Tekla 15 - Detailing Manual [PDF]

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Tekla Structures Detailing Manual



Product version 15.0 February 2009 © 2009 Tekla Corporation



© 2009 Tekla Corporation and its licensors. All rights reserved. This Software Manual has been developed for use with the referenced Software. Use of the Software, and use of this Software Manual are governed by a License Agreement. Among other provisions, the License Agreement sets certain warranties for the Software and this Manual, disclaims other warranties, limits recoverable damages, defines permitted uses of the Software, and determines whether you are an authorized user of the Software. All information set forth in this manual is provided with the warranty set forth in the License Agreement. Please refer to the License Agreement for important obligations and applicable limitations and restrictions on your rights. Tekla does not guarantee that the text is free of technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Tekla reserves the right to make changes and additions to this manual due to changes in the software or otherwise. In addition, this Software Manual is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. Unauthorized reproduction, display, modification, or distribution of this Manual, or any portion of it, may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and will be prosecuted to the full extent permitted by law. Tekla, Tekla Structures, Xcity, Xengineer, Xpipe, Xroad, Xpower, Xsteel, and Xstreet are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Tekla Corporation in the European Union, the United States, and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned in this Manual are or may be trademarks of their respective owners. By referring to a third-party product or brand, Tekla does not intend to suggest an affiliation with or endorsement by such third party and disclaims any such affiliation or endorsement, except where otherwise expressly stated. Portions of this software: D-Cubed 2D DCM © 2008 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software III (GB) Ltd. All rights reserved. EPM toolkit © 1995-2004 EPM Technology a.s., Oslo, Norway. All rights reserved. XML parser © 1999 The Apache Software Foundation. All rights reserved. Project Data Control Library © 2006 - 2007 DlhSoft. All rights reserved. DWGdirect, DGNdirect and OpenDWG Toolkit/Viewkit libraries © 1998-2005 Open Design Alliance. All rights reserved. FLEXnet Copyright © 2006 Acresso Software Inc. All Rights Reserved. This product contains proprietary and confidential technology provided by and owned by Acresso Software Inc. Of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Any use, copying, publication, distribution, display, modification, or transmission of such technology in whole or in part in any form or by any means without the prior express written permission of Acresso Software Inc. is strictly prohibited. Except where expressly provided by Acresso Software Inc. in writing, possession of this technology shall not be construed to confer any license or rights under any of Acresso Software´s intellectual property rights, whether by estoppel, implication, or otherwise. The software is protected by U.S. Patent 7,302,368. Also elements of the software described in this Manual may be the subject of pending patent applications in the European Union and/or other countries including U.S. patent applications 2004031231, 2004267695, 2005285881, 2006000484 and 200613639.



Contents Preface ...............................................................................................................9 Audience ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Additional help resources .................................................................................................................................... 9 Conventions used in this guide ......................................................................................................................... 10 Related guides .................................................................................................................................................. 11



1



Getting Started......................................................................................... 13 1.1



Basics ................................................................................................................................................... 13 Component concepts ....................................................................................................................... Component dialog box ..................................................................................................................... Selection order ................................................................................................................................. Up direction ...................................................................................................................................... Automatic and default properties ..................................................................................................... General tab ...................................................................................................................................... Design and Design type tabs ...........................................................................................................



1.2



Component catalog............................................................................................................................... 21 Using the component catalog........................................................................................................... Symbols ..................................................................................................................................... Pop-up menus ........................................................................................................................... Thumbnail images............................................................................................................................ Descriptions and keywords .............................................................................................................. Grouping components...................................................................................................................... Customizing and saving components ..............................................................................................



1.3



21 23 23 24 25 25 25



Using components ................................................................................................................................ 26 Creating components ....................................................................................................................... Example ........................................................................................................................................... Modifying components ..................................................................................................................... Conceptual components .................................................................................................................. Tips on working with components ....................................................................................................



1.4



14 15 16 17 18 18 19



27 27 28 28 29



Defining parts and plates ...................................................................................................................... 30 Using the dialog box......................................................................................................................... Dimensioning parts .......................................................................................................................... Plates ........................................................................................................................................ Beams .......................................................................................................................................



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



30 30 31 31



3



Part position number .................................................................................................................. Using the Components tab ........................................................................................................ Defining materials............................................................................................................................. Using the Components tab ........................................................................................................ 1.5



Defining bolts and welds ....................................................................................................................... 33 Using the Bolts tab ........................................................................................................................... Defining bolts.................................................................................................................................... Increasing bolt length ................................................................................................................. Creating holes .................................................................................................................................. Number of bolts and spacing............................................................................................................ Bolt group orientation ....................................................................................................................... Bolt group pattern............................................................................................................................. Edge distance................................................................................................................................... Bolt position...................................................................................................................................... Vertical bolt position ................................................................................................................... Horizontal bolt position .............................................................................................................. Defining slotted holes ....................................................................................................................... Deleting bolts.................................................................................................................................... Defining bolt assemblies .................................................................................................................. Welds ...............................................................................................................................................



1.6



31 32 32 33 34 35 35 35 36 36 36 37 37 38 38 39 40 41 41



AutoConnection..................................................................................................................................... 42 Using AutoConnection...................................................................................................................... 42



1.7



AutoDefaults.......................................................................................................................................... 44 Using AutoDefaults........................................................................................................................... How to use AutoDefaults effectively................................................................................................. Checking AutoDefaults properties.................................................................................................... Checking AutoDefaults rules ............................................................................................................



1.8



Using the joints.def file.......................................................................................................................... 46 About joints.def................................................................................................................................. How joints.def works .................................................................................................................. How to read joints.def ................................................................................................................ Entering values .......................................................................................................................... Defining general defaults.................................................................................................................. Defining bolt diameter and number of rows...................................................................................... Clip angle, shear plate, and end plate connections ................................................................... Gusset connections ................................................................................................................... Diagonal connections ................................................................................................................ Defining other bolt and part properties ............................................................................................. Gusset connection properties .................................................................................................... Diagonal connection properties ................................................................................................. Profile type-dependent bolt dimensions ..................................................................................... How Tekla Structures uses joints.def ...............................................................................................



4



44 45 46 46



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



46 47 47 47 48 49 49 50 50 50 51 54 55 56



Connections that use joints.def ........................................................................................................ 57 1.9



Using Excel in connection design ......................................................................................................... 57 Setting up Excel files........................................................................................................................ 58 Sample implementation.................................................................................................................... 59 Indicating component status ............................................................................................................ 60



2



Custom Components .............................................................................. 61 2.1



Defining custom components ............................................................................................................... 62 Exploding components..................................................................................................................... Defining a custom component.......................................................................................................... Custom component types ................................................................................................................ Custom component basic properties................................................................................................



2.2



62 62 66 68



Editing custom components.................................................................................................................. 69 Custom component editor ................................................................................................................ 69 Custom component browser ............................................................................................................ 72



2.3



Defining variables ................................................................................................................................. 73 Creating distance variables.............................................................................................................. Creating reference distances ........................................................................................................... Using magnetic construction planes ................................................................................................ Creating parameter variables........................................................................................................... Creating parameters that use formulae............................................................................................



2.4



Functions to use in formulas................................................................................................................. 83 Arithmetic operators ......................................................................................................................... Logical statement............................................................................................................................. Reference function ........................................................................................................................... Mathematical functions .................................................................................................................... Statistical functions .......................................................................................................................... Data type conversions...................................................................................................................... String operations.............................................................................................................................. Trigonometric functions.................................................................................................................... Framing condition functions .............................................................................................................



2.5



75 77 80 81 82 83 84 84 85 86 87 87 89 89



Defining custom component properties ................................................................................................ 91 Adding an option to create parts ...................................................................................................... 92 Defining bolt size and standard........................................................................................................ 93 Defining bolt group location.............................................................................................................. 94 Replacing a sub-component ............................................................................................................ 96 Changing the properties file ............................................................................................................. 99 Defining meshes in custom components ....................................................................................... 100 Creating surface treatments in custom components...................................................................... 102



2.6



Managing and using custom components .......................................................................................... 103 Custom component dialog box....................................................................................................... 103 TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



5



Customizing the dialog box ............................................................................................................ Changing the order of fields ..................................................................................................... Changing the location of fields ................................................................................................. Renaming tabs ......................................................................................................................... Adding more tabs ..................................................................................................................... Adding pictures ........................................................................................................................ Preventing modifications .......................................................................................................... Using a custom component............................................................................................................ Managing custom components ...................................................................................................... Exporting and importing ........................................................................................................... Protecting custom components with passwords ............................................................................ Performing actions on custom components ................................................................................... Using Excel with custom components............................................................................................ Using ASCII files with custom component...................................................................................... Tips on working with custom components...................................................................................... 2.7



Battering connection (13).................................................................................................................... 115



2.8



Custom components reference ........................................................................................................... 116 Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component... ................................................................ Position type................................................................................................................................... Display variables ........................................................................................................................... Browser .......................................................................................................................................... Plane types..................................................................................................................................... Construction plane ........................................................................................................................ Custom component settings........................................................................................................... Create distance ............................................................................................................................. Create reference distance ............................................................................................................. Automatic distances ......................................................................................................................



3



105 106 106 107 107 108 109 110 110 111 111 112 112 113 114



117 119 120 124 125 126 127 128 129 130



Reinforcement ....................................................................................... 133 3.1



Getting started with reinforcement ...................................................................................................... 133



3.2



Basic reinforcement properties ........................................................................................................... 134 Hooks ............................................................................................................................................. Concrete cover ............................................................................................................................... Spacing reinforcing bars................................................................................................................. Omitting reinforcing bars ................................................................................................................ User-defined attributes of reinforcement ........................................................................................ Meshes...........................................................................................................................................



3.3



135 136 138 138 139 139



Working with reinforcement................................................................................................................. 140 Placing reinforcement..................................................................................................................... 140 Attaching reinforcement to parts .................................................................................................... 140 Modifying reinforcement ................................................................................................................. 141



6



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



Changing reinforcement shape ............................................................................................... Using reinforcement handles ................................................................................................... Exploding reinforcement .......................................................................................................... Splitting reinforcing bar groups ................................................................................................ Splitting reinforcing bars in a group ......................................................................................... Customizing reinforcement meshes............................................................................................... Defining custom reinforcement components.................................................................................. Numbering reinforcement............................................................................................................... What affects reinforcement numbering .................................................................................... How reinforcement affects part numbering .............................................................................. 3.4



Single bars, bar groups, and meshes ................................................................................................. 146 Reinforcing bar............................................................................................................................... Reinforcing bar group..................................................................................................................... Curved reinforcing bar group ......................................................................................................... Circular reinforcing bar group......................................................................................................... Reinforcement mesh ...................................................................................................................... Reinforcement strand pattern......................................................................................................... Reinforcement Splice .....................................................................................................................



4



141 141 143 143 143 143 145 145 145 146 147 148 151 152 153 155 158



Reinforcing bar bending types............................................................. 161 4.1



Reinforcement in templates ................................................................................................................ 182



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



7



8



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



Preface



Tekla Structures includes complete documentation in an accessible help system. Our online help is a detailed guide to Tekla Structures concepts, tools, commands, and features, with plenty of examples. The documentation is also available in PDF format. Topics in the Preface are:



• • • •



Audience (p. 9) Additional help resources (p. 9) Conventions used in this guide (p. 10) Related guides (p. 11)



Audience This guide is aimed at structural engineers, detailers and designers who model, analyze, and design concrete and steel structures. We assume that you are familiar with the processes of structural engineering.



Additional help resources The following resources also provide information about Tekla Structures: Web site



http://www.tekla.com



E-mail



Contact your local helpdesk via e-mail:



Area office



E-mail address



China



[email protected]



Finland



[email protected]



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



9



Area office



E-mail address



France



[email protected]



Germany



[email protected]



India



[email protected]



Japan



[email protected]



Malaysia



[email protected]



Middle East



[email protected]



Sweden



[email protected]



UK



[email protected]



US



[email protected]



If you believe you have discovered a problem with this software, please report it to your Tekla Structures Reseller using the maintenance request form provided at Help > Tekla on the Web > Maintenance request.... Please send any comments or suggestions about Tekla Structures documentation to [email protected]. Tekla Extranet



Anyone with a current maintenance contract can use Tekla Extranet. Register now to get free access to our online discussion forums, hints & tips, software downloads, tutorials, and more. To register, go to https://extranet.tekla.com. You can also access Tekla Extranet from Tekla Structures by clicking Help > Online Support > Tekla Extranet.



Conventions used in this guide Typefaces



We use different typefaces for different items in this guide. In most cases the meaning is obvious from the context. If you are not sure what a certain typeface represents, you can check it here.



Convention



Usage



Bold



Bold indicates the names of keyboard keys. Bold is also used for general emphasis in text.



Arial bold



Any text that you see in the user interface appears in Arial bold. Items such as window and dialog box titles, field and button names, combo box options, and list box items are displayed in this typeface.



Italic bold



New terms are in italic bold when they appear in the current context for the first time.



Monospace



Extracts of Tekla Structures’s program code, HTML, or other material that you would normally edit in a text editor, appears in monospaced font. Filenames and folder paths appear in monospace. Also all the text you enter yourself appears in monospaced font.



Noteboxes



10



We use several types of noteboxes, marked by different icons. Their functions are shown below:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



A tip might introduce a shortcut, or suggest alternative ways of doing things. A tip never contains information that is absolutely necessary.



A note draws attention to details that you might easily overlook. It can also point you to other information in this guide that you might find useful.



You should always read very important notes and warnings, like this one. They will help you avoid making serious mistakes, or wasting your time.



This symbol indicates advanced or highly technical information that is usually of interest only to advanced or technically-oriented readers. You are never required to understand this kind of information.



Related guides Tekla Structures includes a comprehensive help system in a series of online books. You will also receive a printed installation guide with your Tekla Structures installation DVD.



•



Modeling Manual How to create a physical model.



•



Analysis Manual How to create loads and run structural analysis.



•



Detailing Manual How to create reinforcement, connections, and details.



•



Drawing Manual How to create and edit drawings.



•



System Manual Covers advanced features and how to maintain the Tekla Structures environment.



•



Task Manager User Guide How to create, store, and manage scheduled tasks, and link the tasks to their corresponding model objects. This guide is available in English on the Tekla Extranet.



•



TplEd User’s Guide



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



11



How to create and edit report and drawing templates.



•



SymEd User’s Guide How to use the SymEd graphical interface to manipulate symbols.



•



Installation Troubleshooting Guide Printed booklet explaining how to install Tekla Structures.



12



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



1



Introduction



Getting Started



Once you have created a frame of parts in your Tekla Structures model, you will need to connect those parts to complete the model. Tekla Structures contains a wide range of components that you can use to automate the process of creating a model. This chapter explains the basics about components - what they are and how to create them using Tekla Structures. We will begin with the basic concepts, followed by a general description of components properties. Finally, we will show you how to use components in practice.



Contents



This chapter is divided into the following topics:



• • • • • • • • •



Basics (p. 13) Component catalog (p. 21) Using components (p. 26) Defining parts and plates (p. 30) Defining bolts and welds (p. 33) AutoConnection (p. 42) AutoDefaults (p. 44) Using the joints.def file (p. 46) Using Excel in connection design (p. 57)



1.1 Basics Introduction



Components are tools that you can use to automatically create the parts, welds, and bolts required to connect parts. They are linked to main parts, so, when you modify a main part, the associated component also changes.



Benefits



The main benefits of working with components are: 1.



You can save the properties of a component using an easily-identifiable name and keep it for future use. For example, you could save the properties of a W12x65 column base plate connection as W12x65.j*, and use it for several projects.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



13



2. 3. Topics



When you modify the size of a profile, Tekla Structures automatically modifies the relevant components. When you copy or move objects, Tekla Structures automatically includes all the associated components.



Component concepts (p. 14) Component catalog (p. 21) Component dialog box (p. 15) Selection order (p. 16) Up direction (p. 17) Automatic and default properties (p. 18) General tab (p. 18) Design and Design type tabs (p. 19)



Component concepts Components are tools that automate tasks and group objects so that Tekla Structures treats



them as a single unit. Components adapt to changes in the model, so that Tekla Structures automatically modifies a component if you modify the parts it connects. This is an example of how to apply a connection:



Select the main part. Select the secondary part. To see information about the connection, click the connection symbol. The connection automatically creates the required parts, fittings, bolts, etc. Component types



14



Components have the following subtypes:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



System and custom components



Item



Description



Examples



Connections



Connect two or more parts, and create all the required objects (cuts, fittings, parts, bolts, welds etc.).



Two-sided clip angle, bolted gusset.



Modeling tools



Automatically create and assemble the parts to build a structure, but does not connect the structure to existing parts. Modeling tools can include connections and details.



Stairs, frames



Details



Add a detail to a main part. A detail is only connected to one part. When you create a detail, Tekla Structures prompts you to select a part, followed by a point to locate the detail.



Stiffeners, base plates, lifting hooks



Symbol



Tekla Structures contains hundreds of system components by default. You can also create your own components, custom components. They have following subtypes:



• • • •



connection detail part seam



All components are stored in the Component catalog (p. 21). To open the component catalog, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F. See also



Custom Components (p. 61) Exploding components (p. 62)



Component dialog box The component dialog box is in two sections. Upper part



Use the upper section of the dialog box to save and load predefined settings. For more information, see Save, Load, Save as. For some components the upper section also contains buttons for accessing the bolt, weld and DSTV dialog boxes. For information on handling the saved properties, see Connection properties files.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



15



Tabs Tekla Structures uses the automatic property value The parts the component creates appear in yellow The green symbol indicates the correct direction for the connection or detail. The parts you select appear in blue. Tekla Structures uses the default property value Lower part



The lower section of the dialog box is divided into tabs. This is where you define the properties of the parts and bolts that the component creates. The most common tabs that appear here are:



•



Picture illustrates the component. It shows just one example, but you can usually use one



component in many situations.



• • • •



Parts is where you define the properties of the parts the component creates Parameters is where you set parameters to control the component (for example, for stiffeners, end plates, chamfers, etc.) Bolts is where you define the number of bolts and their edge distances General is where you define the direction of the connection or detail and AutoDefaults



rules See also



Defining parts and plates (p. 30) Defining bolts and welds (p. 33)



Selection order To create a connection you need to select or pick existing parts or points. The default selection order for a connection is: 1. 2.



16



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Main part Secondary part(s)



3.



If there is more than one secondary part, click the middle mouse button to finish selecting parts and create the connection.



Some connection dialog boxes illustrate the selection order for parts using numbers, as shown below. Select the parts in the order shown in the picture:



Details



The default selection order for a detail is: 1. 2.



Modeling tools



Main part. A point in the main part to show the location of the detail.



The default picking order for a modeling tool is: 1.



Pick one to three point(s) to show the location of the objects the modeling tool creates.



Up direction The up direction of a connection or a detail indicates how the connection is rotated around the secondary part, relative to the current work plane. If there are no secondary parts, Tekla Structures rotates the connection around the primary part. The options are: +x, -x, +y, -y, +z, -z. The Picture tab in the dialog box shows the up direction Tekla Structures will use. Tekla Structures also indicates the up direction in the connection symbol:



Manually defining up direction



To manually define the up direction: 1. 2. 3.



Double-click the connection symbol to open the connection dialog box. On the General tab, change the x, y, or z direction. Try positive directions first. Click Modify to use the new values.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



17



Automatic and default properties Some connection dialog boxes contain list boxes that show property options as graphics. You can select system defaults, AutoDefaults, or have Tekla Structures automatically set the properties. System default properties



If you leave fields in connection dialog boxes blank, Tekla Structures uses the system default properties. Manual entries, default, automatic and properties in the joints.def file, all override these system defaults. You cannot change system default properties.



Default and automatic properties



Icon



Description



More information



To have Tekla Structures use a default property in a connection, select the option marked with this symbol.



Using AutoDefaults (p. 44)



If you use AutoDefaults for the connection, Tekla Structures uses the property defined in the AutoDefaults rules. If you are not using AutoDefaults, Tekla Structures creates the connection using the system default property. If AutoDefaults have been used, the actual picture in the default option does not necessairly match the outcome. To have Tekla Structures automatically determine which option to use for a property, select the option marked with this symbol. Example, Boomerang bracing connection (60):



Use the Automatic option on the Gussetbolt1 tab to have Tekla Structures determine how the clip angle is connected to the gusset plate and beam. See also



Using the joints.def file (p. 46)



General tab Connections and details have the same General tab. It contains the following properties:



18



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Field



Description



More information



Up direction



Rotates the connection around the secondary part or detail around the main part.



Up direction



The fields next to the image define rotation angle around the x- and y-axis of the secondary. The upper one is for y- and the lower one for x. Position in relation to primary part



Available only for details. Select a checkbox next to the images to indicate the position of the definition point of the detail, relative to the main part. Use the Horizontal offset and Vertical offset fields to define the horizontal and vertical alignment of the detail, relative to the primary part.



Locked



Prevents modifications.



Locking objects



Class



A number given to all parts the connection creates. You can use class to define the color of parts in the model.



Colors



Connection code



Identifies the connection. Tekla Structures can display this connection code in connection marks in drawings.



AutoDefaults Rule Group



Automatically sets connection properties according to the selected rule group. To switch AutoDefaults off, select the rule group None.



AutoConnectio n Rule Group



Automatically switches the connection to another according to the selected rule group.



Using AutoDefaults



Design and Design type tabs Some component dialog boxes include a Design tab, others include a Design type tab. Use the options on these pages to check if the component will bear the UDL (uniform distributed load), according to AISC (ASD) specifications. This design check is intended for use with imperial units. The Design tab also contains options to:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



19



•



Use AutoDefaults rule groups to automatically modify component properties to take the calculated load. To define which AutoDefaults rule group to use, go to the General tab and select the rule in the AutoDefaults rule group list box. For more information, see Reaction forces and UDL.



•



Design tab



Use information in an Excel spreadsheet to check connection design and automatically update component properties to bear the UDL. This is useful when you want to check connection design according to other design codes. See Using Excel in connection design.



To check the design of a component that has a Design tab page: 1. 2. 3. 4.



Go to the Design tab and select Yes in the Use UDL listbox. To use information in an Excel spreadsheet in the UDL calculation, select Excel in the External design listbox. Enter the information you want to use in the calculation in the remaining fields. Select a connection in the model and click Modify. To view the results of the check, rightclick the component symbol and select Inquire from the pop-up menu.The inquire object window opens, which contains a summary of the design checks and related information.



See also Using Excel in connection design. Design type tab



To check the design of a component that has a Design type tab page: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.



Open the component properties dialog box. Go to the Design type tab and select Yes in the Check connection list box. Tekla Structures will check the connection each time it is used or changed in a model. Enter the information you want to use in the calculation in the remaining fields. Select a connection in the model and click Modify. Tekla Structures checks the component. A green component symbol indicates that the connection will bear the UDL, red indicates it will not. To view the results of the check, right-click the component symbol and select Inquire from the pop-up menu.The inquire object window opens, which contains a summary of the design checks and related information, for example:



Primary angle, Gross shear [AISC ASD F4-1 (p5-49)] applied = 250.00, allowable = 190.80, capacity = 1.31 FAIL (t = 0.5000, tmin = 0.6551) Example of design check information in the Inquire object dialog box.



20



•



The first row shows the part checked, the name of the check and a reference to the AISC specification.



•



The second row shows the applied and allowed force and how much capacity has been used.



•



The third row shows the results and possible solutions. In this example the primary angle plate was not thick enough. Tekla Structures has indicated the minimum thickness required to bear the UDL.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



1.2 Component catalog Tekla Structures contains a component catalog, where all components and sketched cross sections are stored. See also Sketched cross sections. To open the component catalog, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F, or click the Search component icon on the component toolbar (see Component catalog example (p. 21)). Topics



Using the component catalog (p. 21) Thumbnail images (p. 24) Descriptions and keywords (p. 25) Grouping components (p. 25) Customizing and saving components (p. 25)



Using the component catalog To open the component catalog, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F, or click the Search component icon on the component toolbar (see Component catalog example (p. 21)). You can do the following with components and sketched cross sections:



• • • • • • • Component catalog example



search using name, number, or keywords start creating view properties collect your own favorites define keywords edit or add descriptions import/export



This example shows the search results for the search term "Part":



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



21



Search View folders View details View thumbnails Show/ hide descriptions Create a component using the component tool you used last with its current properties. Double-click the name to set the properties and create the component. Component description Custom components have yellow symbols. System components have blue symbols. To sort a column, click the header cell. Component grouping



By default, components are grouped in folders based on their type and framing condition. You can add and remove components, and create folders and subfolders. Information on the folders you create is stored in the file ComponentCatalogTreeView.txt, located in the attributes folder in the current model folder.



22



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



The default tree settings are stored in the file ComponentCatalogTreeView.txt file, located in the folder ..\environments\*your_environment*\system. If you modify the default tree, your settings are stored in the current model folder. Creating new folders



To create new folders in the tree view, right-click a level in the tree and select an option from the pop-up menu:



• •



Create new folder to create folder at the same level Create new sub-folder to create a folder one level below



Symbols The first column in the catalog indicates the component types with following symbols:



Symbo l



Component type System connections System detail System modeling tool Custom connections and seams Custom details Custom parts Sketched cross sections



Pop-up menus System components



Right-click a system component in the Search view list to open a pop-up menu containing the following commands:



• • • • • • • • Custom components



Properties... Edit keywords... Add to Favorites Add to Search result... Remove from Search result Change picture... AutoDefaults Import



Right-click a custom component in the Search view list to open a pop-up menu containing the following commands:



• • • • • •



Properties... Edit keywords... Add to Favorites Add to Search result... Remove from Search result Change picture...



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



23



• • • • • Sketched cross sections



Export Import Edit custom component Delete custom component



Right-click a sketch in the Search view list to open a pop-up menu containing the following commands:



• • • • • • • • See also



AutoDefaults



Properties... Edit keywords... Add to Favorites Add to Search result... Remove from Search result Export Import Delete cross section sketch



Thumbnail images (p. 24) Descriptions and keywords (p. 25) Grouping components (p. 25) Managing custom components (p. 110) Sketched cross sections



Thumbnail images Most system components have a default thumbnail image in the component catalog, which shows you a typical situation where the component can be used. For example, this is what the thumbnail image for Bolted gusset (11) connection looks like:



To edit a thumbnail image for a component: 1.



Create an image and save it in bmp format in ..\Tekla Structures\ 15.0 \nt\bitmaps folder.



To create the image, you can use Create View > Default Views of Component and Screenshot commands, for example.



2. 3. 4. 5.



24



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Press Ctrl + F to open the component catalog. Right-click the component and select Change picture... Locate the thumbnail and select it. Click OK.



6.



Tekla Structures links the thumbnail to the component.



Descriptions and keywords Descriptions



To view a component description, select the component in the Component catalog. Use the



button to show or hide descriptions.



You can create new descriptions and edit existing ones:



Keywords



•



The default component descriptions are stored in the xslib.db1 file, located in the model folder.



•



To add or edit a description, type text in the description field. When you select another component in the component catalog, Tekla Structures prompts you to save the description you added or edited. After you have saved the description, save the model also.



•



Edited component descriptions are model-specific.



To add or edit keywords, right-click a component in the component catalog, and select Edit keywords...



Keywords you add or edit are saved in ComponentCatalog.txt file in the current model folder. You can combine ComponentCatalog.txt files and move them to the system folder:..\environments\*your_environment*\system.



Grouping components To create a new folder based on the results of a search:



1. 2. 3. 4. Removing components from groups



In the Component catalog, enter your search criteria and click Search. To group the search results in a new folder, click Store. In the Store search result dialog box, enter a name for the folder and click OK. The new folder appears in the tree.



To remove components from a group, right-click the component and select:



•



Remove, if it is a default group.



or



•



Remove from search result if the folder was created from a search.



Customizing and saving components Many components are suitable for use in different situations. You can define the properties of a component to use in a specific situation, then save a copy in the component catalog to use in similar situations.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



25



For example, we’ll use the Bolted gusset (11) component to connect a single brace at the base plate of column.



1.



2.



To save a copy of the component, we’ll right-click the component symbol in the model, and select Publish in catalog.... The Publish in catalog dialog box appears.



We can add the component to a specific group. By default, the component is added to the All group.



3.



By default the component uses the same thumbnail image as the original component. To change the thumbnail, see Thumbnail images (p. 24).



1.3 Using components Introduction



This section explains how to use components. It also includes an example.



Topics



Creating components (p. 27) Example (p. 27) Modifying components (p. 28) Conceptual components (p. 28) Tips on working with components (p. 29)



26



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Creating components You create different types of component in different ways. For example, you select existing parts to indicate which members a connection or a detail is attached to. You need to pick points to indicate the location or length of a detail or a modeling tool. See also Selection order (p. 16). When you create connections, Tekla Structures prompts you to select the main part (the part secondary parts connect to), then the secondary part(s). For an example of using a connection, see Example (p. 27). Status



Tekla Structures uses different-colored connection symbols to show the status of connections and details, as shown below:



Color



Status



Tip



Green



Connection created successfully.



Yellow



Connection created, but has problems.



Often occurs when bolts or holes have an edge distance less than the default value for that connection.



Red



Connection failed.



A common reason is that the up direction is not appropriate. See Up direction (p. 17).



Example When applying a component that you are unfamiliar with, accept the default properties and apply the component. Then look to see what needs to be modified. This is quicker than trying to set the values for the component before seeing what the component actually creates. This is an example of how to generate an end plate connection. The End plate (144) connection connects two beams, or a beam to a column, using a bolted end plate. To create the end plate connection: 1. 2. 3. 4.



In the Component catalog (p. 21), type "144" and click Search. Double-click the End plate (144) line. Tekla Structures displays the component dialog box and starts the End plate (144) command. Click Apply to create the component using the default properties. Tekla Structures prompts you to pick the main part (column) and then the secondary part (beam). Tekla Structures creates the connection.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



27



5.



Select the next main part or interrupt the command.



If you need to change the number of bolts or plate dimensions, for example, you need to modify the component. For more information, see Modifying components (p. 28). If you use incorrect properties, Tekla Structures may fail to create the component (see Creating components (p. 27)).



Modifying components To modify a component, double-click the component symbol in the model. The component dialog box appears. This is where you modify the component properties.



If you have Select component switched on , you do not have to pick component symbol, but you can just pick any object belonging to a component. This is the only method for selecting custom parts, because they do not have any symbol. You can also indicate which connections and details are affected by the modifications:



•



Modify connection type: If you have selected several connections details, clicking the Modify button modifies all the selected connections and details irrespective of their type. If



the connection type is not the same as in the dialog box, Tekla Structures changes the connection type.



•



Ignore other types: Tekla Structures only modifies connections and details of the type shown in dialog box.



Conceptual components Conceptual components help create a smooth workflow from engineer to detailer. Engineers do not have to consider fabrication details, they simply create conceptual components that look real. The detailer then takes the conceptual components and creates fully-detailed components that include all the information needed for fabrication, such as assemblies, cast units, and reinforcing bars. The Tekla Structures configuration you have determines which components you can create:



Type



Symbol



Conceptual



Configuration



Description



Engineering



Conceptual component does not create assembly, cast unit, or reinforcing bars. The dialog box is same as in detailed component, but does not contain fields for part and assembly positions.



Rectang ular Detailed



Steel Detailing Precast Concrete Detailing Round



28



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Full



Fully detailed component contains part and assembly numbering fields and creates needed assemblies, cast units and reinforcing bars.



Changing component type



You cannot create conceptual components using the Steel Detailing, Precast Concrete Detailing, or Full configurations, but they do include a tool that you can use to change individual conceptual components to detailed components. The Engineering configuration also includes a tool to change individual detailed components into conceptual components. To change a conceptual component to a detailed component: 1. 2.



Select the component symbol. Click Detailing > Component > Convert to Detailing Component.



Changing part properties, such as changing the size of the main part, do not automatically change the component type. So someone using the Engineering configuration can change the model without automatically changing detailed components back to conceptual ones.



Tips on working with components No component created



If you have difficulty applying a component, check the status bar for prompts. For example, you may need to click the middle mouse button to stop selecting parts, before Tekla Structures creates the component.



Many parts found



If you are applying a connection that only allows for one secondary member, you may see the message Many parts found on the status bar. This means that Tekla Structures cannot determine which parts to connect. You may have several parts in the same location, or the view may be set too deep.



Switch parts on/ off



If the component does not create the parts you need by default (for example, stiffener plates), look for a switch to turn them on. If there is no switch, try entering a value in the thickness field for that part (for example, on the Stiffeners tab). If the component creates parts you do not need, look for the switch to turn them off. If there is no switch, enter a zero (0) in the thickness field for that part.



Default: Tekla Structures creates stiffeners or uses value retrieved from AutoDefaults. Automatic: Tekla Structures creates or omits stiffeners depending on the situation in the model. Tekla Structures does not create stiffeners



Tekla Structures creates stiffeners.



Entering valid profiles



You need to specify profiles for some components. If a component fails, try entering a valid profile.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



29



1.4 Defining parts and plates Use the Parts tab to define the parts that Tekla Structures creates when you use a component. Topics



Using the dialog box (p. 30) Dimensioning parts (p. 30) Defining materials (p. 32)



Using the dialog box Some components list all parts on one tab, others list parts on separate tabs as shown in the following examples. One Parts tab



Where there is one tab, the label is usually Parts or Plates.



Several Parts tabs



Plates can also appear on separate tabs. For example, in connection 56, Corner tube gusset, the parts appear on both the Gusset and Tube diag tabs.



Dimensioning parts Use the Parts tabs to dimension specific part types in components.



To delete a part, enter zero (0) in the t (thickness) field.



30



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Plates Enter the following dimensions for plates:



Dimension



Description



t



Plate thickness



b



Plate width



h



Plate height



You do not have to enter these dimensions for every component type, as Tekla Structures determines the plate shape differently for different components. For example, in end plate connections, Tekla Structures calculates width and height using the number of bolts and bolt edge distances. Click Help in a component dialog box to check which dimensions you need to enter.



Beams To specify a library or parametric profile to use for beams:



•



Enter the profile name.



•



Or click



, and select a profile from the profile catalog.



The profile must exist in the profile catalog.



Part position number Use the Pos_no field to enter the part position number for each part the component creates. This overrides the settings on the Tools > Options > Options... > Components tab. Specify a prefix and a start number, as shown below.



Prefix Start number Some component dialog boxes have a second row of Pos_no fields for you to enter the assembly position number.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



31



Using the Components tab To set the default prefix and start number for all the parts that components create, click Tools > Options > Options... > Components. You define different prefixes and start numbers



according to the part’s relationship to other parts in the component. Separate the prefix and part number using the \ character (for example, p\1).



Prefix Part number



Defining materials To define the materials for the parts that components create, click against the Material field. Tekla Structures opens the Select Material dialog box. Click a material type, then click the material to use for the part.



32



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Using the Components tab To set the default part material for the parts that components create, click Tools > Options > Options... > Components tab, and use the Part material field. Tekla Structures uses this default if you leave the Material field blank in the component dialog box when you apply the component.



1.5 Defining bolts and welds Use the Bolts or Welds tabs to define which bolts, assemblies, and welds to use in specific components. Topics



Using the Bolts tab (p. 34) Defining bolts (p. 35) Creating holes (p. 35) Number of bolts and spacing (p. 36) Bolt group orientation (p. 36) Bolt group pattern (p. 36) Edge distance (p. 37) Bolt position (p. 37) Defining slotted holes (p. 39) Deleting bolts (p. 40) Defining bolt assemblies (p. 41) Welds (p. 41)



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



33



Using the Bolts tab This illustration shows the properties you can set on the Bolts tab of component dialog boxes:



Slotted hole dimensions Slotted to create slotted hole in part Check bolt components to include (bolt, washer, screw). Shank length protruding from the nut Bolt spacing - vertical Number of bolts Enter bolt order number of bolt to delete. Edge distance



34



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Bolt spacing (horizontal) Number of bolts Bolt group pattern Horizontal Vertical



Defining bolts Use the following fields on the Bolts tab to specify the type of bolts to use in individual components:



Dialog box text



Description



Bolt size



Must be defined in the bolt assembly catalog. See also The bolt and bolt assembly catalogs.



Bolt standard



The bolt standard to use inside the component. Must be defined in the bolt assembly catalog.



Tolerance



Gap between bolt and hole.



Thread in mat



Indicate if the thread can be inside bolted parts when using bolts with a shaft. Has no effect if using full-threaded bolts.



Site/Workshop



Location where bolts should be attached.



Increasing bolt length To allow for additional material thickness, increase the length of the bolt on the Bolts tab. For example, you could use this for painted parts. Enter extra bolt length



Tekla Structures uses this value in bolt length calculation. See Bolt length calculation.



Creating holes To only create a hole, deselect all the components in the illustration on the Bolts tab.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



35



Number of bolts and spacing Use the Bolts tab to specify the number of bolts and bolt spacing, both horizontally and vertically. Enter the number of bolts in the shorter field, and the spacing between bolts in the longer field, as shown below. Use a space to separate bolt spacing values. Enter a value for each space between bolts. Example



For example, if there are 3 bolts, enter 2 values.



Number of bolts Bolt spacing The settings above result in this bolt group layout:



Bolt group orientation Some connections include the following options on the Bolts tab to orientate bolt groups:



Option



Description Square. Staggered in the direction of the secondary part.



Sloped in the direction of the secondary part.



Bolt group pattern For some components you can select different bolt group patterns. You have the following options:



36



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Option



Edge distance Edge distance is the distance from the center of a bolt to the edge of the part. Enter top, bottom, left, and right edge distances on the Bolts tab. A dimension line on the illustration shows each dimension. See also Using the joints.def file (p. 46).



Edge distance dimension line Enter edge distances here



Bolt position In the list box on the Bolts tab, select an option to indicate how to measure dimensions for vertical and horizontal bolt position. Then enter the dimension in the fields indicated below. If you leave this field blank, Tekla Structures uses a system default value.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



37



Enter dimensions Measure dimension from....



Vertical bolt position Use these options to indicate how Tekla Structures measures vertical dimensions:



Option



Dimension from



Top



Upper edge of secondary part to uppermost bolt.



Middle



Centerline of bolts to centerline of secondary part.



Bottom



Lower edge of secondary part to lowest bolt.



Illustration



Horizontal bolt position Use these options to indicate how Tekla Structures measures horizontal dimensions:



38



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Option



Dimension from



Left



Left edge of secondary part to far left bolt.



Middle



Centerline of bolts.



Right



Right edge of secondary part to far right bolt.



Illustration



Defining slotted holes To define slotted holes in components: 1. 2. 3. 4.



Open the component properties dialog box and click on the Bolts tab. Different bolt groups may appear on different tabs in different dialog boxes. Set Hole type to Slotted. Select which parts have slotted holes from the Slots in list box. Select No to create round holes. To shape slotted holes, enter the x or y dimensions of the hole. To produce a round hole, enter zero (0) for both dimensions.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



39



Slotted hole length = x or y dimension + Bolt size + Tolerance



For some components you can specify which parts have slotted holes using the Bolts tab. For example, Clip angle (141), Shear plate simple (146).



You can also use the Bolt command to modify bolt groups after creating components. For more information, see Holes.



Deleting bolts To delete bolts from a bolt group: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Example



Double click the component symbol to open the component dialog box. Go to the Bolts tab. Check Delete. Enter the bolt number(s) of the bolt(s) to delete, separated by a space. Bolt numbers run left to right and top down. Click Modify to change the selected component. Click OK to exit the component dialog box.



You start with this bolt group:



You enter the following bolt numbers:



40



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



The bolt group now looks like this:



Defining bolt assemblies On the illustration on the Bolts tab, check the pieces to use in the bolt assembly (bolt, washers, and nuts).



To change the bolt assemblies in the current component: 1. 2. 3. 4.



Click the component symbol to select it. Check the pieces to use. Check Effect in modify. Click the Modify button.



Welds To define the properties of the welds Tekla Structures uses in a component, click the Welds button in the component properties dialog box. Tekla Structures displays the appropriate weld dialog box. The illustration identifies each weld using a number. For each weld, use row 1 to define the arrow side of the weld, and row 2 for the other side.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



41



See also



Welds



1.6 AutoConnection Introduction



Use AutoConnection to automatically select and apply connections with predefined properties to selected parts. Use AutoConnection to have Tekla Structures automatically create similar connections for similar framing conditions.



Topics



Using AutoConnection (p. 42)



Using AutoConnection Use AutoConnection to have Tekla Structures automatically create connections using a predefined set of rules, or rule group. Creating connections



42



To create connections using AutoConnection: 1. 2. 3.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Pick the parts to connect. Click Detailing > AutoConnection... to display the AutoConnection dialog box. Select a rule group in the first list box on the Rule groups tab as shown below.



Rule group for AutoConnection Rule group for AutoDefaults 4.



Click the Create connections button.



When you use AutoConnection, Tekla Structures ignores the properties in the connection dialog boxes and creates connections using the properties defined in the rule group. Tekla Structures does not modify existing connections. You can change the properties of connections you create using AutoConnection. Additional options



Use the options on the Advanced tab to indicate which rule groups you want to use for each Framing condition (beam to beam web, beam to beam flange, etc.). You also have the option not to apply a rule group, or to apply a specific connection.



Example



You can use a rule group for all framing types other than beam to column flange, and indicate a particular connection to use for that framing type.



Options



Use Connection selection to indicate your preferences for each framing condition. You have the following options:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



43



Option



Result



None



Tekla Structures does not create a connection.



AutoConnection



Tekla Structures applies the connection defined in the rule group you have indicated in the first list box on the Rule groups tab.



A named connection



Click Select to pick from a list of available connections. Click a connection, then OK. Tekla Structures creates the connection you specify using the default properties. See Automatic and default properties (p. 18).



Use Parameters selection to indicate which connection properties you want to use. The options are:



Option



Result



AutoDefaults



Tekla Structures applies the properties of the rule group you have indicated in the first list box on Rule groups tab.



No AutoDefaults



Tekla Structures applies the default connection properties. See Automatic and default properties (p. 18).



1.7 AutoDefaults Introduction



Use AutoDefaults to automatically apply connections. When you use AutoDefaults, Tekla Structures automatically creates connections with predefined properties. For example, you can use AutoDefaults to automatically adjust the thickness of each base plate you create, according to the primary part profile. If the primary part profile changes, Tekla Structures will also automatically adjust the thickness of the base plate.



Topics



Using AutoConnection (p. 42) Using AutoDefaults (p. 44) How to use AutoDefaults effectively (p. 45) Checking AutoDefaults properties (p. 46) Checking AutoDefaults rules (p. 46)



Using AutoDefaults With AutoDefaults you can have Tekla Structures apply connection properties using a predefined set of rules. You can use AutoDefaults together with AutoConnection to define connection properties, or separately to define the properties of a single connection. To use AutoDefaults for a single connection: 1. 2.



44



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Open the connection dialog box. On the General tab, select a rule group (the rule group cannot be None).



3.



On all the tabs, set the fields that you want AutoDefaults to override to Default by



4.



selecting the options marked with the arrow symbol. Click Apply to create the connection using AutoDefaults.



To quickly set all the fields in a dialog box to Default, load in the connection dialog box.



How to use AutoDefaults effectively Use default values when you create a connection, then use AutoDefaults to modify the properties. If you manually modify connection properties after using AutoDefaults, Tekla Structures will not automatically update the connection properties, even if AutoDefaults is active. AutoDefaults does not change connection properties that have been modified. It only modifies connection properties in fields containing the default properties.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



45



For example, you have manually set a base plate thickness of 20 mm in the Base plate dialog box of a connection. AutoDefaults is active and sets plate thickness according to the primary part profile. If you modify the primary part profile, Tekla Structures does not update the base plate thickness. It remains at 20 mm.



Checking AutoDefaults properties To check the properties AutoDefaults has applied to a connection: 1. 2. 3.



Double-click the connection symbol to open the connection dialog box. In the list box in the upper left corner of the dialog box, select . Click Load. Tekla Structures shows the applied properties in the fields. You can also see all the combined properties used for that connection.



Checking AutoDefaults rules You can check which rules AutoDefaults has used for a particular connection. 1. 2.



Select the connection symbol and right-click. Select Inquire.



Tekla Structures shows the rule group and rule sets that the connection passed. You can also see all the properties files used for that connection.



1.8 Using the joints.def file This section explains how to use the joints.def text file to set the default properties for different connection types. Not all connections use joints.def.



If you are new to using joints.def, we suggest you read each of the topics in this section thoroughly before making any changes.



Topics



About joints.def (p. 46) Defining general defaults (p. 48) Defining bolt diameter and number of rows (p. 49) Defining other bolt and part properties (p. 50) How Tekla Structures uses joints.def (p. 56) Connections that use joints.def (p. 57)



About joints.def Changing the joints.def file changes the default values for different connection types. You can open the joints.def file in any standard text editor.



46



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Tekla Structures only uses the values in joints.def for blank fields. AutoDefaults and manual entries override joints.def.



If you use joints.def, you can still use some system default properties. To force Tekla Structures to use the system default for a particular property, give it the value -2147483648 in joints.def. By default, Tekla Structures includes the joints.def file in the system folder. Tekla Structures searches for joints.def in the standard search order.



How joints.def works For each connection type, Tekla Structures follows these steps to assign bolt and part properties. 1.



Tekla Structures determines bolt diameter and number of bolts according to the following criteria:



Connection type



According to



Clip angle



Secondary beam height



Shear plate



Secondary beam height



End plate



Secondary beam height



Gusset



Length of angle profile



Diagonal



Height of angle profile



2.



Tekla Structures uses bolt diameter to assign other bolt and part properties.



How to read joints.def Lines beginning with // are comment lines. They are there to help you read the file, Tekla Structures does not use the information in comment lines. The first few lines contain some general settings: Set the following line to the unit of measure appropriate to the version you are using (for example, inches in the Imperial version).



To have Tekla Structures use the default values in joints.def, set the following line to 1. Set it to 0 to have Tekla Structures use the system defaults.



Properties for each connection type appear in individual sections, as shown below. Each section begins with a header row containing the column labels. Do not add columns to the file.



Entering values When you edit joints.def:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



47



• • • •



Enter absolute values or names Do not use feet and inch symbols Ensure that profiles exist in the profile catalog Ensure bolts exist in the bolt catalog.



Defining general defaults If Tekla Structures cannot find a property for a connection in the connection-specific sections of joints.def, it looks for the default property in the General section. Example



In clip angles, Tekla Structures uses the default bolt diameter in the General section if the secondary beam height is larger than the highest value in the Clip angle section of joints.def. The properties in the General section of joints.def are:



48



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Properties



Description



boltdia



Bolt diameter.



pitch



Distance from the center of one bolt to the center of the next.



clipweld



Weld size.



angle-cc-inc



Tekla Structures adds bolt to bolt distance and web thickness, then rounds the result up by this value. Complies with US AISC standard.



lprofgapinc



Tekla Structures rounds the angle profile gap up by this value. Complies with US AISC standard.



lsize



Size of the angle profile.



copedepth



Determines notch size.



copelength



Determines notch size.



boltedge



Edge distance.



webplatelen



Haunch plate height (h).



webplatewid



Haunch plate width (b).



beamedge



Distance from the upper edge of the angle profile to the top of the secondary beam.



knifeclr



No longer used.



clipedge



Edge distance for bolts (clip angles only).



gap



No longer used.



shearplatethk



Shear plate thickness.



endplatethk



End plate thickness.



shearweld



Size of weld.



cliplsize



Size of angle profile (clip angles only).



flangecutclear



Flange cut clearance.



slotsize



Size of slotted hole.



Properties



Description



clipslots



Which part gets slotted holes: 1 for beam 2 for angle profiles 3 for both Refers to the Slots in list box options on the Bolts tab. See individual connection help for details.



clipattach



How the clip angle is attached to the secondary and primary parts: 1 is Both bolted 2 is Primary bolted / Secondary welded 3 is Primary not welded 4 is Primary welded / Secondary bolted 5 is Both welded 6 is Primary not bolted 7 is Secondary not welded 8 is Secondary not bolted 9 is Both bolted / welded Refers to the attachment type list box options on the Bolts tab. See individual connection help for details.



copedepthinc



Tekla Structures rounds cope depth up using this value.



copelengthinc



Tekla Structures rounds cope length using this value.



Defining bolt diameter and number of rows Before you start, read How joints.def works (p. 47). Use the rows beginning with BOLTHEIGHT in each connection-specific section of joints.def to define the default bolt diameter and default number of horizontal bolt rows for the following connection types:



• • •



Clip angle, shear plate, and end plate connections (p. 49) Gusset connections (p. 50) Diagonal connections (p. 50)



Clip angle, shear plate, and end plate connections Tekla Structures calculates the default bolt diameter and number of rows horizontally according to the height of the secondary beam. You can enter the following properties:



Property



Description



name



Use the name BOLTHEIGHT



part



Use the part name ANGLECLIP



sec.beam.height



Height of secondary beam



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



49



Property



Description



diameter



Bolt diameter. Must exist in the bolt catalog.



number_of_bolts



Number of bolts horizontally



Gusset connections Tekla Structures calculates the default bolt diameter and number of bolt rows horizontally according to the length of the angle profile. You can enter the following properties:



Property



Description



name



Use the name BOLTHEIGHT



part



Use the part name GUSSET



lproflength



Length of angle profile



or angleproflength diameter



Bolt diameter. Must exist in bolt catalog



number_of_bolts



Number of bolts horizontally



Diagonal connections Tekla Structures calculates the default bolt diameter and number of bolt rows horizontally according to the height of the angle profile. You can enter the following properties:



Property



Description



name



Use the name BOLTHEIGHT



part



Use the part name DIAGONAL



profileheight



Height of angle profile



diameter



Bolt diameter. Must exist in bolt catalog.



number_of_bolts



Number of bolts (horizontally)



Defining other bolt and part properties Before you start, read How joints.def works (p. 47). Once Tekla Structures has used joints.def to calculate bolt diameter, it uses the result to assign other properties to bolts and parts, according to connection type. Example



Enter the default properties for bolts and parts in clip angle connections in the rows beginning ANGLECLBOLTPART in the CLIP ANGLE section of joints.def.



Properties lookup table



The table below lists the properties you assign for bolts and parts for each connection type. Gusset and diagonal connections have additional properties. See Gusset connection properties (p. 51) and Diagonal connection properties (p. 54).



Key to lookup table



50



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Connection type



Full name



C



Clip angle



S



Shear plate



E



End plate



G



Gusset



D



Diagonal



Connection Type Property



Description



C



S



E



G



D



name



Identifies the connection type.



*



*



*



*



*



*



*



*



*



*



Example GUSSETBOLTPART for gusset connections. bolt diameter



Bolt diameter. Must exist in the bolt catalog. See also Profile typedependent bolt dimensions (p. 55)



shear plate thickness



Thickness of shear plate



end plate thickness



Thickness of end plate



gusset thickness



Thickness of the gusset



conn. plate thickness



Thickness of the connection plate



angle profile



Name of the angle profile to use:



or L profile



•



Must exist in the profile catalog



• •



Enter the exact name



* * * * *



*



*



Example: L100*100*10



number



Number of bolts in each row:



• •



*



*



*



*



*



*



*



*



*



vertically horizontally



pitch



Distance between bolts from the center of each bolt. For vertical and horizontal bolts



*



*



edge distance



Distance from the center of a bolt to the edge of the part. For vertical and horizontal bolts



*



*



*



vert.bolt firsthole



Position of the first vertical row of bolts



*



*



*



Gusset connection properties Enter these additional default properties in the row beginning GUSSETDEFDIM. Not all gusset connections use all these properties:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



51



Affects plate shape



Option



Description



name



GUSSETDEFDIM



boltdia_def



Bolt diameter for all bolt groups. Leave the Bolt size field blank in the dialog box to have Tekla Structures use the value in joints.def.



tol_prim



See illustration.



tol_sec



See illustration.



dist_diag_prim



Clearance between the first secondary part picked and the primary part.



dist_diag_sec



Perpendicular distance from last secondary part picked to the nearest secondary.



angle_first_corner



See illustration.



Yes



angle_sec_corner



See illustration.



Yes



dist_between_diag



Clearance between braces.



first_bolt_from_lin e



Bolt edge distance for the bolt groups on the Gusset tab.



corner_dx



See illustration.



corner_dy



See illustration.



movey



On the Gusset tab:



movey movez



On the Gusset tab:



movez dist1



The length of the edge of the gusset plate that is perpendicular to the lowest brace.



Yes



dist2



The length of the edges of the gusset plate perpendicular to the braces.



Yes



dist3



The length of the edge of the gusset plate perpendicular to the uppermost brace.



Yes



tol_lprof



See illustration.



tol_stiffener



Tolerance of stiffener.



chamfer_dx chamfer_dy



Dimensions of stiffener chamfer on the Gusset tab:



chamfer_corner_dx



chamfer_corner_dx



chamfer_corner_dy chamfer-corner_dy



52



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Option



Description



Affects plate shape



side_length diafit_length



Fit length in connection 19. Leave the Distance gusset flanges cut field blank in the dialog box to have Tekla Structures use the value in joints.def.



The illustration below shows the properties on the Picture tab of the Boomerang wrapped diagonal (58) connection dialog box.



tol_lprof corner_dy corner_dx dist_diag_sec tol_sec angle_sec_corner dist3 dist_between_diag dist2 dist1



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



53



dist_diag_prim tol_prim



Diagonal connection properties Enter these additional default properties for bolts and parts in the rows beginning DIAGDEFDIM. Not all diagonal connections use all these properties:



Property



Description



name



DIAGDEFDIM



boltdia_def



Bolt diameter for all bolt groups. Leave the Bolt size field blank in the dialog box to have Tekla Structures use the value in joints.def.



dist_gus_diag



Gap between the gusset plate and the brace. If tube profiles are closed with end plates, the gap between the gusset plate and the end plate.



dist_in



Depth of the cut in the brace. Enter a negative value to prevent the connection plate from being inside the tube brace.



dist_dv



Distance from the edge of the brace to the edge of the connection plate. This dimension changes the width of the connection plate.



sec_cut_tol



On the Tube diag tab:



slot_length_tol sec_cut_tol slot_length_tol tube_cut_tol



On the Tube diag tab:



tube_cut_tol conn_cut_dx conn_cut_dy



On the Tube diag tab: conn_cut_dy



conn_cut_dx round_plate_tol



On the Tube diag tab: end_plate_thk



54



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Property



Description



flanges_cut_angle



On the Brace conn tab:



dist_flanges_cut



flanges_cut_angle



dist_skew_cut dist_flanges_cut dist_skew_cut end_plate_thk



End plate field t in the Tube diag tab.



This illustration shows the properties that appear on the Picture tab of the Tube crossing (22) connection:



dist_dv dist_in dist_gus_diag



Profile type-dependent bolt dimensions For some connections, Tekla Structures calculates bolt size according to profile size. For example, Clip angle (141) and Two sided clip angle (143) connections. In this type of connection, Tekla Structures takes bolt size from the PROFILE TYPEDEPENDENT BOLT DIMENSIONS section of joints.def, if you leave the corresponding fields blank on the Bolts tab in the connection dialog box, as shown below:



The options are:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



55



Example



Property



Description



width



Width of the profile



one bolt firsthole



For single bolts, distance from the heel of the profile angle to the first hole.



two bolts firsthole



For two bolts, distance from the heel of the profile angle to the first hole.



pitch



Distance between bolts from the center of each bolt. For vertical and horizontal bolts.



To find the bolt dimensions to use with an L6X6X1/2 profile in a clip angle connection: 1.



Tekla Structures searches the rows beginning PROFILEBOLTDIM for L6X6X1/2 in the PROFILE TYPE-DEPENDENT BOLT DIMENSIONS section of joints.def.



2.



If there is no match, Tekla Structures searches the rows beginning ANGLECLBOLTPART in the CLIP ANGLE section of joints.def.



How Tekla Structures uses joints.def This example explains how Tekla Structures calculates bolt diameter and other properties using joints.def. We are using a Bolted gusset (11) connection. The height of the diagonal profile is 10".



•



Tekla Structures calculates bolt size and number of bolts according to profile height. It searches the BOLTHEIGHT rows for a profile height of 10".



•



The profile height is greater than 8.0 but less than 12.0, so Tekla Structures uses the row with the profile height 8.0. This sets the bolt diameter to 0.75.



•



Tekla Structures assigns the bolt and part properties according to the bolt diameter. It searches the DIAGBOLTPART rows for a bolt diameter of 0.75.



Result



Property



Value



Bolt diameter



0.75



Number of bolts horizontally



2



Edge distance horizontally



1.5



Edge distance vertically



1.5



Distance between bolts horizontally



2.5



Distance between bolts vertically



system default



Tekla Structures does not use the connection plate thickness or angle profile properties in this connection.



56



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Connections that use joints.def Only the following connections use joints.def



Connections



Connections



Two sided angle cleat (25)



Boomerang bracing cross (60)



Beam with stiffener (129)



Corner bolted gusset (57)



Column with shear plate (131)



Boomerang tube diagonal (59)



Bolted moment connection (134)



Corner tube gusset (56)



Clip angle (141)



Boomerang wrapped diagonal (58)



Two sided end plate (142)



Corner wrapped gusset (63)



Two sided clip angle (143)



Bolted gusset (11)



End plate (144)



Bracing cross (19)



Shear plate simple (146)



Tube gusset (20)



Welded to top flange (147)



Tube crossing (22)



Welded to top flange S (149)



Gusset wrapped cross (62)



Moment connection (181)



Wrapped cross (61)



Column with stiffeners W (182)



Welded gusset (10)



Full depth (184) Full depth S (185) Column with stiffeners (186) Column with stiffeners S (187) Column with stiffeners (188) Bent plate (190) Shear plate tube column (189)



1.9 Using Excel in connection design You can link system components and Excel spreadsheets, so when a component is applied or modified, an associated Excel spreadsheet application can be run. The configuration information is passed from the component to the spreadsheet, calculation run within the spreadsheet and component properties passed back to the connection.



You can use Excel in connection design for all steel components that have the Design tab in their properties dialog box.



Tekla Structures includes sample spreadsheet for connection design and a template spreadsheet you should use to create your own spreadsheet applications to use with Tekla Structures components. Before you start:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



57



• •



Create the connections and parts. Create the Excel spreadsheet for connection type, or use a predefined file. See more in Setting up Excel files (p. 58).



To use the Excel spreadsheet for connection design: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Topics



Double-click the connection to open the connection properties dialog box. Go to the Design (or Design type) tab and select Excel in the External design list box. Click Modify. The connection properties are transferred from Tekla Structures to a connection type specific Excel spreadsheet, where the properties are calculated. The calculated properties are saved to an output file. The modified properties are transferred back to Tekla Structures and the connection is modified according to the changes.



Setting up Excel files (p. 58) Sample implementation (p. 59) Indicating component status (p. 60)



Setting up Excel files The following list describes what kind of files are needed for performing connection design with Excel:



• •



Visual Basic script file linking Tekla Structures with external software. Excel spreadsheet containing calculations.



• •



•



When you run the connection design, the connection properties and information of the main and secondary parts are transferred to the Input and Component sheets of the spreadsheet.



Connection specific result file, which displays the modified connection properties is stored to model folder.



• • • File names and locations



Component type specific spreadsheet, which contains predefined calculations.



This file is created automatically from the Calculation sheet of the spreadsheet. The file is updated each time you modify the connection. Calculation results can be stored as Excel spreadsheet, HTML or PDF format, depending on how calculation spreadsheet is configured.



Excel.vb file (located in the ...\nt\bin\plugins folder) defines the Excel spreadsheet file names and the locations. Excel searches for the spreadsheet in the following order and with following name: 1.



File named "component_ + number or name + .xls", from the current model folder: ..\*model folder*\exceldesign For example, ..\test_model\exceldesign\component_144.xls



2.



File name and path defined with variable XS_EXTERNAL_EXCEL_DESIGN_PATH : XS_EXTERNAL_EXCEL_DESIGN_PATH (=%XS_DIR%\environments\common\exceldesign\) + "component_" + number + ".xls"



By default, the result file is stored in the model folder, and named with component ID (For example, component_9502_res.xls).



58



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Sample implementation Below is descibed the contents of an Excel spreadsheet which is used for End plate (144) connection: When user clicks Modify in the End plate (144) properties dialog box, Excel.vb file calls Excel spreadsheet named component_144.xls. Contents



The sample spreadsheet includes the following sheets: Inputs (user inputs on connection dialog).



•



Tekla Structures transfers the component properties from the component properties dialog box to this sheet.



Component



•



Tekla Structures transfers the component geometry and information on the main and secondary parts (for example, part profiles) into this sheet. The component attributes in the spreadsheet are the same as in the corresponding .inp file. See more about .inp files in Input files.



•



This sheet includes calculations (the calculations can be as Visual Basic macros in the sheet).



Calculation



•



Summary of calculation is collected to the Calculation sheet. This page or full Excel spreadsheet can be stored as a report of the calculation.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



59



Outputs



•



Excel adds the modified values to the Output sheet. These values are tranferred back to the connection and connection in the model is modified accordingly.



Indicating component status When you use Excel in connection design, you can have Tekla Structures use different colored component symbols to indicate the status of a component in the model. To do this, include the error attribute on the Output page of the Excel spreadsheet for the component. The possible values are:



Value



Color



Status



1



Green



Bolt edge distances are sufficient. Passes the connection design check using the UK and US design codes embedded in the system.



2



Yellow



Bolt edge distances are insufficient according to the value in Tools > Options > Options... > Components.



3



Red



Tekla Structures cannot calculate the component properties. Possible reasons include:



• • • •



60



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started



Incorrect connection direction Incorrect workplane Inappropriate connection selected The connection design check was carried out using the embedded UK and US design codes and the connection cannot support the loading defined by the user.



2



Introduction



Custom Components



Tekla Structures contains a set of tools for defining intelligent connections, parts, seams, and details, called custom components. You can create your own components, similar to Tekla Structures system components. Tekla Structures creates a dialog box for the custom component, which you can easily customize, if required. You can then use custom components in the same way as any Tekla Structures system component.



You can also edit custom components to create parametric custom components that automatically adjust to changes in the model. Audience



This chapter is aimed at people who know how to use Tekla Structures components.



Contents



This chapter includes the following topics, which are the steps you follow to create custom components:



• • • • • • •



Defining custom components (p. 62) Editing custom components (p. 69) Defining variables (p. 73) Functions to use in formulas (p. 83) Defining custom component properties (p. 91) Managing and using custom components (p. 103) Custom components reference (p. 116)



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



61



2.1 Defining custom components Introduction



You can build custom components either by exploding and modifying an existing component, or by creating the component objects individually. You then define a custom component by selecting the objects to include in the custom component, and specifying the information the user needs to input, for example, main part, secondary parts, or points they need to pick. You can now apply the custom component in a similar location in the model to where it was originally created.



To create a parametric custom component, you need to do some more editing. For more information, see Editing custom components (p. 69).



Go to Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component to define the properties of a new custom component. To browse a list of custom components, 1. 2. Topics



Press Ctrl + F to open the Component catalog. Select Search results > Custom.



Exploding components (p. 62) Defining a custom component (p. 62) Custom component types (p. 66) Custom component basic properties (p. 68)



Exploding components Explode Component is a very useful command to use when defining custom components. It



ungroups the objects in an existing component, you can then remove and modify parts and other objects in the component. To explode a component: 1. 2. 3.



Click Detailing > Component > Explode component. Select the component to explode. Tekla Structures ungroups the objects in the component.



Defining a custom component You can define and save custom components in the component library. Before you can define a custom component, you need to create a sample component in the model containing all the necessary component objects, such as parts, fittings, bolts, and so on.



To quickly create a custom component, explode a similar existing component, then change it to suit your needs. See Exploding components (p. 62).



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TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Use the Custom Component Wizard on the Detailing menu to define the properties of a new custom component. See the following example.



Follow the steps in the custom component wizard. Some steps are different for different types of custom component.



Example



In the following example we will create a custom component based on an existing end plate component that we have exploded.



To explode a component, select the component, right-click and select Explode Component from the pop-up menu.



1.



Click Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component... to open the Custom Component Wizard dialog box.



2. 3.



On the Type/Notes tab, set Type to Connection. Enter a Name for the custom component. On the Position and Advanced tabs, set the Position type and other properties for the custom component. For more information to other properties, see Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component... (p. 117). Click Next. Select the objects to use in the custom component and click Next.



4. 5.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



63



You can use area select to select the objects to include. Tekla Structures ignores the main part, secondary parts, grids and component symbols when you are selecting objects to include in the custom component. 6.



64



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Select the main part and click Next.



7.



Select the secondary part(s). To pick several secondary part(s), hold down the Shift key while you pick the parts. The maximum number of secondary parts in a custom component is 30.



Pay attention to the order in which you pick secondary parts. The custom component will use the same picking order when you use it in a model.



8.



Click Finish.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



65



9.



Tekla Structures displays a component symbol for the new component.



You have now defined a simple custom component, which you can use in similar locations to where it was originally created. This component is not parametric and Tekla Structures does not adjust dimensions to suit any changes in the model. To create a parametric custom component, see Editing custom components (p. 69). See also



Custom component basic properties (p. 68) Custom component types (p. 66)



Custom component types Custom component types are:



66



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Type



Description



Connectio n



Creates connection objects and connects secondary part(s) to a main part.



Example



Component symbol is green.



Detail



Creates detail objects and connects them to a main part at a picked location. Component symbol is green.



Seam



Creates seam objects and connects parts along a line picked with two points. Component symbol is green.



Part



Creates a group of objects which may contain connections and details. Gets no symbol, has same position properties as beams.



Main part Secondary part



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



67



Custom component basic properties Tekla Structures automatically creates each custom component with a set of basic properties, which we describe in this section. To view the properties of a custom component: 1. 2. 3. Basic properties of custom connections, seams, and details



Press Ctrl + F to open the Component catalog. In the Search result listbox, select Custom. A list of custom components appears in the lower pane. Double-click a custom component on the list to open its properties dialog box.



Custom connections, seams, and details have the following basic properties:



Field



Description



More information



Up direction



Rotates the component.



Up direction (p. 17)



Position in relation to secondary part



The creation point of the component relative to the main part.



General tab (p. 18)



Available for details by default. To use this property in connections and seams, select the Allow multiple instances of connection between same parts checkbox on the Advanced tab when you create



the component.



Basic properties of custom parts



68



Class



The class of the parts that the custom component creates.



Parts



Connection code



Identifies the connection. Tekla Structures can display this connection code in connection marks in drawings.



Mark content



AutoDefaults rule group



The rule group used for setting the connection properties.



Using AutoDefaults (p. 44)



AutoConnection rule group



The rule group Tekla Structures uses to select the connection.



Using AutoConnection (p. 42)



Custom parts have the following basic properties:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Field



Description



More information



On plane



Changes part location on work plane.



Position on the work plane



Rotation



Rotates part in steps of 90 degrees.



Rotation



Field



Description



More information



At depth



Changes part location perpendicular to work plane.



Position depth



Show third handle



Sets the third handle of a nested custom part to be visible in the desired direction.



Part position



You can bind the third handle in the desired direction and thus force the part to follow the rotation of another part. You have the following options:



•



Above: the handle is shown



above the first handle in custom part local coordinate system.



•



On the left: the handle is



shown on the left-hand side of the first handle in custom part local coordinate system.



• See also



No: the third handle is not shown.



Defining a custom component (p. 62) Using a custom component (p. 110) Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component... (p. 117)



2.2 Editing custom components Introduction



To make a simple custom component parametric, so that it adapts to changes in the model, you must edit it in the Custom component editor. Here you can build dependencies between component objects and model objects. For example, you could specify that the size of a stiffener depends on the size of the beam. So, if you change the size of the beam, the size of the stiffener also changes. You can also add distance variables, for example to specify the gap between a plate and a beam.



Topics



Custom component editor (p. 69) Plane types (p. 125) Construction plane (p. 126)



Custom component editor Use the custom component editor to modify custom components and create intelligent, parametric custom components. First, create a custom component in the model. Opening the editor



To open the custom component editor: 1.



Click Detailing > Component > Edit Custom Component.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



69



2.



Select the custom component. The Custom component editor opens. It shows the Custom component editor toolbar, the Custom component browser and four views of the custom component.



Custom parts do not have a component symbol. To be able to select custom parts, select the Select component icon on the Select switches toolbar. Custom component toolbar



The toolbar contains the following icons and list boxes:



Icon/ List box



Description Creates a distance. Creates a reference distance. Creates distances automatically. Creates a construction plane. Creates a construction line.



Plane types



Displays plane types you can use when defining distance variables. For more information, see Plane types (p. 125).



Position types



Define the position (or origin) of the custom component, relative to the main part. For more information, see Position type (p. 119). Allows you to edit the type or the position of a custom component or add notes after you have created the component. Shows all created variables. Displays Custom component browser. Saves the custom component with another name. Saves and updates the existing component(s) in the model. Closes the editor.



For more information on these tools, see Custom components reference (p. 116).



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TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Editing properties



Library component vs. model component



You can add and edit many custom component properties:



Editing task



More information



Create fields for material grade, profile, bolt size, and other properties that will be visible in the custom component dialog box.



Creating parameter variables (p. 81)



Define part dimensions, spacings, gaps, etc. that will be visible in the custom component dialog box.



Creating distance variables (p. 75)



Bind component objects to model objects so that component objects adjust for new beam size or profile.



Automatic distances (p. 130)



Create formulas to calculate values, for example for calculating bolt edge distance using bolt size.



Creating parameters that use formulae (p. 82)



Creating distance variables (p. 75)



Use the custom component editor to modify custom component. You can open a custom component in the editor even if you have already used it in a model. When you have edited the custom component, you can choose to apply the changes to all copies of the custom component, or to save the component with a new name.



•



To apply your changes to the library and to all copies of the custom component in the model, use the Copy component to library command.



•



To save the edited custom component with a new name, use the Copy component to library with new name command and enter a new name for the custom component.Tekla Structures does not apply the changes to the other copies of the custom component in the model.



Closing the editor



To close the custom component editor: 1.



Click the Close icon



.



2.



Tekla Structures asks if you want to save the custom component with its original name.



If you click Yes, Tekla Structures will overwrite the copies of the custom component in the library and the model.



Creating automatic backup files



When you modify a custom component, Tekla Structures automatically creates a backup file of the custom component. The backup files have the extension .inp_bak, and they are located in the model folder. Tekla Structures displays a notification when the backup file is created. See also Custom component browser (p. 72)



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



71



Custom component browser The Custom component browser shows the contents of a custom component in a hierarchical, tree-like structure. The Custom component browser works with Custom component editor views. Click a part in the view and Tekla Structures highlights it in the browser, or click a part in the browser to have Tekla Structures highlight it in the view. The Custom component browser contains the following information about a custom component:



Model objects, to which custom component is attached The objects the custom component creates You can create links between custom component variables and component object properties You can create links between custom component parameter variables and component object properties. For example, variable "m" defines the material grade for all plates in your component. It appears as "Material = m" in the Custom component browser (see above illustration). "m" is also a field in the custom component dialog box. When a user enters a value in the "m" field in the dialog box for plates, Tekla Structures saves the value to the part properties in the model.



72



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Popup menu



You can also use the popup menu in the Custom component browser to copy names, values, and references from main and secondary parts in the component. Then use them in the Variables dialog box to define the properties of custom components. For example, to report how many secondary parts to pick when applying a component, you can use a variable called Number of secondaries. You can then use the variable in formulas, and copy the name, value and reference to other custom components.



Copies just the value the object currently has Copies the link to the property. Link is dynamic, so when the property later changes the reference reflects the change Using custom part properties



If you have created a custom part in to your model, you can access the object properties of the custom part when the custom part is used an input part. You can access the name, profile, material and class of the input custom part, and use the properties of the input part in the component objects. This is useful in cases where the material for a new part needs to be taken from the inner or outer layer of an existing part.



See also



Defining variables (p. 73) Creating parameter variables (p. 81) Creating parameters that use formulae (p. 82)



2.3 Defining variables Variables are the properties of a custom component. Some of them appear in the custom component dialog box, others are hidden and are only used in calculations. There are two types of variable:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



73



Variable type



Description



See also



Distance



Distance between two planes or between a point and a plane. Binds parts together or works as a variable reference distance.



Creating distance variables (p. 75)



All other properties, including name, material grade, bolt size, etc. Also used in calculations.



Creating parameter variables (p. 81)



Parameter



Viewing variables



Creating reference distances (p. 77)



Creating parameters that use formulae (p. 82)



To see all distance and parameter variables in a component, in the custom component editor, click the Display variables icon The Variables dialog box appears:



•



The Component parameters category lists all distances and parameters that belong to the current custom component.



•



The Model parameters category lists all distances and parameters in the current model.



When you select a distance variable from a list, Tekla Structures highlights it in the model. To delete the selected distance or parameter, click Delete. To add a new parameter variable, click Add. For more information to other properties, see Display variables (p. 120). Topics



Creating distance variables (p. 75) Creating reference distances (p. 77) Using magnetic construction planes (p. 80) Creating parameter variables (p. 81)



74



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Creating parameters that use formulae (p. 82)



Creating distance variables Use distance variables to bind handles, fittings, cuts, and so on, to planes so that the custom component can adapt to different situations, such as different main profile shapes and sizes. You can create a distance variable from point to plane or from plane to plane. These distances can be visible or hidden. Use visible distances when you want the user to enter a distance value in the custom component dialog box. To simply bind objects to planes, use hidden distances. You can bind the corners of polygon plates also in directions other than the plane of the plate. You can, for example, bind the corner of a contour plate in the z direction.



Use the automatic distances command to automatically create distances for the handles of picked components:



For more information, see Automatic distances (p. 130). How



In this example we will create a distance variable that binds the upper edge of the end plate to the upper flange of the secondary part. Whenever you create this custom component in the model, the end plate will follow the upper flange, regardless of the profile or size the secondary part. To create the distance variable: 1.



Select the object from which to measure the distance. This object will follow the plane to which you bind it. In this example, select the plate’s topmost reference point (magenta or yellow)



2.



Click the Create distance icon or right-click the reference point and select Bind to Plane from the pop-up menu. Move the mouse cursor over a view to see the available planes.



3.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



75



Highlighted boundary plane You can change plane types before selecting the plane



You can also use the Hide Part command if the plane is not accessible.



4.



5.



To create the distance, click when the plane you want to use is highlighted. Tekla Structures draws a distance symbol in the views of the custom component editor. Tekla Structures displays a distance symbol in the custom component editor views. You can bind one object to a maximum of three planes. To end the command, right-click and select Interrupt.



Distance object 6.



Double-click the distance object. The Distance properties dialog box appears.



7.



Enter a descriptive Name for the distance.



To test the distance variable, enter different values and click Modify to see the changes in the model.



76



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



8. 9.



Click Cancel. To hide or show the distance variable in the dialog box and to set the other properties, click to open the Variables dialog box. For more information, see Display variables (p. 120).



Limitations



You cannot pick points in secondary or primary parts. You cannot change an existing distance binding. You must delete the distance and then rebind it.



To be able to select distances, select the Select distances icon on the Select switches toolbar.



See also



Create distance (p. 128)



Creating reference distances Use reference distances to measure the distance between two points or a point and a plane. You can then use the reference distance in calculations, for example, to determine the spacing of rungs on a ladder. A reference distance changes as you move the objects it refers to. Tekla Structures displays reference distances in orange. You cannot move objects by changing their reference distances.



To be able to select reference distances, select the Select distances icon on the Select switches toolbar.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



77



Example



In this example we will define several variables: distances, reference distances, and parameters, and use them in a custom component that creates a ladder with rungs spaced at set intervals, for any length of ladder. Here is how the variables appear in the Variables dialog box:



1. 2. 3. 4.



Create a ladder frame with one rung 285 mm from the bottom of the frame. To make the ladder a custom component, select Detailing > Define custom component... and follow the steps in the Custom component wizard. Right-click the ladder and select Edit custom component... from the popup menu. In the Custom component editor, use the Array of objects (29) component to create the rest of the rungs. Use the Create distance tool to bind the bottom rung to the bottom of the ladder frame (D1 and D2 in the in the Variables dialog box). See Create distance (p. 128) for step-by-step instructions.



78



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



5.



Use the Create reference distance tool to create a reference distance from a handle on the bottom rung to the plane at the top of the ladder.



• •



Select a rung handle On the Custom component editor toolbar, click the Create reference distance icon



•



Bind the handle to the horizontal plane at the top of the ladder frame.



This distance appears as D3 in the Variables dialog box. 6. 7. 8.



Go to the Variables dialog box. Add a parameter (P1) to define rung spacing. Give it the value 250. Add another parameter (P2) to define the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the first rung. Give it the value 285. 9. Give the distances D1 and D2 the formula =P2. This forces both distances to be the value defined by P2. 285 in this case. 10. Add a new parameter (P3) to define the number of rungs. Give it the formula =(D3-P2)/P1. 11. We want the number of rungs to be an integer, so add a new parameter (P4) and give it the formula =ceil (15.52).This rounds P3 up to the nearest integer. 12. Add a new parameter (P5) to calculate the distance between the rungs. Give it the formula =(D3-P2)/P4. This formula subtracts the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the bottom rung from the reference distance (D3) and divides the result by the number of rungs (P4). 13. Go to the Custom component browser and link the following properties of the Array of objects (29) component to parameters P4 and P5, as shown below:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



79



When you use this custom component to create a ladder in a model, Tekla Structures automatically calculates the correct spacing for the rungs. See also



Create reference distance (p. 129) Defining custom components (p. 62)



Using magnetic construction planes You can bind several objects at one time using magnetic construction planes. The objects directly on a magnetic plane will move with the plane. So you only need to create a distance variable for the plane and not for each object separately. As you can see from the example below, it is much easier and faster to use magnetic user planes than to bind handles with individual distance variables. Example



80



Different methods of binding chamfers to the inner face of a flange:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Option 1: Control the stiffeners by using 4 magnetic construction planes - one in each direction. Then you only bind each magnetic plane with one distance variable Option 2: Bind each chamfer separately - a total of 32 bindings For more information on magnetic construction planes, read Construction plane (p. 126).



By default, the handles of contour plates are not visible. To show them, set the variable XS_DRAW_CHAMFERS_HANDLES to HANDLES.



Creating parameter variables You can use parameter variables to set basic properties for objects that custom component creates, for example, name, material, profile, position number, etc. Example



In this example we create a parameter variable "Weldsize" that sets all welds in a custom component to a given size: 1.



On the Custom component editor toolbar, click



2. 3.



Click the Add button. Enter following information:



• • • • • • •



to open the Variables dialog box.



Name = Weldsize Formula = Value = 0.0 Variable type = parameter Value type = length Visibility = Show (this makes Weldsize visible in the dialog box) Label in dialog box = WeldSize



4. 5.



Click OK button to close the dialog box. In the Custom component browser, click Component objects > Weld > General properties and right-click Size above line and select Add equation. Type after the equal sign "Weldsize". Repeat this step for all welds.



6. 7.



Click Save. Click Close icon to exit the Custom component editor.



Your custom component dialog box should now contain the field WeldSize. When anyone creates the component, all welds are of the size you enter in the WeldSize field.



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Creating parameters that use formulae This example shows how to create a hidden parameter variable that includes a formula to set weld size to half the thickness of the secondary part flange. This variable will not be visible in the custom component dialog box. When you create the component, Tekla Structures uses the thickness of the secondary part flange to calculate the size of the weld(s). 1.



In the Custom component browser, click Input objects > Secondary parts > Part > Profile properties and right-click Flange thickness 1 and then select Copy reference. Tekla Structures copies the reference to secondary part flange thickness to the Windows Clipboard.



2.



In the Custom component editor toolbar, click



3. 4. 5.



Click Add button. Set Variable name to w. Click the Formula field, type =, then right-click and select Paste. Tekla Structures pastes the reference to flange thickness from the Clipboard. Now enter *0.5. Formula should now read: =fP(Flange thickness 1.1525)*0.5.



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to open the Variables dialog box.



6.



Set other values:



• • • 7.



8.



Variable type = Parameter Value type =Length Visibility = Hide



In the Custom component browser, click Component Objects > Weld > General properties and right-click Size above line and select Add equation. Type in after the equal sign "w". Click OK button to close the dialog box.



2.4 Functions to use in formulas This section lists all the functions you can use in formulas in custom components. Formulas always begin with the equals character (=). You can use the following functions in formulas:



• • • • • • •



Reference function (p. 84) Mathematical functions (p. 85) Statistical functions (p. 86) Data type conversions (p. 87) String operations (p. 87) Trigonometric functions (p. 89) Framing condition functions (p. 89)



Arithmetic operators You can use the following arithmetic operators:



Operator



Description



Notes



+



addition



Use also to create strings of parameters.



-



subtraction



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83



Operator



Description



Notes



*



multiplication



Multiplication is faster than division, so it is faster to use =D1*0.5 rather than =D1/2.



/



division



Logical statement You can use if-then-else statements to test a condition and set the value according to the result:



=if (D1>200) then 20 else 10 endif



You can also use the operators && (the logical AND operator) and || (the logical OR operator) inside the if statement.



• •



&& - both conditions must be true || only one condition must be true



For example to use a value 6:



•



=if (D1==200 && D2 Component objects > Reinforcement mesh > General properties.



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101



10. Click the Close editor icon to close the Custom Component editor. Tekla Structures prompts you to save your changes. Click Yes to save your changes. You have now defined the mesh in the Custom Component editor.



If the mesh is defined in the custom component, other mesh properties, for example, longitudinal diameters, override the properties defined in the mesh catalog, so do not use Catalog name and other mesh properties at the same time. To change the mesh in the custom component: 1. 2. 3. 4.



Select the mesh in the 3d view. Right-click and select Properties.... Copy and paste another mesh into the Parameter 1 field (in our example, the Mesh field). Click Modify to save your changes.



Creating surface treatments in custom components To create surface treatments in the Custom component editor: 1.



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Select Outline planes on the toolbar instead of Boundary planes (which is the default).



2. 3.



Click Detailing > Create Surface Treatment and select the command to create the surface treatment. Optional: To select the surface treatment, set on the Select surface treatments select switch.



This switch is set off in the Custom component editor by default.



2.6 Managing and using custom components This section describes the custom component dialog box and explains how to use and manage custom components. Topics



Custom component dialog box (p. 103) Customizing the dialog box (p. 105) Using a custom component (p. 110) Managing custom components (p. 110) Performing actions on custom components (p. 112) Using Excel with custom components (p. 112) Using ASCII files with custom component (p. 113)



Custom component dialog box Tekla Structures automatically creates a dialog box when you define a custom component. By default the dialog box has a General tab for connections, details, and seams and a Position tab for parts. Tekla Structures automatically creates tabs containing the parameters and distances you set to visible in the custom component editor. Tabs are named Parameter 1, Parameter 2, etc. Each tab can contain up to 25 fields. If you have more than 25 visible fields, Tekla Structures creates another tab. A typical custom component dialog box looks like this:



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This information relates only to details For seams you can select whether to place a seam at the point you pick, or let Tekla Structures automatically place the seam.



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To place the seam at the point you pick, select the Place to picked positions checkbox To automatically place the seam, clear the Place to picked positions checkbox, and select one of the positioning options Tekla Structures creates an input file with the extension .inp for each dialog box in the model folder. You can modify the input file. See Customizing the dialog box (p. 105).



If you modify the input file, then edit and save the custom component dialog box using the custom component editor, you will lose the changes you made to the input file.



Customizing the dialog box To customize the dialog box that Tekla Structures creates for the custom component you need to modify the input file which defines the dialog box. The input file has the same name as the custom component and file extension inp. It is located in the model folder.



This topic is for advanced users. Take care when modifying an input file. Errors may cause the dialog box to disappear.



The input file is a text file that you can edit using any text editor, for example Notepad. You can customize the dialog box by:



• • • • •



Changing the order of fields (p. 106) Changing the location of fields (p. 106) Renaming tabs (p. 107) Adding more tabs (p. 107) Adding pictures (p. 108)



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105



•



Preventing modifications (p. 109)



To use the modified custom component dialog box, save the input file, then close and restart Tekla Structures.



Changing the order of fields To change the order of fields, in the input file, change the last number in the parameter definition, as shown below:



Change these numbers to change the order of fields (listed from to bottom of dialog box)



Changing the location of fields To change the location of fields, in the input file, change the last number in the parameter definition. Enter three numbers to define the exact location of the field in the dialog box: the x coordinate, y coordinate, and length of field. The example below shows these values for the second field in the dialog box:



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x = 374 y = 25 length = 160



Renaming tabs To rename a tab, change the tab definition in the input file. You can rename any tab except the General tab. In the example below, you would change the text Parameters 1 to the new tab name (for example, Parts):



Adding more tabs Each tab can contain 25 fields. If there are more than 25 visible fields, Tekla Structures creates another tab. You can also add tabs by modifying the input file. To add a second tab, edit the input file as shown below. Remember to adjust the location of the fields, if necessary.



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Remember to adjust the field location



The fourth tab is reserved for the General properties, so you cannot add your own parameter to it.



Adding pictures Add images to make your custom component easier to use. First create the image and save it as a bitmap file (file extension bmp) in the ..\Tekla Structures\*version*\nt\bitmaps folder. To add the image to the custom component dialog box, edit the input file as shown below:



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y = 100 x = 50 height = 75 width = 100



The first pixel in the top left corner of a bitmap must be the same color (gray) as the background of the dialog box.



Preventing modifications Once the dialog box is ready, you can make the input file read-only to prevent accidental modifications. If the input file is not read-only, and someone else updates the custom component in the custom component editor, all your modifications to the input file will be lost. To make the input file read-only: 1. 2. 3.



In Windows Explorer, browse to find the input file. Right-click the file and select Properties... . Select the Read-only checkbox.



When an input file is read-only, and you try to update the custom component, Tekla Structures displays a warning message saying that the *.inp file is read-only and changes to it will not be saved. You have the following options:



• •



Click Cancel to return to the custom component editor. Click Continue to skip updating the *.inp file, but make all the other updates.



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Using a custom component To use a custom component in a model: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.



Use the keystrokes Ctrl + F to open the Component catalog dialog box. In the Search results list box, select Custom. Tekla Structures lists all custom components in the bottom pane. Double-click a custom component in the list to open it’s properties dialog box.. Enter the properties you want to use and click Apply. Tekla Structures prompts you to pick the parts or points and parts needed to create the component.



Managing custom components Use the Component catalog to manage custom components. To open the Component catalog, use:



110



•



keystrokes Ctrl + F or



•



the Find a component icon on a components toolbar



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To find all custom components, select Custom in the Search result list box All custom components have the Number -1 To view the properties of a custom component, double-click its name



Exporting and importing You can export custom components to a file, and then import the file into another model. Exporting



To export custom components to a file: 1. 2. 3.



Importing



Select the custom components in the component catalog. Right-click and select Export.... The Export components dialog box opens. Enter a name for the file in the Selection field. By default, the file extension is .uel and the file is located in the current model folder.



To import custom components from a file: 1. 2.



Right-click the list of custom components in the component catalog and select Import.... The Import components dialog box opens. Browse to find the exported file (*.uel), click the file name and then click OK.



If the custom component contains sketched cross sections, you need to export and import both the sketches and the component.



To automatically import all *.uel files from a folder when creating a new model, use the variable XS_UEL_IMPORT_FOLDER. After importing custom components, you can check from the Log file how many components were succesfully imported. To open the log file, click Tools > Display log file > Session History... See also



Performing actions on custom components (p. 112)



Protecting custom components with passwords You can protect custom components with passwords. Password protection allows you to share components while protecting your work. To specify a password for a custom component: Usage



1.



Select the custom component you wish to protect and right-click.



2.



To open the Custom component editor, select Edit Custom Component on the pop-up menu.



3.



In the Custom component editor, click the Display variables icon Variables dialog box.



4.



In the Variables dialog box, add a new parameter by clicking the Add button.



5.



In the Name column, enter Password.



to display the



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111



6.



In the Formula column, enter the desired password.



After you have added this parameter, every time you try to edit this custom component Tekla Structures asks for the password. Tekla Structures informs you about an incorrect password. If you enter an incorrect password, you cannot use the custom component editor to modify the component.



Result



Example



Performing actions on custom components Information regarding custom components is stored in the ComponentCatalog.txt file, located in the model folder. If the properties of the file are set to read-only, the following actions are not possible:



• • • • • • •



adding to favorites adding to search results changing picture deleting the custom component editing keywords importing the custom component removing from search results



In these cases Tekla Structures displays a warning dialog box and the action is cancelled. To change the properties of the file: 1. 2. 3.



In Windows Explorer, browse to find the file. Right-click the file and select Properties... . Clear the Read-only checkbox.



Using Excel with custom components You can link Excel spreadsheets to custom components, for example, to check connections. For custom components, you need to add the property Use external design to the custom component dialog box:



112



1.



Select the component, then right-click and select Edit custom component.



2. 3.



In the custom component editor, click to open the Variables dialog box. Click Add and enter the following information:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



4. Spreadsheet location



Save the component and close the custom component editor. The custom component dialog box now contains the Use external design property.



The template spreadsheets are located in folder ..\TeklaStructures\*version*\environments\common\exceldesign. By default, Tekla Structures searches for the spreadsheet in the following order:



• • Spreadsheet name



From the model folder: ..\*your model*\exceldesign\. From folder defined with variable XS_EXTERNAL_EXCEL_DESIGN_PATH



The name of the file must be component_*component name*.xls. component_custom1.xls for a custom component named custom1.



For example



For more information on the required Excel files, file locations and how to perform the connection check with Excel, see Using Excel in connection design (p. 57).



Using ASCII files with custom component You can use ASCII format files, to get default values from cold rolled files for custom components, for example. The format for reading files is following:



•



fVF(filename, key value of row, column number)



• • • • Example



Key value for row is a unique text value (for example, HEA300). Column value is an index (integer) starting from 1.



Function returns value as text. User will define the correct type for parameter in editor.



For example, in the custom component editor, add function fVF("Overlap.dat", "MET202Z25", 4) in the Variables dialog box. The function gets the default value for bolt diameter 16.0 for profile MET-202Z25, from the Overlap.dat file.



Key value of row Column number File search order



Tekla Structures searches for the files as system files in the following order:



•



model



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113



• • • • •



project (set with variable XS_PROJECT) firm (set with variable XS_FIRM) system (set with variable XS_SYSTEM) environments/*your environment*/profil environments/*your environment*/profil/cr



Tips on working with custom components These tips will help you to efficiently create, save, and share parametric and non-parametric custom components: General



Use library profiles when possible. So you do not have to copy user-defined profiles when you copy the component to other locations. Use short, logical names. Use the description field to describe the component and explain what it does. Store custom components together. It makes them easy to find and export. Consider creating a component model. Use this model to create and test custom components. Provide essential information. If you distribute your component to other users, remember to list the profiles it works with. Remember to copy user-defined profile cross sections with your custom component.



Creating nonparametric components



Use the simplest part you can. For example, if all you need is a rectangular shape, use a rectangular plate, not a contour plate. Rectangular plates only have 2 handles, so you only need to create a few bindings or magnetic planes to manipulate them. Contour plates require more because they have 4 chamfers and handles, when you set the variable XS_DRAW_CHAMFERS_HANDLES to CHAMFERS or HANDLES.



Rectangular plate Contour plate Only model parts as accurately as you need. If the only part information required is a part mark on the GA drawing and a quantity on the materials list, create a simple bar or plate. If, later, you need to include it in a detailed view, simply re-model the part more accurately. Creating intelligent (parametric) components



114



Plan to use magnetic planes to bind objects together. This makes intelligent components simpler, and easier to use, because it reduces the number of dimensions and parameters the user must enter. Model as many parts on the same plane as you can, and then use offsets to position them accurately.



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Not using magnetic planes: Pick all 10 handles to bind the parts together Using 3 magnetic planes: Pick 3 points to bind the parts together (pick 1 point on each magnetic plane) Model embeds as custom parts and include them in components. Create simple components for specific situations. It is faster and easier to model simple components. They are also much easier to use. Avoid creating a ’super’ component to use in every possible situation.



2.7 Battering connection (13) Use to fit the secondary part, for example, in a custom component, either square to the main part, or at an angle.



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115



Use for



Situation



Description Secondary is fit square to the main part.



Secondary is fit to the main part at an angle.



Before you start



Create two parts.



Defining properties



To enter the angle and the distance between the parts, go to the Picture tab.



Selection order



1. 2.



Select the main part Select the secondary part.



2.8 Custom components reference This section consists of the reference pages for the custom component commands. The following table lists the commands used to define, create, and manage custom components.



Command



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Icon



Description



Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component... (p. 117)



Starts the custom component wizard which guides you through defining a custom component.



Display variables (p. 120)



Displays a list of distance and parameter variables.



Browser (p. 124)



Displays the custom component browser that shows the contents of a custom component in a hierarchical, tree-like structure.



Plane types (p. 125)



Defines which planes can be selected.



Construction plane (p. 126)



The command to create your own plane.



Custom component settings (p. 127)



Allows you to edit the type or the position of a custom component or add notes after you have created the component



Command



Icon



Description



Create distance (p. 128)



The command to create distance variables.



Create reference distance (p. 129)



The command to create variable reference distancies.



Automatic distances (p. 130)



Automatically generates distance variables for custom component objects.



Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component... Synopsis



This command defines a new custom component and saves it to a library for later use.



Preconditions



All the necessary objects (parts, cuts, fittings, bolts, etc.) must exist in the model, because you will need to select different objects, points etc. to define the custom component. See also Exploding components (p. 62).



Description



This command defines a simple custom component, which you can use in similar locations to where it was originally created. This component is not parametric and Tekla Structures does not adjust dimensions to suit any changes in the model. To create a parametric custom component, see Editing custom components (p. 69).



Field



Description



More information



Type



Affects how the user inserts the custom component into the model. Also defines if the custom component connects to existing parts.



Component types (p. 14)



Name



Unique name for the custom component. If the name already exists, the Next button is grayed out.



Description



Short description of the custom component. This will be shown in the component browser.



Component identifier



To include this in drawings, include Code in the connection mark.



Up direction



The default up direction. Used only in connections and details.



Position type



Position (or origin) of the connection, relative to the main part.



Position type (p. 119)



Detail type



Determines on which side of the main part the detail is located. The options are:



Only affects asymmetric details (for example a one-side stiffener).



Mark content



Intermediate detail - Tekla Structures



creates all details on the same side of the main part. End detail - Tekla Structures creates all



details on the side of the main part closest to the detail.



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Field



Description



More information



Definition point position in relation to primary part



The position you pick to create the detail, relative to the main part.



Only available for details and connections.



Allow multiple instances of connection between same parts



When checked, allows you to create many connections to the same main part, in different locations.



Only available for connections.



Exact positions



When you select this checkbox, Tekla Structures positions the seam based on the positions you pick in the model.



Only available for seams.



For connections, this determines where the connection is created, relative to the secondary part.



This is always possible for details.



If you clear this checkbox, Tekla Structures uses automatic seam recognition to position the seam. This is useful especially with warped seams. Use the center of the bounding box in positioning



1.



Usage



2. 3. 4. 5.



When you select this checkbox, Tekla Structures positions the custom part based on the center of its bounding box (the box which surronds the actual part profile).



Only available for parts.



Click Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component... to start the Custom component wizard. Select a Type and enter the other properties, then click Next. Select the objects that the custom component will create. Click Next. The next step differs depending on the Type you select in step 2:



• •



For connections, select the main part, click Next, then select the secondary part(s). For details, select the main part, and click Next. To position the detail by the main part, select Main part, and go to step 6. To position the detail by a reference point, select Reference point, and then pick a point.



6. See also



•



For seams, select the main part, click Next, then select the secondary part, click Next, then pick two points to indicate the seam location.



•



For parts, pick one or two points.



Click Finish.



Defining a custom component (p. 62) Editing custom components (p. 69) Using a custom component (p. 110) Managing custom components (p. 110)



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Position type Synopsis



Defines the position (or origin) of the custom component, relative to the main part. This command is available in the custom component wizard. Position type affects which type of main parts you can use the custom component with.



Preconditions Description



Determines the location of the objects the custom component creates, relative to main part. The options are:



•



Middle



Where the center lines of the main and secondary parts intersect.



•



Box plane



Where the main part box and the center line of the secondary part intersect.



•



Collision plane



Where the main part and the center line of the secondary part intersect.



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119



•



End end plane



Where the center line of the secondary part hits the end of the main part.



•



Gusset plane



Where the center lines of the main part and the first secondary part intersect. The x direction is perpendicular to the center line of the main part.



Display variables Synopsis



Shows all variables and lets you to add new parameter variables. You can also use it to manage distance and parameter variables. Tekla Structures uses variables with the following features:



• • • Preconditions



Description



Custom Components (p. 61) Sketched cross sections Parametric modeling



To use this command, you must:



Feature



Preconditions



Custom components



•



define a custom component, see Defining a custom component (p. 62)



•



open the Custom component editor, see Custom component editor (p. 69)



Sketched cross sections



•



open the Cross section sketch editor, see Sketched cross sections



Parametric modeling



-



Variables are the properties of a custom component/sketch/parametric model. Use the Add button to add parameter variables. To add new distance variables, use the commands



• •



Create distance (p. 128) or Automatic distances (p. 130) for custom components. Sketch free distance, Sketch horizontal distance, or Sketch vertical distance for



sketched cross sections. Use the Delete button to delete selected parameters and distances. You define the following properties for a variable:



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Field



Description



More information



Variable name



A unique name for variable. Use this name to refer to the variable in the custom component/sketch/ model browser.



Custom component browser (p. 72)



Can contain a value or a formula. Copy values using the popup menu in the browser. See Custom component browser (p. 72).



Creating parameters that use formulae (p. 82)



Formula



Sketch Browser



Functions to use in formulas (p. 83)



Formulae begin with = Variable value



Shows the current value from the formula field.



Variable type



Distance or parameter.



Defining variables (p. 73) Adding dimensions to a sketch



Usage



Value type



Defines the type of information to input.



Display variables (p. 120)



Visibility



Shows or hides the variable in the custom component/Select profile dialog box.



Custom component dialog box (p. 103)



Label



The field name in the custom component/Select profile dialog box. Maximum length is 30 characters.



Usage depends on the feature:



Feature



Usage



Custom components



• • • •



Sketched cross sections Parametric modeling Value types



Creating distance variables (p. 75) Creating reference distances (p. 77) Creating parameter variables (p. 81) Using variables to define cross section properties



-



The options are:



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121



Value type



Description



Number



A whole (integer) number. Used for quantity and multiplier.



Length



A decimal (floating point) number. User for lengths and distances. Length numbers have unit (mm, inch etc.) and are rounded to two places of decimals. Tekla Structures enables millimeter to inch conversion for the Length and Distance list types.



Text



A text (ascii) string.



Factor



A decimal value without a unit. You can set the number of decimals for the value type in Tools > Options > Options... > Units and decimals.



Angle



A special decimal number type for storing angles, stored to 1 place of decimals, in radians.



Material



A special data type linked to the material catalog. On input you can select material from the standard material dialog.



Profile



A special data type linked to the profile catalog. On input you can select profile from the standard profile dialog.



Bolt size



Special data types linked to the bolt catalog. Bolt size works with Bolt standard. They have fixed naming: Px_diameter and Px_screwdin. Do not change the fixed name.



Bolt standard



To automatically show values for these in the component’s dialog box, x must be the same for both, for example, P1_diameter and P1_screwdin.



Bolt type



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For defining the bolt type (site/workshop) in the custom component dialog box. Linked to the Bolt type property of bolts in the Custom component browser.



Value type



Description



Stud size



Special data types linked to the bolt catalog. Stud size works with Stud standard. They have fixed naming: Px_size and Px_standard. Do not change the fixed name.



Stud standard



To automatically show values for these in the component’s dialog box, x must be the same for both, for example, P9_size and P9_standard.



Distance list



For fields with several length values, such as bolt spacings.



Weld type



A special data type for selecting weld type.



Weld types Chamfer type



A special data type for defining the shape of a chamfer.



Welding site



A special data type for defining the welding place: workshop or building site.



Rebar grade



Special data types linked to reinforcement catalog. Rebar grade, Rebar size, and Rebar bending radius work



Rebar size Rebar bending radius



together. They have fixed naming format: Px_grade, Px_size, and Px_radius where the x is a number. Do not change the fixed name. To automatically show values for these in the component's dialog box, x must be the same for all, for example, P1_grade, P1_size, and Px_radius.



Reinforcement mesh



For defining meshes in custom components. Linked to the Catalog name property of reinforcement meshes in the Custom component browser.



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Value type



Description



Component name



For replacing a subcomponent inside a custom component with another subcomponent. Linked to the Name property of objects in the Custom component browser.



Component attribute file



For setting the properties of a subcomponent inside a custom component. Works with Component name using the format Px_name and Px_attrfile, where the x is a number. Do not change the fixed name. To automatically show values for these in the component's dialog box, x must be the same for both, for example, P2_name and P2_attrfile.



Yes/No



For defining whether or not Tekla Structures creates an object in a custom component. Linked to the Creation property of objects in the Custom component browser.



Browser Synopsis



This command shows the browser for the following features.



• • • Preconditions



Custom component: Custom component browser Sketched cross section: Display sketch browser Parametric modeling: Model browser



To open the browser:



Feature



Preconditions



Custom components



•



Define a custom component, see Defining a custom component (p. 62)



•



Open the Custom component editor, see Custom component editor (p. 69)



Sketched cross sections



Open the Cross section sketch editor, see Opening the cross section sketch editor



Parametric modeling Click the Display model browser icon Tools toolbar.



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in the



Description



The browser shows the objects, their properties, and hierarchy included in the:



• • • Usage



Custom component Sketched cross section Parametric model



Usage depends on the feature:



Feature



Usage



Custom components



Custom component browser (p. 72)



Sketched cross sections



Using variables to define cross section properties



Parametric modeling



Parametric modeling



Plane types Synopsis



This command changes the plane type.



Preconditions



Open the Custom component editor. See Custom component editor (p. 69).



Description



You need planes to define distance variables. For example, you can bind the reference point of a plate to the top plane of a beam. You can change the plane type when the Create distance command is active. See Create distance (p. 128). The table below shows an example of each plane type:



Plane type



Example



Definition



Boundary planes



The edges of a box surrounding a profile.



Center planes



The center planes of a profile



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125



Plane type



Example



Definition



Outline planes



The outer and inner surfaces of a profile.



Cut planes



If parts contain line, part, or polygon cuts, this option selects the cut surfaces. Fittings cannot be selected.



Component planes



Depends on which Position type the custom component originally had.



Grid planes



Shows grid planes. This plane type is only available in the Model editor and for sketches.



Boundary and component planes work for most profile types, so try to use them whenever you can.



To see which planes are available in each group:



Usage



1. 2. See also



Select a plane type from the Custom component toolbar. Move the mouse cursor over a component view. Tekla Structures highlights the available planes.



Creating distance variables (p. 75)



Construction plane Synopsis



126



This command creates a construction plane. If the plane is magnetic, the objects directly on it move with the plane.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Preconditions Description



You may occasionally need to define your own planes. For example, when you create special model parameters for floor height, building width, etc. Magnetic planes are also useful. You can use them to bind and move groups of objects. Rather than binding lots of handles and chamfers to faces, simply create a user plane that goes through all the handles and chamfers. Then make this plane magnetic and bind the plane to the appropriate face. When you move the plane, the attached handles and chamfers move with it. The custom component editor contains many default planes, for more information see Plane types (p. 125).



Usage



To add a construction plane: 1. 2. 3.



Click the Create construction plane icon. Pick four points. Click the middle mouse button. Tekla Structures draws the plane.



4.



Double-click the plane in the model. The Construction plane properties dialog box appears. Type a name for the plane. Select Magnetic, if you want Tekla Structures to bind touching objects to the plane. When you move a magnetic plane, objects directly on that plane automatically move with it.



5. 6.



Tekla Structures only binds objects to the plane whose reference points are directly on the plane. By default the magnetic distance is 0.05 mm. To change this use the variable XS_MAGNETIC_PLANE_OFFSET.



7. See also



Click Modify.



Plane types (p. 125)



Custom component settings Synopsis



With this command you can go back and change the settings which you have used for defining a custom component.



Preconditions



To use this command in the Custom component editor, you must:



• • Description



Open the Custom component editor, see Custom component editor (p. 69).



You can do the following changes after you have created a custom component:



• • • Usage



Define a custom component, see Defining a custom component (p. 62).



Add notes Change the position Allow multiple instances



To add notes:



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127



1. 2.



In the Customer component editor, click the Custom component settings icon. On the Type/Notes tab, insert the notes you want to add to the Description field.



To change the position type: 1. 2.



In the Customer component editor, click the Custom component settings icon. On the Position tab, change the Position type. Tekla Structures repositions the planes. The objects retain their relative position to the component planes, and they must be moved back into position manually.



In many cases you need to use a component inside another component, or make a complex connection out of simple connections. To apply multiple connections to the same main part, select the Allow multiple instances of connection between same parts checkbox. By default this checkbox is not selected. To allow multiple instances: 1. 2.



In the Customer component editor, click the Custom component settings icon. On the Advanced tab, select the Allow multiple instances of connection between same parts checkbox.



Create distance Synopsis



Creates a distance variable. You can create a distance variable from any of the following objects to a plane:



• • • • • • • Preconditions



construction plane reference points of parts (only custom component objects) reference points of bolt groups chamfers part cut handles line cuts fittings



To use this command in the Custom component editor, you must:



• •



define a custom component, see Defining a custom component (p. 62) open the Custom component editor, see Custom component editor (p. 69)



To use this command in the Model Editor, select the command Create distance on the Points toolbar. Description



128



Distances are dependencies that bind two parts together. You can also use distances to define part dimensions, bolt edge distances, gaps, etc. For example:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Distances These distances bind plate’s reference points to the top and bottom plane of a beam You define the following properties for distance variables:



Usage



Field



Description



Name



Name of the distance variable. Shown in the custom component dialog box.



Value



Numeric value of distance.



More information



See Creating distance variables (p. 75). To see all distances included in the custom component, open the Variables dialog box. For more information, see Defining variables (p. 73).



See also



Automatic distances (p. 130) Plane types (p. 125)



Create reference distance Synopsis



Creates a variable reference distance between objects.



Preconditions



To use this command in the Custom component editor, you must:



• •



define a custom component, see Defining a custom component (p. 62) open the Custom component editor, see Custom component editor (p. 69)



To use this command in the Model Editor, select the command Create reference distance on the Points toolbar. Description



Use reference distances in calculations, for example, for determining the spacing of rungs in a ladder.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



129



See Creating reference distances (p. 77).



Usage



To see all distances included in the custom component, open the Variables dialog box. For more information, see Defining variables (p. 73). See also



Plane types (p. 125) Creating distance variables (p. 75) Automatic distances (p. 130)



Automatic distances Synopsis



Creates distance variables for picked objects.



Preconditions



Open the Custom component editor (p. 69).



Description



This command attaches picked objects, or their reference points or handles, to existing planes, if the objects, or their reference points or handles, are located exactly on the plane. Tekla Structures creates distance variables from a maximum of three direction to existing planes. Tekla Structures selects planes in the following order:



Usage



130



• • •



Construction plane (p. 126)



1. 2. 3. 4.



Click the Automatic distances icon. Pick any type of an object that has handles. Click the middle mouse button to complete the command. To check the created distances, open the Display variables (p. 120) dialog box.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Custom Components



Custom Components (p. 61) Plane types (p. 125)



For reinforcement you may have to remove some distances. If the last handle is bound to too many planes and the concrete cross-section enlarges, the other end of the reinforcement might not react to changes.



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131



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3



Introduction



Reinforcement



Once you have created a model of concrete parts, you will need to reinforce the parts. This chapter explains how to create reinforcement in Tekla Structures. It also includes a general description of reinforcement properties and an overview of reinforcement commands.



Audience



This chapter is aimed at concrete detailers and designers.



Assumed background



Before you start to create reinforcement, you need to have concrete parts in your model, as explained in Part types and in Concrete Detailing. Running the structural analysis as explained in Analysis and Design gives you the required area of reinforcement. Read Loads for instructions on how to create loads.



3.1 Getting started with reinforcement In Tekla Structures, you can use different methods to create reinforcement. You can create:



• • • • Concepts



Single reinforcing bars Reinforcing bar groups Reinforcement meshes Reinforcement components.



We recommend that you use reinforcement components to create reinforcement whenever possible. They are adaptive, attached to a concrete part, and updated automatically if the dimensions of the reinforced part change, for example. Then create additional reinforcing bars using other tools. Reinforcing bar groups consist of several identical, or very similar, bars. Tekla Structures



always treats these bars as a group, modifies them in the same way, deletes them all at the same time, etc. Reinforcement meshes include bars in two perpendicular directions, i.e. main bars and



crossing bars. Tekla Structures treats mesh bars as one unit but distinguishes the main and crossing bars.



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133



Reinforcement properties



Every reinforcement object has properties which define it (for example, grade, diameter or size, minimum bending radius). Use the reinforcement properties dialog boxes to view or modify the properties of reinforcement. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement to open reinforcement properties dialog boxes, or double-click an existing reinforcement object in the model.



Filtering by properties



You can use reinforcement properties in filters. For example, you can select, modify, or hide reinforcing bars based on their properties.For more information, see Filtering objects.



In reports and drawings



You can include reinforcement properties and user-defined attributes in drawing and report templates.



See also



Basic reinforcement properties (p. 134) Reinforcement properties Getting Started (p. 13) with Detailing



3.2 Basic reinforcement properties This section explains properties that are common to most types of reinforcement in Tekla Structures. Name



You can enter names for reinforcing bars. Tekla Structures uses names in reports and drawing tables.



Grade



The strength of the steel used in reinforcing bars. Can also indicate other factors, such as the weldability or surface deformations of the bar.



Size



Depending on the environment, the nominal diameter of the bar, or a mark that defines the diameter.



Bending radius



Complies with the design code you are using. Main bars, stirrups, ties, and hooks usually have their own minimum internal bending radii, which are proportional to the diameter of the reinforcing bar. The actual bending radius is normally chosen to suit the size of the mandrels on the bar-bending machine.



Bending types



Tekla Structures reinforcing bar bending types are recognized using internal bending type definitions. Internal bending types are hard coded to the software. However, these internal bending types are mapped to area specific reinforcing bar bending type codes in the ...\system\rebar_schedule_config.inp file. This file can be localized to match local requirements. For more information on internal bending types, see Reinforcing bar bending types.



Reinforcement catalog



Grade–size–radius combinations are predefined in the reinforcement catalog. You can select which catalog to use, and add, modify, and delete the information it contains. See The reinforcing bar catalog.



Select...



To define the grade, size, and bending radius of a reinforcing bar, click Select... next to the Grade, Size, and Bending radius fields in the Reinforcing bar properties dialog box. The Select reinforcing bar dialog box appears, showing the available bar sizes for the chosen grade. You can also define whether the bar is a main bar or a stirrup or tie:



134



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



You can also enter the grade, size, and bending radius of individual reinforcing bars using the appropriate fields in the Reinforcing bar properties dialog box.



Class



Use Class to group reinforcement. To display reinforcing bars of different classes in different colors, click View > Representation > Object Representation... and select Color by class from the Color list box. For more information, see Colors.



Bar groups



Reinforcing bar groups mainly have the same properties as single reinforcing bars. They can also have the following extra properties:



• • • Topics



Number of bars Spacing (see Spacing reinforcing bars (p. 138)) Tapering (see Tapered bar group (p. 149))



Hooks (p. 135) Concrete cover (p. 136) Spacing reinforcing bars (p. 138) Omitting reinforcing bars (p. 138) User-defined attributes of reinforcement (p. 139) Meshes (p. 139)



See also



Numbering reinforcement (p. 145)



Hooks To add hooks to the ends of reinforcing bars for anchoring purposes, use the Hooks section of the Reinforcing Bar Properties dialog box, or the Hooks tab in the Reinforcement Mesh Properties dialog box:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



135



The options for the hook at the beginning and end of the bar are:



Option



Description No hook Standard 90-degree hook Standard 135-degree hook Standard 180-degree hook Custom hook



The reinforcement catalog contains predefined dimensions for all standard hooks (minimum bending radius, minimum hook length). See The reinforcing bar catalog. Custom hook



To manually define the angle, radius, and length of a hook, select the Custom hook option and complete the following fields in the Reinforcing Bar Properties dialog box:



Field



Description



Angle



Enter a value between – 180 and +180 degrees.



Radius



Internal bending radius of the hook.



Length



Length of the straight part of the hook. Angle Length Radius



Concrete cover Reinforcing bars need a concrete cover, to protect them against harmful elements, such as the weather and fire. When you create single bars, Tekla Structures uses the thickness of concrete cover to determine the position of the bar. You pick points to define the shape and plane of the bar. Cover thickness



136



Use the Cover thickness fields in the reinforcement properties dialog boxes to define concrete cover.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



Example



To create a beam stirrup, pick the corner points on the cross-sectional end plane of the beam to define the bar shape and plane. The cover thickness on the plane is the distance from beam’s bottom, top, and side surfaces to the stirrup. The cover thickness from the plane is the distance from the end surface of the beam to the stirrup, and perpendicular to the bar plane.



Concrete cover



Description Concrete cover on the plane For example, the distances from a beam’s bottom, top, and side surfaces to a stirrup. To specify different concrete covers on the different legs of a reinforcing bar, enter a thickness value for each leg in the On plane field, in the order you pick points to create the bar. If you enter less values than there are bar legs, Tekla Structures uses the last value for remaining legs. Concrete cover from the plane For example, the distance from a beam’s end surface to the closest stirrup, perpendicular to the stirrup plane.



Leg length



At the start and end point of a reinforcing bar, you can also define the concrete cover in terms of cover thickness or leg length.



Option



Description Cover thickness



Defines the distance from the bar end to the concrete surface.



Leg length



Defines the length of the ultimate leg of the bar.



To define the length of an ultimate leg of a bar, use the Leg length option and the Snap to nearest points switch. Then pick anywhere on a part edge or line to indicate the direction for the bar leg.



Reinforcement components



When you use reinforcement components, Tekla Structures places the reinforcement using the dimensions of the part and the values in the Cover thickness field, or the graphic fields shown below:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



137



Spacing reinforcing bars Bar groups



There are several ways to distribute bars in a reinforcing bar group. To create a bar group, open the Reinforcing Bar Properties dialog box. On the Group tab, select an option from the Creation method list box. The options are:



See also



Option



Description



By exact spacing value with flexible first space



Creates fixed, equal spaces between the bars. The first space adjusts to even out bar distribution. Enter the spacing value in the Exact spacing value field. If the first space is less than 10% of the exact spacing value, Tekla Structures removes one bar.



By exact spacing value with flexible last space



Same as the first option, but the last space adjusts to even out bar distribution.



By exact spacing value with flexible middle space



Same as the first option, but the middle space adjusts to even out bar distribution. If there are an odd number of bars (two middle spaces), the other middle space adjusts to even out bar distribution.



By exact spacing value with flexible first and last space



Same as the first option, but both the first and last spaces adjust to even out bar distribution.



By exact spacings



Distributes the bars using the information you specify in the Exact spacing values field, so you can enter every spacing value manually. Use the multiplication character to repeat spacings, e.g. 5*200, to create five spaces of 200.



Equal distribution by number of reinforcing bars



Tekla Structures determines the spacing value based on the fixed number of bars. Enter the number in the Number of reinforcing bars field.



Equal distribution by target spacing value



Tekla Structures aims the spacing value as closely as possible at the value in the Target spacing value field and determines the number of bars compatibly.



Omitting reinforcing bars (p. 138)



Omitting reinforcing bars You may occasionally need to omit specific reinforcing bars. For example, when several reinforced areas intersect, causing reinforcing bars to overlap, or when you want to start bar distribution at a specific distance from the end of a part. To indicate which bars to omit, select an option from the Reinforcing bar(s) not to be created to the group list box:



• • • • See also



138



None (all reinforcing bars included) First Last First and last



Spacing reinforcing bars (p. 138)



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



User-defined attributes of reinforcement Create user-defined attributes to add information about reinforcing bars, bar groups, or reinforcement meshes. Attributes can consist of numbers, text, or lists. To create user-defined attributes, click the User-defined attributes button in the reinforcement properties dialog box. Use the User field 1...4 fields to define the attributes you need. You can also change the name of these fields, and add new ones, by editing the objects.inp file. For more information, see Adding properties.



Meshes A reinforcement mesh consists of reinforcing bars in two directions. You can define the following properties.



Diameter 2 Pitch 2 Overhang Pitch 1 Diameter 1 Length Overhang Width Create mesh



Create mesh with the Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Reinforcement Mesh command or a component.



Mesh shape



Reinforcement meshes can be:



• • • Distribution pattern of bars



Rectangular Polygonal Bent



To create meshes with unevenly-spaced bars, you can customize meshes. You can also define a different size for the longitudinal bars and the crossing bars.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



139



For more information, see Customizing reinforcement meshes (p. 143). Mesh size



See also



The way you define the size of the mesh depends on the shape of the mesh and how it was created:



• •



Evenly-spaced rectangular meshes - manually define the size



•



Unevenly-spaced meshes - Tekla Structures calculates the size of the mesh using the values in the Distance(s), Left overhang, and Right overhang fields.



Polygonal and bent meshes - Tekla Structures automatically calculates the width and length



Reinforcement mesh (p. 153)



3.3 Working with reinforcement This section explains how to create, place, attach, and modify reinforcement. Topics



Placing reinforcement (p. 140) Attaching reinforcement to parts (p. 140) Modifying reinforcement (p. 141) Customizing reinforcement meshes (p. 143) Defining custom reinforcement components (p. 145) Numbering reinforcement (p. 145)



Placing reinforcement To place a reinforcing bar group, pick two sets of points: 1. 2.



The first set of points defines the plane of the first bar and the shape of a single bar in the group. Click the middle mouse button to end picking. Pick a second set of points to indicate the distribution direction and length of the bars.



To place reinforcement components, select the part to reinforce. See also Using reinforcement handles (p. 141).



Attaching reinforcement to parts Attach reinforcement to a part or cast unit when you want the reinforcing bars to follow the part or cast unit if it is moved, copied, deleted, etc. Tekla Structures automatically attaches a reinforcement to the part you pick before you place the reinforcement. You can also manually attach reinforcement to a part or cast unit.



140



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



You must attach reinforcement to a part or cast unit to have Tekla Structures merge automatic reinforcing bar marks. See Merging marks.



Attaching manually



Detaching



To manually attach reinforcement to a part or cast unit: 1. 2. 3.



Select the reinforcement to attach. Right-click and select Attach to part from the pop-up menu. Select the part to attach the reinforcement to.



To detach reinforcement from a part: 1. 2.



Select the reinforcement to detach. Right-click and select Detach from part from the pop-up menu.



Modifying reinforcement To modify a single reinforcing bar, bar group, or reinforcement mesh, double-click the reinforcement to open the properties dialog box. To modify the properties of a reinforcement component, double-click the blue modeling tool symbol (M). To update the reinforcing bar, bar group, reinforcement mesh, or component you selected, click Modify. Topics



Changing reinforcement shape (p. 141) Using reinforcement handles (p. 141) Exploding reinforcement (p. 143) Splitting reinforcing bar groups (p. 143) Splitting reinforcing bars in a group (p. 143)



Changing reinforcement shape To change the shape of the reinforcement, you can:



• • • • •



Add bar corners Remove bar corners Move bar and mesh corners Change the direction of the longitudinal mesh bars Change the distribution length of bar groups



Using reinforcement handles Tekla Structures uses handles to indicate:



• • •



The ends and corners of a reinforcing bar The distribution length of a bar group The corners and main bar direction of a mesh



When you select a reinforcement, the handles turn magenta. Examples



Here are some ways to use handles to modify reinforcement:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



141



Handles to change group distribution length Handles to move bar corners



Handles to move mesh corners Handles to change main bar direction



142



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



To use handles to modify reinforcement: 1. 2. 3.



Select the reinforcement to display its handles. Click the handle you want to move. Tekla Structures highlights the handle. Move the handle(s) like any other object. If Drag and drop is active, just drag the handle to a new position.



For more information, see Moving an object, Moving an object using drag-and-drop and Polygon cuts.



Exploding reinforcement Before you can modify or remove single bars in a reinforcement component, you need to use the Explode Component command to ungroup the bars that the reinforcement contains. To ungroup reinforcing bars: 1. 2.



Click Detailing > Component > Explode Component. Select the blue modeling tool symbol (M) on the reinforcement. Tekla Structures ungroups the reinforcing bars.



Splitting reinforcing bar groups You can split normal and tapered reinforcing bar groups into two groups. 1.



Click Edit > Split.



2.



Select the reinforcing bar group.



3.



Pick two points to indicate where to split the group.



You cannot split reinforcing bar groups diagonally.



See also



Splitting reinforcing bars in a group (p. 143)



Splitting reinforcing bars in a group You can split reinforcing bars in normal and tapered reinforcing bar groups using a split line. 1.



Click Edit > Split.



2.



Select the reinforcing bar group.



3.



Pick two points to indicate where to split the bars.



Once split, each new reinforcing bar group retains the properties of the original group. For example, if the bars in the original group had hooks at both ends, bars in the new groups also have hooks at both ends. Modify the properties of the new groups if needed. See also



Splitting reinforcing bar groups (p. 143)



Customizing reinforcement meshes You can customize reinforcement meshes using the Select Mesh dialog box.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



143



1.



In the Reinforcement Mesh Properties dialog box, click the Select button next to the Mesh field to open the Select Mesh dialog box.



2.



In the Select Mesh dialog box, select a standard mesh from the mesh catalog and use it as a basis for the customized mesh.



3.



Modify the mesh properties.



4.



Enter a name for the mesh in the Selected mesh field. The default name is CUSTOM_MESH.



5.



Click OK to close the Select Mesh dialog box and to save the properties.



6.



To save customized mesh properties for later use, enter a name in the Save as field in the Reinforcement Mesh Properties dialog box and click the Save as button.



To later use saved mesh properties in the Reinforcement Mesh Properties dialog box, select their name in the Load list box and click the Load button.



Custom mesh properties



You can define the following properties for the customized reinforcement meshes:



Property



Description



Spacing method



Defines how the mesh bars are distributed. The options are:



•



Same distance for all: Use to create meshes with



•



Multiple varying distances: Use to create meshes with



evenly-spaced bars. unevenly-spaced bars. Distance(s)



The spacing values of the longitudinal or crossing bars. If you select the Multiple varying distances spacing method, enter all spacing values, separated by spaces. You can use multiplication to repeat spacing values. For example: 2*150 200 3*400 200 2*150



Left overhang Right overhang



The extensions of the longitudinal bars over the outermost crossing bars. The extensions of the crossing bars over the outermost longitudinal bars.



See also



Diameter



The diameter or size of the longitudinal or crossing bars.



Width



The length of the crossing bars.



Length



The length of the longitudinal bars.



Grade



The steel grade of the bars in the mesh.



Reinforcement mesh (p. 153) Meshes (p. 139)



144



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



Defining custom reinforcement components You can create customized reinforcement details and save them in the component catalog for later use. Preconditions



Create a concrete part and reinforce it in the way you want the reinforcement to appear in the custom component. You can create the reinforcement either by exploding and modifying an existing reinforcement component, or by creating the reinforcing bars individually.



Usage



1.



Click Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component....



2.



On the Type/Notes tab, select Detail in the Type list box, and enter a name for the custom reinforcement.



3.



Click Next.



4.



Select the reinforcing bars to use in the custom reinforcement and click Next.



5.



Select the main part and click Next.



6.



In DETAIL POSITION, select Main part to position the reinforcement by the main part.



7.



Click Finish.



Result



You have now defined a simple custom reinforcement component, which you can use in locations similar to the one where it was originally created. This component is not parametric and Tekla Structures does not adjust dimensions to suit any changes in the model. To create a parametric custom component, see Editing custom components (p. 69).



See also



Using a custom component (p. 110) Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component... (p. 117) Exploding components (p. 62)



Numbering reinforcement Tekla Structures numbers reinforcement in the same way as it numbers parts. For more information, see Assigning a numbering series to a part. This section contains information that you should consider when you plan reinforcement numbering. For more information on how to set up and carry out numbering, see Numbering the Model. Topics



What affects reinforcement numbering (p. 145) How reinforcement affects part numbering (p. 146)



What affects reinforcement numbering Tekla Structures treats reinforcing bars as identical, and gives them the same number, if the following properties are the same:



• • • • •



Bar geometry Numbering series Size Grade Bending radius



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



145



Defining identical bar geometry



Tekla Structures uses the values in the rebar_config.inp file in the ..\environments\*your_environment*\system\ folder to round bar dimensions up or down. For example, if you set the rounding accuracy for bar dimensions to 5 and rounding direction to up, Tekla Structures rounds all bar dimensions up to the nearest 5 mm. So, bars with dimensions of 131 mm and 133 mm would both round up to 135 mm. This gives them identical bar geometry. For more information, see Reinforcement settings for drawings.



Class



Class does not affect numbering. Tekla Structures gives the same number to identical reinforcing bars that belong to different classes.



User-defined attributes



Tekla Structures treats reinforcing bars as different, and so numbers them differently, if the values of a user-defined attribute differ. If a user-defined attribute has the variable consider_in_numbering set to yes, Tekla Structures takes this user-defined attribute into account when numbering. For more information on defining user-defined attributes, see Adding properties.



How reinforcement affects part numbering To force Tekla Structures to give otherwise identical concrete parts and cast units different numbers if they have different reinforcement: 1. 2. 3.



Click Drawings & Reports > Numbering > Numbering Settings.... In the Numbering Setup dialog box, select the Reinforcing bars checkbox. Click OK.



Cast unit numbering does not affect reinforcement numbering. For more information on cast units, see Cast units.



3.4 Single bars, bar groups, and meshes Tekla Structures includes the following tools to create single reinforcing bars, bar groups, and reinforcement meshes.



Command



146



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



Icon



Description



Reinforcing bar (p. 147)



Creates a single reinforcing bar.



Reinforcing bar group (p. 148)



Creates a reinforcing bar group.



Curved reinforcing bar group (p. 151)



Creates a curved reinforcing bar group.



Circular reinforcing bar group (p. 152)



Creates a circular reinforcing bar group.



Reinforcement mesh (p. 153)



Creates a reinforcement mesh.



Reinforcement strand pattern (p. 155)



Creates prestressed strands.



Reinforcement Splice (p. 158)



Joins reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups together with reinforcement splices.



Command



Icon



Description



Reinforcement mesh array in area (89)



Creates an array of overlapped reinforcement meshes.



Lifting anchor (80)



Creates two lifting anchors or anchor groups for a concrete part.



Reinforcing bar Synopsis



This command creates a reinforcing bar.



Preconditions



Create the part to reinforce. Calculate the required area of reinforcement.



Description



Tekla Structures creates the reinforcing bar using the properties in the Reinforcing bar properties dialog box. The filename extension of a saved bar properties file is rbr.



Field



Description



More information



Series and Start no



The mark series of the bar.



Numbering reinforcement (p. 145)



Name



The user-definable name of the bar.



Basic reinforcement properties (p. 134)



Size



The diameter of the bar or a mark defining it.



Grade



The steel grade of the bar.



Bending radius



The internal radius of the bends in the bar.



Class



Used to group reinforcement.



Shape



The shape of the hook.



Angle



The angle of the custom hook.



Radius



The internal bending radius of the standard or custom hook.



Length



The length of the straight part of the standard or custom hook.



Hooks (p. 135)



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



147



Field



Description



More information



Cover thickness on plane



The distances from the part surfaces to the bar on the same plane as the bar.



Concrete cover (p. 136)



Cover thickness from plane



The distance from the part surface to the bar, or bar end, perpendicular to the bar plane.



Start



The concrete cover thickness or leg length at the first end of the bar.



End



The concrete cover thickness or leg length at the second end of the bar.



User-defined attributes...



User-defined reinforcement properties.



Usage



1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.



See also



Reinforcing bar group (p. 148)



User-defined attributes of reinforcement (p. 139)



Double-click the Create reinforcing bar icon. Enter or modify the bar properties. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. Select the part to reinforce. Tekla Structures attaches the bar to the part. Pick the starting point of the bar. Pick the other bar reference points. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.



Working with reinforcement (p. 140)



Reinforcing bar group Synopsis



This command creates a reinforcing bar group.



Preconditions



Create the part to reinforce. Calculate the required area of reinforcement.



Description



A reinforcing bar group includes several identical, or very similar, reinforcing bars. You first define the shape of a single bar, then the direction in which Tekla Structures distributes the bars. Tekla Structures creates the reinforcing bar group using the properties in the Reinforcing bar properties dialog box. The filename extension of a saved bar group properties file is rbg.



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TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



Field



Description



More information



Series and Start no



The mark series of the bar.



Numbering reinforcement (p. 145)



Field



Description



More information



Name



The user-definable name of the bar.



Basic reinforcement properties (p. 134)



Size



The diameter of the bar or a mark defining it.



Grade



The steel grade of the bar.



Bending radius



The internal radius of the bar bends.



Class



Used to group reinforcement.



Shape



The shape of the hook.



Angle



The angle of the custom hook.



Radius



The internal bending radius of the standard or custom hook.



Length



The length of the straight part of the standard or custom hook.



Cover thickness on plane



The distances from the part surfaces to the bar on the same plane as the bar.



Cover thickness from plane



The distance from the part surface to the bar, or bar end, perpendicular to the bar plane.



Start



The concrete cover thickness or leg length at the first end of the bar.



End



The concrete cover thickness or leg length at the second end of the bar.



User-defined attributes...



User-defined reinforcement properties.



User-defined attributes of reinforcement (p. 139)



Creation method etc.



How to create the bar group.



Spacing reinforcing bars (p. 138)



Additional actions



Hooks (p. 135)



Concrete cover (p. 136)



Omitting reinforcing bars (p. 138) Tapered bar group (p. 149)



Usage



1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.



Double-click the Create reinforcing bar group icon. Enter or modify the bar group properties. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. Select the part to reinforce. Tekla Structures attaches the bar group to the part. Pick the bar starting point. Pick the other bar reference points. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking. Pick the starting point of the bar group. Pick the end point of the bar group.



Tapered bar group



To create a tapered bar group:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



149



1. 2. 3.



Double-click the Create reinforcing bar group icon. Enter or modify the bar group properties. On the Group tab, select an option from the Bar group type list box:



Option



1. 2. 3. 4.



Description Normal



Not tapered.



Tapered



One bar dimension changes linearly in the group.



Tapered ridge



One bar dimension changes linearly. The dimension is longest in the middle of the group.



Tapered curved



One bar dimension changes along a curve. The dimension is longest in the middle of the group.



Tapered N



One bar dimension changes linearly between N ridges. Enter the number of ridges in the Number of cross sections field.



Spiral



The reinforcing bars rise in a polygonal or circular shape along the longitudinal axis of the part.



Click Apply or OK. Select the part to reinforce. Tekla Structures attaches the bar group to the part. Pick points to define the shape of the bar at the first cross section. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking. For the second and subsequent cross sections, pick points to define the shape of the bar. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.



If you select the Normal option, you only need to define bar shape and bar distribution length.



If you change the type of a tapered bar group, Tekla Structures adjusts the number of handles. You can then drag handles to modify the group.



Spiral bar group



To create a spiral bar group: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.



See also



Double-click the Create reinforcing bar group icon. Enter or modify the bar group properties. On the Group tab, select Spiral from the Bar group type list box: Click Apply or OK. Select the part to reinforce. Tekla Structures attaches the bar group to the part. Pick points to define the shape of the bar at the first cross section. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking. For the second and subsequent cross sections, pick points to define the shape of the bar. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.



Reinforcement mesh (p. 153) Working with reinforcement (p. 140)



150



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



Curved reinforcing bar group (p. 151) Circular reinforcing bar group (p. 152)



Curved reinforcing bar group Synopsis



Creates a group of curved reinforcing bars.



Preconditions



Create the part to reinforce. Calculate the required area of reinforcement.



Description



Tekla Structures creates the curved reinforcing bar group using the properties in the Reinforcing bar properties dialog box. See Reinforcing bar group (p. 148) for more information on the common properties in this dialog box.



Usage



To create a curved bar group: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.



Double-click the Create curved reinforcing bar group icon. Enter or modify the reinforcing bar group properties. Click Apply or OK. Select the part to reinforce. Tekla Structures attaches the bar group to the part. Pick three points on an arc to define the curve:



6.



Pick two points to indicate the distribution direction of the bars:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



151



See also



Working with reinforcement (p. 140) Reinforcing bar group (p. 148) Circular reinforcing bar group (p. 152)



Circular reinforcing bar group Synopsis



Creates a group of circular reinforcing bars.



Preconditions



Create the part to reinforce. Calculate the required area of reinforcement.



Description



Tekla Structures creates the circular reinforcing bar group using the properties in the Reinforcing bar properties dialog box. See Reinforcing bar group (p. 148) for more information on the common properties in this dialog box.



Usage



To create a circular bar group: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.



152



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



Double-click the Create circular reinforcing bar group icon. Enter or modify the reinforcing bar group properties. Click Apply or OK. Select the part to reinforce. Tekla Structures attaches the bar group to the part. Pick three points to define the circlular bars



6.



See also



Pick two points to indicate the distribution direction of the bars.



Working with reinforcement (p. 140) Reinforcing bar group (p. 148) Curved reinforcing bar group (p. 151)



Reinforcement mesh Synopsis



This command creates a reinforcement mesh.



Preconditions



Create the part to reinforce. Calculate the required area of reinforcement.



Description



You can create the following types of reinforcement meshes:



• • •



Rectangular Polygonal Bent



Tekla Structures creates the reinforcement mesh using the properties in the Reinforcement Mesh Properties dialog box. The filename extension of a saved mesh properties file is rbm.



Field



Description



More information



Prefix and Start no



The mark series of the mesh.



Numbering reinforcement (p. 145)



Name



The user-definable name of the mesh.



Basic reinforcement properties (p. 134)



Mesh



Select a mesh from the mesh catalog.



Meshes (p. 139)



You can also use a customized mesh.



Customizing reinforcement meshes (p. 143)



Grade



The steel grade of the bars in the mesh.



Basic reinforcement properties (p. 134)



Class



Used to group reinforcement.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



153



Field



Description



More information



Mesh type



The shape of the mesh. Select Polygon, Rectangle, or Bent.



Meshes (p. 139)



Width



For rectangular meshes, enter the width and length of the mesh.



Length Bending radius



For bent meshes, enter the bending radius.



Cross bar location



Defines whether the crossing bars are located above or below the longitudinal bars.



Cut by father part cuts



Defines whether the polygon or part cuts in the part cut also the mesh.



Meshes (p. 139)



Cover thickness on plane



The distance from the part surface to the main bars on the same plane as the bars.



Concrete cover (p. 136)



Cover thickness from plane



The distance from the part surface to the bar, or bar end, perpendicular to the bar plane.



Cover thickness start



Thickness of concrete cover or leg length from the mesh starting point.



Cover thickness end



Thickness of concrete cover or leg length at the end point of the bar. Used for bent meshes.



User-defined attributes...



User-defined reinforcement properties.



User-defined attributes of reinforcement (p. 139)



Hooks tab



The shape, angle, radius, and length of hooks at the start and end of the crossing mesh bars.



Hooks (p. 135)



The properties of standard meshes are defined in the mesh_database.inp file, located in the ...\environments\*your environment*\profil folder.



Usage



Rectangular To create a rectangular mesh: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.



154



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



Set the work plane parallel to the plane where you want to create the mesh. Double-click the Create reinforcement mesh icon. In the Mesh type list box, select Rectangle. Enter or modify the mesh dimensions and the other properties. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. Select the part to reinforce. Tekla Structures attaches the mesh to the part. Pick the starting point of the mesh.



8.



Pick a point to indicate the direction of the longitudinal bars. Tekla Structures creates the mesh parallel to the work plane, to the left of the points you picked.



Polygonal To create a polygonal mesh: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.



Double-click the Create reinforcement mesh icon. In the Mesh type list box, select Polygon. Enter or modify the mesh properties. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. Select the part to reinforce. Tekla Structures attaches the mesh to the part. Pick the starting point of the mesh. Pick the corner points of the mesh. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking. Pick two points to indicate the direction of the longitudinal bars.



Bent To create a bent mesh:



1.



Double-click the Create reinforcement mesh icon to open the Reinforcement Mesh Properties dialog box. 2. In the Mesh type list box, select Bent. 3. Enter the bending radius. 4. Enter or modify the other mesh properties. 5. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. 6. Click the Create reinforcement mesh icon. 7. Select the part to reinforce. Tekla Structures attaches the mesh to the part. 8. Pick points to indicate the bending shape of the crossing bars. 9. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking points. 10. Pick two points to indicate the length and direction of the longitudinal bars. See also



Working with reinforcement (p. 140)



Reinforcement strand pattern Synopsis



This command creates prestressed strands for concrete parts.



Preconditions Description



Tekla Structures creates straight or deflected strands based on the strand profile you indicate using the properties in the Reinforcing bar properties dialog box.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



155



Field



Description



More information



Series and Start no



The mark series of the bar.



Numbering reinforcement (p. 145)



Name



The user-definable name of the bar.



Basic reinforcement properties (p. 134)



Size



The diameter of the bar or a mark defining it.



Grade



The steel grade of the bar.



Bending radius



The internal radius of the bar bends.



Class



Used to group reinforcement.



Pull per strand



The pull per strand (kN).



Number of cross sections



Defines the number of cross sections of the strand pattern.



User-defined attributes...



User-defined reinforcement properties.



User-defined attributes of reinforcement (p. 139)



Debonded strands



Enter the strand number in this field. The strand number is the picking order number of the strand.



Debonding strands (p. 157)



From start



Enter the length of the debonding. If you select the Symmetry checkbox, values in fields From start and From Middle to start are copied to From end and Middle to end fields.



Middle to start Middle to end From end



Symmetry



Usage



To create prestressed strands for a concrete part: 1. 2. 3.



156



Defines if the end and start lengths are symmetrical.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



Double-click the Create reinforcement strand pattern icon. Enter or modify the strand properties. In the Number of cross sections field, enter a number based on the strand profile. For example:



Strand profile



Number of patterns 1



2



3



4



4. 5. 6. 7. 8.



Define the lenghts of the debonding zones. Click Apply or OK. Click the Create reinforcement strand pattern icon. Pick the part you are creating strands for. Pick points to position the strands (for example, at the end of a part): The points you pick define the first cross section. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.



9.



If you chose to create a single cross section, pick two points to define the length of the strands. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.



10. If you chose to create two or more cross sections, for each cross section, pick points to indicate the strand positions. Pick the strand positions in the same order as for the first cross section. After each cross section, click the middle mouse button to finish picking. Debonding strands



To debond strands: 1.



Double-click the Create reinforcement strand pattern icon.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



157



2. 3. 4.



5.



On the Debonding tab, enter the debonding properties. Click Add button to create a new row in the table. Enter the strand numbers in the Debonded strands field. The strand number is the picking order number of the strand:



•



To set the same values for all the strands, enter all the strand numbers, separated by a space (e.g. 1 2 3 4).



•



To set separate values for each strand, click Add to add a new row, then enter the strand number in the Debonded strands field.



Define the debonded lengths:



•



6.



To set symmetrical lengths, select the End lengths = start lengths checkbox and only enter values in the From start or Middle to start fields. Debonding lengths:



Click Modify and Apply. Tekla Structures displays the debonded section of the strand in red in rendered views, or as a broken line in wire frame views.



Debonded strands appear as broken lines in drawings. See also



Working with reinforcement (p. 140) Reinforcing bar group (p. 148)



Reinforcement Splice This command joins reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups together with reinforcement splices. Preconditions



Create the reinforcing bars or bar groups to join. There can be a gap between them.



Description



Tekla Structures creates the reinforcement splice using the current properties in the Reinforcement Splice Properties dialog box. The filename extension of a saved splice properties file is rsp.



158



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



Field



Description



More information



Joint type



The type of the splice. The options are:



Lap left creates the lap to



• • • • •



Usage



Lap right Lap left Lap both Muff joint Welded joint



Lap length



The length of the lap joint.



Offset



The offset of the splice center point from the point where the bars originally met.



Bar positions



Defines whether the lapping bars are on top of each other or parallel to each other.



the direction of the first reinforcing bar or bar group selected, Lap right to the direction of the second. Lap both centers the lap between the bars or bar groups.



1.



Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Reinforcement Splice....



2.



Enter or modify the splice properties.



3.



Click Apply or OK to save the properties.



4.



Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Reinforcement Splice.



5.



Select the first reinforcing bar or bar group.



6.



Select the second reinforcing bar or bar group.



Tekla Structures indicates reinforcement splices in the model using blue splice symbols:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



159



160



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcement



4



Reinforcing bar bending types



Tekla Structures recognizes different reinforcing bar bending shapes and assigns bending type identifiers to them. The table below lists these reinforcing bar bending types. If Tekla Structures does not recognize the shape of a reinforcing bar, it assigns the UNKNOWN bending type to it. The bending type identifiers in the table below are internal, hard-coded types of Tekla Structures. The leg dimensions (D1, D2, etc.) and bending angles (A1, A2, etc.) of reinforcing bars are internal dimensions and angles. You can map internal types, for example, to countryor project-specific types, and internal dimensions and angles to specific template attributes. You do this in the rebar_schedule_config.inp file. See Reinforcement in templates (p. 182). The magenta points in the images represent the points you pick in the model when you create reinforcing bars.



Type



Image



1 2_1



Requires standard bending radius. 2_2



Non-standard bending radius.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



161



Type 3_1



3_2



4



4_2



4_3



4_4



5_1



5_2



162



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



Image



Type



Image



5_3



6_1



6_2



7



8



9



Requires 180 degree hook. 10



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



163



Type



Image



11



12



13



Can also be modeled using hooks at both ends (i.e. model D1 and D5 using 90 degree hooks). 14



Requires hooks at both ends. 14_2



164



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



Type



Image



14_3



14_4



Requires 90 degree hooks at both ends. 14_5



Recognized if XS_REBAR_RECOGNITION_HOOKS_CONSIDERATION is set to FALSE.



15



Requires hooks at both ends. 16_1



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



165



Type 16_2



17



18



19



20_1



20_2



166



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



Image



Type



Image



21



22



23



24



25



26



Requires 180 degree hooks at both ends. 27



Requires 90 degree hooks at both ends.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



167



Type



Image



28



Requires 180 degree hooks at both ends. 29



Requires 90 degree hooks at both ends. 29_2



29_3



29_4



29_5



168



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



Type



Image



30



Requires 180 degree hooks at both ends. 31



Requires 90 degree hooks at both ends. 32



Requires 180 degree hooks at both ends. 33



Requires 90 degree hooks at both ends. 34



35



Requires 180 degree hook.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



169



Type



Image



36



Requires 180 degree hook. 36_2



Can also be modeled using hooks at both ends. 36_3



Can also be modeled using hooks at both ends. 37



Requires 180 degree hook. 38



Requires 180 degree hook at one end and 90 degree hook at the other end. 38_2



170



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



Type



Image



39



40



Requires 180 degree hooks at both ends. 41



Requires 90 degree hooks at both ends. 42



Requires 180 degree hooks at both ends. 43



43_2



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



171



Type



Image



44



Requires hooks at both ends. 44_2



Requires 180 degree hooks at both ends. 45



Requires hooks at both ends. 45_2



Requires 180 hooks at both ends. 46



Requires hooks at both ends.



172



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



Type



Image



47



Requires 90 degree hooks at both ends. 48



Requires hooks at both ends. 48_2



Requires hooks at both ends. 48_3



49



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



173



Type



Image



49_2



50



Requires hooks at both ends. 51



Requires 90 degree hooks at both ends. 52



Requires hooks at both ends. 53



Requires hooks at both ends. 54



Requires hooks at both ends.



174



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



Type



Image



55



56



57



58



59



60



61



Requires hooks at both ends.



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



175



Type



Image



61_2



Recognized if XS_REBAR_RECOGNITION_HOOKS_CONSIDERATION is set to FALSE.



61_3



Requires hooks at both ends. 62



Requires hook. 63



Requires hook. 64



Requires hooks at both ends.



176



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



Type



Image



64_2



Recognized if XS_REBAR_RECOGNITION_HOOKS_CONSIDERATION is set to FALSE.



65



Requires hooks at both ends. 65_2



Recognized if XS_REBAR_RECOGNITION_HOOKS_CONSIDERATION is set to FALSE.



66



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



177



Type 67



67_2



68



69_1



69_2



70_1



178



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



Image



Type



Image



70_2



71



72



73_1



73_2



73_3



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



179



Type 74



75_1



75_2



76



77



180



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



Image



Type



Image



78



79_1



79_2



80



UNKNOWN



For example:



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



181



4.1 Reinforcement in templates Audience



This topic is aimed at Tekla Structures users who need to localize reinforcing bar bending types or to create templates for reinforcing bar bending schedules.



Reinforcement templates



You can show dimensions, bending angles, and bending types of reinforcing bars in drawings and reports by including reinforcement-specific attributes, such as DIM_A, ANG_S, SHAPE, and SHAPE_INTERNAL, in template fields. For more information on creating templates, see the Template Editor (TplEd) online help.



Mapping dimensions



Use the rebar_schedule_config.inp file in the ..\environments\*your_environment*\system folder to map:



•



Tekla Structures internal reinforcing bar dimensions and angles with specific template attributes



•



Tekla Structures internal reinforcing bar bending types with specific bending types



These mappings are environment-specific by default. You can modify them to suit your company or project needs. You can use equations, functions, and if statements to calculate the dimensions and angles you need to show. Use any standard text editor (for example, Notepad) to edit the rebar_schedule_config.inp file. Examples



The following example of the rebar_schedule_config.inp file maps the internal bending type 5_1 to the bending type identifier E, and the leg dimensions and bending angles to specific template attributes:



rebar_schedule_config.inp (Example 1) BEND_TYPE_5_1[1]="E" BEND_TYPE_5_1[2]="DIM_A=D1" BEND_TYPE_5_1[3]="DIM_B=D5" BEND_TYPE_5_1[4]="DIM_C=D2" BEND_TYPE_5_1[5]="DIM_TD=TD" BEND_TYPE_5_1[6]="ANG_U=A1" BEND_TYPE_5_1[7]="ANG_V=A2"



With this mapping, the internal bending type 6_2 becomes XY, and the template attributes DIM_B and DIM_C will show the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the second leg D2, and DIM_E and DIM_F the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the fourth leg D4:



rebar_schedule_config.inp (Example 2) BEND_TYPE_6_2[1]="XY" BEND_TYPE_6_2[2]="DIM_A=D1" BEND_TYPE_6_2[3]="DIM_B=D2*COS(A2*PI/ 180)" BEND_TYPE_6_2[4]="DIM_C=D2*SIN(A2*PI/ 180)" BEND_TYPE_6_2[5]="DIM_D=D3" BEND_TYPE_6_2[6]="DIM_E=D4*COS(A1*PI/ 180)" BEND_TYPE_6_2[7]="DIM_F=D4*SIN(A1*PI/ 180)" BEND_TYPE_6_2[8]="DIM_G=D5" BEND_TYPE_6_2[9]="DIM_TD=TD"



182



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



The following example maps the internal bending type 4 to the bending type identifier A if the dimensions D1 and D3 are the same. Otherwise it maps 4 to B:



rebar_schedule_config.inp (Example 3) BEND_TYPE_4[1]=if (D1==D3) then ("A") else ("B") endif BEND_TYPE_4[2]="DIM_A=D1" BEND_TYPE_4[3]="DIM_B=D2" BEND_TYPE_4[4]="DIM_C=D3" BEND_TYPE_4[5]="DIM_TD=TD"



If Tekla Structures does not recognize a reinforcing bar bending shape, it uses the internal bending type UNKNOWN for it. In the rebar_schedule_config.inp file you can also define how unknown bending types appear in drawings and reports. For example, you may just want to use the bending type identifier ???, and list all leg dimensions and bending angles:



rebar_schedule_config.inp (Example 4) BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[1]="???" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[2]="DIM_A=D1" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[3]="DIM_B=D2" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[4]="DIM_C=D3" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[5]="DIM_D=D4" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[6]="DIM_E=D5" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[7]="DIM_F=D6" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[8]="ANG_S=A1" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[9]="ANG_T=A2" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[10]="ANG_U=A3" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[11]="ANG_V=A4" BEND_TYPE_UNKNOWN[12]="DIM_TD=TD"



See also



DIM_A ... DIM_G, DIM_H1, DIM_H2, DIM_I, DIM_J, DIM_K1, DIM_K2, DIM_O, DIM_R, DIM_TD, DIM_X, DIM_Y ANG_S, ANG_T, ANG_U, ANG_V SHAPE SHAPE_INTERNAL Reinforcing bar bending types (p. 161)



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Reinforcing bar bending types



183



Index a acos.............................................................................. 89 anchoring hooks ......................................................... 135 asin............................................................................... 89 assemblies defining.................................................................. 33 atan .............................................................................. 89 atan2 ............................................................................ 89 attaching reinforcement to parts ......................................... 140 AutoConnection using...................................................................... 42 automatic distances.................................................... 130 automatic properties..................................................... 18 ave................................................................................ 86



b battering connection (13)............................................ 115 beam profiles selecting ................................................................ 31 bending radius............................................................ 134 bind to plane................................................................. 75 binding using magnetic planes ..................................... 80 bolt assemblies defining in connections.......................................... 41 bolts bolt group orientation ............................................ 36 bolt group pattern .................................................. 36 bolt position ........................................................... 37 bolt spacing ........................................................... 36 defining............................................................33, 35 deleting.................................................................. 40 edge distance........................................................ 37 increasing bolt length ............................................ 35 number of .............................................................. 36 overview of properties on the bolts tab ................. 34



Boundary plane ..........................................................125 box plane ....................................................................119 browser.......................................................................124



c ceil ................................................................................86 collision plane .............................................................119 component catalog .......................................................21 component design checking ................................................................19 components concepts ................................................................14 conceptual .............................................................28 detailed..................................................................28 dialog box ..............................................................15 publish in catalog...................................................25 symbols .................................................................23 thumbnails .............................................................24 types......................................................................14 using excel ............................................................57 conceptual components................................................28 concrete cover ............................................................136 Connection plane........................................................125 connections defining bolt assemblies ........................................41 construction planes.......................................................80 cos ................................................................................89 cosh ..............................................................................89 creating distance ...............................................................128 custom component settings ................................................................127 custom component browser .......................................124 custom component settings........................................127 custom component wizard............................................62



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



184



custom components browser ................................................................. 72 defining..........................................................62, 117 editor ..................................................................... 69 exporting and importing....................................... 111 interface .............................................................. 103 password............................................................. 111 properties .............................................................. 68 protecting ............................................................ 111 tips on working with............................................. 114 types...................................................................... 66 using.................................................................... 110 custom connections...................................................... 62 custom details .............................................................. 62 custom reinforcement meshes ................................... 143 customizing reinforcement ..............................................143, 145



d default properties.......................................................... 18 default values setting with the joints.def file ................................. 46 Design tab .................................................................... 19 Design type tab ............................................................ 19 detailed components .................................................... 28 distance ........................................................................ 75 reference distance................................................. 77 distance variable ........................................................ 128 double........................................................................... 87



fabs...............................................................................85 fAD() .............................................................................89 find................................................................................87 floor...............................................................................86 formulae........................................................................82 fP()................................................................................84 functions for equations .................................................83



g general tab....................................................................18 getat..............................................................................87 gusset plane ...............................................................119



h handles of reinforcement ..................................................141 holes creating..................................................................35 hypot.............................................................................85



i In...................................................................................85 indicating component status with Excel design ............60 int..................................................................................87



e



j



edge distance bolts....................................................................... 37 end end plane............................................................. 119 Excel............................................................................. 58 excel example................................................................. 59 using for components............................................ 57 using with custom components ........................... 112 exp................................................................................ 85 exploding reinforcement ...................................................... 143 exploding components ................................................. 62



joints.def about .....................................................................46 bolt and part properties .........................................50 bolt properties in clip angle connections................49 bolt properties in diagonal connections .................50 bolt properties in end plate connections................49 bolt properties in gusset connections ....................50 bolt properties in shear plate connections.............49 connections that use joints.def ..............................57 defining bolt diameter and number of rows ...........49 defining global defaults..........................................48 entering values ......................................................47 example of how Tekla Structures uses..................56 how it works...........................................................47 interpreting ............................................................47



f



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



185



l length ............................................................................87 log .................................................................................85



m magnetic planes............................................................80 match ............................................................................87 materials defining ..................................................................32 max ...............................................................................86 mesh ...........................................................................153 bent......................................................................153 polygonal .............................................................153 min ................................................................................86 mod...............................................................................85 model browser ............................................................124 modeling tips working with custom components........................114 modifying reinforcement.......................................................141



n n!...................................................................................85 numbering reinforcement.......................................................145 reinforcement, what affects .................................145



o omitting reinforcing bars .............................................138 Outline plane...............................................................125



p parameters....................................................................81 part position number .....................................................31 parts defining ..................................................................30 dialog box tabs ......................................................30 dimensioning .........................................................30 part position number..............................................31 setting default prefix and start number ..................32



186



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



passwords custom component ..............................................111 plane types..................................................................125 plates defining ..................................................................30 dimensioning..........................................................31 pow ...............................................................................85 prestressed strands debonding ............................................................155 properties automatic ...............................................................18 default ....................................................................18 system default........................................................18 publish in catalog ..........................................................25



r rebar............................................................................147 bending types ......................................................161 rebar group .................................................................148 rebar mesh..................................................................153 reference distances.....................................................129 reference function .........................................................84 reinforcement basic properties ...................................................134 bending radius .....................................................134 bending types ......................................................134 customizing..........................................................145 defining as custom components ..........................145 exploding .............................................................143 hooks ...................................................................135 in templates .........................................................182 modifying .............................................................141 numbering............................................................145 omitting bars ........................................................138 prestressed strands .............................................155 spacing ................................................................138 splice....................................................................158 strands .................................................................155 user-defined attributes .........................................139 reinforcement mesh ....................................................153 customizing..........................................................143 reinforcement splice....................................................158 reinforcing bar .............................................................147 bending types ......................................................161 reinforcing bar group...................................................148 circular .................................................................152 curved ..................................................................151 reinforcing bar groups splitting.................................................................143



reports on reinforcement ................................................. 182 round ............................................................................ 85



s seam............................................................................. 66 setat.............................................................................. 87 setting up Excel files..................................................... 58 sin................................................................................. 89 sinh............................................................................... 89 sketch browser ........................................................... 124 slotted holes defining.................................................................. 39 spacing reinforcing bars ............................................. 138 spiral reinforcing bar groups....................................... 148 splitting reinforcing bar groups ......................................... 143 reinforcing bars in a group .................................. 143 sqave............................................................................ 86 sqrt ............................................................................... 85 sqsum........................................................................... 86 strand pattern reinforcement ...................................................... 155 string............................................................................. 87 sum............................................................................... 86 surface treatment in custom components ........................................ 102 system default properties ............................................. 18



t tan.................................................................................89 tanh...............................................................................89 tapered reinforcing bar groups ...................................148 thumbnail images .........................................................24



u up direction ...................................................................17 user-defined reinforcement attributes.........................139 using ASCII files with custom component ..................113 using Excel with custom components.........................112



v variables .............................................................. 73, 120



w welds defining........................................................... 33, 41



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15



187



188



TEKLA STRUCTURES 15