CAD APPLICATIONS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING BASIC AND TUTORIALS

AutoCAD

AutoCAD is the most widely used CAD software in civil engineering applications. In an effort toward computer-integrated construction (CIC), researchers have developed a link between AutoCAD and a knowledge-based planning program [Cherneff et al., 1991].

CATIA

CATIA is a three-dimensional solid modeling software marketed by IBM Corporation. Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation, in cooperation with IBM, developed an integrated database for engineering, design, construction, and facilities management. The system uses the DB2 relational database management system and the CATIA computer-aided-design software system [Reinschmidt et al., 1991].

Walkthrough™

Bechtel Corporation developed a three-dimensional simulation system called Walkthrough to aid in marketing, planning, and scheduling of construction projects. Walkthrough was developed to replace the use of plastic models as a design tool [Cleveland and Francisco, 1988].

It was designed to allow users to interact with a three-dimensional computer model as they would with a plastic model. The system uses three-dimensional, real-time animation that lets the user visually move through the computer model and observe visual objects.

Graphics of the system are presented such that objects are recognizable to  users not accustomed to typical CAD images. This includes the use of multiple colors and shading.

Walkthrough uses a Silicon Graphics IRIS workstation with specialized processors facilitating the high speed graphics required for real-time animation. This visualization and simulation system supports files from IGDS (Intergraph CAD system) and 3DM [Morad et al., 1992].

Object-Oriented CAD Model

An object-oriented CAD model for the design of concrete structures that uses EUROCODE2, a European standard for concrete structures, has been developed by German researchers. The primitive instancing solid-modeling technique was employed in the development of this object-oriented model [Reymendt and Worner, 1993].

A committee, entitled “NEW TECCMAR,” formed under the Japanese construction ministry, developed a three-dimensional finite-element method (FEM) program with an extended graphical interface to analyze general buildings [Horning and Kinura, 1993].

AUTO CAD DRAWING COMMAND AND KEYBOARD SHORT CUT KEYS TUTORIALS AND LINKS

COMMAND AND KEYBOARD SHORT CUT KEYS OF AUTOCAD TUTORIAL LINKS
A Link On Keyboard Shortcut and Command of Auto CAD

AUTO CAD is a design software made by AutoDesk that is the standard in Civil Construction Drafting and Design.

Design and shape the world around you with the powerful, flexible features in AutoCAD® 2012 software, one of the world’s leading 2D and 3D CAD design tools. Maximize your productivity with updated tools for conceptual design, model documentation, and reality capture.

AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts

ALT+F8        VBA Run
ALT+F11      VBA Editor
CTRL+1        Properties Palette
CTRL+2        DesignCenter Palette
CTRL+3        Tool Palette
CTRL+4        Sheet Set Manager Palette
CTRL+5        Info Palette
CTRL+6        DBConnect Manager
CTRL+7        Markup Set Manager Palette
CTRL+A        Selects objects in drawing
CTRL+B        Toggles Snap
CTRL+C        Copies objects to Clipboard
CTRL+SHFT+C    Copies objects to Clipboard with Base Point
CTRL+D        Toggles coordinate display
CTRL+E        Cycles through isometric planes
CTRL+F        Toggles running object snaps
CTRL+G        Toggles Grid
CTRL+H        Toggles PICKSTYLE on/off
CTRL+J        Executes last command
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AUTOCAD DRAWING COMMANDS 

AutoCAD Line Command: The line command can allow you to create a
single line or a series of lines.
To activate the Line command use one of the following options:
1- Draw Toolbar.
2- Draw from the pull-down menu bar.
3- Key board: Type L for line on the command line and press Enter
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AutoCAD Command Shortcuts
Notes:
1.  Generally a shortcut prefixed with ” -“  will suppress the associated dialogue from appearing.
2.  Some of the following shortcuts only work with AutoCAD 2006.
3.  Not all of the shortcuts listed work with AutoCAD LT.
SHORTCUT COMMAND COMMENT
ATT ATTDEF Opens attribute definition dialogue box
ATTEDIT ATTEDIT Edit attribute values for a specific block
B BLOCK Opens block dialogue box in order to make a block
BATTMAN BATTMAN Opens block attribute manager
BATTORDER BATTORDER Displays attribute order dialogue box
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COMPUTER PROGRAMS IN FOUNDATION ANALYSIS AND DESIGN BASICS AND TUTORIALS

FOUNDATION ANALYSIS COMPUTER PROGRAMS BASIC INFORMATION
What Are Foundation Analysis Computer Programs?

A large number of foundation engineering problems can be efficiently analyzed and/or designed using a digital computer. Particular advantages of using a computer accrue from these features:

1. One is able to try a range of problem variables to obtain a feel for the effect of specifying, or using, a particular set of soil parameters.

2. One can avoid having to use tabulated data or plotted curves, which usually require interpolation and excessive simplification of the foundation model.

3. One can minimize computational errors from these sources:

a. Erroneous key entry when using a calculator. The bad entry is (or should be) output to paper using a computer so the input can be checked.

b. Omission of computational steps. A working computer program usually includes all the design steps. A set of hand computations may not include every step for any number of reasons (forget, not be aware of, carelessness, etc.).

c. Calculator chip malfunction not readily detected except by using two calculators. Computer chips are often internally checked on power-up, or output is so bad that chip errors are visually detected.

4. With output to a printer one has a paper record of the problem for office files without the necessity of transcribing data from intermediate steps. This avoids copy errors such as 83 for 38 and the like.

The major disadvantage of using a computer program is that it is difficult to write a first generation, error-free program of real use in a design office. Program usability tends to increase with each revision (or history) level.

With the current wide availability of computer programs—many, such as those on the included diskette, having a "history"—the advantages gained from program use far exceed any perceived disadvantages.

The author suggests that both geotechnical and foundation engineers should use computer programs whenever possible—and certainly be aware of what computer program(s) each is likely to use for the given project.

This statement is made with full awareness of the possibility of program errors (or "bugs"). Fortunately, most geotechnical software is task-specific so that the possibility of program errors or their not being detected is not so likely as for some of the large finite-element or structural analysis programs that purport to solve a wide range of tasks.

In any case, the author cannot recall a single reported foundation design failure that can be attributed to a bad4 computer program. It should be evident that computer programs vary widely in perceived quality, perceived quality being defined here as problem limitations and "ease of use." Both users and programmers should be aware that it is difficult to predefine the full range of problem parameters likely to be encountered in practice, so nearly any geotechnical program of significant value is likely to have some built-in limitations.

Ease of use is highly subjective and depends more on user familiarity with a program than how easy it really is to use—many users like pulldown menus and graphics whereas others are quite content without these features. As a final comment on computer programs, be aware that although business applications and games usually have a market in the hundreds of thousands, geotechnical programs have a potential market of only a few thousand.

This small market means geotechnical software is likely to be more expensive than other software and, to minimize development costs, it is not likely to have many so-called user-friendly features.

One should routinely check the output from any computer program used for design or analysis. The user is responsible for his or her design since it is impossible to write a computer program with any usefulness that cannot be misused in some manner. Primarily for this reason most computer programs are sold or licensed with a disclaimer making the user responsible.

Fortunately, most computer programs can be written to be somewhat self-checking, either by writing back the input data or by providing output that can be readily identified as correct (or incorrect) if the user understands or knows how to use the program. It should go without saying that, if you do not know much about the specific problem being designed or analyzed, you should first do some preliminary study before using a computer program on it.