Working with the modeler

Tool(s): Bridge/Civil Engineering Component

The bridge and civil engineering tool is based on the same technology as the girder generator. The cross-sections defined for a station point, the route profile and a 3D view of the component are displayed. Components can be edited in a viewport consisting of five parts.
The tree structure lists the individual routes with the relevant station points. The names of the individual points are created automatically in ascending order. The position of each station point in the route is clearly defined by the associated values.
The Plan preview shows the path and the associated station points as well as the approximate position of the cross-section. The Elevation preview displays the route profile in the longitudinal direction. The current component or all components are displayed in the Isometric preview. The current station point is highlighted in color in all the previews, which can be shown and hidden using the View menu.
The cross-section of the current station point is visible in the graphics area.
You can use Colors and General Properties on the Default toolbar or Edit menu to control how and which objects are displayed in the previews and graphics area.

Color settings

You can use the following colors to display elements in the bridge and civil engineering component tool. When you click the Default button, the program uses the predefined colors.

• Station points – straight section:
  Use this to define the color used to display station points in straight route sections. This setting is valid for the Plan and Elevation Preview.
• Station points – curved section:
  Use this to define the color used to display station points in curved route sections. This setting is valid for the Plan and Elevation Preview.
• Station points – active:
  Use this to define the color used to display the selected station point. This setting is valid for the Plan, Isometric and Elevation Preview.
• Cross-section polygon:
  Use this to define the color used to display the cross-section in the graphics area.
• 3D solids:
  Use this to define the color used to display bridge and civil engineering components in the Isometric Preview.
• Window – background:
  Use this to define the background color for the graphics area as well as for the Plan, Isometric and Elevation Preview.

Values of station points

Each station point has the following values:

• X, Y and Z coordinate (in m):
  The coordinates refer to the global coordinate system.
  If you have imported a route with individual sections and the new stationing is within the route, the X and Y coordinates cannot be defined.
  If the route profile is defined automatically, you do not need to specify the Z coordinate.
• Angle of rise (in °):
  If the angle is > 0°, the route rises; otherwise it falls. If the route profile is defined automatically, you do not need to specify the angle of rise.
• Angle in plan (in °):
  Positive angles result in a counter-clockwise rotation. If you have imported a route consisting of individual sections, and the new stationing is within the route, you cannot define the angle in plan.
• Stationing (in m):
  Offset to station origin.
  If you have imported a route with individual sections and the new stationing is within the route, the location of the station point in plan is determined automatically. If you enter a stationing outside the route, you need to specify the station point in plan. This defines a new straight section.

Station points can be entered, deleted and modified in the tree structure using the shortcut menu, the Station toolbar or the Edit menu. You can define an offset for entering the coordinates and the angle in plan. Station points can be selected in the tree structure or Elevation preview.
When you have imported a route with individual sections, the program uses the existing stationing to calculate the positions of new station points.

You can enter and modify cross-sections for the selected station point using Cross-Section Definition. Cross-sections can consist of several parts. The cross-sections can even intersect or complement one another.
You do not need to enter a cross-section for each station point as the program automatically determines the missing cross-sections of station points based on the existing stationing.
If a cross-section is assigned to the selected station point, you can define the reference point and rotation angle of the cross-section as well as delete and edit the cross-section.

You define the route profile in the longitudinal direction manually by entering the Z coordinates and the angle of rise in all the station points or you can configure the program to calculate these values automatically. All you have to do is specify the height and height curvature in individual corner points.