Any structural/civil eng out there?

[valejandro_ibarra]

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask.if there are any structural/civil engineers out there that use revit structure or civil 3d actively,(like use it for a living, not use it once every month),
And if you use it, how do you normally use it, and for what?


Regards,
ALEX

[tkunsman]

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask.if there are any structural/civil engineers out there that use revit structure or civil 3d actively,(like use it for a living, not use it once every month),
And if you use it, how do you normally use it, and for what?


Regards,
ALEX

Yes have used it on a great number of jobs. I would almost say that Revit is becoming a standard for doing jobs and not AutoCAD is becoming outdated. I am not sure what you mean by "how do you (i) normally use it".

Use it. Don't be afraid of it. Will it require you to change how you work. Sure. Did you change when you switched from hand drawing to AutoCAD. I bet you did.

[valejandro_ibarra]

Hi Tkunsman!
Well I have been using Revit for quite some time now (5 years) but im curious how engineers use it, to export to Structural Analysis software, for Detailing or for general modeling?

Cheers

[david_peterson]

I've used RS since version 2 I think it was in 2006.
I've used it for general modeling and detailing for Construction Documents.
I've also used it on occasion for exporting to Ram and Risa with limited success.

[valejandro_ibarra]

Hi David,

So you focus more in Modeling or Structural Analysis? or a bit of both?

[david_peterson]

My focus was on the modeling and construction document creation.
Creating accurate models with kickers, Brace frame gussets and even bent plate slab edges.
I've also done pipe hanger supports, pipe racks, column base plates (with bolts) and anything else that takes up space.
If it gets in your way I modeled it.
Our engineers did the analysis stuff. They don't need to be quite as accurate since we never design down to the nats butt so to speak.
So if on opening moves an inch or something, they usually don't both updating their design model.
We've gotten to more of a rules based approach. ie No openings within 1'-0' of the centerline of a composite steel beam..... things like that.
So the CD model is close to the analysis model, but doesn't quite match exactly, but it doesn't need to.

[tkunsman]

We have used our Revit model (with some limited success) to bring into RISA for analysis. We have only been asked once by a contractor to share our model for detailing. Out firm does not do this type of work.

With exporting to RISA, once again there is a slight learning curve and people need to learn how best to work with any limitations that either program might give, best practices, etc. It can be done.