Survey - Sewer Structure Invert

[rwatson654]

I would like to find out how other companies handle inverts of sewer structures.  Our field crew dips  sewer structures (measures down to the invert from the top of the structure)  which is probably the norm.  The distance is recorded in our field book.  I created an expression for our sewer point labels that allows the Tech to enter this distance then invert of the structure is displayed.  The expression is simple, top-distance=invert.  This works find unless the survey points have to be inserted again.  The invert is lost and has to be recreated.  Previously it was setup to just type the invert in after calculating.  Please make suggestions on how your firm handles this.  I would like something simple to use that stays with the points.

C3D 2013 (latest updates)

Win 7 Pro, 64-bit

16 GB RAM

[ToddRogers-WPM]

Are you wanting the actual "measure down" value?  For example, the 6'?

[rwatson654]

No we would like the invert, which is the top of the structure elevation - measurement down.  The crew shoots the top of the structure and we have a point with a surface elevaiton there.

[ToddRogers-WPM]

In the Structure Properties, you can input these values...

All these values can be added to the label style.

[ToddRogers-WPM]

Basically, if you set your sump to 0.00, then your invert will be your sump elevation.  Just bad wording by the Autodesk developers.

[rwatson654]

So an imported survey point would be a structure and not a point style with a block.  Have not tried that but will look into it.  What would happen if the points wasre-inserted into the drawing from the survey database.

[stacy.dunn · Accepted solution]

If you are talking about labeling a sewer invert on a survey with a point label, you can use an expression combined with your measure down in a UDP (user defined property) field.  You can create a UDP in your template that can be used to store your field measurements.  This can be imported with your main point data or just the measure down itself.  Once the data is imported, you can use this data in an expression to build your label. 

If you re-insert the points, you will also need to re-insert the UDP data.  It is an extra step, but an easy one.  Keep in mind that you will also need corresponding point import file formats for the additional data.

[rl_jackson]

You could also look at utilizing UDP's which would basically do the same thing, put without all the hassel of Pipe Networks. There are tutorials in the help that basically walk you through a similar senario.

****Stacy bet me to the punch****

[_Hathaway]

We dip hundreds if not thousands of structures a year and merely not the info in the field book and then add a multileader with the pertinent info such as size, depth, flow, flow direction, invert accuracty, etc..... to the symbol.  Haven't had any issues yet.

While I realize there is probably a better way like creating a custom attribute for structures and then having the crew enter that infomation in the code.  I feel there is no need to overcomplicate the simple things.

[jcaughman]

We 'shoot' the invert in the field.  We'll take a shot on the SMH/DMH, followed by a separate shot on the invert.  This makes the invert shot a point in C3D.  We code the shot so that it has a unique symbol and label ie:  15"RCP(W).  Also, we use linework to join the two inverts of a pipe and add a label to the pipe.  It's all automated in C3D.

[rwatson654]

Thanks to all for their post.  We have been looking at the various options presented in order to make the best decision for our company.

Sorry it took me so long to respond.  Been to busy, which is a good thing.

[jmayo-EE]

We use to use UDP's for this but it did not work out best for us.

1. We ran into too many files with lost UDP's.

2. The crew rarely pops the MH cover when they shoot the rim.

We went back to field notes for the measurements, create a pipe network over the points and simply assign inverts to the pipes. The time saving advantages with pipe labels and getting existing sewers in profile views has made this pay off for us. 

[mconway]

I have created the UDP for Inverts but I cannot add this UDP into an expression via the Properties Button in the Expression Creator. Is there some other way that I have to add UDP into the Expression? I have also tried inputting {Invert 1} in the Expression creator to no avail. Any help is greatly appriciated

[mconway]

I figured it out. I was using the UDP as a String. I changed it to an Elevation and it worked great, Thanks to all the experts on this post