Revit for Structural Engineering

Autodesk Support

Jan 29, 2023

by Tomasz Fudala, Technical Marketing Manager for Structure • on June 28, 2017

Revit allows structural engineers to create their models and documentation in an advanced BIM environment. Engineers can use Revit to produce accurate design intent models, providing other engineers and detailers with the information they need to develop models at a higher level of fidelity for fabrication and installation purposes.

Dynamo for Revit is a visual programming interface that lets engineers use computational methods to design organic and optimized buildings and structures faster than with traditional modeling tools.

Dynamo allows users to create, associate, and analyze multiple building parameters that revise their designs automatically. Engineers can then iterate and evaluate design options with ease, and build structures based on natural and mathematical principles.

 

In Revit software, the physical model and the associated analytical model are created concurrently. The physical model of the structure is used for coordination as well as documentation. The analytical model is used for structural analysis and design. Structural loads, load combinations, and boundary conditions can be easily added to the analytical model.

Through interoperability with Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional, as well as various 3rd party analysis tools, Revit helps to extend BIM to Structural Analysis. 

 

The interoperability between products streamlines structural engineering workflows by facilitating the coordination of design documentation with structural analytical design information.

 

Robot Structural Analysis Professional has advanced modeling and analysis capabilities for any type of structure and material.  

 

Depending on the load duration and type, different natures of defined load for example dead, live, wind, seismic, etc. can be created. Then various types of loads (nodal, member, surface) can be applied to a structure to the defined load cases. In order to apply wind loads engineers can also perform wind simulation. The wind loads simulation feature enables them to simulate a wind flow around a structure, and to generate wind loads automatically

 

Many different types of analysis are available within Robot Structural Analysis Professional software including linear static, modal, non-linear, seismic, footfall,  time history analysis etc...  

This means engineers can use Robot on more of their projects and for more of their analyses, requiring less creation of multiple analysis models.

Interoperability with Revit combined with powerful analysis and code-checking engines gives engineers the best tools and fastest path to train up staff.

Thanks to many ways of presenting results of the analysis and the ease of accessing them, structural engineers can very quickly prepare the final documentation for review and input by project stakeholders. Results can be presented in form of colorful maps of displacements, moments, stresses, etc. obtained during structure analysis to provide a visual snapshot of how the structure behaves. All of these make the software very intuitive and easy to use.

 

Revit provides a streamlined process from design through detailing to fabrication by supporting the easy modeling of steel connection details and 3D reinforcements. For steel frames, Revit offers interoperability with Autodesk Advance Steel detailing software through Steel Connections for Revit. With over 130 parametric connections, Steel Connections for Revit allows engineers and detailers to coordinate more effectively by exchanging more accurate design deliverables for steel fabrication. This results in more precise detailing and estimating, and reduces errors in fabrication and installation.

Revit also provides tools for detailers to model 3D concrete reinforcements, create shop drawings, and bend schedules in the advanced BIM environment. It combines the versatility of 2D documentation with the higher level of fidelity and accuracy of 3D modeling for reinforcement and concrete accessories. What’s more, Revit allows users to design and detail reinforced concrete elements with clash prevention in mind to reduce clashes both in the preconstruction and site execution.

By consolidating functionality around key workflows, Revit provides a higher level of automation to support enhanced collaboration among project stakeholders, and allows teams to build better structures.

More resources for Engineers


Was this information helpful?

Need help? Ask the Autodesk Assistant!

The Assistant can help you find answers or contact an agent.

Ask the Assistant

What level of support do you have?

Different subscription plans provide distinct categories of support. Find out the level of support for your plan.

View levels of support