Structural Objects
Specific's of Konstru supported Structural Objects
Konstru Supported Structural Object Types
Beams
- A horizontal framing type which is defined by a start point, and end point and a series of properties that define it's physical attributes.
Where the platform model defines a Beam as a specific object type, such as in Revit and Tekla, Konstru will create a Beam object in the Konstru database. Note that Konstru makes no distinction between a horizontal Brace and a Beam, and as such any modeled horizontal bracing is considered a Beam by Konstru.
Where the platform model makes no distinction between horizontal and vertical framing, such as with SAP and ETABS, Konstru applies a geometric logic to parse existing model objects into appropriate Konstru object types, to ensure appropriate assignment as a Beam on download to the next software. Learn more about this logic here
Structural ObjectsBraces
A vertical framing type defined by start point, end point and a series of properties that define it's physical attributes.
Revit
Tekla
RAM
SAP
GH
ETABS
Excel
Dynamo
VisualArq
Y
Y
Y
*
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Where the platform model defines a Brace as a specific object type (Revit, Tekla), Konstru will create a Brace object in the database. Where the platform model makes no distinction between Braces, Beams and Columns (SAP), Konstru will apply the geometric logic stipulated above to define a Brace object (as opposed to a Beam or a Column) upon upload.
SAP Braces -
Note that Konstru does not recognize 'horizontal braces', and any geometry of this type will be considered a Beam by Konstru.
Columns
A vertical framing object which is defined by a start point, an end point, and a series of properties that define it's physical attributes.
SAP + ETABS + RAM - From Analysis to Documentation Models
Vertical Columns - Where the platform model makes no distinction between horizontal or vertical object types, any frame geometry within the upload set found to be a true vertical, will be added to the Konstru database as a Column object.
Sloped Columns - As it it's impossible to define a specific 'Sloped Column' type frame in the listed platforms, any user who's model includes such elements (any frame that is not vertical or horizontal) should expect them to be created as Brace types on any future download to Revit or Tekla.
REVIT + TEKLA - From Documentation to Analysis Models
As Revit and Tekla do indeed make a type distinction between a sloped column and a brace, Konstru has no trouble distinguishing between what is considered a Sloped Column, and what should be considered a Vertical Brace within the Konstru model.
Walls
Walls are defined by one or more vertical, planar polyline 'loops', which make up the 2D profile of the wall, and a series of properties that define it's physical attributes, such as Material.
Walls can also interact with Konstru Opening objects to create penetrations. This is the preferred method of 'punching holes' through Konstru objects, although it's possible to create 'multi loop' representation of Wall that will appear as an opening.
Konstru does not support Sloped Walls
Wall vs Area:
'Walls', as a specific object type, are limited to Revit and Tekla. When reading analysis platforms, Konstru 'Walls' are considered to be any vertical Area objects present in the model. The thickness (t) property of the vertical area object is read on upload, and this attribute is used in creation or update of the corresponding Wall Revit or Tekla. When downloading Wall objects to analysis platforms be sure to review the Mapping interface to ensure the Wall and Floor (both considered 'area' objects on upload or download) have the correct property assignments.
Floors
Floors are defined by one or more horizontal polyline loops that make up it's edge of slab curve and a series of properties that define it's physical attributes, such as Thickness and Material.
Floor Edge Geometry:
The geometry of the lines that make up the edge of the floor slab are of some interest to Konstru, as some platforms allow for edge geometry which may not be viable in all linked Konstru models. This is primarily an issue with spline and arc based geometry which can be created in modeling platforms like Revit and Tekla, but is not supported by analysis modeling platforms like SAP and ETABS.
Straight line geometry is preferred.
Arc curve geometry will be rationalized into two straight line segments upon download to SAP/ETABS/RAM. This logic applies also to circular curve geometry, which will be rationalized into a square (? this should be better)
Spline curve geometry will be rationalized into straight segments at a predefined length. *what length?
Konstru does not support sloped floors or ramps
Openings
Penetrations in walls and floors are important parts of any structural model. As shown in the definitions of Walls and Floor above, there are two techniques for creation of such penetrations, either by the use of multiple profile loops, or via use of an Opening object, which is preferred.
Opening objects in Konstru are most closely related to Revit's Shaft Openings, which are void forms that where they intersect with Floors and Walls will cut those objects.
The creation of Konstru shaft openings is limited to Revit (shaft + wall opening object) and Grasshopper (closed brep). The benefits of use of Konstru openings is that when downloading such models to SAP and ETABS, the opening are created as 'hosted openings'. Whist the 'multi loop' approach will work when downloading to analysis platforms, for any workflow that intends to use Revit, being able to update opening objects across platforms may be desired.
Foundations
Limited functionality - Only allows for upload of meshes from Revit.....that's it :(
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