How do I make trenches around pipes in SketchUp?

There are two tools. For water and sewer (VA) pipes drawn in Skala Pipe, use the trench from pipes in Skala Pipe. For IFC pipes, use «Create trench» in Skala BIM.

Which one?

  • Drew the pipe network in Skala Pipe? Choose Skala Pipe. The trench can be updated when you change the pipes.
  • Have pipes and manholes from an IFC model? Choose Skala BIM.

Skala Pipe: trench from pipes (VA pipes drawn in Skala Pipe)

Steps

  1. Select a finished pipe network with «Valgt nett» (selected network).
  2. Click the trench icon in the toolbar above the long profile.
  3. Set side clearance, minimum bottom width, bedding and side slope (horizontal/vertical; 0 gives vertical sides).
  4. Use the selected terrain as the trench top, or set cover above the highest pipe top.
  5. Optionally add local offsets around manholes or along station intervals.
  6. Click «Lag grøft» (create trench). After changing the pipes, choose «Oppdater grøft» (update trench).

In: a pipe network or pipe bundle drawn in Skala Pipe, and optionally a selected terrain.

Limitations

  • Missing terrain, vertical runs and overlapping trench sides are rejected.
  • The tool does not change the pipes and does not cut the terrain.
  • The trench is open surfaces, not a closed solid.
  • Volume is calculated from the trench outline, including bedding, without deducting the pipes.

Result

A group of open trench surfaces (tag SP_Grøft) and a bedding surface (tag SP_Fundament). Manhole pits are included. You get a quantity in m³. The update can be undone in one step.

Skala BIM: «Create trench» (IFC pipes)

Steps

  1. Install Skala BIM and Skala Pipe with valid licenses.
  2. Put the terrain on the SS_Surface tag.
  3. Select pipes and manholes in the model.
  4. Run «Create trench». Skala BIM picks VA or Electrical from the properties. You can switch tabs manually.
  5. Skala Pipe finds the centerlines in the background. If a gap needs review, a dialog opens. Fix the gap or choose «Keep open».
  6. Skala BIM builds bottom and walls, merges overlapping trenches and trims to the terrain.

Already have a bottom surface? Use «Felles trau (mot terreng)» in Skala BIM. Select the bottom surface and set the slope, for example 1:1.5.

In: IFC pipes and manholes in the SketchUp model, and terrain on SS_Surface.

Limitations

  • Requires an up-to-date, licensed Skala Pipe.
  • The largest pipe diameter sets the width of a connected trench.
  • Vertical pipe runs are not excavated.
  • With «Keep open», no trench is built over the gap.

Result

One merged trench around the pipes, trimmed to the terrain, in SketchUp. Centerlines and pipe networks can be exported with Skala BIM as LandXML 1.2.