Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
ChAPtER 7
Designing vertically
using Profiles
Now that the paths
of the roads have been established as alignments
representing their centerlines, we'll look at the answers to these questions:
What will it be like to travel along those paths? Will the terrain be steep
or flat? Will it change much from one end of the road to the other? Will it
require earth to be moved to smooth out the bumps in the road?
In Chapter 4, “Modeling the Existing Terrain Using Surfaces,” you learned
how existing ground surfaces can be used to analyze the shape of the ground.
Although surfaces can be quite effective for this purpose, you're looking for
something that tells you specifically what the terrain is like in relation to the
road alignment. Once you have learned that, you'll be looking for an effective
way to redesign the terrain to create a nice, smooth road.
Whether you're analyzing the terrain along an alignment or redesigning
it, the tool that is most effective is the profile. Profiles allow you to show a
slice through the ground along a specific alignment. This provides you with
a clear and direct visualization of changes in terrain so that you can assess
existing conditions and improve your design if necessary.
In this chapter, you'll learn to
▶
Create surface profiles
▶
display profiles in profile views
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Create design profiles
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edit profiles
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Apply design check sets and criteria files
