How to draw beams so that top of steel rather than centroid of section is used.

[alphabravo2970]

Hi there,

Is there a way to draw steel beams in a model so that the top of steel is the reference point rather than the centroid of the section? When doing design, the depth of the member can change, thereby changing the elevation of the floor, unless the top of steel is referenced.

Thanks in advance. 

[tony.ridley]

Are you taking about using Revit?

Otherwise use beam offsets

[Artur.Kosakowski]

The way of defining the offset that updates itself the moment you change either a section size or a slab thickness.

Mind that use of the offset will cause axial force and the reduction of bending in the beam.

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