How to create retaining wall profiles?

[bronsonparrish]

I would like to know if there is a way to create retaining wall profiles that are more complex than the standard rectangle. Obviously, this can be accomplished by doing a sweep. Though, I would like to use a retaining wall foundation that has additional parameters, such as ones to define a key on the bottom. This would allow the foundations to be modeled by clicking on the retaining walls. Does anyone know how to do this? Thanks~

[benmay]

I havent used 2009 yet, but I understand system wall hosted footings are improved. Currently I would create a line based footing family which would work as an isolated footing. You can then stretch in plan to suit the layout of you wall and align to the required level

You can add any parameters you want to the line based family and create options for keys etc. I would still model the wall separately from the footing though

[Andre Carvalho]

I would like to know if there is a way to create retaining wall profiles that are more complex than the standard rectangle. Obviously, this can be accomplished by doing a sweep. Though, I would like to use a retaining wall foundation that has additional parameters, such as ones to define a key on the bottom. This would allow the foundations to be modeled by clicking on the retaining walls. Does anyone know how to do this? Thanks~

Why don't you create a profile and add the it as a sweep directly to the wall structure. It will be part of the wall (this is different that just applying a sweep hosted by a wall on the Modelling menu)

Andre Carvalho

[bronsonparrish]

Andre,

I'm not sure if I know how to do this . . . can you elaborate?

[Andre Carvalho]

Andre,

I'm not sure if I know how to do this . . . can you elaborate?

Sure. Let's say you want a retaining wall that has one of its faces slanted (or in another words, it is a tapered wall). Since the profile of your wall looking in section in Revit is a rectangle, you have to create a profile family that will be "shaping" the wall the way you want. Create a new profile and draw it like a triangle (where the base is wider than the top, to create the slanted edge of your wall). Load it into your project, edit your wall, edit the structure of your wall and change the visualization to "Section" (to be able to do that, don't forget to hit "Preview" to see your wall. When you visualize it in section, you will notice that the "Modify Vertical Structure" options shows. Go to "Sweeps" and Add the profile you just created. You may want to play with the offsets, make it cuttable (to insert opening, if you want), make it cut the wall...

See attached example.

Also, if you don't want to use profiles, you can do that as an in-place family... Each one has its pros and cons):

1) In place family: Just go to Modelling > Create > Wall > Give it a name > Use the sold forms (like extrusion) to model your tapered wall the way you want.

Pros: Easy to edit if the wall height changes
Cons: No easy way to have a multi layer wall

2) Embedded profile: Explained above.

Pros: Your wall can have several layers; You can draw your wall in plan as you want and the sweep will follow; It is not an in-place family...
Cons: If your wall height changes, you have to edit the profile to correct it there.

I hope it helps,

Andre Carvalho

[submission]

Hello,

You can create retaining walls with editable parameters in Revit. you can learn how to do that on this page.
http://revitclinic.com/content.php?119-create-retaining-wall-with-parameters-in-revit

I hope I could help.