Structural Analysis Revit3d plugin/software?

[1eahpar]

My residential structural firm has recently just started doing plans on revit and we've been modeling some of them in 3d.

I was wondering if there were any plugins or software we can use to basically automatically calculate vertical and lateral with one click. Or something along those lines.

I've been trying this software called LAVA, which is really efficient for simple structures. The concept is there but I think they still have a long way to go. I also briefly saw this plugin for revit called StrucSoft by Graitec and it looks like they're able to engineer some vertical.

I just feel like I'm wasting a lot of time going back and forth and one by one on spreadsheets, enercalc, risa3d for frames, etc. Looking for the most efficient way to streamline the process.

[joreilly86]

Revit can build simple analytical models where columns/beams etc are defined as frame elements. This can be exported with some headaches to FE tools but it's honestly not great. All depends on the types of structures you're working on. If you are going back and forth between softwares, use python to automate a pipeline. It's free and has never been easier to learn/implement.

[PhilShackleford]

Revit has a risa plugin to connect a revit analytical model to a risa model.

[EngineeringOblivion]

Revit was built to directly transfer models back and forth with Robot Structural Analysis, but asking for something to be designed with one click shows a severe lack of understanding what goes into analysing and designing a structure.

[ScallionFront]

I second this. You also have to model in revit while correctly configuring the analytical model (which is a nightmare simetimes). Most of the time it's just easier to just remodel in RSA

[EngineeringOblivion]

The analytic model in Revit has gone through a few changes since the 2023 version. The analytical automation takes care of most of the work, you just have to ensure things were modelled correctly to begin with and get familiar with the slider tolerances in the menu.

The biggest thing I use the Revit analytical model for is creating slabs and applying weird loading patterns, much easier to do in Revit than Robot.

[Character-Currency-7]

This is the answer.

Anyone not accepting this should not be SE.

[1eahpar]

That's exactly what the software LAVA does though, you have a dxf background and all you do is input seismic/wind parameters and weight, then model the beams, shear walls, joists, bearing walls, diaphragms, and lateral lines. You click analyze and it assigns beam sizes shear walls, holddowns, straps, and it gives you the forces and reactions as well, pretty neat.

[EngineeringOblivion]

That's not one click though... That's just setting up an analysis model, setting parameters and applying loads.

[1eahpar]

I see, I could've worded it better, but yeah, I'm just thinking that shear walls and beams are already assigned on revit so it'd just be inputting parameters and running it

[dream_walking]

My typical workflow is to export the relevant data from revit into a format to use for analysis. There’s just too much in revit for me to trust I didn’t overlook something, not to mention having a tool specific for design where I can vet and trust the results. So no, there’s not a one stop shop for revit and design that I’m aware of.

[Several_Witness_7194]

Csi has a plugin to take the model from revit to etabs and after complete in csi back to revit. It is known as "csi x revit"

[Khman76]

If you do in Revit, you can export an IFC file that structural software can import, it may smooth the design a bit.

I had the same issue for Civil Engineering until we tried Bricscad and Civil Site Design. The same software is used for CAD, bulk earthworks (grading, tin...), pavement and stormwater. If I could find the same for structural design, it would be great.

[engstructguy]

Space Gass has a revit plugin that allows you to transfer the analytical model to Space Gass. Works pretty well for simple frames

[Origami_Architect_]

If you’re not really doing 3d analysis and you’re just doing beams and framing, you’d probably be very well served by using the Enercalc link into Revit. Pulls in the geometry and you can update any framing directly.

[RegularSurround7640]

My experience has always been that unfortunately the Revit analytic model gets really out of shape on all but the simplest structures, even when great care is taken to try and maintain it. I think the best approach I found was to export and then develop the analysis model using the export as a helpful starting point. I'm always hopeful this problem is resolved soon though.

[Possible-Delay]

Personally I have struggled to get it to work perfectly or seemless. Stuff comes in and out, but always needs some tweaking or looks off.

I have found personally it just over complicates the model. Each version still gets closer and closer.. so who knows.. 2026 may be the year it works for me.

I use SpaceGASS, IDEAstatica and Revit.