Step by Step Workflow from Structural Design to Fabrication

Right away, it may appear to be that structural engineers are simply experts whose work is to design the construction of a structure or an undertaking, perform series of numerical computations about the strength and flexibility of an assembled structure, however it’s more than that. Structural Engineers design, oversee design changes and updates every day. Planning the design models and drawings while keeping up with the quality is a test structural engineers face day by day. In view of keeping this, we will investigate associated Structural BIM work process between Revit, Robot Structural Analysis (RSA), and Advance Steel to assist Structural Engineers with their modeling endeavors for drawings, examination, and manufacture enumerating.

Add Start & End Releases

In this progression, open the structural model in the Revit. To begin, add Start\End Releases to each scientific bar inside the logical model. Indicate the level of opportunity at each bar end. For instance, Structural Columns, Rafters, and Main Beams require being set with Fixed Releases and for Purlins and Bracings; they should be set with Pinned Releases. To add the deliveries, follow the beneath steps:

1. Open the Structural Model in Revit.
2. Open the 3D view and open the Graphics Overrides dialogue to enable the Analytical Model Categories in the view and click Apply.
3. In the 3D view, select the ‘Column’ from the A-7 grid section. Right-click on it and select ‘Select All Instances’ and then from the submenu, select ‘In Entire Project’.
4. After this, select the ‘Analytical Columns’ from the drop-down menu.
5. Open the ‘Properties’ menu, and go to the ‘Base Release’ and ‘Top Release’ and select the ‘Fixed’ option.
6. Repeat steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 for Grid D, Rafters, Main Beams, etc.
7. For Purlins, Repeat steps 3, 4, 5, and 6, but instead select the ‘Pinned’ option.
8. Open the Analytical Model view and select the ‘Front view’ from the view section. Using the selection from bottom-right to top-left, select the ‘Vertical Braces’ from the right side of the view.
9. Repeat the above step for the Horizontal Braces.
10. Go to the 3D view, Save and Close the project.

Add Boundary Conditions in the Model

In this progression, add limit conditions at the lower part of the Column in the model. This progression is vital as it will indicate the help states of the construction of the structure. Thus, adding limit conditions is extremely significant as each segment of insightful hubs should be covered. Follow the underneath steps to add limit conditions:

1. Open the file in Revit.
2. In the ’Analytical Model’ view and open the ‘Analyze’ tab, select the ‘Boundary Conditions’ icon.
3. Select ‘Point’ in Boundary Conditions Type and in the properties drop-down menu select the ‘Fixed’ state. Click ‘Apply’.
4. In the canvas, click on the bottom of every Column analytical Node from Grids. After this, click ‘Esc’.
5. Open the Structural Plan and open the ‘Base’ view. Open the ‘Visibility/Graphics Overrides’ dialog and enable the Analytical Model Categories in this view. Switch on the ‘Analytical Nodes’ category and then click ‘Apply’ and then click on ‘OK’.
6. Zoom in on the Grid. Repeat the step 3, 4 and for setting the boundary conditions.
7. In the end, go to the ‘3D View’, Save, and Close the project.

Add Load Information- Cases and Combinations

In this progression, we will move the Model made in Revit to Robot Structural Analysis, dissect the structural model, move the outcomes back in the Revit and afterward imagine the entire construction or by the determination. Follow the underneath steps to investigate and picture the structural model:

1. Open the ‘Analytical Model’ view, select the ‘Analyze’ tab and from the drop-down menu, select ‘Robot Structural Analysis. Then click on the ‘Robot Structural Analysis Link’.
2. In the dialog that opens, click on the ‘Send Options’ button.
3. Verify and select ‘DL’ case that contains self-weight in the option. Press ‘OK’ to save.
4. Click on ‘Send model’ in the direction of integration with Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis and select ‘Direct integration’ in the type of integration.
5. Robot Structural Analysis software will import the model from Revit. Press on the ‘Calculations’ command on the taskbar.
6. The robot will perform the calculation and will reflect it in the ‘Calculations Messages’.
7. From the taskbar, click on the Revit icon, to bring the Revit model in front. Then from the ‘Analyze’ tab, click on the ‘Robot Structural Analysis’ drop-down menu and select the ‘Robot Structural Analysis Link’
8. In the dialog box that opens, update the results of the calculations by selecting ‘Update model and results’ and ‘Direct integration’ options. Then import the analysis results from Robot by clicking ‘OK’.
9. In the following dialog box, un-select the ‘Required reinforcement results package’ option.
10. In the ‘Analytical Model’ view, open the ‘Visibility/Graphics Overrides’ menu, select the Analytical Model Categories, and un-select the ‘Structural Loads’ category. Press ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’
11. From the ‘Analyze’ tab, click on the ‘Results Explorer’ button.
12. View the results for the Analytical model dialog, select the load case and for results for members, select the ‘Moments My’ option. Press ‘Apply’. In this step, the model will populate the moment diagrams on the strong axis of the beams for load combination.
13. To disappear from the model, uncheck the ‘Moments My’ option and press ‘Apply’.
14. In the canvas, select a rafter and a column, then select the ‘Moments My’ option and press Apply. The moment diagrams will be displayed only for the selected elements.
15. Save and Close the project.