From the Ground Up

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posted 07/20/07 by Jack Strongitharm Above and below the ground

This week I have been at the Transport 2007 conference in London and met Robert Strongitharm.
Yes, someone with the same surname! Not many of us around you know.
Don’t think we are related in any way.

So as you know probably know, we have pipes in our Civil 3D program.
But most people take these as being just drainage as it says pipes on the menu and buttons etc.
But if you think a little outside the box they can be so much more.

So if you look at the menu you have ‘Create Pipe from Object’, i.e. from a polyline.


Nowadays you can either hire a utility survey company or buy equipment to radar scan the ground.

Such a device

If you create 3D linework from these measured points you have the line and level of the underground utilities.
Then using this tool, create the pipe, cable gas main etc from the line.



When you sample through an alignment you get the option to add the pipe networks.



There you have it. A full understanding of what lies beneath.


Does it clash, require diversion etc. It is one way of ensuring at the very least that your scheme will not have any hidden mysteries when those digging machines get out there and your neck is on the line. Diversions can take months to arrange, let alone divert them.

Lets just move my tram line route away from the pipeline





Now let’s reverse the idea!
Overhead powerlines.
When using plant on site near over head cables, contractors need to ensure safety on site and erect gantries etc to restrict plant usage in these areas.
The pipe models do not necessarily need to be below ground.
Using the same technique I captured these measured cable lines to create cross sections very quickly.






I hope this gives you all some ideas.

Even if you don’t have the 3D data for the utilities, you can always drape the lines from the plans you receive to the ground surface and then sink them using the ‘Feature Line’ level editor to the position that they should be for a least a guide. Better than nothing!



Civil regards

Jack Strongitharm

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