1. What is Revit Structure software?

Revit® Structure software is a multimaterial structural modeling and drafting software system that provides concurrent physical and analytical modeling for design, coordination, and documentation. Bidirectional linking with industry-leading analysis applications is also another important capability of Revit Structure.

Revit Structure software integrates a physical model—for layout, coordination, and documentation—with an independently editable analytical model for multiple analyses. You can model from scratch or over 2D CAD files from the architect. Or, for even more powerful coordination, you can link directly to intelligent 3D architectural models from the AutoCAD® Architecture or Revit® Architecture software products from Autodesk. Bidirectional linking to industry-leading analysis software means analysis results update your Revit Structure model accurately, while proven parametric change management technology coordinates those updates every­where in your design and documentation. The bottom line: integrated modeling increases efficiency, improves accuracy, and streamlines coordination with your design team.

2. What is building information modeling, and how does it apply to Revit Structure?

Building information modeling (BIM) is an innovative building design and documentation methodology that relies on the creation and collection of interrelated computable information about a building project. BIM makes reliable, coordinated, and internally consistent digital representations of the building available for design decision-making, production of high-quality construction documents, construction planning, and predicting performance in various ways.

The ability to keep this information up-to-date and accessible in an integrated digital environment gives engineers, architects, builders, and owners a clear overall vision of their projects and contributes to the ability to make better decisions faster—for higher-quality, more profitable projects.

Revit is Autodesk’s platform for building information modeling. Applications such as Revit Structure (built on the Revit® platform) are complete, discipline-specific structural engineering, design, and docu­men­tation systems supporting all phases of structural modeling, analysis (with third-party software), and construction documentation.

For more information about building information modeling and Autodesk’s strategy for the application of information technology to the building industry, see the white papers and other information available in our Building Information Modeling center.

3. Who benefits from Revit Structure?

Structural engineers, especially those who use multiple analysis software products, will find that Revit Structure—with its better change management and coordination tools—significantly improves how they are working today. For structural drafters, the production of construction drawings is expedited by the virtual elimination of tedious rework caused by design changes. Clients and construction teams also benefit from sharing clear, unambiguous 3D models.

4. How does Revit Structure support finite element analysis and building code design?

Revit Structure does not perform structural analysis; however, it integrates with several popular third-party analysis applications through the Revit API (application programming interface).

Users can also link their in-house spreadsheets or in-house analysis and design software through the API.

5. What are the advantages of modeling in Revit Structure instead of in an analysis program?

Research has shown that structural engineers use an average of three analysis/design programs. Revit Structure can be used as a common structural modeling tool to link with the analysis software. Working this way, structural engineers can spend more time engineering and less time learning multiple modeling tools.

Another advantage of Revit Structure is the engineering insight available during the modeling process. For example, Revit Structure automatically detects unsupported structural elements, global and local instabilities, and framing anomalies before sending the model to analysis software.

Revit Structure models can also be created externally using models from certain analysis programs. This enables you to create, view, and use Revit Structure models of projects that have been started in an analysis program or projects that have already been constructed.

6. Who builds the model in Revit Structure: engineers or drafters?

Revit Structure supports different ways of working. Structural designers and drafters may create the model, and engineers then complete it with loads and load combinations, release conditions, and material properties before performing analyses. Or structural engineers may build the physical model themselves and then continue the analysis process while the drafters complete the construction documents. Revit Structure simplifies the creation of structural drawings by automatically generating drawings and schedules directly from the physical model. This enables drafters to focus on detail views, annotations, and the other particulars required for construction.

7. How does Revit Structure handle concurrent users on the same project?

Revit worksharing distributes the power of the Revit parametric building modeler across the structural engineering team. Worksharing provides a com­plete range of collaboration modes: from on-the-fly simultaneous access to the shared model through the formal division of the project into defined systems to complete sep­aration of discrete project parts (such as wings or separate buildings) into individually managed linked models. Worksharing enables structural team members to choose the best way to collaborate and interact based on workflow and project requirements. For example, after enabling worksharing on a structural model, while the structural engineer is performing structural analysis and design in another application, the structural drafter can simultaneously prepare all the model views, drawings, details, and schedules for documentation. When the drafter loads the latest file saved by the engineer, all design changes made to the model by the engineer automatically update the corresponding information in the drafter’s work.

8. What types of structural elements and materials are supported out of the box?

Libraries of all standard walls, columns, foundations, beams, floor systems, braces, trusses, and open web joists are provided. Special foundations, precast concrete elements, and other useful structural libraries, such as castellated beams, steel connections, stiffeners, and concrete reinforcement, are also supported. Structural boundary conditions, load cases, and load types are included and can be exported to analysis and design software along with the other structural elements.

9. How does Revit Structure work with Revit Architecture and Revit MEP software?

Revit Structure is built on the same Revit technology platform as Revit Architecture. If both the structural engineer and the architect are using Revit applications but are in separate organizations, they can exchange and cross-link RVT format files so each has access to the other’s information as they work. Working on the same Revit platform enables engineers and architects to perform interference checks between structural and architectural elements. It also provides automatic coordination monitoring tools so that each discipline can get an electronic notification each time the other makes a change to a level, grid, column, wall, floor, or opening.

Structural engineers who are working with mechanical, electrical, or plumbing engineers using Revit® MEP can take full advantage of building information modeling to share the same underlying building database. Interference checking similar to the coordination between Revit Structure and Revit Architecture is available in all Revit applications for better coordination. For instance, structural engineers can check for interferences between ductwork and structural elements. They can also simply gain a better overall understanding of the entire structure by linking the Revit models together.

10. How does Revit Structure work with AutoCAD or other 2D software?

Revit Structure provides industry-leading DWG™ compatibility for data import and export. Revit Structure can produce DWG deliverables just as AutoCAD software can. It supports the process most engineering firms use with their clients by producing consistent and layered DWG files using user-defined layering standards. With Revit Structure, nothing in an exported DWG file ends up on the wrong layer. This level of accuracy eases client interactions and expedites the design and construction process.

Revit Structure enables imported or linked DWG files from clients or consultants to be used for coordination as reference geometry or as the starting point for a new design. Any CAD system that supports the DWG or DXF™ file format can work effectively with Revit Structure.