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Create custom bridge parts using Inventor and Revit, add these parts to a bridge model in InfraWorks, and perform simple rebar modeling and scheduling in Revit.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
9 min.
Transcript
00:03
We will create custom bridge parts and rebar detailing.
00:09
Let’s begin by looking at how we can create a bridge part using Inventor.
00:16
We need to start with a sketch of the Pier profile, and we do this in the XZ plane.
00:22
Then, simply trace the outline of the Pier profile with the line tool.
00:26
We can do this freehand just by making sure that we are pointing in the right direction, then entering a value for the distance.
00:34
In this example, we are going to use the mirror tool to replicate the opposite side of the pier outline.
00:40
As far as dimensioning of the profile goes, we are provided with some standard dimensions.
00:45
We will need to make changes to those and add some very specific ones in order for this pier to work when it gets to Infraworks.
00:55
Each category of part, being abutments, piers, or foundations, have a specific number of required parameters,
01:05
which must be included in the model, and must have the correct syntax in order to work.
01:10
These required parameters, shown here in red, will be driven by InfraWorks.
01:16
The rest will be user-driven and whatever is required to fully define the part.
01:20
In this case, a pier.
01:25
We can make changes to existing dimensions by double-clicking them and changing the contents,
01:31
or add them using the dimensioning tools, always taking care to make sure that the syntax is correct,
01:37
in the case of the required parameters.
01:40
Then, by adding additional use dimensions to fully define the part.
01:45
At this stage, we also need to make sure that the part will behave as expected when the dimensions change.
01:51
This is taken care of by using constraints.
01:55
As we were tracing the profile out, Inventor added some constraints for us to make sure that lines drawn,
02:02
at right angles for instance, stay that way when dimensions change.
02:06
But, on the mirrored side there are some missing, so we can add these using the constraint tools
02:12
to make sure everything stays as it should be as the dimensions change when the part gets into InfraWorks.
02:20
When the profile is completed, we can close the sketch and use the extrusion tools to create the part.
02:27
In this case, we will select a symmetrical extrusion to set out the thickness from the center of the pier,
02:34
then label it with a parameter so that we can adjust it when it gets into InfraWorks.
02:39
All that is left to do is to look at the parameter list and make sure that the parameters we need are selected,
02:45
and ready for export to InfraWorks.
02:47
Then, simply save the part, and it is ready for use.
02:51
Now, the other method of creating these parts is to use a Revit family.
02:56
The first thing we need to do is to start a new Revit family.
02:60
Then, select a generic model.
03:03
Revit will then present us with a number of views for us to start modelling in.
03:07
The process of modelling, the part is different from the Inventor method, in that we need to create a framework for the geometry first
03:15
using reference planes.
03:18
We need to create a series of reference planes that will replicate the critical dimensions of the part.
03:27
When all of that has been arranged, we can then look at the actual dimensions.
03:34
In this case, we will use an aligned dimension to identify the pier height.
03:40
If the dimension text is too small, we can adjust the scale, then use the labeling feature to specify any parameter labels,
03:50
including our required parameters.
03:54
Continue this process and enter all the necessary dimensions to adequately define the parts are specified.
04:02
We can then use the extrusion tool to trace the actual geometry of the new part.
04:08
Once completed, each part of the trace geometry needs to be locked to the reference plane framework.
04:14
The easiest way to do this is with the Align tool, aligning each segment of the geometry to the corresponding reference plane,
04:22
and making sure that in each case, the geometry is locked to the reference plane.
04:33
At this point, we can now stress test the part by adjusting some of the dimension values.
04:39
If the part has been modelled correctly, then the part should behave as expected and change parametrically when the values are altered.
04:49
When the extrusion is created, it is formed with a default thickness.
04:54
We need to change the view and add some reference planes there to define the thickness of the pier,
04:59
always taking care to add some dimensions to ensure that the central reference plane remains central.
05:06
The process is essentially the same, as we've carried out on the profile view.
05:12
Once that has been done, including the addition of a thickness parameter, the pier is essentially complete.
05:18
It only needs saving in order for it to be used in InfraWorks.
05:22
The process for adding either of the parts we've just created is identical for both Inventor and Revit.
05:29
We add the part in the style palette, as we do for all additional content.
05:33
We can configure the part for the parameters we want to allow the end user to see and change the labels if necessary.
05:40
Once the part is added to the style palette, it is then available for use.
05:44
All we need to do is select the pier we want to change in the model and select our new pier from the resulting list.
05:51
The new pier will then be modeled in place with the required parameters driving that geometry.
05:56
Then, the end user making the necessary changes to the user parameters to arrive at the required end geometry.
06:04
That pier can then be copied to other positions within the model, and they will adapt parametrically to the environment
06:10
they find themselves in.
06:11
The bridge model can then be published ready for the documentation phase that we have covered in our earlier video.
06:17
It is important to point out that Revit-generated parts
06:21
maintain their family status and can be adjusted within the Revit property palette.
06:32
We are now going to turn our attention to some simple rebar modelling.
06:36
The recommendation for this is to make sure that our original Revit template was a structural one.
06:42
This will ensure that all the rebar visibility settings and rebar shapes are correct from the start.
06:48
Once the concrete cover settings have been adjusted, we can then straight away select the rebar shape that we require
06:54
and place that bar in the section view.
06:56
The bar will snap to the concrete cover and size itself accordingly and will position itself at the section location.
07:04
We can then use the edit constraints functionality to make adjustments to the position and length of the bars.
07:11
Constraints can be relative to the concrete or another bar.
07:15
Clicking on a constraint allows the value to be adjusted to suit.
07:19
We can then use the rebar set drop-downs to make adjustments to the number of bars and how they are set out.
07:26
As well as shape-driven bar placement, there is also freeform placement that works in the 3D view.
07:32
This allows alignment for bar sets to be distributed within complex concrete shapes
07:37
or for bar shapes themselves to follow those complex shapes.
07:43
To use one of the free form methods, we will need to select the concrete part in a 3D view,
07:49
then specify which free form method to use, either aligned or surface.
07:55
We will then need to specify the rebar set values and then proceed to select the host face for the bars,
08:02
followed by faces to specify the start and end of the bar set.
08:08
Once the bars have been placed, they can then also be adjusted using the constraints mentioned earlier.
08:15
Using this combination of bar placement methods, we can place the other required bar sets within this par cap
08:22
in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, managing the bar layering with constraints.
09:02
If the structural template has been used, a Rebar Schedule will have been scheduling each bar as it is placed.
09:09
This schedule can be examined and modified using the Schedule Properties to customize the schedule to the required specification.
09:17
Once the schedule has been formatted, it can then be added to any sheet to form part of the documentation output.
Video transcript
00:03
We will create custom bridge parts and rebar detailing.
00:09
Let’s begin by looking at how we can create a bridge part using Inventor.
00:16
We need to start with a sketch of the Pier profile, and we do this in the XZ plane.
00:22
Then, simply trace the outline of the Pier profile with the line tool.
00:26
We can do this freehand just by making sure that we are pointing in the right direction, then entering a value for the distance.
00:34
In this example, we are going to use the mirror tool to replicate the opposite side of the pier outline.
00:40
As far as dimensioning of the profile goes, we are provided with some standard dimensions.
00:45
We will need to make changes to those and add some very specific ones in order for this pier to work when it gets to Infraworks.
00:55
Each category of part, being abutments, piers, or foundations, have a specific number of required parameters,
01:05
which must be included in the model, and must have the correct syntax in order to work.
01:10
These required parameters, shown here in red, will be driven by InfraWorks.
01:16
The rest will be user-driven and whatever is required to fully define the part.
01:20
In this case, a pier.
01:25
We can make changes to existing dimensions by double-clicking them and changing the contents,
01:31
or add them using the dimensioning tools, always taking care to make sure that the syntax is correct,
01:37
in the case of the required parameters.
01:40
Then, by adding additional use dimensions to fully define the part.
01:45
At this stage, we also need to make sure that the part will behave as expected when the dimensions change.
01:51
This is taken care of by using constraints.
01:55
As we were tracing the profile out, Inventor added some constraints for us to make sure that lines drawn,
02:02
at right angles for instance, stay that way when dimensions change.
02:06
But, on the mirrored side there are some missing, so we can add these using the constraint tools
02:12
to make sure everything stays as it should be as the dimensions change when the part gets into InfraWorks.
02:20
When the profile is completed, we can close the sketch and use the extrusion tools to create the part.
02:27
In this case, we will select a symmetrical extrusion to set out the thickness from the center of the pier,
02:34
then label it with a parameter so that we can adjust it when it gets into InfraWorks.
02:39
All that is left to do is to look at the parameter list and make sure that the parameters we need are selected,
02:45
and ready for export to InfraWorks.
02:47
Then, simply save the part, and it is ready for use.
02:51
Now, the other method of creating these parts is to use a Revit family.
02:56
The first thing we need to do is to start a new Revit family.
02:60
Then, select a generic model.
03:03
Revit will then present us with a number of views for us to start modelling in.
03:07
The process of modelling, the part is different from the Inventor method, in that we need to create a framework for the geometry first
03:15
using reference planes.
03:18
We need to create a series of reference planes that will replicate the critical dimensions of the part.
03:27
When all of that has been arranged, we can then look at the actual dimensions.
03:34
In this case, we will use an aligned dimension to identify the pier height.
03:40
If the dimension text is too small, we can adjust the scale, then use the labeling feature to specify any parameter labels,
03:50
including our required parameters.
03:54
Continue this process and enter all the necessary dimensions to adequately define the parts are specified.
04:02
We can then use the extrusion tool to trace the actual geometry of the new part.
04:08
Once completed, each part of the trace geometry needs to be locked to the reference plane framework.
04:14
The easiest way to do this is with the Align tool, aligning each segment of the geometry to the corresponding reference plane,
04:22
and making sure that in each case, the geometry is locked to the reference plane.
04:33
At this point, we can now stress test the part by adjusting some of the dimension values.
04:39
If the part has been modelled correctly, then the part should behave as expected and change parametrically when the values are altered.
04:49
When the extrusion is created, it is formed with a default thickness.
04:54
We need to change the view and add some reference planes there to define the thickness of the pier,
04:59
always taking care to add some dimensions to ensure that the central reference plane remains central.
05:06
The process is essentially the same, as we've carried out on the profile view.
05:12
Once that has been done, including the addition of a thickness parameter, the pier is essentially complete.
05:18
It only needs saving in order for it to be used in InfraWorks.
05:22
The process for adding either of the parts we've just created is identical for both Inventor and Revit.
05:29
We add the part in the style palette, as we do for all additional content.
05:33
We can configure the part for the parameters we want to allow the end user to see and change the labels if necessary.
05:40
Once the part is added to the style palette, it is then available for use.
05:44
All we need to do is select the pier we want to change in the model and select our new pier from the resulting list.
05:51
The new pier will then be modeled in place with the required parameters driving that geometry.
05:56
Then, the end user making the necessary changes to the user parameters to arrive at the required end geometry.
06:04
That pier can then be copied to other positions within the model, and they will adapt parametrically to the environment
06:10
they find themselves in.
06:11
The bridge model can then be published ready for the documentation phase that we have covered in our earlier video.
06:17
It is important to point out that Revit-generated parts
06:21
maintain their family status and can be adjusted within the Revit property palette.
06:32
We are now going to turn our attention to some simple rebar modelling.
06:36
The recommendation for this is to make sure that our original Revit template was a structural one.
06:42
This will ensure that all the rebar visibility settings and rebar shapes are correct from the start.
06:48
Once the concrete cover settings have been adjusted, we can then straight away select the rebar shape that we require
06:54
and place that bar in the section view.
06:56
The bar will snap to the concrete cover and size itself accordingly and will position itself at the section location.
07:04
We can then use the edit constraints functionality to make adjustments to the position and length of the bars.
07:11
Constraints can be relative to the concrete or another bar.
07:15
Clicking on a constraint allows the value to be adjusted to suit.
07:19
We can then use the rebar set drop-downs to make adjustments to the number of bars and how they are set out.
07:26
As well as shape-driven bar placement, there is also freeform placement that works in the 3D view.
07:32
This allows alignment for bar sets to be distributed within complex concrete shapes
07:37
or for bar shapes themselves to follow those complex shapes.
07:43
To use one of the free form methods, we will need to select the concrete part in a 3D view,
07:49
then specify which free form method to use, either aligned or surface.
07:55
We will then need to specify the rebar set values and then proceed to select the host face for the bars,
08:02
followed by faces to specify the start and end of the bar set.
08:08
Once the bars have been placed, they can then also be adjusted using the constraints mentioned earlier.
08:15
Using this combination of bar placement methods, we can place the other required bar sets within this par cap
08:22
in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, managing the bar layering with constraints.
09:02
If the structural template has been used, a Rebar Schedule will have been scheduling each bar as it is placed.
09:09
This schedule can be examined and modified using the Schedule Properties to customize the schedule to the required specification.
09:17
Once the schedule has been formatted, it can then be added to any sheet to form part of the documentation output.
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