Residential Revit - Modeling Structure (The North Wing - PT 4) - Replay

 

On last nights episode of BIM After Dark Live we to look at the Residential Revit project I am working on ("The North Wing") and walked through how I approach modeling wood framed structures in Revit... 

There was tips and tricks on how I approach headers, floor framing, roof framing, framing plans, and more!  

Click here to watch the replay now... 

Notched Wood Column in Revit Tutorial (Office Hour Sessions)

 

On this episode of Office Hour Sessions I walk through a simple process to making notched wood columns in Revit for things like wood decks and heavy timber framed buildings. 

Every other week I hold a private call with members of the BIM After Dark Community.  I thought it would be valuable to highlight some of the conversations here on the channel.

If you think you could benefit from an Office Hour like this one, Join the BIM After Dark Community for full courses, support, and sample files today !

Click here to view the office hour session now....

Structural Modeling in Revit (Marcello's Framing Principles)

If you missed this episode live you definitely want to check out the replay.  In typical Marcello fashion he demonstrated unique ways of approaching "traditional" structural beam modeling techniques...

On this episode of BIM After Dark Live I was joined by the great Marcello Sgambelluri to talk about structural modeling in Revit.  I know this show (and my content) tend to be architecture heavy.  I'm an architect, what can I say?!  Well, this one goes out to our structural engineering friends using Revit.

Marcello is well known for create lots of "wild" things in Revit (like elephants) but he is a structural engineer at heart.  I could not think of a better person to come on and  share his best tips when modeling building structures in Revit!

We'll be covering a whole spectrum of topics from using analytical lines as helpers, to columns schedules, and even some Dynamo... 

Revit Structural Framing - Cut Rafter at Ridge Beam Revit Tutorial

In this Revit Structural Framing tutorial I run through two approaches to cutting rafters a ridge beams in Revit.  This tutorial was inspired by a member of the BIM After Dark Community, Chris.   Thanks Chris!

If you are interested in joining the other 150+ members (and myself) within the BIM After Dark Community, take advantage of the current 14 day free trial I am offering!

As a member of the community you'll get access to:

- Self-paced Revit courses (all four! and any new courses to be added in the future) with sample files, live chat, and community support.
- Access sample files from your favorite "Revit Kid" tutorial posts.
- Exclusive access to online "office hours" with Jeff and guests.
- Connect with other Revit users to share ideas, best practices, and ask/answer burning questions as a community.

Click here to start your FREE trial today...

Revit Tutorial - Angled Arched Beams

I was asked by a colleague is Revit could make an ellipse beam on an angle.  Once he showed me the sketch of what it was supposed to do I told him, "heck yeah".  Why was I so confident it could be done?  Well, I've seen Marcello make beams follow way crazier forms than an ellipse on an angle!

Using what Marcello has coined "sacrificial elements" the beams were a piece of cake.  In fact, they even contain the analytic lines still!  Check out the video and download the sample file...

Revit Structure Tip - 3D Reinforcement

I think I found this post because Marcello tweeted it... Not fully sure, but it was in my drafts here on the blog.  Anyways, some awesome stuff for Revit Structure... Or, I guess anyone using One Box??

First, a little about the publisher (Håvard Vasshaug):

"My name is Håvard Vasshaug and I’m a Digital Design Manager at Dark. I have a passion for the way digital 3D allows my imagination to play, and work out this passion using Revit. I also enjoy distributing knowledge, and often feel I’m in my element when I’m teaching Revit. I work worldwide with anything that relates to this from my base in Oslo, Norway. If you’re interested in learning something about Revit or BIM, please do not hesitate to contact me! "

 And now... Onto the goodies!...

Revit Tutorial: Revit 2014 – New Rebar Tools

Great little write-up on the new rebar enhancements for Revit 2014.

http://revitstructureblog.wordpress.com/2013/05/24/revit-2014-new-rebar-tools/

There was also a video linked in the post worth checking out...

Architecture vs. Structure ... Who "Owns" the Grids

I am going to put it out there... some architects may cringe... some engineers may rejoice.

Where I work it seems to be an ongoing battle between who "owns" the columns grids.  Some of the architects want complete control throughout the entire project.  Some could care less.  Some engineers refuse to copy the architect's grids... Others work with them...  In the end, it always seem to end up with two sets of grids.  One independent grid owned by the architect and drawn inside the architecture model.  The other owned by the engineer and drawn inside the structural model.

Let's break this habit NOW!

I propose a solution.  We use a basic three phase workflow (SD, DD, CD).  During the SD and beginning of the DD phase the architect will draw the grids.  This will allow for design intent, some control of where columns would like to go, and the ability to adjust them at will.  Once the architect considers the grids to be sufficient the engineer will link in the model and re-draw the grids (that's right... re-draw... not copy/monitor).

I am proposing that once the structural model has its grids in place the architect's grids will be removed and structural's grids will be copy/monitored (***Edit*** No need to REMOVE the architects grids because you can simply set up a "monitor" relationship between them.  See here.).  That's right... I said it.  The architect should copy/monitor the structural model's grids into the architectural model.

Because the only things that will be locked to a grid in the architectural model will most likely be dimensions and column enclosures a change in the grid location will have less of an unwanted modeling impact than on the structural model.  Of course, because of the copy/monitor a notification will make the architect aware of the change and... well... he or she will have to COMMUNICATE with the engineer....

Am I really that crazy??

Revit Structure Tutorial - Revit 2013 to Robot 2013

Nice little glimpse into the world of structural analysis and Revit from Lawrence...

Revit Structure 2013 to Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2013

Posted on May 20, 2012 

With the release of the Building Design Suite Ultimate 2013, many of you will now have access to Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2013. I thought I would spend a little time looking at the interface between Revit and Robot and also checking out some of the transfer options and how they work with the Revit 2013 release.

In older releases the transfer option from Revit to Robot was located on the extensions ribbon but this is now found on the Analysis ribbon along with the analyse in cloud option with Autodesk 360....

..... Click here to view the rest of the tutorial and post....

Revit Tutorials - Revit Structure 2012

Awesome find from Alan...  I am not sure if I ever posted about these but I thought I would re-post.  The Revit Addict YouTube channel has a whole series of Revit Structure 2012 tutorials....

Click here to see Alan's post...

Click here to visit the YouTube channel....

What Revit ARCHITECTURE Wants - Save Selection!

I am going to help Luke over at What Revit Wants with this one. I, too, have always wondered why us Revit Architecture users do not get the "Save Selection" feature the Revit Structure has...  Luke is asking his readers to leave feedback about it with Autodesk.  Together, I think we can make some noise.

Click here to see his post and what you can do about it...

Also, if you have been frustrated with the Room Phasing post I published then leave some feedback about that too!

It may not seem like it but Autodesk does read and listen to our blogs and your feedback.

Autodesk Project Storm - To the Cloud!

Project Neon, Vasari, and now Project Storm... All utilizing "the cloud" to manage major computing tasks...  Project Storm takes the process of performing Structural calculations in Revit Structure to the cloud!

• Click here for a nice write up on Project Storm
• Click here to try out and download Project Storm for Revit Structure.

I am loving the direction Autodesk is taking with the cloud.  I hope these previews can make their way into major releases (bug free) and on the cloud!

Revit Classroom Workflow - Step 3

Analyze

Analyzation of your building could require many programs and will force the you, the designer, to think about many other issues and aspects of your project besides the actual design.  What I mean by this is that the normal student will pick a material or two and be told  steel and concrete will work and then move on.  Unless the structure is given and restricted then there are many options to go from but yet every design course I have been in a majority of the class has the same wall sections and structure.

The use of the programs I introduced combined with a well built and thought out Revit model will allow  you to explore many different options for materials and for structure.  You will also be able to analyze graphically the effects changing the structure and materials will have on the building, concept, and  environment.

Structural Analysis:

Revit Structure and Robot Structural Analysis are completely free to students.  Why would you not download it and give it a try?  With basic structural knowledge learned in an introductory structures class you will be able to explore and understand many different structural options for your building.  If the professor requires a certain type of structure these programs can still be used to analyze if the structure given will fail.  If you want to feed the "wow" factor, Robot can create some awesome images for your presentation.

The important thing to keep in mind when adding structure to your model is DO NOT OVER MODEL!  It is very easy to get carried away and before you know it you are creating a parametric bolt and nut assembly!  Exploring Robot Structural Analysis and getting familiar with the program will give you an idea as to HOW much needs to be modeled.  This is why I am introducing these programs to you.  Understanding how the programs analyze will save you lots of time and teach you how much you truly need to model.

How much structure that actually needs to be modeled is very project specific.  In Revit Architecture, the components under the "Structure" tab will most commonly be used.  In some cases studs and floor joists will be required.  For a architectural design student every stud and rim board will be overkill.  A simple preliminary analysis is all that is needed (in most cases the "Structures" tab will have you covered.  Ultimately, the importance of this step is how it will force your brain to think differently about you project.  You will think outside of the model and further the information that will be extracted from it.

Energy and Environmental Analysis:

To take full advantage of your Revit model there are lots of energy analysis programs out there. The three I introduces to you were:

• Autodesk Ecotect
• Autodesk Green Building Studio
• Integrated Environmental Solutions

Green Building Studio is the only one you cannot get for free as a student.  Although, you can get a sixty day free trial (enough time for the last month of the course to make studies).

Once again, the program used will effect the thought process of how you will create the Revit model.  I.E.S. is my personal favorite.  It has a plug-in directly inside of Revit and is very user friendly.  All of the programs have great features for a design studio.  For example, in all of the programs it is as simple as adding walls, windows, doors, and creating a room.  You know that Room command in Revit that creates an annoying blue box that you always end up clicking?  One of the functions of that blue box is to calculate volumes.  Now, with I.E.S. you can take that one Room and analyze the effects of many different window, walls, and HVAC options on your building (see tutorial on I.E.S. page.. email me if you want a tutorial with more clarification).  This process will induce thoughts new thoughts about your design and you can see its effects on the environment and how it will "live" before it is even built.

The process described may seem obvious and may seem like common sense to some.  If you keep all of the information I just talked about in mind while designing and creating your Revit Model your concept becomes more dynamic.  Your building will be more coherent to you and others while simultaneously an intelligent virtual model is being created.  A model that will simulate the "life" of your building and how it will "live" without even being built.  

Remember... BIM.. Building INFORMATION modeling.  Get information out of your model!!