New functions that revolutionize tunnel design have been implemented in the 3D road design software "STRAXcube"
PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. (Address: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Osamu Omoto) and Sanei Giken Co., Ltd., Ltd. (Address: Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture; Representative Director: Makoto Yamamoto) have implemented a new parametric tunnel design function in the 3D road design software "STRAXcube." This function was realized by PACIFIC CONSULTANTS sharing design issues with Sanei Giken Co., Ltd., and the two companies repeatedly discussing, prototyping, and verifying the function before incorporating it into "STRAXcube" provided by Sanei Giken Co., Ltd..
The development of this function will significantly improve the inefficient manual work and review process that relied on individual experience, which were issues in conventional tunnel design work. In addition to improving design accuracy and work efficiency, it will also enable the transfer of skills, contributing to improved productivity and quality assurance in the road and tunnel fields.
■ What is STRAXcube?
Sanei Giken Co., Ltd. provides high-precision CAD software that allows for 3D road design. It features a variety of functions, including 3D topographical map editing, linear input and adjustment, road route selection, detailed road design, and a road traffic simulator, seamlessly linking all design processes and streamlining the entire design flow. Furthermore, design data can be used directly as a 3D model, and features such as cut and fill calculations, slope generation, 3D conversion of intersections and structures, and automatic updating of quantity calculations enable greater productivity than conventional CAD.
■ New features implemented
・Building limit basis map creation function
This function allows you to select and set items that have subtle differences in interpretation depending on the operation of each regional development bureau and the designer's philosophy when setting the "construction limit," which is the starting point for tunnel design, while adhering to the "Explanation and Operation of the Road Structure Ordinance." The UI respects the designer's discretion and is easy to use even for junior engineers, and the set construction limit can be output as CAD data with each numerical basis and accurate 2D coordinates.
・Shield tunnel interior cross section examination function
This function utilizes STRAXcube's ability to automatically plot three-dimensionally changing construction gauges based on road alignments, allowing you to consider the optimal shield tunnel internal cross section for the entire route. It selects and places various equipment according to the shield tunnel's planning conditions, and automatically calculates the construction gauge and the smallest circle that encompasses them. Furthermore, because STRAXcube integrates road alignment and tunnel cross-section data, cross-section studies can be automatically updated to follow changes in road plans.
・Mountain tunnel entrance location review function
This function utilizes STRAXcube's highly accurate 3D surface intersection calculations to simultaneously visualize the 3D terrain and road alignment while considering the location of the tunnel entrance. It allows for parametric settings such as cross-sectional shape, earthwork width, tunnel entrance shape, back cut, and face wall shape, and automatically generates tunnel entrance construction that takes the terrain into account, improving the efficiency of creating comparison plans for each design proposal.
Through collaboration with our group companies, we will place emphasis on synergy effects and new value creation, further contribute to the sustainable development of society, and provide long-term value to our customers and partners.
For more information about STRAXcube, please visit the website of our group company Sanei Giken Co., Ltd..
https://sanei.co.jp/
Sanei Giken Co., Ltd.
Since our founding, we have been developing 3D road design CAD software based on the basic concept of 3D design so that our information system services can be used by many customers. Nowadays, we are working on the next technological development using the technology we have cultivated over the years, such as 3D design using BIM/CIM and the use of 3D road information for autonomous vehicles. Sanei Giken Co., Ltd. seeks out new needs through software and aims to be a cutting-edge technology development company that contributes to society.
We develop and deploy models that support the functions required for design studies in a variety of fields. Our website, "INSIGHT," explains the benefits of design using BIM/CIM and parametric models.
・What is BIM/CIM?
https://en.pacific.co.jp/insight/2025/04/bimcim01.html
・What is a parametric model?
https://en.pacific.co.jp/insight/2025/08/parametric-model01.html