The thread below raised a question.
It was mentioned about a template and only taking one shot for both the top or back of curb, and the field to finish creating the gutter breakline. This would cut down tremendously on my shots in the field, and help create a cleaner drawing. Is there a tutorial available that couldd teach me how to set this up?
I am starting a design topo of an existing commercial site on Monday, and this would be helpful.
Thanks in advance
> The thread below raised a question.
>
> It was mentioned about a template and only taking one shot for both the top or back of curb, and the field to finish creating the gutter breakline. This would cut down tremendously on my shots in the field, and help create a cleaner drawing. Is there a tutorial available that couldd teach me how to set this up?
>
> I am starting a design topo of an existing commercial site on Monday, and this would be helpful.
>
> Thanks in advance
I use a code "BOC" for Back Of Curb. We've used that abbreviation for years in the field book and I applied it to our field codes. Let's say I determine the gutter is 0.5 foot offset horizontally and 0.6 foot vertically lower than the BOC.
I begin shooting the curb, and on my first shot I code it:
BOC1 OH0.5 OV-0.6
This is proper IF the gutter is to the right of my course of shots. If it is to the left, it would look like this:
BOC1 OH-0.5 OV-0.6
This creates a 3D polyline 0.5 feet from (horizontally) and 0.6 foot lower (vertically) from the back of curb. Make sure there are no spaces between the action code "OH" and "OV" and their respective offset distances.
Actually, I think the action code can be at any point in the chain, but once started it can't be turned of for that chain. So if you want to continue the line, but cease the offset, you'd need to change the code to BOC2 and start the next line, either with a different offset or no offset.
Don't know what software you're running,
but this is the Inroads way - by the use of the TMPL code.
You define your Template by starting a new line, adding the TMPL code after the feature code,
then you take 1 shot on each parallel line (Hor & Ver offsets are calculated). You end your template by taking the second shot on your master line. All shots on the lines in between will result in parallel lines.
Chr.
I think Jimmy is using Carlson.
I like this thread, a lot. I have a feeling it is going to improve my field efficiency.
Christof, I like the procedure that you use with Inroads, just take the shots at the ends and let the software calculate the H & V offsets. I wonder if there is a similar option with Carlson F2F?
Brad is correct. I use Carlson 2008. I will be out of pocket most of the day, but will check back in later today. This is going to improve my field work considerably.
Thanks for the help!
Depends On What Your Work Is Being Used For
Things are not always as uniform as we would like.
In such a case a template can put false data in your drawing.
I would be comfortable using horizontal and vertical offsets of 3D polylines for purposes of creating a drainage plan but not for the purpose of designing curb.
One of the most often needed curb info on my plans is depressed curb and/or curb returns/aprons at street access points.
I am a surveyor and an engineer and know what and how I created it.
If you as a surveyor transmit such a plan to an engineer he will assume that every 3D polyline was shot at 1' intervals and can be wholly relied on.
How much curb can you afford to redesign, remove and replace?
Oh, you don't really have a 1% gutter grade, please pay for the variance.
Paul in PA
Depends On What Your Work Is Being Used For
Definitely got to pay attention on those offsets. Watch the curb for consistency check with a tape periodically even shoot the gutter in a place or two to check your offset line back in the office.
Depends On What Your Work Is Being Used For
> even shoot the gutter in a place or two to check your offset line back in the office.
Personal preference, perhaps (he said, alliteratively), but I generally shoot the gutter flowline and let the curb take care of itself. Making sure the water flows is usually Job 1. If it seems likely that there'll be something critical about the top of curb grade -- e.g. ADA compliance -- then I'll shoot both.
Depends On What Your Work Is Being Used For
I totally agree, use thee offsets with care.
As Jim we mostly take the gutter as masterline.
Most of our curbs and gutters are prefab in Belgium.
"One of the most often needed curb info on my plans is depressed curb and/or curb returns/aprons at street access points."
Years ago we discussed this topic with the designers, we agreed on not measuring the extra points and breaking/starting a new template. We have for the different kind (normal or heavy traffic) of acces points an extra point/block we shoot. The elevation for that point is part of the block.
Chr.
>
> I begin shooting the curb, and on my first shot I code it:
>
> BOC1 OH0.5 OV-0.6
>
Shawn, excellent tip, thanks!
I tried this today, but unfortunately my TDS ranger only allowed me to get this far in the descriptor field:
GUT1 B OH-0.5 OV
It simply would not allow me to finish the OV0.6
I will have to look and see if I can add spaces to that field in my DC.
I bought up the template method only because that was what I was shown as being available at a Carlson College course. Considering that we are generally dealing with 1 foot contours, adjusting a template to get a 0.01 foot variable seems to be carrying coals to Newcastle.
Our crews shoot Top Back Of Curb, Edge of Asphalt (ONLY because of a couple of OCD engineers in the main office), Centerline, Edge of Asphalt and then Top Back of Curb to define a roadway.
I have my curb lines set up to be drawn in both 2d for the drawing and 3d for my break line. When I build my surface, I offset the 3d curb break lines 0.50 feet horizontally and -0.50 feet vertically to define the curb "gutter". The road centerline is also depicted as a 3d poly break line to define the "crown". This method has worked well for several years.
You can shoot too much. If you start shooting 2 curb lines, gutter shots and edge of asphalt shots you will usually get a wad of lines that cross all over each other and your surface and resulting contours will be a nightmare.
Shoot everything that you need to define a feature, but don't do crazy. Don't forget that when shooting retaining walls and other vertical faces, that last NG shot 10 feet away from the wall will NOT give you a good surface, unless the ground does ACTUALLY slope up to the wall like that.
If your DC limits the length of the description field you could shorten the commands in Carlson to just "H" instead of "OH" and "V" instead of "OV". F2f control codes are fully customizable in Carlson.
On a few jobs where the conditions and requirements have allowed, I've shot the curb gutter and used offsets to draw the edge of pavement, back of curb, grass strip, and both sides of the sidewalk. Obviously you have to use judgement as to when and where to use such a shortcut.
> If your DC limits the length of the description field you could shorten the commands in Carlson to just "H" instead of "OH" and "V" instead of "OV". F2f control codes are fully customizable in Carlson.
>
Great tip brother. It works great when I cheat on my PC with the following example.
GUT1 B PC H.6 V.5
It still stops short on my DC, so maybe I will just start the line before the PC.
GUT1 B PC H.6 V.
Oh well, I have tweaked my Carlson codes and plan to use this in the future.
681,1647383.296980,219663.067579,829.661803,GUT1 B PC H.6 V.5
682,1647381.272253,219667.779578,829.685973,GUT1
683,1647376.631561,219669.454463,829.613426,GUT1 PC
684,1647366.850688,219665.693678,829.707655,GUT1
685,1647361.205594,219654.132081,829.673980,GUT1
686,1647361.316274,219642.121515,829.523172,GUT1 PC
687,1647365.387026,219632.476882,829.477630,GUT1
688,1647377.089497,219627.690188,829.554601,GUT1 PC
689,1647380.744661,219628.943400,829.619869,GUT1
690,1647383.012264,219633.644541,829.551101,GUT1 CLO
