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Geometric Design Using AutoCAD Civil 3D
Geometric Design Using AutoCAD Civil 3D
ISSN: 2458-9403
Vol. 4 Issue 6, June - 2017
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JMESTN42352231 7415
Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)
ISSN: 2458-9403
Vol. 4 Issue 6, June - 2017
Current trends are geared towards the use of very i. BIM tools for civil engineering design:
sophisticated computer programs for roadway AutoCAD Civil 3D supports Building
geometry design that offer amazing precision and Information Modeling (BIM) and helps reduce
save lots of time and effort. Autodesk [7] summarizes the time it takes to design, analyze, and
the importance of specialized road design software implement changes.
saying the tools help civil engineering professionals ii. Efficient civil design: AutoCAD Civil 3D
working on transportation projects to: explore performs faster design iterations with an
preliminary design options and optimize project intelligent, 3D model-based application that
performance; determine optimal horizontal and dynamically updates related civil design
vertical roadway geometry that are constrained by elements when changes are made. It
design criteria; engineer roadway geometry in the streamlines time-consuming tasks for
context of the existing environment more efficiently corridor design, parcel design, and pressure
and effectively. The tools also enable engineers to and gravity network design.
work with a more realistic model of what truly exists iii. It improves civil drafting and documentation.
at the project site thereby affording engineers the Connecting design and documentation helps
opportunity to consider safety requirements earlier in boost productivity and deliver higher-quality
project development. As Ananya and Sahimol [4] put designs and construction documentation.
it, these computer applications can produce amazing Changes to design elements are captured in
visual graphics that enable the design engineer to documentation, minimizing manual updates.
view the road on screen from the perspective of the iv. GPS surveying tools for faster processing.
driver. They [4] further state that “without the use of GPS surveying and data collection tools in
three-dimensional modeling, highway planning AutoCAD Civil 3D can help you update your
experiences a significant difficulty. Cut and fill processes for improved project delivery.
calculation tends to consume a significant amount of v. Integrated storm water management and
time… By using the object-oriented approach, the geospatial analysis. AutoCAD Civil 3D helps
process of cut and fill calculation can be performed the designer to improve project delivery and
automatically and in an accurate manner”. make more informed decisions using
visualization, simulation, and water analysis
There are ongoing efforts to complete the integrated with the design process for storm
development of campus road network of the water management, geospatial analysis, and
University of Ilorin, located in southwestern Nigerian model analysis.
town of Ilorin. One of the links in the road network
that has been selected for development is the one III. DESIGN METHODOLOGY
leading to students’ hostels from the University bus A. Survey Data Collection
stop. This paper presents a complete geometric The existing ground surface data are required for
design of this road using AutoCAD Civil 3D software. designing the geometry of highways. The survey
The aim is to demonstrate how roadway geometric information of the proposed route was obtained from
design can be performed in a very short time with the firm handling the development of the road. The
much ease and precision so as to encourage civil survey information included Easting, Northing and
engineering practitioners in the developing world to elevations of points along the proposed route.
embrace the use of road design software. To provide
a basis for comparison, manual design of the B. Design Criteria
geometry of the same road was also performed. The following design criteria based on the Nigerian
Federal Ministry of Works Manual [1] were assigned
II. AUTODESK AUTOCAD CIVIL 3D to the horizontal geometry of the center line and also
AutoCAD Civil 3D is a civil engineering design and to the profile and cross section of the roadway:
documentation tool developed by Autodesk. i. Design speed = 60 km/h
AutoCAD Civil 3D software supports Building ii. Superelevation rate = 4%
Information Modeling (that is, digital representation of iii. Friction factor = 0.14
the physical and functional characteristics of a iv. Minimum Stopping Sight Distance = 130 m
facility). It is used for modeling, analysis and design v. Minimum Passing Sight Distance = 540 m
of a variety of civil infrastructure project types, vi. Maximum grade = 7%
including roads and highways, land development, vii. Minimum K (rate of vertical curvature) for sag
rail, airports, and water. AutoCAD Civil 3D helps civil curves = 30
infrastructure professionals improve project delivery, viii. Minimum K (rate of vertical curvature) for
maintain more consistent data and processes, and crest curves = 26.
respond faster to project changes, all within the ix. Roadway width = 12.8 m
familiar AutoCAD environment [8] x. Carriageway width = 7.3 m
xi. Shoulder width = 2.75 m
Autodesk [7] lists the features of AutoCAD Civil 3D
as follows: C. Overview of AutoCAD Civil 3D Design
Procedure
www.jmest.org
JMESTN42352231 7416
Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)
ISSN: 2458-9403
Vol. 4 Issue 6, June - 2017
(1)
Where R = minimum horizontal curve radius in
meters
www.jmest.org
JMESTN42352231 7417
Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)
ISSN: 2458-9403
Vol. 4 Issue 6, June - 2017
Fig. 3: Horizontal Alignment produced from the plot of Easting and Northing using Excel
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JMESTN42352231 7418
Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)
ISSN: 2458-9403
Vol. 4 Issue 6, June - 2017
www.jmest.org
JMESTN42352231 7419
Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)
ISSN: 2458-9403
Vol. 4 Issue 6, June - 2017
D. Assemblies
subassembly objects, thereby helping to simulate the
Assemblies define the cross-sectional component of
geometry and material make up of the road. Fig. 6
the design. They are built by connecting individual
shows the roadway assembly.
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JMESTN42352231 7420
Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)
ISSN: 2458-9403
Vol. 4 Issue 6, June - 2017
The use of AutoCAD Civil 3D for highway geometric [6] H. Yasser, M.E. Said, and A.O. Abd El
design makes the design process to be completed Halim, “State-of-the-Art of Three-
within a very short time and with much ease and Dimensional Highway Geometric Design”,
amazing precision. These capabilities of AutoCAD Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol.
Civil 3D eliminate the major disadvantages of the 25, No. 3, pp. 500-511, 1998. Available from:
manual design approach that is cumbersome, time http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.
consuming and highly prone to costly errors. 1139/l97-111.
[4] A. Ananya, and E. Sahimol, “3D Model for [9] Excitech Ltd., ” AutoCAD Civil 3D 2017”,
Highway Alignment”, International Journal of Available from:
Scientific Engineering and Research http://www.excitech.co.uk/Products/AutoCAD
(IJSER), Volume 4, Issue 3, March 2016. -Civil-3D-2017. Accessed February 2107.
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JMESTN42352231 7421