Student Workbook PDF

Autodesk BIM Curriculum 2011
Student Workbook
Unit 4: Multidisciplinary Coordination
Contents
Unit Overview .....................................................................................................................3!
Key Concepts.................................................................................................................3!
Lesson Roadmap ...........................................................................................................7!
Software Tools and Requirements.................................................................................7!
Suggested Resources....................................................................................................7!
Lesson 1: Preparing to Share Models..............................................................................9!
Lesson Overview............................................................................................................9!
Learning Objectives .....................................................................................................10!
Suggested Exercises ...................................................................................................10!
Assessment..................................................................................................................12!
Key Terms....................................................................................................................13!
Lesson 2: Modeling Structural Elements ......................................................................14!
Lesson Overview..........................................................................................................14!
Assessment..................................................................................................................21!
Key Terms....................................................................................................................22!
Lesson 3: Modeling Electrical Systems.........................................................................23!
Lesson Overview..........................................................................................................23!
Assessment..................................................................................................................30!
Key Terms....................................................................................................................31!
Lesson 4: Modeling Plumbing Systems ........................................................................32!
Assessment..................................................................................................................39!
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Key Terms....................................................................................................................40!
Lesson 5: Modeling Mechanical Systems .....................................................................41!
Lesson Overview..........................................................................................................41!
Assessment..................................................................................................................47!
Key Terms....................................................................................................................48!
Lesson 6: Coordination and Interference Checking.....................................................49!
Lesson Overview..........................................................................................................49!
Assessment..................................................................................................................53!
Key Terms....................................................................................................................54!
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Unit Overview
Key Concepts
For many decades, the AEC community has relied on a paper-based workflow with
designers working in silos that focused on a single project discipline or function and
sequentially passing the outputs of their design decisions on to the next discipline. This
isolated, sequential process created many barriers to effective collaboration and has often
led to misunderstandings and mistakes requiring costly rework in the field.
In recent years, designers in the AEC community have embraced a new methodology
using BIM software tools and building information models as the basis for a collaborative
design process to meet the challenges of todays increasingly complex and demanding
project requirements. Using this BIM methodology, design teams can deliver projects on
time, at a higher quality, and with greater efficiency.
While the local benefits of adopting a BIM-based design approach to improve the workflow
and outputs of each design disciplinearchitectural, structural, and MEPare typically far
greater than the costs of deploying BIM and sufficient to justify making the change, the
larger impacts of enabling seamless multidisciplinary collaboration by the entire design
team are far greater.
While the transition from manual drawing to CAD-based approaches improved the
efficiency of the process, the transition to a BIM-centric design approach fundamentally
changes the process and the AEC workflow by revolutionizing the way project information
is shared, coordinated, and reviewed. BIM is proving to be a breakthrough technology that
affects project workflows, multidisciplinary team roles, delivery methods, and project
deliverables.
Advantages of a BIM-Centric Design Approach
A fundamental advantage of using a BIM-based methodology for sharing project

information and collaborating is that it enables design team members to participate and
provide their inputs much earlier in the design process, rather than waiting in line for their
turn after earlier design decision are locked. This early participation and input enables all
design team members to assess the impacts of their design decisions and processes
downstream.
When the entire team can coordinate their work and share design inputs, they can easily
assess the impacts of design alternatives and hone in on the best options earlier, and in
parallel. This collaborative approach enables designers to respect the requirements of the
other design disciplines and avoid costly and time-consuming conflicts and design rework.
Multidisciplinary Design Teams
As the design and construction of successful buildings becomes increasingly complex,

designers and experts from many disciplines must be brought together to share their
expertise and collaborate on the design of the key building features. Typically, all of the
disciplines and expertise required cannot be found in a single design firm. Rather, a
project design team typically involves designers and experts from a number of different
firms that all specialize in their own aspect of the project design.
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A typical project team may bring together architects, civil engineers, structural engineers,
mechanical engineers, planners, surveyors, and a host of technical specialistseach with
their own perspectives and goals on what features will create the best design. These
designers may also be joined by constructors and fabricators who will build the project, as
well as the facilities personnel who will eventually operate the completed building.
Coordinating the inputs from all these divergent viewpoints into a collaborative process
can be a monumental task.
To achieve their design goals, design teams must produce and manage vast amounts of
information about the projectfor example, existing and as-built conditions, project goals,
design options considered, results of design analyses performed, construction planning
and fabrication strategies. A seemingly boundless range of details must be coordinated,
reviewed, and agreed upon by the entire team. Each team member must develop the
information needed and design the features required for their own portion of the design
work, and this information must be shared with other members of the design team who
are impacted by and depend upon these design decisions.
A BIM-centric design approach enables multidisciplinary design teams to create, share,

and coordinate vast amounts of project information, maintaining the integrity of the design
teams information and decision-making as the project evolves. Traditional paper-based
approaches are just too time-consuming, error-prone, and limited to effectively meet the
needs of the todays multidisciplinary design teams.
Developing a Model Coordination Plan
Before members of the design team dive into creating models for their individual pieces of
the project, it is essential that key members of the team meet to create standards and
document the procedures that will be used to share models. This step is often formalized
in a Model Coordination Plan or a BIM protocol document that specifies:
The overall strategy for dividing the design work into packages that will be
completed by different members of the multidisciplinary design team.
Who is responsible for the development and analysis of each work package at
each stage of the design process.
The acceptable level of detail for each work package at each stage.
The information exchange mechanisms (network server, FTP site, or other file
transfer means) and standards (file formats).
Who has management or editing privileges for each work package.
BIM-Centric Design Workflow
The precise workflow used by each multidisciplinary design team will vary based on the
specific needs, requirements, and relationships between the team members. The
following steps outline one suggested approach:
Step 1: Create a Base Design Model
A common first step in the project design process is for the lead architect to generate a
preliminary design in response to the owners requirements and other design objectives
and constraints.

Autodesk Revit Architecture software can help architects to explore and assess to meet
their design objectivesfor example, maximizing usable space, responding to site
features and constraints, maximizing building performance, and creating desired design
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and aesthetic effectsto name just a few possibilities. Whatever the design priorities, BIM
helps architects to explore design alternatives and document their design intent.
Step 2: Utilize the Base Design Model
Once a preliminary design has been created, the BIM model can be shared with other
members of a multidisciplinary design team to be used as a starting point for their design
tasks.
The BIM model of the preliminary design encodes the design intent of the architect and
enables other team members to participate and collaborate much earlier than traditional
silo-based, sequential workflows. Each discipline can link the architects preliminary
design model into their own model (which acts as a host for the linked model) and use the
linked model as the basis for their own design work.

Autodesk Revit software products provide collaboration tools that help the
multidisciplinary designers to selectively copy and monitor elements from the architectural
model that will inform or affect their own design as well as elements that created
interdependencies between the designs. This capability helps designers to quickly create
coordinated models of the project to support their own workflow. To simplify the workflow
and avoid degrading the performance of their host model, designers should only copy the
elements needed to coordinate work with other team members.
Having created linked models, each member of the design team can then complete their
individual design tasks in parallel, confident that their design work will remain coordinated
with the work of other members of the team:
Structural engineers can design and model the structural members and
framework required to support the proposed design and recommend changes
that will improve the structural performance. They can also use their structural
models as the basis for structural analyses and detailed structural design. The
results of their analysis and design can be linked and incorporated into the
overall project model to ensure coordination with other members of the design
team.
Electrical and lighting engineers can design and model the power, lighting, and
switching systems needed to support the requirements of the proposed design.
They can use their electrical models to perform detailed analysis and design of
the buildings electrical systems and recommend changes that would improve
the building performance. As with other disciplines, the results of their electrical
system analysis and design can be linked into the overall model and
coordinated with other design team members.
Plumbing engineers can design and model the water supply, sanitary, and fire
protection systems needed to support the proposed design. Using the space
layouts, fixtures specified, and wet walls initially proposed by the architect, the
plumbing engineers can model the pipe routing and perform analysis on water
flow and pressure to design the components of the plumbing system in detail.
When their proposed design is linked into the overall model, their work will be
coordinated with the work of others.
Mechanical and HVAC engineers can also use the linked preliminary design to
understand the buildings cooling and heating zones as well as the spaces
available for mechanical equipment and chases and plenums to route
ductwork. They can position their HVAC components in the context of the
architectural, structural, and other building elements that may create
interferences, thus maintaining the integrity of the integrated project design.
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Step 3: Review and Coordinate Designs
As each discipline completes an iteration of their design work, their models can be linked
to an integrated project model that incorporates the models produced by all disciplines.
This essential step facilitates review, coordination, and interference checking between all
of the design work that has been carried on in parallel.
Every disciplines individual design decisions can have impacts on many other disciplines,
especially where elements from many disciplines must be coordinated to share small
spacesfor example, in a ceiling space where structural elements, mechanical ductwork,
and piping systems all compete for limited space. This is where design review and
coordination among all participating disciplines becomes vital.
In traditional paper-based workflows, coordinating drawings created by many disciplines

could be a time-consuming and tedious task fraught with human errors, because conflict
and issue identification relied on human interpretation of 2D drawings. In a BIM-centric
design process, computers can automatically and reliably check vast number of potential
conflicts almost instantaneously.

Revit products enable cross-linking of models created in Revit Architecture, Autodesk

Revit Structure software, and Autodesk Revit MEP software. The models that should
be cross-linked depend upon the teams workflow. Typical examples might include:
Architectural/Structural: The structural engineer uses Copy/Monitor mode to

monitor changes made to the base architectural model. The architect can then
use Interference Check to verify that architectural elements are not conflicting
with structural components.
Architectural/Mechanical: The MEP engineer monitors the architects changes

to rooms and levels, which bound the heating and cooling zones. The architect
can link the MEP model to show mechanical system elements in the context of
the architectural elements.
Structural/Mechanical: In this case, both designers benefit from interference

detection to avoid potential collisions and conflicts between structural and MEP
system elements.
Using this model cross-linking feature, design teams can review, monitor, and coordinate
the changes made by all members of the design team. This approach enables model
coordination review and interference checking to occur earlier and more quickly, which
allows these essential steps to be completed regularly as part of an iterative design
process.
Step 4: Iterate and Improve Designs
Steps 2 and 3 should be completed often and repeated regularly as part of an iterative
design process. As a design matures and continues to adapt and respond to the
requirements and opportunities realized by all the project disciplines, the entire project
team can be updated with the latest version of the integrated project model.
Using these updates, they can continue to advance and refine their individual designs in
their own models, always in coordination with the integrated model.
This efficient process enables the entire design team to participate in assessing proposed
design options and contribute their insights to help the project team find optimal design
choices based on broader multidisciplinary considerations.
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Lesson Roadmap
In this unit, you will learn how BIM tools can be used to support a multidisciplinary design
process. They will learn how to:
Create a dimensional framework that helps coordinate design work of team

members using a series of linked models.
Place placeholder elements in a preliminary design model to encode the

architects design intent.
Link Revit models and copy shared levels, grids, and reference planes, as well
as elements that are relevant to the design work of specific disciplines.
Model the elements typically placed by structural, electrical, plumbing, and

mechanical system designers.
Link and integrate model created by many disciplines and using coordination
review and interference checking to look for conflicts.
Software Tools and Requirements

To complete the exercises in this unit, you should download the following software from
the Autodesk Education Community website and install it on you computer:
Autodesk Revit Architecture
Autodesk Revit Structure
Autodesk Revit MEP
This unit presents a high-level view of the functionality in these tools to illustrate the
benefits of using a BIM-centric approach to multidisciplinary design. The features
presented are a small subset of the full range available in Revit software, specifically
focusing on model linking and basic design tasks.
For more detailed coverage and examples of how to use Revit products for structural and
MEP design tasks, you can refer to:
Curriculum materials available on the Autodesk Education Community website.
Revit software products extensive help system.
Videos and tutorials available in the Revit help menu.
Suggested Resources
BIM Methodology
BIM Deployment Plan

usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?id=14652957&siteID=123112
Integrated Project Design
AIA Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide (2007)

info.aia.org/SiteObjects/files/IPD_Guide_2007.pdf
Case Studies/White Papers
Factor Ten Engineering Introduction

Link to White Paper
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Factor Ten Engineering Design Principles

Link to White Paper
Autodesk AEC Headquarters and Integrated Project Design, Factor Ten Engineering
Case Study, August 2010
Link to White Paper
Banana Farm 1.0, Factor Ten Engineering Case Study, August 2010
Link to White Paper
10 Exchange Square, London: Information Technology for Collaboration, 2005

www.gsd.harvard.edu/people/faculty/pollalis/cases/BL-CaseStudy-mar-2005.pdf
Architecture Programs Implement Interdisciplinary Collaboration Studios to Capitalize on

the Emergence of Integrated Project Delivery
Link to White Paper
BIM Curriculum Materials and Support
Autodesk BIM for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Management 2011

Curriculum
students.autodesk.com/ama/orig/bim2010/start.htm
BIM Curriculum Support and Discussion

http://www.bimtopia.com/bimcurriculum.html
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Student Workbook
Unit 4: Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Lesson 1: Preparing to Share Models
Lesson 1: Preparing to Share Models

Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you learn how to set up the elements of a project that enable teams to
effectively share a building model. They:
Create a dimensional framework for the model via levels, grids, and reference
planes and use these elements to precisely place building elements.
Create views that expose and highlight the elements used by different
members and disciplines on the design team.
Creating the Architectural Building Model
To prepare a model for sharing with a multidisciplinary team, it is essential to create a

dimensional framework of levels, grids, and reference planes that all members of the team
can use to place elements and keep their work coordinated.
Designers typically place elements in their models to

act as placeholders for items that will be designed and
specified by other members of the team. This approach
enables them to consider the locations in their design
decisions and indicate their design intent to other
members of the team.
The design team must work out the overall strategy for
how the model will be sharedas a single project file
(which can be shared on a local network) or as a series
of linked models (which can be remotely edited by
different team members, then reviewed and checked for
changes and conflicts).
In order to avoid duplication of effort and conflicts, each

team member must have a clear understanding of what
types of elements are to be placed in each linked model Figure 4.1.1. Adding placeholder columns to the
and who will control the changes to that model. architectural model at grid intersections
Creating Views to Highlight the Structural Elements
Design teams can create many views of the building model to show specific features and
highlight the elements used by each design discipline to assist with their design tasks.
It is often useful to create special views that isolate specific types of elements or hide
other elements that obscure the ones involved in a design task, for example:
2D and 3D section views
Views that hide selected elements or categories of elements

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With visibility graphics overrides set to hide or highlight selected categories of

elements
It may be necessary to adjust a views settings to be able to see the structural elements in
that view. If elements cannot be seen, you should check:
Visibility graphics overrideshas that category been hidden?
View propertiesis the element outside the current view range settings?
Level of detailis the level of detail fine enough? (Some categories of

elements display as single line representations in coarse views.)
Hidden elementshas the element been temporarily hidden?
Section boxesis the element outside of the range of the section box?
To ensure consistency between views, design teams can create view templates to quickly
apply similar view settings to many views.
Learning Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
Understand the importance of creating a dimensional framework to facilitate

model sharing.
Appreciate and apply the concept of using grids and reference planes to align
and place building elements.
Explore creating special views to highlight key elements for different disciplines
within the design team.
Suggested Exercises
Exercise 4.1.1: Creating the Architectural Building Model
In this exercise, you will learn how to:
Create appropriate levels for the project geometry.
Add horizontal grids, vertical grids, and reference planes to assist with placing
and aligning elements.
Place structural columns and other placeholder structural elements in the

building model.
Video Tutorial
Unit4_Lesson1_Tutorial1.mp4
Figure 4.1.2. Structural columns placed in the

architectural model at the ground floor and lower levels
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Student Exercise
Unit4_Lesson1_Exercise1_Start.rvt
Place grids in the east-west direction (perpendicular to the ones placed in the
tutorial.
Place reference planes on both sides of the first and last east-west grids to
assist with aligning model elements.
Add structural columns at the grid intersections on level 1.
Figure 4.1.3. Grids and reference planes on level 1
Exercise 4.1.2: Creating Views to Highlight the Structural Elements
Create 2D building sections.
Use the section box to create 3D building sections.
Adjust the visibility/graphic overrides to display the building skeleton.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.1.4. Using the section box to expose the

building systems in a 3D view
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Student Exercise
Create additional 2D section views to show the structural features in the east-
west direction.
Create a 3D section view showing the structural features in this direction.
Figure 4.1.5. 3D section view cutting the model between grids 4 and 5
Assessment
Creating the Architectural Model
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Array tool to place
grids versus copying them individually?
How do you place nonrectangular grids (for example, radial grids or triangular
grids)?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of creating more than one level
per floor (for example, Level 1Floor and Level 1Ceiling)?
If columns are placed at grid intersections, will the columns move if a grid
location is changed?
Creating Views to Highlight the Structural Elements
What techniques can you use to filter the information displayed in a section
view?
Can you cut a section view using a cutting plane that is not vertical?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of creating duplicate views with
different visibility settings?
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Key Terms
The following terms are used in this lesson:
Key Term Definition
Grids Vertical reference planes that help divide the plan view of a
model.
Levels User-defined horizontal reference planes, defined by their

level, that help divide the elevation views of a model. They
typically match the floor elevations of buildings.
Section Views Elevation views that show some cross section of a building
design.
Graphic Overrides Customs graphic settings for color, line, transparency, and
other attributes that will take precedence over the default
settings.
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Lesson 2: Modeling Structural Elements
Lesson 2: Modeling Structural

Elements
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn how to add the elements to the building model that provide
the structural framework for the building.
You will start by adding a dimensional framework of levels and grids to the architectural
model, and then add placeholders for structural elements that impact the architectural
design (such as columns). They will then copy essential elements from the architectural

model to a Autodesk Revit Structure model and place the key structural framing
elements such as foundations, floors, shear walls, columns, beams, and joists.
The endpoint of the lesson will be a structural model that can be used for structural
analysis and shared with the other members of the design team.
Linking an Architectural Model and Copying Shared Elements
Link the preliminary architectural model to your Revit Structure host project and use the
Copy/Monitor tool to copy shared elements:
Dimensional frameworklevels and

grids
Placeholder elementswalls, floors,

and columns placed in the
architectural model
Figure 4.2.0. Adding placeholder columns to the

architectural model at grid intersections
Modeling Concrete Columns, Beams, and Floor Slabs
Model the concrete columns, beams, and floors slabs on the first floor and lower level of
the project using the Structural Column, Beam, and Floor tools in Revit Structure. These
elements will provide the basis for detailed structural design and structural analysis to
confirm the sizes of all members.
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You can place structural elements in any view, so select a view that makes your work task
easier:
Use plan views for elements that are placed below or through the cut plane (for
example, columns).
Use reflected ceiling plan views for elements that are placed above the cut plan
(for example, beams).
Use 2D or 3D section views for elements that are difficult to select in plan
views (for example, floors).
Use 3D views with the Snap in Place option for elements whose ends snap to
other objects (for example, beams).
In addition, be sure that the views level of detail, view range, and visibility graphics
overrides are set in a way that makes the structural elements visible.
Modeling Wood Columns, Beams, and Beam Systems
Model the wood columns, beams, and beam systems on the upper levels of the project
using similar techniques, but with a few variations:
Use the Align tool to line up the outside faces of the wood columns in the
exterior walls with the edge of the floor slab (and the outside face of the
concrete columns) below.
Use the Beam System tool to create a regularly spaced system of joist
elements to span between the wood beams and support the upper floors and
roof.
Since levels 2 through 4 are very similar, you can use shortcuts to simplify your work.
After placing the wood structural elements on one level, copy them to the clipboard and
use the Paste Align tool to copy them to similar locations on other levels.
Modeling Structural Walls and Foundations
Add structural walls (for example, shear walls that resist lateral forces) to the structural
model using the Wall tool. For this design, you will place:
Concrete shear walls at the lower level and level 1 to work with the concrete
framing at those levels
Plywood shear walls at levels 2 through 4 above
Retaining walls at the edges of the lower level
You can also add foundation elements to transfer the loads from the structural framing to
the ground:
Foundation slabs to transfer distributed loads
Wall foundations to transfer continuous wall loads
Isolated foundations to transfer concentrated column loads
Be sure to set the Placement Plane option to accurately place your foundation elements at
the proper level. In addition, make certain that the views level of detail, view range, and
visibility graphics overrides are set in way that makes the new elements visible.
Learning Objectives
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Understand the importance of copying the dimensional framework to facilitate

structural systems modeling.
Understand and apply the concepts and techniques of modeling structural

framing of differing material typesconcrete and wood.
Appreciate the advantages and tradeoffs of modeling elements in 2D or 3D

views.
Suggested Exercises
Exercise 4.2.1: Linking an Architectural Model and Copying Shared
Elements
Link an architectural model to a Revit Structure host project.
Set the options for copying shared elements.
Select and filter the objects to be copied.
Create working views of the structural model that facilitates modeling.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.2.1. Copying shared elements from a linked

model
Student Exercise
Open the model for this exercise in Revit Structure software and link to the
architectural model of the building.
Copy the north-south grids from the linked model into the Revit Structure host
project.
Create additional views and adjust their properties to assist with the placement
of structural elements in the model.
Also create a new 3D view and name it 3D Structural Frame.
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Figure 4.2.2. 3D Structural Frame view
Exercise 4.2.2: Modeling Concrete Columns, Beams, and Floor

Slabs
Adjust the grids and column locations to better serve the interior layout and
structural integrity of building.
Specify and placing concrete columns and beams in plan views and with 3D
snapping.
Specify the structure and materials for concrete floor slabs.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.2.3. Moving columns by adjusting the grid

locations
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Student Exercise
Place 10" (0.25 m) square concrete structural columns at interior grid

intersections on level 1 and the lower level.
Create a new concrete structural framing type for 12" x 24" (0.30 m x 0.61 m)
concrete beams and place these beams at the top of the structural columns on
level 1 to support the level 2 floor slab.
Unhide the floor slab at level 2 and change its type to be a 6" (0.15 m) concrete
slab.
Figure 4.2.4. Concrete beams placed at the top of level 1 columns
Exercise 4.2.3: Modeling Wood Columns, Beams, and Floors
Choose, place, and align wood columns relative to other model elements.
Specify the wood beam types and place them in plan views and with 3D
snapping.
Create beam systems of regularly spaced beams and joists.
Specify the structure and materials for wood structural floors and place
identical instances at many levels at once.
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Video Tutorial
Figure 4.2.5. Copying wood structural elements to a

Student Exercise similar position on another level
Place 6 x 6 (0.15 m x 0.15 m) wood columns at the grid intersections on the

right side of level 2 (along grids C and D) and align edge columns to the outer
boundary of the floor slab.
Place 5 x 22 (0.13 m x 0.57 m) Glulam beams of southern pine along grids C

and D to support the floor level above. Use an offset -0.75" (-19 mm) to place
these beams below the plywood subfloor at Level 2.
Create a beam system of 16" (0.40 m) TJL wood open web joists to span
between the beams at grids C and D. Use an offset of -0.75" (-19 mm) to also
place these joists below the plywood subfloor. The joists should be center
justified and spaced at a fixed distance of 2 (0.61 m).
Create a similar beam system using 14" (0.36 m) TJL wood open web joists to
span between the beams at grids B and C.
Copy the wood structural elements that you created in this exercise to similar
locations on levels 3 and 4.
Select the floor at level 4 and change it to the plywood floor type.
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Figure 4.2.6. Sketching the boundary for a beam system of open web joists
Exercise 4.2.4: Modeling Structural Walls and Foundations
Create interior shear walls at the building core.
Place retaining walls below grade.
Add foundation elementsfoundation slabs, wall foundations, and isolated

foundations at columnswhere necessary.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.2.7. Isolated and wall foundations merging with

the foundation slab
Student Exercise
Create plywood interior shear walls directly above the locations of the concrete
shear walls placed on the lower level and level 1.
Change the exterior walls on the lower level to 12" (0.30 m) concrete retaining
walls.
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Add 36" x 12" (0.91 m x 0.30 m) bearing tooting wall foundation elements to
support these retaining walls.
Add 72" x 48" x 18" (1.82 m x 1.22 m x 0.46 m) isolated rectangular footing
foundation elements to support the interior columns and the columns at grid D.
Figure 4.2.8. Interior shear walls and all foundation elements placed in the structural
model
Assessment
Linking an Architectural Model and Copying Shared Elements
What are the advantages and disadvantages of linking to a Revit model versus
sharing a single project file?
How does linking to models affect the performance of a host model?
Is the information displayed in a linked model refreshed automatically?
Why does the Copy/Monitor tool limit the types of elements that can be copied
and monitored? What do these elements have in common?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of copying shared building

elements as generic types versus copying the original types?
Modeling Concrete Columns, Beams, and Floor Slabs
Can you rotate columns as you place them?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of placing a column by specifying

its depth versus specifying its height?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of placing columns in 3D views?
Which 2D view is best for placing beams at the top of the level 1 columns?
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Modeling Wood Columns, Beams, and Floors
What is the difference between the nominal dimensions for wooden elements
and the actual dimensions? Is it the same for all sizes?
Why is it better to align the outside faces of the wood columns to the edge of
the floor versus leaving them centered on the grid intersections?
Why are beams placed in one direction and a beam system of smaller joist
elements placed in the other direction?
Why is the elevation of the beam start and end offsets and the beam systems
lowered to match the thickness of the structural floor?
Modeling Structural Walls and Foundations
What are the key differences between structural walls and basic wall types?
What determines whether a wall requires a wall foundation?
Are isolated foundations needed to support columns that are embedded in

retaining walls?
Why are isolated foundations needed under the interior columns? Would the
slab foundation not provide enough support?
Key Terms
Key Term Definition
Shear Wall A rigid vertical diaphragm that transfer lateral forces (caused
by wind, earthquakes, or settlement) to the foundation
elements in a direction parallel to their planes. Examples
include reinforced concrete walls, plywood shear panels, and
vertical trusses.
Joist Light horizontal framing members that support a floor or

ceiling. They typically span between walls or between larger
beams or girders.
Beam System A collection of beam elements that are typically placed in a

regularly spaced pattern.
Floor Slab A structural slab, often made of concrete, used as a floor on

grade or below grade.
Isolated Foundation A foundation element used to transfer structural point loads to

the ground. Isolated foundations are typically placed beneath
column elements.
Wall Foundation A foundation element used to transfer structural wall loads to

the ground. Wall foundations are typically placed beneath
foundation wall and retaining wall elements.
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Student Workbook
Lesson 3: Modeling Electrical Systems
Lesson 3: Modeling Electrical

Systems
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn how to model lighting and electrical elements in a project
lighting fixtures, electrical distribution panels, and switchesand connect them together
by creating circuits, power systems, and switch systems.
You will start by placing lighting fixtures in an architectural model, and then copy those

elements into an Autodesk Revit MEP model. They will model the different lighting and
power systems used to connect these lighting fixtures as well as create power systems
and switch systems.
The endpoint of the lesson will be an electrical model that can be used for analysis and
shared with the other members of the design team and disciplines affected by the
electrical design decisions.
Placing Lighting Fixtures in the Architectural Model
Designers often create lighting designs indicating the

types of lighting fixtures and their layout as part of their
preliminary design work. Similarly, you can place
lighting fixtures in an architectural model to act as
placeholders for items that will be specified in detail
later by electrical designers on the project team.
This two-stage approach enables you to consider the

location of lighting fixtures in your early design
decisions and indicate your design intent to other
members of team.
Figure 4.3.0. Lighting fixtures in the linked architectural

model are copied to MEP file
As you choose lighting fixture components to load into your project and use for your
design, make sure that they are MEP-friendly (include electrical connectors, lighting
values, and electrical load data in their definition). All of the lighting fixtures included in the

libraries installed by the 2011 versions of Autodesk Revit software products are MEP-
friendly, but older components may not be. To be certain, edit the component and look for
the special electrical connector parts in its definition.
AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Copying Shared Elements into an Electrical Model
Link the architectural model to a Revit MEP host model and use the Copy/Monitor tool to
copy the placeholder lighting fixtures to use as the starting point for our electrical design
tasks.
Modeling Electrical Panels, Circuits, and Switches
Add electrical elements to the host project to model the key features and assign these
elements to electrical power and switch systems.
Place components to model the essential features of electrical circuits. The components
available in Revit MEP include:
Electrical equipment
o Transformers
o Distribution panels
o Switch gears
Devices
o Electrical fixturesreceptacles and junction boxes
o Communicationintercom system components
o DataEthernet and other network connections
o Fire alarmsmoke detectors, manual pull stations, and annunciators
o Lightinglighting switches, daylight sensors, occupancy sensors
o Nurse call devicescall stations, code blue stations, and door lights
o Securitydoor locks, motion sensors, and surveillance cameras
o Telephonetelephone jacks
Lighting fixturesceiling, wall, and recessed lights
After placing electrical devices, you can:
Create power systems and switch systems.
Model circuits and wiring to link the devices together.
Assign circuits to panels.
Tabulate the loads on individual circuits.
View the devices assigned to each system in the System Browser.
Modeling Electrical Receptacle Circuits
Add components to the Revit MEP project to model the placement of electrical
receptacles or outlets.
Many receptacle types are available to meet different architectural needs, including:
Number of outlets availablesimplex (single outlet), duplex (two outlets),

quadruplex (four outlets)
Placement locationwall, floor, countertop, weatherproof
Voltage110V, 220V
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Special applicationsswitched, isolated ground, ground fault circuit interrupt

(GFCI)
After placing receptacles, you can:
Create circuits and wiring to link the receptacles together.
Assign circuits to panels.
Tabulate the loads and view the devices assigned to each system in the
System Browser.
Learning Objectives
Understand how to place basic lighting fixtures in a building model using

regular layouts.
Appreciate the process of copying model framework and lighting fixtures into a
MEP file.
Understand how to create circuits and wiring to panelboard elements.
Model other common electrical equipment, such as switches and receptacles.
Explore the overall electrical systems that could be the basis for later system
analysis.
Suggested Exercises
Exercise 4.3.1: Placing Lighting Fixtures in the Architectural Model
Choose and place lighting fixture components.
Array lighting fixtures to create regularly spaced patterns.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.3.1. Creating an array of lighting fixtures
Student Exercise

Open the model for this exercise in Autodesk Revit Architecture software.
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Place a regularly spaced array of eighteen 2' x 2' (0.61 m x 0.61 m) troffer
lighting fixtures centered on the ceiling of the corridor on level 2 of the building.
Copy these corridor lighting fixtures and paste aligned to similar locations on
levels 3 and 4.
Figure 4.3.2. Troffer fixtures in the corridor arrayed in a regular-spaced pattern
Exercise 4.3.2: Copying Shared Elements into an Electrical Model
Copy shared levels and grids into a Revit MEP host project.
Copy lighting fixtures from the architectural model into Revit MEP.
Create working views for lighting and electrical design.
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.3.3. Copying lighting fixtures individually
Student Exercise
Open the model for this exercise in Revit MEP software.
Copy the lighting fixtures from the architectural model into the Revit MEP
electrical model using the Batch Copy option to copy all of the fixtures found.
Figure 4.3.4. Using batch copy to copy of the fixtures found in the linked model
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Add electrical panels and specifying distribution systems.
Create circuits to connect lighting fixtures to panels.
Connect lighting fixtures to switches.
View electrical systems in the System Browser.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.3.5. Creating a switch system for many lighting

fixtures
Student Exercise
Place a 208 volt MLO panelboard for the lighting fixtures on level 1 and
designate its distribution system.
Create a power system circuit for the pendant lights in the retail space at the
north end of level 1.
Add a single pole switch system for the troffer lights in the level 2 corridor.
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Figure 4.3.6. Creating a power circuit between a series of lighting fixtures and an
electrical panel
Load electrical receptacle components.
Place electrical receptacles on wall faces.
Create circuits to connect the receptacles to panels.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.3.7. Creating a power system linking many

receptacles
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Student Exercise
Place electrical duplex receptacles in the conference room on level 3 of the

building.
Create a power system for these receptacles and choose the arc wire option
for the wires.
Figure 4.3.8. Power circuit linking receptacles to an electrical panel
Assessment
Placing Lighting Fixtures in the Architectural Model
How do recessed lighting fixtures affect the space available for other systems
in the ceiling (for example, ducts and sprinklers)?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using surface-mounted lighting

fixtures versus recessed fixtures in the ceiling? Wall-mounted fixtures versus
freestanding lamps?
What types of lighting fixtures are typically used to provide ambient lighting?
Task lighting? Accent lighting?
Copying Shared Elements into an Electrical Model
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using batch copy versus
copying lighting fixtures individually?
Why would you choose not to copy some lighting fixtures from the linked
model?
What factors determine whether it is better to copy the original types from the
linked architectural model or map them to new types in the host MEP model?
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Modeling Electrical Panels, Circuits, and Switches
Where are electrical panels typically located? In public or private locations?

Who should have access to the panels?
How do you determine the number of distribution panels needed and the size
for each?
Where are light switches typically located?
In what situations are three-way and four-way switches used?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using occupancy switches and
timers versus standard switches?
Modeling Electrical Receptacle Circuits
What is typical elevation for wall receptacles in different settings (for example,
residential versus office)? What are the ADA requirements?
Why are ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) receptacles used on countertops
and in potentially wet locations?
When should quadruplex (four-outlet) receptacles be provided?
Key Terms
Key Term Definition
Circuit The system of individual electronic components, such

as resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors, and diodes,
connected by conductive wires through which electric current
can flow and service electrically powered devices.
Panelboard The device where power can be monitored, distributed, and

controlled safely via circuit breakers and ground connections.
Receptacle Electrical power outlet serving the users plug loads.
Ground Fault Circuit GFCI is a safety feature that cuts power to a circuit when a
Interrupt (GFCI) ground fault or short is detected.
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Student Workbook
Lesson 4: Modeling Plumbing Systems
Lesson 4: Modeling Plumbing

Systems
In this lesson, you will learn how to model plumbing fixtures and link them together to
create hot water, cold water, sanitary waste, and fire sprinkler systems.
You will start by placing sanitary fixtures in the architectural model, and then copy those

placeholder fixtures into an Autodesk Revit MEP model. They will model pipe layouts to
complete the sanitary waste system and create an example of a wet fire protection
system.
The endpoint of the lesson will be a plumbing model that can be used for analysis and
shared with the other members of the design team and disciplines affected by the
plumbing design decisions.
Placing Plumbing Fixtures in the Architectural

Model
Designers typically place plumbing fixtures in their

models as part of their preliminary design work to
indicate the types and locations of fixtures, the
required clearances, and their design intent.
You can use a similar approach, placing plumbing

fixture components in an architectural model to act
as placeholders for items that will be connected into
plumbing systems in a later step by others on the
design team. Be sure to consider the clearances
required by all applicable building codes as you
place the fixtures.
Make sure that the plumbing fixture components you Figure 4.4.0. Adding placeholder columns to the
load into your project and place are MEP-friendly architectural model at grid intersections
(include connectors for the hot water, cold water, and
sanitary systems in their definition).
All of the plumbing fixtures included in the libraries installed by the 2011 versions of

Autodesk Revit products are MEP-friendly, but older components may not be. To be
certain, edit the component and look for the special system connector parts in its
definition.
Copying Shared Elements into a Plumbing Model
Link the preliminary architectural model to your Revit MEP host project and use the
Copy/Monitor tool to copy the placeholder elements to use as the starting point for the
plumbing design tasks.
AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Modeling Sanitary Systems
Use tools in the Plumbing Panel of the Home tab to connect these fixtures and create
several types of plumbing systems:
Sanitary
Domestic cold and hot water
Fire protection
The essential steps include:
Add pipes to model vertical risers.
Add horizontal branch pipes and connecting them to the riser.
Connect plumbing fixtures to the branch pipes.
You can place these pipes individually, or use Revit softwares auto-routing tools to
generate recommended pipe layouts based on the fixture connections, pipe sizes, and
connectors required.
You view the plumbing systems defined and the devices assigned to each system in the
System Browser.
Modeling Fire Protection Systems
Another essential plumbing system in many buildings is the fire protection system. You
can use Revit software to model both wet and dry fire protection systems.
Fire sprinklers and their piping are typically located at the ceiling level. You place sprinkler
components using the Sprinkler tool in the in the Plumbing and Piping panel of the Home
tab.
You can place the pipes that supply the sprinkler components manually or by using Revit
softwares auto-routing tool to generate potential layouts. These pipes can be concealed
in the ceiling or left exposed.
Because sprinkler piping typically shares the ceiling space with many other building
systemsstructural elements, electrical wiring and lighting fixtures, and mechanical
ductworkit is important to check for interferences and adjust the routing as needed to
avoid conflicts.
Learning Objectives
Understand the importance of copying the model levels, grids, and fixtures into
the MEP host model.
Explore modeling pipe systems between fixtures to create specific plumbing

systems.
Appreciate the logic for sanitary pipe routing options in a multistory building.
Devise simple fire protection systems in ceilings.
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Suggested Exercises
Exercise 4.4.1: Placing Plumbing Fixtures in the Architectural Model
Place plumbing fixture components in restrooms.
Copy plumbing fixtures to similar locations on other levels.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.4.1. Placing a lavatory plumbing fixture

component
Exercise

Place toilet and urinal fixtures in the restrooms on level 1 of the building as
shown in Figure 4.4.2.
Copy the plumbing fixtures to similar locations on levels 2, 3, and 4.
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Figure 4.4.2. Plumbing fixtures placed in the restrooms
Exercise 4.4.2: Copying Shared Elements into a Plumbing Model
Create working views for plumbing design in Revit MEP.
Copy plumbing fixtures from the architectural model into Revit MEP.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.4.3.Copying plumbing fixtures to the Revit MEP

host project
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Exercise
Copy the plumbing fixtures from the architectural model into the Revit MEP
plumbing model using the Batch Copy option to copy all of them.
Open the 3D Plumbing view to verify that the fixtures are copied into the Revit
MEP plumbing model.
Figure 4.4.4. Plumbing fixtures copied into the Revit MEP host project
Exercise 4.4.3: Modeling Sanitary Systems
Create a vertical riser.
Place horizontal branch pipes.
Connect branch pipes to the riser.
Connect plumbing fixtures to branch pipes.
View sanitary systems in the System Browser.
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.4.5. Creating a branch pipe to a vertical riser
Student Exercise
Copy the horizontal branch pipe on level 2 to similar locations on levels 3 and
4.
Connect the toilet fixtures on level 2 to the horizontal branch pipe with the
Connect Into tool.
Connect the sanitary connector of the sink and urinal fixtures to the horizontal
branch pipe using similar steps.
Figure 4.4.6. Plan and 3D views showing plumbing fixtures connected to horizontal
branch pipe
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Exercise 4.4.4: Modeling Fire Protection Systems
Place sprinklers.
Create a wet fire protection system.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.4.7. Placing sprinkler components on the face

of a ceiling
Exercise
Place pendant sprinklers for a wet fire protection system in the ceiling of the
large office at the northeast corner of level 2.
Create a wet fire protection system for the sprinklers placed in the previous
step.
Open the 3D Plumbing view to display the sprinklers and the piping layout.
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Figure 4.4.8. Sprinkler piping layout created with the Generate Layout tool
Assessment
Placing Plumbing Fixtures in the Architectural Model
What are the required clearances for restroom fixtures per your applicable
building code?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using wall-mounted plumbing

fixtures versus floor-mounted?
How does the mounting location affect the routing of the sanitary and water
piping?
Copying Shared Elements into a Plumbing Model
How can you control the types of fixtures copied during a batch copy?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of mapping fixtures to new types?
Modeling Sanitary Systems
How are the horizontal branch pipes that run below a floor typically concealed?
Can you use multiple vertical risers to reduce the length of the branch pipes
and the vertical clearance required to provide the minimum slope?
What are the biggest challenges when trying to find auto-routing solutions?
Do the types and sizes of connector elements loaded in the project affect the
auto-routing solutions available?
If an auto-routing solution cannot be found, what strategies can you use to

assist with finding an acceptable routing?
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Modeling Fire Protection Systems
What factors influence the design of a wet fire protection system?
What is a typical spacing between sprinklers?
What factors need to be considered when determining the elevations of the

main and branch pipes?
Key Terms
Key Term Definition
Supply System Piping systems that convey hot and cold water to supply the
needs of plumbing fixtures in the building design.
Sanitary System Piping systems that convey the used water away from
sanitary fixtures and toward the sewage systems.
Riser A vertical pipe.
Main Pipe A larger horizontal pipe that supplies water to smaller branch
pipes.
Branch Pipe A smaller horizontal pipe that conveys water from the main
pipe to an endpoint fixture.
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Student Workbook
Lesson 5: Modeling Mechanical Systems
Lesson 5: Modeling Mechanical

Systems
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn how to model mechanical systems that provide ventilation and
conditioned air to the spaces inside a building. These systems are typically referred to as
heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.
You will place components to model the essential elements of an HVAC systemair
handling units and diffusersand link these elements using ductwork to create systems
that supply to the spaces and return air to the handlers.
The endpoint of the lesson will be a mechanical model that can be used for mechanical
system analysis and detailed mechanical design, as well as shared with the other
members of the design team and disciplines affected by the mechanical design decisions.
Copying Shared Elements into a Mechanical Model

Link the preliminary architectural model to an Autodesk Revit MEP host project and use
the Copy/Monitor tool to copy shared levels and grids as the starting point for the
mechanical design tasks.
You will place components to model the HVAC equipment and devices later in this lesson,
so you do not need to copy any fixtures from the linked model.
Modeling Exposed HVAC Systems
Model exposed HVAC systems (where the ductwork is visible and not concealed by a
ceiling) using tools in the HVAC Panel of the Home tab. You can create two types of
systems:
Supply systems that move conditioned air from air handling units to supply
diffusers
Return systems that move air from return diffusers back to the air handling
units
The essential steps include:
Place air handling unit components.
Place supply diffusers and return diffuser components at locations for these
terminals.
Connect the diffusers to the air handling units with ducts.
To effectively move fresh air to where it is most needed, supply diffusers are typically
placed along the perimeter of a space near doors and windows (and away from the return
air intake). Return air diffusers are strategically placed to draw the conditioned air through
the space.
AUTODESK CURRICULUM
You can place ducts individually, or use Revit softwares auto-routing tools to generate
recommended ducts layouts based on the equipment connections, duct sizes, and
connectors required.
Modeling Closed Plenum HVAC Systems
You can also model closed plenum HVAC systems (where the enclosed ceiling space is
used as a return air plenum) using tools in the HVAC Panel of the Home tab. In these
systems:
Supply air is moved to the supply diffusers through ducts that are typically
concealed in the ceiling space.
Return air is moved from return diffusers mounted on the ceiling through the
return air plenum.
The guidelines for locating diffusers in exposed HVAC systems also apply here. Place
diffusers strategically to draw conditioned air through the space.
As with exposed systems, you can place ducts individually, or use Revit softwares auto-
routing tools to generate recommended layouts. Since the ductwork is typically concealed
by a ceiling, you can use rectangular ducts, which are typically less expensive than
exposed round ducts.
Learning Objectives
Understand the importance of copying in model elements that will drive the
mechanical design.
Model some typical HVAC system, both closed plenum and exposed, within the
space constraints of the building.
Understand the options available and tradeoffs for modeling ductwork for
HVAC systems.
Investigate the register of HVAC systems and see how they are organized by
type (supply or return).
Suggested Exercises
Exercise 4.5.1: Copying Shared Elements into a Mechanical Model
Create working views for mechanical design in Revit MEP.
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.5.1. Applying view templates to customize

views for mechanical design
Student Exercise
Create a new customized and filtered 3D view using the section box to assist
with coordinating the lighting fixtures and the mechanical equipment to be
placed.
Figure 4.5.2. 3D view displaying lighting and HVAC disciplines
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Exercise 4.5.2: Modeling Exposed HVAC Systems
Place air handling units and terminals.
Create a return system.
View HVAC systems in the System Browser.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.5.3. Connecting diffusers to an air handling

unit
Student Exercise
Place six supply diffusers for an exposed HVAC system in the retail space at
the north end of level 1 around the front faade.
Create a supply system for the diffusers placed in the previous step:
o For the main ducts, use oval ducts with gored elbows/taps and an
offset of 13'-0" (3.96 m).
o For the branch ducts, use round ducts with tees, an offset of 13'-0"
(3.96 m), and round flex ducts with maximum flex duct length of 6'-0"
(1.83 m).
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Figure 4.5.4. HVAC supply system in the retail space
Exercise 4.5.3: Modeling Closed Plenum HVAC Systems
Measure the plenum space available.
Place air handling units and terminals.
Create a supply system.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.5.5. Using auto-routing to place supply side

ducts in closed plenum HVAC system
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Student Exercise
Place two supply diffusers for a closed plenum HVAC system in the office
space at the northeast corner of level 2.
Place a variable air volume (VAV) unit above the corridor outside the office.
Create a supply system for the diffusers and VAV unit placed in the previous
steps using the Generate Layout tool:
o For the main ducts, use rectangular ducts with mitered elbows/tees
with an offset: 11'-0" (3.35 m).
o For the branch ducts, use rectangular ducts with mitered elbows/tees
with an offset: 11'-0" (3.35 m) and no flex duct.
Open the 3D HVAC Lighting Coordination view to confirm that there are no
conflicts between the HVAC elements and the lighting fixtures.
Figure 4.5.6. Duct layout for supply side of closed plenum HVAC system
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Assessment
Copying Shared Elements into a Mechanical Model
What elements and features of a model would you want to see to assist with
mechanical design tasks?
What other types of equipment and systems should be considered when

placing HVAC equipment and ducts?
Which views are best for placing HVAC equipment and ducts in a ceiling
space?
Modeling Exposed HVAC Systems
In what types of spaces are exposed HVAC system typically used?
What factors determine the size requirements for an air handling unit?
Could a central air handling unit be used rather than a local unit in the space?
Where could it be located? How would you modify the design to route air to
and from the central unit?
How does the shape of the ducts and number bends in ductwork affect the
efficiency of the system?
Modeling Closed Plenum HVAC Systems
Why are return ducts not needed in a closed plenum HVAC system?
What types of HVAC systems are typically used for:
o Residences?
o Offices?
o Hotel rooms?
What factors determine the best placement for supply diffusers in a room?
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Key Terms
Key Term Definition
Plenum Space In a structure, this is the space that exists in the middle of the
actual ceiling and the dropped ceiling, which is frequently
made use of as an air duct for heating and cooling purposes.
This space also consists of electric, telephone, and
network cables and wires.
Air Terminal A device located in an opening provided at the boundaries of

the treated space to ensure a predetermined motion of air in
this space. These can include supply and return diffusers.
Variable Air Volume A technique for controlling the capacity of a heating,

ventilating, or air-conditioning (HVAC) system. The simplest
VAV system incorporates one supply duct that, when in
cooling mode, distributes cool supply air. Because the supply
air temperature is constant, the air flow rate must vary to
meet the rising and falling heat gains or losses within the
thermal zone served.
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Student Workbook
Lesson 6: Coordination and Interference Checking
Lesson 6: Coordination and

Interference Checking
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn how to link models created by all members of the design team

and use the Autodesk Revit software Coordination Review and Interference Check tools
to find and resolve changes and conflicts.
Design teams using a BIM-based approach to coordinate their work can use coordination
reviews and interference checking to find problems and resolve conflicts during the
planning and design phases of the project lifecycle. This early review helps teams avoid
costly mistakes and oversights that would otherwise surface much later during the field
construction process.
BIM-based coordination also creates an opportunity to verify the geometry and

dimensions of elements before they are placed in the field, and this facilitates the
prefabrication of components, which can vastly improve the efficiency of the construction
process.
Coordinating and Reviewing Model Changes

Link the Autodesk Revit Structure and Autodesk Revit MEP models created by other
disciplines in the design team to find changes made to shared elements and decide how
to act up on those changes.
When you link a Revit model, the software automatically looks for changes to any shared
elements and recommends performing a coordination review if any are found. The
coordination review reports:
The type of change found
The elements in both the host and linked model affected by the change
Recommended actions to resolve the change
Some changes can be resolved by choosing from the recommended actions in the
Coordination Review dialog box. Other changes may require you to modify elements
directly in your host project.
Checking for Interference Between Model Elements
You can also check for interferences and conflicts between model elements using the
Interference Check tool.
You can use this tool in two ways, to:
Compare the locations of elements placed in a single model.
Compare elements in a host project to elements in a linked model.
www.autodesk.com/edcommunity
AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Interference checking is very helpful for finding conflicts that might otherwise go unnoticed
because the conflicting elements are not seen in the same view. It is good practice for
design teams to do internal checks within each model, and also do pair-wise checks to
look for conflicts between the elements placed in each linked model by the various
disciplines.
Learning Objectives
Understand the importance of performing periodic coordination review of

models that have interdependencies.
Appreciate and apply the concept of coordination between models that

contribute to the same project.
Assess the options available in and the limitations of automated Coordination

Review for acting upon the conflicts.
Understand how to perform interference checking tests across different

models, model categories, or particular selections.
Investigate a particular interference and take action to resolve by changing the

location of one of the interfering elements.
Suggested Exercises
Exercise 4.6.1: Coordinating and Reviewing Model Changes
Link models from other disciplines to the architectural model.
Find changes made to shared model elements.
Act upon the changes reported in the coordination review.
View the integrated model with the changes resolved.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.6.1. Reviewing changes to shared elements in

the coordination
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Student Exercise

Link to the lighting model that was created in Autodesk Revit MEP software.
Run a coordination review to find the changes to shared elements that were
made in the linked model.
Review and act on the messages reported in the Coordination Review dialog
box.
Move the lighting fixtures in the architectural model to the new locations to
match the MEP model.
Figure 4.6.2. Coordination Review identifying differences in lighting fixture placement
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Exercise 4.6.2: Checking for Interference Between Model Elements
Link models to prepare for interference checking.
Set up and run an interference report.
Review the issues reported in the interference report and showing the
intersecting elements.
Narrow the scope of the report by selection or by choosing specific elements to

check.
Video Tutorial
Figure 4.6.3. Highlighting intersecting ducts and joists

found during an interference check
Student Exercise
Open the model for this exercise in Revit MEP software. This model includes
the elements in the plumbing design with the architectural model already linked
in.
Link to the HVAC model that was also created in Revit MEP.
Open a view of the area to be checked, and adjust its settings to feature the
HVAC and plumbing elements.
Run an interference check to look for intersecting elements in the current

project and the linked HVAC model.
Review the messages in the Interference Report dialog box.
Change the elevation of the sprinkler pipes that intersect with the ducts so that
there is an appropriate clearance between these items.
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Figure 4.6.4. Clash between a duct and sprinkler pipe in the plenum space
Assessment
Checking for Interference Between Model Elements
What happens when you reject a change? Are the users of the linked models
automatically notified? How can these changes get resolved?
What strategies could you use for resolving elements that were copied into a
linked model and changed there? Should you always delete these elements in
your host model?
How can you share a coordination review report with others (or save it for your
records)?
Coordinating and Reviewing Model Changes
What are the advantages and disadvantages of comparing all elements in two
models versus narrowing the scope of the check to compare fewer elements?
What is the most efficient way to highlight the conflicting elements and make
changes to them to resolve the interference?
How can you update an interference report to remove issues that have already
been resolved?
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Key Terms
Key Term Definition
Coordination Review A tool that enables users to review warnings about changes
to the monitored elements, communicate with other teams
working on the same project, and resolve issues regarding
changes to the building model.
Interference Check A tool that finds intersections between elements in a project.

These can be a set of selected elements or all elements in
the model.
Clash A spatial conflict or intersection between elements in the

model.
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AUTODESK CURRICULUM
Autodesk and Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or
affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their
respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and
pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this
document.
2010 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Autodesk BIM Curriculum 2011

Lesson Roadmap ...........................................................................................................7!

Software Tools and Requirements.................................................................................7!

Learning Objectives .....................................................................................................10!

Suggested Exercises ...................................................................................................10!

Learning Objectives .....................................................................................................15!

Suggested Exercises ...................................................................................................16!

Learning Objectives .....................................................................................................25!

Suggested Exercises ...................................................................................................25!

Learning Objectives .....................................................................................................33!

Suggested Exercises ...................................................................................................34!

Learning Objectives .....................................................................................................42!

Suggested Exercises ...................................................................................................42!

Learning Objectives .....................................................................................................50!

Suggested Exercises ...................................................................................................50!

Advantages of a BIM-Centric Design Approach

A fundamental advantage of using a BIM-based methodology for sharing project

Multidisciplinary Design Teams

As the design and construction of successful buildings becomes increasingly complex,

A BIM-centric design approach enables multidisciplinary design teams to create, share,

Developing a Model Coordination Plan

Who has management or editing privileges for each work package.

BIM-Centric Design Workflow

Step 1: Create a Base Design Model

Step 2: Utilize the Base Design Model

Step 3: Review and Coordinate Designs

In traditional paper-based workflows, coordinating drawings created by many disciplines

Architectural/Structural: The structural engineer uses Copy/Monitor mode to

Architectural/Mechanical: The MEP engineer monitors the architects changes

Structural/Mechanical: In this case, both designers benefit from interference

Step 4: Iterate and Improve Designs

Create a dimensional framework that helps coordinate design work of team

Place placeholder elements in a preliminary design model to encode the

Model the elements typically placed by structural, electrical, plumbing, and

Software Tools and Requirements

Autodesk Revit Architecture

Autodesk Revit Structure

Autodesk Revit MEP

Curriculum materials available on the Autodesk Education Community website.

Revit software products extensive help system.

Videos and tutorials available in the Revit help menu.

BIM Deployment Plan

Integrated Project Design

AIA Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide (2007)

Case Studies/White Papers

Factor Ten Engineering Introduction

Factor Ten Engineering Design Principles

10 Exchange Square, London: Information Technology for Collaboration, 2005

Architecture Programs Implement Interdisciplinary Collaboration Studios to Capitalize on

BIM Curriculum Materials and Support

Autodesk BIM for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Management 2011

BIM Curriculum Support and Discussion

Lesson 1: Preparing to Share Models

Creating the Architectural Building Model

To prepare a model for sharing with a multidisciplinary team, it is essential to create a

Designers typically place elements in their models to

In order to avoid duplication of effort and conflicts, each

Creating Views to Highlight the Structural Elements

2D and 3D section views

Views that hide selected elements or categories of elements

With visibility graphics overrides set to hide or highlight selected categories of

Visibility graphics overrideshas that category been hidden?

Level of detailis the level of detail fine enough? (Some categories of