Structural Properties#

Shows and hides the Structural Properties panel.

In the panel, you can view and modify element properties linked to the analysis with SOFiSTiK. They allow to add information in the BIM model for a better analysis and management with SOFiSTiK Analysis + Design. The properties are displayed according to SOFiSTiK sub-categories as detailed below.

|Properties| for System View — *Structural Properties* for System View#

See also

Learn more about Supported Elements and Mapping.

Working with Properties#

Opening the Panel#

Click SOFiSTiK Analysis Tab ‣ Manage ‣ Structural Properties. The dockable window Structural Properties displays.
Dock it to your desired location within the Revit application window, or move it to another monitor.

What You See#

If no elements are selected the palette usually displays System View for the active view.
If you select supported elements their properties show immediately. Popular ways to select elements are:
- Pick them in the drawing area,
- Pick them in a Schedule,
- Use Select in Analysis Browser.
Click Show Results to visualise analysis and design results within Revit.

Switching Between Panels#

Immediately below the SOFiSTiK icon is a drop-down menu that lists the sub-categories and counts their total numbers of selected elements.

When multiple categories are selected, use the drop-down menu to view only the properties for a specific sub-category or for the system itself. Changes applied when selecting a specific sub-category do not affect the overall selection set.

|Properties| with drop-down menu showing multiple sub-categories according to the selected elements — *Structural Properties* with drop-down menu showing multiple sub-categories according to the selected elements#

Contents of the Properties Panel#

Common#

If multiple sub-categories supporting SOFiSTiK group number are selected, the Common panel will display. It allows applying the same group number quickly across categories. Elements not supporting group numbers are not counted on the Common panel.

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Attribute Area#

*Structural Properties* for Attribute Areas#
Override General Properties	Modifies these properties of the elements
Override Meshing	Modifies the mesh properties
Override Element Properties	Modifies the respective properties

See also

To learn more, see Attribute Area command.

Attribute Line#

*Structural Properties* for Attribute Lines#
General	Modifies these properties of the elements
Meshing	Modifies the mesh properties

See also

To learn more, see Attribute Line workflow.

Beam#

General

General properties of the element

Section

Influences the cross section mapped for the element

Providing an Effective Width allow defining a T-Beam

Meshing

Refines the global mesh properties for the element

Releases at Start/End

Defines release conditions for the element. Extends and is synced with the native Autodesk^® Revit^® properties regarding releases

Releases Along Member

Defines releases along the element

Subsystem Support

Determines the stiffnesses for this member when used as an as Boundary Conditions in a Subsystem View. Options for the individual directions are:

Setting

Description

Free

No support

Fixed

Rigid support

Spring (default)

Stiffness according to supporting element’s dimension and properties, multiplied with the defined factor (default: 1.00).

For example, lateral stiffness of a column:

$k = f \ \frac{E A} {L}$

See also

To learn more, see Beam Design command.

Building Core#

The Structural Properties allow to manage properties assigned to a building core instance.

Especially the user can:

adjust the building core’s name
highlight the walls associated to the core
edit the selection of walls associated to the core
active/deactivate the generation of a cross section for the core
Adjust the elevation where the wall selection’s layout defines the cross section

Additionally, specific Revit Shared Parameters are assigned to building cores.

parameter SOFiSTiK_Category will show the (read-only) value Design Element
parameter SOFiSTiK_Type will show the (read-only) value Building Core
parameter SOFiSTiK_DesignElement_Name displays the core name as provided in the Structural Properties

These shared parameters can, for example, be added to schedules or used to define view filters.

See also

To learn more, see Building Core command.

Column#

Structural Properties for Columns#

General

General properties of the element

Section

Influences the cross section mapped for the element

Meshing

Refines the global mesh properties for the element

Releases at Top/Bottom

Defines release conditions for the element. Extends and is synced with the native Autodesk^® Revit^® properties regarding releases

Releases Along Member

Defines releases along the element

Subsystem Support

Determines the stiffnesses for this member when used as an as Boundary Conditions in a Subsystem View. Options for the individual directions are:

Setting

Description

Free

No support

Fixed

Rigid support

Spring (default)

Stiffness according to supporting element’s dimension and properties, multiplied with the defined factor (default: 1.00).

For example, lateral stiffness of a column:

$k = f \ \frac{E A} {L}$

See also

To learn more, see Column Design command.

Design Element#

*Structural Properties* for Design Elements#
Properties and Parameters	The Structural Properties panel allows to manage properties assigned to a strip instance. Especially the user can: adjust the strip’s name verify to which member type the strip is mapped to activate/deactivate the generation of a cross section for the strip adjust the design locations along the strip’s axis Additionally, specific Revit shared parameters are assigned to strip. parameter `SOFiSTiK_Category` will show the (read-only) value Design Element parameter `SOFiSTiK_Type` will show the (read-only) value Slab Strip or Wall Strip parameter `SOFiSTiK_DesignElement_Name` displays the strip’s name as provided in the Structural Properties These shared parameters can, for example, be added to schedules or used to define view filters.
Cross Sections	When the Structural Properties `Cross Section` is active, a cross section is generated and mapped to the strip. This cross section is required to conduct a design of the design element in SOFiSTiK Structural Desktop (SSD). By default, cross sections assigned to strips are either standard rectangular beam sections or standard rectangular column sections. Beam sections are assigned to strips which member type is Beam while column sections are assigned to strips which member type is Column. The thickness of the host analytical element and the strip’s width/magnitude define the dimensions of these cross sections. Hint All slab strips of identical width and materials are assigned the same cross section. All wall strips (Beam) of identical width and materials are assigned the same cross section. All wall strips (Column) of identical width and materials are assigned the same cross section. To assign different cross sections, you can create a new Revit type to the respective strip family.
Design Locations	The Design Locations dialog box lists positions along the element where a design should be performed (at these locations, a so-called design section from DECREATOR is created). By default, 11 locations are set, evenly distributed along the element’s length. For each location is specified, if a standard design should be conducted (check print) or if it should be handled in a specific way, e.g., by reducing the bending moment there. This specification is provided for both bending directions (y-y and z-z). More information about design section in available in the manual of DECREATOR. Hint Re-using an existing design location configuration is possible by coping/pasting between different design elements and/or with a previously prepared Excel table.

Grid#

*Structural Properties* for Grids#
General	`Name` allows a user-defined name different from the Revit object. This name will appear for the respective SOFiSTiK element. If no name is defined, the name of the Revit object is used as a fall back and written into `*.cdb`. This property is synced with the shared parameter `SOFiSTiK_Name` if activated in Project Parameters.

Level#

General

Export as Storey Level offers the following options:

*Analysis Browser* for Levels#
Dropdown	Description	Value
Auto (default)	Only levels which contain relevant elements[1] will be exported.	0
Always	These levels will always be exported, no matter if relevant elements[1] are detected.	+1 (>0)
Never	These levels will never be exported, even if relevant elements[1] are detected.	-1 (<0)

This property is synced with the shared parameter SOFiSTiK_Use if activated in Project Parameters.

Name allows a user-defined name different from the Revit object. This name will appear for the respective SOFiSTiK element. If no name is defined, the name of the Revit object is used as a fall back and written into *.cdb.

This property is synced with the shared parameter SOFiSTiK_Name if activated in Project Parameters.

Point#

*Structural Properties* for Points#
General	Available for Analytical Nodes, these properties force the declaration of an explicit structural point `SPT` in SOFiSTiK, when it would be otherwise just implicitly defined. `Name` allows a user-defined name. This name will appear for the respective SOFiSTiK element and written into `*.cdb`. This property is synced with the shared parameter `SOFiSTiK_Name` if activated in Project Parameters. `Number` allows a user-defined number. This number will appear for the respective SOFiSTiK element. This property is synced with the shared parameter `SOFiSTiK_Number` if activated in Project Parameters.

Result Cut Line#

*Structural Properties* for Result Cut Lines#
General	`Group` allows a user-defined group assignment for the respective SOFiSTiK element. This property is synced with the shared parameter `SOFiSTiK_Group` if activated in Project Parameters. `Name` allows a user-defined name. This name will appear for the respective SOFiSTiK element and written into `*.cdb`. This property is synced with the shared parameter `SOFiSTiK_Name` if activated in Project Parameters.

See also

To learn more, see Result Cut Line command.

Slab#

General

General properties of the element

Meshing

Refines the global mesh properties for the element

Element Properties

Variable Thickness: It is possible to create analytical panels with variable thickness. To learn more, see video below.

Edge Releases

Allows defining Edge Releases for analytical panels

Subsystem Support

Determines the stiffnesses for this member when used as an as Boundary Conditions in a Subsystem View. Options for the individual directions are:

Setting

Description

Free

No support

Fixed

Rigid support

Spring (default)

Stiffness according to supporting element’s dimension and properties, multiplied with the defined factor (default: 1.00).

For example, lateral stiffness of a column:

$k = f \ \frac{E A} {L}$

The following video illustrates how to use the property Variable Thickness to model such panel.

Please accept marketing cookies to watch this video. thumbnail

See also

To learn more, see Slab Design command.

Support Condition#

*Structural Properties* for Support Conditions#
General	`Group` allows a user-defined group assignment for the respective SOFiSTiK element. `Name` allows a user-defined name. This name will appear for the respective SOFiSTiK element and written into `*.cdb`.

Tendon Projection#

Structural Properties for Tendon Stations#

General

Prestressing System of choice and a specific name for the tendon (optional).

Geometry

During the tendon definition, you can choose between automatic and user defined layout. Depending on your choice, the following options are available for the tendon geometry:

Automatic tendon layouts:

Layout is defined by the overall settings for the Tendon Projection in Structural Properties, it is possible to (de-)activate individual Tendon Stations intersecting the projection. Stations are always interpreted as high points.

List of available parameters:

Parameter	Description
Distance from top	Valid for points along axis where a Tendon Station intersects (see Stations below)
Distance from bottom	Valid for all points between stations
Straight length at top	Segment with curvature 0°
Transition length	Horizontal distance between top and bottom points
Stations	Sub-menu to (de-)activate which intersecting tendon stations are considered. Stations are always interpreted as high points.

Note

Start and end point are centered over the height of the panel. To change this, create a Tendon Station.

User defined layouts

Layout is defined by the individual settings for the Tendon Projection at each station in the respective sub-menu. It is possible to (de-)activate individual Tendon Stations intersecting the projection. Stations are either interpreted as high points or low points.

List of available parameters:

Parameter	Description
Stations	Sub-menu to - (de-)activate which intersecting Tendon Stations are considered - define axis reference and distance - define inclination and straight lengths to either side of the station

Construction Sequence

Define the construction stage for the prestressing application and grouting. For further information, see Tendon Manual.

Prestressing

Define other settings about the prestressing. For further information, see Tendon Manual.

See also

To learn more, see Tendon Projection command.

Tower#

General

Name Designation which will be printed out in report. Maximum 32 characters, certain special characters not allowed.

Top storey level Upper bounds of Tower. A Storey will be created if necessary.

Base storey level Lower bounds of Tower. A Storey will be created if necessary.

Storey Level Association Enables highlighting (selection) of all associated levels.

Storey Level Selection Edit which levels are associated to the tower.

See also

To learn more, see Tower command.

Wall#

General

General properties of the element

Meshing

Refines the global mesh properties for the element

Element Properties

Variable Thickness: It is possible to create analytical panels with variable thickness. To learn more, see video below.

Edge Releases

Allows defining Edge Releases for analytical panels

Structural Analysis

Design Element allows to automatically create a design element:

Shear wall: Vertical orientation, placed at half the width of the wall. Can be used for Shear Wall Design.
Column: Vertical orientation, placed at half width of wall.
Beam: Horizontal orientation, placed at half height of wall.

Subsystem Support

Determines the stiffnesses for this member when used as an as Boundary Conditions in a Subsystem View. Options for the individual directions are:

Setting

Description

Free

No support

Fixed

Rigid support

Spring (default)

Stiffness according to supporting element’s dimension and properties, multiplied with the defined factor (default: 1.00).

For example, lateral stiffness of a column:

$k = f \ \frac{E A} {L}$

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Result View#

*Analysis Browser* for Result View#
General	`Optimize view` Apply temporarily the view template SOFiSTiK Result View for a better visualization of results. `Flip diagram` Rotates the display direction for diagram results, e.g., allowing to display bending in a beam or along a cut line in top views. `Show legends` Display the Revit legend associated to the results. `Show FE mesh` Display the Finite Element mesh on analytical panels. `Scaling` Adjust quickly the scale of all diagrams visible. `Results package` Save the current results display into Revit results packages. It is possible to change the extent of the selection in the dialog box before saving it. `Data` Refresh the display of results clicking on Reload. This allows displaying results along Result Cut Line modelled after the analyzing the system.

See also

To learn more, see Result View workflow.

System View#

*Structural Properties* for System View#
General [2] [3]	Here, find general SOFiSTiK information associated to the system. `Self-weight in` defines the load case in which the self-weight for the visible elements in the view is generated at calculation. `Type` defines the type of subsystem, e.g., a 3D system or a reduced 2D system.[3]
Analysis Tasks [2] [3]	The properties listed here control which analysis tasks will be performed during Calculate. `Generate FE Mesh` allows to control if a Finite Element Model is generated and meshed. Meshing is only necessary for full analysis of systems. To optimize calculation time in a strictly subsystem-based workflow, meshing of the Main System can be deactivated.[2] `Analysis Settings` In the Geometry tab, adjust settings related to geometry healing and the processing of the analytical model (e.g., tolerance settings). In the Meshing tab, adjust meshing-related settings (e.g., type of elements generated, element size). Tip For experienced users, when the property `Process immediately` is `OFF`, the CADiNP input of to the calculation is generated but not processed. This allows to save calculation time, e.g., by processing this input later from the SOFiSTiK Structural Desktop (SSD).
Load Take Down [3]	The properties listed here allow checking if the subsystem is part of Load Take Down sets.
Boundary Conditions [3]	SOFiSTiK Analysis + Design provides the possibility to transform supporting elements into Boundary Conditions. Create Boundary Conditions activates this transformation for the current subsystem. Note When the property Create Boundary Conditions is `OFF`, Finite Elements will also be generated for the supporting elements. Supporting Elements ‣ Highlight Visualises the supporting elements for the current subsystem. Components Selection ‣ Edit… Allows to select or deselect supporting elements. To control the subsystem support: Select the supporting elements (either manually or using Supporting Elements ‣ Highlight). The Structural Properties now show the properties of the selected elements, e.g., Column or Wall. Adjust stiffnesses according to the options available under Subsystem Support for the respective element type.

Tip

When selecting one or multiple subsystem in the Analysis Browser, the Subsystem panel displays in Structural Properties. It is a reduced System View panel to check and adjust its most important information.

See also

To learn more, see Calculation workflow.