Introduction to AutoCAD 2014 for Civil Engineering ApplicationsLearning to use AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Projects

Nighat Yasim

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Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.  INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING GRAPHICS .......................................... 1 

1.1.  OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2.  ENGINEERING PROBLEM ........................................................................................................... 2 1.3.  TECHNICAL DRAWING .............................................................................................................. 2 1.4.  DRAWING METHODS ................................................................................................................. 3 1.5.  DRAWING STANDARDS ............................................................................................................. 4 1.6.  SCALE ...................................................................................................................................... 4 

1.6.1.  Type of scale ............................................................................................................................ 4 1.6.1.1.  Representative Fraction ................................................................................................................ 4 1.6.1.2.  Equivalence relation ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.6.1.3.  Converting RF to ER .................................................................................................................... 6 1.6.1.4.  Graphical representation .............................................................................................................. 6 

1.7.  SCALE OF A DRAWING .............................................................................................................. 7 1.7.1.  Full scale ................................................................................................................................. 7 1.7.2.  Large scale .............................................................................................................................. 7 1.7.3.  Small scale ............................................................................................................................... 8 

1.8.  COMPUTER AIDED GRAPHICS ................................................................................................... 8 1.8.1.  AutoCAD 2014 ........................................................................................................................ 8 1.8.2.  AutoCAD and drawing scale ................................................................................................... 8

2.  GETTING STARTED WITH AUTOCAD 2014 ................................................. 11 

2.1.  OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................ 11 2.2.  INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 12 2.3.  TYPICAL WINDOW SCREEN ..................................................................................................... 12 

2.3.1.  Focus of the book................................................................................................................... 13 2.3.2.  Initial setup ............................................................................................................................ 14 

2.4.  DRAWING AREA...................................................................................................................... 16 2.4.1.  Model space ........................................................................................................................... 17 2.4.2.  Layout .................................................................................................................................... 18 2.4.3.  Hide Model/Layout tabs ........................................................................................................ 19 2.4.4.  Display Model/Layout tab ..................................................................................................... 19 

2.5.  CURSOR AND POINTER ............................................................................................................ 20 2.5.1.  Change the size of the intersecting lines ................................................................................ 20 2.5.2.  Change the size of the aperture ............................................................................................. 21 2.5.3.  Change the color of the cursor .............................................................................................. 21 

2.6.  WORLD COORDINATE SYSTEM (WCS) ................................................................................... 23 2.7.  VIEWCUBE ............................................................................................................................. 23 

2.7.1.  ViewCube settings ................................................................................................................. 24 2.7.2.  View switching ....................................................................................................................... 24 

2.8.  DRAWING DISPLAY FORMAT ................................................................................................... 26 2.9.  SCROLL BARS ......................................................................................................................... 27 2.10.  COMMAND LINE WINDOW ....................................................................................................... 28 

2.10.1.  Move the CLW .................................................................................................................. 28 2.10.2.  Display/hide the CLW ....................................................................................................... 29 2.10.3.  Resize the CLW ................................................................................................................. 30 2.10.4.  Change the color of the CLW ........................................................................................... 30 2.10.5.  Change the font of the CLW .............................................................................................. 32 

2.11.  STATUS BAR ........................................................................................................................... 33

ii Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications

2.12.  RIBBON .................................................................................................................................. 33 

2.12.1.  Move the ribbon ............................................................................................................... 34 2.12.2.  Hide/Display the ribbon ................................................................................................... 35 2.12.3.  Ribbon states .................................................................................................................... 38 

2.13.  RIBBON’S TAB ....................................................................................................................... 39 2.13.1.  Display/Hide Tabs ........................................................................................................... 39 2.13.2.  Tab relocation .................................................................................................................. 40 2.13.3.  New tab ............................................................................................................................ 40 

2.14.  RIBBON’S PANEL ................................................................................................................... 45 2.14.1.  Display/Hide panel .......................................................................................................... 45 2.14.2.  Panel components ............................................................................................................ 47 2.14.3.  Panel relocation ............................................................................................................... 49 2.14.4.  Floating panel .................................................................................................................. 49 2.14.5.  New panel......................................................................................................................... 50 2.14.6.  Add the panel to a tab ...................................................................................................... 52 2.14.7.  Add commands to a panel ................................................................................................ 53 

2.15.  WORKSPACE .......................................................................................................................... 57 2.15.1.  Save a workspace ............................................................................................................. 57 2.15.2.  Delete a workspace .......................................................................................................... 58 2.15.3.  Rename a workspace ........................................................................................................ 60 2.15.4.  Switch a workspace .......................................................................................................... 60 

2.16.  BASICS OF A DRAWING FILE ................................................................................................... 61 

2.17.  NEW DRAWING .............................................................................................................. 61 2.18.  DRAWING’S NAME ................................................................................................................. 64 2.19.  DRAWING UNITS .................................................................................................................... 64 

2.19.1.  Length .............................................................................................................................. 65 2.19.2.  Angle ................................................................................................................................ 66 2.19.3.  Insertion scale .................................................................................................................. 69 2.19.4.  Convert measurements from ISO to ANSI (and vice versa) ............................................. 69 

2.20.  DRAWING LIMITS ................................................................................................................... 71 

2.21.  GRID ( ) AND SNAP ( ) COMMANDS ............................................................................... 72 2.21.1.  Toggle the Grid and Snap in the model space .................................................................. 72 2.21.2.  Toggle the Grid and Snap in the layout ........................................................................... 73 2.21.3.  Grid properties ................................................................................................................. 73 

2.21.3.1.  Grid style ................................................................................................................................... 74 2.21.3.2.  Grid spacing ............................................................................................................................... 75 2.21.3.3.  Grid behavior ............................................................................................................................. 76 2.21.3.4.  Grid color ................................................................................................................................... 76 

2.21.4.  Snap properties ................................................................................................................ 76 2.21.4.1.  Snap spacing .............................................................................................................................. 76 2.21.4.2.  Polar spacing .............................................................................................................................. 77 2.21.4.3.  Snap type ................................................................................................................................... 77 

2.22.  SAVE A FILE ........................................................................................................................... 78 

2.22.1.  Save As .................................................................................................................... 78 

2.22.2.  Save ......................................................................................................................... 79 

2.23.  OPEN A PRE-EXISTING FILE ............................................................................................ 80 2.24.  CLOSE A FILE ......................................................................................................................... 81 

2.25.  PLOT ............................................................................................................................. 83 2.26.  EXIT AUTOCAD .................................................................................................................... 94

Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications iii

3.  BASICS OF 2-DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS ..................................................... 95 

3.1.  OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................ 95 3.2.  INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 96 

3.3.  DYNAMIC INPUT .............................................................................................................. 96 3.3.1.  Toggle dynamic input ............................................................................................................ 96 3.3.2.  Components of a dynamic input ............................................................................................ 97 

3.3.2.1.  Pointer input ............................................................................................................................... 97 3.3.2.2.  Dimension input ......................................................................................................................... 98 3.3.2.3.  Dynamic prompts ....................................................................................................................... 99 

3.3.3.  Drafting tooltip appearance ................................................................................................ 100 3.4.  INPUT DATA .......................................................................................................................... 101 

3.4.1.1.  Tab key .................................................................................................................................... 102 3.4.1.2.  Comma key .............................................................................................................................. 102 3.4.1.3.  Less than key ............................................................................................................................ 103 3.4.1.4.  Remove typing errors from the dynamic input tooltips ............................................................ 103 

3.5.  REFERENCE SYSTEM ............................................................................................................. 103 3.5.1.  Cartesian coordinates ......................................................................................................... 103 3.5.2.  Polar coordinates ................................................................................................................ 104 3.5.3.  AutoCAD and the coordinate systems ................................................................................. 105 

3.5.3.1.  Absolute Cartesian coordinates ................................................................................................ 105 3.5.3.2.  Relative Cartesian coordinates ................................................................................................. 106 3.5.3.3.  Absolute Polar coordinates ....................................................................................................... 107 3.5.3.4.  Relative Polar coordinates ........................................................................................................ 107 

3.6.  POINT ........................................................................................................................... 108 3.6.1.  Change style and size of a point .......................................................................................... 109 

3.6.1.1.  Style ......................................................................................................................................... 110 3.6.1.2.  Point size .................................................................................................................................. 110 

3.7.  LINE ............................................................................................................................. 110 3.7.1.  Points selection .................................................................................................................... 110 3.7.2.  Snap points .......................................................................................................................... 112 3.7.3.  Cartesian coordinates ......................................................................................................... 113 3.7.4.  Polar coordinates ................................................................................................................ 114 

3.7.5.  Orthogonal lines .......................................................................................................... 115 

3.8.  CIRCLE ........................................................................................................................ 117 

3.9.  POLYGON ..................................................................................................................... 124 

3.10.  POLYLINE .................................................................................................................... 128 

3.11.  ELLIPSE ........................................................................................................................ 133 

3.12.  ELLIPTICAL ARC .......................................................................................................... 138 

3.13.  CIRCULAR ARC ............................................................................................................ 138 

3.14.  RECTANGLE ................................................................................................................. 139 3.15.  OBJECT APPEARANCE .......................................................................................................... 144 

3.15.1.  Color Control ................................................................................................................. 144 3.15.1.1.  Change color of an object before it is drawn ............................................................................ 144 3.15.1.2.  Change color of an object after it is drawn ............................................................................... 146 

3.15.2.  Lineweight Control ......................................................................................................... 146 3.15.2.1.  Change thickness of an line before it is drawn ......................................................................... 146 3.15.2.2.  Change thickness of a line after it is drawn .............................................................................. 147 

3.15.3.  Linetype Control ............................................................................................................. 147 3.15.3.1.  Load a linetype ......................................................................................................................... 148 3.15.3.2.  Current linetype ........................................................................................................................ 150 3.15.3.3.  Change linetype before an object is drawn ............................................................................... 150 

iv Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications

3.15.3.4.  Change linetype after an object is drawn ................................................................................. 150 3.15.3.5.  Linetype scale .......................................................................................................................... 151 

3.16.  TEXT ........................................................................................................................... 153 3.16.1.  Create multiline text ....................................................................................................... 153 3.16.2.  Text Editor ..................................................................................................................... 154 

3.16.2.1.  Style ......................................................................................................................................... 155 3.16.2.2.  Formatting ................................................................................................................................ 155 

3.16.2.2.1.  Background mask ............................................................................................................... 156 3.16.2.2.2.  Stacked characters .............................................................................................................. 157 

3.16.2.3.  Paragraph ................................................................................................................................. 158 3.16.2.3.1.  Justification ........................................................................................................................ 158 3.16.2.3.2.  List ..................................................................................................................................... 159 3.16.2.3.3.  Line spacing ....................................................................................................................... 160 3.16.2.3.4.  Paragraph dialog box .......................................................................................................... 160 

3.16.2.4.  Insert ........................................................................................................................................ 161 3.16.2.4.1.  Column ............................................................................................................................... 161 3.16.2.4.2.  Symbol ............................................................................................................................... 162 

3.16.2.5.  Spell check ............................................................................................................................... 162 3.16.2.6.  Tools ........................................................................................................................................ 164 3.16.2.7.  Options ..................................................................................................................................... 164 3.16.2.8.  Close ........................................................................................................................................ 164 

3.16.3.  Annotate tab and Text panel .......................................................................................... 165 3.16.4.  Express Tools tab and Text panel .................................................................................. 165 

3.16.4.1.1.  Arc Aligned ........................................................................................................................ 166 3.16.4.1.2.  Enclose in object ................................................................................................................ 168 

3.17.  HATCH ........................................................................................................................ 169 3.17.1.  Hatch editor ................................................................................................................... 170 

3.17.1.1.1.  Boundaries ......................................................................................................................... 170 3.17.1.1.2.  Pattern ................................................................................................................................ 170 3.17.1.1.3.  Properties ........................................................................................................................... 171 3.17.1.1.4.  Options ............................................................................................................................... 173 3.17.1.1.5.  Close .................................................................................................................................. 173 

3.17.2.  Hatch an area ................................................................................................................ 174 

3.18.  TABLE ......................................................................................................................... 176 3.18.1.  Insert Table dialog box .................................................................................................. 177 3.18.2.  Table resize .................................................................................................................... 178 3.18.3.  Modify table’s shape ...................................................................................................... 180 3.18.4.  The cursor movement ..................................................................................................... 182 3.18.5.  Insert a multiline text in a cell ........................................................................................ 182 3.18.6.  The data type .................................................................................................................. 183 3.18.7.  Populate the table .......................................................................................................... 184 3.18.8.  Modify the contents of a table ........................................................................................ 185 

3.18.8.1.  Table Style dialog box .................................................................................................... 185 3.18.8.2.  Table update using the property sheet ...................................................................................... 191

4.  BASICS OF 2-DIMENSIONAL EDITING ........................................................ 195 

4.1.  OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 195 4.2.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 196 4.3.  GRIPS ................................................................................................................................... 196 

4.3.1.  Grips toggle ........................................................................................................................ 196 4.3.2.  Change the size and color of the grips ................................................................................ 196 

4.4.  OBJECT SELECTION .............................................................................................................. 198 4.4.1.  Method #1 ........................................................................................................................... 198 4.4.2.  Method #2 ........................................................................................................................... 198 4.4.3.  Method #3 ........................................................................................................................... 199 

Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications v

4.5.  OBJECT DE-SELECTION ......................................................................................................... 199 4.6.  ZOOM CAPABILITIES ............................................................................................................. 199 

4.6.1.  Zoom window ............................................................................................................. 200 

4.6.2.  Zoom scale .................................................................................................................. 201 

4.6.3.  Zoom center ................................................................................................................ 202 

4.6.4.  Zoom object ................................................................................................................ 202 

4.6.5.  Zoom in ....................................................................................................................... 202 

4.6.6.  Zoom out ..................................................................................................................... 202 

4.6.7.  Zoom all ...................................................................................................................... 203 4.6.8.  Zoom-wheel ......................................................................................................................... 203 

4.7.  DRAW ORDER .............................................................................................................. 203 

4.7.1.  Bring to front .............................................................................................................. 203 

4.7.2.  Send to back ................................................................................................................ 204 

4.8.  OBJECT SNAP ................................................................................................................ 205 4.8.1.  Toggle Object Snap ............................................................................................................. 205 4.8.2.  Change the size and color of the object snap cursor box .................................................... 206 4.8.3.  Object Snap commands ....................................................................................................... 206 

4.8.3.1.  Endpoint ........................................................................................................................... 207 

4.8.3.2.  Midpoint ........................................................................................................................... 207 

4.8.3.3.  Midpoint ........................................................................................................................... 208 

4.8.3.4.  Intersection ....................................................................................................................... 208 

4.8.3.5.  Extension ......................................................................................................................... 209 

4.8.3.6.  Apparent Intersection ....................................................................................................... 209 

4.8.3.7.  Center ............................................................................................................................... 210 

4.8.3.8.  Quadrant ........................................................................................................................... 211 

4.8.3.9.  Tangent .......................................................................................................................... 211 

4.8.3.10.  Perpendicular ................................................................................................................... 212 4.9.  INTRODUCTION OF THE EDITING COMMANDS ........................................................................ 213 4.10.  CANCEL ................................................................................................................................ 214 

4.11.  ERASE .......................................................................................................................... 214 4.11.1.  Erase one object ............................................................................................................. 214 

4.11.1.1.  Using Delete key ...................................................................................................................... 214 4.11.1.2.  Using Erase tool ....................................................................................................................... 215 

4.11.2.  Erase multiple object simultaneously ............................................................................. 215 

4.12.  UNDO ............................................................................................................................ 215 4.12.1.  Undo one command ........................................................................................................ 215 4.12.2.  Undo several commands ................................................................................................. 216 

4.13.  REDO ............................................................................................................................ 216 4.13.1.  Redo one command ......................................................................................................... 216 4.13.2.  Redo several commands.................................................................................................. 216 

4.14.  OOPS .................................................................................................................................... 216 

4.15.  COPY ........................................................................................................................... 217 4.16.  ARRAY ................................................................................................................................. 219 

vi Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications

4.16.1.  Rectangular Array ................................................................................................. 219 4.16.1.1.  Rectangular array’s grip points ................................................................................................ 223 

4.16.2.  Polar array ............................................................................................................ 224 4.16.2.1.  Fill angle .................................................................................................................................. 228 4.16.2.2.  Angle between ......................................................................................................................... 228 4.16.2.3.  Polar array and grip points ....................................................................................................... 229 

4.16.3.  Path array ............................................................................................................. 229 4.16.4.  Path array and grip points ............................................................................................. 233 4.16.5.  Edit array ....................................................................................................................... 234 

4.17.  MIRROR ...................................................................................................................... 234 

4.18.  OFFSET ........................................................................................................................ 236 

4.19.  MOVE .......................................................................................................................... 239 4.19.1.  Move in xy-plane ............................................................................................................ 239 4.19.2.  Move in z-direction ........................................................................................................ 240 

4.20.  ROTATE ....................................................................................................................... 241 

4.21.  SCALE ......................................................................................................................... 242 

4.22.  STRETCH ..................................................................................................................... 243 

4.23.  BREAK ........................................................................................................................ 246 

4.24.  BREAK AT A POINT ...................................................................................................... 247 

4.25.  EXPLODE ..................................................................................................................... 248 

4.26.  JOIN ............................................................................................................................ 249 4.26.1.1.  Lines ........................................................................................................................................ 250 4.26.1.2.  Circular arc .............................................................................................................................. 251 4.26.1.3.  Polyline .................................................................................................................................... 252 4.26.1.4.  Spline ....................................................................................................................................... 252 4.26.1.5.  Combination of objects ............................................................................................................ 252 

4.27.  FILLET ......................................................................................................................... 253 

4.28.  CHAMFER .................................................................................................................... 256 

4.29.  TRIM ........................................................................................................................... 259 4.29.1.  What to do if an object cannot be trimmed .................................................................... 261 

4.30.  EXTEND ...................................................................................................................... 261 

4.31.  POLYLINE EDIT ............................................................................................................ 264 4.32.  GRIPS AND OBJECT EDITING ................................................................................................. 269 

4.32.1.  Select a point .................................................................................................................. 269 4.32.2.  Stretch/shrink ................................................................................................................. 269 4.32.3.  Move ............................................................................................................................... 270 4.32.4.  Erase .............................................................................................................................. 270 4.32.5.  Rotate ............................................................................................................................. 270 4.32.6.  Scale ............................................................................................................................... 271 

4.33.  THE PROPERTIES SHEET AND OBJECT EDITING .............................................................. 272

5.  LAYERS ................................................................................................................ 275 

5.1.  OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 275 5.2.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 276 

Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications vii

5.3.  LAYER IN AUTOCAD ........................................................................................................... 277 

5.4.  LAYER COMMAND ........................................................................................................ 278 5.5.  LAYER PROPERTIES MANAGER ............................................................................................ 279 

5.5.1.  Characteristics of a layer .................................................................................................... 279 

5.5.2.  Create a new layer ....................................................................................................... 283 

5.5.3.  Delete an existing layer ................................................................................................ 283 

5.5.4.  Make a layer a current layer ...................................................................................... 284 5.6.  DRAWING AND LAYERS ........................................................................................................ 284 5.7.  MOVE OBJECTS FROM ONE LAYER TO ANOTHER LAYER ........................................................ 284 5.8.  THE DEFPOINTS LAYER ......................................................................................................... 285 5.9.  UPDATE LAYER PROPERTIES ................................................................................................. 286 5.10.  FREQUENT PROBLEMS WITH THE LAYERS ............................................................................. 286 5.11.  ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ...................................................................................................... 287

6.  BLOCKS ................................................................................................................ 291 

6.1.  OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................................... 291 6.2.  INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 292 6.3.  BASIC BLOCK ....................................................................................................................... 292 

6.3.1.  Create a basic block ................................................................................................... 293 6.3.2.  Block definition dialog box .................................................................................................. 293 

6.4.  WBLOCK .............................................................................................................................. 296 6.4.1.  Create a Wblock .................................................................................................................. 296 6.4.2.  Write block dialog box ......................................................................................................... 296 

6.5.  BLOCK WITH ATTRIBUTES ............................................................................................ 297 6.5.1.  The initial setup ................................................................................................................... 298 6.5.2.  Attribute definition dialog box ............................................................................................. 299 6.5.3.  Create attributes .................................................................................................................. 300 6.5.4.  Create block with attributes ................................................................................................ 302 6.5.5.  Convert to Wblock ............................................................................................................... 302 

6.6.  BLOCK WITH TEXT BOXES .................................................................................................... 303 

6.7.  BASIC BLOCK INSERTION ............................................................................................. 303 6.7.1.  Insert dialog box .................................................................................................................. 304 6.7.2.  Insert a block with default values ........................................................................................ 305 6.7.3.  Change the scale of the block at the insertion ..................................................................... 306 6.7.4.  Rotate the block at the insertion .......................................................................................... 307 6.7.5.  Insert a Wblock .................................................................................................................... 308 6.7.6.  Insert a block with attributes ............................................................................................... 308 6.7.7.  Insert a block with text boxes .............................................................................................. 308 

6.8.  COMBINE BLOCKS ................................................................................................................ 309 6.9.  MODIFY BLOCK .................................................................................................................... 309 

6.10.  DESIGN CENTER ........................................................................................................... 309 6.10.1.  Insert a block (known dimension) ................................................................................... 311 6.10.2.  Insert a block (unknown dimension) ............................................................................... 312

7.  LAYOUTS AND TEMPLATE FILES ............................................................... 315 

7.1.  OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................................... 315 7.2.  INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 316 7.3.  LAYOUT ............................................................................................................................... 316 

7.3.1.  Paper background and shadow ........................................................................................... 317 

viii Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications

7.3.2.  Printable area ..................................................................................................................... 317 7.3.3.  Viewport .............................................................................................................................. 320 

7.3.3.1.  Viewport scaling ...................................................................................................................... 321 7.3.3.2.  Rescale a viewport ................................................................................................................... 322 7.3.3.3.  Lock the scale of a viewport .................................................................................................... 323 

7.4.  ADD AN ENTRY IN THE SCALE LIST ...................................................................................... 323 7.5.  LAYOUT MANIPULATION ..................................................................................................... 325 

7.5.1.  Delete a layout .................................................................................................................... 325 7.5.2.  Move a layout ..................................................................................................................... 326 7.5.3.  Copy a layout ...................................................................................................................... 327 7.5.4.  Rename a layout ................................................................................................................. 328 7.5.5.  Insert a layout ..................................................................................................................... 328 

7.5.5.1.  Default layout .......................................................................................................................... 328 7.5.5.2.  Layout from template ............................................................................................................... 328 

7.5.6.  Grid and Snap commands ................................................................................................... 329 7.6.  LAYERS FREEZING AND LAYOUTS ........................................................................................ 329 7.7.  OBJECT APPEARANCE AND LAYOUTS ................................................................................... 332 7.8.  TEMPLATE FILE .................................................................................................................... 333 

7.8.1.  Landscape template for ISO units ....................................................................................... 334 7.8.2.  Portrait template for ISO units ........................................................................................... 338 7.8.3.  Template for ANSI units ...................................................................................................... 340 

7.9.  MODIFY ATTRIBUTE OF A BLOCK IN A TEMPLATE FILE ......................................................... 340 7.10.  PAGE SETUP FROM LAYOUTS................................................................................................ 341 7.11.  PLOT FROM LAYOUTS .......................................................................................................... 343 7.12.  LAYOUT PLOTTING PROBLEMS ............................................................................................. 344

8.  DIMENSIONING TECHNIQUES ...................................................................... 347 

8.1.  OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 347 8.2.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 348 8.3.  DIMENSIONING IN GENERAL ................................................................................................ 349 8.4.  TERMINOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 349 8.5.  IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER ...................................................................................... 351 

8.6.  DIMENSION STYLES ..................................................................................................... 352 8.7.  MODIFY DIMENSION STYLE .................................................................................................. 353 

8.7.1.  Lines .................................................................................................................................... 353 8.7.2.  Symbols and Arrows ........................................................................................................... 354 8.7.3.  Text ..................................................................................................................................... 355 8.7.4.  Fit........................................................................................................................................ 356 8.7.5.  Primary Units ..................................................................................................................... 356 8.7.6.  Alternate Units .................................................................................................................... 356 8.7.7.  Tolerance ............................................................................................................................ 357 

8.8.  MODIFY DIMENSION STYLE .................................................................................................. 357 8.8.1.  Modify dimension style using the dialog box ...................................................................... 357 8.8.2.  Modify dimension style using the property sheet ................................................................ 357 

8.9.  LINEAR DIMENSIONS ................................................................................................... 358 

8.10.  ALIGNED DIMENSIONS ................................................................................................. 360 

8.11.  ANGULAR DIMENSIONS ............................................................................................... 361 

8.12.  DIMENSIONING RADII .................................................................................................. 362 

8.13.  DIMENSIONING CIRCLES .............................................................................................. 363 

8.14.  CENTER MARK ............................................................................................................ 364 8.15.  LEADER LINES ..................................................................................................................... 365 

Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications ix

8.16.  TYPES OF DIMENSIONS ......................................................................................................... 367 

8.16.1.  Continue dimension ............................................................................................... 367 

8.16.2.  Baseline dimensions ............................................................................................... 368 

8.16.3.  Ordinate dimensions .............................................................................................. 369 8.16.4.  Coordinate dimensions ................................................................................................... 371 8.16.5.  Combined dimensions ..................................................................................................... 371 8.16.6.  Dimensioning fillets and rounds ..................................................................................... 371 

8.17.  CENTERLINE AND LINE OF SYMMETRY ................................................................................. 372 8.18.  TOLERANCE ......................................................................................................................... 373

9.  LAND SURVEY .................................................................................................... 375 

9.1.  OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................................... 375 9.2.  INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 376 9.3.  LOCATION ............................................................................................................................ 376 

9.3.1.  Longitudes ........................................................................................................................... 376 9.3.2.  Latitudes .............................................................................................................................. 376 9.3.3.  Location on a map ............................................................................................................... 377 

9.4.  ANGULAR MEASUREMENT .................................................................................................... 377 9.4.1.  Units of measurement .......................................................................................................... 378 9.4.2.  Direction .............................................................................................................................. 378 

9.4.2.1.  Azimuth ................................................................................................................................... 378 9.4.2.2.  Bearing ..................................................................................................................................... 378 9.4.2.3.  Relationship between azimuth and bearing .............................................................................. 378 

9.5.  TRAVERSE ............................................................................................................................ 379 9.5.1.  Open traverse ...................................................................................................................... 380 9.5.2.  Closed traverse .................................................................................................................... 380 

9.5.2.1.  Connecting traverse .................................................................................................................. 380 9.5.2.2.  Loop traverse ........................................................................................................................... 380 

9.6.  DRAWING A TRAVERSE USING AUTOCAD ............................................................................ 381 9.6.1.  Traverse for the given azimuths ........................................................................................... 381 9.6.2.  Traverse for the given bearings ........................................................................................... 383 

9.7.  ADD DIMENSIONS TO A TRAVERSE ........................................................................................ 384 9.7.1.  Length .................................................................................................................................. 385 9.7.2.  Add reference line to a traverse .......................................................................................... 385 9.7.3.  Bearing angle ...................................................................................................................... 386 9.7.4.  Azimuth angle ...................................................................................................................... 386 

9.8.  PARCEL ................................................................................................................................ 388 9.9.  DEED OR LEGAL DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................. 388 9.10.  LAND SURVEY ...................................................................................................................... 389 9.11.  RECTANGULAR SYSTEM ....................................................................................................... 389 

9.11.1.  Reference lines ................................................................................................................ 389 9.11.2.  Township and range ....................................................................................................... 390 

9.12.  METES AND BOUNDS ............................................................................................................ 392 9.12.1.  Land description using meets and bounds ...................................................................... 393 9.12.2.  AutoCAD and meets and bounds .................................................................................... 393 

9.13.  LOTS AND BLOCKS ............................................................................................................... 395 9.13.1.  Terminology .................................................................................................................... 395 9.13.2.  Lots and blocks ............................................................................................................... 395 9.13.3.  AutoCAD and lot and block ............................................................................................ 396 9.13.4.  Area of a lot .................................................................................................................... 401

x Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications

10.  CONTOURS .......................................................................................................... 405 

10.1.  OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 405 10.2.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 406 10.3.  CHARACTERISTICS OF A CONTOUR LINE ............................................................................... 407 10.4.  TERMINOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 407 10.5.  AUTOCAD AND CONTOUR MAP .......................................................................................... 411 

10.5.1.  Create Script file ............................................................................................................ 411 10.5.2.  Create layers .................................................................................................................. 411 10.5.3.  Change point style .......................................................................................................... 412 10.5.4.  Read the script files ........................................................................................................ 412 10.5.5.  Create the contour map .................................................................................................. 413 10.5.6.  Curve fitting ................................................................................................................... 414 10.5.7.  Add the labels to the index contours .............................................................................. 415 

10.6.  PROBLEM WITH POLYLINE’S JOIN COMMAND ...................................................................... 416 10.6.1.  Simple join ..................................................................................................................... 416 10.6.2.  Polyline join using fuzz distance .................................................................................... 416

11.  DRAINAGE BASIN ............................................................................................. 419 

11.1.  OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 419 11.2.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 420 11.3.  HYDROLOGIC CYCLE ........................................................................................................... 420 11.4.  TERMINOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 421 11.5.  WATERSHED OR DRAINAGE BASIN ...................................................................................... 422 11.6.  WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS .......................................................................................... 422 

11.6.1.  Drainage area ................................................................................................................ 422 11.6.2.  Watershed length ........................................................................................................... 423 11.6.3.  Watershed slope ............................................................................................................. 423 11.6.4.  Miscellaneous ................................................................................................................ 423 

11.7.  MAJOR STEPS IN A WATERSHED DELINEATION ..................................................................... 424 11.8.  WATERSHED DELINEATION USING AUTOCAD ..................................................................... 424

12.  FLOODPLAINS .................................................................................................... 433 

12.1.  OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 433 12.2.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 434 12.3.  TERMINOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 434 12.4.  MAJOR STEPS IN A FLOODPLAIN DELINEATION ..................................................................... 437 12.5.  FLOODPLAIN DELINEATION USING AUTOCAD ..................................................................... 438

13.  ROAD DESIGN .................................................................................................... 451 

13.1.  OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 451 13.2.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 452 13.3.  PLAN AND PROFILE .............................................................................................................. 452 

13.3.1.  Plan ................................................................................................................................ 453 13.3.2.  Profile ............................................................................................................................ 453 

13.4.  DRAW ROAD PLAN USING AUTOCAD .................................................................................. 453 13.5.  PLOT THE PROFILE USING AUTOCAD .................................................................................. 456 13.6.  CROSS-SECTION ................................................................................................................... 461 13.7.  DRAW CROSS-SECTION USING AUTOCAD ........................................................................... 462

Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications xi

14.  EARTHWORK ..................................................................................................... 469 

14.1.  OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................................... 469 14.2.  INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 470 14.3.  EARTHWORK ........................................................................................................................ 470 

14.3.1.  Cut .................................................................................................................................. 470 14.3.2.  Fill .................................................................................................................................. 470 14.3.3.  Location of a road .......................................................................................................... 470 

14.4.  SLOPE ................................................................................................................................... 470 14.5.  ANGLE OF REPOSE ................................................................................................................ 471 14.6.  PLAN AND EXISTING PROFILE OF A ROAD .............................................................................. 471 14.7.  PROPOSED PROFILE OF A ROAD ............................................................................................. 476 14.8.  DELINEATE THE EARTHWORK USING AUTOCAD .................................................................. 476

15.  FLOOR PLAN ...................................................................................................... 483 

15.1.  OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................................... 483 15.2.  INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 484 15.3.  FLOOR PLAN ......................................................................................................................... 486 15.4.  WINDOWS ............................................................................................................................ 487 

15.4.1.  Types of windows ............................................................................................................ 487 15.4.2.  Window sizes ................................................................................................................... 488 15.4.3.  Window selection ............................................................................................................ 488 

15.5.  DOORS.................................................................................................................................. 489 15.5.1.  Types of Door ................................................................................................................. 489 15.5.2.  Door sizes ....................................................................................................................... 490 15.5.3.  Door selection ................................................................................................................. 491 15.5.4.  Door appearance in floor plan ....................................................................................... 491 

15.6.  WALL ................................................................................................................................... 492 15.6.1.  Exterior ........................................................................................................................... 492 15.6.2.  Interior ............................................................................................................................ 492 15.6.3.  Load bearing ................................................................................................................... 492 15.6.4.  Non-load bearing ............................................................................................................ 492 15.6.5.  Wall thickness ................................................................................................................. 492 

15.7.  STAIR ................................................................................................................................... 493 15.7.1.  Terminology .................................................................................................................... 493 15.7.2.  Important points to remember ........................................................................................ 494 15.7.3.  Types of stairs ................................................................................................................. 494 

15.8.  BASICS OF FLOOR PLAN DESIGN ............................................................................................ 495 15.9.  DESIGN TECHNIQUE .............................................................................................................. 497 15.10.  AUTOCAD AND FLOOR PLAN ............................................................................................... 497 

15.10.1.  New file ........................................................................................................................... 497 15.10.2.  The drawing units ........................................................................................................... 497 15.10.3.  Load linetypes ................................................................................................................. 497 15.10.4.  Orthogonal lines ............................................................................................................. 498 15.10.5.  The floor plan ................................................................................................................. 498 

15.11.  DIMENSIONING AN ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING .................................................................... 516 15.11.1.  Create Layers ................................................................................................................. 516 15.11.2.  Set Dimension Style dialog box ...................................................................................... 517 15.11.3.  Add dimensions to the floor plan .................................................................................... 517

16.  ELEVATION ........................................................................................................ 527 

16.1.  OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................................... 527 16.2.  INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 528 

xii Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications

16.3.  ROOF ................................................................................................................................... 530 16.3.1.  Terminology ................................................................................................................... 530 16.3.2.  Types of roof .................................................................................................................. 530 16.3.3.  Important points ............................................................................................................. 531 

16.4.  ROOF PLAN .......................................................................................................................... 531 16.5.  AUTOCAD AND THE FRONT ELEVATION .............................................................................. 533 16.6.  AUTOCAD AND THE RIGHT SIDE ELEVATION ....................................................................... 545

17.  SITE PLAN ........................................................................................................... 555 

17.1.  OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 555 17.2.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 556 17.3.  TERMINOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 556 17.4.  COMPONENTS OF A SITE PLAN .............................................................................................. 556 17.5.  AUTOCAD AND SITE PLAN .................................................................................................. 557

18.  CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS ........................................................................ 571 

18.1.  OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 571 18.2.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 572 18.3.  DRAWING FORMAT .............................................................................................................. 572 18.4.  BLOCKS USED ...................................................................................................................... 572 18.5.  FAMILY OF CONSTRUCTION DRAWING ................................................................................. 574 

18.5.1.  Cover sheet ..................................................................................................................... 574 18.5.2.  General information ....................................................................................................... 575 18.5.3.  Quantity sheet ................................................................................................................ 575 18.5.4.  Survey or mapping ......................................................................................................... 575 18.5.5.  Soil information ............................................................................................................. 575 18.5.6.  Erosion control .............................................................................................................. 575 18.5.7.  Landscape drawings ...................................................................................................... 575 18.5.8.  Structural drawings........................................................................................................ 575 18.5.9.  Fire protection drawings ............................................................................................... 575 18.5.10.  Architectural drawings .................................................................................................. 576 18.5.11.  Plumbing drawings ........................................................................................................ 576 18.5.12.  Mechanical drawings ..................................................................................................... 576 18.5.13.  Electrical drawings ........................................................................................................ 576 18.5.14.  Telecommunication drawings ........................................................................................ 576 18.5.15.  Plan and profile drawings .............................................................................................. 576

19.  AUTOCAD 2014 – CLASSICS INTERFACE ................................................... 577 

19.1.  OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 577 19.2.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 578 19.3.  TYPICAL WINDOW SCREEN ................................................................................................... 578 

19.3.1.  Switch to AutoCAD Classic ............................................................................................ 579 19.3.2.  Initial setup .................................................................................................................... 580 

19.4.  DRAWING AREA ................................................................................................................... 581 19.4.1.  Model space ................................................................................................................... 582 19.4.2.  Layout ............................................................................................................................ 582 

19.5.  CURSOR AND POINTER ......................................................................................................... 583 19.6.  VIEWCUBE .......................................................................................................................... 583 19.7.  SCROLL BARS ...................................................................................................................... 584 19.8.  PULL DOWN MENUS ............................................................................................................. 585 19.9.  COMMAND LINE BOX ........................................................................................................... 586 19.10.  TOOLBARS ........................................................................................................................... 586 

Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications xiii

19.10.1.  Add a new toolbar to the workspace ............................................................................... 587 19.10.1.1.  Method #1 ................................................................................................................................ 587 19.10.1.2.  Method #2 ................................................................................................................................ 587 

19.10.2.  Move a toolbar ................................................................................................................ 588 19.10.3.  Reshape a toolbar ........................................................................................................... 588 19.10.4.  Remove a toolbar from the workspace ............................................................................ 589 

19.11.  WORKSPACE......................................................................................................................... 589 19.11.1.  Save a workspace ............................................................................................................ 589 19.11.2.  Delete a workspace ......................................................................................................... 590 19.11.3.  Rename a workspace ...................................................................................................... 591 19.11.4.  Switch a workspace ......................................................................................................... 592 

19.12.  FILE MANIPULATION ............................................................................................................. 593 

19.12.1.  New drawing file .................................................................................................... 593 19.12.2.  Save a file ........................................................................................................................ 593 

19.12.2.1.  Save As ........................................................................................................................... 593 

19.12.2.2.  Save ................................................................................................................................ 593 

19.12.3.  Open a pre-existing file .......................................................................................... 593 19.12.4.  Close a file ...................................................................................................................... 594 19.12.5.  Drawing units ................................................................................................................. 594 19.12.6.  Drawing limits ................................................................................................................ 594 19.12.7.  Grid and Snap ................................................................................................................. 594 

19.12.8.  Plot .......................................................................................................................... 595 19.13.  EXIT AUTOCAD ................................................................................................................... 595 19.14.  BASICS OF 2-DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS ............................................................................... 595 

19.14.1.  The draw commands ....................................................................................................... 596 19.14.2.  Object appearance .......................................................................................................... 597 

19.14.2.1.  Color Control ........................................................................................................................... 597 19.14.2.2.  Linetype Control ...................................................................................................................... 598 19.14.2.3.  Lineweight Control .................................................................................................................. 598 

19.15.  BASICS OF 2-DIMENSIONAL EDITING ................................................................................... 598 19.15.1.  Grips ............................................................................................................................... 598 19.15.2.  Zoom capabilities ............................................................................................................ 599 19.15.3.  Draw order ..................................................................................................................... 599 

19.15.4.  Object Snap ............................................................................................................. 599 19.15.5.  The edit commands ......................................................................................................... 599 

19.16.  LAYERS ................................................................................................................................ 601 19.17.  BLOCKS ................................................................................................................................ 601 19.18.  ADD AN ENTRY IN THE SCALE LIST ....................................................................................... 602 19.19.  DIMENSIONING TECHNIQUES ................................................................................................ 603 19.20.  DRAWING UNITS ................................................................................................................... 604 19.21.  AREA COMMAND .................................................................................................................. 604

20.  SUGGESTED IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES ............................................................ 605 

20.1.  INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 605 20.2.  DOWNLOAD AUTOCAD 2014 .............................................................................................. 606 20.3.  CUSTOMIZE A WORKSPACE .................................................................................................. 607 20.4.  GRID AND SNAP CAPABILITIES ............................................................................................. 609 20.5.  ERASE, LINE, POLYLINE AND POLYLINE EDIT ...................................................................... 611 20.6.  POINT, CIRCLE, POLYGON, OFFSET, MOVE, TRIM, EXTEND, AND ZOOM .............................. 613 20.7.  LINETYPE, LINEWEIGHT, MIRROR, COPY, AND SCALE ......................................................... 617 20.8.  ARRAY, TEXT, HATCH, ELLIPSE, QLEADER, AND DRAW ORDER .......................................... 621 20.9.  LAYERS ................................................................................................................................ 625 

xiv Introduction to AutoCAD for Civil Engineering Applications

20.10.  MAKE & INSERT BLOCK, LAYOUTS, AND TEMPLATE FILES ................................................. 628 20.11.  DIMENSION .......................................................................................................................... 630 20.12.  AZIMUTHS, BEARING, AND CLOSED TRAVERS ..................................................................... 631 20.13.  RSS, LOTS AND BLOCKS ..................................................................................................... 633 20.14.  ROTATE, TEXT, BACKGROUND MASK, & TABLE COMMAND AND CONTOUR MAP ............... 635 20.15.  DRAINAGE BASIN DELINEATION ......................................................................................... 637 20.16.  FLOODPLAIN DELINEATION ................................................................................................. 638 20.17.  ROAD DESIGN: PLAN AND PROFILE ..................................................................................... 639 20.18.  ROAD DESIGN: CROSS-SECTION .......................................................................................... 640 20.19.  ROAD DESIGN: EARTHWORK ............................................................................................... 641 20.20.  FLOOR PLAN ........................................................................................................................ 642 20.21.  FLOOR PLAN (CONT) ............................................................................................................ 643 20.22.  FLOOR PLAN (CONT) ............................................................................................................ 644 20.23.  DIMENSIONS (ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING) ......................................................................... 645 20.24.  ROOF PLAN .......................................................................................................................... 646 20.25.  ELEVATION .......................................................................................................................... 647 20.26.  SITE PLAN ........................................................................................................................... 648

21.  HOMEWORK DRAWINGS ............................................................................... 649 

21.1.  GRID-1 (UNITS: INCHES)...................................................................................................... 649 21.2.  GRID -2 (UNITS: MILLIMETERS) .......................................................................................... 650 21.3.  LIGHT SIGNAL (UNITS: INCHES) .......................................................................................... 651 21.4.  PLATE WITH HOLES (UNITS: INCHES) ................................................................................... 652 21.5.  PIER (UNITS: MILLIMETERS)................................................................................................ 652 21.6.  PIPE CUTTER (UNITS: MILLIMETERS) .................................................................................. 653 21.7.  CIRCLE-TTR (UNITS: MILLIMETERS) .................................................................................. 653 21.8.  BARN (UNITS: INCHES) ........................................................................................................ 654 21.9.  GEOMETRICAL DESIGN IN LAYOUT (UNITS: INCHES) .......................................................... 655 21.10.  RECTANGULAR ARRAY (UNITS: INCHES)............................................................................. 655 21.11.  POLAR ARRAY (UNITS: INCHES) .......................................................................................... 656 21.12.  SPIRAL OF ARCHIMEDES (UNITS: MILLIMETERS) ................................................................. 657 21.13.  ELEVATOR SYSTEM (UNITS: MILLIMETERS) ........................................................................ 659 21.14.  FERRIS WHEEL (UNITS: MILLIMETERS) ................................................................................ 664

22.  BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................. 667

23.  INDEX .................................................................................................................... 671