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CONTENTS
Overview of the Revit
Structure Extensions..2
Workflow for Floor
Design and Analysis...3
Example Projects........9
Summary.....................12
FIGURE 2
Applying Loads to Analytical
Model in Revit Structure
Step 2: Analyze/Design the Floor Framing for Strength and Deflections using the Composite
Design Extension
Select the area of the floor to be designed or analyzed. For the CDE, the engineer can
select individual members, groups of members, or the entire floor (as long as the floor slab
is continuous). Typically the CDE will be used first to evaluate the member strengths and
static deflections, followed by a check of vibrations using the VAE.
Initiate the extensions using the Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 Extensions Manager
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2011 Composite Design. The
extension opens a new dialog box with the selected members highlighted.
FIGURE 3
Launching the Composite
Design Extension from
Autodesk Revit Structure
2011
Launching the Composite Design Extension from Autodesk Revit Structure 2011
Using the CDE, members can be optimized or checked for both composite and non composite action. For composite members, the CDE will check the pre-composite loads
and post composite loads for strength and deflection criteria against the American
Institute of Steel Construction standards and user settings. Numerous design settings
are available to the engineer to fine-tune the design.
FIGURE 4
Member selection and
detailed design information
from Composite Design
Extension (clockwise from
top right: stud layout,
moment diagram, detailed
results report)
When satisfied with the design, clicking OK on the CDE dialog will update all of the
members in the Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 model with the new member size,
camber, and stud count (for composite members).
FIGURE 5
Updating the Revit
Structure Model after
design in Composite
Design Extension
Step 3: Check the Design for Vibration Serviceability using the Vibration Analysis Extension
Last, the design is checked for vibration serviceability using the VAE. The VAE analyzes
bays in the floor framing, either from the user selected members or by inferring them
from the slab that is selected by the user.
FIGURE 6
Launching the Vibrations
Analysis Extension from
the Revit Structure Model
after Designed
The VAE analyzes the floor based on user settings, and it can consider walking
excitation, rhythmic excitation, and sensitive equipment vibrations as recommended
in the American Institute of Steel Construction Design Guide #11 Floor Vibrations due to
Human Activity.
Bays that do not pass the vibration criteria can be adjusted in Autodesk Revit Structure
2011 and re-analyzed as required.
FIGURE 7
Vibrations Analysis Options
(top) and Detailed Results
(bottom) from the Vibrations
Analysis Extension
Example Projects
The following examples illustrate real projects for which the Composite Design and Vibrations
Analysis extensions were used. The extensions are very useful for both new design and
evaluation of existing designs.
Conceptual Design of New Floor Hospital Outpatient Clinic Building
For a new three-story medical outpatient clinic building, several different design options
needed to be considered for the floor framing. The design criteria were established in
conjunction with the owner and architect as follows:
6" floor slabs using 3" composite slab-on-deck construction
Maximum beam/girder depth of 18"
Live load of 100 psf for entire floor
Walking vibration criteria per AISC Design Guide #11
The design engineer created three different bay framing options in a Autodesk Revit
Structure 2011 model (utilizing a linked Revit Architecture model for the column grids
already established by the architect), including beam layouts, slabs on deck, and preliminary
loads . Next, the Composite Design Extension was used to optimize the beam sizes within
the established depth restriction from the architect of 18". The member sizes and stud
counts were then saved directly back into the Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 model. Each
design was also checked for vibration serviceability using the Vibrations Analysis Extension.
FIGURE 8
Takeoff analysis of three
options for hospital
building layout, based on
Revit Structure schedule/
quantity table
Finally, a member piece count and steel weight were calculated using the Autodesk Revit
Structure 2011 Scheduling/Quantities feature. A graphical summary of the results was
prepared for consideration by the owner and construction manager, upon which the most
economical scheme was selected. This scheme was immediately converted into a production
Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 model to begin detailed design.
To perform the analysis, the engineer first created a Revit Structure model, utilizing AutoCAD background drawings provided by the owner. Member sizes and stud counts were
directly input into the Revit Structure model from information provided on the original
design drawings. The AutoCAD background drawings also indicated the floor plans with
partitions and proposed locations for new storage spaces. Using the AutoCAD drawing
as an overlay in Revit Structure, the engineer sketched the loads in different areas to
help simulate the effects of the high density file storage system (superimposed onthe other
live loads present in the office and the actual partition loads as measured in the building).
Each loading case was analyzed using the Composite Design Extension to help determine
if the members met both strength and deflection criteria. Detailed results were printed
indicating member pass/fail status.
Ultimately, working with the client, a location was selected that required minimal structural
reinforcement to the steel framing.
10
FIGURE 10
Revit Structure model of new
Fitness Center (front part
of building, with elevated
composite floors) and Natatorium (rendering produced in
Autodesk 3D Studio Max
Design software)
The integrated extensions proved to be invaluable tools during detailed design for this
project, since they could be rapidly deployed to check, fine-tune, and resize elements
without resorting to a complete re-analysis using other software.
11
Summary
The Revit Structure Extensions for steel framed floor design apply to both composite and
non-composite floors, and can be used to more quickly analyze member strength and
serviceability, more rapidly explore different design concepts for floor framing, and help
create optimum framing designs by weight, cost, or depth. The new Vibrations Analysis
Extension also helps users to evaluate all three vibration serviceability criteria included in
the AISC Design Guide #11 Vibrations due to Human Activity.
The Extensions work directly inside of Revit Structure by reading information from the analytical model, and saving results directly back into the model file. By using a single model,
engineers can often eliminate the need to create and maintain separate models in third
party applications, thus improving their efficiency in performing daily design tasks. Furthermore, even in complex models where third party design tools are required, the extensions
are a very useful tool for helping with quick design revisions, quality assurance checking, and
the review of third-party analysis results for accuracy.
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