Autodesk Steel Connections for Revit add-on questions

[L_Taylor]

Recently, I have been testing this add-on in Revit 2017 to determine how much I could benefit from using it. In doing so, I have developed a few questions about some of the connection types.

1. When placing gusset plates, it seems like the software by default uses a 1/2" projection. Is there any way to change this to say 1"? Can you change certain default settings for all connection types?

2. Can you make baseplates show grout underneath? It looks like you can add shim plates and leveling plates, but not grout. Currently, I use a baseplate family (shown below) which shows grout. I can't see myself using the connection baseplate unless I can get it to look similar to what I'm using now.

3. My last question deals with column splices. If the top and bottom column members have the same gage, the splice connection seems to work great. However, if I use members with different gages, I can't figure out how to input two different gage distances so that the bolts align with the gage of each member. (Shown below, I would like to get the 6 bolts on top to align with the gage of the top member while the 6 bolts on the bottom stay where they are.)

Also, I have searched for educational/instructional material on this add-on, but have been unable to find anything that goes very in depth. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

As a side note, using this add-on has been fun and I definitely see some potential in it. Typically, we do not model very many connections in Revit, but I can see this add-on greatly reducing the amount of time it takes to model them when we do.

[floreai]

Hi,

Thank you for your very detailed review. The help for this feature can be found here: http://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2017/ENU/?guid=GUID-645A8C55-900A-42A7-8991-BFF6B2C7F6C6. Indeed, it doesn't go too deep in each connection's description, but we would gladly answer to your questions and also others that you might have.

1. Currently all the connection parameters are instance parameters. We have already registered a request in our database, to be able to define the defaults for connections parameters.

2. The base plate connection does not create concrete elements ( only steel ).

3. For the splice connection, for the moment all the bolts align the same. You can control only the distances between the columns of bolts, from the tab "Bolt columns flange ..."

Please let us know if you need more information.

Best regards,

Irina

[Anonymous]

Hi,

We normally show our steelwork as red, using the steel material, but the steel connections do not pick up the steel material (i.e. show red)

At the moment you cant assign a material to the steel connections (plates bolts etc)

I found the way to change the connections colour to red by changing the the object styles but when i connect to the col and beam, my beams go white in Hidden Lines display (shadowed are fine)

How can i change the material and why do columns/beams go white when there is a connection in place? When i delete the connection the columns turn back to red.

Its nice to show steel connections but if it creates all this hassle in elevation views, the its better removing them from the model.

Thanks 

[mihai.sandu]

Hello Anton,

The elements created by the connection: plates, beams (clip angles) can be assigned a different material. This is done from inside the Modify Parameters dialog, in the Element Properties tab. Please see the link bellow:

http://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2017/ENU/?guid=GUID-DAD3D313-387D-49A4-8442-63D49EBCAA1E

Bolt and anchor material is database driven and is changed from the Bolt Type drop box menu, in each Steel Connection's Modify Properties menu.

I managed to change the color of the plates, bolts, anchors, sections from inside the Object Styles menu.

Can you create a movie with the steps that you take in order to reproduce the beam/column color change when you delete the connection?

I didn't reproduce the issue on my side. This may be linked to the fact that when you place a connection the revit beam geometry is replaced with a fabrication shape:

http://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2017/ENU/?guid=GUID-8381A08F-CBCD-4215-AB36-82648C07B8F6

Regards,

[Anonymous]

Thank you Mihai,

When i change from shaded to hidden lines the colour of the column and the connections goes to white. i have no filters no template applied to the view. a simple elevation. I will have a look at that fabrication shape you mentioned.

[Anonymous]

[m.spiniello]

hi, I have Italian version of Revit and Steel Connection doesn' t work; in revit 2018 can I use Steel Connection with Italian Library ?

[mihai.sandu]

 Hello Mario,

The Europe Specific certified families are not localized in Italian in the next version, Revit 2018. We have this task in our backlogs for implementation in a future version.

At the present moment, the only workaround is to start Revit in English and load the certified families from the Europe Specific folder, located in the Italy content folder. Please see below link:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2017/EN...

Regards,

[Anonymous]

Hello there,

Download the trial version of advance steel. you can control the splice connection there however you want. revit won't do it.

Regards,

Benny

[Anonymous]

Here is the screencast clip.

http://autode.sk/2p4H6MU

[mihai.sandu]

Hello Anton,

This issue is not a bug. Once a steel connection is placed the Revit beam is changed with a fabrication beam. 

The fabrication beam is controlled from inside the Structural Connections\Profiles subcategory. 

Regards,

[KJimmo]

In response to the base plate connection not being able to also model concrete elements, is there a way to have the baseplate sit a certain distance above the slab so that at least in detail the grout can be faked?

[mihai.sandu]

Hi Kelly,

Yes, the base plate can be moved upwards using the "Column Shortening" and "Shortening value" fields. Please see attached picture.

Regards,

[KJimmo]

Thank you so much for the quick reply!

I'm wondering if you can also help me out with figuring out how to get the 'gusset plate to column and base plate' type connections to work.  I've tried multiple ways and still can't get the connection to show up.  Do I have to select both the column and the brace for that connection?  Does the baseplate have to be a specific type? 

Thanks in advance.

Kelly

[mihai.sandu]

Hi Kelly,

In Steel Connections for Revit 2018, the "Gusset plate to column and base plate" (or additional object) connection, can be placed only between a column, brace and beam. Please see following picture.

The connection can't be created having the additional object the base plate from another connection, because the "plate" object can't be selected individually in this version of the software. We will enable this behavior in a future version, and the connection will be able to be placed in this case also.

As a workaround, you could create a beam right underneath the base plate and create the connection between the column, beam and brace. The beam will collision with the base plate and you will have to take care of it in the schedules.

Regards,

[Anonymous]

Re: the connection "element properties", it seems that this has been removed from 2019 version? 
I have seen the new 2019 connection schedules for plates, etc. but the ability to change materials in these schedules is also not possible.  Then, how is one to perform quantity takeoffs for connection plates and other materials? 
The material reported for the baseplates (as an example) is not reported in material schedules, nor is any connection quantities (mostly available in Revit schedules, but not all) being output to odbc/ Revit db. 
Using the baseplate example, there is no current way that I can see to quantify the steel mass of all of the baseplates, which is very important for quantity schedules, costing takeoffs, etc.
Thanks in advance and i look forward to your response. 

[catalin_lang]

In Revit 2019 the material can be change directly on the plates created by the connection. The element properties is not needed anymore. It has been used before because the plates created by the connection cannot be selected and edited.

The connections parameters cannot be edited from the schedules as long as the elements are part and controlled by the connection.
These parameters can be grouped as:
- parameters controlled by the connection - this will always be controlled by the connection
- parameters that are not controlled by the connection (like structural material) - for 2019 release this is a know limitation. These parameters cannot be edited as long as the element is controlled by the connection.

About "The material reported for the baseplates (as an example) is not reported in material schedules, nor is any connection quantities (mostly available in Revit schedules, but not all) being output to odbc/ Revit db."
This is a known limitation.
The only schedule that reports the plates material is the Schedule/Quantities one, choosing the Structural Connection/Plates category.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Catalin
Re: the plate material, i see that now, I can "box" select connection(s) and filter out the plates and change the structural material there. 
However, the material reporting limitation is a large one in my opinion, as currently the plate quantity schedule does not report material quantities.  I can get thickness, and material name, but not any volumes, areas, weights, that sort of thing.  The (example) plate material itself is also not reported in material quantity schedules, which is a little scary.  One believes that when one does a total material schedule for an entire project, one expects all of the materials to be available and reported there.  Having these materials omitted from these schedules can lead to large quantity survey mistakes. 

A structural connections material takeoff also comes up blank. 
These structural connection materials cannot even be extracted with Dynamo.

Will this be included in a future hot fix to your knowledge? 

[catalin_lang]

Hi,

This issue will be addressed soon... I don`t know the way (hotfix, release, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Thank you Catalin.