Revit as a Tool for Modeling Concrete Reinforcement

Figure 10: Rebar Bar Type Properties

Like with a wall thickness, it’s equally important to let the Bar Diameter parameter of a Rebar
Bar family reflect the Type Name. In my example, I only use the Bar Diameter parameter for
naming, but that’s simply because all regular reinforcement in my geographical region is
produced from the same material (above B500NC). I see no reason for using more parameters
in naming, as the only thing we’re looking for here is the diameter.

Comment: I’ve been asked if it’s possible to add the small additional diameter produced by the
reinforcement grooves, as the bar diameter description 12 mm really reflects the inner diameter
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of the rebar core. Reasons for doing something like this may be to eliminate any potential
reinforcement clashes. There is really no other way of doing this than modeling the bar with the
total diameter.

Rebar Hook

If the Rebar Bar system family is simple and straight forward, the Rebar Hook family is nothing
less. With its 3 parameters it seems to disrupt no night sleep. There are, however, some tricky
parts you should be aware of.

Figure 11: Rebar Hook Type Properties

Introduced in the 2014 release we have an option to include or exclude Hook definitions in the
Rebar Shape families. This feature has been added in Revit to allow European hook definitions
outside Rebar Shapes.

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Figure 12: Include hooks in Rebar Shape definition

With this option enabled, hooks will behave like in previous versions, and with it disabled you
can change hooks through the Structural Rebar Properties.

Figure 13: Hook parameters in Structural Rebar Properties

If you include hooks in Rebar Shape definitions, troubles arise when you try to change the
hook definition inside the project environment without having the proper shape families at
hand. If you do so, the shape you had previously selected will be automatically redefined and
renamed to something like “Rebar Shape 1”. Naturally, if your project is “contaminated” with

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