Storm sewer layout using pipe networks

pipe-ntwrk-ss-lyout-01.mp4 8:44

Warning: (missing or bad snippet)

1. Click New .
2. Select the wisdot14-pipe.dwt template file.
3. Select the Save As command.
4. Save the file 12345678\Design\PipeNetworks\Pipe-StormSewer.dwg.
5. In the Toolspace > Settings tab
6. Right-click the name of the file (at the top).
7. Choose Edit Drawing Settings.
   • In the Units and Zone tab:
     • Set the coordinate zone category to USA, Wisconsin.
     • Set the coordinate zone to Wisconsin County Systems: Winnebago County, US Foot.
     • Click Ok.
8. In the Toolspace > Prospector tab > Data shortcut > Alignments > Centerlines
   • Reference all of the project roadway reference alignments.

   • Tip: Although not required, it can also be useful to data reference the proposed profiles for these alignments.

     Tip: If the network will span past the slope intercepts of the project, it is best to create a combination existing ground and top surface and a combination existing ground and datum surface.

   • Data shortcut reference the Cmbn-Exist-Top surface
   • Data shortcut reference the Cmbn-Exist-Datum surface
   • Data shortcut reference the Crdr-Commercial-PipeDatum surface
9. XRef other files that may be needed for the storm sewer design. In this exercise we will xref the Pavt.dwg and StormSewer-Sketch.dwg files
10. Home tab > Create Design panel > Pipe Network > Pipe Network Creation Tools
11. Name the pipe network Storm-Begin-To-4thAve
12. Select the Storm Sewer Parts List
13. Select the Cmbn-Exist-Top surface
14. Select the main roadway alignment
15. Structure and Pipe label styles can be set to <none>

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1. From the Network Layout Tools, select Draw Structures Only

Tip: Choose the desired structure type for placement. For efficiency, place all of the like structure first. Then, switch the structure type and place that type, etc. Refer to the Storm Sewer Summary to determine which diameter structures should be used based on your first guess at the adjoining pipe size. The structure sizes can be easily swapped later if a different pipe size is chosen.

Tip: Use the Station Offset transparent command for accurate structure placement. Refer to Storm Sewer Summary in the for assistance when determining structure offsets.

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1. If needed, rotate the structure to the correct orientation using the circular grip.

Tip: The station/offset transparent command is a handy tool rotating the structures.

2. Use the square grip to move the structures.

Tip: The station/offset command can be used in conjuction with the move. In this example, we move an inlet structure that drain surface low points.

3. Turn the top surface to a contour display style to located the low point and move the structure to that location.

Defer the placement of any outlets (apron endwalls) until later.

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1. Open a second viewport.
2. Set one viewport to top view (2D wireframe style)
3. Set the other viewport to an isometric view (Shaded style).

Tip: This will help you validate the pipe network layout.

4. In the Network Layout Tools, select Draw Pipes Only
5. Change the network surface to Rfnt-Datum.
6. Place the pipe by connecting the structures.
7. Hover the crosshairs over a structure until the brown symbol appears.
8. Left-click to choose the structure.
9. Select the other structure to connect to. Start by placing the laterals. Then proceed to the trunk.

Tip: You may place the pipes from upstream to downstream or from downstream to upstream, but you must have the pipe slope direction toggled correctly in the Pipe Network Layout Tools. There are advantages to always placing the pipes from upstream to downstream, but it is not required. One advantage is that the pipe start will always be upstream. This will make labeling the pipe inverts for storm sewer detail sheets easier later on. In addition, the pipe and structure rules are always calculated from upstream to downstream. So, placing the network in that direction allow the rules to work as intended.

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Tip: Similar procedure as laterals. Best practice is to start from upstream and work in the downstream direction.

Pipes elevations are automatically calculated based on the slope and cover rules.

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Tip: To take advantage of the labeling functions for plans production, you must rename the pipe network parts. It also is important for keep things organized when doing the hydraulic analysis. Activating the quick properties makes renaming the parts go quickly.

1. Modify tab > Create Design panel > Pipe Network > Reame Part
2. Select the first trunk line structure that you want to rename.
3. Select the last trunk line structure that you want to rename.
4. Keep Rename Structure checked,
5. Uncheck Rename Pipes.
6. Set the value of the first trunk line structure. The name template should be "next counter".
7. Under Name Conflict Options, choose Rename Existing Parts.
8. Click Ok.

Proceed to the lateral structures. Use the quick properties to rename these structures.

When all of the structures have been renamed, use the quick properties to rename the pipes. The pipe names should follow this format: <UpstreamStructure>-<DownstreamStructure>.

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Info: Generally, the pipes and structures should be placed to comply with the rules automatically. There are some cases where this will not happen.

Tip: The wisdot-pipe.dwt includes a label called Design properties. It is recommended that you label each structure that has more than one connecting pipes. The label can help you verify that the outflow pipes have the lowest crown elevation.

If you need to apply rules, go to the Modify tab > Design panel > Pipe Networks > Modify fly-out > Apply Rules .

The way you select the parts to apply rules is very important. Here are the key points:

1. Always start upstream.
2. Do not select lateral parts and trunk parts together.
3. If laterals and the trunk both need rules applied, start with laterals, and then move on to the trunk.
4. If the outflow pipe crown does not have the lowest elevation for a particular structure, that can be adjusted in the structure properties. Go the structure properties – Connected Pipes tab. Select the outflow pipe and the pipe crown that it should match in the list and right click. Choose Match Crowns. Select the pipe crown to match and click ok. Alternatively, you can manually enter the elevations.

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Info: Some pipe and structure rules do not affect the network during layout, but they provide valuable feedback to the designer on potential issues.

1. In the Toolspace > Prospector tab > Pipe network > Pipes or Structures

Tip: The first column shows each parts "status". If a rule flags a potential issue, that status will have a number in it indicating the number of issues.

Tip: The Length Check pipe rule does not control network geometry during layout. After layout, if there is an issue, it will appear as an issue in the part status.

Tip: The Maximum Pipe Size Check structure rule does not control network geometry during layout. After layout, if there is an issue, it will appear in the part status. IMPORTANT: This rule is set up to indicated the true maximum pipe size for any given structure. The max pipe size for this rule is based on 180-degrees of pipe separation at the structure. Smaller degrees of separation may require a smaller pipe and/or a larger structure.

Tip: The status shown in the Toolspace Item View for the pipe network parts is not always accurate. If there is a potential problem, review the pipe and/or structure properties.

Warning: The Maximum Pipe Size Check structure rule is an aid to make sure the correct size structure is selected for a pipe run. However, that rule only applies for pipe with 180-degrees of separation.

To check pipe connections at all angles at a structure, the Interference Check tool can be used.

1. At the command line, type CONVERTTO3DSOLIDS
   1. Select each pipe that is connected to the structure. Enter
   2. Choose No so the pipe network objects are not deleted
2. At the command line, type SOLIDEDIT
   1. Choose Face
   2. Choose Offset
   3. Select one pipe -> Enter. For elliptical pipe, you need to select all four faces (2 large radii and 2 small radii)
   4. Type in the offset distance of 0.5
   5. Choose Offset again to repeat the previous steps on the next pipe
   6. When finished, hit Enter twice to completely exit the command.
3. Switch the current layer to P_DRN_Interfere (for C3D 2016 and later, you will need to either import this layer or create it)
4. At the command line, type INTERFERE
   1. Select each of the previously created pipe 3d solids
   2. Hit Enter twice
   3. On the Interference Checking Dialog box, uncheck Delete interference objects created on Close
   4. Close
5. Zoom to the structure in question in Top view. Set OSNAPZ to 1. Use the DISTANCE command to roughly measure from the center of the structure to the outside of the most exterior interference (shown in red). Multiply that value by 2. That is the minimum structure size for that location.
6. Swap the structure for the required size.

Tip: The same interference check can be re-run at any time to check pipe separation at other structures within the network.

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Tip: There may be situations where you may want to override a rule. For example, all of the pipes have a minimum slope rule of 0.3%. This is just a starting point. You may want steeper slopes for smaller pipe sizes or flatter slopes for larger pipe sizes.

1. Go into the Part Properties > Rules tab
2. Uncheck the Use Values from Rules Set. button
3. Set the rule as desired.

Tip: At this point, you can either adjust the pipe network geometry manually, or you may choose to re-run the rules.

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Check the outfall ditch elevation. Compare that elevation to the invert elevation at the last structure. You may need to adjust the system elevation to match the ditch or match the ditch to the system.

In the training example, we look for opportunities to raise the system to match the ditch elevation. The system elevations are then adjusted manually in the part properties by checking the cover and slope values along the pipes.

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Info: Adding the outlet pipe is similar to the culvert pipe workflow.

1. View the triangles for the Cmbn-Exist-Top surface.
2. Draw a line representing the flow line of the outlet pipe.
   • Snap to the bottom of the upstream pipe and to the surface triangles at the ditch location.
3. Turn the surface triangles off
4. Set the elevation of the line at the upstream structure to the flow line elevation using ACAD properties.
5. Create a feature line using the Feature Line From Objectcommand. Use the line previously created.
6. Drape the feature line on the Cmbn-Exist-Top or Cmbn-Exist-Datum surface.
7. Move the line up in the z-direction by the pipe diameter plus wall thickness.
8. Trim the line against the feature line.
9. Move the line down in the z-direction by half the pipe diameter plus the wall thickness.
10. Shorten the line by the endwall ‘c' dimension.
11. Network Layout Tools , change the reference surface to Crdr-PipeDatum
12. Place the outlet pipe by snapping to the last structure and the end of the line.
13. Verify the pipe elevations.

Warning: The rules have overridden your intentions.

14. Place the apron endwall on the end of the pipe and rotate appropriately.
15. Rename the pipe and endwall.

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Tip: Existing storm sewer structures that will be either Reconstructed or Adjusted are placed in the pipe network like any other proposed structure. Choose the structure/cover combination from the parts list that matches the existing structure.

1. In the structure properties:
   • Change its display style to either Existing Inlet or Existing Manhole.
   • Assign the correct name (structure number)
   • Change the description to either "Reconstruct" or "Adjust"
   • Change the Rule Set to "No Rule"
2. In Part Properties
   • Set Control Sump By: to Elevation.
   • Set the sump elevation to the flowline elevation of the existing manhole.
3. Open the Analysis tab > QTO panel > QTO Manager .
4. Click the Edit Pay Items on Specified Object button.
5. Select the structure.
6. Remove the pay items that no longer apply.
7. Add the pay items for either adjusting or reconstructing.

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Tip: When structures are inserted, their rim elevation is coincident with the reference surface. For inlets that elevation will typically fall somewhere in the curb and gutter pan. For consistency and reporting purposes, a Surface Adjustment Value should be assigned to the inlets so the rim elevation is correct for the cover flange.

Info: Refer to the Storm Sewer Summary to determine what the Surface Adjustment Value should be for each inlet cover type.

1. In the Toolspace > Prospector tab , sort the structures, so the inlet types are grouped together. Then select like inlet types.
2. In the AutoCAD properties window, the Surface Elevation Adjustment can be set for all of the like inlets at one time.

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Tip: All WisDOT inlet and manhole structures have been constructed as flat-top structures to account for the maximum size footprint. By doing this, the cone height parameter could be repurposed. For WisDOT structures, the cone height parameter is used for adjustment ring height. By default, this parameter is set to 6- inches in each structure's properties. However, depending on your project needs, this parameter can be set from 2" up to 10" in the structures' properties.

Tip: For inlets, the default placement characteristic is "On Grade". For inlets that are in a sag situation, you must set them to "On Sag" in the structure properties. This is important when it's time to check the pipe network hydraulics.

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Tip: When using these structures, start by placing the structures in the desired locations. The horizontal insertion point is the center of the lower portion of the structure where the pipes connect.

The structures default to a 48-inch pipe connection (the smallest size).

1. Select the structures in model space
2. Right-click and choose Structure Properties
3. Change the Structure Diameter (located at the bottom) to the pipe size desired.

Tip: For the Manhole Variable Special, you also need to check the Floor Thickness value. For pipe sizes 48" – 84", the floor thickness is 13-inches. For pipe sizes greater than 84", the floor thickness is 15-inches. The Manhole Variable Tee floor thickness changes automatically according to the pipe size.

4. After placing the structures and setting their size parameter, connect them up with the pipes.

Tip: Once the pipes have been placed, the structures can then be rotated so they are correctly oriented with the pipe. The extension Osnap is useful for aligning the structures with the pipes.

Tip: Finally, since the manhole covers are offset from the center of the pipe, a Surface Adjustment Value must be entered in the structure properties to the rim is coincident with the top surface. To calculate the Surface Adjustment Value, find the Cover Center Offset in the structure properties. Multiply this value by the cross slope from the center of pipe to the manhole cover. This is the Surface Adjustment Value.