Adding soil nails / rock bolts to ground slope surface

[garymunro4550]

Hi all, I'm soon going to be working on an Earthworks project with Autodesk Infrastructure and I'm trying to find a method of automatically adding multiple 3d blocks (soil nails/fixing bolts) to a 3d surface (rail line cutting slope) at specific distances and angles. Unfortunately though, I've not having much success as yet. Typical example is as follows: - An existing cutting extends a certain length - say 500 metres. - The height/crest of the slope varies - say 2m to 5m high from the toe of the slope. - The angle of the slope varies - say 45-65 degrees. - From a specific start point of the slope, the nails/bolts need to be spaced at 1.0m distances up the face of the slope (not 90 degree, vertically) starting 0.5m from the toe of slope, and spaced 0.75m horizontally with every even second vertical row sitting 0.5m higher, resulting in a diamond shape arrangement. - At certain points where the nail/bolts are to be located, the angle/direction of the slope changes suddenly on the surface (e.g. small protruding rock) but the 3D bolts need to maintain a specific angle with reference to the general angle of the full slope face. I'm intending to use the lines for the toe and crest of the slope as break lines, to hopefully indicate the extent of the slope profile. The toe of the slope will also be used as the base line for the setting out of the nails/bolts. Looking forward to hearing if there can be a way of resolving this problem. ....and thanks to everyone who's looked at it. Gary.

[Lisa_Pohlmeyer]

I think I understand what you want, but a picture sure would help.

[garymunro4550]

Thanks for having a look Lisa. As the relevant incoming info will not be with us until next week sometime (hopefully) all I can show is a photograph of a similar case. For some reason, in the past I've had problem attaching files to these forums so hopefully this will go through. Gary.

[garymunro4550]

.....unfortunately no luck with that!!

[Lisa_Pohlmeyer]

You can add all sorts of image files (if that's what you're trying to do). Take a quick screen capture, save it & attach it.

[garymunro4550]

For some reason it just doesn't let me attach files. I've found it with the 'browse' button, it's address is shown just below 'attachments', but when I click on 'Add Attachment', nothing happens. I'll need to check it with our IT manager.

[garymunro4550]

I'll try replying with this alternative method.
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[garymunro4550]

no, that didn't work either!

[AllenJessup]

Click Add Attachment and use the Browse button to find it. Once the path is in Attacvhments box it should be set to go. Unless it's too big or the wrong type of file. What type of file are you trying to attach?

Allen

[AllenJessup]

Another possibility is that you can embed images directly in to the post using this button:

Allen

[garymunro4550]

The images I've tried to attach are a .jpg file (over 2MB) initially, and then a .png file (over 3MB) created from screen shot. Is there a more appropriate format it should be in?

[garymunro4550]

I don't seem to get that tool bar. Our IT staff should get back to me soon.

[AllenJessup]

What browser and version are you using? Also what OS is your computer running?

Allen

[Discussion_Admin]

Ok a few things to try if using IE please make sure you are not in "compatibility" mode as it is not supported.

Also make sure you are not blocking scripts from Autodesk or Addthis.com they are need for all features to work.

also please make sure you are using the latest releases of the supported browsers below (with JavaScript enabled):

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Thanks
Discussion_Admin

[AllenJessup]

OK. Back to your original question. If I had to do this. I'd start out by setting cogo points on the surface with the points having a point style that referenced the block. However I haven't any idea of how to handle the orientation automatically.

Allen

[garymunro4550]

Thanks for that Allen. I'm currently working with a Windows 7 Professional, Intel Core i5 CPU @ 3.40 GHz, 64-bit OS with 16 GB RAM. Internet connection is through Internet Explorer 8. All should be fine but there seems to be a problem somewhere. Hopefully IT will resolve this.

[brian.strandberg]

My main concern is if the PGA's or soil nails will hit any buried utilities.  I create a pipe network for the PGA's.  Once the first one is created I can copy it based on the spacing in the wall schedule.  This procedure is used to see if we are hitting anything.

To show the PGA's in the profile view, we usually place a block (a box) at the station and elevation of each PGA.  This is faster than the pipe network method and produces better visual results.

For your application I would show the soil nails as a pipe network pipe.  Once you create the first pipe in a row, copy it based on the spacing in the schedule.

Hope this helps!

[garymunro4550]

Cheers for that Brian. Unfortunately, the toe of the slope may constantly fall, or rise, or both. Also, as the angle of the slope varies, the setting out will regularly change, as will the distance the toe of the slope lies from the rail line. I do see where you're coming from though so thanks for that.

[joe]

i would suggest using sub-assembly composer to draw the bolts (with the appropriate targeting parameters) and add the bolts to the surface by creating a corridor from the designed sub-assembly.

[garymunro4550]

Unfortunately the existing slope profile will need to be retained and will constantly vary/undulate (by probably just a small amount). Does the corridor not have to align with a specific slope profile thus the bolts will not be located in their correct required location on the existing slope?