Structural pre-analysis through implementing Revit structure and Robot to develop and compare engineered timber structural families.

The project is about two main themes:

• The first one is about the implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools and the related didactic implications
• The second one is about the application of the implemented BIM tools in developing a specific study case.

The background of the research is related to industry practices implementable at school, in which Construction Designers (Architectural Technologists) typically start the design process by interpreting architectural drawings, creating design documentation, and creating 3D analytical editable models.

The background of the project is related to industry practices implementable at school, in which Construction Designers (Architectural Technologists) typically start the design process by interpreting architectural drawings, creating design documentation, and creating 3D analytical editable models.

The implementation of a professional digital “set of tools” in the education, means to run experiments on general student’s engagement. The project explicit also margins of unpredictability, giving back the chance of improvement especially in the didactical/pedagogical design of semester student’s tasks and Intended Learning Outcomes.

This implementation supports the constant upgrading of teacher’s competence, knowhow and building industry networking. At the same time, it enhances opportunities to broad student’s horizons: Architectural Technologist can play as a multirole professional. It increases the internship opportunities, increase the learning curve, facilitate in being problem solvers.

The title explains the content which can be split in three parts:

• Structural pre-analysis: the structural pre-analysis is an analytical technique based on the implementation of BIM for structural design and finds its theoretical didactical background on the Theory of Didactic Situation, designing Intended Learning Outcomes. The aim of the pre-analysis procedure in structural design is to tailor a learning process as close as possible to the building industry practice able to train industry practice-oriented professionals.
• Implementing Revit Structure and Robot: the combined workflow generated by the BIM interoperability of the two software allows testing the effect of structural loads and verifying mechanical performance compliance and sustainability in terms of CO2 embodied in the structural skeleton of the building. Many firms and offices use the Revit Structure model to coordinate their designs with other disciplines. Therefore, students can begin modeling as structural drafters, documenting using company standards, and coordinating the structure. By starting the design in Revit software, there is both a physical model created for coordination and early documentation, as well as a simplified analytical model. Each model is independently editable but also maintains a consistent relationship to the other.
• Develop and compare engineered timber structural Families: Developing digital structural models (both physical and analytical) through developing material’s mechanical and environmental friendly properties of built-in and user defined digital models’ components, bring the students to a systematic approach in understanding how to choose industrialized structural elements from manufacturer’s catalogues from the early stages of the design phases.

• Growth of student’s knowledge and skills through Learning Outcomess firmly related with BIM procedures.
• Coordination of design information and construction documentation by using 3D virtual models for a better technical communication.
• Coordination of information to improve environmental sustainability facts, quality assurance, and quality control.
• Cross disciplinary design approach through BIM interoperability tools.
• Strengthen cooperation for constant develop and follow up with professionals from building industry.
• Structural pre-analysis through implementing Revit Structure and Robot to develop and compare engineered timber structural Families embodies new knowledge and practices from industry into the teaching.

This project supports the constant upgrading of teacher’s competence, knowhow and building industry networking. At the same time, it enhances opportunities to broad student’s horizons: Architectural Technologist can play as a multirole professional. It increases the internship opportunities, increase the learning curve, facilitate in being problem solvers.