Alignment’ dialog box will appear
 Specify the Station range and press Next
 ‘Create View Frames-Sheets’ dialog box will appear
 Select the required template and press Next
 Press Next until the ‘Create View Frames-Profile Views’ dialog box appears
 Change the Profile View Style and Band Set Style to RDA defaults

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 Press ‘Create View Frames’

 View frames will be created.
A Snapshot of the created View Frames

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6.3 Creating Sheets

Now the drawing sheets can be created.
 Main Menu  General Plan Production Tools  Create Sheets

 ‘Create Sheets - View Frame Group and Layouts’ dialog box will appear
 Select ‘All layouts in the current drawing’ and press Next
 ‘Create Sheets – Sheet Set’ dialog box will appear
 Press Next
 ‘Create Sheets – Profile Views’ dialog box will appear
 Select ‘Choose settings’ and press ‘Profile View Wizard’
 ‘Create Multiple Profile Views – Profile View Height’ dialog box will appear. Press Next
 ‘Create Multiple Profile Views – Profile Display Options’ dialog box will appear. Press Next
 ‘Create Multiple Profile Views – Data Band set’ dialog box will appear.
 Change the Profiles to match with the EG and FG

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 Press Next
 ‘Create Multiple Profile Views –Profile Hatch Options’ dialog box will appear. Press Next
 ‘Create Multiple Profile Views –Multiple Plot Options’ dialog box will appear. Press Finish
 ‘Create Sheets – Profile Views’ dialog box will appear
 Press ‘Create Sheets’
 ‘Select Profile View Origin’ will prompt in the command line
 Give a convenient place in the drawing.
 Then the drawing sheets will be generated.

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A Snapshot of a created Drawing Sheet
This may be further fine-tuned by the draughtsman’s section, converting the file into
an AutoCAD file as follows;
FileExportExport to AutoCAD [Required version]

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CHAPTER 7 DESIGN CROSS SECTIONS

7.1 Introduction
Design cross sections are important to visualize the road in the computer, before it is
actually being constructed in the site. Further, it is usually used to assess the cut and
fill quantities and to do the required modifications.
Note that the assembly created here is for a road described as follows.
 Design lane width = 3.5m

 Existing lane width = 2.5m (Approximately)
 Hard shoulder = 1.0m
 Soft shoulder = 1.0m
 Earth drain = 0.6m
Existing Road
 Overlay depth = 0.050m
Widening Section
 Wearing course = 0.050m
 Base depth = 0.250m
 Subbase depth = 0.300m
7.2 Creating the Basic Assembly

 Corridors  Create Assembly
 <Create Assembly> dialog box will prompt
 Give the necessary parameters to the dialog box
o Name =Assembly1
o Assembly Style =Customized
o Code set style =Customized
 Then, <Specify Assembly Baseline Location> will be prompted.
 Give any point.

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 Assembly will be created

 Set the scale to 1:50, 1:100 or 1:200 depending on your requirement. Because usually cross
sections are drawn in these scales.
7.3 Creating the Assembly: Existing Road

 Get the Tool Palettes Window by General Tool Palettes Window.
 Get the Rehab Tool Palette from Tool Palettes Window.
 Click the OverlayMillAndLevel2.
 <Select marker point within the assembly> will prompt.
 Click within the blue circle of the assembly
 Then the subassembly for the exiting road will be drawn.
 Press Escape.
 Now it is necessary to change the parameters of this subassembly.
 [RC] on itSubassembly Properties.
 <Subassembly Properties> dialog box will prompt.
 Switch to parameters tab.
 Change the parameters as follows
o Left Overlay Slope Options =Outside lane superelevation
o Right Overlay Slope Options =Outside lane superelevation
o Use Profile = Use Profile
o Crown Point Offset = 0.000m
o Default Left Overlay Slope = -2.5%
o Left Sample Point Offset = -3.500m
o Left Trim Point Offset = -2.500m
o Minimum Clearance = 0.000m
o Overlay Depth = 0.050m
o Default Right Overlay Slope = -2.5%
o Right Sample Point Offset = 3.500m
o Right Trim Point Offset = 2.500m
o Slope Tolerance = 0.00%

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 Press Apply and OK.

 Now the existing carriageway part is drawn.
7.4 Creating the Assembly: Widening Section

 Go to Tool PalettesLanes
 Click LaneOutsiderSuper
 <Select marker point within assembly> command will prompt.
 Press the outside edge of the ‘OverlayMillAndLevel 2’
 The widening section will be drawn.

 [RC] on itSubassembly Properties
 Add an ‘R’ at the end of the name since this is at the RHS of the road
 Change the parameters as follows.
o Crown Point on Inside = No
o Insertion Point = Crown
o Side = Right
o Base Depth = 0.250

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o Default Slope = -2.5%

o Pave1 Depth = 0.050m
o Sub-base Depth = 0.300m
o Width = 1.000m
 Press Apply and then OK.
 Then the widening section of the RHS will be drawn.
 Click the widening section

 Select Mirror Subassemblies.
 <Select marker Point within Assemblies> command will prompt.
 Select the LHS edge of the existing road.
 Then the LHS of the widening section will be drawn.

 Click on the LHS Widening section and add an ‘L’ to the name

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7.5 Creating the Assembly: Shoulders

 Go to Tool PalettesShoulders
 Click ShoulderVerticalSubbase
 <Select Marker Point within Assembly> command will prompt.
 Select the RHS edge of the widening section
 Then the Shoulders will be drawn

 [RC] on itSubassembly properties.
 Add an ‘R’ to the name.
 Switch to Parameters tab.
o Side = Right
o Use Superelevation Slope = Outside shoulder slope
o Base Depth = 0.250m
o Default Paved Slope = -2.5%
o Paved Width = 1.000m
o Subbase Depth = 0.300m
o Unpaved Link Treatment = 1.000
o Unpaved Max Breakover = 8%
o Unpaved Slope = -4.00%
o Unpaved Width = 1.000m
 Press Apply and then OK.

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 Then the shoulders will be drawn as follows.
 Mirror the shoulders to the LHS as you did to the widening section.
 Add an ‘L’ to the subassembly name.
 Then the completed section will be as follows.
7.6 Creating the Assembly: Drains

 Go to Tool PalettesTrenches
 Click SideDitchUShape
 <Select Marker Point within assembly> command will prompt.
 Select the edge of the shoulders as follows.
 Then the drain will be drawn as follows.

 [RC] on the drainSubassembly Properties
 Change the name adding an ‘R’ to the end.
 Switch to Parameters tab.
o Side = Right

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o C = 0.001m
o Bottom Width = 0.600m
o Ditch Depth = 0.600m
o B1 = 0.001m
o G1 = 1.00:1
o F1 = 0.001m
o Inside Bench Grade = 4.00%
o Inside Bench Width = 0.001m
o E1 = 0.000m
o D = 0.600m
o A1 = 0.001m
o G2 = 1.00:1
o F2 = 0.001m
o Outside Bench Grade = 4.00%
o Outside Bench Width = 0.001m
o E2 = 0.001m
o B2 = 0.001m
o A2 = 0.001m
 Press Apply then OK.

 Then the drain will be drawn.
 Mirror the Drain to the LHS

 Rename it adding an ‘L’ to the end.

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 Then the complete section will be as follows.
7.7 Creating the Assembly: DayLight

 Go to Tool PallettesDaylight.
 Click DaylightMultiIntercept.
 <Select Marker Point within Assembly> command will prompt.
 Select the outer edge of the drain
 Then the daylight will be drawn.
 [RC] on the daylightSubassembly Properties.
 Change the name adding an ‘R’ to the end.
 Switch to Parameters tab
 Here you have to give only the Cut Slope and Fill Slope recommended by RDA.
o Cut Slope = 0.25:1
o Fill Slope = 1.50:1
 Other default values may apply.
 Press Apply and then OK
 Then the completed Assembly will be as follows

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7.8 Creating the Corridor

 CorridorsCreate Corridor
 <Select a baseline alignment> command will prompt.
 Press Enter.
 <Select an alignment> dialog box will prompt.
 Select CL
 <Select Profile> command will prompt.
 Press Enter
 <Select Profile> dialog box will prompt.
 Select Finished Ground Profile (FG)
 Press OK
 <Select an assembly> command will prompt.
 Press Enter
 <Select an assembly> dialog box will prompt.

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 Select the Assembly you created.

 Press OK
 <Create Corridor> dialog box will prompt.
 Set the Corridor name to Corridor-1 or whatever appropriate.
 You can set the Start Station and End Station as well
 The maximum length of a corridor that can be conveniently handled by Civil 3D depends
mainly upon the processor of your computer.
 As at this date, my recommendation is to limit the length to 1km.
 Press the Frequency button.
 Set the frequencies to 10m or whatever as your requirement.
 Press OK.
 Press the Targets button.
 <Target Mapping> dialog box will prompt.
 Press the <Click here to set all> in surfaces.
 <Pick a Surface>dialog box will prompt.
 Select EG (existing ground) and press OK
 Press <none> in the Crown Target Alignment.
 <Set Width or Offset Target> dialog box will prompt.
 Select CL and Press Add>>
 Press OK
 Same way, map following targets as well.

Page | 80
 Press OK
 Then the corridor will be created.

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 Go to ToolspaceCorridor-1Properties.
 Switch to Surfaces tab.
 While Data type = Links and Specify Code = Top, press the Create a corridor surface button
 Press Add surface item button.
 Switch to Boundaries tab
 [RC] CorridorAdd AutomaticallyDaylight_Cut
 Press OK.

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7.9 Creating the Sample Lines

 SectionsCreate Sample Lines
 <Select an Alignment> command will prompt.
 Press Enter
 Select CL (Centre line).
 Press OK.
 <Create Sample Line Group> dialog box will prompt.
 Press OK.
 <Sample Line Tools> dialog box will prompt.
 Select By Range of Stations
 <Create Sample Lines> dialog box will prompt.
 Change parameters as per your requirement.
 Press OK.
 <Specify station along alignment> command will prompt.
 Press Enter.
 Then the Sample lines will be drawn.

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7.10 Creating the Cross Sections

 SectionsCreate Multiple Section Views
 <General> dialog box will prompt.
 Change the parameters as per your requirement.
 Press Next.

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 <Offset range> dialog box will prompt.

 Press Next.
 <Elevation range> dialog box will prompt.
 Press Next.
 <Section Display Options> dialog box will prompt.
 Press Next.
 <Data Bands> dialog box will prompt.
 Change the necessary parameters.
 Press ‘Create Section Views’
 <Identify Section View Origin> command will prompt.
 Give a convenient location in the drawing.
 Then the cross sections will be created.

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CHAPTER 8 MATERIAL CALCULATIONS

8.1 Introduction
Material calculation can be performed profoundly in Civil 3D without much hassle.
To begin with, you have to open a cross section file where the cross sections are
made to around 1km.
8.2 Earth Work Calculations

 Open the Cross Section file and Save it as Mat-0+000-1+000.
 Go to ToolspaceProspectorCorridors[Corridor Name][RC]Properties
 In the oncoming dialog box, go to Surfaces tab
 Remove the existing corridor surface.
 Press Create a Corridor Surface
 Change the Specify code: to Datum and press Add surface item button.
 Give the Overhang Correction = Bottom Links

Page | 86

 Go to ToolspaceProspector[Site No.][Your CL Alignment]Sample Line
Groups[Sample Line Name][RC]Properties
 Go to Section TabSample More Sources
 Select the Corridor Surface to the left and press Add>>

Page | 87

 Go to SectionsCompute Materials
 Following dialog box will prompt.
 Press OK.
 In the oncoming dialog box, change the Quantity takeoff criteria to EarthWorks and give the
parameters as shown.
o Existing Ground = EG Surface
o Datum = New Corridor Surface
 Press OK

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 Then go to SectionsGenerate Volume Report
 Following table will prompt.
 Press the button against the Select a style sheet and select Earthwork from the oncoming
dialog box.

Page | 89
 Press OK and then the cut and fill materials sheet will be generated.

Page | 90
8.3 Road Material Calculations

In the Section 8.2, it was the cutting and filling quantities that were calculated.
However, the quantities relevant to;
 Wearing Course
 Binder Course
 Base Course
 Sub base course
-are still to be calculated.
 SectionsCompute Materials
 Press OK

Page | 91

 Press Import another criteria.

 Change it to Material List and press OK

Page | 92

 Change the parameters suitably.
 Press OK.
Relevant quantities will be mapped.

Page | 93
It is always possible to get a new Material List and map the other materials to
compute the quantities. Since the procedure is similar, it would not be described here
in detail.
 Then go to SectionsGenerate Volume Report

 Select the relevant material list and press the button against the Select a style sheet.
 Select ‘Select Material’ style sheet from the oncoming dialog box.
 Press OK.
 Then the Volume Report will be generated.

Page | 94


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A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE COMPUTER

AIDED HIGHWAY DESIGN IN SRI LANKA

Eng. S.A Suneth Thushara Salawavidana

Chartered Civil Engineer

“For free circulation among RDA Engineers”

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

5.4 DESIGN OF VERTICAL ALIGNMENT ..........................................................................................59

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

1.1 General Background

1.2 AutoDesk’s Civil 3D

1.3 File Hierarchy of the Design

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

Anuradhapura-Trinco : This is the main folder of the design

1.4 Design Template

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

CHAPTER 2: SURFACE CREATION

2.2 Surface Creation using a Point File (.csv)

A Snapshot of the Topographic Survey Drawing

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

A Snapshot of the Excel File submitted by the Surveyor

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

 Open the Topographic Survey FileSelect the drawingEditCopy

Now the data set is stored as a .csv file.

 In the Civil 3D File, Toolspace[Drawing Name]PointsCreate

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

 Create Points dialog box will appear.

 ‘Import Points’ dialog box will appear.

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

A Snapshot of the Topographic Survey Drawing with Points

Sometimes it is necessary to Regen the drawing to visualize the created surface.

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

A Snapshot of the Topographic Survey Drawing with the Created Surface

2.2.1 Break Lines

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

Any candidate selected to be a Break Line should be a continuous polyline.

 ToolspaceProspectorSurfaceEGDefinition Break lines[RC]Add

 ‘Select objects’ will appear in the command line.

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

Now the surface will be restricted only to the relevant area.

This ends the surface creation using .csv File

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

2.3 Surface Creation using a Point File (.txt)

Point Details in a Notepad File

These points can be directly imported to the Civil 3D file as in 2.2.

2.4 Surface Creation using Contours

 Select a Contour Line

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

 Change the Parameters as shown and Press OK

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

A Snapshot of the Surface created using Contours

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

2.5 Surface Creation using Embedded Data

A Snapshot of a topographic survey drawing with embedded data

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

A Snapshot of the Created MS Excel File

Eng. S.A.S.T Salawavidana

2.6 Exporting the Surface to LandXML Format

 ToolspaceSurfacesEG[RC]Export Land XML