Lesson Plan – Structural Layout and Design
Lesson Overview
This lesson describes the different types of
structural members and why they are used. This
lesson also describes the purposes for using
column grids when you design a building.
Software:
Autodesk® Revit®
Time:
1 to 1.5 hours
Level:
Advanced
Datasets:
Imperial included
Concepts Addressed
 Identify components of a structural system

Describe the purpose of structural components
Learning Objectives
After completing this lesson you will be able to:

Place structural columns and beams

Place beam systems and braces


Create column grids

Place columns and beams on grids
Exercise Index
Exercise 01
Place Structural Columns and Beams
Page 4
Exercise 02
Place Beam Systems and Braces
Page 9
Exercise 03
Create Column Grids
Page 13
Exercise 04
Place Columns and Beams on Grids
Page 18
Lesson Plan – Structural Layout and Design
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About this lesson
The Structure tab contains tools and commands for placing and modifying structural components. The Datum
panel enables you to place grids.
In the following exercises, you learn how to place structural columns, foundations, beams, beam systems, and
braces. You create column grids and use them to place structural columns and beams.
About Structural Members
Structural members are used to show where columns, beams, and other structural elements will be located in a
building.
Understanding building structure can help you reduce materials and energy usage. For example, posts and
beams use fewer resources than walls, and can also make open internal spaces that are easier to heat and cool.
Columns
The following image shows steel columns used to hold up the beams for a deck and awning.
Braces
The following image shows braces being used to hold up the walls of a garage during the framing
process of building a house. Beams across the top of the garage are also shown.
Lesson Plan – Structural Layout and Design
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Beams
The following illustration displays the drawing details of a plywood web wood joist.
This joist can be added to a drawing to show where it should be used to construct the floor of a
building as shown.
Column Grids
Column grids are often used by architects and designers to plan a building design. Knowing where structural
members, especially columns, are placed will affect the placement of walls and the design of building spaces.
The following illustrations show a column grid used to place columns, walls, and other building objects.
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Structural
This lesson describes the different types of structural members and why they are used. This lesson also
describes the purposes for using column grids when you design a building.
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
 Place structural columns and beams

Place beam systems and braces

Create column grids

Place columns and beams on grids
Key Terms
beam
column
girder
joist
beam system
footing
grid bubble
purlin
brace
foundation
grid line
rafter
Exercise: Place Structural Columns and Beams
Many building types use columns and beams rather
than walls to hold up the structure of the building.
This can save weight and expense and provide
wider spans without walls. In residential
construction, this is known as post and beam
construction.
Modern multistory buildings often use steel and
concrete columns and steel beams to support floors,
and the exterior walls of the building are light in
weight, often mainly glass.
The Structure tab in Revit Architecture contains tools
for placing structural members. Structural columns
are different elements from architectural columns.
Structural columns can be steel, wood, or concrete.
They come in types defined by size and shape.
The completed exercise
Beams connect columns or walls. They provide
support for floors and prevent movement of the
columns. As with columns, beams can be steel,
wood, or reinforced concrete. Concrete beams are
often integrated into concrete floors.
In this exercise, you:
 Place columns of different heights under a
floor
 Place beams around the perimeter of the
floor
Lesson Plan – Structural Layout and Design
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Place Columns
4) In the Type Selector, select Dimension Lumber Column: 4x4.
1) Open file: Structural_Exercise01.rvt
The file opens to a cropped plan view of an
exterior wood deck. You create columns and
beams to start a framing plan for the deck.
The view has grid lines added to make column
placement easier. Well-designed framing
plans often include dimensioned grid lines to
eliminate mistakes in construction. You place
grid lines in an upcoming exercise.
2) The lines in the deck surface pattern make
locating the columns accurately a little difficult.
Select a floor. On the View Control Bar, click
Temporary Hide/Isolate - Hide Category.

On the Options Bar, click Depth.
This sends the column down from the current
level rather than up.
5) Click the intersection of Grid 1 and Grid A.
3) On the Build panel of the Architecture tab, click
Column > Structural Column.
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6) Repeat at grid intersections 2A, 3A, and 4B.
7) On the View Control Bar, click Temporary Hide/
Isolate > Reset Temporary Hide/Isolate.
 Click Modify to terminate the Column tool.
 Click the edge of the left floor to select it.
The Properties palette displays the floor
properties.
10) Use the Properties palette to set the Top Offset
for the columns to -0'-2".
The floor is 1" thick and set down from the
Floor 1 level by 1".

8) Click the edge of the right floor to select it. This
floor is 1" thick and set down from the Floor 1
level by 8".
9) In the Project Browser, double-click view
Framing Cutaway.
 Zoom in so you can see the deck, rail, and
columns clearly.
 Hold CTRL and select the two posts under
the upper floor (on the right side of this
view).
Lesson Plan – Structural Layout and Design
Click APPLY
11) Click off the columns to clear your selection
set.
 Hold CTRL and select the other two
columns
 Set their Top Offset to -0'-9"
 Click APPLY
Place Beams
12) Open Plan View Deck Framing. The columns
are now hidden by the floors.
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13) Hold CTRL and select the two floors. Right-click.
Click Hide In View > Elements
16) To place beams:

In the view window, click the intersection of
Grid 1 and the wall.

Pull the cursor up along Grid 1 to the
intersection of Grid A. Click.
14) On the Structure tab, Structure panel, click
Beam.
15) In the Type Selector, select Dimension Lumber:
2 x 10. On the Options Bar, select Chain.
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
Pull the cursor right along Grid A to Grid 2.
Click.
19) To place other beams:
 On the Structure tab, Structure panel, click
Beam.
 Place a beam from A2 to A3.
17) Click Modify. Hold CTRL and select the new
beams.
18) On the Properties palette, set Start Level Offset
and End Level Offset to -0'-2" to lower the
beams as you lowered the column tops.


Enter SI to force a Snap Intersection. Click
on grid intersection B4, as shown.
Click APPLY
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
Pull the cursor down Grid 4 to the wall.
Click.
Exercise: Place Beam Systems and Braces
You can place beams in defined systems that fill
areas between girders. These areas are known as
bays in a structural framing plan.
A beam system is an array of beams governed by
layout rules that specify the spacing, distance, or
number of beams in a bay. This system saves time
when preparing framing plans.
Vertical bracing prevents sideways movement of
structural frames. You place vertical bracing in
elevation views.
In this exercise, you:
 Place beam systems
 Place braces
20) Click Modify. Hold CTRL and select the new
beams. On the Properties palette, set Start
Level Offset and set End Level Offset to
-0'-9"-0'-9"
 Click APPLY
21) Click OK. If a Warning dialog box that opens,
click Make Wall Bearing.
The completed exercise
Place Beam Systems
22) Open view Framing Cutaway to verify that the
beams are below the deck.
23) Save the file as:
Structural_Exercise01_finished.rvt
In this exercise, you:
 Placed columns of different heights under floors.
 Placed beams of different elevations around the
perimeter of the floors.
Lesson Plan – Structural Layout and Design
1) Open file: Structural_Exercise02.rvt
or continue working from the previous file.
2) On the Structure tab, Structure panel, click
Beam System. If a dialog box opens about
loading Beam Systems tags, click No.
In the Beam System panel of the Modify |
Place Structural Beam System context tab, click
Sketch Beam System.
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3) On the Draw panel of the Modify | Create
Beam System Boundary context tab that
activates, click Pick Supports.
6) On the Draw panel, click Line. Draw a line on
the face of the wall.
Use Trim if necessary to finish the sketch
correctly.
4) Click the beam on Grid 1. A sketch line with
parallel lines on each side appears. This is the
direction indicator for the beam system.
7) On the Properties palette, set the following
parameters:
 Set Elevation to -0' - 2"
 Set Layout Rule to Maximum Spacing
 Set Maximum Spacing to 1' - 6"
5) Click the left beam on Grid A and the beam on
Grid 2, as shown.


Click APPLY
On the Mode panel, click Finish (green
check mark)
8) To place a beam system in the lower floor:
On the Create panel of the Modify |Structural
Beam Systems tab, click Create Similar.
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Place Braces
11) Open Plan View Deck Framing. On the View
tab, Create panel, click Elevation > Framing
Elevation.



On the Draw panel, click Pick Supports
Click the beam on Grid 2
Click the other beams in order clockwise to
the right
A framing elevation ignores walls and snaps to
grids. It has an automatic work plane, unlike
regular elevations.
12) Place the cursor over Grid A so the elevation
marker displays above the grid line between
Grids 2 and 3, as shown.



On the Draw panel, click Line
Carefully trace the wall faces to finish the
sketch
Trim as necessary

Click to place the elevation.
13) In the Project Browser, double-click Interior
Elevation view 1-a.
Adjust the view crop region as shown.
9) On the Properties palette, set Elevation to
-0'-9".
 Click APPLY
 Click Finish
 Click Make Wall Bearing if the warning
opens
10) Open view Framing Cutaway to verify that the
beam systems are under the floor.
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14) On the View Control Bar, set the Detail Level of
the view to Medium.
15) On the Structure tab, Structure panel, click
Brace.
16) In the Type Selector, select Dimension Lumber:
2 x 4.
19) Repeat the brace going right to left.
 Click Modify when done
17) In the view window, to start the brace, click the
intersection of Grid 3 and the bottom edge of
the beam.
20) Open view Framing Cutaway to verify the brace
location.
21) Save the file as:
Structural_Exercise02_finished.rvt
18) Click the bottom of the column on Grid 2 to
finish the brace.
Lesson Plan – Structural Layout and Design
In this exercise, you:
 Placed beam systems
 Placed braces
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Exercise: Create Column Grids
Create a Rectangular Column Grid
Grids form the basic framework for structure in a
building model. Grid lines are usually horizontal and
vertical, but they can also be angular and radial.
Grid lines are displayed on plans and elevations
specifically for locating columns, beams, and walls.
1) Open file: Structural_Exercise03.rvt
or continue working from the previous file
2) To place a grid line:
 On the Architecture tab, Datum panel, click
Grid.
Grids are finite vertical planes represented as lines
in plan, elevation, and section views. Grid lines
appear in all views where they cross the plane of the
view. Only straight grid lines are visible in elevation
and section views. In plan views, you can add grid
lines as straight lines or arcs.
You will create a complex column grid so that you
can place columns and beams to make a structural
model. This is a common step early in designing a
large building.


In the view window, click in the lower left
to start a grid line. The exact location is not
critical.
Pull the cursor straight up, as shown. The
exact length is not critical.
In this exercise, you:
 Place grid lines to create a rectangular column
grid
 Place grid lines to create a semi-circular column
grid

Click to place the end of the grid line.
A line shows a grid bubble with a number in it.
The numbering automatically increments. You
can change a grid number at any time.
The completed exercise
3) The Grid tool is still active. Put the cursor over
the start of the grid line and pull to the right
until the temporary dimension reads 30' -0".
The alignment line will show when the cursor is
even with the grid line start point. Click to start
another grid line.
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
Press SPACEBAR to terminate selection.



Click anywhere to establish a start point.
Pull the cursor to the right.
Enter 30 at the keyboard to set the copy
distance to 30'-0".
Press ENTER. The new grid line will be
number 3.
Repeat to create grid line 4. You will not
need to select or use SPACEBAR. Grid 3 is
already the selection set.
4) Pull the cursor straight up until the alignment
snap shows that it is even with the head of the
first grid line. Click to place a new grid line.


6) You need crossing grid lines to make a column
grid. To create a horizontal grid line:
 On the Create panel, click Create Similar to
start the Grid tool.
5) To make copies of the new grid line:
 On the Modify panel of the context tab,
click Copy.

Select Grid Line 2.
Lesson Plan – Structural Layout and Design




Place the cursor to the right of grid line 4,
close to the heads.
Click to start a grid line
Pull the cursor to the left
When the cursor is to the left of grid line 1,
click to place the grid line.
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7) The new grid line is number 5. Zoom in so you
can clearly see the grid bubble. Click inside the
grid bubble to activate the name field. Enter A
at the keyboard.

Click to place the grid line.
10) Click Modify to terminate the Copy tool.
 Click in the bubble for the new grid line.
 Change the number to 2.1
 Click outside the bubble to enter the number

Press ENTER.
8) The Grid tool is still active. Place another grid
20'-0" below the first one. This grid line will be
number B.
11) The grid bubbles overlap and are hard to read.
Grid 2.1 is still selected. On the grid line, click
the elbow control to place an offset.
Place two more horizontal grid lines below grid
B at 20'-0" intervals. This completes the main
grid.
9) To place a secondary grid line:
 Click Modify to terminate grid placement
 Select grid 2
 Click Copy
 Click anywhere and pull the cursor 3'-0" to
the right
Lesson Plan – Structural Layout and Design
Create a Radial Column Grid
12) Zoom to Fit. On the Architecture tab, Create
panel, click Grid.
To place a radial grid line:
 On the Draw panel, select Center-Ends Arc
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

On the Options Bar, click Radius
In the Radius field, enter 15. Revit will
convert this to 15'-0".


Click grid intersection D3
Pull the cursor down and to the left so the
temporary arc dimension reads 135.000 o
15) The Grid tool is still active. On the Draw panel,
click Pick.
 On the Options Bar, set Offset to 15'-0"
16) Place the cursor over grid EE so that the
placement line displays below the grid line.

Click to start the grid line
13) Pull the cursor to the right until the alignment
line appears. Click to place the grid head.

Click to place grid FF.
17) Click Modify to terminate the Grid tool.
Select grid 3 to show its controls.
The padlock symbol at the lower end indicates
that the grid line is locked so that the end
moves with the others. This makes it easy to
stretch grid lines together.
Click the padlock to unlock the grid line.
14) Click in the new grid bubble. Change the
number to EE. Press ENTER.
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change the name. Press ENTER.
18) Click the control grip at the end of the grid line.
Drag it down below the radial grids.
Grid 3 will be part of the new radial grid. You
will need to identify it easily.
Select the Show Bubble control to activate the
bubble at the lower end of grid 3.
21) To place the next angled grid line:
 Click Modify to terminate grid placement\
 Select grid 31
 On the Modify panel of the Modify | Grids
tab, click Mirror - Pick Axis
 Verify that Copy is selected on the Options
Bar
 Select grid 3
19) To place a straight grid line at an angle:
 In the Create panel, click Create Similar
 Click grid intersection D3
 Pull the cursor down and to the left so the
temporary angle dimension reads 120.000
Revit will create grid 32.
22) Zoom to Fit.
23) Save the file as:
Structural_Exercise03_finished.rvt
In this exercise, you:
 Placed grid lines to create a rectangular column
grid
 Placed grid lines to create a semi-circular
column grid

Click to place the grid line.
20) Click in the new grid bubble. Enter 31 to
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Exercise: Place Columns and Beams on Grids in
Revit

In the Type Selector, select W-Wide-Flange
Column: W10x33. This is a steel column.


On the Options Bar, set Height to Level 3
In the Multiple panel, click At Grids
Before adding structural columns in a large-scale
structural plan, you typically create a grid. You then
add columns relative to grid lines and grid
intersections.
Structural columns are anchored on the grid
intersections at which they are added. As a result,
the columns move with the grid intersections when
the spacing between grid lines is modified.
In this exercise, you:
 Use a column grid to place columns
 Use a column grid to place beams
 Add footings to columns
 Change a grid layout
The completed exercise
Use a Column Grid to Place Columns
1) Open file: Structural_Exercise04.rvt
or continue working from the previous file
4) Hold down CTRL and select Grids 1, 2, 3, 4, A,
B, C and D.
2) You have started a structural framing plan for
a large building by creating column grids. Now
you place columns at grid intersections.
3) To place structural columns:
 On the Structure tab, Structure panel, click
Column > Structural Column.
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5) If you zoom in you will see columns ghosted in
at grid intersections.
9) Window-select all the grid lines.
Revit will ghost in beams on grid lines only
between existing columns and will ignore grid
intersections without columns.
6) On the Multiple panel, click Finish.
Use a Column Grid to Place Beams
7) Open Floor Plan Level 2. Zoom to Fit. On the
Structure panel of the Structure tab, click
Beam.
10) On the Multiple panel, click Finish.
8) On the Multiple panel, click On Grids.
11) Click Modify to terminate the Beam tool.
 Click Grid 1. Change the temporary
dimension to 20'-0".
The grid, columns, and beams will move to the
right.
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If a dialog box opens about loading a tag family,
click No.
14) On the Multiple panel, click At Columns.
15) In the view window, window-select all the
columns. Rectangular footings display ghosted
at the base of each one.
12) Open the Default 3D view.
 On the Quick Access toolbar, click Undo.
Columns and beams on and intersecting with
Grid 1 will move 10'-0" to the left.

Click Redo. Columns and beams will move
to the right.
Column grids are an effective way to control the
position of many elements at once.
Add Footings to Columns
16) On the Multiple panel, click Finish.
17) Click Modify to terminate the Foundation tool.
To change the length of a column:
 Select the leftmost column.

On the Properties palette, set the Base
Offset distance to -6'-0"
The columns need footings under them.
13) On the Foundation panel of the Structure tab,
click Isolated.
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Selector, select Footing-Rectangular 96" x 72" x
18".

Click APPLY
The footing changes size.
18) A warning displays. The footing had been
placed at Level 1, but footings attach to
columns and move if the column base moves.

Click OK.
19) Press ESC to clear the column selection.
Select the footing at the base of the extended
column.
20) Save the file as:
Structural_Exercise04_finished.rvt
In this exercise, you:
 Used a column grid to place columns
 Used a column grid to place beams
 Added footings to columns
 Changed a grid layout
To change the size of the footing, in the Type
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