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Road Parameters (Parametric Method)

Use this dialog to define a standard profile with road parameters using the parametric method.

Where can I find the dialog?

In the toolbox, select SFI Properties..., the Road Body tab, and Road Parameters (Parametric Method)...

Application Areas

Use this dialog in the following models:

  1. SFI (road model)
  2. EFI (excavation pit)

General Description

The dialog has a dedicated window for previewing road parameters, and you can change which profile you want to view. Road parameters can be displayed against real physical layers or against fictitious physical layers.

If you check for real data, you can point and click in the map to display the constructed cross-section exactly where you want. The nearest profile in the parameter list is highlighted, and the surface code affected by the highlighted parameter is drawn in blue.

Note

It is not possible to zoom in the preview window. In cross-section view, the result is also shown directly in the profile during editing.

Adding New Parameters

Procedure

  1. Select the desired parameter in the combo box
  2. Click Add...
  3. Enter the profile number and value
  4. Optionally specify which side(s) the parameter should apply to

Tip

You can also select a parameter by marking an existing parameter in the list window below the combo box.

Tip

You can click on the road line in the screen to display the profile number where you point.

Using Templates

The easiest way is to start with a template containing predefined parameters. The Road tab in SFI Properties has a button for Use Template.... After importing a template, you can adjust the parameters as needed.

Excel Integration

Excel can be useful, for example, for repetitive elements such as emergency bays. You can create a formula in Excel and avoid entering all profile numbers manually. We recommend editing one parameter at a time in Excel.

Warning

Paste from Excel pastes everything without checking against existing entries.

Procedure for Excel

  1. Select the relevant parameter in the list
  2. Click Copy
  3. Switch to Excel and select Paste
  4. Add values in Excel
  5. Select all parameters in Excel, including headers, and click Copy
  6. Switch to Gemini Terrain and click Paste

Value Formats

Values are written as decimals:

  • 1:2 is written as 0.5
  • 2 o/o is written as 0.02
  • 30 o/oo is written as 0.03

All slopes for road surface, shoulder, ditches, embankments, and cuttings are defined the same way. A positive sign indicates a slope upwards relative to the horizontal plane, viewed from the edge of the surface facing the centerline.

Advanced Side and Surface Delimitation

Side and surface delimitation is useful in many contexts. Side delimitation can be used against landscape and excavation pits, while surface delimitation can be used for bus bays and intersection areas.

There are no dedicated road parameters for side and surface delimitation. Side and surface delimitation have their own tables, which are identical to the tables for manual road design.

Conversion to Manual Method

With the Convert to Manual button, you can transfer road parameters (parametric method) to road parameters (manual method).

Warning

It is not possible to convert in the opposite direction. The manual method offers greater flexibility in shaping the road body, but this method is not linked to Handbook N100.

Info

All parameters are described in the general user documentation.

Road Model

The standard profile is built using parameters for the various elements of the road. In the Parameter combo box, you will find all available road parameters, optionally filtered by main groups:

  1. Surface
  2. Superstructure
  3. Substructure

A parameter is defined for a specific start profile and applies until a new start profile with new values is defined. Some parameters change proportionally between two profiles with different values, while others remain constant until a new value is set.

Surface

Surface parameters can be defined for Left, Right, or Both sides of the road. The correct side for left and right is determined by looking forward along the road line (increasing profile number).

Various road elements

With the Generate Parameters from Road Class... button, you can generate values for the standard profile, superelevation diagram, and width extensions according to the selected design class for the road.

Superstructure

For the superstructure, you can have:

  • Up to 8 layers for carriageway and shoulder surfaces
  • Up to 5 layers for additional surfaces 5-7

A = Additional surfaces 5-7

You can add stone slopes and excavation slopes. The stone slope starts at the outermost surface with superstructure. If you have not added an excavation slope, it extends to the endpoint of the next surface.

A = Additional surfaces 5-7

Substructure

The road surface is the reference level for blasting depth. For roof slope, the depth applies at the centerline. For one-sided slope, the depth applies under the outer edge of the last 2-series surface.

If the depth to the deep blasting layer at any point is less than the specified minimum depth, the deep blasting layer will be adjusted. The deep blasting plane will never be less than the specified minimum depth below the surface. The shape of the surface and the shape of the deep blasting determine where this point is located. In practice, it can be anywhere in the profile.

If a rock cutting exists, deep blasting will go to the intersection with the extension of the first rock cutting surface. If no rock cutting exists, it will go vertically to the first surface inside.

Excavation Pit

For excavation pits, the parameters for Surface and Superstructure are active.

For example, in a simple pit, you only create half a road body along the boundary contour. This means you define road parameters only for the right side. By default, only cutting and embankment parameters are defined in the excavation pit, but you can add most available parameters to the list.

A* = 0511: Rock cutting 1, B = Boundary contour, C* = 0711: Embankment 1