by Trevor Clayton
AutoCAD Civil 3D has the ability to draw 2D and 3D models of utility systems, such as storm systems, sanitary sewers, and more.
A pipe network can contain pipes only, structures only, or, more commonly, both pipes and structures. A part catalogue provides access to pipe network items, such as circular, elliptical, or rectangular pipes, manholes, gullies, and headwalls.
The pipe network object manages a collection of pipe objects and structure objects that are associated with each other to represent a pipe system. The pipes and structures are connected to each other, forming a single pipe run or pipe network. The pipe and structure objects in a pipe network can be associated with a referenced alignment and or a surface, which provide them with chainage offset and level data. Each part in a pipe network can reference any given surface or alignment in the drawing.
AutoCAD Civil 3D also has interference checking features. This lets you quickly identify areas where pipes or structures physically collide, or are too close to each other. AutoCAD Civil 3D also includes extension applications that enable you to perform a variety of hydraulics and hydrology tasks on pipe network data. Although not yet suitable to United Kingdom standards.
