1. Introduction to BIM
Module 04 – Interiors and Circulation

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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?

23. 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?

24. 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?

25. 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?

26. 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).

27. Autodesk Resources Autodesk® Education Community
Free software for students and educators
students.autodesk.com
Autodesk® Design Academy
The Autodesk Design Academy features a constantly growing collection of lessons, projects and curriculum support materials that help educators teach students creative confidence.
academy.autodesk.com
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