Why InstaCrete is the best Revit modelling tool? Let’s find.
- August 20, 2019
- Vikram Baraskar
Comparison between Revit modelling vs InstaCrete modelling (Part III)
In part I & II of the blog series, “Revit Modelling vs InstaCrete modelling” we compared the grid, level, foundation & structural column tools.
In this part III of the blog series, we will compare the Beam tool.
Beams –
Beams transfer the load from the slab to the columns. In a concrete structure, there are types of beams such as inverted beams, cantilever beams, continuous beams & T- beams.
Beam tool testing procedure –
We have 20 columns from Level 1 to Level 2. We will have 19 continuous beams in between these columns. These beams have different sizes. All these beams are arranged along one of the column edges.
Have a look at the video.
Revit completed the procedure in three minutes 39 seconds. While InstaCrete took two minutes 29 seconds to complete the same procedure. Around 32% of time-saving.
In part I of the blog series where we compared grid, level & Foundation tools InstaCrete saved 34% of the time.
In part II of the blog series where we compared the structural column tool, InstaCrete saved 36% of the time.
The procedure for testing – Revit modelling
I have 20 columns of size 600×750 at variable distances from level 1 to Level 2. The beam sizes are, 450×600, 400×600, 350×600, 300×600, 250×600 & 200×600 millimeters.
After opening the Beam command, I will place the beams in between the columns by selecting the grid. All the beams are placed as centre justified. i. e. the centre line of the beams is on the grid line.
Then we will move the beams one by one to the desired column edge.
This procedure took 3 minutes 39 seconds.
After using Revit for years, we thought the beam tool requires following enhancements like –
– one should be able to place the beam by clicking two grid points. The beam length should be automatically calculated by the software.
– one should be able to place the beam from any view.
– one should be able to provide various offset values to the beam, while it is being placed in the drawing.
– one should be able to place the beams in an “x” or “y” symmetry.
– one should be able to attach the cost & phase data to it.
Considering all these requirements we developed three tools to for InstaCrete. Quick Beam, Beam by selection & Direct beam.
Quick Beam –
It helps to place a beam in two sequential grid intersection points. For example, quick beam can place the beam in between A1-A2, A1-B1 grid intersection points.
Beam By Selection – It helps to place a beam in two non-sequential grid intersection points. For example, beam by selection can place the beam in between A1-A3, A1-D1 grid points.
Direct Beam –
In addition to the above two tools, we found, it is necessary to have another tool to construct the beam. So we developed direct beam tool. Using this tool the user has to click two points in the graphics window to construct the beam. This tool is useful to connect two parallel beams by the third beam.
InstaCrete modelling –
As the columns are on sequential grid points we will use the Quick Beam tool.
After opening the quick beam dialogue box we will select the beam sizes & apply an appropriate offset value so that all the beams are placed along one of the edges of the column.
This procedure took two minutes twenty-nine seconds. Saving of 70 seconds.
You can download InstaCrete here as well as from the Autodesk site. https://apps.autodesk.com/en
Vikram Baraskar is the founder director of the RCCCAD IT Solution Pvt. Ltd. He is a civil engineer by profession. He has got over 25 years of handling construction projects, teaching CAD software. He has carried out over 6 million sq. ft. of RCC auditing & Revit modelling work.
He loves all sports with a special liking to chess.