How do you make a concrete column in Revit?

Creating a concrete column in Revit involves either utilizing pre-existing family types from the Revit library or designing custom column families to meet specific project requirements.

How Do You Make a Concrete Column in Revit?

To make a concrete column in Revit, you typically follow one of two main approaches: loading a standard column family from the library or creating a custom column family.

Method 1: Using Standard Concrete Column Families

This is the most common and straightforward method for standard column shapes.

1. Access the Column Tool:

   • Open your Revit project.
   • Go to the Structure tab on the Ribbon.
   • In the Structure panel, click on the Column dropdown and select Column: Structural. (You can also use the keyboard shortcut CL).

2. Load a Concrete Column Family:

   • If you don't see a concrete column type in the Properties Palette (e.g., "Concrete-Rectangular Column"), you'll need to load one.
   • In the Modify | Place Structural Column tab, click Load Family in the Mode panel.
   • Navigate to your Revit Family Library (usually Libraries > US Imperial/Metric > Structural Columns > Concrete).
   • Select the desired concrete column family (e.g., Concrete-Rectangular Column.rfa, Concrete-Round Column.rfa, Concrete-Square Column.rfa).
   • Click Open to load it into your project.

3. Select Column Type and Properties:

   • From the Type Selector dropdown in the Properties Palette, choose the specific size and type of concrete column you need (e.g., "Concrete-Rectangular Column: 12" x 24"").
   • Adjust instance parameters in the Properties Palette:
     • Height/Depth: Set whether the column extends "Depth" (below current level) or "Height" (above current level).
     • Top Level: Define the level to which the column extends.
     • Base Level: Define the level from which the column starts.
     • Top/Base Offset: Apply any necessary offsets from the specified levels.

4. Place the Columns:

   • At Grids: In the Modify | Place Structural Column tab, click At Grids. Select the grid intersections where you want to place columns and then click Finish. Revit will automatically place columns at these intersections.
   • At Columns: If you have architectural columns already placed, you can select At Columns to convert them to structural columns or align new structural columns with them.
   • Manually: Click anywhere on the plan view to place individual columns. You can use the Spacebar to rotate the column before placing it.

Method 2: Creating Custom Concrete Column Families

For unique column shapes or specific aesthetic requirements, such as a V-shaped concrete column or other non-standard geometries, you'll need to create a custom column family. This involves modeling the column from scratch within the Family Editor.

1. Start a New Family:

   • Go to File > New > Family.
   • Select the appropriate template: Structural Column.rft for structural columns or Column.rft for architectural columns.
   • Click Open.

2. Model the Column Geometry:

   • In the Family Editor, you'll work with reference planes and modeling tools (Extrusion, Blend, Revolve, Sweep, Swept Blend).
   • Create Reference Planes: Lay out reference planes to define the column's overall dimensions and control its shape.
   • Draw the Profile: Use tools like Extrusion to draw the base profile of your custom column (e.g., a complex polygon for a V-shape) and define its height. For more intricate forms, Blends or Sweeps might be necessary to transition between different profiles or follow a path.
   • Add Voids (Optional): Use void forms (Void Extrusion, Void Blend, etc.) to cut openings or recesses into the column.

3. Add Parameters (Optional but Recommended):

   • Use the Create tab > Family Types to define parameters (e.g., width, depth, height) that allow the column's dimensions to be adjusted in the project without editing the family directly.
   • Associate these parameters with your modeled geometry using dimensions.

4. Assign Materials:

   • Select your column geometry.
   • In the Properties Palette, under Materials and Finishes, click the small button next to "Material."
   • Assign a material parameter (e.g., "Column Material") or directly select a concrete material from the Material Browser.

5. View and Load into Project:

   • After you've modeled your specific column shape, such as a V-shaped concrete column, switch to a 3D view to check its appearance and ensure everything is correct.
   • Once satisfied, click Load into Project in the Mode panel of the Ribbon.
   • You will be prompted to save the family. While you might opt not to save the family file if it's a unique component for a specific project context (and you don't intend to reuse it), it's generally good practice to save custom families for future reuse.

6. Place the Custom Column:

   • Back in your project, the custom column family will now be available in the Type Selector.
   • Select it and place it using the methods described in Method 1.

Key Considerations for Concrete Columns in Revit

Feature	Structural Column	Architectural Column
Purpose	Bears load, part of the structural analysis model.	Primarily for aesthetic or space-defining purposes.
Category	Structural Columns	Columns
Host Behavior	Connects to structural elements like beams, foundations, and floors.	Can be hosted by walls or placed freely.
Placement	Usually placed on structural grids, often goes from foundation to roof.	Can be placed anywhere, often aligned with other architectural features.
Reinforcement	Can host rebar for detailed reinforcement modeling.	Does not natively host rebar.
Family Type	Uses Structural Column.rft template for custom families.	Uses Column.rft template for custom families.

• Structural vs. Architectural: Always distinguish between structural and architectural columns. Structural columns (Structural Columns category) are load-bearing and integrate with structural analysis. Architectural columns (Columns category) are primarily for aesthetic purposes and do not carry structural loads in the analytical model.
• Material Assignment: Ensure your concrete columns are assigned the correct concrete material. This affects rendering, material take-offs, and analysis properties.
• Levels and Grids: Properly align columns with levels and structural grids for accurate modeling and coordination.
• Column Orientation: Pay attention to the orientation of rectangular columns, especially when aligning with specific grid lines or other elements. Use the Spacebar during placement to rotate.
• Reinforcement: While creating the concrete column itself is the first step, adding rebar for reinforcement is a separate, detailed process in Revit's structural detailing tools. Refer to guides on rebar modeling in Revit for this advanced step.
• Analytical Model: For structural columns, verify that they are correctly represented in the analytical model, which Revit generates automatically. This model is crucial for exporting to structural analysis software.

By understanding these methods and considerations, you can effectively create and manage concrete columns in your Revit projects. For more details on column properties and placement, consult the Autodesk Revit Help documentation.