Connections code check

• ​Parametric steel connections
• Built-in steel connection design engine based on US and European codes
• Model accuracy
• Complete design intent with standard connections
• Communication enhancements
• Better coordinated designs and documentation that extends to fabrication
• Accurate Quantities for Steel BoM
• Accurate and Consistent Steel Content
• Industry Standards compliance (AISC 15^th Edition)

 

 

Structural engineering enhancements:

• Accurate and Consistent Steel Content
• Industry Standards compliance
• Accurate Quantities for Steel BoM
• Extended for 2019: Eurocode, ANZ, Germany, France,
      Poland, US, India

 

 

 

 

Generic Connections

Generic connection represents connection types as a symbol and is the simplest way to add connection information to your model. It displays the joined and connected elements as a circle with line segments radiating out toward the connected elements.

 

 

 

The filled circle shows which connected member is the main one, it can be changed by picking the empty circle or by dragging the filled circle.

 

 

 

 

Connection will always show in Generic form in detail levels Medium and Coarse. Realistic connections are displayed in Fine.

 

 

Control the visibility and graphic of steel connections model objects in the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog under Structural Connection category and Specific subcategories:

• Anchors
• Bolts
• Hidden Lines
• Holes
• Modifiers
• Others
• Plates….

 

 

Steel Connections Types

The Steel Connections for Revit offers 130 parametric steel connections available in 8 groups. Connections are loading into projects using the Structural Connection Settings. It is important to not overburden your project with connections you do not plan to use immediately as it will increase file size.

Beam end to end

Column – Beam

General bracings

Miscellaneous

Plates at beam

Platform beams

Purlins & cold rolled

Tube connections

 

Connections also allow for exchange of connection information between structural engineers & steel detailers through sharing Approval Status and Images of hand drawn sketch. This information can also be transferred to ACAD-Advanced Steel.

 

 

 

 

Steel Connection Modification

Steel Connections can be modified by both Instance and by Type. To edit a connection by Type, select a connection and in the Properties pallet select Edit Type and next to Modify Parameters select Edit.

 

To edit a connection by Instance, in the Properties pallet enable ‘Override by instance’ and select Edit next to Detailing Parameters.

 

Autodesk Steel Connections Code Checking

• AISC/EC3
  • Check steel connections according to these standards
• Settings menu:
  • Options that control the report content
• Forces and moment used
  • Automatic values or Use load cases or Values entered manually
• Check or Presize
  • Choose if you want to verify or run an iterative process
• Code checking status:
  • Not calculated, Checking failed, OK Checked
• Generating a report:
  • Creates a document displaying all the verifications done

Modify parameters adjacent to Advance Steel dialogues

When editing connections with “Column Shortening” be sure to pick the appropriate option for elevation references. The default “Plate Thickness” will be used as we keep column elevation tags at the bottom of base plate in our schedules.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steel Connection Workflow

1. Model the structural members, columns and beams etc.
2. Tag modeled beams in plan. Add all required elevation and member tags in column schedule.
   Note: If connections on members are placed prior to generating elevation or annotation tags an error occurs where the tags center location is placed out in space. Therefore, care must be given to create steel connections towards the end of a project during the detail design phase.
3. Navigate to desired view and select Steel tab > Connection.
   
4. From the Type Selector choose the appropriate connection. (if connection have not been loaded, use the Structural Connection Settings to load them)
   
5. Select structural members to add connections to holding Ctrl for multiple selection and hit Enter when done.
   
6. If required change the main member by dragging the filled blue circle onto a different member.
   
7. (Optional) Select the connection and Rick-Click > Propagate Connection to create the connection on all other similar member that are visible in the view.
   Note: To prevent Propagate Connection on a member, you can temporarily crop it in the view using the cropping window.
   
   

 

Customizing Connections

Revit 2020 and on allows for the creation of custom connection manually and to be reused for future connections. You create the connection with Plates and Bolts using the tools in the Steel Tab and add them to the Steel Connection library.

1. Start by opening a 3D view and zoom into a location where a custom connection is needed then select Steel Tab > Plate.
   
2. On the Modify|Create Steel Plates tab select Show then Set option.
   

3. In the Work Plane dialog, use Pick a Plane option and select a face on the column as your work plan. It is important to choose a face which is perpendicular to the plane the plate will extrude. 
   
4. Draw the profile of the plate using the draw tools and ensure it is an enclosed shape.
   NOTE: Ensure the sketch is dawn at the start or end of the extrusion, as opposed to the center. You may need to repeat the previous step and pick a new plane.
   

5. Select Finish and use the Properties to set the thickness.
6. The next step is to create the Bots to fix the plate onto the column and rafter. On the ribbon click Steel > Bolts and select the new plate and a column while holding Ctrl and press Enter once done.

 

7. Immediately after you will be required to pick a face on the Plate to place the Bolts.
   
8. On the Modify | Create Bolt Patterns tab select rectangle and draw where you need the bolts positioned. Then select Finish.
   Note: After ending the command you can no longer edit the sketch. To make a change delete the bolts and redraw.

9. Repeat the process to add the bolts to the rafter and plate.
10. We have now finished modeling the connection, next we will convert into a connection type. On the ribbon click Steel > Connection and choose Generic Connection from the type selector and place a generic connection between the beam and rafter.
    
11. Select the new Generic Connection and on the Modify|Structural Connection select Customize then provide a name for the connection using the LBA Standard naming.

12. Ensure Add mode is selected and select the components modeled and hit Finish.
    

The new Steel Connection has been created and will appear in the type selector. All typical connection commands such as ‘Propagate Connection’ will work on custom connections. You can transfer custom connections from one project to another using ‘Transfer Project Standards’.

 

About the Author

Building Applications Expert<br><br>Leveraging his background in both MEP and manufacturing, Navid puts his talents to work for clients by providing insights into their BIM process and tools. With over 7 years’ experience working at large multi-disciplinary firms across Canada such as Morrison Hershfield, Arup, WSP and The Mitchell Partnership, and 6 years of consultation experience at IMAGINiT; Navid seeks to make a measurable contribution to each of our clients through creative leadership, teamwork and a passion for computational design and engineering. His knowledge of data centers design, plumbing, as well as heating and cooling systems helps him offer clients aid when streamlining their systems. Navid helps with training, consulting, custom object building, writing standards and more.

More Content by Navid Hoorzad