This article provides a comprehensive guide on constructing a model in Revit Structure by placing columns for lateral resisting frames and vertically loaded elements. It takes readers through the process of selecting the appropriate column sizes, setting parameters, and placing them in the correct direction and location in the model.
Key Insights
- The article demonstrates how to load the three different types of columns that are commonly used in construction: a 14x211 for the moment frames, a 14x120 for the brace frames, and a 14x43 for the vertically loaded columns.
- Initial placement of the columns can be done in a vertical mode by rotating them and aligning them according to the engineer or designer's specifications. The placement can be modified at any level of the building, and the columns can be set to reach any specified level, like the roof.
- After placing the columns, they can be connected to the concrete columns by adjusting the base offset. This is crucial for the overall design since the columns need to be connected in the model.
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Hello, and welcome back to Revit Structure. Let’s get started. Now that we’ve got our basic model started, let’s begin working vertically.
This means we’re going to start placing columns for our lateral-resisting frames and our vertically-loaded elements. First, go to Structure > Columns, and here we have a W10×49. We want to load three columns that our designer has specified.
Go to Edit Type, then click Load in the dialog box. Navigate to Structural Columns > Steel > W Shape (Wide Flange Columns).
Another dialog box will appear showing a variety of shapes. The three columns specified for the moment frames are a W14×211, so let’s scroll down and find it. Here are the 14-inch columns.
This designation means the column is 14 inches deep and weighs 211 pounds per linear foot. That’s the first one. The second is a W14×120 for the brace frames, and the third is a W14×43 for the vertically-loaded columns.
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Click OK, then click OK again. Now let’s go to our Wide Flange Columns and select the moment-resisting column, which is the W14×211.
We’re going to place these at the locations provided by the engineer or designer. You’ll notice the column is placed vertically by default. Since we need it rotated relative to the plan, press the spacebar to rotate it.
Let’s check our parameters before placing the columns.
We’re looking for the Height setting, which determines if the column goes upward in the building. That’s correct—we want it to extend up to the Roof. You can select any level in the building, but in this case, we know these columns go to the roof. So let’s begin placing them.
Our first location is here, and you’ll notice it snaps automatically to the grids. Place it. Let’s move on to the next one.
When the grids change color, that indicates the location we want because it’s at the intersection of the grids. We can now see that this one needs to be in the strong direction, which is vertical to the sheet. So let’s place it by pressing the spacebar.
There you have it. Let’s continue. Again, this one needs to be in the strong direction, which is horizontal to the plan. Rotate it and place it.
And one more set at the top of the sheet—rotate it and place it. Okay, that’s it for our moment-resisting columns.
Let’s move on to our brace frame columns. We don’t need to exit the command, which makes this efficient. Go to the Type Selector drop-down and select W14×120.
Okay, let’s start placing those. Again, we need these in the strong direction. This is where our first brace frame will be.
So let’s rotate it, place it, place it again—and this one is vertical to our plan. Rotate it, place these columns, rotate, place these columns, rotate one last time, and place the final ones. Okay, we’ve placed our brace frame columns.
Let’s move to our last element, the vertical load-bearing columns. The designer has specified W14×43. Let’s select that.
Navigate to the appropriate locations. Again, we want these in the strong direction, which is horizontal to the plan. Select it.
Place it. Place the next one. Place the following one.
What we’re going to do now is place these in the remaining positions where columns are missing. Place that one. Scroll up to find other locations without columns.
Place it. Continue placing. Two more. One last one. Okay, we’ve placed our columns.
Now press Escape to exit the command, or go to Modify and click the element twice. Let’s use Zoom to Extents (ZX) and take a look. We now have a fairly consistent plan.
Let’s switch to a 3D View. Looks very good. Let’s try a different perspective.
Scroll down to the base. You’ll notice that the column doesn’t quite reach the concrete column below. In our model, we need these to be connected—that’s required for our design.
Let’s go to a Side View, and select all the steel columns. Open the Properties palette.
We know that the concrete columns are located 9 inches below the finished floor. Since we’re placing from Level 1 and need to go below that, we’ll update the Base Offset to -9".
Enter -9". Go back to the view—the columns automatically adjust.
Let’s take one final look. Now our columns are properly connected. Very good. Exit this view.
Return to the Plan View. That’s it for this video. We’ll see you in the next one.