Beams Parallel to joists

[troberts]

We have a condition where the joists are bearing on steel beams.

These beams are down 5 1/2" for the joist bearing. Beams parallel to the joists are down 3". when we draw this the parallel beam stick symbol touches the girder that it is framing into. It should be shown held back, just as the joist stick symbol is. If we grab the blue dot and drag it away from the girder it moves the actual end of the beam not just the stick symbol. If we drag it back to the girder, then the beam drops down to -5 1/2". If we adjust the Element Properties to make it -3", then the girder jumps up to -3". We are chasing are tails with this we cannot get them to be right. What is the correct method for modeling parallel beams and girders with joist bearing on them. By the way we are using 2009.

[scowsert]

Can you provide a 3d screen shot?

[dbaldacchino]

There are options as to where to position your analytical model, for example the top of the joist/beam. That's what you need to do and then just use the vertical justification settings to move the beam geometry down by 3" and 5 1/2" for the beams (the location lines don't move).

[troberts]

There are options as to where to position your analytical model, for example the top of the joist/beam. That's what you need to do and then just use the vertical justification settings to move the beam geometry down by 3" and 5 1/2" for the beams (the location lines don't move).

I am confused by the phrase "(the location lines don't move)". We are able to change the beam start and end offsets to get the beams and joists to the correct elevations, but then the linework is not right (see attachment) the lines now extend all the way to the girder instead of showing the normal cutback. If we pull the beam linework back then the girder drops down the the beam elevation. What is the correct way to do this?
And while I'm at it, why in the world do joists come in 2 1/2" too low? Doesn't Revit know how a joist bears on a beam?

[dbaldacchino]

That's what I'm saying...don't mess with the start and end offsets. You can give a goemetrical offset so the geometry of the beam moves, but the location line of the beam (what'[s between the start adn the end points) stays at the same location. This is the easiest way to control joist bearing: move the geometry of the beams down instead of each joist up. This way, your analytical also stays all in the same plane.

[troberts]

There are options as to where to position your analytical model, for example the top of the joist/beam. That's what you need to do and then just use the vertical justification settings to move the beam geometry down by 3" and 5 1/2" for the beams (the location lines don't move).

Just when I thought this was going to work!
Dave, when I place a beam I cannot give a "z" direction offset. How do you move the beam geometry down? I can give a "z" direction offset for joists.

[dbaldacchino]

Select the beam, set the Z justification to "Other" and then give a negative value, ex: -2 1/2"

[troberts]

Thanks Dave. That seems to do it. Now if I can figure out some way to keep my deck from bending right along the slab split lines I'll have this done.