Why does Civil 3D design to the center of the structure?

[cwintermute]

(I think I originally posted this in the wrong forum, so I moved it here)

Civil 3D 2010

Why does Civil 3D design to the center of the structure? (for inverts)

The reason I ask is because our office designs to the edge of the structure wall (for invert elevations).

Is designing to the center of the structure (for invert elevations) an acceptable way of designing?

If it is an acceptable way of designing, then it's going to be a matter of convincing our engineers to start designing to the center of the structure instead of the inside edge of the structure wall. Any tips on how to convince them that this is acceptable. (some of them are set in their ways).

Thanks,

Chris

[Jeff_M]

Why does Civil 3D design to the center of the structure? (for inverts)

Is designing to the center of the structure (for invert elevations) an acceptable way of designing?
To tell you the truth, until I started using C3D and visiting the various websites/discussion groups pertaining to it, I had never heard of anyone designing to anything BUT the center of structure. We still do it this way so C3D fits right into our design process.

I started working in a Civil office in 1973, so I can safely say that in this area of the planet, the center-center method is what's used here. I have since learned other areas definitely have their own ways of doing things, and it will usually be the person/firm/agency doing the plan checking & approval that dictates what method is used.

There has been enough talk of this issue that it wouldn't surprise me to see this as an option in a future release. The pipe lengths can already be adjusted in the labels for the structure size, so it shouldn't take too much to get it working for the slopes.

Make sure to log a request with your reseller, and add it to the Wishes forum here and at the autodesk discussion forums.

[brian.hailey933139]

Civil 3D doesn't design pipes (unless you are using the Hydraflow Storm Sewers). If you want the pipe to end at the strcuture wall, simply move it to that point on the structure.

http://i42.tinypic.com/bj7cd2.png

[pyork]

This has been one of my complaints for a while now. I just pull it to the wall as shown in the post above mine if needed. Most the systems I design are to the center of the structure so it is not an issue. But on Storm systems that is not always the case. Be aware that on occasion you might have a random pipe disconect from its structure doing this.