Inspired to use Revit Structure 2010 Bridge Extension

Two weeks ago I was on vacation out west and drove across the the Hoover Dam. What I saw was the new construction of the "Hoover Dam Bypass" and was very impressed.

A dramatic new concrete arch is joining the setting of the historic Hoover Dam, spanning the Black Canyon between the States of Arizona and Nevada. When complete, the 323 meter arch will be the 4th longest concrete arch in the world, and the longest in the United States. What makes the design distinctive is the combined use of steel and concrete to optimize construction and structural performance. The design is the first arch structure built on such a scale to combine a composite steel deck with a segmental concrete arch and spandrels. In addition, the design is unique in its use of steel sections for Vierendeel struts between twin concrete arch ribs – a feature that both speeds construction and adds ductility to the lateral framing system for extreme seismic loads.

This made me think how I could start designing a bridge in Revit Structure 2010.

Let's take a look at the Revit Bridge Extension.

The Revit Bridge Extension good is for simple design, but a great place to start.

Using Modeling of bridges, you can generate bridges based on user-defined data in a Revit ® model.  Note:This Extension does not check whether the geometry of a bridge or types of families that you define, are correct.  

You can define basic parameters of the geometry of a bridge: bridge; profile; deck; abutments; piers; railings.

You can define a bridge using either of the following methods:  Generate a bridge based on user-specified data; Import an XML file that has a vertical and a horizontal profile of a bridge and define parameters of the deck, abutments and piers.

A bridge is generated based on families that are available in this Extension. A list of available families displays on tabs in the Modeling of bridges dialog. You can modify these families in Revit ® ( without changing their functionality).

You need to download and install the extensions.

1.   To download the Extensions for Revit Structure 2010 go to the Subscription web site at: http://subscription.autodesk.com.

2.   Pick on Project Downloads at find:  Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Structure 2010.

Choose Multiple Languages.exe from the bottom of the page and Save it your computer.

 

3.   Once it’s saved to your computer click on it to install th extension.

4.   After you install the extensions you will see an Extension tab on the ribbon.

5.   From the External Tools Panel>External Tools drop-down choose Revit Extension for Revit Structure 2010.

 6.   Pick Bridge Under the Modeling Folder

   

Note: you will see a Help drop-down for more help than I have listed here.

 

7.    Bridge Profile: Use the options on this tab to define horizontal and vertical profiles of a bridge. If you have a LandXML file you can Import this by choosing the Import…button or you fill in the Vertical and Horizontal profiles.

8.   Type in the Number of spans (example 4)

9.   Deck: Use the options on this tab to define geometry of:  deck and  beams.  Choose the Family to use and Type. Make any changes if needed. Note: the Family needs to be in the Project to see in them in the drop down list.

 10.  Abutments: Use the options on this tab to define the geometry and stations of abutments of a bridge.  From Configuration you see a drop-list of Abutments, Start Abutment and End Abutment, choose each of them make changes if needed. Choose the Family and Type for Abutment and Foundation. Make any changes if needed. Note: the Family needs to be in the Project to see in them in the drop down list.

   11.   Piers: Use the options on this tab to define the geometry and stations of piers of a bridge. Under Configuration, Pier number, choose Pier and choose Family and Type for the Pier and Foundation. Make any changes if needed. Note: the Family needs to be in the Project to see in them in the drop down list.

 12.   Railing: Use the options on this tab to define railings of a bridge. The Modeling of bridges dialog on this tab has 3 parts. Check on the railing you want you use: Left railing, Central railing, and Right railing. Choose the Family and Type you want use. Make any change if needed.  Note: the Family needs to be in the Project to see in them in the drop down list.

13.   Pick OK at the bottom of the dialog box to make the bridge.

 

Comments

[Veredith Keller]

Thanks for that information. I was more intersted in the new bridge they are building.

[Adrian Kidarsa]

Joe,

Does the extension allow coding rebar into the bridge model?

Can you show me a method to place rebar into a bridge model after generating the model with the Civil Structure Extension?

Thank you.

[Charles Jolin]

Masses are used to model many of the parts of a bridge with this extension and these objects cannot support/host rebar. Some of the items that are modeled in typical structural categories do support the hosting of rebar, but the process is going to be mostly manual because of the unique shapes used.