Autodesk Structural Precast Extension for Revit 2020.1 – The Fifth Element Has Arrived

Because we know how important investments in automation for precast concrete workflows are, we extended the range of elements that are typically produced in factories with highly-automated production lines, thus releasing the new Autodesk Structural Precast Extension for Revit 2020.1.

It delivers the precast double wall, the fifth type of element available through this Revit extension, joining the solid wall, the solid slab, the hollow core slab and the girder slab. Because this type of element may have various names across the different regions of the world (for example “twin wall”), it’s better to describe its structure, for more clarity: It is a type of precast wall composed of 2 precast layers of concrete, separated by a gap and held together by lattice trusses of reinforcement. The gap, which in Revit is represented as an air layer, is then filled on the construction site with cast-in-place concrete.

The most commonly used type of slab used along is the lattice girder slab, meaning that the Precast extension now supports multiple structural systems based on precast elements, like solid slab and solid walls, hollow core slabs and solid walls, girder slabs and double walls or any other combination, depending on the structural design feasibility, fabrication availability and regional ways of practice.

In terms of workflow, the double walls exhibit a behavior similar to the already existing elements, which means rule-based automatic segmentation, reinforcement, generation of shop drawings and generation of CAM files in Unitechnik and PXML file formats. Because it is also based on the concept of Parts, the layers’ geometry is highly customizable, allowing different contours for each of them and an easy manipulation of the connections between the panels.

For additional customization, one should always keep in mind the tools that are available, like the custom fabric sheets, the ability to automatically embed in the corresponding precast assembly the manually added parts or reinforcement bars, Dynamo scripts that add even more automation for rebar and installation components modelling and, for the most demanding requirements, the dedicated Precast API.

Important for your consideration is that this new version of the application is available via the Autodesk Desktop App and it works with Revit 2020.1, to leverage all of the latest platform enhancements.

This latest release of the extension empowers anyone working on precast buildings made of planar elements to have the benefits of rule-based automation on top of the Revit platform, for multi-disciplinary coordination, reducing design and detailing errors, so that such projects can be delivered faster, with less hassle and waste in the factory and on site. So, please share with us your feedback and ideas, once you have tested it into your projects.