3rd Term 2024-2025

School of Architecture

ACADDA2L: CADD 2
Module 2: Structural Elements

Module Overview

This module is all about structural detailing. It provides methods on how to draw structural
drawings from foundations to framing. Since the tools and icons are already introduced in Chapter
One, this module directly shows the step-by step procedure on how to make structural details.

Module Coverage

The module will be covered for a duration of 1 week with 1 work output to be submitted at the end of
the module (see course outline schedule). It is scheduled on the week 3 of the term.

Module Objective

• The module aims to help the student understand the basic user interface and different
functions/tools of Revit Architecture.
• The module aims to help the student to familiarize the drawing tools to be using for 2d and 3d
Architectural Design.
• This module aims to help the student recognize basic components of the Revit Architecture in
creating Architectural Design

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to:

• Recognize and understand the user interface of REVIT and access the shortcut commands.
• Assemble a final layout of the 2D and 3D drawings in preparation for printing and production
of construction drawings.
• Create both 2D drawings and 3D models of technical drawings through application of the
software commands.
• Demonstrate the REVIT keyboard shortcuts of different commands for designing and drafting
two-dimensional construction drawings as well as modelling the building in three-dimension.

Module Interdependencies

This module serves as a continuation on module 1: Introduction to Revit and will be reinforced by
Module 3: Building Elements.

Module Learning Materials

Under this module the students are provided with the following materials:

• Lecture Note:

Title: Module 2: Structural Elements

It consists of methods on how to properly draw and lay a column, footing and beam. This module only
provides simple examples. The author wishes the readers not to limit their practice by following the
methods especially those prescribed dimensions and sizes of elements given in this tutorial book.

• PowerPoint Presentation: Structural Elements

The presentation provided in pdf file are the slides used for the presentation of the mentor.

All learning materials can be found inside the folder “Learning Modules”.

1
 CHAPTER 2: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

COLUMN

Structural Column - Add a vertical

load-bearing element to the building model.

Open a plan view or 3D view to add structural

1
columns. You can place each column manually
or use the At Grids Tool to add columns to
selected grid intersections.

Structural columns can join to structural

elements, such as beam, braces, and isolated
foundations.
2
> To load a structural column:
1. On the Structure Tab > Structure Panel,
click Column Tool
2. Click YES.

Note: The process of loading a Structural Footing

and Beam is similar except that they will select
other folder(s) based on what element they are
3
loading.

7
3. Click Up one level (Alt+2) then
another set of options will appear. 6
4
4. Double-click on US Metric.
5. Double Click Structural Columns
5
Folder
6. Double-click on Concrete Folder.
7. Double-click on M_Concrete-
Rectangular-Column.

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 CHAPTER 2: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

> Creating a Column:

1. Go to Project Browser > Structural

Plans, then click Level 1. 1

2. Place the loaded column beside the

floor plan.
2

> To align the Column:

On the Modify Tab > Modify Panel, then

click Align Tool
Align - Aligns one or more elements with
a selected element. You can lock the
alignment to make sure that other model
changes do not affect it.

>To place the column:

1. Click the vertical line of the reference
line 4 3
2. Click the vertical side of the column
that you want to align. 2 1

3. Click the horizontal line of the

reference line.
4. Click the horizontal side of the column
you want to align.

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 CHAPTER 2: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

>To change the Column’s Parameters:

Go to Properties Palette > Instance Properties

Base Offset: -600

Top Offset: 3000

FOOTING

Structural Foundation: Isolated - Adds

Footing or pile caps to the building model.

Isolated foundations automatically attach to the

bottoms of columns. You may need to load an
isolated foundation family before you can place 1

them in the building model.

> To Load a Footing:

1. On the Project Browser > Structural 2

Plans, then click Level 1.

2. On the Structure Tab > Foundation
Panel, then click Isolated Tool.

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 CHAPTER 2: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

>To Align a Footing:

There are two ways on aligning the footing on the
column. 1 2
1. Hover the mouse inside the loaded
foundation to snap in the midpoint. Then
type “MV” to Move.
2. Move the footing to the midpoint of every
Column.

Or
1

1. Type AL for ALIGN. Find the midpoint of

the column, then click.
2. Hover your cursor into the footing, then
find its midpoint, then click.

>To change the Foundation’s Parameters:

On the Properties Palette > Instance

Properties
Height Offset From Level: -600.

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 CHAPTER 2: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

BEAM

Beam - Adds individual beam, a chain of

1
beams, or beams along grid lines.

Add grids and columns before adding beams.

>To Create a Beam:

2
1. Load a Structural Beam: On the
Structure Tab > Structure Panel, then

click Beam Tool

2. On the Project Browser > Structural
Plans, click Level 1, then click the
Drawing Area. 3 4

3. Find the Intersection Point in the first

column then click.
4. Hover your mouse arrow to the other
Intersection Point of the last column.

>To change the Beam’s Parameters:

On the 3D View > Hover your cursor to where the

beam is located. Click the Beam, then on the
Properties Palette, change the Beam
Parameters:
Start Level Offset: 3000

End Level Offset: 3000

Then, click Apply on the lower right of the

Properties Palette.

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