SUDA Tip: Editing Utility Profiles

Written by: Robert Garrett

When editing profiles for SUDA conduits, the visual feedback provided in the profiles view can be a little confusing.

Consider a water line profile as shown below.  The initial profile was generated with an offset from the existing ground terrain.  I want to refine the profile under the roadway to go straight across (as indicated by red line) since this better predicts the true location.

tip-waterprofile

The utility profiles are the same technology as used by road profiles so I can partial delete the portion of the water line profile which is incorrect.  However, when I do this the visual feedback from the software is incorrect and confusing.  In this next image, I have completed the partial delete from ditch to ditch under the road, but this is not easily seen in the profile view because there is no gap.

tip-waterprofile-after-partial-delete

Rather than partial delete first, it works better if I design the portion of profile to be replaced first. Notice that snap was used at each ditch low point.

tip-waterprofile-redesign-before-partial-delete

By doing the profile redesign first, then I have the new profile to guide me after the partial delete is finished. Yes, it is still a little less than ideal but at least I have something.

tip-waterprofile-after-partial-delete2

And I make a new complex profile element of the profile components using Profile Complex by Elements command.

tip-waterprofile-new-complex

Finally, make the new complex profile active.

tip-waterprofile-set-active

Contact us on how we can help you implement SUDA for your utility design work.

Robert Garrett

Robert has over 25 years experience as a practicing engineer and is licensed in the State of Tennessee. After graduating from Tennessee Technological University, Robert worked for the Mississippi State Highway Department, Bridge Design Division. Then he spent 12 years with the Tennessee Department of Transportation in the Roadway Design Office and later served as Regional Manager in the Design Survey Office. From 2000 to 2006, Robert worked for Robert G Campbell and Associates in Knoxville, TN where responsibilities included roadway, site, and utilities design projects. Joining Bentley Systems in March 2006, Robert wrote specifications & documentation for software development. Duties included testing, customer feedback and ensuring the products met the needs of the civil engineering user base. He also developed training material for education both internally to Bentley and for outside organizations. He served as Product Manager for Utilities Products, including the new OpenRoads Subsurface Utilities Design and Analysis software. Robert also provided guidance and implementation services for new technologies. He is a frequent presenter and trainer at user conferences.

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