Coordinating Floors and Slabs with Arch

[djn]

Currently on most projects, when we are working with an architect using Revit, we will model our own slabs separate from the Arch slabs or floors. We usually put them on their own worksets so the architect can turn them off. There is some talk of us just using the arch slabs through linking (which in my opinion is the wrong approach), but I just curious if any has used or is using this method, and was their any draw backs, or advantages.

[G_J]

I can't see any advantages of using the architects slab through the link. You would not be able to place reinforcement in the slab, you would not be able to place slab edges on the architects slab.... the list goes on I am sure.

On the other hand, modeling your own slab..... how do you coordinate changes with the architect?

If working with linked files, the best thing (in my opinion) is to copy/monitor the architects floor slab, change the slab thickness to suit the structural design, and in an ideal world ask the architect to use your slab (through the linked model) and turn off their own slab.

This will result in;

1 - The floor slab will always be coordinated with the architect, if the architect decides to change the slab level, edit the extent of the slab, etc etc. You will know when you re-load a new model and run coordination review.

2 - You can now add reinforcement and slab edges to the slab (something you cannot do if you are using the architects slab through a linked model)

3 - If we can convince architects to only model what belongs to them (i.e once the slab has been modeled in Revit structure the architect removes the slab or at very least turns it off in all views, architects don't model columns etc.) the documentation will be accurate for all parties, you will be forced to talk and coordinate the models.


Regards