Structural Engineering Interface with Revit

[David Sammons]

As a structural engineer, I believe the Building Information Model can provide significant improvements in the exchange of digital building model information with structural analysis, design and detailing software. For example, structural steel detailing can benefit enormously if it is possible to extract certain structural information from the BIM. However, it will be necessary to have a file format that will facilitate this exchange.

Does or will Revit include export to a neutral file, CIS/2 file format or similar format that will facilitate this critical exchange of building information?

[Scott D Davis]

Revit exports every bit of data in the model to a DBX file via an ODBC export. This is probably the most powerful tool to have. Through MS Access, or some other database program, you can get any information you need from the model. I see this as the one area an outside developer could easily create software tools for cost estimating, structural analysis, etc., for Revit.

[gregcashen]

Not true. Revit still does not export location data. There is no way to get the location of a beam for instance, in order to relate it to a column. That needs to be changed before the ODBC export will be really powerful.

Greg

P.S. This is based on my 2 exports for that very purpose, so if I overlooked something, please tell me. I would love to be wrong here!

[David Sammons]

Greg,

From your posts, I surmise that you are a structural engineer. I am interested in your feedback regarding recent posts today regarding Worksets on the forum: Community\Architectural Design & Practice\Using Revit.

[gregcashen]

I am a structural engineer in an A/E office. As such, we have not had to share models with outside consultants. So far I have been modelling the building based on sketches from my boss -- an architect -- engineering it, and producing the CDs myself. Now that I have shown the value in the tool, we are going to be buying a seat for our cad tech, so presumably, once he gets on board and up to speed, I will be back to full time engineering, foundation design and modelling the structure only.