Creating Levels, Grids, Layout and model elements for a residential unit using REVIT

CREATING LEVELS, GRIDS, LAYOUT AND MODEL ELEMENTS FOR A RESIDENTIAL UNIT USING REVIT

 

Introduction:

The Revit platform for building information modelling is a design and documentation system that supports the design, drawings and schedules required for building project.

Revit buiding elements are of three types:

• Model elements: It containts two types of elements. i.e, Host elements and components elements
  • Host elements: Build in place of construction like wall, roof, stair and floor.
  • Components elements: Everything else in your model like door, window,furnitures etc.
• View elements: It is the way you see and interact with the things. i.e floor plans, ceiling plans, elevations, 3D views.
• Annotation elements: Two types: Annotation elements and datum elements:
  • Annotation elements: Non-physical items used to establish project context, like dimensions, loaded tags, text notes.
  • Datum elements: 2D components that maintain scale on paper in 1 view like, levels, column grids, reference plans.

 

1. Building Information Modelling (BIM):

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the holstic process of creating and managing information for a built asset. Based on an intelligent model and enabled by a cloud platform, BIM integrates structured, multidisciplinary data to produce a digital representation of an asset across  its lifecycle, from planning and design to construction and operations.

BIM is a virtual representation of the physical and funstional characteristics of a faciliy frominception onwards. As such, it serves as a shared information repository for collaboration throughout a facility's life cycle.

BIM consists mainly of 3D modeling concepts in addition to information database technology and interoperable software in a desktop computer environment that architects, enginees and contractors can ue to design a fcility and simulate construction. This technology allows members of the project team te generate a virtual model of the structure and all of its systems in 3D and to be able to share that information with each other. It typically uses three- dimensional , eal tim, dynamic buiding modelling software to manage and increase productivity in building design and construction.

• Features of BIM:
  • Easy access to information: It is a physical representation of the physical and functional characteristics of the building process, that provides very minute detail of the project. Every stakeholders make their discipline-specific input to make it a comprehensive shared information resource about the structure. On ca esily access the right information at the right time that provides a reliable basis for decsion making during a structure's entire lifecycle.
  • Making the process more extensive: CAD software allows the users to work accurtely in 3 dimensions i.e length, breadth and depth. However, BIM Modelling service providers are allowed to work in 5 dimensions, time and cost being additional dimensions. They are thus able to produce accurate cost and material estimates and precise time schedules of the project even as the design is being developed.
  • More comprehensive overview of the project: BIM model not only presents the 3D geometric view of the structure, they provide a more comprehensive overview of the entire building process. It covers every component of this process from geometrical aspect of the design to spatial relationships, from light analysis to provision of various services, from topographical informations to quantities or properties of building components, and so on.
  • Lifelike views: BIM design tools allows you to obtaain various views from a building model and produce high-quality, accurate drawings. These viewsare based on a single definition of each object and thus gives a more realistic and accurate idea of the final structure.

 

• Benefits of using BIM over other 2D CAD tools:
  • BIM offers a more complete representation of a building's design. It takes more than the building's core components into account. For example, BIM allows you to design electrical and HVAC systems, as well as the building itself. This means the project team can take full advantage of the space and resources available.
  • BIM pulls your documents to a single database. Several people can work on the same model and save it to cloud. This allows for instant updates, so you won't waste time searching for documents when you need to make changes.
  • A BIM model will allow you to prefabricate important components ahead of time. You won't have to adjust them based on the building design. Instead such components are part of the initial design.
  • You can provide much more to the clients using BIM than you could with CAD. The models you give to your clients update constatntly as you work on your projects. Your clients can check in any time, which leads to quicker approval for milestone and more efficient project development.
  • Resource tracking is a key component of BIM models. You will be able to figure out how much of each resources you need during the design stage. This improves the flow and efficiency of construction.

 

2.

Aim: 

To understand the concept of Categories, Families, Elements, Instances in Revit and then insert it into Revit.

Definitions:

• Category: It is one of the revit element hierarchy. It controls the organization, visibility, graphical representations and scheduling options of families within the project.
• Family: A family is a grouping of 2D/3D information that serves to represent a discrete building or documentation element in the project. It defines parametric, graphical, and documentation requirements.
• Type: Type is specific representation in a Family defined by distinct parametric , graphical, and documentation characteristics which makes it unique from other types in the family.
• Element: Everything in Revit is an element.
• Instance: An instance is an individual representaion of a type in the project defined by unique parametric, graphical and documentation characteristics which makes it unique from other instances in the Project.

Procedure:

• Open Revit --> create an architectural template --> save the file.

• Now, go to architecture tab of the ribbon and choose wall.
• Then create a room using the wall option as hown below:

• Now, the next step is to insert a door, which will explain diffterent hierarchy in Revit.
• So for this go to door option of the Architecture tab.

• Here, the door is the category.
• Then go to load family.

• In that select the door category.

• Then choose the family of your choice, i.e

• Now, choose the type of door.

• Then, click ok and proceed.

• Now, what is visually seen finally is the instance.
• Hence, it is inserted.

 

3.

Aim:

To set up a project.

Procedure:

• Initially open the revit.

• Take new architectural template.

• Now, save the file with appropriate name.

• Now, go to options in the above shown window to set the backups and set it to 3.

• Now, we have to set up the project units.
• So for this type UN and change the units to meters.

• Now, the next thing to be done is to set the project information.
• For this go to manage tab of the ribbon and in that select project information.

• Fill in the details to complete project information.

• Click Ok and the project setting is completed.

 

4.

Aim:

To understand the concepts of levels and grids and to create the levels and grids.

Procedure:

• Initially open the revit file (Architectural template).
• Now, go to elevation view.

• Then, change the names of the levels to Groundfloor at 0' ; First floor @10'; Second floor @20' and roof @30'.
• For this, go to architecture tab --> then choose levels--> then provide the offset of the level above the previous level and then plce the level then rename it as per requirement.

 

• Now, the next step is to create the grids.
• Again go to Architecture tab--> grids--> now draw the longitudinal grids at a spacing of 20' and starting from rightside and proceeding to left and is numbered from 1-10.

• Now, we have to create transverse grids at a spacing of 10' and named as A, B, C, D and E; starting from top and proceeding to bottom.

• Hence, the completed grid is shown below:

 

 

5.

Aim:

To create the 3D model of a residential unit in the Revit software.

Procedure:

• Open the revit software.
• Create new architectural template for the project.
• Now save the file by giving apropriate name.

• Then we have to fill the project information.

• Now, go to Architectural tab of the ribbon and choose the wall an create the layout of the plan.

• Again go to Architectural tab--> doors--> place the doors t the required location.

• Now, choose window from the architectural tab of the ribbon and create the windows at the required position.

 

6.

Aim:

To create the dimensions of the layout.

Procedure:

• In the layout that is created we have to provide the dimensions so for that go to annotate tab of the ribbon.
• In the annotate tab go to linear dimension and provide dimension.

• Now, go to Arcitectural tab --> room --> room tag.

 

7.

Aim:

To identify the residential model elements such as Door, Windows, Tables, Chair, Couch, Bed, Lamps from the library and insert them to the model.

Procedure:

• Here, we have to place the components in layout created.
• For that, go to architectural tab --> components --> place components --> load family --> libraries --> India. Then choose the components that you want to place in the plan like ables, Chair, Couch, Bed, Lamps etc.

    

• Variuod model elements included are: 
  • Dining space: dining table, crockery stand

 

• Living space: 4 sofas, 2 tables

• Bedrooms: Bed, two shelves, drawer stand, two single sofas.

• Kitchen: Slab a, sink and refrigerator:

 

 

• Different components placed are shown below:

• The 3D view of the same is provided as:

• Hence completed.

 

Result:

1. Explained above.

2. The concept of Categories, Families, Elements, Instances in Revit has been undestood and is inserted to Revit model.

3. Project is set up s given below: 

- File is saved.

- Maximum backup is set.

- Project information is filled.

 

4. Understood the concept of levels and grids and is created as given below:

- Levels:

- Grids:

 

5. 3D model of a residential unit is created as given below: 

 

6. Dimensions are aldo added as given below:

7. The residential model elements such as Door, Windows, Tables, Chair, Couch, Bed, Lamps from the library have been identifiedand are inserted into the model and is given below: