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CREATING THE RT40 FILES:
There is some talk about dropping "Earth" and going to "Xview" in the field. Regardless of whether "Earth" or "Xview" is used in the field . . . RT40 files are still required, and this is how to create them.
Converting RT40 topographic files to "earth" files was developed back when we used RDS as our roadway design software. The Project Engineers have gotten used to "Earth" software and would like to continue using it, or the similar "Xview" software. When Geopak is fully implemented in the field . . . "Earth" and "Xview" software should go away!
The designer must create two different RT40 files:
- The first RT40 file represents a composite of the existing ground and the proposed cross section elements. Usually the only proposed cross section elements to be concerned with are the cut and fill slopes, ditch, and subgrade.
- The second RT40 file represents the existing ground only.
REMEMBER....AFTER THE RT40 FILES ARE CREATED, YOU MUST GIVE THEM TO COMPUTER SERVICES, (GLADYS GALLARDO) FOR THE EARTH/XVIEW CONVERSION.
TO CREATE THE 1st RT40 FILE . . . (Composite):
Open your cross section file and invoke the Cross Section Reports dialog box:
APPLICATIONS > GEOPAK ROAD > OTHER COMPONENTS > CROSS SECTION REPORTSThe XS Report Palette will appear as shown below left. Click on Multi-Line and the dialog box below right will appear.
The Job number and Chain should fill in automatically by default. However, the two entry fields in the top right corner of the box, designating the station range for consideration, must be keyed in.
EXISTING GROUND:
Enter (or Select) the element criteria for the existing ground in the entry fields in the middle of the dialog box. The label entry field is something that Florida DOT uses. We don't use it . . . but this application will not work without something in the field. In the example, I used T. You can use anything you like.Toggle the Top/Bottom button to Bottom. Toggle the Primary/Secondary button to Secondary.
The Lv Co Wt and Lc options shown at right center can be ignored. This is another thing that Florida DOT uses. We don't need it.
Click on Add. The existing ground criteria for consideration are now entered in the XS Elements box.
PROPOSED FINISH GRADE:
Enter (or Select) the element criteria for the proposed finished grade in the entry fields in the middle of the dialog box. Once again . . . this should only be the cut/fill slopes, ditch and subgrade. We usually don't want the pavement layers or pavement layer foreslopes to be considered, since at this point... those have not been constructed yet.Toggle the Top/Bottom button to Bottom. Toggle the Primary/Secondary button to Primary.
Click on Add. The proposed finish grade criteria for consideration are now entered in the XS Elements box.
Toggle the Output Format to RT40. Toggle ON the 5-Point switch. The Pause on Each XS toggle is up to you. Toggle the Display option switch to Display Only.
Key in the name of your desired ASCII File and press Apply. You've just created the first of the two input files!
TO CREATE THE 2nd RT40 FILE . . . (Original Ground Only):
Click on RT40 on the XS Report Palette, and the dialog box to the right will appear.
Complete all of the entry fields that pertain to existing ground only, key in the name of your desired ASCII File and press Apply. You've just created the second of the two input files!
REMEMBER....AFTER THE RT40 FILES ARE CREATED, YOU MUST GIVE THEM TO COMPUTER SERVICES, (GLADYS GALLARDO) FOR THE EARTH/XVIEW CONVERSION.
Save these files to diskettes and place them in the Project Engineer's Hold File.
A sample of the RT40 notes for stations 12+000 and 12+020 are shown below:
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