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Data import

Import 3D model

Allows the import of text files that contain the three-dimensional information (x, y, z) of the points. The import system allows the import of text files in any format: it is enough to set the separator type (“,” or “;”), the first row to read and the numbers of the columns containing x, y and z. The command “File data extraction” applies a filter to the data contained in the text file and extracts the coordinates of the points on which to perform the triangulation. Through the “Triangulate” button it is generating the digital model on which bi-dimensional verification sections can be created. The sections are exported for Slope using the “Assign the current section to Slope” button.

Import TriSpace sections

TriSpace is the topography software of GeoStru that allows the creation of elevation plans, contoured elevation plans, 3D representation, 2D and 3D sections. The sections are exported from TriSpace in text files with *.sec extension, having the following format: VERTEXSEC, x, y. In the figure below you can see an example file generated from TriSpace.

Example file generated from Trispace ready to be imported in Slope

Import DXF sections

The command is in the main tab, Import group → Import DXF sections...; alternatively, drag the .dxf file directly onto the drawing area. The import creates a new project: if the current work has not been saved, the program asks to save it first.

Preparing the DXF file

  • The file must be an ASCII DXF (AutoCAD 2000 or R12 format recommended); binary DXF files are not read.
  • The section must be drawn in the XY plane, in front view: X = horizontal distance, Y = elevation. The Z coordinate is ignored.
  • Topographic profile, base surfaces of the soil layers and water table must be open polylines (LWPOLYLINE or POLYLINE entities). Lines, arcs and splines are ignored; polylines must be neither closed nor contained in blocks (explode any blocks before exporting). Arc segments inside a polyline are read as straight segments between the vertices.
  • Each polyline must be on a dedicated DXF layer. If a DXF layer contains several polylines, the program reads only the first one it finds.
  • DXF layer names are not case-sensitive.
  • The topographic profile defines the extent of the section: the abscissas of the soil layer surfaces must lie within that of the profile (otherwise a warning is shown and the part outside is discarded). Soil layer surfaces shorter than the profile are extended automatically along their first and last segment until they intersect the profile.
  • Polylines drawn from right to left are reordered automatically.
  • Soil layer surfaces must be numbered from top to bottom: the polyline on DXF layer 1 is the base of soil layer 1 (the uppermost), the one on DXF layer 2 is the base of soil layer 2, and so on. The last soil layer needs no polyline: it extends to the bottom edge of the model.
  • Each polyline can have at most 2000 vertices.

Import window

After selecting the file, the DXF layer configuration window appears:

Field Meaning Default
Topographic profile layer name of the DXF layer containing the profile polyline 0
Number of layers number of soil layers in the model (1 to 30) 1
Layer No. / Layer name table with, for each soil layer, the name of the DXF layer of its base surface; the rows are Number of layers − 1 1, 2, 3, …
Water table name of the DXF layer of the water table polyline (optional) W
Scale factor divisor applied to all coordinates read from the DXF 1

With Number of layers = 1 only the topographic profile is imported. The Scale factor is used when the drawing is not in metres: the coordinates are divided by the given value, so for a DXF in centimetres enter 100, for a DXF in millimetres 1000. If the water table layer is the same as the profile layer, the water table is not imported.

After the import

  • Each soil layer is assigned a random colour; the geotechnical parameters must be entered in the Geotechnical properties table.
  • The imported water table becomes the active one and can be edited in the Groundwater table window.
  • If no polyline is found on the DXF layer specified for the profile, the import produces no result.
  • If a DXF layer listed in the table contains no polyline, that soil layer and the following ones are ignored.

Example: topographic profile on LAYER=0, base of soil layer 1 on LAYER=1, base of soil layer 2 on LAYER=2, water table on LAYER=W: in the window set Number of layers = 3 and keep the default names. The example file DXF_IMPORT_esempio.dxf is built this way: one open polyline on layer 0 for the profile and nine polylines on layers 1 to 9 for the soil layer bases, to be imported with Number of layers = 10.

Sections from TriSpace NX

2D sections created or composed in TriSpace NX (geostru.ai) are exported to DXF already with this layer structure.

The Import DXF command of the Geometrical data window of the M.R.E. module is different: it imports only the reinforcement profile from a single open polyline.

Import sections from Penetrometric tests The Dynamic and Static Probing software allows to connect the soil tests along a path and export them in an *.esp file. The esp file contains geometrical information (x, y, z) on the test and information on the test itself (number of blows, resistance, stratigraphy).

The topographical location is performed automatically, while the reconstruction of the stratigraphy is the responsibility of the operator, who will connect the layers belonging to the stratigraphic columns.

Import from LoadCap

LoadCap is a GeoStru software for the computation of bearing capacity and settlements of shallow foundations. For foundations on slopes it is necessary to perform the global stability analysis -the file exported from LoadCap contains all the information necessary to perform this analysis.