Construction Modeling in

Autodesk Revit Structure

Jeremiah Bowles Black & Veatch Engineering

Welcome to Construction Powertrack!

This is a LAB not a lecture!

Tips & Tricks for Construction Utilization

@THErevitcoach on Twitter

Join us on Twitter: #AU2013

Who am I?
Work out of CIO Group at Black & Veatch Engineering
Corporate BIM Design & Construction Technology Manager
Leader in Innovation & Productivity Solutions
5th Year Presenting at Autodesk University
Working on MS in Project Management at University of Kansas with previous
undergraduate work in Construction Management, Architectural Engineering
and Business.
Using BIM in Construction & Design since 2001
Revit user since Release 5.5 in 2004

Class Summary
CR1506-L-P Construction and engineering professionals get hands-on training
on how to transition from a LOD 300 to LOD 350 model for enhanced
construction utilization. This lab demonstrates how to take full advantage of
Autodesk Revit Structure software models using parts and assembly tools, rebar,
parameter strategies, and advanced families to extend BIM into construction
using Autodesk Navisworks Manage software to schedule, estimate, and use
the Revit Structure model for shop drawings. We discuss the value of the
engineering model and potential for contractors to use it in planning, sequencing,
animation, location, detailed shop drawings, fabrication, and estimation. This lab
features a Tilt-Up construction project example.

Key learning objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to:
Use vital engineering modeling tools that assist in estimation, fabrication, and
construction assembly
Explain how construction firms can take advantage of the engineer's model
beyond traditional 4D animation and 5D estimating tools
Take advantage of advanced techniques and strategies to easily control the
engineer's model effectively
Explain how engineering and construction firms can work together for mutual
benefit-finding synergy

Agenda
1

1:15 10:20
(10 min)

Introduction
Can contractors Benefit from Modeling in Revit?
Overview of A|E Model, CM / CE Needs, Optimum Workflow,
Record Model, Synergy

Extending the Engineers Model to Construction

10:20 10:30
(35 Min)

10:30 11:00
(30 Min)

Model Clean-up, Construction Modeling Parts, Defining Profiles,

Rebar, Creating Assemblies, Documentation, and Schedules

Consuming Revit Data to Automate Navisworks

Bringing through Parts, Assemblies, and Parameters to
Automate Navisworks Simulations

Construction Perspectives on Modeling in Revit

Contractor Benefits of Modeling in Revit:

Beyond the Low Hanging Fruit!

Not enough time to re-MODEL a project, Time Consuming

Trades dont use Revit
Things will change
We dont have time.
Good Buzzword
Well get this in the as-builts
The owner isnt requiring BIM
Construction Planning processes dont really work well with BIM
Great marketing material! Simulating in Navisworks is great dog and
pony show.
We already have 3D models, Revit is just new lipstick.

Can BIM be extended in Construction with Revit?

Examples: Foundation, Slab-on-Grade, Structure and enclosure
Foundation
Sequence
Type of Foundation
Pile As-builts

Slab Pour
Wall
Sequence
By Type (TU,PC, CIP,
CMU)
Casting beds for tilt-up
Lifting sequence

Can BIM be extended in Construction with Revit?

Examples: Slab Pour sequence, crane path.

Slab Pour
Break into Parts
Create Parts Tag to label
Color Fills by lift sequence
using Filters
Parameter map to
Navisworks of Roof Parts
Shuffle the deck in Revit, not
in Navisworks.
Estimate Quantities by pour

Can BIM be extended in Construction with Revit?

Examples: Pre-cast + Interior Build Sequencing
Tilt-up, Pre-Cast,
Cast-in-place phasing.
Wall Sequence
Break walls into Parts
Create Tag to label
Color Fills by lift sequence
using Filters
Parameter map to
Navisworks of Roof Parts
Shuffle the deck in Revit,
not in Navisworks.
Shop drawings (Assemblies)

Can BIM be extended in Construction with Revit?

Examples: CMU, Piping, Support Structure
Break CMU walls into Parts
Create Parts Tag to label
Different Tag color for
different Crews
Color Fills by shade filled
region.
Map Revit Parts Parameter
map to Navisworks
Shuffle the deck in Revit,
not in Navisworks.
Estimate Block by phase

Can BIM be extended in Construction with Revit?

Examples: Interior Build Sequencing
Interiors Sequence
Add Build Seq.
parameter to room
category
Use existing rooms
Color fill by build_seq
param.
Simple label text
Parameter map to
Navisworks of Build
sequence

Can BIM be extended in Construction with Revit?

Examples: Roof Sequencing

Finding synergy:
Why re-Model use Revit

Roofing Sequence
Break into Parts
Create Tag to label
Color Fills by Filled
Region
Parameter map to
Navisworks of Roof
Parts

Extend the Engineers Model in Revit:

Beyond Detailing Paradigm to LOD 350

Parts & Assemblies (Initial Steps to Workface Packaging)

Rebar Tools

Extending the Engineers

Model to Construction
Using Revit!

Why dont Engineers model Rebar?

Effort vs. Reward (WIIFM - Whats in it for me?)

Schedules
What value is it for the Contractor?

Everything else
e.g. Embeds, supports, beam pockets, material overrides, lift
points, bracing, shoring, framed connections, logistics modeling.

Lab 1~8 Topics

Model Clean-up
Construction Modeling Parts
Defining Profiles
Rebar
Creating Assemblies
Documentation
Schedules

Bridging the BIM Data Divide

Strategy:
Dont re-model just extend model uses.
Break up model in Revit
Consuming Grouped Elements for Level 3, 4, & 5
Workface planning. (i.e. Parts & LOD 350 Components,
Assemblies)
Nest Parameters into Revit Objects via assemblies that reflect
sequencing.
Simulate in Navisworks to validate.
Change Parameters in Revit to Shuffle the Deck

Consuming Revit Data to

Automate Navisworks

Lab 9~11 Topics

Consuming Revit Data

Automated Selection (Search Sets)
Schedule Automation (rules)
Animation (s)

Conclusion
What does this all mean?
Think about how the tools can enable better workface
packaging and planning Level 3,4, & 5 Scheduling.
The Engineering tools in Revit can break up the model
into meaningful construction uses.
What was once managing several documents can be
consolidated into assemblies.

AU 2013 Additional Resources

SE1588-L - The Prolific Potential of Parts
FB1846 - Precast Concrete Industry Extensions for Autodesk
Revit Structure 2014
FB2971 - Modeling Precast Concrete to a Shop Drawing Level
Using Autodesk Revit Structure
FB2457 - Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Revit Structure
for Precast Structures
SE1669 Generation of Rebar Objects Using Results from
Analysis and Design
SE3142-L - Modeling Reinforcement and Creating Shop
Drawings in Autodesk Revit Structure

Dont forget to do the surveys!

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