topic Re: Columns vs Structural Columns in Revit Architecture Forum

Columns vs Structural Columns

jesse3WLUJ — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 21:24:50 GMT

I've always been curious why Revit has separate categories for architectural columns (in object styles I think just referred to as just 'columns?', as well as 'structural columns'. Can anybody explain the difference to me? What on earth is a 'non structural' column?

Thanks.

Re: Columns vs Structural Columns

RSomppi — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 21:51:28 GMT

Columns can have these two types of elements. For instance, in commercial buildings, the structural is the steel and architectural is the enclosure.

Re: Columns vs Structural Columns

jesse3WLUJ — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 21:54:47 GMT

The thing is a column is always a structural element, it is not enclosure. It seems weird to have a non structural column option. It would be like a non-structural beam.

Re: Columns vs Structural Columns

RSomppi — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 22:00:18 GMT

@jesse3WLUJ wrote:
The thing is a column is always a structural element

That's not really true.

When you walk into an open office space and someone tells you to look at the column over there. You see don't see the actual structural steel. You see the enclosure. That's part of the architectural column.

Re: Columns vs Structural Columns

jesse3WLUJ — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 22:15:46 GMT

Ah ok interesting. In my office if the actual structural element wasn't exposed we'd call any wrapping around a column 'finish', 'lining', or 'fire protection', and would model it as such in Revit. I think its just a matter or terminology.

So is this what the architectural column tool is intended for, to wrap structural elements when you need to for fire protection or acoustics etc? Saves time compared to drawing four walls around it, and moves with grids I guess?

Re: Columns vs Structural Columns

RSomppi — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 22:21:01 GMT

I don't use them. I've learned the difference from having to reference them in links.

Good luck!

Re: Columns vs Structural Columns

SteveKStafford — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 22:40:09 GMT

Architectural Columns "wrap" structural columns, an interior design element. They also join with walls and inherit the layers within wall types they come into contact with. This means they can be useful to represent thicker wall conditions without modeling individual walls, particularly in early design where ideas are not yet refined.

Structural columns support the building and don't join with walls (different for concrete material) and they have properties to allow for structural analysis.

Re: Columns vs Structural Columns

ToanDN — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 22:46:46 GMT

You can use architectural columns for decorative columns, wall bump-outs, and cover for structural columns. They join with walls seamlessly so it is easier to use than other methods.

Re: Columns vs Structural Columns

RDAOU — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 05:34:27 GMT

In Revit, the difference between Structural Columns and Architectural Columns lies in their function, behavior, and interaction within the model.

Structural Column
1. Purpose: Used for load-bearing and structural analysis.
2. Category: Falls under Structural elements.
3. Interaction: Automatically joins with beams, foundations, and other structural elements.
4. Analytical Model: Includes an analytical representation for structural analysis.
5. Placement: Can be placed using Levels and Grids for precise alignment.
6. Visibility: Appears in Structural Discipline views.
7. Host Behavior: Can be attached to floors, beams, or foundations.

Architectural Column
1. Purpose: Used for aesthetic purposes or to enclose structural columns.
2. Category: Falls under Architectural elements.
3. Interaction: Does not join with beams or other structural elements.
4. Analytical Model: No analytical properties for structural analysis.
5. Placement: Can be placed freely and often manually adjusted.
6. Visibility: Appears in Architectural Discipline views.
7. Host Behavior: Can be hosted to floors or walls but doesn’t contribute structurally.
8. Exclusive behavior: It joins and inherits the layer structure of the Host if the latter is of a layered structure nature. See GIF Below

When to Use Each

Use Structural Columns when working on a structural model or when the column needs to participate in load calculations.
Use Architectural Columns for visual or decorative purposes, such as boxout/encasement/wrapping around a structural column to create a specific look without much effort and/or time being invested

Re: Columns vs Structural Columns

jesse3WLUJ — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 03:25:01 GMT

Thanks for your patient replies everyone. Makes sense now!