ETABS and Revit Structure 2009/2010/2011 Data Exchange Documentation

ISO ETA062609M19 Rev. 2 Berkeley, California, USA

Version 2011 February 2011

Copyright
Copyright Computers and Structures, Inc., 1978-2011 All rights reserved. The CSI Logo and ETABS are registered trademarks of Computers and Structures, Inc. Watch & LearnTM is a trademark of Computers and Structures, Inc. Revit is a registered trademark of Autodesk. The computer program ETABS and all associated documentation are proprietary and copyrighted products. Worldwide rights of ownership rest with Computers and Structures, Inc. Unlicensed use of the program or reproduction of the documentation in any form, without prior written authorization from Computers and Structures, Inc., is explicitly prohibited. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior explicit written permission of the publisher. Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:
Computers and Structures, Inc. 1995 University Avenue Berkeley, California 94704 USA Phone: (510) 649-2200 FAX: (510) 845-4096 e-mail: info@csiberkeley.com (for general questions) e-mail: support@csiberkeley.com (for technical questions) web: www.csiberkeley.com

DISCLAIMER
CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF THIS SOFTWARE. HOWEVER, THE USER ACCEPTS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT NO WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THE DEVELOPERS OR THE DISTRIBUTORS ON THE ACCURACY OR THE RELIABILITY OF THIS PRODUCT. THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL DESIGN. HOWEVER, THE USER MUST EXPLICITLY UNDERSTAND THE BASIC ASSUMPTIONS OF THE SOFTWARE MODELING, ANALYSIS, AND DESIGN ALGORITHMS AND COMPENSATE FOR THE ASPECTS THAT ARE NOT ADDRESSED. THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY A QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED ENGINEER. THE ENGINEER MUST INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE RESULTS AND TAKE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION THAT IS USED.

Introduction
This document describes how to exchange Building Information Modeling (BIM) data between Revit Structure 2009/2010/2011 and ETABS 9.7.2 or later, a three-dimensional physical object based analysis and design package developed specifically for building type structures, including commercial, residential, healthcare and educational facilities. CSiXRevit supports four different workflows: 1) Exporting from Revit Structure to create new ETABS model 2) Exporting from Revit Structure to update an existing ETABS model 3) Importing from ETABS to create a new Revit Structure model 4) Importing from ETABS to update an existing Revit Structure model. The flow of information is idealized in the schematic below:

Export from Revit Structure to create a new ETABS model. Export from Revit Structure to update an existing ETABS model.

ETABS Revit Structure

Import from ETABS to create a new Revit Structure model. Import from ETABS to update an existing Revit Structure model.

Supported Workflows
Exporting from Revit Structure to create a new ETABS model
The chart below specifies details about data that is transferred into ETABS when exporting from Revit to create a new ETABS model.
Action Creation of Model Element Grids Materials Frames Supported Notes

Equivalent ETABS materials will be automatically created in ETABS. Geometry, offsets, cardinal points, and end releases, transferred to ETABS. All columns will be automatically broken at story levels. Will be automatically mapped to ETABS database sections Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically created and mapped Walls will be automatically meshed at window and door openings Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically created and mapped with _w appended to the wall section name. Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically created and mapped with _f appended to the floor section name. Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically created and mapped with _f appended to the floor section name. Fixed joint restraint will be created in ETABS wherever a footing occurs in Revit.

Frame Sections Steel Sections Concrete Sections Walls Wall Properties

Floors Slabs Properties

Deck Properties

Footings Point Loads Line Loads Area Loads Load Cases Load Combos ETABS Auto Select Lists

All families that are loaded in ETABS will be made into Auto-Select Lists in ETABS

Grids The following Grid attributes are being created in ETABS: Grid Name: Same grid name will be used in the ETABS grid bubble. Grid Points: The start and end points are used to define the general grid line in ETABS. Curved Grid: In case of curved grid, ETABS breaks it into number of segments to get the suitable curvature. Materials The following material attributes are being created in ETABS: Material Name: Same name will be used in ETABS Material Type: Revit material type is used to identify the ETABS material types namely Concrete, Steel and others Youngs Modulus: Revit Youngss modulus is used to fill the ETABS material Youngs modulus (E). These three values (for 3 different directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If first value is zero then ETABS default value will be used. If any of the remaining two is zero then it will be filled with the first non-zero value. For the Isotropic material only first value will be used for all other directions Poisson Ratio: Revit Poissons Ratio is used to fill the ETABS material Poissons Ratio (u). These three values (for 3 different directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If first value is zero then ETABS default value will be used. If any of the remaining two is zero then it will be filled with the first non-zero value. For the Isotropic material only first value will be used for all other directions Shear Modulus: Revit Shear Modulus is used to fill the ETABS material Shear Modulus (G). If Revit material is defined as Isotropic then ETABS will calculate this value on the basis of Youngs Modulus and Poisson Ratio. In case of orthotropic material, these three values (for 3 different directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If first value is zero then ETABS default value will be used. If any of the remaining two is zero then it will be filled with the first non-zero value. Thermal Expansion Coefficient: Revit thermal expansion coefficient is used to fill the ETABS material thermal expansion coefficient (Alpha). These three values (for 3 different directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If first value is zero then ETABS default value will be used. If any of the remaining two is zero then it will be filled with the first non-zero value. For the Isotropic material only first value will be used for all other directions Unit Weight: Revit unit weight is used to fill the ETABS material unit weight (w) and unit mass (m). In ETABS units of weight is being calculated by dividing the unit weight to gravitational constant (g). Unit weight cannot be zero in ETABS. If it defined zero in Revit then ETABS default value will be used. Damping Ratio: This value is not in used in current version of ETABS.

Bending Reinforcement: Revit bending reinforcement is used to fill ETABS material (if type is concrete) main reinforcement Fy. Default value will be used if it is defined zero in Revit. Shear Reinforcement: Revit shear reinforcement is used to fill ETABS material (if type is concrete) shear reinforcement Fy. Default value will be used if it is defined as Zero in Revit. Resistance Calculation Strength: Revit Resistance Calculation strength is used to fill the ETABS material fc factor. Default value will be used if it is defined as zero in Revit. Behavior: Revit behavior tag is used to identify the isotropic or orthotropic materials in ETABS Concrete Compression: Revit concrete compression is used to fill ETABS material (if type is concrete) Fc. Lightweight: Revit lightweight tag is used to identify the lightweight concrete material in ETABS. Shear Strength Reduction: This value is not in used in current version of ETABS Yield Stress: Revit yield stress is used to fill ETABS material (if type is steel) yielding stress Fy. Default value will be used if it is defined as zero in Revit. Tensile Strength: Revit tensile stress is used to fill ETABS material (if type is steel) ultimate stress Fu. Default value will be used if it is defined as zero in Revit. Steel Reduction Factor: This value is not in used in current version of ETABS.

Only those materials which are linked with the floor or frame in the Revit model are imported into ETABS. ETABS always give the warning and writes .wrn file in case of using any default value while importing the materials from Revit. Frames The following frame attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS: Frame Points: All frame points are used to define the same geometry of the frames in ETABS. Frame Curves: ETABS does not support curved frame objects. All curves in Revit frame will be converted in to number of segments. User has control over how the curve is broken up by defining the minimum length and minimum angle size. Old Revit Wall Openings (Regular or irregular Frame Section: ETABS imports the currently assigned section to the frame in Revit along with the whole family. ETABS converts the Revit family to ETABS auto selection list. Frame Releases: All frame releases defined in Revit are imported into ETABS as line objects releases. If the frame is a column, ETABS will always fix them at the both ends

except for the bottom end of base story. This is being done to ensure structure stability. Similarly, beams or brace end torsion cannot be released. Beam Insertion point: In Revit, beam insertion point is defined by the following two parameters o z-Direction Justification o Lateral Justification ETABS calculates the coressponding cardinal point on the basis of these two parameters. If these parameters are not defined then default cardinal point (Top Center) is choosen. Beam End Offset: Vertical offset are being defined in Revit for any end of the beam with following parameters o Vertical Projection o Reference Level o Z-Direction Offset Value (Geometry Offset) o Start Level Offset o End Level Offset ETABS calculates the vertical beam offset of END I and END J by using the following equations: o END I vertical Offset = Reference Level Elevation Analytical Level Projection Elevation + Geometry Offset + Start Level Offset o END J vertical Offset = Reference Level Elevation Analytical Level Projection Elevation + Geometry Offset + End Level Offset If vertical projection or Reference level is not defined, then both of these parameters are defined as 0 in the above equations. Column Insertion Point and End Offset: The default cardinal point for columns (mid center) is chosen when we bring model from Revit to ETABS. Column offsets are exported into ETABS from Revit if rigid link is being used for either column end. Orientation Angle: Same angle is used for defining the line orientation along with its local 1-axis in ETABS. Rigid Link: It is being imported and used to define the end offsets in the ETABS. To see the effect of rigid offset in ETABS, view the model in extruded view. Frame Sections Mapping of Revit frame section attributes depend upon the type. ETABS first tries to find the name of the section from it database. Most steel sections can be mapped automatically. If it is not found in the existing database, the ETABS will try to create these sections parametrically. ETABS follow mapping of sections in following steps:

1) ETABS will first try to map Revit Structure family sections to the currently loaded ETABS database by section name comparison. If it finds a match then that section is mapped. All geometric cross sectional properties will be used from ETABS section. We always remove the blank spaces and always and ignore upper/lower cases dissimilarities while names comparison. 2) In the next step ETABS try to map Revit Structure family sections to a section in the ETABS .PRO databases by section name comparison. If it finds the same name then we use that section with its all geometric cross sectional properties. The user is given the option to add/remove or change the search order of .PRO files during the import of the Revit Structure model. In Figure 1 below: UC203x203x46 section is loaded from BSShapes.Profile ,

Fig 1: Import of sections from .PRO files

Fig 2: Adding /Removing of Pro files while Revit Structure model Import

3) If a Revit Family section cannot be mapped to an ETABS section from any of the .PRO files then ETABS check if it is a Revit Structure parametric section. In case that it is a parametric section ETABS will create an equivalent section and use the same Revit Structure family caption as section name. However, some special characters for inch and feet representation will be changes to in or ft as shown in fig 3.

Fig 3: Mapping of Revit Structure Parametric Frame families

4) In the case that the Revit Structure family section is not parametrically defined then we import this section with the same name (Revit Structure family caption) and map it to an ETABS default section properties. The user has the option to add a new parametric

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section as a replacement section or to load a new section from any other .PRO file which is not in the .PRO file list. In Fig. 2 ETABS initially maps RHS150x100x5 to the ETABS default section property (shown in red color). However, the user can fix the mapping by using the use Add.. button to map that Revit Family section to an appropriate ETABS section.

5) The user has the option to save a mapping file such that user defined mapping can be reused on subsequent imports. A sample mapping file is shown in fig 4.

Fig 4: Section mapping file

6) Some European family names do not map with ETABS European .PRO file sections, due to prefix/suffix incompatibility. For Revit Structure families with Universal Columns or Universal Beams category ETABS handles this by changing suffix to prefix while import.

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The parameters list is given for concrete and wood structural families in the following table.
Member Type CONCRETE COLUMNS Family Name CONCRETE-RECTANGULARCOLUMN CONCRETE-ROUND-COLUMN CONCRETE-SQUARECOLUMN PRECAST-RECTANGULAR COLUMN PRECAST-DOUBLE TEE Parameters B, H B B B, H CHAMFER WIDTH, TEE WIDTH, STEM WIDTH, SLAB DEPTH, DEPTH H1, H, B, SEAT H1, H, B, SEAT B, H WIDTH, STEM WIDTH, SLAB DEPTH, DEPTH B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A B, H B, H

CONCRETE FRAMING

PRECAST-INVERTED TEE PRECAST-L SHAPED BEAM PRECAST-RECTANGULAR BEAM PRECAST-SINGLE TEE

WOOD COLUMNS

WOOD FRAMING

DIMENSION LUMBERCOLUMN GLULAM-SOUTHERN PINECOLUMN GLULAM-WESTERN SPECIESCOLUMN PSL-PARALLEL STRAND LUMBER-COLUMN TIMBER-COLUMN DIMENSION LUMBER GLULAM-SOUTHERN PINE GLULAM-WESTERN SPECIES LVL-LAMINATED VENEER LUMBER TIMBER OPEN WEB JOIST PLYWOOD WEB JOIST

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In-place family members In Revit, inplace family members are imported into ETABS as a frame member including its family and corresponding frame section. Walls The following wall attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS: Points: All points are being transferred from Revit to ETABS. ETABS wall has 3 to 4 nodes. In Revit wall may be defined as contentious having more than 4 points. In this case ETABS breaks the Revit walls in to four noded walls. Wall Curve: Curved walls are not supported in ETABS. ETABS breaks the curved walls of Revit in to small segments to keep the required curvature of the walls. User has control over how the curve is broken up by defining the minimum length and minimum angle size. Old Revit Wall Openings (Regular or irregular shapes): In Revit, walls are stored as loops (including the curves) of points. In older versions, there was no tag for the loop for opening. ETABS treats the opening loop same like wall loop. User has to manually assign it opening after import. All irregular shapes will be converted to an equivalent mesh (by using tessellation in vertical plane) of vertical elements having four nodes only. Wall Openings (Regular rectangular shape): In new Revit version, wall openings may be drawn using Modeling>Opening>Wall Opening. This opening entity is transferred to ETABS as an opening in walls. Wall Thickness: Revit wall has different layers, having different thickness and material properties. However, ETABS only choose one layer which has the maximum thickness when we export data from Revit to ETABS. Wall material: All the materials assigned to different layers of a Revit wall are exported to ETABS. However, only one material is assigned to ETABS wall section property. Users have the option in ETABS to change the material if necessary. The material of the wall with the maximum wall thickness will be used. Floors The following floor attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS: Floor Points: All floor points are used to define the geometry of the floor in ETABS Floor Curves: ETABS does not support curves in area objects. All the curves in Revit floor will be converted into number of segments, which will give the suitable curvature for the area boundary. Number of Layers: In Revit, different layers may be defined within a floor. ETABS is reading the floor layer information and will treat the floor as deck if more than one layer is present in the floor. Otherwise floor will be treated as a slab.

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Layer Thickness: ETABS imports the thickness of each layer. If the floor is a deck, its section property is defined by the maximum thickness of the layers. Below is an example of how Revit Deck parameters are mapped to ETABS Deck Section parameters. Revit Deck Family

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Revit Deck Parameters vs. ETABS Deck Parameters

ETABS Deck Section

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In this example, there are following two layers in the Revit Deck section 1) Concrete cast-in-place (Thickness = 5) 2) Metal Deck (Thickness = 0 ) Layer 2 is linked with a deck profile which has following properties HR WR RR SR THICKNESS

Here is the procedure that CSiXRevit uses to fill ETABS deck section properties We select a layer which has maximum thickness and treat it as overall thickness of section. Same layer will be used to define material of ETABS deck section. Slab Depth tc = overall thickness of section HR Deck Depth hr = HR Rib Width wr = WR Rib Spacing Sr = SR Composite Deck Studs diameter = RR Composite Deck Stud height (hs) = over all thickness of section - THICKNESS Layer Materials: ETABS gets the material of each layer. Same layer will be assigned to the Slab or Deck section. A default material will be used if no material is defined in Revit. Users have the option in ETABS to change the material of the different layer if necessary. Floor Span Direction: Same span direction will be used in ETABS for the decks. A default direction will be used if no span direction is defined in Revit. Floor Opening (Regular or Irregular): Openings defined in Revit by Modeling>Opening>Vertical Opening are being imported in ETABS from Revit. All curves in this opening will be converted into number of segments, which will give the suitable curvature for the area boundary. Ramp: All 4 noded inclined slabs are imported as ramp elements in ETABS.

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Openings The following openings are being imported from Revit to ETABS Vertical Openings: These are imported as opening in floors (horizontal planes) for details check openings in floors. Wall Openings: These are imported as openings in walls (vertical planes), for details please check openings in walls. Shaft Openings: These are imported as openings in floors (horizontal planes), for details please check Shaft Opening. Shafts In Revit, the Shaft Opening is defined as a 3D shaft having upper and lower limits (or offset elevations from upper and lower story levels). In ETABS the shaft is imported as horizontal openings in all stories level which lies between the upper and lower limits of 3D Shaft. Footings The following footing properties are being imported from Revit to ETABS: Points: All the points defining the shape of the footing will be imported. In ETABS all columns, which are located in this area, will be restrained. Width, Length and Thickness: For rectangular cases, width, length and thickness are being defined. In this case, ETABS locates the all columns within the rectangular area and these columns will be restrained. Note: Only rectangular footings will be processed. Point Loads The following point load attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS: Load Case Name: Is used to set the corresponding load case number in ETABS. Location: Used to define the point of application of the load. Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz: All forces and moments are applied in global direction in Revit and transferred in the similar manner to ETABS. Line Loads The following line load attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS Load Case Name: Is used to set the corresponding load case number in ETABS. Start and End point Location: Is used to define the start and end point of the line load. In ETABS, if a line load is carrying the gravitational load and it is overlapping more than one beam then it will be distributed to the corresponding beams. In case of a lateral line

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load, users must check that no line load should overlap more than one beam. Otherwise, it will not be processed in the ETABS analysis. Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz: All forces and moments are applied in global direction in Revit and transferred in the similar manner to ETABS.

Area Loads The following area load attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS Load Case Name: Is used to set the corresponding load case number in ETABS. Points: Points will be used to define the geometry of the loading area. It should be noted that each curve is used as straight line in ETABS. LoadX, LoadY, LoadZ: All loads are applied in global direction in Revit and transferred in the similar manner to ETABS. The non-uniform surface load is not supported in ETABS. In case of Revit non-uniform surface load, ETABS will convert it in to equivalent uniform area load. Load Cases The following load case attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS: Load Case Name: The same name will be used for ETABS Load case name except Rvt- will be added at the start of the name. Load Case Category: It is used to define the load case type in ETABS. The mapping is shown in the following table:

Revit Structure Load Case Category Dead Live Wind Snow Roof Live Accidental Temperature Seismic

ETABS Load Case Type Dead Live Wind Snow Live Other Other Quake

Load Combos

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The following load combination attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS: Load Combination Name: The same name will be used for ETABS Load Combination Name. The following names are reserved and Load Combinations will not be added in ETABS if same name is used in Revit. o DCON o DSTL o DWAL o DCMPC o DCMPS o DCMPD Load Cases: The same load cases list will be used in ETABS to define the Load Combination. Load Case Factor: The same load case factors will be used for the corresponding load cases in the ETABS load combination. ETABS Auto Select Lists ETABS will automatically create Auto-select lists based on Revit family types that are loaded in the current Revit model being exported to ETABS.

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Exporting from Revit Structure to update an existing ETABS model

The chart below specifies details about data that is transferred into ETABS when exporting from Revit to update and existing ETABS model.

Action Creation of

Model Element Grids Materials Frames

Supported

Notes

Equivalent ETABS materials will be automatically created in ETABS. Geometry, offsets, cardinal points, and end releases, transferred to ETABS, All columns will be automatically broken at story levels. Will be automatically mapped to ETABS database sections. Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically created and mapped. Walls will be automatically meshed at window and door openings. Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically created and mapped. Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically created and mapped. Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically created and mapped. Joint restraints will be created in ETABS wherever a footing occurs in Revit.

Frame Sections Steel Sections Concrete Sections Walls Wall Properties Floors Slabs Properties Deck Properties Footings Point Loads Line Loads Area Loads Load Cases Load Combos Updating of Grids Materials Frames X X

All material parameters will be updated. Geometry, offsets, cardinal points, and end releases, updated in ETABS. All columns will be

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automatically broken at story levels. Frame Sections Steel Sections Concrete Sections Walls Wall Properties Floors Slabs Properties Deck Properties Point Loads Line Loads Area Loads Load Cases Load Combos Deleting of Grids Frames Walls Floors Point Loads Line Loads Area Loads Load Cases Load Combos X X X X X X X X X X X X Frame section assignments will be updated. Parameters for frames sections will be updated Wall geometry will be updated accordingly. Wall section parameters will be updated. Floor geometry will be updated accordingly. Slab section parameters will be updated. Slab section parameters will be updated. Point load values will be updated accordingly. Line load values will be updated accordingly Area load values will be updated accordingly Load Combos will be updated accordingly.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Deletion of elements when updating a model will only work if you are sending the ENTIRE model. If you use selection only update feature, deletion of items is not supported.

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Importing from ETABS to Create a new Revit Structure Model

The chart below specifies details about data that is transferred from ETABS into Revit Structure to create a new Revit Structure model.
Action Creation of Model Element Grids Materials Supported Notes

Concrete and Steel materials are being imported from ETABS to Revit. The only limitation is Revit model should have one default concrete and one default steel material for duplication, otherwise material will be created in Revit but their parameters will not be updated.
Frames Frame Sections Steel Sections Concrete Sections Geometry, end releases, offsets and cardinal points all created in Revit Structure. Will be mapped to equivalent Revit Structure sections. Will be loaded if not already loaded. Equivalent Revit Structure sections will be automatically created and mapped. See NOTE 1 below. All wall geometry, and openings will be created in Revit Structure. Equivalent Revit Structure wall sections will be automatically created and mapped with corresponding material property. All floors and openings in floors will be automatically created and mapped. Equivalent Revit Structure slab sections will be automatically created and mapped. Equivalent Revit Structure deck sections will be automatically created and mapped. Only deck width parameter will be created. Footings Point Loads Joint restraints will be created in Revit Structure.

Walls Wall Properties

Floors Slabs Properties Deck Properties

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Line Loads Area Loads Load Cases Load Combos

Equivalent Revit Structure point line loads and trapezoidal line loads will be created.

Note 1 To facilitate in the mapping of concrete sections, it may help if you have the various Revit Structure sections already loaded before you import your ETABS model into Revit Structure. If CSiXRevit cannot easily map the names, then you can set the mapping at the time of import. If you would like CSiXRevit to be able to create equivalent Revit members of families you must load at least one member of the family for CSiXRevit prior to import. See corresponding table below for mapping of ETABS sections to Revit families. Columns ETABS Rectangular Square Circular Beams and Braces ETABS Rectangular L T

Revit Family Concrete-Rectangular-Column.rfa Concrete-Square-Column.rfa Concrete-Round-Column.rfa

Revit Family Concrete-Rectangular Beam.rfa Precast-L Shaped Beam.rfa Precast-Single Tee.rfa

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Importing from ETABS to Update an Existing Revit Structure Model

The chart below specifies details about data that is transferred from ETABS into Revit Structure when updating an existing Revit Structure model.
Action Creation of Model Element Grids Materials Frames Frame Sections Steel Sections Concrete Sections Supported Notes

Material is created. However, material definition will not have any parameters associated with it. Geometry, end releases, offsets and cardinal points all created in Revit Structure. Will be mapped to equivalent Revit Structure sections. Will be loaded if not already loaded. Equivalent Revit Structure sections will be automatically created and mapped. See NOTE 1 at end of previous section. All wall geometry, and openings will be created in Revit Structure. Equivalent Revit Structure wall sections will be automatically created and mapped with corresponding material property. All floors and openings in floors will be automatically created and mapped. Equivalent Revit Structure slab sections will be automatically created and mapped. Equivalent Revit Structure deck sections will be automatically created and mapped. Only deck width parameter will be created. Joint restraints will be created in Revit Structure. Equivalent Revit Structure point line loads and trapezoidal line loads will be created.

Walls Wall Properties

Floors Slabs Properties Deck Properties

Footings Point Loads Line Loads Area Loads Load Cases Load Combos

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Updating of Grids Materials Frames Steel and Concrete materials are being updated Geometry, end releases, offsets and cardinal points all created in Revit Structure. If coordinate geometry is changed in ETABS, it will delete the geometry in Revit Structure and create a new frame with new geometry. If frames were meshed in ETABS, you are given the choice to bring the frame back as a single element or as the meshed elements in ETABS. Beam, Column and Brace section assignments will be updated. Beam, Column and Brace section assignments will be updated; however section parameters themselves will not be updated. If you would like to bring changes in parameters back to Revit from ETABS create a new section with the desired parameters in ETABS and assign the new section to the frame. Changes in wall geometry will only be updated if the wall was not meshed when brought into ETABS and a 1:1 ratio between Revit Structure wall and ETABS wall exists. If walls were meshed in ETABS, you are given the choice to bring the wall back as a single element or as the meshed elements in ETABS. Changes in wall thickness will be updated. Changes in wall material will not be updated. Changes in floor geometry will only be updated if the floor was not meshed when brought into ETABS and a 1:1 ratio between Revit Structure floor and ETABS floor exists. If floors were meshed in ETABS, you are given the choice to bring the floor back as a single element or as the meshed elements in ETABS. Changes in slab thickness will be updated. Changes in slab material will not be updated. Changes in deck thickness will be updated. Changes in deck material will not be updated.

Frame Sections Steel Sections Concrete Sections

Walls

Wall Properties Floors

Slabs Properties Deck Properties

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Point Loads Line Loads Area Loads Load Combos

Updating of existing load combination equations is not supported. Workaround is to create new Combo and import.

Deleting of Grids Frames Walls Floors Point Loads Line Loads Area Loads Load Cases Load Combos

IMPORTANT NOTE: Deletion of elements when updating a model will only work if you are sending the ENTIRE model. If you use selection only update feature, deletion of items is not supported.

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Procedures
Exporting from Revit Structure to Create/Update a New/Existing ETABS Model
IMPORTANT NOTE: CSiXRevit only exports the analytical model of Revit Structure. All connectivity must be ensured in the Revit Structure analytical model before exporting to ETABS to ensure connectivity. The following steps describe how to send your Revit Structure analytical model to ETABS: 1. If you would like to create a new ETABS model, from the Revit Structure menu select, Tools>External Tools>Export to Create New ETABS Model. If you would like to update an existing ETABS model, from the Revit Structure menu select, Tools>External Tools>Export to Update Existing ETABS Model. 2. Click the Start button. The current file name is listed, and the objects in the model are counted. The Send Model to CSI Software dialog box will look as follows:

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If you are only interested in sending selected objects only, please make sure that the check box at the bottom of the dialog box is checked. 3. Once you click OK, you will get the Export Options dialog box shown below. From the box below, select the elements that you would like to send to ETABS. Once you have made your selections, click OK and your will be asked to create a file name. The file will be given the extension, .EXR.

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4. Now go open a session of ETABS. 5. If you would like to create a new ETABS model from your Revit Structure model, you should not have any other model open. By default ETABS it will create a new model based on your .EXR file. If you would like to update an existing ETABS model, please open the ETABS model that you would like to update. 6. From the menu select, File>Import>Revit Structure .exr file, and then select your .EXR file you would like to import. You will then see the screen below:

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The top section of this dialog box is where you can see and organize how all of your Revit Structure elements get mapped to ETABS elements. Any property that might have a default value or zero value will show up as a warning in the dialogue box. Sometimes certain values in Revit were not defined. The ETABS import gives you the opportunity to fix those problems parametrically before your ETABS model is created. You can fix these problems by clicking the Edit button next to element. The bottom section of the box is general controls that ETABS will use when importing the Revit Structure model. The units selected here will be used as the default units of the ETABS model. The length tolerance is the tolerance that will be used by ETABS to create connectivity when created the finite element model for analysis. The Minimum Curve length and Angle are controls given to the user so they can control how a curve gets broken up into straight line segments. 7. To see the various Levels that were brought in from Revit Structure click the Show button. Level data is not editable at this stage. Level data can be edited once the model is brought into ETABS. Below is a screen shot of all of the levels imported in this model:

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8. To see the Revit Structure material properties that were imported, please select the Edit button next to Total Materials. The Material Mapping dialogue will be shown:

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In this model, there are only 2 Materials that were brought in. An ETABS material will be created with the same name as the Revit Structure material name. If you would like to map the Revit Structure Material to something other than the ETABS material that has been created, you can do so by clicking on the ETABS material name. A combo box will appear with all of the existing ETABS materials currently in ETABS model. If you would like to create a new material property to map your Revit Structure material to, please click Add. The ETABS Add Material dialogue box will appear. To see the mapping of material parameters select the Material property and click Edit. The Material Mapping Details box below will then be shown:

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On the left hand side you can see all of the properties of the Revit Structure material. On the right hand side you can see how they have been mapped to an ETABS material. You can change any of the parameters in the Revit Structure material, and you will see the change reflected on the ETABS material property on the right hand side. You can see the units in the Revit Database Units by clicking the check box at the bottom. 9. To see the Revit Structure Frame Sections that were imported, please select the Edit button next to Total Frame Sections. The Frame Section Mapping box will be shown:

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The first three columns show the Revit Structure section name, the Revit Structure Section Family Name, and the Revit Structure Material. The fourth column is the ETABS section that the Revit Structure Section was mapped to, and the final column tells you how the section was mapped or created. The only column that is editable is the ETABS Section column. If you click on any row on that column, you will see that a combo box will drop down that includes all of the section properties that are currently loaded in the current ETABS model. If there is a section that you do not see there that you would like to add to list, you can do so by clicking the Add button the right hand side. When ETABS imports the Revit Structure data, it first tries to match the Revit Structure section name to an ETABS Section name. It will do so by first searching through the loaded ETABS database sections. I it cannot find it there, it will then search all of the ETABS database .Pro files. It will map it to the first section name that matches. If you would like specify which ETABS database it searches you can do so by clicking the .Pro Files button on the right hand side. The .Pro Files dialogue box will be shown:

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All of the .Pro files from the ETABS installation directory will be selected by default. You can add or remove a profile from the ETABS search by checking or unchecking its checkbox in the list. If you would like to add a new .Pro file, you can do so by clicking on the Add .Pro File button. If would like to change the order in which ETABS searches the .Pro files, you can do so by moving the .Pro Files up and down in the list. If ETABS cannot create a section mapping by name, it will then try to create the section parametrically. For most steel sections ETABS will be able to find a match. But for most concrete sections will create the sections parametrically. To see how Revit Sections properties are mapped, please see the section under Supported Workflows called Exporting from Revit Structure to create a new ETABS model. Similar to the Material Mapping, you can edit details about the Frame section details mapping by selecting the row, and clicking the Edit button. If you would like to save the mapping that you have created, you can export the mapping file by clicking the Export Mapping File button. Likewise, if you would like to import a mapping file that you have created in the past, you can do so by clicking the Import Mapping File button.

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10. To see the Revit Structure Floor Sections that were imported, please select the Edit button next to Total Floor Sections. The Floor Section Mapping box will be shown:

Similar to other section mapping, you can select the ETABS floor section that the Revit Structure Floor gets mapped to. By default an equivalent ETABS floor section will be created and mapped. If you would like to create a new deck or slab section you can do so by using the buttons on the right hand side. After adding the deck or slab, the new ETABS floor section will appear in the drop down box. To see the Floor Section Mapping details, click on the row that you are interested in and then click the Edit button. You will then see the Floor Section Mapping Details box below:

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If you would like to change any of the data in the fields, you can edit them on the left hand side and see how the data is mapped. Revit Structure decks and slabs can have many layers. ETABS does it best at mapping the parameters. If you need to make changes to the mapping, you can do so here. If any field has a zero value, we highlight it in red to make sure you check it. 11. To see the Revit Structure Floor Sections that were imported, please select the Edit button next to Total Floor Sections. The Floor Section Mapping box will be shown:

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Similar to other section mapping, you can select the ETABS wall section that the Revit Structure Wall gets mapped to. By default an equivalent ETABS wall section will be created and mapped. If you would like to create a wall section you can do so by using the buttons on the right hand side. After adding the wall, the new ETABS floor section will appear in the drop down box. To see the Wall Section Mapping details, click on the row that you are interested in and then click the Edit button. You will then see the Wall Section Mapping Details box below:

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If you would like to change any of the data in the fields, you can edit them on the left hand side and see how the data is mapped. Revit Structure walls can have many layers. ETABS does it best at mapping the parameters. If you need to make changes to the mapping, you can do so here. If any field has a zero value, we highlight it in red to make sure you check it. 12. Once you are satisfied with the way you have set up the mapping parameters, from the Revit Data Overview/Controls box, select the OK button and your ETABS model will be created.

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Importing from ETABS to Create/Update a New/Existing Revit Structure Model

IMPORTANT NOTE: Before importing any .EXR file into Revit Structure please be sure that you have a Shared Parameter file defined in Revit Structure. CSiXRevit uses the Shared Parameter file as a place to store pertinent data. To create a shared parameter file in Revit Structure 2009/2010/2011, go to File>Shared Parameters. You just need to create a blank shared parameter file so CSiXRevit has a place to write data to. The following steps describe how to export your ETABS analytical model to create or update a Revit Structure model: 1. Once you have edited, analyzed and designed your structure in ETABS, save the ETABS file by selecting the File > Save. 2. Select the File > Export > Revit .EXR File within ETABS to display the Export File For Revit dialog box shown below. Please select either to create a new or update an existing model. If you have selected parts of the model, and only would like to send those selections, please check the box accordingly below.

3. Now go open up a session of Revit Structure. 4. If you would like to create a new Revit Structure model from your ETABS model, please first open a Revit Structure template that you would like to import your ETABS model into. It isnt necessarily required, but the import will come in much

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cleaner if you load all of the beam, column, brace, deck, slab and wall families that you would like ETABS sections to map its sections to prior to importing. From the menu select, Tools>External Tools>Import to Create New Revit Structure Model from ETABS. Select the .EXR file that you would like to import. CSiXRevit will then try to load families that are not already loaded. If you would like to update an existing Revit Structure model, please first open your Revit Structure model that you would like to update. If you have new sections that you defined in ETABS the import will come in much cleaner if you load all of the beam, column, brace, deck, slab and wall families that you would like ETABS sections to map its sections to prior to importing. From the Revit Structure menu select, Tools>External Tools>Import to Update Existing Revit Structure Model from ETABS. Select the .EXR file that you would like to import. 5. Whether you are created a new Revit Structure model or updating an existing Revit Structure mode, after you have selected your .EXR file, the following screen will be displayed:

On left hand side, you can control exactly what ETABS elements you would like to import into your Revit Structure model. Under Mapping Options, if you click the Frame Sections button. You will see the Frame Section Mapping dialog box.

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This dialog box gives you the opportunity to make any changes to the mapping of ETABS sections to Revit Structure sections. All of the Revit Structure column beam and brace families that are currently loaded will show up in drop down boxes. Similarly if you click the Floor Sections button, you will see the Floor Section Mapping dialogue box below:

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This dialog box gives you the opportunity to make any changes to the mapping of ETABS floor sections to Revit Structure sections. All of the Revit Structure floor families that are currently loaded will show up in drop down boxes. Similarly, if you click the Wall Sections button, you will see the Wall Section Mapping dialogue box below:

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This dialog box gives you the opportunity to make any changes to the mapping of ETABS wall sections to Revit Structure sections. All of the Revit Structure wall families that are currently loaded will show up in drop down boxes. When updating a Revit Structure model from an ETABS model, there will be instances in which the 1:1 mapping of Revit Structure elements to ETABS elements will be lost because elements in ETABS were meshed. For this situation the user has two options: 1. To delete the existing Revit Structure Elements, and have CSiXRevit create new instances which were meshed in ETABS. 2. To keep the existing elements as they were and use object mapping to guide the import. In the case of option #2, there can be situations in which the user has to make some decisions. For example, if we have a column in Revit Structure that runs from the ground floor to the top floor as one single element, when it is imported into ETABS, that column will be broken at every floor level. When it is designed, it might have different sections assigned to each segment of the column. When this column (that is now meshed in ETABS) is being imported back into Revit Structure, the user has the option to 1) delete the original and have CSiXRevit create column with the varying sections or to 2) select one of the frame sections

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for the entire length of that column. They can do this by selecting deselecting the corresponding checkbox on the right hand side of the dialog box and then clicking the Objects button under Mapping Options. The Object Mapping dialog box below will then appear:

In the Revit Structure model, Column ID (186711) spans 5 floors, but in ETABS, it was meshed into 5 pieces. When coming back into Revit Structure, the user has the option to choose which section they would like to assign to the entire length of the column. The same methodologies can be applied to meshed beams, braces, floors and walls. Once you have set up all of your mapping, select the OK button and your ETABS model will be imported.

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Reviewing the Log File (.log)

Every time a model is sent from Revit Structure to ETABS or from ETABS to Revit Structure, a file with the extension .log is created. This file will list any errors or omissions encountered when generating the EXR file, and therefore, should be checked each time an exchange of data is performed. The .log file also lists the build numbers for CSiXRevit and Revit Structure, which should be identical to ensure that no misinterpretation of data occurs. The first few lines of the .log file will have the following format (the actual data may be different):
CSiXRevit Revit API Build = 20100326_1700 Current Revit Version = 2011 Current Revit Build = 20100326_1700

It is the Build = numbers that should be the same having the same Version numbers but different Build numbers does not guarantee data consistency.

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Known Limitations 1. Windows Vista: Users must run as administrator (ETABS, ETABSIO and Revit.exe). If
Revit is not run as administrator then there is a possibility that CSiXRevit will not able to open .log file. In this case, CSiXRevit will not able to write any warning in the log file and all warning messages will be displayed on the screen time to time. Directly sending data to ETABS may not work if Revit is not run as administrator.

2. Sometimes updates to end release conditions in ETABS are not updated in Revit. This
is because sometimes the end releases in Revit Structure are marked as Read-only. Warning (1) - Unable to set the releases for the member.. Source = RevitAPI Message = Operation is not valid due to the current state of the object. Stack trace = at Autodesk.Revit.Parameter.Set(Int32 value) at CSiXRevit.modImportAndExport.UpdateOneFrameEndReleases(rvtLines OneLine, FamilyInstance& Element) 3. Sometimes updates to cardinal points in ETABS are not updated in Revit because the z-justification and offset parameters are Read-only.

4. If the user updates the material property of a wall, deck or slab in ETABS, that change
will not be brought back into Revit Structure. Workaround is to create a new wall, deck or slab property in ETABS and then bring it back to Revit.

5. While importing ETABS model as new Revit model, only those openings which lie
completely within a wall or floor, will be imported. It is recommended to break the openings if it is not completely inside the wall or floor before importing. Also openings which are not inside any wall or floor cannot be imported into Revit.

6. Revit Structure floors which are grouped together may be treated as openings while
importing model into ETABS.

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7. It is recommended to avoid double byte characters for Revit Structure Families for
entities attached with analytical model. ETABS will not support double byte characters in definition of frame and shell sections.

8. Import of European and Chinese steel sections from Revit to ETABS are possible if
their corresponding .PRO files are present in ETABS folder.

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