HYDTRENCH

HYDFDR
HYDCALC
HYDPFL

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E.

F-MITCHELL@ATT.NET
 HYDPFL
Abstract:
This software evaluates any roadway given a profile, a PGL tie, and a constant or variable typical
section. The edge of pavement profile can be plotted to analyze low points or flat grades.
Additionally, elevations for any point within a given profile, and typical section can be calculated.
This software is mainly a tool to analyze vertical geometries.

This software can be downloaded through the link below,

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jf8vsmhhq013mdd/AACJfnUjpiiCieTCusBS0JxEa?dl=0

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 1

 PROFILE CROSS SECTION CALCULATOR
Table of Contents Page
1.0 DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................................... 3
2.0 MAIN MENU ........................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Design Unit 7
2.2 Project Data 8
2.3 Profile Grade Line Tie 9
2.4 Profile Grade Line Worksheet 10
2.5 Typical Section Worksheet 12
2.6 Points on Transition Profile 13
2.6.1 Station Data 13
2.6.2 Table Display 14
2.6.3 Graphical Display 15
2.7 Points Elevation Profile 16
2.8 Cross-Section 17
2.8.1 Station Data 17
2.8.2 Table Display 18
2.8.3 Graphical Display 19
2.9 Calculator 20
2.10 Help About 21
2.11 Sample Printouts 22
3.0 REFERENCE ........................................................................................................................... 29

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 2

 PROFILE CROSS SECTION CALCULATOR
1.0 DESCRIPTION
The HYDPFL program was developed as a tool to help engineers quickly create a complete database
for a roadway project consisting of PGL-TIE, street profiles, and typical sections. An entire project
vertical geometry could be stored and evaluated by HYDPFL. Once all the vertical data have been
entered, any point defined by a station and offset that falls within a defined street; an elevation
value can be obtained.
The first step is to tie the Profile Grade Line (PGL) in relation with the roadway Centerline (CL). This
tie is defined by a set of distances at given stations. The PGL-CL tie is entered as linear geometry.
For the case of variable curvy-linear geometry, tie distance at intermediate stations shall be
entered. The sign convention used for the PGL-CL tie distance is as defined in figure 1.

Figure 1: PGL-CL tie graphical representation.

Once the PGL-CL tie has been set up, the next step is to enter a project profile. A profile is defined
by vertical points entered by stations, elevations, and parabolic vertical curves length. A point
along a vertical curve is calculated by the following formula.
= 2 + +

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 3

 2 1
=
2
= 1

Where:
y = roadway elevation at distance x from the beginning of the vertical curve
x = distance from the beginning of the vertical curve
c = elevation of a point on the vertical curve
G1 = initial roadway grade in percent
G2 = final roadway grade in percent

Following the set-up of the vertical geometry, the final step is to define a typical section. The typical
section is entered by segments. Each segment is defined by a begin station, begin offset, begin
width, begin slope in percent, and by an end station, an end offset, an end width, an end slope in
percent. Begin and end offset are from CL. Begin and end slope are defined from CL, slope going
above horizontal is entered as positive, while slope going below horizontal is entered as negative.
These parameters are illustrated in figure 2.

Figure 2: Typical Section Segment parameters.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 4

 2.0 MAIN MENU

A total of 13 icons are included

NEW
This icon will clear a project from memory.

OPEN
This icon will open a project file (filename.pfl).

SAVE
This icon will save a project file (filename.pfl).

UNIT
This icon will open the unit window.

PROJECT
This icon will open the project window.

PROFILE GRADE LINE TIE

This icon will open the PGL tie window.

PROFILE GRADE LINE

This icon will open the profile grade line window.

TEMPLATE
This icon will open the typical section window.

POINTS ON TRANSITION
This icon will open the points on transition (edge of pavement) conduit window.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 5

 POINTS ON PROFILE
This icon will open the points on profile window.

CROSS-SECTION
This icon will open the cross section window.

CALCULATOR
This icon will open the calculator window.

HELP ABOUT
This icon will open the help about window.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 6

 2.1 Design Unit

By clicking on either option, the project units will be changed, and all the data transformed
accordingly.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 7

 2.2 Project Data

The information entered here will be displayed on the printout.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 8

 2.3 Profile Grade Line Tie

The user enters the tie (offset) between the PGL and the roadway Centerline.

A total of seven command buttons are available.

PREV Displays the previous data.

NEXT Displays the next data.
ADD Adds a data to the last record.
INSERT Inserts a data at the current record position.
DELETE Deletes the current data.
REPORT Sends the displayed output values to the printer.
OK Close the window.

There is no limit on the amount of records a data file can have.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 9

 2.4 Profile Grade Line Worksheet

The user enters the tie (offset) between the PGL and the roadway Centerline.

A total of seven command buttons are available.

PREV Displays the previous data.

NEXT Displays the next data.
ADD Adds a data to the last record.
INSERT Inserts a data at the current record position.
DELETE Deletes the current data.
SOLVE Open a new window where the general analysis of the profile is displayed.
OK Close the window.

There is no limit on the amount of records a data file can have.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 10

 PRINT Sends the displayed output values to the printer.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 11

 2.5 Typical Section Worksheet

The user enters the roadway typical section by providing the starting station and ending station of
each roadway segment of the typical. Each segment is also defined by a begin and end offset from
the centerline, a begin and end width, and a begin and end slope expressed in percent.

A total of seven command buttons are available.

PREV Displays the previous data.

NEXT Displays the next data.
ADD Adds a data to the last record.
INSERT Inserts a data at the current record position.
DELETE Deletes the current data.
REPORT Sends the displayed output values to the printer.
OK Close the window.

There is no limit on the amount of records a data file can have.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 12

 2.6 Points on Transition Profile
2.6.1 Station Data

The user enters an edge of pavement transition within a typical section. The transition is defined
by stations and offsets. For example this could be a turn lane, or a lane line for which the elevations,
and the profile are seeking to be calculated. The user defines also the PGL Tie, the Profile, and
the Template. The transition profile will be calculated at each station interval increment sets by
the user.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 13

 2.6.2 Table Display

The results of the analysis are displayed in tabular format. The elevations along the PGL, and the
user inputted transition line are displayed at the station interval specified.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 14

 2.6.3 Graphical Display

The graphical display of the PGL, and transition profiles are displayed.
A total of eight command buttons are available.

PREV Displays the previous data.

NEXT Displays the next data.
SOLVE Calculates the points on transition profile.
ADD Adds a data to the last record.
INSERT Inserts a data at the current record position.
DELETE Deletes the current data.
REPORT Sends the displayed output values to the printer.
OK Close the window.

There is no limit on the amount of records a data file can have.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 15

 2.7 Points Elevation Profile

The user enters a point station and offset along with a PGL Tie, Profile, Template, and the
point elevation is calculated.
A total of eight command buttons are available.

PREV Displays the previous data.

NEXT Displays the next data.
SOLVE Calculates the points on transition profile.
ADD Adds a data to the last record.
INSERT Inserts a data at the current record position.
DELETE Deletes the current data.
REPORT Sends the displayed output values to the printer.
OK Close the window.

There is no limit on the amount of records a data file can have.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 16

 2.8 Cross-Section
2.8.1 Station Data

The user chooses a PGL Tie, a Profile, and a Template. The user also sets the begin station,
end station, and interval increment for the stations.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 17

 2.8.2 Table Display

The results of the analysis are displayed in tabular format. Each segment presents within a cross
section are displayed by begin and end point consisting of an offset and elevation, and the
segment cross-slope.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 18

 2.8.3 Graphical Display

The graphical display of the cross-section is displayed.

A total of eight command buttons are available.

PREV Displays the previous data.

NEXT Displays the next data.
SOLVE Calculates the points on transition profile.
ADD Adds a data to the last record.
INSERT Inserts a data at the current record position.
DELETE Deletes the current data.
REPORT Sends the displayed output values to the printer.
OK Close the window.

There is no limit on the amount of records a data file can have.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 19

 2.9 Calculator

This calculator performs interpolation and extrapolation of data points.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 20

 2.10 Help About

This window displays the version, author, and copyright label. This program can be ordered as a
package from the following address.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E.

f-mitchell@att.net
Phone: (305) 979-6387

Or by accessing the link below,

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jf8vsmhhq013mdd/AACJfnUjpiiCieTCusBS0JxEa?dl=0

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 21

 2.11 Sample Printouts
(PGL TIE)

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 22

 (Profile)

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 23

 (Typical Section)

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 24

 (Elevation of points along transition - Table)

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 25

 (Elevation of points along transition Graph)

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 26

 (Elevations of points at given station and offset)

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 27

 (Cross section graph)

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 28

 3.0 REFERENCE

Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance (Florida
Greenbook). Florida Department of Transportation, 2016.

Francis Mitchell, M.S., P.E. PAGE 29