Vertical Curvature¶

Before constructing the vertical curvature, a horizontal curvature must be created as described in the previous chapter. The vertical curvature is normally constructed in the longitudinal profile editing window with a terrain longitudinal profile as background. You must therefore first create a longitudinal profile with the profile generator.

Procedure¶

Procedure

Select the horizontal curvature in the map or command list
Choose Generate longitudinal profile from the object context menu in the map
Click Generate longitudinal profile
Select the icon for Vertical curvature (line overlay) on the toolbar
Editing via the properties dialog is now started
Construct the vertical curvature (available functions are described below)

Note

The vertical curvature command can also be inserted in 2D view where values can be entered.

Editing Options¶

In Gemini Terrain, the vertical curvature can be edited both via the properties dialog and via grip handles (grips). Grips are especially effective for editing existing lines. When editing via the properties dialog, Cancel can be used to undo changes. This option is not available for grips editing. Alternatively, changes in the properties dialog for SFI model can be ignored to retrieve the last saved state.

Grips active

The icon to activate grips can be found on the toolbar.

Help Options for Dynamic Line¶

When editing vertical curvature, options for dynamic helper lines can be turned on/off. This includes dynamic text and helper geometry. The icon for this can be found on the toolbar at the bottom left.

Help options for dynamic line

This section describes editing via the properties dialog. Generally, the properties dialog can be opened by double-clicking on any object. During editing, the dialog can be turned on/off with [Ctrl] + [D]. In editing mode, the various elements in the line (straight line and radius) will be highlighted with colors.

Constructing Vertical Curvature via Properties Dialog¶

When line editing is started, the message field shows that right mouse button opens a menu with functions for dynamic editing. Below, these functions are described in detail, after reviewing other information in the message field.

The dialog box can be turned on/off with [Ctrl] + [D]. This can be practical as the dialog box takes up considerable space during line geometry editing. [Enter] ends and saves the line, alternatively OK in the dialog can be used.

Functions on Right Mouse Button¶

By pressing the right mouse button in the map, a menu is displayed. All functions have hotkeys that can be learned to save keystrokes. The functions are described individually below.

Exit and Save¶

Exit and save

Ends and saves the line. Alternatively, [Enter] or OK in the dialog can be used.

Insert/Change Rounding¶

Insert/change rounding

Used to insert roundings at an angle point. Mark the point on the screen or in the dialog box (it will be marked with a small cross), and activate the function on the context menu. Then enter the desired radius.

Lock Gradient¶

With this option, the gradient of an element can be locked so that it has a fixed slope (+ or -) during editing. The element before the marked angle point is locked.

The slope is entered as a ratio. Locked elements are marked with an S in the properties dialog.

Insert Point¶

Insert point

Activates mode for inserting points. When this is active, new points can be inserted by pointing and clicking the left mouse button. In this mode, it is possible to snap to helper lines/helper circles by holding down [Ctrl].

Move Point¶

Move point

Enables dynamic movement of a line via angle points. Mark the angle point on the screen and choose the function on the right mouse button. The curve points are updated continuously as the line is moved.

Move Dynamic Radius¶

Move dynamic radius

Allows dynamic changing of radius. To set a fixed radius, Insert/change rounding is recommended.

Connection to Road Standards (Road Dimensioning)¶

When selecting a dimensioning class for N100 under road dimensioning, a connection to the road standards is established when editing the vertical curvature. All road classes in the road standards have their own design table with requirements for, among other things, the vertical curvature.

The requirements in the design tables show that the vertical curvature depends on the radius in the horizontal curvature. This relationship is not automatically maintained during line construction.

Minimum value is used for roundings and maximum value for gradient. When activating helper lines, the maximum value for gradient is shown, and the dynamic line becomes red if this value is exceeded.

A complete check of the finished road can be run. This will also check the dependency between horizontal and vertical curvature.

Description of Elements in Vertical Curvature¶

The vertical geometry is built up of straight lines and circular arcs that are tangent to each other.

Handbook V120 "Premises for Geometric Design of Roads" describes the theory around vertical curvature in detail.