Examine analytical duct and pipe segments

Step-by-step guide

In Revit, duct and pipe elements incorporate an analytical segment within their definitions. When combined with schedules, analytical segments enable the inspection and visualization of pressure drop and flow data in design and fabrication networks, helping to facilitate the design of building systems.

To select an analytical segment in an open Revit design:

1. Place the pointer over the desired element.
2. Continue pressing TAB until Analytical Duct Segments appears in the status bar.

3. In Properties, under Analytical Duct Segments, scroll to view parameters pertaining to flow and pressure loss, such as Critical Path and Pressure Drop, which are inherited from the primary element.

Analytical segments can be scheduled, filtered, and sorted based on parameters.

4. In this example, click the open Analytical Duct Segment Schedule tab.
5. In Properties, next to Filter, click Edit to open the Schedule Properties dialog box adjacent to the Filters tab.

To display only the analytical elements included in the critical path of the system:

6. Expand the Filter by drop-down and select Critical Path.
7. Adjust the third drop-down to Yes.

8. Click OK.

The schedule updates to include only critical path elements.

The analytical elements also carry a parameter value for Analytical Length. In such a schedule, both Analytical Length and Pressure Drop can be included, and parameter totals can be calculated:

9. In Properties, next to Formatting, select Edit to open the Schedule Properties dialog box to the Formatting tab.
10. Under Fields, select Pressure Drop.
11. Expand the calculation drop-down and select Calculate totals.

12. Repeat steps 10 and 11 for Analytical Length.
13. Click OK.

The totals now appear in the schedule and can assist in determining the sizes of system elements, such as fans or pumps.

Elements include critical sequence values to understand the position within the system and can be sorted using this parameter:

14. In Properties, next to Sorting/Grouping, click Edit.
15. In the Schedule Properties dialog box, expand Sort by and select Critical Sequence.
16. Click OK.

In the schedule, the elements are now listed in order by critical sequence values.

To better visualize the analytical elements, the physical elements can be hidden, leaving only the analytical segments:

17. In Properties, next to Visibility/Graphics Overrides, click Edit.
18. In the Visibility Graphics Overrides for 3D View dialog box, in the Visibility column, deselect the physical elements to be hidden.

19. Click OK.

Please be aware that View filters for analytical segments are unsupported.

Next, use the schedule to select a specific element in the system:

20. Select a schedule row.
21. On the Modify Schedule/Quantities contextual tab, in the Element panel, click Highlight in Model.

The chosen element is highlighted in the design.

Tags can be placed on system elements to create an isometric diagram that displays flow and pressure drops.

22. On the Annotate tab, Tag panel, click Tag by Category.
23. In the design, select an element to tag.
24. Click to place the tag.

Analytical Duct and Pipe segments facilitate the creation of project documentation and help validate designs, enhancing the design process and reducing the need for the System Inspector.