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How to Model Penetrations/Risers

How to Model Penetrations/Risers

Inevitably your project will require services penetrations. This will include Service Risers, Lift Cores, Wall & Slab penetrations that will need to be coordinated with the Structural Engineer and set out by the Architect.

There are a number of methods within Revit to create openings.

  • The Opening Tools

Use Cases:

  • Multiple Level Penetrations are best created using a Shaft Opening. You can include symbolic lines to represent these and it automatically cuts all Floors it incepts on those levels.

  • Loadable Void Families

Use Cases:

  • For Single Level Penetrations (Mechanical/Cable Tray/Pipes)

  • For Structural Wall Penetrations (Mechanical/Cable Tray/Pipes)

  • Revit Addin - Cut Opening (only available in Revit 2019 + 2020 on the App Store but available in 2019-2022 from their website)

https://apps.autodesk.com/RVT/en/Detail/Index?id=9143698356181814592&appLang=en&os=Win64

Use Cases:

  • For Single Level Penetrations (Mechanical/Cable Tray/Pipes)

  • For Structural Wall Penetrations (Mechanical/Cable Tray/Pipes)

WARNING:

This method is semi-automated, as such you don’t have the opportunity to review the penetrations being made until after they have been created. So whilst this method will input your penetrations quickly, it still requires them to be reviewed for accuracy.

Shaft Opening

Use the Shaft tool to place an opening that extends through the entire height of a building (or through selected levels), cutting through the faces of roofs, floors, or ceilings simultaneously

  1. Select Architecture ► Opening ► Shaft

  2. Sketch the Footprint of the Shaft Opening (ensure you draw it to rational dimensions and aligned to its bordering walls when appropriate)
    NOTE: By default, the Base Constraint for the shaft is the level of the current activated plan view. For example, if you initiate the Shaft Opening tool in a floor or ceiling plan, the default Base Constraint is the current level. If you initiate the tool in a section or elevation view, the default Base Constraint is the level of the plan view you select in the Go To View dialog.

  3. Add Symbolic lines to the Opening to clearly indicate its extents, typically a cross or diagonal line.

    Shaft Opening

  4. When you are done sketching the shaft, select the Green Tick to Finish Edit Mode.

  5. To adjust the levels that the opening cuts, select it, and make the following adjustments on the Properties palette:

    1. For Base Constraint, specify a level for the start point of the shaft.

    2. For Top Constraint, specify a level for the end point of the shaft.

  6. Apply
    The shaft cuts through and is visible on all intermediate levels. If you move the shaft on any level, it moves on all levels. The symbolic lines are visible on all levels too.

Loadable Void Families

  1. Load the Family from the Library (if its not loaded already),
    NOTE: Ensure you use the “Host Void” versions as these automatically cut their host and as such, don’t lose their host during the cut process.

    1. Rectangle Penetrations: Box-Structural Framing-Generic-Host Void.rfa

    2. Round Penetrations: Cylinder-Structural Framing-Generic-Host Void.rfa

  2. Select Structure ► Structure ► Beam and select the Family Type from the Properties Palette to enter placement mode,

  3. As we are making a full cut we will want to show the Cut Symbology, before placement select the Show Cross in Cut Direction in the Properties Palette and set the Host Cut Offset parameter to match the thickness of the host element it needs to cut through. This will also make the family easier to place.

  4. Depending on whether you are making an opening to a Wall or Floor/Beam, switch to either an Elevation/Section or Floor Plan, respectively or 3D, and place the void family. You can place roughly first and then adjust its size using the grips or the instance parameters. It will snap to any model edges or linework.

  5. If it needs to cut additional elements that it isn’t hosted to, select Modify ► Geometry ► Cut Geometry

  6. Select the Floor, Wall or Beam to be Cut then the Void Family. Repeat the Steps 4 & 5 for each element needing to be cut.

  7. The Elements have now been cut as required.

Completed Penetrations in Elevation / 3D

AGACAD Cut Opening

Cut Opening Free uses Revit® ‘Interference Check’ results to create holes wherever ducts, pipes, cable trays or conduits intersect walls, floors, roofs, or ceilings in a project. You can then edit the openings.

https://agacad.com/products/tools4revit/cut-opening-free/overview

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