By Dennis Collin
Revit has for several years had some additional steel connection tools to enable users to add baseplates, haunches, bolts, holes and simple connections. However, the elements placed are not families, but instead steel fabrication components that can be somewhat awkward to configure and adjust. Whilst families could be made and placed, it can be a somewhat tedious process to place multiple elements. Fortunately, Revit has several Add-ins available to make the task easier.
The Web Stiffener from StrucSoft solutions is a free Add-in from the Autodesk App store and once installed, enables uses to place stiffener components along a beam. Stiffeners can be added on one or more W-beams either by selecting the individual points or over a distance between 2 points. The user can define spacing, offsets, insertion location, insertion side and stiffener size.
The Web stiffeners that are added to the beams are of the Generic Model category and this should be turned on in the Visibility Graphics of the view to see them.
Web stiffeners can only be placed within a 3D view, but they can be repositioned or moved in a 2D view after placement.
Whilst it is a shame that the elements are not categorised correctly, Generic Models rather than a Structural stiffener category, the elements are regular families and can be edited and relocated to new positions as required, providing the user more flexibility and options.
The Web Stiffener Add-in is available on the Autodesk App store and works for Revit versions 2018-2023 and can be downloaded from the link below.
https://apps.autodesk.com/RVT/en/Detail/Index?id=3707897859546303803&appLang=en&os=Win64
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