Civil 3D Road Project Setup

Overview

This lecture covers setting up and managing a Civil 3D road project, including creating alignments, profiles, intersections, corridor models, and surface visualization.

Project Management and Setup

• Begin by setting your working folder to establish the project location in Civil 3D.
• A data shortcuts project folder (e.g., "three-part tutorial") organizes references for easy access.
• The existing ground (EG) surface, provided by the surveyor, is referenced as the project base.
• Data shortcuts are created so surfaces and other elements can be reused in multiple project files.

Importing and Using Background Data

• Import the DWG Topo (topographic) file as a background survey reference.
• Circles are used as guides for alignment creation within the drawing.
• The project's main purpose is to design a bypass road for trucks around a congested gas station entrance.

Creating Alignments

• Utilize the Alignment Creation Tools under the "Home" tab.
• Name the main alignment (e.g., "US 129") and start stationing at 100+00.
• Use tangent (straight) alignments to represent the main road and bypass.
• Additional alignments (e.g., "Loves bypass") are created for side roads, starting stationing at 200+00.
• Use fixed, floating, and free methods (including curves with specified radii) to connect tangents.

Designing Profiles

• Generate a surface profile for each alignment to show existing ground (EG) elevations.
• Create proposed profiles (e.g., "_loves", "_us129") using profile creation tools and tangents.
• Use transparent commands to enforce elevation constraints (e.g., road cannot go above pond stage 154).

Intersection and Corridor Modeling

• Use the intersection tool to generate intersection geometry between main and side roads.
• Set curb return radii (e.g., 35 feet) and create new corridor models as needed.
• Add subassemblies (e.g., curb and gutter) to corridor sections using tool palettes.
• Modify subassemblies' position and corridor extents interactively.

Roadway Widening and Offsets

• Offset alignments from the intersection tool can be extended and used to model road widening.
• Define the limits and width of widening (e.g., 12 feet, 24 feet) with station ranges and grips.

Surface Visualization

• Create a corridor surface for 3D visualization, selecting top links and quarter extents as boundaries.
• Use the object viewer to inspect the completed road model in 3D.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Alignment — A centerline or reference path for designing roads in Civil 3D.
• Profile — A vertical section showing elevations along an alignment.
• Corridor Model — A 3D road model built from alignments, profiles, and assemblies.
• Data Shortcut — An XML file referencing Civil 3D objects for reuse in multiple drawings.
• Surface — A 3D representation of existing or proposed ground within Civil 3D.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Practice creating alignments, profiles, and intersections in Civil 3D using your own data.
• Continue to part three for further project development and refinement.