Session 5

Designing Connections within Autodesk

Revit Structure to Drive BIM Models to
Fabrication
Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data
Class Description
Model accuracy is vital to BIM projects and connections are a critical
component of making the model accurate. The ability to create asmanufactured model data for fabrication inside Autodesk Revit
Structure is within reachdown to the connections. This class will focus on
the code-based connection design in Revit Structure using SDS/2
Connect. Revit Users can communicate the engineer's detailed design
information downstream, driving the BIM model to fabrication.
This class will focus on:
A "tour" of the SDS/2 Connect Add-in, familiarizing attendees with
commands and setup
Explaining the code-based full joint analysis that takes place during the
design of connections
Showing how Revit Structure models, including connections, can be sent
downstream for fabrication
Demonstrating the various uses for SDS/2 Connect based on the user's
role in a project
Addressing most common issues reported by new users.
Brought to you by Autodesk Partner, Design Data, SDS/2 Connect can
significantly improve the quality of design in your structure. Whether it is
simply used as a sketch and analysis tool or as a full BIM Round-tripping
tool with Revit Structure, your projects will benefit from a more accurate
model complete with connection design information.

Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

About the Speakers:

Doug Evans Design Data's vice president of sales, has been with the
company for over 20 years. Throughout his two decades in the steel
fabrication industry, He has been a part of many technology initiatives
and panels. Evans was involved with the design and delivery of some of
the first CNC interfaces between CAD systems and fabrication equipment
in the early 1990s. Evans also has served on the Intergraph Structural
Committee and continues to serve on AISC advisory boards that are
involved in maintaining industry file transfer standards and presenting
industry awards. He has helped concept many products for Design Data
over the years, with the latest being the rebranding effort that is seen
today from Design Data. Before joining Design Data, Evans spent five
years as the director of marketing for the Gallup organization. Doug has a
bachelor's degree in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan
University, with a minor in computer science.
Michelle McCarthy is strategic sales manager at Design Data, makers of
SDS/2 software solutions for connection design, fabrication, and detailing
sectors. McCarthy presents and sells SDS/2 software products which
produce as-built models that provide automatic detailing, engineering
information, fabrication data and much more, reducing the time required
to design, detail, fabricate and erect structures. Additionally, McCarthy
has influenced several new additions to the SDS/2 product line as a part
of the company rebranding. McCarthy received her bachelors degree
from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and her master's degree in
management from Doane College.

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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

What is SDS/2 Connect?

SDS/2 Connect is a Revit Structure add-in that makes it possible for Revit
Structure users to automatically design steel connections inside of their
Revit Structure model. These steel connections and members in the Revit
Structure model will transfer downstream to and from SDS/2 Detailing
software. Once in the SDS/2 Detailing model, these connections and the
steel materials may be updated and any changes sent back to Revit
Structure for seamless updates of the structural model.
SDS/2 Connect Overview Video

Understanding SDS/2 Connect

SDS/2 Connect provides users with the ability to design and display
connections inside Revit Structure. There are some basic principles of
connection design tool that, once understood, will improve your
productivity with creating and communicating data.
This first section will introduce help menus, commands, and setup
optionsinformation necessary for maximizing results from both Revit
Structure and SDS/2 Connect.

SDS/2 Connect Help Menu

The SDS/2 Connect help menus are built to match Revit Structure help
menus and navigate in a similar manner. In our help menus, you can find
our connection guide, outlining the connections that can be designed by
SDS/2.
The help menus for SDS/2 Connect are accessible in the upper left hand
corner of the setup screen or in the lower left hand corner of the
connection edit screen. Information regarding installation details and
deeper explanation of the setup screens, along with other pertinent
details, are available to users from the help menus.

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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

The help menus include numerous images and instructions to help you get
your desired connections. They also include a more detailed explanation
of how connections are designed by SDS/2 Connect. This information can
be found in the help menu by selecting
TopicsConnectionsConnection Design. This outlines the steps that are
taken in designing the connections.

Commands in SDS/2 Connect

There are currently eight major commands in the SDS/2 Connect add-in
(from left to right in image below: Options, Import Fastrak Forces, Edit,
Report, Connection Type (Auto Std, selectively designs connections),
Design All, Export from Revit to SDS/2, and Import to Revit from SDS/2.

SDS/2 Connect basic toolbar ribbon

Accessing the various commands is intuitive. Any command on the SDS/2

Connect toolbar with an arrow below it has multiple options for the user to
choose from. Clicking on the arrow will provide access to setup menus
and design preferences for SDS/2 Connect.

Options
This setup area is primarily designed for use when models are being
transferred between Revit Structure and SDS/2. Choosing to design
established connections will only allow Revit Structure to make
adjustments to connections that have already been designed by Revit,
and it will leave all un-designed areas alone. Designating the whole
structure will work on every joint in the model. These options allow users to
selectively design connections and also save processing time.
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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

Materials
The materials setup area is the interface through which SDS/2 Connect
maps Revit Structure families to a form that is recognizable by SDS/2
Detailing software.

Setup
The default setup can be used out-of-the-box; however, knowing your
way around setup can help you achieve your desired results more quickly.
These setup options match many options regarding connections in SDS/2
Detailing. Most of the setup options in the menu affect connection design.
The ones listed below will have brief descriptions that aid in understanding
the way connections are designed by SDS/2 Connect.
Auto Standard Connections
o Automates connection design by letting users pre-determine
connections that will be designed based on framing
conditions that occur in the model.
o Due to full erectibility checks, certain framing conditions will
override the auto standard connection.
Schedule of Minimums
o Allow users to override connection design and simply apply a
chosen number of rows of bolts based on member size.
Design Criteria
o Engineers may select from any available design codes.
o Includes settings for applying automatic loads to beam and
bracing connections, selecting steel grades for connection
materials and more.

Check Project
Users have two options here: to find orphaned connection material and
to find undesignable members. These tools are available to identify such
situations in the model so that they may be rectified.

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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

Library
In this area, users map to their Revit Structure families. Currently, SDS/2
Connect works best with the Imperial library. NEED EXAMPLE OF HOW THIS
MIGHT BE USED.

Import Fastrak Forces

Importing a CXL file allows users to transfer load information from CSC's
Fastrak Building Designer into the SDS/2 Connect add-in. As part of this
process, the user will answer a few questions on moment loaded
connections, which will allow them more control over the design of those
connections. This will apply loads automatically to connections in the
project and eliminates the need to input loads by hand into SDS/2
Connect.

Edit
The Edit command will allow users to edit an existing connection, or
create a new connection. All the options found in the connection edit
window are linked to the same options that exist in SDS/2 Detailing
allowing for this information to be exchanged and updated during the
round tripping process.
Through this command, users can edit connection types, loads, plate
thicknesses and even weld information.

Report
Users can access connection design reactions, force checks and longhand calculations through the Report command. Simply select the
member or members you require a report for, and click the Report button
on the toolbar to view a condensed version of the report. This can be
expanded in a browser window to access the long hand calculations.

Connections

The Connection command will be populated with the connection

type most recently usedAuto Std will be the default upon opening

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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

Revit Structure. The various types of connections that SDS/2

Connect can design for are:
Auto Standard Connections
o These are any one of the below connection types, but are
system determined, based on framing conditions.
Plain End
o Does not design a connection, but allows users to keep the
system from placing a connection on the member end.
Clip Angle
o Single or double angles.
o Moment and safety connections can be applied.
Bent Plate
o Single or double bent plates.
End Plate
o Moments, safety notches or offsets are supported.
User Base/Cap Plate
o Draws from a user-defined plate set up.
Auto Base/Cap Plate
o Will automatically detect steel and add base or cap plates to
a column that is meeting a beam.
Shear
o Single plate shear connections.
o Moments, thru-plates, multiple columns of bolts can be
applied.
Seated
Splice
Vertical Brace
o Handles L, LL, WT, HSS, WF and pipe.
Horizontal Brace
o Handles L, LL, WT, HSS, WF and pipe.

Export to SDS/2
For the Export Revit to SDS/2 command, the user has five export options.
Based on the choice for export, there will be different results in the
information transferred. From the different options, users can either export
all structural elements, modified structural elements only, or a selection of
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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

structural elements. This provides users the highest level of control over the
information to be transferred between Revit Structure and SDS/2.
Whichever method of export is chosen, the Revit model can be exported
from Revit Structure to SDS/2 Detailing with OR WITHOUT having the
connections designed.

Import from SDS/2

Importing a model from SDS/2 is as simple as clicking the import button
and browsing to the file that is ready for import. This can populate a new
Revit Structure project, or it can be an update to an existing model.
It is important to note that if an engineer chooses not to design
connections on the project, they can still use SDS/2 Connect to import
connections back into the Revit Structure model for clash prevention or
detection. If the engineer has SDS/2 Connect, they can export a model
that will allow detailers with SDS/2 to design connections AND detail steel,
then send a file that will enable most connections to be shown in the Revit
Structure model.

How Connection Design Works in SDS/2 Connect

Many connection design software programs simply calculate loads and
member sizes to design connections, but there are so many more factors
that affect connection design on a project. All SDS/2 connection design
products will automatically design connections considering loads,
member sizes, steel grades, bolt types, framing conditions, entire joint
analysis, fabricator's stock and equipment capbilities, and even fit-up and
constructibility in the field. With all these manufacturing standards as a
built-in part of the connection design, the overall design of the structure is
better and more cost effective.
The following sections will walk through several of these factors to show
areas where users have more control and demonstrate how connections
are developed by SDS/2 Connect.

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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

Framing Conditions and Auto Standard Connections

Framing conditions play an important role in SDS/2 Connects methods of
connection design, particularly when using an Auto Standard
Connection. Auto Standard Connections are connections that can
automatically be applied and will self-determine the connection type
to be applied, based on the Auto Standard Connection area in Setup.
With these setup options, the user can automate the connection design
process even further, allowing the system to do much of the work for them
on simple connections. There is full control over the type of connection
that can be selected for numerous framing conditions.
Using Auto Standard Connections, companies can mold SDS/2 Connect
to automatically create preferred standard connections for a project,
and can significantly impact the time spent designing connections.
Click here for YouTube video demonstrating framing conditions and auto
standard connections.

Loads
SDS/2 Connect can design connections for a specific end reaction. Loads
for designing connections are either input at each node or automatically
set by the Automatic Design Load in the Design Criteria section of Setup.
The default is set for 50% uniform allowable load or maximum web shear,
but can be changed to suit the users needs. If loads are present in the
model from analysis done by an engineering software product, SDS/2
Connect can import that information to supersede the automatic design
load.
When you manually change loads, SDS/2 Connect quickly shows results of
this change in the newly designed connection based on the specific
load. It may cause increases in bolt diameters, weld sizes (though welds
arent shown in Revit Structure), plate thicknesses and the number of rows
of bolts. Loads can also cause SDS/2 Connect to fail, or not design a
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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

connection because with the given parameters, one of the members

may not be capable of supporting the connection.
Click here for YouTube video demonstrating the effect of loads in SDS/2
Connect.

Connection Specifications
SDS/2 Connect users gain further control over the connections inside Revit
Structure through connection specifications. These areas allow you to
make common adjustments to the connections, such as selecting steel
near side or far side for a shear plate, setting up safety connections and
choosing attachment methods like welded or bolted.
Click here for YouTube video demonstrating changes in connection
specifications.

"Intelligent" Connection Design

SDS/2 Connect considers the entire framing situation when designing a
connection. That means that during the connection design process, it
takes into account opposing members, fit up and constructability in
addition to the load. The best example of this is shown in this video.
Click here for YouTube video showing intelligent connection design in
SDS/2 Connect.
Framing conditions also play into the intelligent connection design found
in SDS/2 Connect. To speed up the connection design process, this add-in
will read the framing condition and can change the connection
automatically. Whether it is the rotation of a column as seen in the video
or interference from other members, the system can automatically
choose another connection that will work, if the chosen connection fails.
Going even further, connections that require consideration for the
erector, like copes for bolt clearances or equipment, are automatically
incorporated in the design. The ability to include this kind of
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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

manufacturing knowledge in the connection design process results in

better information and fewer Requests For Information or change orders
later in the project.

User Connections
User connections allow users to override the system-designed connection
and manipulate the connection to meet specific requirements. For each
Connection Edit screen, there is a check box in the upper right hand
corner that, when checked, allows users full editing capabilities over the
design detail and end prep settings. The fields shown are all of the
engineering dimensions in a connection. Whether changing plate or
angle sizes, numbers of bolts, or materials used, the user has full control
over the connection.
An additional feature of this modification is the cross dependency of
each field. As you enter into a field, for example rows of bolts, SDS/2
Connect will show arrows indicating that other fields, such as length of
plate, will update and need verification.
This provides added control over the connection. If a particular
connection cannot be obtained automatically, the user can simply make
edits to connection materials to manipulate it into the desired
connection.
Click here for YouTube video showing user connections in SDS/2 Connect.

Technical Information on SDS/2 Connect and Revit

Learning a little more about the technical side of the interaction between
SDS/2 Connect and Revit Structure will be helpful as you start designing
your own connections. With a basic understanding, it will enable you to
trouble-shoot any issues and better manipulate the materials and
connections in the Revit Structure model.
For SDS/2 Connect to design connections inside of Revit Structure and
transfer the information to and from SDS/2 Detailing, some data had to be
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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

added to Revit Structure. The first major modification done by SDS/2

Connect is to modify some of the Revit Structure families. Upon the
initialization of the SDS/2 Connect add-in on your project, Revit Structure
families are modified with more detailed information, which enables
connection design.
The following families are modified by SDS/2 Connect:

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Wide Flange
L-Angle
LL-Angle
W-Tee

Channel
HSS Rectangular
Pipe
HSS Round

SDS/2 Connect adds the following families during initialization:

Plate
StandardBolt
Angle
StandardBoltArray
RoundPlate
BentPlate
Bolt
These are very simple implementations of these materials and are not
intended to be modified by hand once installed. Since SDS/2 and Revit
Structure don't have all the same functionality, there will be instances
where members may not transfer properly. For example, on a single or
double angle vertical brace, SDS/2 Connect shifts the material of the
angle so that the work line is on the material gauge line. That shift is
something SDS/2 Connect adds to Revit Structure's families.
Memory limitations can be a concern with the Revit Structure model.
The number of elements required to display connections inside Revit
Structure pushes its memory limitations for larger structures. This does
impact performance of Revit Structure. During the development of
SDS/2 Connect, steps were taken to get the best performance
possible. Below are some tips that can improve performance on larger
models:
Avoid fine grain views when not viewing connections
Set up SDS/2 Connect to skip generating bolts
Holes and welds are not generated inside Revit Structure but will
appear once transferred to SDS/2 Detailing
These small modifications result in a big performance boost for your
model, and the tradeoff is simply being unable to see the bolts and
holes. It is possible to turn the bolts back on to view them later or just in
small view ports.
Design Data and Autodesk are working together on the future
development of this technology. This mutually beneficial partnership
allows the Revit Structure model to be more manufacturing-friendly
and leads to SDS/2 being included earlier in the BIM concept and

Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

design phase. Work on both SDS/2 Connect and future Revit Structure
versions continues. Revit Structure 2012 has advanced features for
cutting and coping due to this add-in and SDS/2 is adding changes to
work more seamlessly with the Revit Structure model.

Potential Workflows
SDS/2 Connect offers both connection design capabilities and BIM
functionality in the form of model round-tripping. There are several realworld applications for SDS/2 Connect, based on the users role in the
construction process. Improvements to the work process for
fabricators/detailers, general contractors, architects and engineers
can be achieved in a variety of ways with SDS/2 Connect.
The way that SDS/2 Connect designs connections with considerations
for the needs of engineers, fabricators and erectors makes it a perfect
tool for aiding in value engineering. Value engineering can save as
much as 20 percent in steel costs on a project, when you consider how
it can reduce the cost of materials used, welding necessary, man-hours
and time that is spent in fabricating the steel. With the ability to quickly
generate connections, SDS/2 Connect can help engineers analyze
and compare several connection configurations and design reactions
in a few minutes.
Being able to access this type of connection information inside the
Revit Structure model brings it one step closer to the accuracy needed
for manufacturing structures. SDS/2 Connect also enables engineers to
send a more accurate model to detailers and fabricators and drives
information more quickly to the manufacturing level.
SDS/2 Connect has several implementations for an engineer. Any way
you use it, SDS/2 Connect helps value engineer a structureit can act
as a simple connection design and sketch-generating tool, aid in
round-tripping functionality to attain better pre-construction models, or
simply eliminate wasted time and lost information through other BIM file
transfer methods. The following sections will discuss these uses for SDS/2
Connect.

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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

Connection Design and Sketch Tool

As a simple connection design tool, SDS/2 Connect can drastically
save time for engineers. It eliminates a significant amount of time spent
creating standard connection sketches from Revit Structure by
automating the design process and adding connection materials all in
one step. Once you have the connection in sketch form, users can
add any additional information necessary, such as dimensions or
callouts.
An engineer using SDS/2 Connect to help determine the best
connection to use in a given situation can simulate various connection
types and the accompanying design calcuations in only a few
seconds per connection. This method can help engineers quickly test
and determine the preferred connections, and automates calcuations
that were previously done by hand or spreadsheet.
This would be done mostly by engineers who choose to generate
connection tables and sketches that are to be sent downstream to the
fabricators and detailers producing the manufacturing models.

Model-Based Connection Design

Model-based connection design can be facilitated in two ways by
SDS/2 Connect. The first method follows the work flow that many
projects currently use, which is to allow the fabricator/detailer to design
the connections, subject to approval by the engineer. A second option
is that engineers can use SDS/2 Connect to design the critical
connections in the design model and provide generic sketches for the
rest of the project. We will discuss both options.
There are several methods of approving connections designed by
fabricator/detailers. SDS/2 Connect can help expedite the connection
design and the approval process. Using the SDS/2 Connect add-in,
engineers can export their design model (prior to any connection
design) to the manufacturer, who will import it into SDS/2 Detailing.
Once imported, the fabricator/detailer can design connections on the
model and roundtrip the model, with connections, back to the Revit
Structure model for the engineer to view and approve. Because of the
tight integration achieved through SDS/2 Connect, all the connection
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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

information (connection materials, copes and calculations) is available

for review in the design model.
So without adding connection design to the work of the engineer,
SDS/2 Connect can facilitate the communication of connection
geometry and information necessary for approval. With these
connections in place, an added benefit for BIM projects, is that clash
detection and prevention for gusset connections can be performed
earlier.
The second work flow example of model-based connection design
powered by SDS/2 Connect is the ability for engineers to design their
own connections in their Revit Structure design model. In this example
work process, the engineer may choose to utilize SDS/2 Connect to
design only the critical connections, say about 10 percent of the
connections on the project. Connection tables and sketches can
communicate the rest of the basic information downstream for the
fabricator/detailer to provide.
By designing and representing these critical connections in the model
earlier, engineers can make better informed decisions on the project.
Access to this type of connection information earlier in the project
allows proactive clash prevention to be performed between gussets
and the piping in the structure, instead of reacting to clashes later in
the process or as they happen in the field. Simple connections can be
handled by the detailer in SDS/2 and imported back into Revit
Structure via SDS/2 Connect, if necessary.

Pre-Construction Bids & BIM

Whether or not engineers are designing connections within the Revit
Structure model, the round-tripping functionality of SDS/2 Connect can
be utilized by engineers to create a more accurate BIM model. Often
as a part of the bidding process, detailers and fabricators receive the
Revit Structure model and use it for the basis of their bids.
Think about how this can affect costs and turnaround time if you allow
that model to be utilized to its fullest potential. A fabricator/detailer
with SDS/2 can import a model exported via SDS/2 Connect to get
more accurate material take-offs and advance bills of material
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allowing for users to resolve any connection or design issues before

they reach the manufacturing stage and incur more cost. This also
results in more immediate and reliable material take-offs, accurate
fabrication drawings, and cuts down on the time needed to fabricate
the structure. Depending on the completeness of the pre-construction
model, they could also eliminate the need to re-input major structural
members and start the detailing process more immediately after the
bid is won.
Looking further into this workflow, after the bid is won, suppose an
engineer sends a detailer/fabricator their more complete design
model from Revit Structure, using SDS/2 Connect to facilitate the
export. The detailer would begin by making some simple checks for
accuracy and then use SDS/2 to design any connections not already
designed in Revit, input miscellaneous steel like handrails, stairs, etc.,
and create drawings and reports. Any time throughout this process,
changes to the structural model can be sent to Revit Structure, bringing
the pre-construction model closer to the as-manufactured model.
Communication between pre-construction models and asmanufactured models has the most positive effect on:
Accuracy of material take-offs result in better model-based
estimates
Elimination of duplicate information
Shorter turnaround time from design model to fabrication model
Connection design/approval in native environments
Design decisions can be influenced by fabrication needs earlier
on, resulting in a structure that is less expensive to manufacture
Generation of connection calculations is almost immediate
Reduces number of steps necessary to get to shop drawings

SDS/2 Connect FAQs

One of the goals of this presentation and handout is that attendees
can leave with enough knowledge to download, use and evaluate a
trial of SDS/2 Connect. With that in mind, the next section covers a few
of the questions most frequently asked of SDS/2 Connect Support.

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Connections are Not Being Designed

There are three main causes for connections failing to be designed
when using SDS/2 Connect.
At times, new users may have trouble simply applying connections or
editing existing connections. Often in this situation, SDS/2 Connect is
not recognizing the beam or column as a connectable member. This is
usually because the Structural Usage is not set correctly. To see if this is
the case, users can invoke the "Check Project" command and click on
"Find undesignable members." This will identify the members in the
project that have their structural usage set incorrectly for connection
design. The correct structural usage for a beam is either Girder, Joist, or
Other. Don't get confused here, because SDS/2 Connect doesn't
actually design bar joist connections inside Revit Structure yet. In the
case of vertical brace connections, the structural usage must be set to
Vertical Bracing and for horizontal brace connections it must be set to
Horizontal Bracing.
The other cause for undesignable members is that the families may not
have been modified correctly. This is particularly common for
companies that are not using default families or have developed
custom, in-house families. During the initialization process of SDS/2
Connect, these custom families may not be recognized and will not be
modified to accept connections.

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The W-I-sections are not from the default families and cannot automatically be
mapped in SDS/2 Connect. This is what you will see if you have a custom family.

In most cases, this can easily be corrected by mapping the custom

families correctly in the Material File Mapping window, found in the
SDS/2 Connect setup options. To manually map custom families
correctly, users will select the custom family from the left hand column,
then choose the section type, material file source, the sections to be
mapped, and click OK. It is very important to note that the check box
"Modify this family" must be selected as well.

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Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

When mapping custom families, Users can select Section type, Material file and even
make changes to any of the variable fields if necessary.

The final reason that connections can't be designed is due to structural

failure SDS/2 Connect will purposefully not design connections that are
not physically possible, or are not yet included as a supported
connection type. If a connection fails for this reason, users will find a
warning on the bottom of the connection edit window that offers an
explanation for the failure. For example, a very high load on a beam
with a shear plate connection may cause it to fail because the beam is
not deep enough for the number of rows of bolts required for the
connection with the load applied.

Export Warning
Another common question asked by users is related to a warning that
pops up upon export. It will come up when a user is attempting to
export the model from Revit Structure, and a message that states
"Project name is current against this file" will appear.

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Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

This has two potential causes. The first, most simple explanation is that
the user has exported the model twice without detecting any change
between the export. The two exports may have occurred without
importing an update between the instances of generating the exports,
or an update was imported, but contained no changes. Either way, it is
indicating that the project is actually current and up to date.
More often, the problem is that Libraries are not set up correctly. This is
corrected by going to the Revit logo in the upper left corner and
selecting Options. Once in the Options dialogue, go to the File
Locations tab and finally select Places. In the Places window, the
correct setup should be a Library Name of Imperial Library for imperial
jobs and Metric Library for metric jobs, as shown in the screenshot. The
Library Path on your
own computer may not
match this path
exactly, but should
point to the location
where the families are
stored on your network.
The path shown in the
screenshot should be
where these are
installed by default.

Correctly map Libraries by clicking on the Places

button in the Options dialogue box.

This library mapping

issue has come up
commonly for
customers on new
license installs of Revit
Structure 2012.

Revit Loads
Many SDS/2 Connect users have asked if SDS/2 Connect can use loads
imported from other analysis programs such as RAM and RISA. In
currently available versions, SDS/2 Connect can already import
member end and moment loads from CSC's Fastrak Building Designer.
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In the next release of SDS/2 Connect, it will also read member end
reactions stored in Revit Structure. This is a newer feature that will allow
users to take advantage of loads sent to Revit Structure by analysis
programs like RAM and RISA. Currently, the only member end load that
Revit Structure stores in its database is shear loads for beams. This
limitation in turn limits SDS/2 Connect to only reading shear loads as
that is the only information available.

Tagging
Material tagging has become a common request for SDS/2 Connect.
Currently, it is possible for users to tag plate descriptions and angle sizes
only, for connections designed with SDS/2 Connect. This is done via a
unique family created by Design Data, that allows this specific
information to be pulled from the connection material. Users interested
in accessing this information can contact SDS/2 Connect support and
request this family. In later releases, it may be integrated into the
installation of SDS/2 Connect.
SDS/2 Connect is a connection design tool, made to improve the
connection design process by integrating manufacturing knowledge in
the Revit Structure model and providing engineers a quicker way to
get design reactions and connection validation. SDS/2 Connect is not
a detailing tool, because Revit Structure is not a detailing tool.
For users that are looking for a highly detailed as-fabricated model, or
a model that is prepared for fabrication, with information like cope
lengths, bolt diameters, bolt counts, and weld sizes, you are looking for
a steel detailing product, not a design model authoring tool. SDS/2
Connect allows users to send the design model information
downstream to SDS/2 Detailing and other SDS/2 products, where that
information is easily and quickly obtained. That is not a function of
SDS/2 Connect, nor of Revit Structure.
Revit Structure is clearly a superior authoring tool for the preconstruction model, but is not designed to contain the detail down to
the level necessary for manufacturing. SDS/2 Connect helps Revit
Structure get closer as it can include some of that manufacturing
information. However, its strongest point is that SDS/2 Connect helps
Revit Structure communicate with the manufacturing model in SDS/2
Page 22 of 23

Designing Connections within Revit Structure

Doug Evans & Michelle McCarthy, Design Data

Detailing, tying together the pre-construction model with the asmanufactured model.

For More Information About SDS/2 Connect

To learn more about the SDS/2 Connect add-in for Revit Structure and
download your own free trial, please visit www.sds2connect.com.

Page 23 of 23