BIM Q&A | Can beams be connected between structural columns and concrete columns in BIM?
The answer depends on the specific engineering context. For instance, when using Revit for modeling, consider columns that act as frame columns, extending from the foundation to the roof. In this case, the beam is a shear beam connected to the column via a hinged joint.
If the column is a non-frame column—such as a structural column supported by a frame beam—then it functions as a beam shear column. When modeling in Revit, the main focus is on management rather than detailed structural analysis.
The shear interaction between beams and columns influences the required amount of steel reinforcement and the calculation methods. Currently, Revit does not support steel reinforcement calculation rules tailored to Chinese standards. Therefore, in China, Revit is typically used only to create reinforcement node models for analysis and not for calculating steel quantities directly.
For BIM management purposes, the structural building model does not need to be overly detailed. Accurately representing design dimensions from drawings is sufficient. However, if detailed local node results are required, it is important to clearly define the shear relationship between beams and columns, model the connections precisely, and include the internal steel bars. This level of detail demands a highly accurate model.
I hope this guidance is helpful. Thank you for your attention!
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