Structural Parameters

00:01

SIMON DICKINSON: Hello.

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My name is Simon Dickinson.

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Let's look at how we start a structural family in Revit.

00:09

In this video, we are going to look

00:11

at the importance of selecting the correct template, how

00:15

to set the correct category, and making

00:18

sure we assign the correct section shape,

00:21

finally, other important parameters

00:25

such as the material for model behavior

00:27

and symbolic representation.

00:31

When starting a new structural family,

00:34

it is important that we start by using the correct template.

00:39

Using the wrong template will not

00:41

give us the settings we need to create our family.

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The family templates will set the best parameters

00:48

that we need.

00:50

Making sure we use a structural framing or structural cone

00:54

template will ensure that the parameter

00:57

for the structural material is present.

00:60

Using the template called just column

01:03

we'll create an architectural column

01:05

with no structural properties.

01:07

Although it is possible to change the category after you

01:11

start the family, this is not guaranteed that the required

01:14

base geometry is correct.

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For instance, you cannot change from a structural column

01:21

to a structural framing.

01:27

There are several structural settings

01:29

that we need to set under the Family categories

01:32

and Parameters dialog, the first being the Section Shape.

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This does several things.

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It will set dimension parameters,

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including bulk spacing.

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It will create the structural analysis parameters.

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It will also create one dimensional properties

01:50

for the shape we have chosen.

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Remember that the parameters that are created

01:55

are specific to the Section Shape,

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so it is very important that we set the correct shape.

02:01

It is also possible to create these parameters ourself.

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However, by applying a Section Shape,

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we can guarantee consistent parameters.

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Section Shapes and their resulting properties

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help to ensure accurate data exchange

02:21

with structural analysis software code checking,

02:24

and steel detailing.

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We also need to set the materials for model behavior.

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This affects how the elements will work.

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We can choose from Steel, Concrete, Precast Concrete,

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Wood, or Other.

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By setting this to Steel, it will

02:47

allow for the cutback behavior and shape handles.

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Concrete will set the auto join and allow

02:54

for hosting of reinforcement.

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Similar settings are applied to precast.

02:59

Wood allows for cutback and shape handles.

03:06

Symbolic representation is controlled either by the Family

03:11

or from the Project settings.

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We have the option to set a Structural Framing Length

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Roundoff.

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This can improve performance by allowing overrides

03:24

of the exact calculation of a beam length

03:27

to a broader more applicable length.

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Finally, we may want to create our own parameters.

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If we want to reuse parameters in other families

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and be able to schedule the values,

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then these would need to be shared parameters.

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Shared parameters require a shared parameters file.

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We can create this anywhere.

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But if multiple people are creating families,

03:56

it is good practice to store this on a shared location

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so all users have access to the same shared parameters.

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A shared parameter has a defined ID.

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Creating a new parameter with the same name

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will not create the same shared parameter.

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Only using the parameter set up in the shared parameters file

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will do this.

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We should have created the shared parameters file.

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We can create groups in it, which allow us

04:28

to categorize our parameters.

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If you have a family that already has a shared parameter,

04:35

then you can extract this to your shared properties file

04:39

for use in your own families.