Hi,
The 'new' roundabout tool creates a 2D model/drawing in Microstation, then converts the data to the requested program like MX or Power Civil or GeoPack or Inroads.
During working with it I found it more than difficult to convert the design (which is there in no seconds in 2D) into a 3Dmodel in MX. Is there anyone with better experiences than me?? Perhaps in another package.......
Hi Henny, Roadway Designer (InRoads) is very powerful and you should be able to make a 3D final DTM of your roundabout (+ arms, crossing islands) quite quickly. Of course all depends how complicated your roundabout is. Attached roundabout (3 arms, 7 profiles) is about 3-4 hours job. Regards, Piotr
Site Modeler (GEOPAK and PowerCivil) can use those 2D graphics to design the vertical component of the Roundabout quite efficiently.
The images below are of a 6 leg RAB with a 2 level traffic circle. Design time is less than 2hrs.
Hi Henny,
MX is able to design the vertical fairly easily. There's a couple of workflows you consider, depending on the sort of vertical design you want to achieve. In the UK, we use a technique of associated profiles (often known as the "Stockdale" method after the gentleman who invented it) which lets you associate the crown lines together by using the circulatory crown as a governing alignment. This method is only available in Full Vertical Alignment. Once you've got levels on to the crowns, applying constant / linear / reverse curve crossfalls to the edge of pavement strings is straightforward.
In Europe, it is common for the circulatory carriageway to be flat, and for there to be vertical grade breaks on the approach centre lines. In this case the Quick Vertical Alignment option may be more suitable, and it's easier to use if you aren't familiar with the Full Vertical Alignment option. I would start by applying levels to the outer edge of the circulatory carriageway, then offset a string to one side of it by a metre, with a constant vertical offset of 0. You can then triangulate these two strings, and add them as a surface when you design the levels for the approach centre lines. If you add the existing ground as a surface as well, when you work on the approach centre lines these two surfaces will show you, and let you tie in to, where you need to be at both ends of the aproach centre lines. Once you've done them you can apply crossfalls to the edge of pavement strings on the approaches.
The Australian bonus tools contain a couple of options which you might find useful - Regrade Any String, and the Vertical String Editor - which may be helpful.
Jon
Henny
How you keeping?
Anyway, at the risk of teaching grandma to suck eggs...... See the link below there are some notes on how stockdale works.
It is not difficult once you get your head around it
http://communities.bentley.com/products/road___site_design/f/5922/t/6236.aspx
Mark