Introduction to BIM
Module 04 – Interiors and Circulation
Lesson Overview
• In this lesson, students explore techniques for creating several types of
common circulation elements for multistory buildings, including stairs,
elevators, and ramps
• Students will learn how to:
– Create simple examples demonstrating circulation techniques
– Edit and customize elements as needed to model more complex
conditions
– Add railings at floor edges and around floor openings
Introduction to BIM
Learning Objectives
After completing this lesson, students will be able to:
• Determine the necessity of circulation elements in a structure and evaluate
the feasibility of various options including stairs, ramps, and elevators
• Explore the architectural and spatial advantages of creating stairs of
different shapes and sizes
Introduction to BIM
Exercise 01: Creating Stairs and Ramps
In this exercise, students will be able
to:
• Create stairs by sketching run
lines
• Flip a stair direction and move a
stair into place
• Create stairs with multiple runs
and complex layouts (for example,
L-shaped,
U-shaped, and curved stairs)
• Create and modify ramps
Introduction to BIM
Working with Stairs and Ramps
Creating stairs by sketching run
lines
• Open the Stairs tool
• Set base and top constraints
and number of risers
• Sketch run line
• Finish sketch
Introduction to BIM
Working with Stairs and Ramps
Flipping a stair direction and
moving it into place
• Select stair
• Click arrows to flip stair direction
• Underlay another level to help
position stair
• Move and rotate stair as needed
Introduction to BIM
Working with Stairs and Ramps
Creating stairs with multiple runs and
complex layouts
• Sketch multiple run line segments to
create L-shaped or U-shaped stairs
• Landings automatically created
between run line segments
• Separate run line segments to avoid
funnels and pinched landings
Introduction to BIM
Working with Stairs and Ramps
Creating and modifying ramps
• Open the Ramp tool
• Set top and bottom constraints and
slope
• Sketch multiple run line segments to
create L-shaped or U-shaped ramps
• Landings automatically created
• Adjust or remove railings as desired
Introduction to BIM
Exercise 01: Creating Stairs and Ramps
Student Exercise
• Create a new stair from the first
floor of the studio to the second
floor meeting space
• Create an L-shaped ramp with
two runs and no railings
connecting the deck at the first
floor level to the parking area,
which is 1'–9” below ground
level
Introduction to BIM
Exercise 02: Modeling Custom Stairs
In this exercise, students will be
able to:
•
•
•
•
Edit the sketch to change the stair
boundary and shape of the risers
Change stair and rail types
Modify the steepness of a stair by
adjusting the settings in the
Properties palette
Create and edit a spiral stair
Introduction to BIM
Working with Custom Stairs
Editing the sketch to change the stair
boundary and shape of the risers
• Adjust boundary lines of stair runs
and landings to create desired edge
shapes
• Adjust riser lines to create desired
stair shapes
Introduction to BIM
Working with Custom Stairs
Changing stair and rail types
• Select stair
• Use Type Selector to choose stair
type
• Select railing
• Use Type Selector to choosing
railing type
Introduction to BIM
Working with Custom Stairs
Modifying the steepness of a stair by
adjusting its properties
• Edit stair type properties and
duplicate to create new types
• Set minimum tread depth for type
and actual tread depth for this stair
• Set maximum riser height for type
and number of risers for this stair
Introduction to BIM
Working with Custom Stairs
Creating and editing a spiral stair
• Sketch curving run lines
• Run line limited to 360° rotation
• Edit stair type and instance
properties to create desired
steepness
Introduction to BIM
Exercise 02: Modeling Custom Stairs
Student Exercise
• Replace the stair created in the
previous exercise with a new steeper
stair with only 16
• Create a spiral stair with 15 risers and
run radius of 2'-0” to connect the first
and second floor of the residence
• Change the spiral stair’s railing to
Handrail – Pipe and add a center
pole
Introduction to BIM
Exercise 03: Creating Floor Openings
In this exercise, students will be able
to:
• Cut an opening to allow stairs to
pass through floors
• Calculate the head height of
stairways
• Modify floor openings
• Create railings
• Modify the physical properties of
railings
Introduction to BIM
Working with Floor Openings
Cutting an opening to allow stairs to
pass through floors
• Plan opening size to provide required
head clearance
• Select floor
• Edit floor boundary forming single
continuous loop
• Cut new opening in floor interior
• Use section view to confirm head
clearance adequate
Introduction to BIM
Working with Floor Openings
Creating railings
• Use Railings tool to sketch railing
lines
• Draw lines or pick existing edges
• Click arrows to flip railing direction
• Add railings around openings and at
exposed floor edges
Introduction to BIM
Working with Floor Openings
Modifying railing properties
• Select railing
• Use Type Selector to choose railing
types
• Duplicate existing railing types to
create new ones
• Set material, baluster, and rail
properties as desired
Introduction to BIM
Exercise 02: Creating Floor Openings
Student Exercise
• Create an opening in the second floor
of the residence at the top of the
spiral as shown
• Add railings of the type Guardrail –
Pipe
Introduction to BIM
Exercise 03: Creating an Elevator
Student Exercise
• Place the Electric_Lift elevator
component in the studio near the stair
• Use the Shaft Opening tool to cut an
opening from the first floor to the roof
• Add Generic 6” walls to the first and
second floor to enclose the elevator
shaft
• Add a guardrail at the edge of the
second floor slab
Introduction to BIM
Assessment
Creating Simple Stairs and Ramps
• How does changing the riser height affect the number of
risers required and as the number of risers changes, what
happens to the overall length of the stair?
• If you need to shorten (or lengthen) the total run of a stair,
which properties can you change to accomplish this?
• What are the required properties of a wheelchair-accessible
ramp as specified by the Americans with Disabilities Act?
Introduction to BIM
Assessment
Modeling Custom Stair Shapes
• What is the typical relationship between tread length and
riser height in a single family residence? For an exterior
stair? Explain the difference.
• What is the maximum riser height and minimum stair width
allowed by today’s building codes?
Introduction to BIM
Assessment
Modeling Floor and Ceiling Openings and Railings
• How much clearance is required between the treads of a
stair and the floor above (so users do not bump their
heads)?
• What can you do to a floor opening to increase the
clearance provided?
• What are the key differences between a handrail and a
guardrail?
Introduction to BIM
Assessment
Modeling Elevators and Shafts
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of creating
floor openings with shaft opening elements versus editing
the floor boundary?
• Why are stairs and elevators typically located very close to
each other?
Introduction to BIM
Key Terms Used
Key Term
Definition
Treads
The horizontal surfaces of the stair that you step on.
Risers
The vertical surfaces of the stair between the treads.
Stringers
The supports for the treads and risers, which can be located
at the sides of the stair or in the center (underneath the treads
and risers).
Introduction to BIM
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