In a work-shared Autodesk Revit project, creating and scheduling structural connections like baseplates and bolts requires a specific process to ensure accuracy and consistency. This blog post will guide you through the steps of using the Revit Structural Connections tools to create and place baseplates and bolts for columns, and how to call them out in a schedule.

 

Step 1: Accessing the Structural Connections Tools

First, ensure you are in a structural view. Go to the “Structure” tab in the Revit ribbon, and locate the “Connection” panel. Here you’ll find the “Connection Settings” and “Connection” commands.

Step 2: Defining Connection Settings

Before placing any connections, it’s crucial to define the settings. Click on “Connection Settings” to open the dialog box. Here you can:

  • Specify the types of connections you’ll be using. This includes various baseplate types, stiffeners, bolt types, and anchor rods.
  • Load connections from a library. You can browse the Revit content library to load specific connection families that are not already in your project.
  • Create custom connections. For unique or project-specific connections, you can create new types and define their parameters.

Step 3: Creating and Placing Baseplates

Now you’re ready to place the baseplates.

  1. Select the “Connection” command. This will open the “Structural Connections” dialog.
  2. Choose the desired baseplate type. Select the baseplate family you defined in the settings.
  3. Select the column. Click on the column where you want to place the baseplate. Revit will automatically attach the baseplate to the bottom of the column.
  4. Adjust the properties. In the Properties palette, you can modify the baseplate’s dimensions, thickness, and material.
  5. Add bolts and anchor rods. Use the “Modify” tab to select the baseplate and then use the “Add” command to add bolts and anchor rods. You can specify their spacing, diameter, and length in the Properties palette.

Step 4: Scheduling the Connections

Scheduling the connections is vital for a work-shared project, as it ensures all team members are aware of the connections and their properties.

  1. Go to the “View” tab and select “Schedules” and then “Schedule/Quantities”.
  2. Choose “Structural Connections” from the category list.
  3. Select the fields you want to include in your schedule. This can include:
    • Type Name: The name of the connection family (e.g., “Baseplate_12x12”).
    • Quantity: The number of connections.
    • Baseplate Thickness: The thickness of the baseplate.
    • Bolt Diameter: The diameter of the bolts.
    • Anchor Rod Length: The length of the anchor rods.
    • Comments: A field to add notes or specific instructions.

Step 5: Work-Sharing Considerations

In a work-shared project, all team members must be aware of the connections being created.

  • Synchronize frequently: To ensure everyone has the latest updates, synchronize your work with the central model regularly.
  • Communicate with the team: Let your team members know when you are adding or modifying connections. This helps avoid conflicts and ensures everyone is on the same page.
  • Use a dedicated workset: Consider creating a dedicated workset for structural connections to isolate them from other elements and avoid accidental modifications by other team members.

By following these steps, you can effectively use Revit Structural Connections to create, place, and schedule baseplates and bolts in a work-shared project, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and a streamlined workflow.

If you have any questions about the process above or any other please feel free to reach out and contact us! Have a great day!