Overview of Reinforcement for Archicicad

Reinforcement for Archicad gives users a complete toolkit for creating detailed 2D drawings and highly accurate 3D reinforcement models. In addition, it provides an extensive library of rebar objects and an add-on that streamlines complex modeling tasks, checks rebar ID numbering, and calculates quantities automatically. Users can also view rebar lists and interactive schedules directly on the floor plan, which improves coordination and documentation efficiency.

New Functions in Version 7

Unfolded and Cross-Sectional Drawings

Version 7 introduces unfolded bar drawings that reveal the full geometry of each reinforcement bar. Furthermore, it enables the creation of custom cross-sectional drawings of column and beam reinforcement at any chosen location. These enhancements give structural designers more flexible documentation options.

Flexible Drawing Placement

Instead of restricting views to the floor plan, the add-on now allows you to place component and cross-sectional drawings in separate views. As a result, documentation stays cleaner and easier to manage. Whenever reinforcement changes, these drawings update automatically, ensuring consistent output.

Support for long rebar splices now improves detailing accuracy. Additionally, you can define custom bent-end angles and use the new rf_single_edge element to place simple edge reinforcements with stirrups at customizable angles. These tools offer more control over the design of unique reinforcement conditions.

Improved Modeling Workflow

A dedicated Parameter Palette speeds up daily work by letting you adjust frequently used settings without opening the full configuration window. Meanwhile, a new Thermal Bridge Breaker object extends the library, and multi-directional custom rebar creation now works smoothly in 3D..

Main Features

User Interface & Listing Tools

The redesigned tool palette simplifies navigation, while the updated listing tools improve clarity. For instance, the selection-management palette highlights chosen elements and displays IDs clearly. Moreover, zoom-to-selection, automatic numbering, prefix handling, and repeated-element prevention all create more reliable lists. Because measurement units now appear in the header, exporting to XLS becomes much easier. Dedicated layers, custom text additions for cutting lists, automatic update notifications, and an informative ABOUT window further enhance usability.

Reinforcement Modeling

Column and Pillar Reinforcement

Users can view rebar rotation directly in 3D, choose from several stirrup types, and resize reinforcement manually when needed. Automatic placement for circular and simply profiled columns offers extensive configuration options. Consequently, column reinforcement becomes much faster to define accurately.

Slab Reinforcement

The add-on reinforces only the structural core of the slab, which ensures correct material usage. It also places shear rebars in the corners of holes and respects Archicad’s structural core definition. Together, these features improve slab reinforcement precision and consistency.

Wall Reinforcement

Reinforcement tools now correct concrete cover automatically and work even on slanted walls cropped by roofs. They also handle Archicad Wall Openings, place shear rebars around openings, and reinforce straight, slanted, or curved walls automatically. In addition, you can reverse the bending direction whenever the design requires it.

Beam Reinforcement

Beam reinforcement uses accurate section dimensions and offers automatic placement for simple profiled beams through the rf_beam element. As a consequence, repetitive beam layouts can be documented significantly faster.

Roof Reinforcement

Complex roof conditions are now easier to handle. You can place rebars in two directions, reinforce top and bottom regions, add mesh, and use RF_EDGE for single-roof elements. Automatic mesh and rebar placement also work across multiple roof surfaces, which greatly accelerates modeling.

General Rebar & Stirrups

The add-on supports a wide range of rebar configurations. For example, you can create splice drawings for straight rebars, define custom rebar weight, set diameters by groups, and size stirrups by external dimensions. Spiral stirrups can be placed manually or automatically, and preset or custom polygonal forms are also available. Steel elements can rotate for complex geometries such as stairs. Additionally, you can distribute rebars along curves, place multiple layers simultaneously, use folded mesh, array meshes and bars automatically, and work without rebar-count limitations. Complex elements such as RF_CHAIR, RF_BEAM, RF_COLUMN, and RF_EDGE include improved ID management for accurate listing.

Drawing & Display Options

Reinforcement offers extended 2D display types, precise 3D bending visualization, and multiple global display settings for 2D, 3D, labels, and text. Because reinforcement views can also appear directly on the floor plan, the documentation process becomes much clearer.

Documentation & Output

Labeling

Every reinforcement element supports its own labeling style. You can also label beam and pillar groups individually, apply custom label text, and use intelligent markers. This flexibility improves clarity across all drawing types.

Cutting Lists & Reports

Automatic cutting lists provide detailed rebar information and include RF_CHAIR with all required parameters. Different lengths display separately, and multidirectional mesh can be listed independently for better accuracy. The system also shows joint lengths and stirrup radii for circular sections. In addition, you can select elements directly from placed lists and use the Mesh Board Designer for layout planning. Exporting to TXT or XLS formats supports further data processing.

Technical Aspects

The add-on now displays warnings when an operation cannot be completed, which greatly improves stability. In Archicad 26 and later, it groups all layers into a dedicated Reinforcement folder. You can also borrow a license offline for seven days. The tool works in demo mode until you activate the purchased license within Archicad.

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Supported Archicad Versions

• Archicad 23
• Archicad 28
• Archicad 27
• Archicad 26
• Archicad 25
• Archicad 24