Bring in the Reinforcements (and More)
Here in the northeast U.S., the birds are returning from their southern migrations, the snow has hopefully melted (although as I am writing, we are smothered under another 12” of blessed frozen flakes), and we are excited to unpack the newest Autodesk software release. Some of the features we will examine in Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2016 include display updates, rebar and reinforcement features, and scheduling updates. (A side note: if you are on subscription, some of these features were included in the R2 update and will look familiar.)
Display Enhancements – Local Coordinate System
Displaying the Local Coordinate System (LCS) on arc walls and curved beams previously was non-existent. In Revit Structure 2016, the LCS “widget” now displays on both arc walls and curved beams in the analytical model. When a hosted load is oriented to the host LSC, the LCS will display the load direction directly on the host.
Figure 1: Local Coordinate System will display on curved beams and arc walls
Reinforcement Navigation
It seems as if the most improvements have been made to reinforcement features in this release. Let’s start with Rebar Display.
Users are constantly asking for improved performance, whether it be processing or graphics. Revit Structure 2016 delivers, at least in one way, by limiting reinforcement REGENs to only those elements that are visible on the screen. If the ZOOM scale is large, smaller reinforcement elements on the screen are represented by simple lines. Zooming into these elements restores them to their usual 3D visual characteristics. The detail level assigned to the view does not have an effect on the graphics display of the reinforcement at larger ZOOM scales.
Figure 2: Simplified rebar in an enlarged plan
While we’re on the topic of reinforcement display, another enhancement has been made to the Rebar Constraints dialog box. It is now possible to zoom, pan, and otherwise adjust your view without having to close and reopen the Rebar Constraints dialog box. Seems simple enough, but a timesaver nonetheless.
By selecting one of the constraints in the Rebar Constraints dialog box and moving the mouse to the drawing window, the selected constraint is highlighted. Scrolling through the Constraint Target options highlights the targets in the drawing window, allowing the user to visualize options.
Figure 3: Rebar Constraints dialog box
Rebar Creation
In previous versions of Revit Structure, it was only possible to create rebar in section view of certain concrete elements. Floors were the only objects that could be reinforced while in a plan view. Revit Structure 2016 brings the ability to place rebar into various concrete elements in either plan, elevation, or section views.
Figure 4: Rebar placement made available in plan, elevation, and section views
Another major enhancement has been made to Rebar Rounding. In the Reinforcement Settings on the Reinforcement panel, drop-down menus have been added for Rounding method, whether Nearest, Up, or Down. These values affect both Rebar Type and Instance Properties. In Instance Properties the rebar length will show both the exact length and the rounded length.
Figure 5: Rebar Rounding – Before (2015) and After (2016)
Structural Framing
A few features have been added to assist in structural framing layout and analysis. Probably the most obvious change is the flip control added to structural framing members. Clicking on a beam in a plan, section, or elevation view will reveal a flip control near the middle of the beam. This flip control sets the beginning and end justification parameters.
Figure 6: Structural framing flip controls
In addition, parameters have been added to structural elements that can be included in annotation and schedules. Top and Bottom parameters are included for beams, braces, and structural floors. Top and Bottom Core parameters are added to multi-layered structural floors and foundation slabs.
Etc…
In addition to the updates that are specific to Revit Structure, be sure to check out the additions and updates to Revit in general. Some exciting features have been developed relating to text, revisions, and general interface. With each release, Revit just keeps getting better and better.
