BIM & BEAM

100 Free Autodesk University 2008 Buddy Passes!!!

For more information, please visit: http://au.autodesk.com/event/buddypass/

The AU 2008 Buddy Pass Offer from Autodesk

The Buddy Pass offer begins at 9:00 a.m. (PT) on November 5th, 2008.

The first 100 people to register and fully pay for a regular* AU 2008 pass can invite a “buddy” to register for free.

When the 100 free Buddy Passes are gone, people who register and fully pay for a regular AU 2008 pass can invite a buddy to register for only US$595.

In addition, anyone who registered and fully paid for a regular AU 2008 pass before November 5 at 9:00 a.m. (PT) can also invite a “buddy.”

Note: The AU 2008 Buddy Pass offer is for a limited time only. Autodesk may end this offer at any time without notice.
Note: Only one (1) Buddy Pass per fully paid regular AU 2008 pass.

* Regular = four-day, all-inclusive

What’s Included In the Buddy Pass—and What Isn’t

• Buddy Passes provide full access to all AU 2008 classes and functions.
• Buddy Passes do not include hotel.
• Buddy Passes do not include pre-registration for classes and labs—the Buddy Pass holder may attend classes and labs only if there is room available.

Good Luck

Wai Chu

The fall vintage of the Revit Extensions is now available

This is time again for our new set of Extensions. We have 5 new pretty cool free of charge Extensions for our dear customers on subscription:

• Static Analysis of 2D frames
• Static Analysis of continuous beams
• Retaining wall reinforcement
• Slab corner reinforcement
• Automatic reinforcement for multiple elements together

These Extensions plus all of the others are available in English, French, Italian, Polish, German and Chinese and you can learn more about them at http://www.extensions4revit.com/

In order to download these Extensions please go to our subscription portal at http://subscription.autodesk.com/

The Static analysis of 2D frames and continuous beams Extensions are in the spirit of the slab analysis and the truss analysis. We like to call them simulation analysis. They allow our users to do quick analysis inside Revit Structure instead of doing hand calcs or to reenter the info in other small analysis tools. The reason why we call them simulation analysis is because our users will be able to easily simulate multiple options and create "what if" scenario. By making better decisions early in the design process, our customers will be able to produce better designs.

Static Analysis of 2D frames:

This extension lets you perform static analysis of a 2D frame defined in a Revit Structure model. It uses information from Revit Structure such as: frame geometry, frame members, constraints/supports, load cases, load combinations and loads. Results are displayed in both graphical (diagrams) and tabular form. Additionally, results may be presented in the form of a report (in the HTML format). The report for a frame can be printed, saved to a file or sent to a MS Excel© or MS Word© document.

 

Static Analysis of continuous beams:

This extension allows you to perform static analysis of a single or multi-span beam defined in a Revit Structure model. It uses information directly from Revit Structure such as: beam geometry, constraints/supports, load cases, load combinations and loads. Results are displayed in both graphical (diagrams) and tabular form. Additionally, results may be presented in the form of a report (in the HTML format). The report for a beam can be printed, saved to a file or sent to a MS Excel© or MS Word© document.

Reinforcement of slab corners:

This extension allows you to define both simple and complex reinforcement patterns for slab corners. It creates true 3D "intelligent" rebar data in Revit® Structure. It lets you define various types of reinforcement in corners with angles between 45 and 135 degrees. Just like any other Extension reinforcement macros, the model could be sent to AutoCAD Structural Detailing for automatic shop drawings

Reinforcement of retaining walls:

This extension creates true 3D "intelligent" rebar data in Revit® Structure. It lets you define reinforcement for a wall, footing, key and shelves, including inclined walls.

 

 

Just like any other Extension reinforcement macros, the model could be sent to AutoCAD Structural Detailing for automatic shop drawings

For this Extension, you need to make sure to download the right retaining wall profiles on the subscription site as well.

Automatic Reinforcement Generation:

Last but not least, this is a great Extension that you can consider as an umbrella Extension that drives all of the other Reinforcement Extensions

This extension lets you automatically generate reinforcement for a complete building or a selection of elements in the current project. The reinforcement is generated using default values of parameters for each typical reinforced concrete element, based on templates previously stored in data files, or defined by the user on an ongoing basis.

We have now a large library of reinforcement macros that you can use for many projects. They will allow you to populate rebar in Revit Structure, get quantities and specific details. As these Extensions allow you to communicate with AutoCAD Structural Detailing, you can also produce the shop drawings for these typical components (learn more)

 

 

 

 

Enjoy these new tools and get even more productive!

Nicolas

ADAPT-Builder - integration link for Revit Structure is now available!

Revit Structure 2009 meets ADAPT-Builder.

The 3^rd generation of the integration link is now available.

The bi-directional integration offers ease-of-use by directly transferring model information from Revit Structure to ADAPT and back at the basic physical model level.

Carry out your detailed slab and foundation system design using ADAPT's powerful 3D finite element analysis engines (ADAPT-Floor Pro and MAT) that automatically create analytical models from your imported Revit Structure model. Transfer potential geometry changes as well as reinforcement objects from ADAPT-Builder back into Revit Structure.

This saves hours in redundant model manipulation, data entry and dramatically reduces coordination errors.

View ADAPT-Revit integration video… 

For more information, please go to http://www.adaptsoft.com/revitstructure 

CSI link to Revit Structure 2009 is now here!

Computers and Structures, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of CSIxRevit2009, a significantly enhanced link that allows for data exchange between ETABS^® v9.5.0 and Revit^® Structure 2009. CSIxRevit2009 now supports true round-tripping, specifically four different workflows of data interchange:

1) Exporting from Revit Structure to create a new ETABS model
2) Exporting from Revit Structure to update an existing ETABS model
3) Importing from ETABS to create a new Revit Structure model
4) Importing from ETABS to update an existing Revit Structure model

The CSIxRevit2009 link is a powerful integration tool, allowing you to maximize the capabilities of ETABS and Revit Structure 2009.

CSIxRevit2009 is only compatible with ETABS v9.5.0, and both require a new license.

 

SUM subscribers are eligible to receive the upgrade to ETABS v9.5.0 and CSIxRevit2009 free of charge. Non-SUM subscribers must purchase an upgrade to ETABS v9.5.0 to use CSIxRevit2009.

For more information go to: http://www.csiberkeley.com/Revit/2009/

Please contact CSI Sales for further information or call (510) 649-2201.

Interview with Ericksen Roed & Associates

Company	Ericksen Roed & Associates
Address	2550 University Ave West  Ste 201-S
City, state, ZIP Code	Saint Paul, MN 55114
Phone number	651-251-7570
Web site address	www.EricksenRoed.com
User	David Pluke
Title	Principal, VP of Technology
E-mail address	[email protected]

The great state of Minnesota is where our Super User David Pluke resides.  Dave belongs to Ericksen Roed and has provided me with lot of great information on how they use and take advantage of Revit Structure.  I think you'll enjoy his feedback and super images he has provided.

• Culotta:  Please tell us about your business, the markets you serve and the services that you provide.
  • Pluke:  Ericksen Roed & Associates is a Structural Engineering firm, founded in 1984.  We provide Structural Design, Steel Connection Design plus Pre-cast Concrete Detailing Services.  Our clients run the gamut from Retail, Academic, Sports Facilities, Multi-unit Residential, Hospitality to Healthcare and our projects are located throughout the United States, with some International work.  Construction budgets run from less than $1 million to hundreds of millions of dollars.
• Culotta:  What is your role in the company?  How long have you been with the company?
  • Pluke:  I joined Ericksen Roed in 1988, as "the CAD guy".  At that time, we had two 80286 Personal Computers and one IBM Selectric Typewriter.  My initial job was to develop CAD standards, customization, libraries and training, along with production CAD work.  System configuration (this was in the days of DOS Extenders and RAMDisk Overlays) and troubleshooting soon followed.  As it became more obvious that our growing number of computers needed to talk to each other, I handed off CAD Management duties to Jamie Richardson and moved on to the challenges of Information Technology.  I'm now a Principal of the firm and Vice President of Technology.

• Culotta:  Please share with us a few projects you've created with Revit Structure?  What was the situation and how did you deliver the solution?
• Pluke:  Sure.  Let me elaborate on a few.

  Regional Hospital Building

  We just finished the Schematic Design (SD) phase for a Regional Hospital's Behavioral Health Building. For this project, we used Revit Structure as a tool to identify design issues early in the process. It helped us more effectively produce a working grid system which, in turn, kept the Architects on the same page as ourselves. During the beginning stages of laying out the Structural system, Revit Structure allowed us to shift columns and instantly view the effects of that shift on each level.  Observing how each design concept interacted with the existing structure helped the entire team make faster and better decisions.  Resolving conflicts and making well thought out decisions in this phase using Revit Structure has allowed us to roll into the Construction Documentation (CD) phase well ahead of the game.

  At this point, the Architects are able to use our model from SD to start their CD model. They will be linking in our Structural model to display elements such as footings, foundation walls, Structural columns and Structural framing. In return, we will be linking in their model to share non-Structural walls that interface with the Structure, openings for windows and doors and other Architectural elements that may need to be addressed in our Structural set. This method of collaboration allows us to have our models coordinated on a daily basis and reduces redundancy.

  

  

  

  

  Download the DWF of this Project:  http://revit.downloads.autodesk.com/download/Structure Blog/MSTR2009_REGIONS.dwfx

  ER-POST^TM System - U.S. Patent No. 7010890

  We utilize Revit Structure as a presentation tool to model buildings that are candidates for our patented ER-POST^TM System. We will model the same building constructed with alternate Structural systems. We'll then print drawings from Revit Structure that can be laid side by side so the Owner, Client, Contractor, etc., can make informed "Big Picture" decisions – well before any procurement or construction has taken place.

  3D DWF files are created so the model information can be relayed to other parties.  The DWFs allow a much more in-depth review of the Structure by providing the ability to freely spin the model, to toggle the display of elements on or off and to cut slices through the building to produce instant cross sections at any given area.  Revit Structure allows us to quickly create these 3D DWFs and put them directly into the hands of those who make the important decisions.

  

  

  

  Mechanical Support Frames

  Revit Structure works for all types and sizes of projects.  An example would be the case of support frames for new Mechanical Units to be installed on existing buildings. Revit Structure allows us to model the existing framing, which provides multiple viewpoints to determine how the new frame interacts with it.  It also allows us to create intuitive perspective views that help communicate the design intent to the Contractor as well as eliminate the need to cut additional orthographic sections.

  

  

  Modeling for Construction

  We were hired to model a Parking Structure for a Contractor and Pre-Cast Concrete Fabricator.  Apparently, the Engineer of Record (E-o-R) was either unwilling or unable to provide a model.  Using Revit Structure to model for Construction was a learning experience.  The typical E-o-R models we produce don't contain characteristics such as item number, sequencing, status, cost, etc..  Looking ahead as to how we can add more value to our Revit Structure models, we may wish to, at the very least, provide placeholders for this type information.

  

  

  

• Culotta:  When did you and the company begin using Revit Structure?
  • Pluke:  Jamie returned from Autodesk University 2004, extremely enthusiastic about what he had seen in the pre-release version of Revit Structure.  We ordered RS1 as soon as it was available (Summer of 2005) and began to find ways to utilize it in our environment.

• Culotta:  What were you using before?   For how long were you using it?
  • Pluke:  We started with AutoCAD Release 9, back in 1988.  Prior to Revit Structure, approximately 70% of our construction document production work was performed in AutoCAD, with the remainder done in Bentley Microstation.

• Culotta:  What made your company switch to Revit Structure and how did you do it?
  • Pluke:  The value of Building Information Modeling (BIM) was apparent to us, but we had yet to find a tool that worked in a Real World environment until Revit Structure came along.  We were frustrated with the loss of intelligence and potential for conflict that 2D CAD presented.  At the same time, several of our best Architectural clients were migrating to Revit.  The platform compatibility and promise of the upcoming MEP version gave Revit Structure a strategic advantage.
    
    Being a relatively small company (just under 70 people at the time of this writing), we have to be prudent with budgets.  As a result, we grew our Revit effort organically.  Our prime BIM Advocate (Jamie Richardson) exposed our office to the power of Revit and mentored small groups of users until they became Advocates and mentored others, and so on and so on…

• Culotta:  What is the biggest advantage or benefit to your company in using Revit Structure?
  • Pluke:  We deliver a better set of Construction Documents to the field, thanks to Revit Structure.  Revit virtually eliminates a scenario where a Section or Detail doesn't match the Plan.

• Culotta:  How does your company transfer the benefits gained in using Revit Structure onto your client?
  • Pluke:  We work very closely with several of our best clients, linking their Architectural models into ours and vice versa throughout the Design process.  As a result, we are all much less likely to be surprised by changes.

• Culotta:  What kind of return on investment have you seen since using Revit Structure?
  • Pluke:  I can't present any tangible numbers on that.  What I can report are intangible indicators such as fewer questions from the field, fewer change orders and claims for errors or omissions on our Revit projects.  One quick flip through a set of our Construction Documents will reveal the additional value that Revit Structure brings to the process.

• Culotta:  Anything else you'd like to share about your experience with Revit Structure?
  • Pluke:  Like any other evolving technology, deploying Revit Structure will not be without its little bumps in the road.  There will be days when things just don't seem to be going the way you'd like them to go. At those times, just ask yourself; "Would I rather be doing this in 2D CAD or gutting it out in Revit Structure?".  You'll say "Revit Structure".  If you don't believe me, you can ask every Revit Structure user here at Ericksen Roed.  The program has grown from a "terrible two year old" into a well behaved teenager and gets better with each release.  Each and every day you will learn something new and exciting about it!

• Culotta:  If you could give one piece of advice to someone in the field of structural engineering who is NOT using Revit Structure today, what would it be?
  • Pluke:  Do absolutely nothing – your clients will find us!  But, seriously, don't wait any longer!  Revit Structure is a mature tool capable of producing higher quality Construction Documents than 2D CAD and providing better information for downstream use.  Much of the content we had to develop internally in the early releases is now available right out of the box.  Ignore this industry trend at your own peril (I am serious about that!).