• Civil 3D
  • InfraWorks

Grading optimization for Civil 3D

Optimize grading for various land areas based on criteria that you set.


Tutorial resources

These downloadable resources will be used to complete this tutorial:


00:03

In Civil 3D, Grading Optimization is an interactive tool that facilitates grading various land areas such as sites,

00:13

road interchanges, and around structures.

00:16

It consists of optimization algorithms that work toward surface smoothness, while accommodating user-imposed constraints.

00:25

These design constraints include grading and drainage elements.

00:30

The constraints are entered as global parameters and as individual grading element parameters.

00:38

In this example, you set up a building pad, pond, and zone to be optimized.

00:45

From the Analyze tab, in the Grading Optimization panel, select Grading Object Tools.

00:53

In the Tool Palettes window, click Building Pad.

00:57

Within the drawing area, select the closed geometry representing the building, and then press ENTER.

01:05

In the Building Pad Properties dialog, set the following for this example:

01:11

Name the building pad.

01:14

Turn Elevation ON.

01:16

Turn Fixed elevation value OFF.

01:20

Set the Min elevation to 345 ft.

01:25

Set the Max elevation to 355 ft.

01:30

Turn Level grading with pad ON.

01:34

Set the Depth of material to 1.5 ft.

01:39

Close the Building Pad Properties dialog.

01:42

Back in the Tool Palettes window, click Pond.

01:46

In the drawing area, to the left of the building, select the green polyline to define a pond, and then press ENTER.

01:56

In the Pond Properties dialog box, set the following:

02:01

Enter the Name of the pond.

02:03

Select Dry pond (or Wet pond).

02:07

Set the Min storage volume to 10000 cu ft.

02:13

Set the Max storage depth to 5 ft.

02:17

Select whether to Allow boundary change (this will adjust during the optimization), and whether a Safety bench is required.

02:26

Enter Berm details, including width, freeboard, and inside slope.

02:33

Close the Pond Properties dialog.

02:36

In the Tool Palettes window, click Zone.

02:40

In the drawing area, select the outer green polyline representing the boundary to define a zone, and then press ENTER.

02:49

In the Zone Properties dialog, set the following:

02:54

Enter the Name of the zone.

02:56

Select Use global constraints.

03:00

Turn Breakline OFF.

03:03

Turn Grading Limit ON.

03:06

Turn Balance cut and fill, Minimize earthwork, and Smooth surface ON.

03:13

Close the Zone Properties dialog.

03:17

From the Analyze tab, in the Grading Optimization panel, select Optimize.

03:23

If you need to change any grading parameters you set, you can do so in the left pane of the Grading Optimization dialog.

03:32

Click Optimize.

03:34

Once the optimization is complete, click Update Drawing.

03:40

In the Save Optimization Result dialog, set the Name and Style for the new surface.

03:47

Click Finish.

03:49

You can view the optimized surface in the drawing.

Video transcript

00:03

In Civil 3D, Grading Optimization is an interactive tool that facilitates grading various land areas such as sites,

00:13

road interchanges, and around structures.

00:16

It consists of optimization algorithms that work toward surface smoothness, while accommodating user-imposed constraints.

00:25

These design constraints include grading and drainage elements.

00:30

The constraints are entered as global parameters and as individual grading element parameters.

00:38

In this example, you set up a building pad, pond, and zone to be optimized.

00:45

From the Analyze tab, in the Grading Optimization panel, select Grading Object Tools.

00:53

In the Tool Palettes window, click Building Pad.

00:57

Within the drawing area, select the closed geometry representing the building, and then press ENTER.

01:05

In the Building Pad Properties dialog, set the following for this example:

01:11

Name the building pad.

01:14

Turn Elevation ON.

01:16

Turn Fixed elevation value OFF.

01:20

Set the Min elevation to 345 ft.

01:25

Set the Max elevation to 355 ft.

01:30

Turn Level grading with pad ON.

01:34

Set the Depth of material to 1.5 ft.

01:39

Close the Building Pad Properties dialog.

01:42

Back in the Tool Palettes window, click Pond.

01:46

In the drawing area, to the left of the building, select the green polyline to define a pond, and then press ENTER.

01:56

In the Pond Properties dialog box, set the following:

02:01

Enter the Name of the pond.

02:03

Select Dry pond (or Wet pond).

02:07

Set the Min storage volume to 10000 cu ft.

02:13

Set the Max storage depth to 5 ft.

02:17

Select whether to Allow boundary change (this will adjust during the optimization), and whether a Safety bench is required.

02:26

Enter Berm details, including width, freeboard, and inside slope.

02:33

Close the Pond Properties dialog.

02:36

In the Tool Palettes window, click Zone.

02:40

In the drawing area, select the outer green polyline representing the boundary to define a zone, and then press ENTER.

02:49

In the Zone Properties dialog, set the following:

02:54

Enter the Name of the zone.

02:56

Select Use global constraints.

03:00

Turn Breakline OFF.

03:03

Turn Grading Limit ON.

03:06

Turn Balance cut and fill, Minimize earthwork, and Smooth surface ON.

03:13

Close the Zone Properties dialog.

03:17

From the Analyze tab, in the Grading Optimization panel, select Optimize.

03:23

If you need to change any grading parameters you set, you can do so in the left pane of the Grading Optimization dialog.

03:32

Click Optimize.

03:34

Once the optimization is complete, click Update Drawing.

03:40

In the Save Optimization Result dialog, set the Name and Style for the new surface.

03:47

Click Finish.

03:49

You can view the optimized surface in the drawing.

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