Overview

This tool provides unique dynamic graphical and interactive review capability to assist in identifying model anomalies by presenting critical design information on the screen, identifying points of transition or change along the corridor with a simple and fast interface to navigate to points of interest. It includes multi-lane analysis capability with focus area of interest for detailed investigation of variances in width, pavement depth, cross slope, and elevation. Also, linked sectional views provides additional visual validation checks and measurements to allow the reviewer to fully understand the design model at critical locations.

 

Finding the command

In the Civil Frontstage, open the left widget panel and select the Civil Design Validation and Analysis tab.

 

 

After selecting the Civil Validation and Analysis widget, click the drop-down menu to access the Corridor Analysis option.

 

Add New Corridor Analysis

Select the “Add new vertical clearance” button from the palette.

 

The form then changes to allow entry for a name and the Tool Settings prompts to “Identify Alignment’ – all alignments will be highlight to aid in selection. Note All Alignment names are available under drop down in Tool Settings.

 

Select an Alignment and all associated corridor meshes will be given focus and will change the mode to prompt “Identify top surfaces’.   Proceed to select all of the elements (meshes) which the tool should use to validate. 

In this example there were 2 meshes, one for each side of the dual carriageway. Should additional features like shoulders be required they can be added to the selection. All mesh names will appear in the list.

 

When all meshes have been selected select the blue ‘Run’  button at the bottom of the form to carryout the analysis.

 

On completion of the analysis the view will adjust onto the start of the alignment, default annotation will be displayed on the meshes and a analysis toolbar slider will display.

 

The cyan markers on the slider represents the range in the model the required annotation will be applied to, this is represented by the cyan brackets and all template drops in the range will be annotated. Hovering on the text value will allow a typed range that is applied split about the centre.

 

 

Navigate the alignment using either typed station values, the up or down arrows or by dragging the central blue glyph. The view will adjust to the new location trying to maintain the listed station with the blue cut line in the center of the display.

 

The Slider toolbar allows selection of options to control.

• Layers – provides control for the different pavements in the road template, single layer only
• Data – controls the annotated text applied to the mesh for widths, depths, cross slope and elevation. Multiple selections can be applied (no text collision removal is applied and is likely to occur depending on density and scale of the model)
• Changes only – changes the mode to only show text where changes occur on the section (see subsequent section)

 

For a refined cross section visual, hover on the blue section line in the main view and a cross section glyph will appear  , select the glyph to view the cross section.

 

Opening the section view allows stepping independently from the Slider.

‘Changes Only’ mode

Changes only will only annotate values on sections where the value for the next template drop changes. So for example if we were looking at cross slopes, where superelevation is applied the straight will typically have no annotation displayed, stepping to the next change will move to the start of the transition where superelevation is applied. Once full super is applied and on the curve it will then jump to the next change where the superelevation starts to change again.