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StormCAD invert elevations are changing

Hello, I am using StormCAD within OpenRoads.  I am working on creating an existing model and some of the depths are less than ideal (not at minimums currently required).  The problem I am experiencing is when I set the invert elevation sometimes the invert elevation automatically changes to an apparent minimum depth.   I have looked in the catalog that I am using and cannot see a minimum depth.  What property/where can I change so that I can set the inverts as they currently are?  

  • Hi Karl,

    Thanks for the point in the right direction! I knew there had to be a proper way to modify these.  

    Cheers,
    Damien

  • Hi Damien,

    Do not try to break or drop the solids. They need to be edited using the solids editing tools. I suggest doing the 3D modeling tutorials on the Bentley Learn Server. Also, review the requirements for SUDA cells in the software documentation so that you understand what the requirements are - refer to the link in Beebe’s post.

    If you are new to ORD, you may want to reach out to the DOT person who did the cell library and configuration. This is an easy change for someone who already has the solids modeling skills. 

    Karl Dauber, PE
    Advance Consulting
    Laurens County, SC
    karldauber@advconsult.net
    www.advconsult.net
    www.linkedin.com/in/karldauber

    Answer Verified By: Sushma Choure 

  • Hi Karl,  thank you for the reply and information!  I have located the bottom cell in the cell library and found a saved view the shows the bottom of the cell in Top, Front, Right, and 3D views.  I am limited in my knowledge of working with cells in the Bentley ecosystem as I am a recent convert from Civil3D to ORD.  I think I might need to "break" the cell b/c when I click on it it is called a smart solid and when I select the points that represent the top and bottom of the inside of the bottom of the inlet I cannot change any of the x,y,z values. 

    I am looking for resources to help me understand how to move the bottom of the structure up to 1'.  I can change the Z-values of the point in the bottom of the cell (see below); however, I hoped that the entire structure bottom would shift up by the same amount (that didn't happen). 

    The cell is a "smart solid" and I'm not sure how or if I need to "break" it in order to edit the faces/vertices up ~1' (see below).

    Any assistance pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!  Cheers!

    I have read/watched the following trying to understand how to edit the depth of the cell but have not yet figured it out:

  • Hello Damien,
    remember that when using ORD, you are creating a 3D model when you place drainage elements.  When you place a node such as an inlet or manhole, ORD creates a 3D model of that node using two cells from your referenced cell library: a top cell and a bottom cell.  It then extrudes either the top or bottom cell (depending on a setting) so that the height of the overall 3D structure matches the difference between the rim and invert elevations.  However, although the cell can be extruded to a depth larger than the cell in the library, it cannot be reduced.  Go to your cell library and check the following:

    1. Top cell.  What is the depth of the structure measured from the "rim point" (should be using Linestyle = 5) and the "alignment point" (LS = 3)?

    2. Bottom cell.  What is the depth of the structure measured from the  "alignment point" (LS = 3) to the "invert point" (LS = 5)?

    The overall node depth cannot be less than the sum of these two depths.  Easiest way to check elevations of these points is to snap on them and review the Z elevation in the message center.

    You may need to edit your cells if you want to model nodes that are shallower than your current cells allow.

    Karl Dauber, PE
    Advance Consulting
    Laurens County, SC
    karldauber@advconsult.net
    www.advconsult.net
    www.linkedin.com/in/karldauber

    Answer Verified By: Damien DiVittorio 

  • Ok, thank you for this explanation.  I'm almost certain this is the issue.  I imagine that this is due to the cells coming from the DOT library and being set to minimum design depths.  So, either I need use a default inlet that uses another cell or copy this predefined cell and link it to a copy of the inlet feature definition?  I really want to keep everything in ORD.