Holes in DBL Tees

[jrichardson]

What is the proper method for cutting holes in double tees or showing tees as they are half on a stairwell bearing wall and the other half running by. Are there tools for this or do they need to be modeled independently? None of the opening/shaft tools or void extrusion seem to work.

[ryanmcin]

If I recall correctly you will need to edit the family and add the holes as a void. If you use instance parameters you will be able to adjust the hold size and location for each specific application.

[jrichardson]

I think you are right. Kinda like putting openings in the wide flange beam family. Anyways I have decided to model the floor (for now) as in in place floor family. Create the dbl tee as an extrusion than copy it as required. When I come to a jog for a stair/elevator shaft or reentrant corner of the drawing I can than use the void extrusion block out the tees. When I get to the end of the structure I can create another extrusion with the family showing a double tee that will fit in the space that is left. This seems to be working good for now. By doing this I am able to flip my details up and only put on annotation and a few detail components. I am creating the design drawings so at this point I do not know the exact width/locations of the tees. Not for sure if there are any long term disadvantages to doing it this way???

thanks for the reply.

[Tom Weir]

Hi,
I made a quick attempt at adding a rectangular opening to the Double-T family using a void solid. Not perfect but a start. Check it out. Can we improve on it. A circular opening variety would also be nice. It would also be better to dimension to the center of the opening.

There is probably some kind of maximum width and depth of hole that corresponds to the depth of the Double-T, which could be added in using formulas. That would be the advanced iteration.

[rmcelvain.103137]

None of the opening/shaft tools or void extrusion seem to work.
I've had some luck using the solid extrusion tool. You create a solid, join the geometry and then edit the solid so that it isn't visible. There are some glitchy things about it, but it works fairly well. You've got to make sure and rename your mass to something you can recognize because once you clear the "visible" box the only way I know to select it is by right clicking in the browser to "select all instances", and then click the edit box. I've got an avi made of the process (no audio) but it's currently 14mb - I'll try and compress it for posting. In the meantime if anyone wants it just send me a PM and I'll email it to you.