In this video we start out with a 3D Surface / 3D Linework and Alignment data from a Bentley highways model. The linework is provided as a set of rectangular panels that we want to turn into Pavement Lane Edge linework that we can use to create offset lines from that extend the pavement out 5’ either side of the lanes to be constructed.
The 5’ offset lines need to carry the slope out the 5’ and will be used to model the road surface for machine control purposes. We also want to look at running IRI reports on these lines to determine the quality of the surface that can be created from these lines from a rideability standpoint.
Step 1
Take the 3D polygons and relayer them based on which lane they represent - end up with Lane 1, Lane 2, Lane 3 all on separate layers
Step 2
Use the Track Region command to find the lines around the outside of each lane. Note Track Region creates 2D lines only so once created you can use Elevate Lines using Intersecting Line mode to elevate the track region lines to the polygon line elevations to create 3D lines.
Step 3
Beak the track region lines so that you just have lines that run along the lane edge or edge of pave edges.
Step 4
Make alignments out of the 3D lane edge lines using the Create Alignment command. These are the lines that you will use for the IRI reporting on the pavement model
Step 5
Use the Offset Slope command to offset the lane edge lines by e.g. 5’ outside the edges of pavement at the extended slope of the surface that would be created between the two lane edges. Use the same reference line for the left (-5’ offset) and right (19’ or 20’ offset for 14’ or 15’ pavement width).
Step 6
Build a surface as a check using the two lane edge lines - this gives us the slope between the two lane edges.
Step 7
Build a surface using the two offset lines - this gives you the extended pavement surface for the machine operations. Note by extending the surface out 5’ either side, this makes the triangles wider at the edge of pavement that will smooth out the edge of pavement area that will improve the IRI / smoothness of the pavement.
Step 8
Check the two surfaces to make sure that the slopes match correctly
Step 9
Check the profiles of the lines using the profile viewer to ensure that they look correct and have no bumps or hollows in the lines.
Step 10
Run the IRI report on the 4 lines that you created that you have converted into alignments - the IRIs should be less than 25 so that you have some “wriggle room” on the paver to hit your ride numbers.
Video shows how