Forums >> Revit Structure >> Technical Support >> Arched concrete beam

Pdoak

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Joined: Wed, Dec 22, 2010
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In Revit Structure

I need to create a couple elements for a project, both are ~30"dia conc. beams that will start at ground level atop a retaining wall and they will arch about 80'-120' out and end on the ground below. There will both be almost connected at the start and array at different angles, but will both be tilted to one side (away from each other). There will also be fabric of sorts that spans across them to create a covered stage below.

Any pointers on how I can do this in Revit? I would like to export this to RISA when done for structural analysis (engineer isn't using Revit yet). Otherwise I'll be modeling this in Sketchup and have no analysis to show for it.

Thank you!!!

-Phil-

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mbsteve

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Joined: Fri, Sep 22, 2006
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Not seeing a sketch of this structure I would start by creating workplanes for the intended arches. Name the workplanes create perpendicular workplanes and name them. Then use the view framing elevation tool which will snap to the workplanes and give you normal views of the workplanes. Then use Component Model in Place Sweep Extrusion create the path first and finish the path then go to the framing elevation that will look normal to the path and be at the center. create the profile of the beam finish with concrete as the material.

If you have curves in two directions this will be tougher, you can get an approximation by creating multiple paths and using sweep blend with differing elevations. Kinda like the attached.

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Pdoak

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Joined: Wed, Dec 22, 2010
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Thank you, I will give this a try! I appreciate you taking the time to reply!

-Phil-

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itsmyalterego

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Joined: Thu, May 28, 2009
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something like this?  I was a little unclear.  But there's no need to take it to Sketchup, revit can do more complex geometry than that program.

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Pdoak

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Did you use the method MBSteve described, or did you use another method? And will this be able to use any analysis?

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Pdoak

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Also, is the geometry easily editable, or should you already know what angles and lengths you want before beginning this process?

Thanks again!

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itsmyalterego

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I doubt you could analyze this.  But I have no experience with structure.  This is a modeled in place sweep, and I use revit arch. same principles, maybe the program you export to will understand. 

The steps I went through to create this was:  Make a sweep or revolve with the arch you want, from the retaining wall/stage to the ground. 

create a thin void sweep from the outside to the center, at the angle you want, in *elevation*, and any addition curve you might want in plan.  make it very tall in profile so it cleanly slices through all your donut.

When finsihed and cut, it'll provide a clean cut line that you can use to "Pick Path" for your next sweep, being the 30" tube. 

you can then copy and array this tube sweep as you see fit.

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itsmyalterego

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it would be better to know what you want, first, or else you'll have to update your first beam redo the array, I think.  unless they're grouped... but groups are finicky, especially with sweeps...  You could also make one beam as a family, and then updating it would be a relative breeze. 

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