AECOsimBD M01 Mechanical

AECOsim
Building
Designer
Quick Start Guide
Chapter M01
Mechanical
2012
Bentley Systems, Incorporated
www.Bentley.com/AECOsim
AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

CHAPTER M01 MECHANICAL
Table of Contents
Mechanical ....................................................................................................................3
Mechanical Builidng Designer Features ........................................................................... 3
Parts/Families and DataGroup Data ............................................................................... 4
Snaps, AccuSnaps, and AccuDraw ................................................................................. 4
Icon Locks (Ctrl+Shift+I) .......................................................................................... 6
the Interface ............................................................................................................... 7
Place Equipment .......................................................................................................... 8
Place Ductwork ........................................................................................................... 9
Place Diffuser ............................................................................................................ 10
Device HookUp .......................................................................................................... 11
Page 2 of 12
2012 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
v2.0

MECHANICAL
Mechanical Engineers and Designers can quickly create a preliminary physical model of the
buildings HVAC and plumbing systems using many of the HVAC and Plumbing placement tools
found on the HVAC and Plumbing Design task menu. The physical model is important not only
for coordination with the other discipline models, but it will also be used for the creation of the
Mechanical HVAC and Piping/Plumbing drawings, along with any necessary schedules and
reports.
This chapter will give an overview of basic Mechanical Building Designer concepts that need to
be understood to effectively create and modify designs.
MECHANICAL BUILIDNG DESIGNER FEATURES
Mechanical Building Designer supports a 3D workflow, with 2D output. Intelligent components
allow design engineers to work in the 3D model, while changes are automatically updated and
synchronized with the 2D drawings. Automatic drawing generation uses industry-standard
representations of mechanical system components. Automated connections, routing and sizing
tools, and system component editing all designed to increase efficiency and workflow.
Mechanical Building Designer is also integrated with all the AECOsim Building Designer
solutions to ensure that designs and documentation are coordinated throughout the design and
construction phases. Design project models provide extensive continued use during life cycle
operations and future projects. Compatible Building Designer tools such as Clash Detection,
provide integrated collaboration and analysis to facilitate coordination of designs with all
disciplines in the project team.
Significant Mechanical Building Designer features include:
Supports both HVAC and Plumbing disciplines - Placement, modification, and
manipulation tools are available to each discipline.
Drawing resymbolization control - Automated drawing representations for mechanical
components are customizable. Standard single line and double line presentations can be used
or they can be edited to meet company and project requirements.
Dynamic routing connections place transitions, fittings, and combinations of
fittings as route sizes change - Placement commands automatically place fittings, such as
elbows and transitions, and symbols in logical locations without leaving the command.
Automatic labeling and label updating - Various components are labeled with one
command. Labels are associative and update automatically when changes to components are
made.
Automatic device hookup - Devices and route elements are hooked up by selecting them.
Additional settings contain options for connecting devices to existing route elements. If
requirements exceed settings, then hookups are finished automatically.
Page 3 of 12
v2.0

AccuDraw key-in short cuts specific to the Mechanical Building Designer
application - AccuDraw key-ins assist placement by re-orientating components dynamically
during placement or modification operations.
Context sensitive option menus assist with DataGroup property entries - A right
click on key components launches option menus and dialog boxes used to apply entries to
tentatively placed or modified Mechanical Building Designer elements.
Integrated schedules and reporting - Building information can be entered at any point
during the decision making and modeling process. This information is managed and used by
the DataGroup System to quickly generate accurate, user produced, schedules and reports.
Automatic manufacturer catalog selection - Automatic component selection from widely
recognized manufacturer catalogs simplifies the routing process. Manufacturer catalogs can be
queried during both the placement or modification operations.
System analysis tools - Analyze individual routes or runs as well as entire systems.
Functionality includes automatic detection of disconnected components, global assignment and
calculation of flow rates and velocities based on designed values, system optimization and
automatic generation of system ID's and insulation.
GBXML Export - The energy analysis model and GBXML export tool employ the Energy
Analysis Module (EAM). EAM is a web based application that enables design and modeling
applications supporting the GBXML (Green Building XML) schema the ability to use common
building energy analysis applications.
PARTS/FAMILIES AND D ATAGROUP DATA
Mechanical Building Designer components are intelligent 3D models of ducts, pipes, diffusers,
fans, fittings, valves, pumps, and in line devices. Mechanical Building Designer is delivered
with predefined parts and part families; however, new parts and part families can be defined to
suit any specific project type. Part/Families data includes the default symbology definitions for
these components used for both design and drawing environments.
The DataGroup System is a data schema utility common to all Building Designer applications.
Design teams from every discipline need a system that enables them to assign important
model data to model objects to distinguish their use. Many mechanical teams place duct and
fittings that have different usage requirements depending on environmental conditions and
other engineering variables. Assigned catalog item data must place with each item instance
and the system must also track and manage the data for schedules and reporting.
Furthermore, design teams need to be able to set catalog items and instance data for a host of
placement tools so that workflow can begin and continue without interruption.
SNAPS, ACCUSNAPS, AND ACCUDRAW
Snaps and Tentative Snaps are covered in the AECOsimBD-000-Introduction to AECOsim
Building Designer Core Functionality, but the mechanical tools also make use of
discipline specific connection points, to facilitate correctly connecting (or snapping) one
component to another.
Page 4 of 12
v2.0

Discipline Specific Connection Points The need to distinguish between HVAC and
plumbing disciplines arises when elements from both disciplines are present in a model.
Connect points provide the necessary intelligence to the graphical elements that represent
duct, pipe, fittings, diffusers or pumps. They are required for all operations related to
placement, manipulation and modification. An HVAC duct must not be allowed to connect to a
plumbing fixture, and a pipe must not connect with a centrifugal fan. Mechanical Building
Designer provides discipline specific connection points to prevent incorrect connections
between opposing disciplines.
AccuDraw and AccuDraw Shortcut Key-ins are covered in AECOsimBD-000-Introduction to
AECOsim Building Designer Core Functionality. The following AccuDraw shortcuts are
specifically used in conjunction with the Mechanical Building Designer placement and
modification commands.
AccuDraw
Shortcut Key-in
Effect/Description
Key-ins available within the Place Component and Modify Component tools:
Opens the Manufacturer Catalog dialog box when catalog links are
<H>,<C>
available.
Reorients the Mechanical Building Designer component by toggling
<R>,<R>
through the connect point ID's.
Rotates the Mechanical Building Designer component 90 to the left
<R>,<W>
about the AccuDraw X axis.
Rotates the Mechanical Building Designer component 90 to the right
<R>,<T>
about the AccuDraw X axis.
Sets the Mechanical Building Designer component into inline dynamic
<R>,<I>
placement mode after an end connection is established. Once placed,
the parent duct/pipe is broken to accommodate the inline component.
During component placement, sets the AccuDraw compass to the
<R>,<O>
connected end of a component if dynamically connected.
During component placement, sets the AccuDraw compass to the
connected end of a component if dynamically connected. If the
<R>,<P>
connected end shape is "Round", the AccuDraw compass is adjusted to
match the component's placed orientation.
Swaps the dimensional sizes for all ends of the Mechanical Building
<R>,<F>
Designer component.
Swaps the dimensional sizes for the placement end of the Mechanical
<R>,<D>
Building Designer component.
Key-ins available within the Modify Component tools:
Resizes connected components to reflect size changes during a
<R>,<S>
Mechanical Building Designer component modification.
Advances the focus to the next connection on a component or to the
next component for modification. The key-in can advance to as many as
<R>,<x>
twenty connections.
A duct can have as many as 18 taps plus the two ends totaling a
maximum of twenty.
Page 5 of 12
v2.0

Icon Locks (Ctrl+Shift+I)

Icon Locks determine whether data points and snap points will be projected onto the ACS
plane (locked mode) or remain at the true placement elevation (unlocked mode). Whenever a
placement tool is chosen in Mechanical Building Designer the locks will automatically be
unlocked, since placement is typically relative to other components and not an ACS plane.
For more information on ACS planes and the Floor Manager see AECOsimBD A02
Making the Mass Model Intelligent.
Page 6 of 12
v2.0

THE INTERFACE
The Building Designer tasks dialog box, by default, docked
on the left side of the Building Designer application window,
provides all the Mechanical Building Designer tasks and
tools in task toolboxes which organizes them into logical
groups based on their specific type of use. For instance, the
HVAC Oval Ducts task contains all the Mechanical
Building Designer component placement and component
modification tools for placing oval ductwork. The HVAC
Equipment task contains all the tools necessary for
placing mechanical equipment in the model.
Similarly, Mechanical Building Designers drawing and
reporting features are provided in several other tasks; the
Data task, the Drawing Composition task and the
Annotation task.
Mechanical Building Designer provides Mechanical
placement tools that simplify connect point sensitivity,
selection of components, and provide increased component
availability for more realistic system models.
Mechanical components obtain and maintain their
intelligence through to their categorization in the
Part/Family system. And within that categorization is
further definition, including size, material, orientation,
drafting attributes, labeling, and even specific customizable
notes such as manufacturers name. The DataGroup
System extends the intelligence of Mechanical members by
managing the Part/Family data and additional
Datagroup data used in processes throughout Mechanical
Building Designers features.
Enhanced placement functionality takes advantage of
manufacturer catalogs. When available, manufacturer
catalog entries are scanned for the nearest match to user
inputted data. DataGroup property values for key
dimensional parameters such as diameter, radius and angle
are examples of the scanned properties. Data is
automatically applied from the manufacturer catalog to the
DataGroup Instance Data dialog box during placement.
Page 7 of 12
v2.0

PLACE EQUIPMENT
The Place Rectangular AHU tool, found

on the HVAC Equipment task bar, is used to place
an AHU in the model. AHUs are available in two
categories based on their shape type; rectangular
or round. Multi-end AHUs are also available up to
5 ends.
The Place Component dialog along with the
DataGroup Instance Data dialog opens.
The AHU end conditions are modified in the End
Spec schema properties. Set the Width and
Depth of Duct Connections.
Set the overall length of the AHU with the Total
Length property.
CellSymbol Sets model cell from cell library to
the AHU by fitting cell proportionally to extents of
device.
EndType The end conditions of ducts are set to
flange, male or female connections with full
dimensional control by setting the EndType
property. Also, the two ends are independent, and
may have different connections. For example, the
value fl-2; fe-.13 creates a flange at End1 with
size 2, and a female connection at End2 with a
clearance of .13.
Enter a data point to place the member in the
model.
Besides these default devices, Mechanical Building
Designer allows designers to assemble a unit by
selecting components of the AHU like duct, filters,
fans, dampers and air modifiers.
Page 8 of 12
v2.0

PLACE DUCTWORK
The Place Rectangular Duct tool, found

on the HVAC Rectangular Ducts task bar, is used
to place rectangular ductwork in the model. Duct
is a component type with unique properties and
behaviors. Placing duct employs automatic
fitting placement logic that senses the
dimensional properties of the duct and orientation
in 3D space of the AccuDraw Compass to correctly
select combinations of elbows, transitions,
takeoffs and coupling components to maintain
connectivity throughout the route.
The Place Component dialog along with the
DataGroup Instance Data dialog opens.
In the Place Component tool, set the
justification to the center-center position.
Set the active Family and Part in this example to,
Duct/Supply-New.
Turn on the Orientation, Size and Shape in the
Place Component tool settings. The duct
appears attached to the pointer.
Position the duct near the connection point of
another piece of ductwork or an AHU. The match
property settings checked in the previous step
take effect, defining the size, shape and
orientation of the new ductwork.
Page 9 of 12
v2.0

PLACE DIFFUSER
The Place Top Square Ceiling Diffuser

tool, found on the HVAC Grilles & Diffusers task
bar, is used to place grilles and diffusers in the
model.
Once selected, the Place Component dialog
along with the DataGroup Instance Data
dialog opens.
If placing the diffuser in a ceiling grid, set the
justification to the top-left position in the Place
Component dialog.
Set the active Family and Part, for instance,
Diffuser/Supply-New.
Set the parameters for the diffuser under the
CustomParamDiffuser tab. Alternatively,
select a catalog name in the Catalog Name field
under the Properties tab. Once the catalog is
defined, right click in any of the
CustomParamDiffuser fields and select
Manufacturer Catalog.
In the Manufacturers Catalog dialog, set any

required parameters like the diameter of the
connection (D1) to filter the catalog down to
available items that fit the criteria. Select the item
Page 10 of 12
v2.0

to place and select Apply. Place in model with a data point.
DEVICE HOOKUP
The Device HookUp tool,

found on the HVAC Rectangular
Ducts task bar, is used to create
ductwork from a diffuser to other
ductwork.
Once selected, the Device
HookUp dialog opens.
Set the Type of ductwork to Rigid
or Flexible. If Flexible ductwork
is selected, set the flex length to
the maximum length of flexible duct
allowed.
Select the diffuser and then select the ductwork it is to be connected to. A path will appear on
the pointer. Adjust the path by moving the cursor, then use a datapoint to accept the path at
the desired location.
Page 11 of 12
v2.0

MOVIE: Mechanical
This movie shows:
1. Placing Ductwork
2. Placing Diffusers
Page 12 of 12
v2.0

AECOsimBD M01 Mechanical

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

AECOsimBD M01 Mechanical

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

AECOsim

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

Icon Locks (Ctrl+Shift+I)

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

The Place Rectangular AHU tool, found

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

The Place Rectangular Duct tool, found

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

The Place Top Square Ceiling Diffuser

In the Manufacturers Catalog dialog, set any

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

The Device HookUp tool,

AECOSIM BUILDING DESIGNER

You might also like