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CI10209: Advanced Grading for Aviation: Using

AutoCAD Civil 3D and the Subassembly Composer
Christopher Roberts, PE, LEED AP BD+C
Manager of Design Technology | Stewart (Raleigh, NC)
Twitter/LinkedIn: crobertsnc

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Introduction
Class summary

Grading on an aviation site is tricky; there are often competing

needs and regulations that dictate multiple requirements in the
same space. What's more is the inherent need for safety and
measurability. Add to this the reality that most aviation facilities
are landlocked and the grading required is not going to be
solved by out-of-the-box solutions. This course will give
examples of using the Subassembly Composer software to create
custom grading subassemblies for use in AutoCAD Civil 3D
software and the advanced grading that you can complete once in
AutoCAD Civil 3D software. This workflow creates huge
advantage to the end user, and speeds design changes and
competing requirements on projects that are experiencing a rapid
drop in investment (fee).
Key learning objectives

During this class, you will:

Discover the Subassembly Composer workflow and workspace
Learn how to create a Subassembly in Subassembly Composer for use
on grading a runway
Learn how to modify grading using AutoCAD Civil 3D grading tools and
Feature Lines to create a complete grading solution
Discover 3 examples of using additional Subassemblies for aviation
facility grading
What This Class
Is and
An Introduction into how to
develop a Subassembly using
SAC
A walk through of the
development of progressively
more functional Subassemblies
Showing development in
context of a real problem
90 minutes of learning new
methods to grade on aviation
sites
Is Not
An introduction to the picks-and-
clicks of the SAC
A step-by-step, build a
Subassembly with me
Creating one-off subassemblies
without real purpose
90 minutes of live grading in
Civil3D
Foundational Learning
[need a strong one]

Dont simply want to repeat whats already available

Previous Courses to review:
1: CV4869-L: SC for C3D 2015
2: CI2953: QTOs and SC with C3D 2013
3: CI3001: Reverse Engineering with SC for C3D (2012)
Online Tools:
Wiley Bonus Chapter (in class files also)
C3D Forum
Many other blogs most doing dig very deep though
Welcome to GMU (Greenville, SC)
Requirements

Runway 1/19 needs

additional length to
accommodate larger 40
aircraft
Large amounts of topo on
either side, and major
roads on all four sides of
facility
Strategery: What Will We Need to Design?
Component 2
Circular 105-5300
FAA Advisory

Figure 3-23

Component 1
Strategery: Component 1

Traditional means acceptable here

Take 1:
Corridor Feature Lines, as needed Corridor

Take 2 (advanced):
A single corridor with a matchpoint,
or feature line target
Strategery: Component 2

Traditional means NOT acceptable here

Take 1:
Series of generic and
daylight links
- Not intelligent
- Very rigid
- Will fail
Corridor
Autodesk Subassembly Composer 2016
What is and Why use the Subassembly Composer?
[just in case]

Allows users the ability to create

their own subassemblies
Ability to solve complex problems
with very little work
Very much like writing code,
without the complexities of learning
a coding language
Although, stay tuned here more at the
end of the presentation
Shallow initial learning curve, with
ability to greatly increase
capabilities incrementally
The Interface

Preview
Flowchart
Tool Box

Properties Settings
The Essential Elements
[back to basics]

Name
Input Parameters
Target Parameters
Geometry
Logic
Auxiliary Geometry

Dont let the word basic fool you, you can do

a great deal with just those items listed above
Building a Basic Subassembly
TieInFill_WithinRSA

Simple tie that checks within RSA

Includes a .125 drop at

RSA
pavement edge Runway
5%
If tie in can happen inside EX
RSA at tie slope then do it
If not, then go to RSA at
defined slope then grade
at a 4:1 to existing
Inputs/Design

Input Parameters
RSA Width
3 Slopes
EOP Drop
Target Parameters
Existing Surface
Geometry Where is AP1 in
Builds Actual Grade relation to Target
Surface?
Auxiliary Geometry Where is P1 in
relation to Target
To check condition Surface?
Logic
Decide how to proceed
How Does This Work?
Adding Complexity

Sequence
Switch
Advanced Geometry
Enumerations
Output Parameters
Variables
What does this
mean?
We Need a Process!
[youll thank me later]

Napkins
Flowcharts (good)
Flowcharts (great)
Build
Import
Test
Refine
Documentation
Help File and Screencast
https://praxis.autodesk.com/praxis/viewer/1a69842020ca40c9736ed430a35f9f8b00332ea0
Building a [little less] Basic Subassembly
TieIn_ParabolicShoulder
[cause straight lines are boring]

Simple tie with cleaner transition

Ability to control how clean
Should work in Cut and Fill,
and determine situation
Talk it Out
[and use your hands]

https://praxis.autodesk.com/praxis/viewer/a2052eeef22ba09e6139ff8c9e9e1c223e196c52
Helpful Additions

Vertical Curve Geometry

In particular h
VBA IF statement Syntax
IF(Test,True,False)
IF(Test,-GradeOut,GradeOut)
VBA Functions Syntax
Thing.PropertyOfThing
AP3.DistanceToSurface(TieSurface)>0
Math.abs(ValuePassed)
Provides Absolute value of ValuePassed
Lets Build this one
#protips

Add Codes
Experiment, be creative
These define linkage
Learn some simple VBA
Functions
See resources later (Wiley Chapter, in particular)
Be Bold
Think beyond the current requirement
For first subassembly: theres more than an RSA
For second: what happens if tie in is before entire curve is drawn, during
shoulder, or if radius > shoulderwidth?
A Real Parabolic Tie-In
Real Life is Always More Messy
What are the Major
Differences?
Finally! [This is so easy now]
Lets Finally Resolve Component 2
[didnt we start that Tuesday?]

Needs to react to OFA and

RSA
Needs to have ability to
manipulate any single
grade
Needs to choose between
cut and fill situations
Needs to tie in at any point
beyond 5 shoulder
Talk Through the Flowchart
Housekeeping Sidenotes

Document what youre doing!

Microsoft Help Workshop
Use Pictures
Use Praxis
Use Screencast
Bundle .pkt .chm .pdf .indd, etc all together
Just as a backup and for record-keeping
Teach Yourself More!

Example PKT files from Autodesk

Updated each year to include new functionality
Use these to understand specific functionality
http://help.autodesk.com/view/CIV3D/2016/ENU/?guid=GUID-
C569F4E7-D548-410E-B7D6-942A927FFD0B
Current AU Classes (2015):
CI11634 - Building Reusable Subassemblies
CI10120 - Close Only Counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades: Bulls
Eye with Subassembly Composer
CI9962L - Compose like Beethoven: Subassembly Composer, Simple to
Complex
Bonus Content Creating subassemblies using .NET
Creating Subassemblies using .NET

Youll need
Visual Studio (free version from 2012)
Visit _____ to get project template to create a Civil3D Plugin
Follow this help file for general procedure and tips
http://help.autodesk.com/view/CIV3D/2015/ENU/?guid=GUID-E295BF67-
F60C-49D3-A918-329D1E4FAFC5
Check out the folder located here for all stock
subassemblies coded in VBA
<AutoCAD Civil 3D Install Directory>\Sample\Civil 3D
API\C3DStockSubAssemblies\Subassemblies
A folder up contains the VS project data youll need
General Development Path

Much easier to edit an existing as a trial

Maybe add something to a an existing subassembly
Make Modifications
Debug and revise
Compile
Add .chm, .dll, image file, and .atc to a .zip folder
Change extension to .pkt
Import, as before
Test and revise
You can create a whole tool catalog at one time
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Questions?

Thank you!
Christopher Roberts, PE
LinkedIn/Twitter: crobertsnc
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