Dynamic block that returns values for area and volume

[Anonymous]

Hello all, 

I am wanting to create a dynamic block for a pipe trench excavation that I can insert - edit a few default dimensions such as the total depth of bury, and the diameter of pipe, and the rest of the trench profile will update from the parameters.

The goal is for the block to return the "area" attribute of two or three closed poly-lines and multiply those values by a text field containing a user entered value for length of trench - so by inserting the block, editing the dimensions, and entering the length of pipe run, the text or a table or something will return my volumes of total excavation, pipe bedding, and pipe void in cubic yards.

Right now I do this in excel with a few tabs, but it's sort of limited to a few basic shapes. I think it will be infinitely more flexible in CAD. With the added bonus of a visual to include with my earthwork estimate.

I've attached a sketch of a typical pipe trench cross section with the variables involved. If the solution can be made by a casual CAD user like myself, and anyone has a few good ideas to get me started on it, I'd be very grateful. 

Thanks

[Libbya]

I believe that what you are wanting to accomplish is possible using blockplaceholder, object and/or formula fields.  The attached file might give you a few ideas.  Let me know if there is something that needs further explanation.  A dynamic action is required to jump start the attribute fields.  They will then update after a regen when the values have changed.  

[Anonymous]

That's close to what I am trying to achieve, do you mean to say I can edit the "TRENCHLENGH" value in the property box and update the rest of those values? I try that and it has no effect on my machine.

If I could make a block that was dyamic, and driven by prarmeters (pipe diameter side allowances bedding depth bedding cover and total depth) - and return the values you show after being edited for different depths and slopes, that would be a monumental time saver for me.

Thank you so much for your help!

[Libbya]

If you select the block and go to the properties palette and change the value for TRENCHLENGTH and then run the REGEN command, the field values that are affected (in this case only 'TRENCHLENGTH' and 'TOTAL - PIPE VOID X TRENCH LENGTH') will all update accordingly.  I also added the HEIGHT parameter and changing that dimension and running the REGEN command will change the value for 'TOTAL AREA' along with the 'TOTAL - PIPE VOID' and 'TOTAL - PIPE VOID X TRENCH LENGTH'.  If that doesn't work properly, then run the FIELDEVAL command and make sure it is set to 31.

You can add dynamic actions to adjust all of the dimensions that you have noted in your file and then extract whatever value calculation you require in a similar manner.  Let me know if you get stuck.