Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Pad Coordination
If you work in the same company with a structural engineer or perhaps
have a close working relationship with a structural consultant, you have
an opportunity to utilize the power of BIM by collaborating on the
design and use of equipment pads.
Most MEP engineers know the basic size and shape of the pads that
their equipment requires, but in cases of heavy equipment and unique
design requirements, a structural engineer is often used to design an
equipment pad that meets the applicable codes for construction.
A foundation family can be created that can be nested into an
equipment family. This family can contain all of the parameters and
data that a structural engineer might use to represent the pad in their
design model, and the size parameters can be associated to parameters
in the equipment family. Formulas can even be applied to adjust the
properties of the nested pad when changes in size are made to the
equipment.
Of course, not everyone has the luxury of having other engineers design
portions of their equipment families. However, this example is just
another one of the many ways that Revit and BIM are changing how
things can be done in the design industry to improve project quality.
Figure 19.10
Pad modeled in equipment family
