SMS:3D Bridge

3D bridge example

The 3D bridge component can be used to for multiple purposes in a model. These include:

1. The bridge component can be used to generate a 3D UGrid to visualize a bridge in the graphics window. Use the Export 3D Bridge button in the Bridge dialog described below to generate this UGrid.
2. The bridge component can be included in an observation plot. (See Observation Profile Plot for more information.)
3. One or more bridge components can be used to generate a "ceiling elevation" dataset. This dataset represents the maximum water surface that can be reached at each point in the mesh. Nodes that have no ceiling elevation have an "inactive" value in this dataset. An upcoming version of SRH-2D will be able to utilize this dataset instead as an option to represent pressure zones.

To create a 3D bridge component, the following is needed:

• Area Property coverage containing two arcs. These arcs define the upstream and downstream sides of the bridge
• Top, upstream, and downstream profiles

Also, having an existing mesh, scatter set, or grid of the site is typically helpful.

Steps to Defining a 3D Bridge

To build a 3D bridge, do the following:

1. Create an Area Property coverage.
2. Create arcs representing the upstream and downstream side of the bridge location.
3. Right-click in the Project Explorer and select New General Component | Bridge.
4. Link the Area Property Coverage to the component in the Project Explorer.
5. Right-click on the component item and select Edit Bridge.
6. In the Bridge dialog, define the top profile, upstream profile, and downstream profile.
7. Export the 3D bridge and save out the XMUGRID file.
8. Import the XMUGRID file.

3D Bridge Modeling Tips

• The first arc drawn on the Area Properties coverage will be made the upstream arc by default. Use the Swap Arcs button in the Bridge dialog to change this.
• The bridge will use the same units as set in the project's projection.
• Multiple bridges can be modeled by creating addition components.
• When exporting the bridge, the XMUGRID file is created as well as a PRJ file containing the bridge's projection. These files should be kept together.

Bridge Component

A new bridge component is created by right-clicking in the Project Explorer and select New General Component | Bridge. In the Project Explorer, a "Component Data" folder and a "Bridge" component item will appear.

The "Component Data" folder will contain all components in the project. Right-clicking on this item has the following commands:

• Turn on Visibility of All Components
• Turn off Visibility of All Components
• Delete All – Removes all components listed under the folder.

The "Bridge" component item can be right-clicked on to access the following commands:

• Rename – Change the name of the component.
• Duplicate – Creates a copy of the component including an properties that may have been set.
• Delete – Removes the component.
• Lock – Prevents the component from being edited.
• Edit Bridge – Brings up the Bridge dialog for defining the bridge profiles.
• Properties – Opens the Properties dialog for the component.

Bridge Dialog

The Bridge dialog

The Bridge dialog is reached by right-clicking on a bridge component and selecting the Edit Bridge command. The dialog contains the following options:

• Swap Arcs – Changes which arc is the upstream arc and which is the downstream arc.
• Export 3D Bridge – Brings up a Save dialog where the bridge can be saved as a ugrid.
• Top Profile – Defines the highest points of the bridge.
  • Edit – Launches the XY Series Editor for the bridge profiles.
• Upstream Profile – Defines the elevations on the underside of the bridge on the upstream end side.
  • Edit – Launches the XY Series Editor for the bridge profiles.
• Downstream Profile – Defines the elevations on the underside of the bridge on the downstream end side.
  • Edit – Launches the XY Series Editor for the bridge profiles.

XY Series Editor

This dialog is reached through the Bridge dialog. The dialog contains the following:

• Number of Rows – Defines the number of rows available in the spreadsheet.
• Spreadsheet – Contains values for the profile distance and elevation.
  • Distance – Location along the arc. The distance starts at the first node in the arc and moves in the same direction as the arc.
  • Elevation – Elevation of the given distance.
• Preview area – Displays a preview of the profile.

Example of the bridge XY Series Editor