Project Summary
When surveyors from Queensland’s Department of Main Roads ROADTEK Consulting
Services were requested to survey a road corridor on Queensland’s Marburg
Rosewood Road, some 60km west of the Brisbane CBD, they elected to use 12d Model
and Fieldbook 2000, which has set a new benchmark in the presentation of survey
information.
The Challenge
Prior to using 12d Model, survey information was processed using CivilCAD or
Geocomp and the project was designed using MOSS and AutoCAD. Setout for
construction was always manual input from construction plans.
The Solution
For this project, features and terrain details were captured using a Geodimeter
610 Total Station. The raw survey data was processed using 12d Model to produce
the Fieldbook 2000 verification plots and the 12d ascii files for the design
team.
The existing and relocated services were also provided in a 12d
ascii format using ‘super string’ attributes. “On the Marburg Road construction
project, Main Roads surveyors used 12d in the field for the actual setout of the
control lines, drainage structures and roadside furniture,” explained Wayne
Hansen, Supervising Engineering Surveyor, Queensland Main Roads.
“All
this information was accessed via their laptop computers. Using macros, relevant
information was converted into suitable formats for direct uploading into the
survey instruments. This eliminates the chance of introducing transposing errors
which could have occurred previously as all the data was input into the
instruments manually,” he said.
“I believe this is the first time that
the whole process has been completed using only one software package.” A part of
the project in which 12d was instrumental involved replacement of an existing
timber bridge over Black Snake Creek with a skewed 3/3600x2100 RCBC on a
realigned section of road reconstruction. The reconstruction works involved
removal of existing seal, scarifying existing pavement and spreading it to a new
width and crossfall profile, and incorporating additional pavement material to
provide a finished full-width seal 100mm higher than the existing one. The
design also required realignment of two intersections.
Drainage was also
updated using 12d Model to determine excavation quantities and 12d stream
x-sections were used to calculate stream tail water depths. The software was
used to measure power pole distances to the new edge line which was used in the
process to determine relocation works of power poles from the clear zone. 12d
Model provided all required outputs to enable service conflict locations to be
priced and relocated prior to construction.
Service Super Strings enabled
any long section or crosssection to be developed showing comparison between
design/subgrade ‘boxing’ surfaces with services. Earth works and pavement
quantities were calculated using both the x-sectional area method and tin-to-tin
method. The perspective view was used with the drive-through option to view the
x-sectional strings and final design which included ground surface and design
surface combined as a super tin. This enabled a check of input and the software
enabled sight distance to be monitored. The Digital Design Model created with
12d Model also allowed designers access to information as required.
“The
actual setout is streamlined, volume calculations can be determined quickly and
accurately and underground services can be viewed on screen, allowing clearances
from proposed excavations to be checked before the machines cause damage,” a
spokesperson explained.
“With the perspective view in 12d Model, job
personnel can actually be driven through the completed project before work
starts. This is a great benefit, as they can visualise the finished job. “The
digital model eliminates transcription errors by the designers and the
transposing errors of the surveyors.
According to Wayne, “12d Model is
stable, reliable and easy to use and, in Main Roads instance, the incorporation
of macros and user menus written by our staff have further streamlined work
practices.”
The Result
“12d Model helps us work smarter, design faster,” he said.
“Whereas other companies seem to be reluctant to improve their software, 4D
Solutions is continually improving its offering, particularly in the area of
‘super strings’.”
Queensland Department of Main Roads has an installed
base of 130 licences of 12d Model to date.
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