Optimized 3D Reinforcement in Complex Shapes Using

Dynamo
Chris van der Ploeg MSc. Jelle Roks BSc.
Structural Engineer Structural Modeler
@ABTbv

© 2016 Autodesk Join the conversation #AU2016

 Class summary

Deriving from 2D reinforcement drawings in the past, 3D reinforcement modeling is

becoming common practice, and automatically generated reinforcement from calculations is
becoming reality. The next challenges are optimization of reinforcement layout and
dealing with complex-shaped geometry. This all starts with an integrated workflow, where
information is preserved and exchanged along all disciplines—from modeling (Revit
software), calculation, and documentation (SOFiSTiK software), to file-to-factory data
exchange and on-site verification (BIM 360 Field software). We will use cases from practice
to demonstrate this. Learn how to generate complex geometry and rebar parametrically
using the Dynamo extension for Revit software. Dynamo software’s parametric
infrastructure in conjunction with the advanced 3D finite element method (FEA) analysis
makes possible evaluation and optimization of structural performance. Hence, the realistic
simulation of the structural behavior of complex structures in reinforced concrete is
within reach.

© 2016 Autodesk
 Key learning objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to:

 Learn how to set up an integrated workflow between structural
engineers, modelers/drafters, and fabricators
 Discover the possibilities to create and reinforce complex-shaped
geometry in Revit using Dynamo
 Obtain and exchange rebar information for use in Finite Element
Analysis (FEA)
 Learn how to optimize rebar configurations using Dynamo and FEA

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 ABT | Building on ambitions www.abt.eu

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 2013

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 2014: 3D rebar

Autodesk Customer Succes Story 2014

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 2015: Dynamo

Dynamo Use Case 2015

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 AU2016: Optimisation of reinforcement

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 Compromise optimality: Approximation level

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 Compromise optimality: Limited time

 Simplifications

 Evaluated alternatives

 Differentiated elements

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 Compromise optimality: Increase of complexity

Geometry Rebar Modelling

Structural load bearing behaviour Constraints from excecution

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 Cynefin framework for complexity

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 Complexity in reinforced concrete structures
Design Fabrication
Geometry Rebar Structural
modelling behaviour
Drawing of
Use of standard
Straight lines or use of Practical
Obvious bar configuration
elements default Revit reinforcement
or rebar meshes
rebar tools
Geometry
Reinforcement Interpretation of
derived discrete Reinforcement
based on rebar drawings,
set of logical generated by
Complicated engineer's insight in
operations or rules
calculations situation
rules
Trial and error Mockups or
Simulation or
way of building with
Complex Blob ("potato") testing of structural
modelling is correcting
behavior
non-effective. measures
No insight in
cause-effect
No application
No definition or No rebar relations may
except innovator,
Chaotic model means modelling compromise
art or children’s
no geometry without a plan structural safety
playground
and is
unacceptable

© 2016 Autodesk
 Complexity in reinforced concrete structures
Design Fabrication
Geometry Rebar Structural
modelling behaviour
Drawing of
Use of standard
Straight lines or use of Practical
Obvious bar configuration
elements default Revit reinforcement
or rebar meshes
rebar tools
Geometry
Reinforcement Interpretation of
derived discrete Reinforcement
based on rebar drawings,
set of logical generated by
Complicated engineer's insight in
operations or rules
calculations situation
rules
Trial and error Mockups or
Simulation or
way of building with
Complex Blob ("potato") testing of structural
modelling is correcting
behavior
non-effective. measures
No insight in
cause-effect
No application
No definition or No rebar relations may
except innovator,
Chaotic model means modelling compromise
art or children’s
no geometry without a plan structural safety
playground
and is
unacceptable

© 2016 Autodesk
 Complexity in reinforced concrete structures
Design Fabrication
Geometry Rebar Structural
modelling behaviour
Drawing of
Use of standard
Straight lines or use of Practical
Obvious bar configuration
elements default Revit reinforcement
or rebar meshes
rebar tools
Geometry
Reinforcement Interpretation of
derived discrete Reinforcement
based on rebar drawings,
set of logical generated by
Complicated engineer's insight in
operations or rules
calculations situation
rules
Trial and error Mockups or
Simulation or
way of building with
Complex Blob ("potato") testing of structural
modelling is correcting
behavior
non-effective. measures
No insight in
cause-effect
No application
No definition or No rebar relations may
except innovator,
Chaotic model means modelling compromise
art or children’s
no geometry without a plan structural safety
playground
and is
unacceptable

© 2016 Autodesk
 Complexity in reinforced concrete structures
Design Fabrication
Geometry Rebar Structural
modelling behaviour
Drawing of
Use of standard
Straight lines or use of Practical
Obvious bar configuration
elements default Revit reinforcement
or rebar meshes
rebar tools
Geometry
Reinforcement Interpretation of
derived discrete Reinforcement
based on rebar drawings,
set of logical generated by
Complicated engineer's insight in
operations or rules
calculations situation
rules
Trial and error Mockups or
Simulation or
way of building with
Complex Blob ("potato") testing of structural
modelling is correcting
behavior
non-effective. measures
No insight in
cause-effect
No application
No definition or No rebar relations may
except innovator,
Chaotic model means modelling compromise
art or children’s
no geometry without a plan structural safety
playground
and is
unacceptable
© 2016 Autodesk
 Potential to use Dynamo
Generate
 Rule based geometry generation
 Rule based generation of rebar

Probe
 Evaluation of multiple design variants (known rules, complicated)
 Generate models for FEA simulation (unknown cause/effect, complex)

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 Problem solving strategy

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 Integrated workflow of
information exchange

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 Different demands, one project

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 Different demands, one project

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 Rules of Thump

- Global calculations
- Growing BIM
- PDF exchange
- Fabricator
- Builders

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 Adding data and detailing

- Global calculations
- Growing BIM
- PDF exchange
- Fabricator
- Builders

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 Old fashioned exchange

- Global calculations
- Growing BIM
- PDF exchange
- Fabricator
- Builders

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 Fabricate!

- Global calculations
- Growing BIM
- PDF exchange
- Fabricator
- Builders

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 On site

- Global calculations
- Growing BIM
- PDF exchange
- Fabricator
- Builders

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 Linear workflow ≠ Single Source of Truth

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 Loss of information in time

Data/information loss

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 Introduction to new software
- BIM360
- SOFiSTiK
- Dynamo (!)

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 SOFiSTik Reinforcement Detailing

- Translation from 3D reinforcement to 2D

- Generate bending schedules

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 SOFiSTik Reinforcement Detailing

- Translation from 3D reinforcement to 2D plans

- Generate bending schedules

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 Dynamo

- The future
- Repetition

- Coupling between other software

- Environmental impact calculations (CO2 emission)

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 Case study: Windmill Foundations part 1

Photo: Aspiravi

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 Case study: Windmill foundations part 1

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 Optimized workflow

- Repetition  windmill foundations

- 31 projects
- 345 foundations
- 6 shapes
- 6 anchorsystems

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 Bi-directional workflow

Excel input Reinforced BIM

Rebar generation by BIM360 usage

Dynamo
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 Create and reinforce complex-shaped
concrete elements in Revit using Dynamo

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 Known and unknown rules - shape

- System Families
- Loadable Families
- In-Place Models
- Import (.sat, .dwg etc.)
- Often unknown rules
- Dynamo
- Known rules or approximation

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 Case study: “The couch”

Architect: MVRDV
Structural engineer: ABT
Contruction: Romijn Bouw & Vericon

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 Import from third party software

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 Rule based geometry

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 Reinforcement the traditional way

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Photo: MVRDV
 Rebar generation by Dynamo

 Curve based
 Copy and adjust (rebar container)
 Related to face

 Dynamo for Rebar package

 Following surface, perpendicular, morphed
 BIM4Struc package

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 Face based

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 Case study: Windmill Foundations part 2

Photo: Aspiravi

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 Step 1 – Adjusting geometry

For the movie, refer to : https://youtu.be/8Yfs6XEC9bE or

http://autodesk.typepad.com/bimtoolbox/2015/10/rebar-modelling-in-revit-with-dynamo-use-case-by-abt.html

© 2016 Autodesk
 Step 1 – Adjusting geometry

For the movie, refer to : https://youtu.be/8Yfs6XEC9bE or

http://autodesk.typepad.com/bimtoolbox/2015/10/rebar-modelling-in-revit-with-dynamo-use-case-by-abt.html

© 2016 Autodesk
 Step 1 – Adjusting geometry

For the movie, refer to : https://youtu.be/8Yfs6XEC9bE or

http://autodesk.typepad.com/bimtoolbox/2015/10/rebar-modelling-in-revit-with-dynamo-use-case-by-abt.html

© 2016 Autodesk
 Step 2 – Bottom and top reinforcement

For the movie, refer to : https://youtu.be/8Yfs6XEC9bE or

http://autodesk.typepad.com/bimtoolbox/2015/10/rebar-modelling-in-revit-with-dynamo-use-case-by-abt.html

© 2016 Autodesk
 Step 2 – Bottom and top reinforcement

For the movie, refer to : https://youtu.be/8Yfs6XEC9bE or

http://autodesk.typepad.com/bimtoolbox/2015/10/rebar-modelling-in-revit-with-dynamo-use-case-by-abt.html

© 2016 Autodesk
 Step 3 – Stirrups and hairpins

For the movie, refer to : https://youtu.be/8Yfs6XEC9bE or

http://autodesk.typepad.com/bimtoolbox/2015/10/rebar-modelling-in-revit-with-dynamo-use-case-by-abt.html

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 Step 4 – Annotation

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 Using Dynamo to simulate
design alternatives

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 Direct calculation of rebar with known rules

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 Implement calculation rules in Dynamo

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 Design by comparison of forces with capacity

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 Calculate rebar using external software

Package Dynamo for Structural Analysis

SOFiSTiK Reinforcement Generation

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 Evaluation of multiple design alternatives

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 Evaluation of multiple design alternatives

Visualize using Mandrill package

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 Set cover problem

 86 columns round 700mm.

 m=13 rebar configurations

 Select n=3: 286 combinations

 Best pick?

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 Let Dynamo do the work.

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 Obtain and exchange rebar information
for use in finite element analysis

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 Reality - Revit model - FEA model

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 Properties of rebar

 Rebar geometry
 Rebar properties
 Diameter
 Bar Type
 Material
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 Interpretation of rebar in FEA software

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 Reality vs. FEA

 Anchoring effects not included

 Overlapping elements
 Continuous bars

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 How to deal with these differences

 Accept overlapping bars in analysis

 Seperate model for FEA
 Model continuous bars and add splices later
 Shorten bars to correct for overlapping length
 Join overlaps using Dynamo

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 Properties of rebar

 Rebar geometry
 Rebar properties
 Diameter
 Bar Type
 Material
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 Obtain rebar information

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 Rebar geometrie - Centerlines

Dynamo package BIM4Struct.Rebar

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 Rebar geometry - Transformation

Custom node
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 Meta data

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 Exchange of rebar information

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 No exchange of information

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 File I/O - Exchange of geometry only

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 FILE I/O – Structured information
Standard or custom format?

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 FILE I/O or Direct Link by API?

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 XML data exchange

Custom node
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 Optimization of rebar configuration
using Dynamo and FEA

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 Insight in failure vs. optimisation

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 FEA analysis

Savings up to 50% of total saved reinforcement

And up to 20% of overall total cost for the project

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 When to apply FEA

 Where stiffness influences load distribution

 Redistribution of loads after cracking
 Statically undetermined systems (continuous beams)
 Introduction of concentrated loads
 Multiple load bearing mechanisms

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 Why Dynamo workflow

 Efficiency
 Flexibility

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 Consequence: more design variants

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 External controle of Revit using journal files

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 Run Dynamo with journal Files

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 Using Dynamo to create journal files

package DynamoAutomation
By Andreas Dieckmann
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 Hello world

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 Dynamo as Master

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 DynamoStudio/Sandbox to run Dynamo scripts

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 Master-Slave workflow for optimization

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 Sensitivity analysis of crack width

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 Rebar optimization on steel stress
 Radial rebar top (r25, r20, r16)
 Savings 550 kg (-5%)

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 Insight in complexity by simulation

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specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2016 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
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