Tekla Structures 18 Detailing Guide

Tekla StructuresDetailing Guide

Product version 18.1

August 2012

© 2012 Tekla Corporation

© 2012 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.

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The software is protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 7,302,368, 7,617,076, 7,765,240, 7,809,533, 8,022,953, 8,041,744 and 8,046, 210. 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 2005285881, 20110102463 and 20120022848.

3

Conventions used in this guideTypographical

conventionsThe following typographical conventions are used in this guide:

Noteboxes The following types of noteboxes are used in this guide:

Font Usage

Bold Any text that you see in the user interface appears in bold. This font is used, for example, for window and dialog box titles, box and button names, and list items.

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

Monospace Extracts of program code, HTML, or other material that you would normally edit in a text editor, appear in monospaced font.

This font is also used for file names and folder paths, and for any text that you should type yourself.

A tip might introduce a shortcut, or suggest alternative ways of doing things.

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.

Contents

4

Conventions used in this guide ..............................................................................................................3

1 Getting Started .............................................................................................. 7

1.1 Basics of components ........................................................................................................... 7Component concepts .................................................................................................................................... 8Component dialog box ................................................................................................................................. 9Selection order ............................................................................................................................................. 11Up direction................................................................................................................................................... 11Automatic and default properties........................................................................................................... 12General tab .................................................................................................................................................... 12Design and Design type tabs .................................................................................................................... 13

1.2 Component catalog............................................................................................................. 14Using the component catalog.................................................................................................................. 14

Symbols ................................................................................................................................................... 16Pop-up menus ....................................................................................................................................... 17

Thumbnail images........................................................................................................................................ 18Descriptions and keywords ....................................................................................................................... 18Grouping components ................................................................................................................................ 18Copying components to another folder ................................................................................................ 19Customizing and saving components .................................................................................................... 19

1.3 Using components............................................................................................................... 20Creating components ................................................................................................................................. 20Example: Adding an end plate ................................................................................................................. 21Example: Adding a base plate and anchor rods.................................................................................. 22Example: Adding a beam to column connection................................................................................ 23Viewing components .................................................................................................................................. 23Modifying components .............................................................................................................................. 24Conceptual components ............................................................................................................................ 24

Converting a conceptual component to a detailed component ............................................. 25Automating the detailing process........................................................................................................... 25Tips on working with components.......................................................................................................... 26

1.4 Defining parts and plates................................................................................................... 27Using the dialog box................................................................................................................................... 27Dimensioning parts ..................................................................................................................................... 27

Plates ....................................................................................................................................................... 28Beams ...................................................................................................................................................... 28Part position number .......................................................................................................................... 28Using the Components tab ................................................................................................................ 29

Defining materials ....................................................................................................................................... 29Using the Components tab ................................................................................................................ 30

1.5 Defining bolts and welds.................................................................................................... 30Using the Bolts tab...................................................................................................................................... 30

5

Defining bolts ............................................................................................................................................... 32Increasing bolt length ......................................................................................................................... 32

Creating holes............................................................................................................................................... 32Number of bolts and spacing ................................................................................................................... 33Bolt group orientation................................................................................................................................ 33Bolt group pattern....................................................................................................................................... 33Edge distance................................................................................................................................................ 34Bolt position.................................................................................................................................................. 34

Vertical bolt position ........................................................................................................................... 35Horizontal bolt position ..................................................................................................................... 35

Defining slotted holes ................................................................................................................................ 36Deleting bolts................................................................................................................................................ 37Defining bolt assemblies............................................................................................................................ 38Welds............................................................................................................................................................... 38

1.6 Modeling tools .................................................................................................................... 391.7 AutoConnection .................................................................................................................. 39

AutoConnection setup................................................................................................................................ 40AutoConnection rule groups ............................................................................................................. 41AutoConnection rule sets .................................................................................................................. 42Rules.zxt ................................................................................................................................................ 43Changing a connection ...................................................................................................................... 43

Using AutoConnection ............................................................................................................................... 431.8 AutoDefaults ....................................................................................................................... 44

AutoDefaults setup...................................................................................................................................... 45Connection properties files ............................................................................................................... 46Saving connection properties ........................................................................................................... 46Access to properties files ................................................................................................................... 46Defaults.zxt ............................................................................................................................................ 47Priority of rule sets .............................................................................................................................. 47Editing connection properties .......................................................................................................... 47

Using AutoDefaults ..................................................................................................................................... 48How to use AutoDefaults effectively ..................................................................................................... 48Checking AutoDefaults properties .......................................................................................................... 48Checking AutoDefaults rules .................................................................................................................... 48AutoConnection and AutoDefaults rules .............................................................................................. 48

Combining and iterating properties ................................................................................................ 50Limitations ............................................................................................................................................. 51Combining properties .......................................................................................................................... 52Iteration with connection check ...................................................................................................... 52Reaction forces and UDL .................................................................................................................... 54

1.9 Using the joints.def file...................................................................................................... 54About joints.def............................................................................................................................................ 55

How joints.def works ........................................................................................................................... 55How to read joints.def ........................................................................................................................ 55Entering values ..................................................................................................................................... 56

Connections that use joints.def............................................................................................................... 56Defining general defaults .......................................................................................................................... 56Defining bolt diameter and number of rows ....................................................................................... 58

Clip angle, shear plate, and end plate connections ................................................................... 58Gusset connections .............................................................................................................................. 58Diagonal connections ......................................................................................................................... 59

Defining other bolt and part properties ................................................................................................ 59Gusset connection properties ........................................................................................................... 60Diagonal connection properties ....................................................................................................... 63

6

Profile type-dependent bolt dimensions ....................................................................................... 65How Tekla Structures uses joints.def ..................................................................................................... 65

1.10 Using Excel in connection design...................................................................................... 66Setting up Excel files .................................................................................................................................. 67Sample implementation............................................................................................................................. 67Indicating component status ................................................................................................................... 70

2 Reinforcement .............................................................................................. 73

2.1 Getting started with reinforcement.................................................................................. 732.2 Basic reinforcement properties ......................................................................................... 74

Hooks............................................................................................................................................................... 75Concrete cover.............................................................................................................................................. 76Spacing reinforcing bars............................................................................................................................ 78Omitting reinforcing bars.......................................................................................................................... 78User-defined attributes of reinforcement ............................................................................................ 79Meshes............................................................................................................................................................ 79

2.3 Single bars, bar groups, and meshes ................................................................................. 80Creating reinforcement using the Reinforcing Bar Shape Catalog............................................... 81Reinforcing bar............................................................................................................................................. 83Reinforcing bar group................................................................................................................................. 84Curved reinforcing bar group ................................................................................................................... 87Circular reinforcing bar group ................................................................................................................. 88Reinforcement mesh................................................................................................................................... 89Reinforcement strand pattern.................................................................................................................. 92Reinforcement splice .................................................................................................................................. 94

2.4 Working with reinforcement ............................................................................................. 95Attaching reinforcement to parts ........................................................................................................... 95Using reinforcement handles ................................................................................................................... 96Using adaptivity ........................................................................................................................................... 97Reinforcement geometry validity............................................................................................................ 99

2.5 Modifying reinforcement ................................................................................................... 99Ungrouping a reinforcement ................................................................................................................. 100Grouping reinforcements........................................................................................................................ 101Adding points to a reinforcement........................................................................................................ 102Removing points from a reinforcement ............................................................................................. 103Splitting reinforcing bar groups ........................................................................................................... 104Splitting reinforcing bars in a group................................................................................................... 104Combining two reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups into one......................................... 105Customizing reinforcement meshes .................................................................................................... 105Exploding reinforcement ........................................................................................................................ 107Defining custom reinforcement components ................................................................................... 107

2.6 Reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape Manager .................................... 108Reinforcing bar bending shapes in the RebarShapeRules.xml file ............................................. 108Defining reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape Manager ................................... 108Adding new bending shape rules manually ...................................................................................... 110

Bending shape rule settings ........................................................................................................... 110Bending schedule fields in the Rebar Shape Manager .................................................................. 114

2.7 Reinforcing bar bending types......................................................................................... 116Reinforcement in templates .................................................................................................................. 137

Basics of componentsGetting Started 7

1 Getting Started

Introduction 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 of components (7)• Component catalog (14)

• Using components (20)

• Defining parts and plates (27)

• Defining bolts and welds (30)• AutoConnection (39)

• AutoDefaults (44)

• Using the joints.def file (54)• Using Excel in connection design (66)

1.1 Basics of components

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.

2. When you modify the size of a profile, Tekla Structures automatically modifies the relevant components.

3. When you copy or move objects, Tekla Structures automatically includes all the associated components.

Topics Component concepts (8)

Component catalog (14)


Component dialog box (9)

Selection order (11)

Up direction (11)

Automatic and default properties (12)

General tab (12)

Design and Design type tabs (13)

Component conceptsComponents 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, which means that Tekla Structures automatically modifies a component if you modify the parts it connects.

This is an example of how to apply a connection:

Component types Components have the following subtypes:

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 type Description Examples Symbol

Connection Connects two or more parts, and creates all the required objects such as cuts, fittings, parts, bolts, and welds.

Two-sided clip angle, bolted gusset

Corbel connection (14)


System andcustom

components

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 (14). To open the component catalog, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+F.

See also What is a custom component

Creating custom components

Component dialog boxThe 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 buttons. 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 (46).

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.

Detail Adds a detail or a reinforcement 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 place the detail.

Stiffeners, base plates, lifting hooks

Beam reinforcement, pad footing reinforcement

Modeling tool

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

Stairs, frames, towers

Component type Description Examples Symbol


See also Defining parts and plates (27)

Defining bolts and welds (30)

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.


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

1. Main part2. 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. Main part.2. A point in the main part to show the location of the detail.

Modeling tools 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 directionThe 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 main 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 definingup direction

To manually define the up direction:

1. Double-click the connection symbol to open the connection dialog box.2. On the General tab, change the x, y, or z direction. Try positive directions first.3. Click Modify to use the new values.

Automatic and default propertiesSome 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 defaultproperties

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 andautomaticproperties

See also Using the joints.def file (54)

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

Icon DescriptionMore information

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

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 necessarily match the outcome.

Using AutoDefaults (48)

To have Tekla Structures automatically determine which option to use for a property, select the option marked with this symbol.

For example, when you use this option for the stiffener in End plate (144), the connection automatically adds the stiffener to a beam-to-column connection, but does not add it to a beam-to-beam connection.


Design and Design type tabsSome 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). This design check is intended for use with imperial units.

The Design tab also contains options to:

• 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 (54).

• 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 (66).

Design tab To check the design of a component that has a Design tab page:

1. Go to the Design tab and select Yes in the Use UDL listbox.2. To use information in an Excel spreadsheet in the UDL calculation, select Excel in the External

design listbox.3. Enter the information you want to use in the calculation in the remaining fields.

Field Description More information

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

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.

Up direction (11)

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 main 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.

Color settings for parts

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.


AutoConnection Rule Group

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

Component catalogGetting Started 14

4. Select a connection in the model and click Modify. 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.

See also Using Excel in connection design (66).

Design type tab To check the design of a component that has a Design type tab page:

1. Open the component properties dialog box.2. 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. 3. Enter the information you want to use in the calculation in the remaining fields.4. Select a connection in the model and click Modify.5. Tekla Structures checks the component. A green component symbol indicates that the

connection will bear the UDL, red indicates it will not.6. 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 check.

The summary of the design check shows the part checked, the name of the check, the applied and allowed force and how much capacity has been used, the results and possible solutions.

1.2 Component catalogTekla 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 (14)).

Topics Using the component catalog (14)

Thumbnail images (18)

Descriptions and keywords (18)

Grouping components (18)

Customizing and saving components (19)

Using the component catalogTo open the component catalog, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+F, or click the Search component

icon on the component toolbar.

You can do the following with components and sketched cross sections:

• search using name, number, or keywords• start creating

• view properties

• collect your own favorites• define keywords

• edit or add descriptions

• import/export

Componentcatalog

You can browse for the components, or search by using search terms and keywords.


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

System components have blue symbols.

Custom components have yellow symbols.


Creating newfolders

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.

To create new folders in the Folders 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

Information on the folders you create is stored in the ComponentCatalogTreeView.txt file that is located in the ..\TeklaStructuresModels\<model>\attributes\ folder.

For more information, see Copying components to another folder (19).

Modifying Searchand Folders views

• The default view settings for the Search view are stored in the ComponentCatalog.txt file that is located in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\system folder.If you modify the file, the Search view and the Search results branch in the Folders view change.

• The default tree settings for the Folders view are stored in the ComponentCatalogTreeView.txt file that is located in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\system folder.

If you modify the file, the Folders view changes.

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

To sort a column, click the header cell.

You can create a list of favorite components. To add a component to your list, right-click the component name in the component catalog, and then select Add to Favorites in the pop-up menu.

Symbol Component type

System connections

System detail

System modeling tool

Custom connections and seams

Custom details

Custom parts

Sketched cross sections


Pop-up menus

Systemcomponents

Right-click a system 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...• AutoDefaults...

• Import...

Customcomponents

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...• Export...

• Import...

• Edit Custom Component • Delete Custom Component

Sketched crosssections

Right-click a sketch 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

• Export...

• Import...

• Change Picture...• Delete

See also Thumbnail images (18)

Descriptions and keywords (18)

Grouping components (18)

Managing custom components

Sketched cross sections


Thumbnail imagesMost 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\<version>\nt\bitmaps folder.

2. Press Ctrl + F to open the component catalog.3. Right-click the component and select Change picture...4. Locate the thumbnail and select it.5. 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:

• 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.

Keywords 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:..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\system.

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

1. In the Component catalog, enter your search criteria and click Search.

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


2. To group the search results in a new folder, click Store.3. In the Store search result dialog box, enter a name for the folder and click OK.4. The new folder appears in the tree.

Removingcomponents from

groups

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.

Copying components to another folderTo copy components from one folder to another:

1. In the component catalog, click the Folders icon to open the Folders view.2. Go to the folder where the component to be copied is located.3. Select the component, right-click and select Copy.4. Go to the folder where you want to copy the component.5. Right-click and select Paste.

Customizing and saving componentsMany 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.

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

1. 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.

If the copying does not succeed for some reason, store the component temporarily to a new folder.

1. Click the Search icon and search for the component to be copied.

2. Select the component and click Store to create a new folder for the component.

3. In the Folders view, go to the new folder and copy the component from there to the desired folder.

Using componentsGetting Started 20

2. 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 (18).

1.3 Using components

Introduction This section explains how to use components. It also includes examples.

Topics Creating components (20)

Example: Adding an end plate (21)

Example: Adding a base plate and anchor rods (22)

Example: Adding a beam to column connection (23)

Viewing components (23)

Modifying components (24)

Tips on working with components (26)

Creating componentsYou 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 (11).

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: Adding an end plate (21).

Status Tekla Structures uses different-colored component symbols to show the status of connections and details:


Example: Adding an end plateThis example shows how to create 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. In the component catalog, enter 144 and click Search.2. Double-click the End plate (144) component. Tekla Structures displays the component dialog

box and starts the End plate (144) command.3. Click Apply to create the component using the default properties.4. Tekla Structures prompts you to select the main part (column) and then the secondary part

(beam). Tekla Structures creates the connection.

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 (24).

Color Status Tip

Green

Component created successfully.

Yellow

Component created, but has problems.

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

Red

Component failed. A common reason is that the up direction is not appropriate. See Up direction (11).

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.


If you use incorrect properties, Tekla Structures may fail to create the component. For more information, see Creating components (20).

Example: Adding a base plate and anchor rodsComponent catalog contains several base plate details. This example shows how to create a base plate and anchor rods.

Before you start:

• create a column• create an elevation view

To add a base plate to a column:

1. Open an elevation view.2. Open the component catalog.3. Enter base plate in the Search field and click Search.

4. To view pictures of the components in the search results, click the Thumbnails icon .

5. Click Base plate (1004). This component creates a base plate with anchor bolts.6. The prompt Pick part appears on the status bar. Select the column.7. The prompt Pick position appears on the status bar. Pick the point at the base of the column to

indicate where to create the base plate. 8. Tekla Structures creates the base plate.9. Examine the component to see if you need to make any changes.10. Check that the connection symbol is green, which indicates that the connection was created

successfully.11. Change the dimensions of the anchor rods.

To make it easier to select components, click the Select component icon .


12. Double-click the component to open the Tekla Structures Base plate (1004) dialog box. 13. Go to the Anchor rods tab. Change the dimensions of the anchor rods.14. To change only this base plate, select Ignore other types in the list in the top section of the

dialog box:

15. Click Modify. Tekla Structures changes the dimensions of the anchor rods.16. Click OK to close the dialog box.17. Right-click and select Interrupt from the pop-up menu to end the command.18. Check that the connection symbol is green, which indicates that the connection was created

successfully.

Example: Adding a beam to column connectionComponent catalog contains several beam to column connections. This example shows how to create a beam to column connection.

Before you start:

• create a beam and a column

• create an elevation view

To create a beam to column connection:

1. Open the component catalog.2. Select Beam to column connections in the list. The list of beam to column connections appears in

the main pane.3. Select Column with stiffeners (186).4. The prompt Pick main part appears on the status bar. Select the column.5. The prompt Pick secondary part appears on the status bar. Select the beam.6. Tekla Structures creates the connection.7. Click OK to close the dialog box.8. Right-click and select Interrupt from the pop-up menu to end the command.9. Check that the connection symbol is green, which indicates that the connection was created

successfully.10. Examine the component to see if you need to make any changes.

Viewing componentsYou can create several views of a component to view it from different viewpoints.

To create views of a component:

1. Click the component symbol to select the component.2. To create views, right-click and select Create View > Default Views of Component from the pop-

up menu. Tekla Structures creates four views: front, end, top, and perspective.

To check dimensions, such as bolt locations and edge distances, work in the Component front view and use the Measure tool.


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

You can also indicate which connections and details are affected by the modifications:

• Modify connection type: If you have selected several connections and 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 componentsDepending on the Tekla Structures configuration you are using, you can create either detailed or conceptual components. Conceptual components are meant to be used as reference information for further fabrication detailing. Conceptual components look similar to detailed components but do not include the option to change part numbering or assembly numbering settings.

Conceptual components can be created only with Engineering and Cast in Place configurations. However, you can edit conceptual components in Full, Steel Detailing, or Precast Concrete Detailing configurations.

Conceptual components can be converted to detailed components that include all the information needed for fabrication, such as assemblies, cast units, and reinforcing bars. The conversion to detailed components can be done in Full, Steel Detailing, or Precast Concrete Detailing configurations.

Modifying part properties, such as the size of the component main part, does not automatically convert a detailed component to a conceptual one, or vice versa. For example, if you use the Engineering configuration and modify the model, detailed components do not convert to conceptual components.

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.

Component Symbol Configuration Description

Conceptual

Rectangular

Engineering

Cast in Place

Conceptual component does not create assemblies or cast units.

The dialog box is the same as in detailed component, but does not contain fields for part and assembly positions.


See also Converting a conceptual component to a detailed component (25)

Converting a conceptual component to a detailed componentAn individual conceptual component that has been created with Engineering or Reinforced Concrete Detailing configuration can be converted to a detailed component in Full, Steel Detailing, and Precast Concrete Detailing configurations.

To convert a conceptual component to a detailed component:

1. Select the component symbol.2. Click Detailing > Component > Convert to Detailing Component.

See also Conceptual components (24)

Automating the detailing processIf you have a standard way of configuring connections, save time by saving the connection properties once. Store them in firm or project folders for future use. See Firm and project folders.

Tekla Structures includes AutoConnection and AutoDefaults tools to automate the modeling process. So you can customize Tekla Structures to suit a particular project and the way you work. See AutoConnection (39)and AutoDefaults (44).

There are three levels of automation that you can help you work faster and more accurately.

Detailed

Round

Full

Steel Detailing

Precast Concrete Detailing

Detailed component contains part and assembly numbering fields, and creates needed assemblies and cast units.

Detailed components can be converted to conceptual components in Engineering and Cast in Place configurations.

Component Symbol Configuration Description

If you want to convert a detailed component to a conceptual component in Engineering or Reinforced Concrete Detailing configuration, right-click and select Convert to Conceptual Component.


Tips on working with components

No componentcreated

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 part, 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

Defining parts and platesGetting Started 27

Entering validprofiles

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

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

Topics Using the dialog box (27)

Dimensioning parts (27)

Defining materials (29)

Using the dialog boxSome 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 Parts can also appear on separate tabs. For example, in connection 56, Corner tube gusset, the parts appear on both the Gusset and Brace conn tabs.

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

Tekla Structures creates stiffeners.


PlatesEnter the following dimensions for plates:

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.

BeamsTo specify a library or parametric profile to use for beams:

• Enter the profile name.

• Or click , and select a profile from the profile catalog.

Part position numberUse 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.

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

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

Dimension Description

t Plate thickness

b Plate width

h Plate height

The profile must exist in the profile catalog.

Prefix

Start number


Using the Components tabTo 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).

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

Prefix

Part number

Defining bolts and weldsGetting Started 30

Using the Components tabTo 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 weldsUse the Bolts or Welds tabs to define which bolts, assemblies, and welds to use in specific components.

Topics Using the Bolts tab (30)

Defining bolts (32)

Creating holes (32)

Number of bolts and spacing (33)

Bolt group orientation (33)

Bolt group pattern (33)

Edge distance (34)

Bolt position (34)

Defining slotted holes (36)

Deleting bolts (37)

Defining bolt assemblies (38)

Welds (38)

Using the Bolts tabThis 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.


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

Increasing bolt lengthTo 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 holesTo only create a hole, deselect all the components in the illustration on the Bolts tab.

Edge distance

Bolt spacing (horizontal)

Number of bolts

Bolt group pattern

Horizontal

Vertical

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.


Number of bolts and spacingUse 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.

The settings above result in this bolt group layout:

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

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

Number of bolts

Bolt spacing

Option Description

Square.

Staggered in the direction of the secondary part.

Sloped in the direction of the secondary part.

Option


Edge distanceEdge 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 (54).

Bolt positionIn 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.

Edge distance dimension line

Enter edge distances here

Option


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

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

Enter dimensions

Measure dimension from....

Option Dimension from Illustration

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.


Defining slotted holesTo define slotted holes in components:

1. Open the component properties dialog box and click on the Bolts tab. Different bolt groups may appear on different tabs in different dialog boxes.

2. Set Hole type to Slotted.3. Select which parts have slotted holes from the Slots in list box. Select No to create round holes. 4. To shape slotted holes, enter the x or y dimensions of the hole. To produce a round hole, enter

zero (0) for both dimensions.

Option Dimension from Illustration

Left Left edge of secondary part to far left bolt.

Middle Centerline of bolts.

Right Right edge of secondary part to far right bolt.


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

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

Deleting boltsTo delete bolts from a bolt group:

1. Double click the component symbol to open the component dialog box.2. Go to the Bolts tab.3. Check Delete.4. Enter the bolt number(s) of the bolt(s) to delete, separated by a space. Bolt numbers run left to

right and top down.5. Click Modify to change the selected component.6. Click OK to exit the component dialog box.

Example You start with this bolt group:

You enter the following bolt numbers:

The bolt group now looks like this:

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


Defining bolt assembliesOn 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. Click the component symbol to select it.2. Check the pieces to use.3. Check Effect in modify.4. Click the Modify button.

WeldsTo 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.

Modeling toolsGetting Started 39

See also Welds

1.6 Modeling toolsCustomize the properties of modeling tools you use to create objects, rather than changing the properties manually each time.

Example You know you will use the same type of stairs in several projects. Set up and save the stair modeling tool properties once.

When you next need to use that particular stair modeling tool you can just load the pre-defined properties, as shown below. When you apply the modeling tool, Tekla Structures creates exactly the same stairs.

See also Getting Started (7).

Predefined properties

AutoConnectionGetting Started 40

1.7 AutoConnection

Introduction Use AutoConnection to automatically select and apply connections with predefined properties to selected parts in a model. With AutoConnection, Tekla Structures automatically creates similar connections for similar framing conditions.

You can use AutoConnection to quickly add connections individually, in phases, or project-wide. This is a useful technique when you are working on a large project using many connections, modifying a model, or importing modified profiles.

AutoDefaults allows you to modify standard connection properties and save them for use in specific circumstances. You can define rule groups and rule sets for both AutoConnection and AutoDefaults to use for different conditions within the model.

You can use AutoDefaults together with AutoConnection to define connection properties. You can also use AutoDefaults to define connection properties and apply them to a single connection.

Test model Before using AutoConnections and AutoDefaults in a working model, we recommend that you create a test model, and create all the connection conditions in it that you need for a particular project. You can then use this test model to check the rules and properties of various connection types. It also acts as a quick reference for connection information.

See also AutoConnection setup (40)

AutoConnection rule groups (41)

AutoConnection rule sets (42)

Rules.zxt (43)

Changing a connection (43)

Using AutoConnection (43)

AutoDefaults (44)

AutoConnection and AutoDefaults rules (48)

AutoConnection setupWith AutoConnection you can define groups of rules which Tekla Structures automatically applies when you use AutoConnection to create connections in a model.

For example, you can create separate rules for different standards, projects, manufacturers, and even individual models. By using a rule group to select connections and connection properties, you can create connections automatically, without having to select each connection and define its properties individually.

Tree structure To access the AutoConnection Setup dialog box, click Detailing > AutoConnection > AutoConnection Settings.... The connection types used in various cases are shown in a tree structure:


To apply a particular connection, the conditions within the model have to match all the rules in the branch containing the connection. If you do not want to apply a connection for certain rules sets, right-click the connection name and then select No connection from the pop-up menu.

Icon Type Description

Rule group The 1st level in the tree shows the rule groups. These are user-definable. They help you to group the rules according to different standards, projects, manufacturers, and models.

Framing condition The 2nd level shows the different predefined framing conditions (connection types). Tekla Structures creates them automatically and you cannot change them.

The framing conditions include the following: beam to beam web, beam to beam flange, beam to column web, beam to column flange, beam splice, and column splice.

Rule set Under each framing condition you can create rule sets to specify which connection to use for specific conditions within the model.

Connection The connection to apply if the rule set criteria are met.


Restrictions AutoConnection has the following restrictions:

• You can have a maximum of two secondary parts in the connection (for example, you cannot use complex gussets with several secondaries). AutoConnection uses profile height and ID number as the criteria for determining 1. secondary and 2. secondary parts.

• AutoDefaults only affects connection parts (clip angles, shear tabs, end plates, …), bolts, and welds. AutoDefaults cannot change beam profiles or the connection number.

See also For more information on rules, see AutoConnection rule groups (41)and AutoConnection rule sets (42).

For more information on how to use AutoConnection, see Using AutoConnection (43).

AutoConnection rule groupsBefore using AutoConnection, you need to define rule groups, so that you can group the rules according to different standards, projects, manufacturers, etc. To create a new rule group:

1. Open your test model. Click Detailing > AutoConnection > AutoConnection Settings....2. Right-click an existing rule group, and select New rule group from the pop-up menu. 3. Double-click the group New and rename it. Give it a distinctive name.

When you create a new rule group, Tekla Structures automatically adds the framing conditions branches under it (beam to beam web, beam to beam flange etc.).

AutoConnection rule setsEach framing condition can contain rule sets, which you can use to specify which connection to use for specific conditions within the model. You only need to create AutoConnection rule sets if you plan to use different connections to connect similar framing conditions.

For example, you have beam to beam connections, some require clip angles, others need shear tabs. In this case, you need to set up rule sets to determine where each connection type should be used.

Creating a ruleset

To add a new rule set under a framing condition:

1. Right-click the framing condition. A pop-up menu appears.2. Select New rule set. A New entry appears in the tree.3. Give the new rule set a descriptive name.

Creating asubrule set

1. Right-click an existing rule set. A pop-up menu appears.2. Select Create additional rule sets. A New entry appears in the tree.3. Give the new subrule set a descriptive name.

Creating a new rule set or subrule set only adds a rule set to the setup tree. You need to define its contents separately. See AutoConnection (39).

The order of the rules in the tree is important. Tekla Structures uses the first rule that matches the conditions within the model, so you should place the most limiting rule highest in the tree, and the most generic, lowest.

Give the rule group a name that reflects the group of connections that you want to create. For example, use the fabricator's name, the project name, or any name that will clearly identify the connection rules that you want to use for a specific model.


Editing a rule set You can edit the contents of a rule set (for example, change the name or add rules to it):

1. Right-click the rule set. A pop-up menu appears.2. Select Edit rule set... to open the AutoConnection Rules dialog box.3. Select a rule from the Available rules list.4. Click the right arrow button to move the selected rule into the list of rules in the rule set.5. In the right pane under Rules in rule set, fill in the acceptable values for the rule. You can either

define an exact value, or minimum and maximum values.6. The name you enter in the Rule set name field is shown in the setup tree.

You can change the priority of a rule set by right-clicking the rule set and selecting Move Up or Move Down.

For more information on rules, see AutoConnection and AutoDefaults rules (48).

Rules.zxt When you use AutoConnection, Tekla Structures creates an Attributes subfolder in the current model folder and saves the AutoConnection information in a zipped text file called rules.zxt.

You can copy this file to the project or firm folders to make it available for other models (see also Project and firm folders). Each time you modify AutoConnection setup you need to recopy this file to the firm and/or project folders.

When you copy this file for use in other projects, remember to restart Tekla Structures to use the new setup.

Changing a connectionTo change the connection in a rule set, use the Component catalog dialog box which lists all the Tekla Structures connections available in the connection toolbars.

The order of the rules in the tree is important. Tekla Structures uses the first rule that matches the conditions within the model, so you should place the most limiting rule highest in the tree, and the most generic, lowest.


To open the Component catalog:

1. Right-click a connection in the AutoConnection Setup tree. A pop-up menu appears.2. Select Select connection type... to open the Component catalog dialog box.3. Select a connection and click OK to update the tree.

Deleting an item Use the Delete rule set command in the pop-up menu to delete a rule set from the Setup tree. This also deletes its subrule sets.

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

Creatingconnections

To create connections using AutoConnection:

1. Pick the parts to connect.2. Click Detailing > AutoConnection... > Create connections to display the AutoConnection dialog box.3. Select a rule group in the first list box on the Rule groups tab as shown below.

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.

Additionaloptions

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:

Rule group for AutoConnection

Rule group for AutoDefaults

AutoDefaultsGetting Started 45

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

1.8 AutoDefaults

Introduction Use AutoDefaults to automatically apply the correct properties to existing 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 main part profile. If the main part profile changes, Tekla Structures will also automatically adjust the thickness of the base plate.

See also AutoConnection (39)

AutoDefaults setup (45)

Connection properties files (46)

Saving connection properties (46)

Access to properties files (46)

Defaults.zxt (47)

Priority of rule sets (47)

Editing connection properties (47)


How to use AutoDefaults effectively (48)

Checking AutoDefaults properties (48)

Checking AutoDefaults rules (48)

AutoConnection and AutoDefaults rules (48)

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 (12).

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 (12).


AutoDefaults setupWith AutoDefaults you can create rules defining when to use different predefined connection properties. When you modify connections (for example changing the beam size), Tekla Structures automatically redefines the connection properties using AutoDefaults setup.

Use AutoDefaults to modify standard connection properties and save the modified properties for use in specific situations.

Tree structure To open the AutoDefaults setup dialog box, click Detailing > AutoConnection > AutoDefaults Settings.... The connection types used in various cases are shown in a tree structure:

Icon Type Description

Rule group The 1st level in the tree contains rule groups. The rule groups are user-definable. They help you to group rules according to different standards, projects, manufacturers, and models.

Connection page

Connection

The next two levels show all the connections available on the toolbars. They are predefined and you cannot change them.

Rule set Under each connection you can create rule sets to specify which connection properties to use when specific conditions within the model are met.

Connection properties file

Every branch in the tree ends with connection properties file(s) (for example, standard.j144). You can save connection properties that you want to use again. See Saving connection properties (46).


Rule sets You define AutoDefaults rule sets in the same way as AutoConnection rule sets. See AutoConnection rule sets (42).

Tekla Structures saves the AutoDefaults rules in the defaults.zxt file in the current model folder. You may want to copy defaults.zxt and all the connection properties files associated with it (for example, sec_0-190.j141) to the firm or project folders to use in other models. See Defaults.zxt (47).

Connection properties filesBy default, each connection has a standard properties file which defines the standard properties for the connection (for example, standard.j144). You can save connection properties that you want to use again in separate properties files and give them a distinctive name.

Saving connection propertiesTo save connection properties for later use in similar conditions within the model, you can save them in a properties file:

1. Set the properties you want to save (for example, bolt, profile, material properties).2. In the Save as field, enter a distinctive name for the connection properties. Enter the same name

in the Connection code field and click Save as.

Tekla Structures creates the properties file in an Attributes subfolder in the current model folder. The filename consists of the name you entered in Save as and the extension .jXXX, where XXX is the connection number (for example, sec_0-190.j141).

Access to properties filesTo view the list of properties files for a certain connection:

1. In the AutoDefaults Setup tree, select a properties file (for example, standard.j144).2. Right-click the selected properties file. A pop-up menu appears.3. Click Select connection parameters.... Tekla Structures displays the Attribute File List dialog box,

containing the existing properties files for the connection.

Defaults.zxtWhen you use AutoDefaults, Tekla Structures creates an Attributes sub-folder in the current model folder and saves the AutoDefaults setup in a zipped text file, defaults.zxt.

You can copy this file to the project or firm folders to make it available in other models. See also Project and firm folders. Each time you modify the AutoDefaults setup, you need to recopy this file to the firm, or project folders.

When you copy this file for use in other projects, remember to restart Tekla Structures to use the new setup.

When you save connection properties to use with AutoDefaults, it is a good idea to enter the same name in the Save as and Connection code fields on the General tab. This means you can easily check later which properties Tekla Structures used in specific situations. Tekla Structures does not automatically show the AutoDefault values in the connection properties fields.


Priority of rule setsTekla Structures processes AutoDefaults rule sets in the order in which they appear in the tree, so you can control the selection of properties. Usually, one framing condition, profile type, and orientation can have several property combinations, for example, a different profile height.

Example For example, if you have properties files and rules for maximum profile heights of 150, 160, 170 and 190 mm, and AutoDefaults is selecting properties for a height of 158 mm, three properties files are valid. AutoDefaults selects the first one to match (in this case, 160 mm). Where there is no match, you will need a default rule and properties file.You should set the default rule so that it does not define the profile height and is the last item in the branch. In this way the default rule will always be the last one to match and any properties file that matches the profile height will override it.

Editing connection propertiesTo edit connection properties in the AutoDefaults Setup tree:

1. Right-click a connection standard.j file (for example, standard.j144). A pop-up menu appears.

2. Select Edit connection parameters to open the connection dialog box.3. Set the properties as you would when manually creating connections.4. Type a descriptive name for these properties in the Save as text box and click Save as. Use a

name that distinguishes these as AutoDefaults setup.5. Click Cancel to close the dialog box and return to the AutoDefaults setup dialog box.

6. Right-click the standard.j again. Click Select connection parameters....7. The Attribute File List opens. It contains the properties that have been set and saved in the

connection dialog box.8. You can now apply any of the properties that have been saved in a rule set.

Using AutoDefaultsTo use AutoDefaults for a single connection:

1. Open the connection dialog box.2. On the General tab, select a rule group from the AutoDefaults rule group list.

The rule group cannot be None.

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

options marked with the arrow symbol .4. Click Apply to create the connection using AutoDefaults.

We do not recommend that you edit the defaults.zxt file using a text editor, but if you do so, check that you use the right syntax. The easiest way to unpack the .zxt file is to change the file extension zxt to txt.gz and unpack the file using WinZip. Change the extension back to zxt when you have finished. You do not need to repack the file after editing it, Tekla Structures can also read the unpacked file.

If you click OK to close the dialog box, you need to load the default properties next time you use this connection. This ensures that AutoDefaults can modify the properties.


How to use AutoDefaults effectivelyUse 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.

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 main part profile. If you modify the main part profile, Tekla Structures does not update the base plate thickness. It remains at 20 mm.

Checking AutoDefaults propertiesTo check the properties AutoDefaults has applied to a connection:

1. Double-click the connection symbol to open the connection dialog box.2. In the list box in the upper left corner of the dialog box, select <AutoDefaults>.3. 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 rulesYou can check which rules AutoDefaults has used for a particular connection.

1. Select the connection symbol and right-click.2. 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.

AutoConnection and AutoDefaults rules

Introduction You can use the rules listed in the sections below to accurately select connections and connection properties when using AutoConnection and AutoDefaults. Using these rules you can create your own standards to apply project or company defaults.

General The general rules are:

• Profile name: the name in the Name field in the Profile catalog dialog box.• Profile type: use the following table to find the correct number:

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

Profile type Number

I 1


• Number of secondaries.

• Number of primaries.• Material name.

Orientation Depending on the relative angle a beam, the connections can be classified as:

• Sloped angle (relative to main part cross section)The longitudinal axis of the secondary part follows the slope of the longitudinal axis of the main part.

• Skewed angle (relative to main part longitudinal axis)The longitudinal axis of the secondary part is skewed according to the main part cross section. The angle is the smaller of the angles between the longitudinal axis of the secondary part and the main part Z or Y axis.

• Cant angle

For rotated secondary parts.

L 2

Z 3

U 4

Plate 5

Round bar 6

Pipe 7

Square pipe 8

C 9

T 10

ZZ 15

CC 16

CW 17

Polygon plate 51

Profile type Number


Dimensions • Profile depth

• Web depthFor profiles with an upper and lower flange, web depth is:

h - t1 - t2 - 2*r1

Or, if t2 is zero:

h - 2*t - 2*r1

For profiles with one flange, web depth is h - t - r1 - r2.

• Web thickness• Flange thickness

Forces andstrengths

• Shear force

• Axial force

• Bending moment

Combining and iterating propertiesAutoDefaults includes these features:

Using thesefeatures

To use either of these features for a rule set:

1. Click Detailing > AutoConnection > AutoDefault Settings...

Sloped, skewed, and cant angle value can be between - 90 and 90 degrees.

Feature Description

Combining You can save connection properties files covering different groups of properties, then use these files to define many rules. For example you can have one file for bolt properties and another for profile properties. Tekla Structures combines the files when it runs AutoDefaults.

Iterating Tekla Structures tests properties until the connection symbol is yellow or green. Iteration changes connection properties automatically if connection fails, even if the rules would match. If Connection Check is set on, the iteration results in connection properties that have passed the check.


2. Browse the tree and right-click a rules set. 3. Select Edit rule set...4. Set Parameters files selection to one of the following options:

LimitationsTekla Structures cannot iterate properties files directly. Use a single iteration rule set with sub rule sets.

You cannot have many parallel iteration rule sets. Use a single iteration rule set and place it just before the default rule set.

Place the combination rule sets above the iteration rule set in the tree.

Combination rule sets can only be one level deep.

Tekla Structures disregards empty rule sets, so include at least one rule in each rule set.

See also Combining properties (52)

Iteration with connection check (52)

Combining propertiesThe AutoDefaults combine feature combines separate properties files into one file. This means you define fewer files, because you use one file for several rules. If files contain different values for the same property, Tekla Structures uses the last property it finds. See the image below.

Option Description

Use combination of first parameters

Tekla Structures uses the properties files it finds in the first matching sub-rule set and does not check other rule sets.

Iterate until the connection symbol is green

Tekla Structures checks sub rule sets until it finds matching properties that leave the connection symbol green.

Iterate until the connection symbol is yellow

Tekla Structures checks sub rule sets until it finds matching properties that leave the connection symbol yellow.

Use combination of all parameters

Tekla Structures checks all rule sets and uses properties files in all matching rule sets. The order of properties files is important, since the last overrides.

The order of files in the tree is important. When Tekla Structures combines the properties files, the most recent files (the lowest in the tree) override previous ones. If you leave properties blank, Tekla Structures does not override previous properties with blank properties.


See also Combining and iterating properties (50)

Iteration with connection checkThis example shows how you can use the iteration feature of AutoDefaults. In this example iteration sets the number of bolts according to the result of the connection check.

When using this rule group for a connection in the model, AutoDefaults sets the number of bolts until the connection symbol is green.


Creating iterationrules

First, create connection properties files for each number of bolts. See Editing connection properties (47).

1. Click Detailing > AutoConnection > AutoDefaults Settings...2. Right-click the tree and select New rule group. Click the rule group and rename it to "Iteration

example".3. Browse the tree and find connection 144. Right-click it and select Create additional rule sets....4. Right-click the rule set and select Edit rule set..., to open the AutoDefault rules dialog box.5. Change the Rule set name to "ITERATION". 6. Set Parameters file selection to Iterate until the connection symbol is green.7. Click OK.8. To create a rule set "2 bolts", right-click the first rule set and select Create additional rule sets.... 9. Right-click the new rule set and select Edit rule set.... AutoDefault rules dialog box appears.10. Select rule Secondary 1 depth and set the minimum and maximum depth values for two bolts.11. Set Parameters file selection to Use combination of first parameters.12. Click OK.13. Right-click the connection properties file standard.j144, and click Select connection

parameters.. to open the Attribute File List dialog box. Select the properties file for two bolts and click OK.

14. Repeat steps 8 to 13 for other rule sets.

Using rules andcheck together

You can use the connection check result when applying AutoDefaults with iteration. If a rule matches, but connection do not pass the check and symbol remains red, AutoDefaults continues testing other rules and properties until the connection symbol is green.

To apply a rule group and connection check for a connection:

1. Open the connection properties dialog box.2. Load the <Defaults> properties.3. Click General tab and set AutoDefaults Rule Group to the "Iteration example" you created.4. Click Design type tab and set Connection check to Yes.

The iteration rule forces Tekla Structures to tests sub rules until the connection symbol is green in the model.

Using the joints.def fileGetting Started 55

5. Enter the load from secondary members in the fields Shear, Tension, Moment.6. Click OK to create the connection.

Checking To see which rules AutoDefaults used, right-click the connection symbol, and select Inquire.

To see which values AutoDefaults set, double-click the connection symbol to open the connection dialog box, select <AutoDefaults>, then click Load.

Reaction forces and UDLYou can save reaction forces:

• In the user-defined attributes of a part (for AutoConnection and AutoDefaults).

• On the Design tab in the connection dialog box (for AutoDefaults).

Using reactionforces

When you use reaction forces in a rule and AutoDefaults is activate, Tekla Structures first searches for reaction forces in the corresponding connection’s properties. If they do not contain reaction forces, Tekla Structures searches the user-defined attributes of the secondary part of the connection. If Tekla Structures finds no forces there, you cannot use reaction force rules.

Shear forcecalculation

Shear force calculation is the exception. If you have not given any reaction force values, shear force is calculated using the UDL shear force routine. The UDL calculation is mainly intended for use with imperial units. It uses the yield stress value, profile dimensions, and UDL percentage to calculate the maximum allowable shear force. Tekla Structures compares the result with the Shear force rule in AutoDefaults.

• Yield stress is defined in the material catalog. • Profile dimensions come from the profile catalog.

• UDL percentage is taken either from the connection dialog box or from an advanced option.

UDL forAutoConnection

To switch on UDL calculation for AutoConnection:

1. On the Design tab in the connection dialog box, set the field Use UDL to Yes.2. Enter the UDL percentage in the UDL % field. If this field is blank, Tekla Structures uses a default

percentage (set using the advanced option XS_AUTODEFAULT_UDL_PERCENT).

UDL forAutoDefaults

To switch on UDL calculation for AutoDefaults:

• Set the advanced option XS_AUTOCONNECTION_USE_UDL to TRUE.

• Use the advanced option XS_AUTODEFAULT_UDL_PERCENT to set the UDL percentage.

1.9 Using the joints.def fileThis 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.

Topics About joints.def (55)

Defining general defaults (56)

Defining bolt diameter and number of rows (58)

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


Defining other bolt and part properties (59)

How Tekla Structures uses joints.def (65)

Connections that use joints.def (56)

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

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 worksFor 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:

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

How to read joints.defLines 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.

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

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 Profile height


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 valuesWhen you edit joints.def:

• 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.

Connections that use joints.defOnly the following connections use the joints.def file:

Defining general defaultsIf 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.

Connections Connections

Welded gusset (10) Clip angle (141)

Bolted gusset (11) Two sided end plate (142)

Bracing cross (19) Two sided clip angle (143)

Tube gusset (20) End plate (144)

Tube crossing (22) Shear plate simple (146)

Two sided angle cleat (25) Welded to top flange (147)

Corner tube gusset (56) Welded to top flange S (149)

Corner bolted gusset (57) Moment connection (181)

Wraparound gusset (58) Column with stiffeners W (182)

Hollow brace wraparound gusset (59) Full depth (184)

Wraparound gusset cross (60) Full depth S (185)

Wrapped cross (61) Column with stiffeners (186)

Gusseted cross (62) Column with stiffeners S (187)

Corner wrapped gusset (63) Column with stiffeners (188)

Beam with stiffener (129) Shear plate tube column (189)

Column with shear plate (131) Bent plate (190)

Bolted moment connection (134)


The properties in the General section of joints.def are:

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.

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.


Defining bolt diameter and number of rowsBefore you start, read How joints.def works (55). Use the rows beginning with BOLTHEIGHT in each connection-specific section of joints.def to define the default bolt diameter and default number of bolt rows for the following connection types:

• Clip angle, shear plate, and end plate connections (58)• Gusset connections (58)

• Diagonal connections (59)

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

Gusset connectionsTekla 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:

clipattach How the clip angle is attached to the secondary and main parts:

1 is Both bolted

2 is Main bolted / Secondary welded

3 is Main not welded

4 is Main welded / Secondary bolted

5 is Both welded

6 is Main 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.

Property Description

name Use the name BOLTHEIGHT

part Use the part name ANGLECLIP

sec.beam.height Maximum height of secondary beam for a certain number of bolts

diameter Bolt diameter. Must exist in the bolt catalog.

number_of_bolts Number of bolts vertically



Properties Description


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

Defining other bolt and part propertiesBefore you start, read How joints.def works (55). 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 lookuptable

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 (60)and Diagonal connection properties (63).

Key to lookuptable

part Use the part name GUSSET

lproflength

or

angleproflength

Length of angle profile

diameter Bolt diameter. Must exist in bolt catalog

number_of_bolts Number of bolts horizontally



part Use the part name DIAGONAL

conn.pl.height

or

profileheight

Profile height

diameter Bolt diameter. Must exist in bolt catalog.

number_of_bolts Number of bolts horizontally


Connection type Full name

C Clip angle

S Shear plate

E End plate

G Gusset

D Diagonal


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


Connection Type

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 type-dependent bolt dimensions (65)

* * * * *

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

or L profile

Name of the angle profile to use:

• 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 * * *

Option DescriptionAffects plate shape

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 selected and the main part.

dist_diag_sec Perpendicular distance from last secondary part selected 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 Dimensions of stiffener chamfer on the Gusset tab:

chamfer_dy

chamfer_corner_dx chamfer_corner_dx

chamfer-corner_dy chamfer_corner_dy

side_length



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

diafit_length Fit length in Bracing cross (19) connection.

Leave this field empty on the Parameters tab to have Tekla Structures use the value in joints.def.

tol_lprof

corner_dy

corner_dx

dist_diag_sec

tol_sec



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

angle_sec_corner

dist3

dist_between_diag

dist2

dist1

dist_diag_prim

tol_prim


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 Brace conn tab:

sec_cut_tol

slot_length_tol

slot_length_tol

tube_cut_tol On the Brace conn tab:

tube_cut_tol


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

conn_cut_dx On the Brace conn tab:

conn_cut_dy

conn_cut_dx

conn_cut_dy

round_plate_tol On the Brace conn tab:

end_plate_thk

flanges_cut_angle On the Brace conn tab:

flanges_cut_angle

dist_flanges_cut

dist_skew_cut

dist_flanges_cut

dist_skew_cut

end_plate_thk End plate field t in the Tube diag tab.

dist_dv

dist_in

dist_gus_diag



Profile type-dependent bolt dimensionsFor some connections, such as Clip angle (141) and Two sided clip angle (143), Tekla Structures calculates the bolt size according to the profile size.

In this type of connections, Tekla Structures takes the bolt size from the PROFILE TYPE-DEPENDENT BOLT DIMENSIONS section of joints.def file if you leave the corresponding fields blank on the Bolts tab:

The options are:

Example To find the bolt dimensions to be used 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.defThis 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.

Option 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.

Using Excel in connection designGetting Started 67

• 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

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

1.10 Using Excel in connection designYou 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.

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:

• Create the connections and parts.

• Create the Excel spreadsheet for connection type, or use a predefined file. See more in Setting up Excel files (67).

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

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


To use the Excel spreadsheet for connection design:

1. Double-click the connection to open the connection properties dialog box.2. Go to the Design (or Design type) tab and select Excel in the External design list box.3. Click Modify.4. The connection properties are transferred from Tekla Structures to a connection type specific

Excel spreadsheet, where the properties are calculated.5. The calculated properties are saved to an output file.6. The modified properties are transferred back to Tekla Structures and the connection is modified

according to the changes.

Topics Setting up Excel files (67)

Sample implementation (67)

Indicating component status (70)

Setting up Excel filesThe 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.• Component type specific spreadsheet, which contains predefined 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.

• 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.

File names andlocations

Excel.vb file (located in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\common\exceldesign 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>\exceldesign

For example, ..\test_model\exceldesign\component_144.xls

2. File name and path defined with advanced option 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.

Sample implementationBelow is described 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.


Outputs

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

Indicating component statusWhen 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:

• Incorrect connection direction• Incorrect work plane

• 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.

Getting started with reinforcementReinforcement 73

2 Reinforcement

Introduction 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.

Assumedbackground

Before you start to create reinforcement, you need to have concrete parts in your model, as explained 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.

See also Numbering reinforcements

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

• Single reinforcing bars

• Reinforcing bar groups• Reinforcement meshes

• Reinforcement components.

Concepts 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.

Reinforcementproperties

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 byproperties

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.

Basic reinforcement propertiesReinforcement 74

In reports anddrawings

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

See also Basic reinforcement properties (74)

Getting Started (7) with Detailing

2.2 Basic reinforcement propertiesThis 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 rebar_schedule_config.inp file in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\system\ folder. This file can be localized to match local requirements.

For more information on internal bending types, see Reinforcing bar bending types (116).

Reinforcementcatalog

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.


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 Color settings for parts.

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

• Number of bars

• Spacing (see Spacing reinforcing bars (78))• Tapering (see Tapered bar group (85))

See also Hooks (75)

Concrete cover (76)

Spacing reinforcing bars (78)

Omitting reinforcing bars (78)

User-defined attributes of reinforcement (79)

Meshes (79)

Numbering reinforcements

HooksTo 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:

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.


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

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 enter values to the following fields in the Reinforcing Bar Properties dialog box:

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

Option Description

No hook

Standard 90-degree hook



Custom hook

Field Description

Angle Enter a value between –180 and +180 degrees.

Angle

Radius

Length

Radius Internal bending radius of the hook.

Use the same radius for the hook and for the reinforcing bar. If the hook and the reinforcing bar have different radiuses, Tekla Structures does not recognize the shape of the reinforcing bar.

Length Length of the straight part of the hook.

If the length is set to zero, no hooks are created.


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.

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.

Reinforcementcomponents

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:

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.

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.


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 Omitting reinforcing bars (78)

Omitting reinforcing barsYou 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:

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

See also Spacing reinforcing bars (78)

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 close as possible to the value in the Target spacing value field and determines the number of bars compatibly.


User-defined attributes of reinforcementCreate 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.

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

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

Mesh shape Reinforcement meshes can be:

• Rectangular

• Polygonal

Diameter 2

Spacing 2

Overhang

Spacing 1

Diameter 1

Length

Overhang

Width

Single bars, bar groups, and meshesReinforcement 80

• Bent

Distributionpattern of bars

You can create meshes with unevenly-spaced bars. You can also define a different bar size or multiple different bar sizes for the longitudinal bars and the crossing bars.

Multiple bar sizes enable pattern creation. For example, if you enter bar diameters 20 2*6 in the longitudinal direction, Tekla Structures creates a pattern with one size 20 bar and two size 6 bars. This pattern can be repeated in the mesh along the longitudinal direction.

For more information, see Customizing reinforcement meshes (105).

Mesh size 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

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

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

See also Reinforcement mesh (89)

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

In addition, you can use several system components for creating reinforcement. For more information, see Reinforcements.

Command Icon Description

Creating reinforcement using the Reinforcing Bar Shape Catalog (81)

Creates a single reinforcing bar or a reinforcing bar group based on predefined reinforcement shapes.

Reinforcing bar (83) Creates a single reinforcing bar.

Reinforcing bar group (84) Creates a reinforcing bar group.

Curved reinforcing bar group (87) Creates a curved reinforcing bar group.

Circular reinforcing bar group (88) Creates a circular reinforcing bar group.


Creating reinforcement using the Reinforcing Bar Shape CatalogCreate a reinforcement by selecting a reinforcement shape from a list of predefined shapes. The predefined shapes are based on the shapes that have been defined in the Rebar Shape Manager and saved in the RebarShapeRules.xml file.

To create a reinforcement:

1. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Shape Catalog.2. Select one of the predefined shapes from the tree view on the left.

You can add frequently used shapes to the tree view, or delete the shapes that you do not need.

To add more shapes or categories to the tree view:

1. Click Organize catalog....2. Create new category folders.3. Drag and drop the selected shapes to the folders.4. Change the names of the folders, if needed.5. Click OK.

6. Modify the leg lengths, general reinforcement properties, hook properties, or the reinforcing bar group properties, if needed.The leg length value can be entered with or without parenthesis.

• With parenthesis: the leg length is calculated automatically according to the object dimensions.

• Without parenthesis: the exact value of the leg length is used.

7. Change the reference point of the reinforcement by double-clicking the different legs or hooks in the preview of the shape, if needed.The reference point defines the insertion point of the first reinforcing bar leg.

8. Click OK to close the Reinforcing Bar Shape Catalog dialog box.

Reinforcement mesh (89) Creates a reinforcement mesh.

Reinforcement strand pattern (92) Creates prestressed strands.

Reinforcement splice (94) Joins reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups together with reinforcement splices.

If you select an existing reinforcement in the model and click the Get button, the properties of that reinforcement are displayed in the Reinforcing Bar Shape Catalog dialog box.

The hook properties are visible only if you have set the advanced option XS_REBAR_RECOGNITION_HOOKS_CONSIDERATION to FALSE.

Command Icon Description


9. In the model, place the mouse pointer over a part face or edge.A preview showing the placing and dimensions of the reinforcement is displayed.

10. Based on the preview, select a location for the reinforcement and click the left mouse button.The reinforcement with handles is created.

11. If you need to adjust the reinforcement:• move or drag the start and end handles

• use Mini Toolbar to modify the properties• use Reinforcing Bar Properties dialog box to modify the properties.


Reinforcement created with Reinforcing Bar Shape Catalog behave in the same way as reinforcement created with the other reinforcement commands. You can modify, copy, or delete the reinforcement, and the reinforcement adapt to the changes made to the part they are placed in.

Limitations Reinforcing Bar Shape Catalog does not work with tapered reinforcing bar groups.

Reinforcing Bar Shape Catalog works mainly with flat, 2D shapes.

See also Reinforcing bar group (84)

Working with reinforcement (95)

Modifying reinforcement (99)

Reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape Manager (108)

Reinforcing bar

Synopsis This command creates a reinforcing bar.

Preconditions Create the part to reinforce.

Calculate the required area of reinforcement.

Usage 1. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Reinforcing Bar....2. Enter or modify the bar properties.3. Click Apply or OK to save the properties.4. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Reinforcing Bar.5. Select the part to reinforce.

Tekla Structures attaches the bar to the part.

6. Pick the start point of the bar.7. Pick the other bar reference points.8. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.

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.


Series and Start no

The mark series of the bar. Numbering reinforcements

Name The user-definable name of the bar. Basic reinforcement properties (74)

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.

You can enter a separate value for each bar bend. Separate the values with spaces.

Class Used to group reinforcement.


See also Reinforcing bar group (84)



Reinforcing bar group

Synopsis This command creates a reinforcing bar group.



Usage 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.

1. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Reinforcing Bar Group....2. Enter or modify the bar group properties.3. Click Apply or OK to save the properties.4. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Reinforcing Bar Group.5. Select the part to reinforce.

Tekla Structures attaches the bar group to the part.

6. Pick the bar start point.7. Pick the other bar reference points.

The first set of points defines the plane of the first bar and the shape of a single bar in the group.

8. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.9. Pick the start point of the bar group.

Shape The shape of the hook. Hooks (75)

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.

Concrete cover (76)

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 (79)



10. Pick the end point of the bar group.

The second set of points to indicates the distribution direction and length of the bars.

Tapered bar group To create a tapered bar group:

1. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Reinforcing Bar Group....2. Enter or modify the bar group properties.3. On the Group tab, select an option from the Bar group type list:

4. Click Apply or OK.5. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Reinforcing Bar Group.6. Select the part to reinforce.


7. Pick points to define the shape of the bar at the first cross section. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.

8. 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.

Spiral bar group To create a spiral bar group:

1. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Reinforcing Bar Group....2. Enter or modify the bar group properties. 3. On the Group tab, select Spiral from the Bar group type list. 4. Click Apply or OK. 5. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Reinforcing Bar Group.6. Select the part to reinforce.


Option 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.

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.


7. Pick points to define the shape of the bar at the first cross section. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.

8. For the second and subsequent cross sections, pick points to define the shape of the bar. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.

Description 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.



Series and Start no The mark series of the bar. Numbering reinforcements




Bending radius The internal radius of the bar bends.

You can enter a separate value for each bar bend. Separate the values with spaces.


Shape The shape of the hook. Hooks (75)

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.


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

Concrete cover (76)



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.



Creation method etc. How to create the bar group. Spacing reinforcing bars (78)

Additional actions Omitting reinforcing bars (78)

Tapered bar group (85)




Curved reinforcing bar group (87)

Circular reinforcing bar group (88)

Curved reinforcing bar group

Synopsis Creates a group of curved reinforcing bars.



Usage To create a curved bar group:

1. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Curved Reinforcing Bar Group...2. Enter or modify the reinforcing bar group properties.3. Click Apply or OK.4. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Curved Reinforcing Bar Group.5. Select the part to reinforce.


6. Pick three points on an arc to define the curve.


7. Pick two points to indicate the distribution direction of the bars.

Description Tekla Structures creates the curved reinforcing bar group using the properties in the Reinforcing Bar Properties dialog box. See Reinforcing bar group (84)for more information on the common properties in this dialog box.

See also Working with reinforcement (95)


Reinforcing bar group (84)

Circular reinforcing bar group (88)

Circular reinforcing bar group

Synopsis Creates a group of circular reinforcing bars.



Usage To create a circular bar group:


1. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Circular Reinforcing Bar Group....2. Enter or modify the reinforcing bar group properties.3. Click Apply or OK.4. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Circular Reinforcing Bar Group.5. Select the part to reinforce.


6. Pick three points to define the circular bars.

7. Pick two points to indicate the distribution direction of the bars.

Description Tekla Structures creates the circular reinforcing bar group using the properties in the Reinforcing Bar Properties dialog box. See Reinforcing bar group (84)for more information on the common properties in this dialog box.




Curved reinforcing bar group (87)

Reinforcement mesh

Synopsis This command creates a reinforcement mesh.



Usage You can create the following types of reinforcement meshes:

• Rectangular


• Polygonal

• Bent

Rectangular

To create a rectangular mesh:

1. Set the work plane parallel to the plane where you want to create the mesh.2. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Reinforcement Mesh....3. In the Mesh type list, select Rectangle.4. Enter or modify the mesh dimensions and the other properties.5. Click Apply or OK to save the properties.6. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Reinforcement Mesh.7. Select the part to reinforce.

Tekla Structures attaches the mesh to the part.

8. Pick the start point of the mesh.9. 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. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Reinforcement Mesh....2. In the Mesh type list, select Polygon.3. Enter or modify the mesh properties.4. Click Apply or OK to save the properties.5. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Reinforcement Mesh.6. Select the part to reinforce.


7. Pick the start point of the mesh.8. Pick the corner points of the mesh.9. Click the middle mouse button to finish picking.10. Pick two points to indicate the direction of the longitudinal bars.

Bent

To create a bent mesh:

1. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Reinforcement Mesh....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 Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Reinforcement Mesh.7. Select the part to reinforce.



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.

Description 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.


Prefix and Start no

The mark series of the mesh. Numbering reinforcements

Name The user-definable name of the mesh. Basic reinforcement properties (74)

Mesh Select a mesh from the mesh catalog.

You can also use a customized mesh.

Meshes (79)

Customizing reinforcement meshes (105)

Grade The steel grade of the bars in the mesh. Basic reinforcement properties (74)


Mesh type

Width

Length

Bending radius

The shape of the mesh. Select Polygon, Rectangle, or Bent.

For rectangular meshes, enter the width and length of the mesh.

For bent meshes, enter the bending radius.

Meshes (79)

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 (79)


The distance from the part surface to the main bars on the same plane as the bars.

Concrete cover (76)



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.



Hooks tab The shape, angle, radius, and length of hooks at the start and end of the crossing mesh bars.

Hooks (75)




Reinforcement strand pattern

Synopsis This command creates prestressed strands for concrete parts.

Usage To create prestressed strands for a concrete part:

1. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Reinforcement Strand Pattern....2. Enter or modify the strand properties.3. In the Number of cross sections field, enter a number based on the strand profile. For example:

4. Define the lengths of the debonding zones.5. Click Apply or OK.6. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Reinforcement Strand Pattern.7. Pick the part you are creating strands for.8. 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.

The properties of standard meshes are defined in the mesh_database.inp file, located in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\profil folder.

Strand profile Number of patterns

1

2

3

4


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.

Debondingstrands

To debond strands:

1. Click Detailing > Properties > Reinforcement > Reinforcement Strand Pattern....2. On the Debonding tab, enter the debonding properties.3. Click Add button to create a new row in the table.4. 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.

5. Define the debonded lengths:• 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:

6. 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.

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.





Reinforcement spliceThis 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.

Usage 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:


Series and Start no The mark series of the bar. Numbering reinforcements




Bending radius The internal radius of the bar bends.


Pull per strand The pull per strand (kN).

Number of cross sections

Defines the number of cross sections of the strand pattern.



Debonded strands Enter the strand number in this field. The strand number is the picking order number of the strand.

Debonding strands (93)

From start

Middle to start

Middle to end

From end

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.

Symmetry Defines if the end and start lengths are symmetrical.

Working with reinforcementReinforcement 95

If needed, you can move the splice along reinforcing bars.

To move the splice:

1. Select the splice symbol.2. Right-click and select Move.3. Pick an origin and a destination point for the splice.

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.

2.4 Working with reinforcementTo 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 Attaching reinforcement to parts (95)

Using reinforcement handles (96)

Using adaptivity (97)

Reinforcement geometry validity (99)

Attaching reinforcement to partsAttach 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.


Joint type The type of the splice. The options are:

• Lap right• Lap left• Lap both• Muff joint• Welded joint

Lap left creates the lap to 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.

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.


Attachingmanually

To manually attach reinforcement to a part or cast unit:

1. Select the reinforcement to attach.2. Right-click and select Attach to Part from the pop-up menu.3. Select the part to attach the reinforcement to.

Detaching To detach reinforcement from a part:

1. Select the reinforcement to detach.2. Right-click and select Detach from Part from the pop-up menu.

Using reinforcement handlesTekla 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:

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


To use handles to modify reinforcement:

1. Select the reinforcement to display its handles.2. Click the handle you want to move. Tekla Structures highlights the handle.3. 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.

Using adaptivityReinforcements follow the shape of the part also when their handles are located on the face or edge of the part.

The following types of adaptivity are available:

• Fixed adaptivity: handles retain their absolute distances to the nearest part faces.

• Relative adaptivity: handles retain their relative distances to the nearest part faces in relation to the part’s overall size.

To modify the general adaptivity settings, go to Tools > Options > Options... > General.

You can modify the adaptivity settings for each part separately. These modifications override the general settings.

Example • Reinforcing bars in their original positions:

Handles to change group distribution length

Handles to move bar corners

Handles to move mesh corners

Handles to change main bar direction


• Fixed adaptivity:

• Relative adaptivity:

Modifying reinforcementReinforcement 99

Reinforcement geometry validityReinforcement creation or modification can result in invalid reinforcement geometry. For example, too big bending radius can cause invalid reinforcement geometry.

The invalid geometry is visualized in the model. Tekla Structures displays a warning message, and draws a thin line between the reinforcement handles to show the invalid geometry. You can correct the reinforcement geometry by selecting the line and modifying the reinforcement properties.

You can check the reinforcement geometry validity by running the command Tools > Diagnose & Repair Model > Diagnose Model. The report lists the reinforcements with invalid geometry.

If a model contains reinforcements with invalid geometry, the reinforcements are not shown in the drawings. The reinforcements become visible when the geometry is corrected.

Limitations Reinforcement geometry validity check does not work with circular or curved reinforcing bar groups.

2.5 Modifying reinforcementTo change the shape of the reinforcement, you can:

• Add bar corners• Remove bar corners

• Move bar and mesh corners

• Add points to reinforcing bars, bar groups, and bent meshes• Remove points from reinforcing bars, bar groups, and bent meshes

• Change the direction of the longitudinal mesh bars

• Change the distribution length of bar groups


See also Ungrouping a reinforcement (100)

Grouping reinforcements (101)

Adding points to a reinforcement (102)

Removing points from a reinforcement (103)

Splitting reinforcing bar groups (104)

Splitting reinforcing bars in a group (104)

Combining two reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups into one (105)

Customizing reinforcement meshes (105)

Exploding reinforcement (107)

Defining custom reinforcement components (107)

Ungrouping a reinforcementYou can ungroup reinforcing bar groups and reinforcement meshes. Only reinforcements where each reinforcing bar is in one plane can be ungrouped.

To ungroup a reinforcement:

1. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Ungroup.2. Select one of the reinforcing bars in a reinforcing bar group or in a reinforcement mesh.

The reinforcing bar group is replaced with single reinforcing bars. The single bars get the same properties and offsets as the group.

If you ungroup a reinforcement mesh, the offsets for single bars are zero.

Limitations You cannot ungroup circular or curved reinforcing bar groups.

Example

Before ungrouping:

After ungrouping:


See also Grouping reinforcements (101)

Reinforcing bar (83)


Reinforcement mesh (89)

Grouping reinforcementsYou can group single reinforcing bars and reinforcing bar groups. Only reinforcements where each reinforcing bar is in one plane can be grouped. All groups are created with exact spacings. Single reinforcing bars need to have the same bending shape.

To group single reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups:

1. Click Detailing > Create Reinforcement > Group.2. Select all the reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups that you want to group.3. Click the middle mouse button.4. Select one reinforcing bar or reinforcing bar group to copy the properties from.

The new group gets the same properties as the selected reinforcing bar.

Limitations You cannot create circular or curved reinforcing bar groups by grouping.

Example

The reinforcing bar or reinforcing bar group that you copy the properties from is also added to the group. This means, for example, that you cannot copy properties from a separate reinforcing bar group which you do not want to include in your new reinforcing bar group.

Before grouping:


See also Ungrouping a reinforcement (100)

Reinforcing bar (83)


Adding points to a reinforcementYou can modify the shape of a single reinforcing bar, reinforcing bar group, or a bent mesh by adding points to the reinforcement.

To add points to a reinforcement:

1. Select a single reinforcing bar, a reinforcing bar group, or a bent mesh.2. Click Detailing > Modify Polygon Shape.

After grouping:


3. Pick the first existing polygon point (1).4. Pick new points (2, 3).5. Pick the second existing polygon point (4).

The new points are added to the reinforcement, and the shape of the reinforcement is modified.

Limitations You cannot modify the shape of polygonal or rectangular meshes, or the shape of tapered reinforcing bar groups by adding points.

See also Removing points from a reinforcement (103)

Modifying the shape of a polygon

Removing points from a reinforcementYou can modify the shape of a single reinforcing bar, reinforcing bar group, or a bent mesh by removing points from the reinforcement.

To remove points from a reinforcement:

1. Select a single reinforcing bar, a reinforcing bar group, or a bent mesh.2. Click Detailing > Modify Polygon Shape.3. Pick the first existing polygon point (1).4. Pick the second existing polygon point (2).5. Pick a point to be removed (3 or 4).

The point to be removed needs to be in between the two previously picked (1) and (2) points.

The points are removed from the reinforcement, and the shape of the reinforcement is modified.


Limitations You cannot modify the shape of polygonal or rectangular meshes, or the shape of tapered reinforcing bar groups by removing points.

See also Adding points to a reinforcement (102)

Modifying the shape of a polygon

Splitting reinforcing bar groupsYou 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.

See also Splitting reinforcing bars in a group (104)


Splitting reinforcing bars in a groupYou 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.

See also Splitting reinforcing bar groups (104)


You cannot split reinforcing bar groups diagonally.

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.


Combining two reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups into oneYou can combine two single reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups into one. Reinforcing bars can be combined if their end points are connected, or the bars are parallel and close to each other. However, in certain cases it is possible to combine reinforcements that are not connected nor parallel. The combined reinforcement gets the same properties as the first selected bar.

To combine two single reinforcing bars or two reinforcing bar groups into one:

1. Click Edit > Combine.2. Select the first single bar or bar group to be combined.3. Select the second single bar or bar group to be combined.

Limitations You cannot combine Tapered N reinforcing bar groups.

See also Splitting reinforcing bar groups (104)

Splitting reinforcing bars in a group (104)

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

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.

Custom meshproperties

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

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

Longitudinal distance


Cross distance

Longitudinal left overhang

Longitudinal right overhang

Cross left overhang

Cross right overhang

Length

Width


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

• Same distance for all: Use to create meshes with evenly-spaced bars.Tekla Structures distributes as many bars as possible for the length of Length or Width, using the Distance(s) and Left overhang values.

The Right overhang is calculated automatically, and it cannot be zero.

• Multiple varying distances: Use to create meshes with unevenly-spaced bars.

Tekla Structures calculates the Width and Length based on the Distance(s), the Left overhang and the Right overhang values.

If you do not change any of the values, the spacing method changes back to Same distance for all.

Distance(s) Spacing values of 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 Extensions of longitudinal bars over the outermost crossing bars.

Extensions of crossing bars over the outermost longitudinal bars.

Right overhang



Meshes (79)

Exploding reinforcementBefore 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. Click Detailing > Component > Explode Component.2. Select the blue modeling tool symbol (M) on the reinforcement. Tekla Structures ungroups the

reinforcing bars.

Defining custom reinforcement componentsYou 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 About variables.

See also Exploding components

Creating a custom component

Diameter Diameter or size of longitudinal or crossing bars.

You can define multiple diameters for the bars in both directions. Enter all the diameter values, separated by spaces. You can use multiplication to repeat diameter values. For example, 12 2*6 in longitudinal direction and 6 20 2*12 in crossing direction.

Width Length of crossing bars.

Length Length of longitudinal bars.

Grade The steel grade of the bars in the mesh.


Reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape ManagerReinforcement 108

Adding a custom component to a model

2.6 Reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape ManagerYou can define your own reinforcing bar bending shapes with the Rebar Shape Manager, and thus increase the amount of recognized reinforcing bar shapes. User-defined bending shapes are useful when Tekla Structures does not recognize the bending shape and assigns the UNKNOWN bending type to the shape.

With the Rebar Shape Manager you can

• customize the existing bending shapes and create new bending shapes

• establish your own rules for defining the bending shapes• customize your own dimension mappings that are used in templates and reports

• import and export user-defined bending shapes

• use user-defined bending shapes in bending schedules and pull-out pictures

See also Defining reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape Manager (108)

Reinforcing bar bending shapes in the RebarShapeRules.xml file (108)

Reinforcing bar bending shapes in the RebarShapeRules.xml fileWhen you define your own reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape Manager, an XML file called RebarShapeRules.xml is created in the current model folder.

In addition, Tekla Structures installation contains by default an XML file called RebarShapeRules.xml. This file contains the most typical bending shapes of your environment, and it is located in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<environment>\system folder.

When you define new shapes, the shapes in the default RebarShapeRules.xml rule file can be appended to your own shapes. Tekla Structures reads valid RebarShapeRules.xml rule files in the model, firm, project and system folders, and merges the files. All the found bending shapes are displayed in the Rebar Shape Manager.

See also Reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape Manager (108)

Defining reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape Manager (108)

Defining reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape ManagerTo define your own reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape Manager:

1. Select reinforcing bars in the model.2. Click Tools > Rebar Shape Manager....

Rebar Shape Manager opens, and lists the selected reinforcing bars in the Model rebars list.

The Rebar Shape Manager is a tool for recognizing reinforcing bar shapes. You cannot control the reinforcing bar creation properties, such as cover thickness, reinforcing bar grade, or size, with this tool.

The tool is meant for users who need to customize the bending shapes based on company or project requirements.


• The Model rebars list shows the ID number and the shape code of the selected reinforcing bars.

• The Shape catalog list shows the shapes that exist in the default RebarShapeRules.xml rule file. Rebar Shape Manager does not automatically read any rule file but you need to open the file if you want to view or edit it.

3. Select one unknown shape from the Model rebars list. 4. To define the needed information for a bending shape, do the following:

5. When you have finished defining the new shape, click Add to add the bending shape definition to the RebarShapeRules.xml file.To enable the Add button you need to change the bending shape rule, enter a shape code or select the Check hooks check box.

6. Click Save to save the RebarShapeRules.xml file.

Alternatively, you can first open the Rebar Shape Manager and then select reinforcing bars in the model. Click Get selected to add the reinforcing bars to the Model rebars list.

To define Do this

Shape code Enter a shape code for an unknown shape.

Bending shape rules Add or delete a bending shape rule by clicking the Add and Delete buttons on the right.

Use the Reset button to restore the original values.

Check hooks Select the check box if you want to define different shape codes or bending schedule fields for two bars that otherwise have exactly the same geometry, but one bar has hooks and the other one does not.

If you select the check box, hooks are considered as hooks. If you clear the check box, hooks are considered as normal legs.

Note that the Check hooks option works independently from the advanced option XS_REBAR_RECOGNITION_HOOKS_CONSIDERATION, and it allows bars that have different hooks to have different shape code or schedule fields regardless of the value of the advanced option.

Update Update the existing shape code definition of the selected reinforcing bar.

You can update the definition if you have modified the shape code, bending shape rules or the contents of bending schedule fields.

Bending schedule fields Define the content for a bending schedule. Right-click a field to select a bending shape property or to enter a formula.

The names of the Bending schedule fields (A, B, and so on) are used in templates and reports. To make sure that old reports also work correctly, we recommend that you use the same DIM_XX fields as in the rebar_schedule_config.inp file.


By default, the file is located in the current model folder.

When you create, for example, a bending schedule, Tekla Structures uses the updated bending shape information, recognizes the added bending shape and assigns a correct shape code to it.


Adding new bending shape rules manually (110)

XS_REBAR_RECOGNITION_HOOKS_CONSIDERATION

Adding new bending shape rules manuallyIf needed, you can manually add new bending shape rules for reinforcing bars in the Rebar Shape Manager. In some cases, the bending shape rules that the Rebar Shape Manager defines automatically are not sufficient to distinguish certain bending shapes.

To manually define a rule for a reinforcing bar bending shape:

1. Click the Add button next to the Bending shape rules list.The New bending rule dialog box opens.

2. Select the options from the lists to define the new rule. The content of the lists depends on the shape and the bendings of the reinforcing bar.

3. Click OK to add the new rule to the Bending shape rules list.The OK button is enabled only when the rule is valid.

See also Bending shape rule settings (110)

Reinforcing bar bending shapes in the Rebar Shape Manager (108)

Bending shape rule settingsUse the New bending rule dialog box in Rebar Shape Manager to manually define rules for reinforcing bar bending shapes.

The Rebar Shape Manager is able to recognize bending shapes regardless of the modeling direction of the bars. This means that the modeling direction has no effect on the shape definition and the shape code.

When defining the bending shapes, the start or the end of modeling direction is always sorted based first on bending angles, then on twist angles, and finally on leg lengths. However, bending radius is not taken into account in the sorting. This means that radius 1 may not always be less than radius 2 or vice versa.

All the rule options are available in the New bending rule dialog box, even though only certain selections are valid, depending on the type of the conditions used.

The left and right condition of a rule need to be of the same type.

The values in the parentheses are the values that were used to create the bar shape.


Option Description

Angle (A) Bending angle between the legs.

Bending angle is always between 0 and +180 degrees. The angle cannot be negative.

Twist angle (T) The rotation angle of a plane that has been created by two bars of consecutive lengths. The plane is rotated around the axis of the last bar creating the plane.

For bars where all the legs lie in the same plane, the twist angle is either 0 degrees or +180 degrees.

If the bar twists out of the plane, i.e. the bar is in 3D, the twist angle is between -180 and +180 degrees.

Leg1

Leg 2

Leg 3

Twist angle direction

Plane created by legs 1 and 2


Twist angle example The twist angle between two planes is +90 degrees. The planes are created by legs 1 and 2, and legs 2 and 3.

Twist angle: +90 degrees

Radius (R), (RX) Radius of the bending.

Radius * means that the same radius is used in all bendings.

Rule Radius * = Radius 1 means that all the radius values are equal to the first radius.

Straight length (S) Straight length between the start and the end of adjacent bendings.

The rule is generated only when there is no straight part, for example, Straight length 2 = 0.

Leg length (L) Length of the leg.

Leg (V) Leg direction as a vector value.

Leg distance from leg (D) Similar to Point/arc distance off from leg (H). The difference is that Point/arc distance off from leg (H) considers the bending radius, whereas Leg distance from leg (D) is measured from the sharp corner.

When the legs are parallel, both Leg distance from leg (D) and Point/arc distance off from leg (H) give the same result.

Option Description


Point/arc distance along leg (K)

Distance parallel to a leg from outer edge to outer edge, or tangential to the bending

The distances are positive or negative depending on the leg direction.

Example:

Point/arc distance off from leg (H)

Distance perpendicular to a leg from outer edge to outer edge, or tangential to the bending

The distances are positive or negative depending on the leg direction.

Example:

Option Description




Adding new bending shape rules manually (110)

Bending schedule fields in the Rebar Shape ManagerUse the Bending schedule fields in the Rebar Shape Manager to define content for templates and reports. Each of the Bending schedule fields can contain a shape property or a formula.

When you right-click in a Bending schedule fields cell, you can:

SHA

SHR

SHS

SHLA

SHLB

EHA

EHR

EHS

EHLA

EHLB

Start and end hook properties.

Use method A or B for the hook length calculation:

Standard radius (RS) Standard minimum bending radius.

The bending radius depends on the size and the grade of the bar.

Bar diameter (DIA), (DIAX) Diameter of the reinforcing bar.

Center line length (CLL) Leg length according to the center line.

Sum of leg lengths (SLL) Sum of all leg lengths.

Weight per length (WPL) Weight per leg length.

Constant angle Constant value of the angle.

Enter the value in the right most box.

Constant radius Constant value of the radius.

Enter the value in the right most box.

Option Description


• Select a shape property from the list. The content of the list depends on the reinforcing bar geometry.

• Select the (empty) option to clear the content of the current cell.

• Select the (formula) option to enter a formula. The variables in the formula can either be the shape properties visible in the pop-up menu, or direct references to other non-empty bending schedule field cells.

You can use the same functions in the formulas as in custom components:

• Mathematical functions.

• Statistical functions.

• String operations.• Trigonometric functions.

When you map angles and trigonometric functions in the Schedule field formula dialog box, enter the functions (sin, cos, tan) in small letters, for example sin(A1). Capital letters are not recognized, and a blank space will appear in reports.

If you have angles in a formula, the formula needs to be in radians. For example, if you want to subtract 180 degrees from angle A1, enter A1-PI in capital letters. If you enter A1-180 or A1-pi, the formula does not work.

Bending schedule fields cell shows the result of a valid formula. If the formula is not valid, a question mark and text describing the error is shown.

Example Formula is L1+L3+L5-2*DIA

• L1, L3 and L5 are the leg lengths measured from outer edge to outer edge

• H1 is the total width

• to achieve H1: L1+L3+L5 minus 2*bar diameter

Use the fields S, T, U or V to report angles. If you do not use these fields, you need to override the default unit settings in the Template Editor.

Reinforcing bar bending typesReinforcement 116

See also Functions in variable formulas


2.7 Reinforcing bar bending typesTekla 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 country- or 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 (137).

Reinforcing bar bending dimensions are calculated so that the leg dimensions (D1, D2, etc.) follow the outer edge, or the edge extension, of the reinforcing bar. The total length is calculated according to the center line of the reinforcing bar.

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.

3_1

3_2

4

4_2

4_3

Type Image


4_4

5_1

5_2

5_3

6_1

6_2

7

Type Image


8

9

Requires 180 degree hook.

10

11

D1 = Radius from center of circle to the center line of reinforcing bar.

12

13

Can also be modeled using hooks at both ends (i.e. model D1 and D5 using 90 degree hooks).

Type Image


14

Requires 90 degree hooks at both ends.

14_2

14_3

14_4


Type Image


14_5

Recognized when the start point and end point are in the same location and no hooks are used.

If XS_REBAR_RECOGNITION_HOOKS_CONSIDERATION is set to FALSE, reinforcing bars with hooks (types 14 and 48) are recognized as 14_5.

15

Requires hooks at both ends.

16_1

16_2

17

Type Image


18

19

20_1

20_2

21

22

23

Type Image


24

25

26


27


28


29


29_2

Type Image


29_3

29_4

29_5

30


31


32


Type Image


32_2

33


34

35


36


36_2

Can also be modeled using hooks at both ends.

Type Image


36_3

Can also be modeled using hooks at both ends.

37


38

Requires 180 degree hook at one end and 90 degree hook at the other end.

38_2

39

40


Type Image


41


42


43

43_2

44


44_2


Type Image


45


45_2

Requires 180 hooks at both ends.

46


47


48


Type Image


48_2


48_3

49

D1 = Reinforcing bar center line diameter.

49_2

50


Type Image


51


52


53


54


55

56

Type Image


57

58

59

60

61


61_2

Recognized if XS_REBAR_RECOGNITION_HOOKS_CONSIDERATION is set to FALSE.

Type Image


61_3


62

Requires hook.

63

Requires hook.

64


Type Image


64_2


65


65_2


66

Type Image


67

67_2

68

69_1

69_2

70_1

Type Image


70_2

71

72

73_1

73_2

73_3

Type Image


74

75_1

75_2

76

77

Type Image


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.

78

79_1

79_2

80

UNKNOWN For example:

Type Image


Reinforcementtemplates

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.

Mappingdimensions

Use the rebar_schedule_config.inp file in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\environments\<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:

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:

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 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"

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"


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:

See also DIM_A ... DIM_G, DIM_H1, DIM_H2, DIM_I, DIM_J, DIM_K1, DIM_K2, DIM_L, DIM_O, DIM_R, DIM_R_ALL, DIM_TD, DIM_WEIGHT, DIM_X, DIM_Y

ANG_S, ANG_T, ANG_U, ANG_V

SHAPE

SHAPE_INTERNAL

Reinforcing bar bending types (116)

rebar_schedule_config.inp (Example 3)BEND_TYPE_4[1]=if (D1==D3) then ("A") else ("B") endifBEND_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"

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"

Index

140

aadaptivity

reinforcement ............................................................97add

anchor rod...................................................................22base plate....................................................................22beam to column connection..................................23

adding pointsbent mesh .................................................................102reinforcement ..........................................................102reinforcing bar .........................................................102reinforcing bar group.............................................102

anchor rodsadd ................................................................................22

anchoring hooks................................................................75assemblies

defining........................................................................30attaching

reinforcement to parts ............................................95AutoConnection ........................................................ 39, 44

changing a connection............................................43restrictions..................................................................40rule groups..................................................................41rule sets .......................................................................42rules ..............................................................................48rules.zxt .......................................................................43setup.............................................................................40using .............................................................................43

AutoDefaults .............................................................. 39, 44accessing connection properties files .................46checking properties ..................................................48checking rules ............................................................48combining ........................................................... 50, 52connection properties files ....................................46defaults.zxt ......................................................... 45, 47editing connection properties ...............................47iterating............................................................... 50, 52limitations...................................................................51priority of rule sets...................................................47reaction forces...........................................................54rules ..............................................................................48saving connection properties files .......................46setup.............................................................................45

using............................................................................. 48automatic properties ....................................................... 12automating detailing....................................................... 25

bbase plate

add ................................................................................ 22beam profiles

selecting ...................................................................... 28beams

connect to column ................................................... 23bending radius................................................................... 74bending shapes

defining .....................................................................108rebar shape manager...................................108, 110reinforcement ..........................................................108rules ............................................................................110

bending typesreinforcement ..........................................................108

bent meshadding points ...........................................................102removing points ......................................................103

bolt assembliesdefining in connections .......................................... 38

boltsbolt group orientation............................................. 33bolt group pattern.................................................... 33bolt position ............................................................... 34bolt spacing................................................................ 33defining ............................................................... 30, 32deleting........................................................................ 37edge distance............................................................. 34increasing bolt length ............................................. 32number of ................................................................... 33overview of properties on the bolts tab............. 30

ccast-in-place........................... 100, 101, 102, 103, 105cast-in-situ.............................. 100, 101, 102, 103, 105CIP.............................................. 100, 101, 102, 103, 105columns

141

connect to beam .......................................................23combining

reinforcing bar groups...........................................105reinforcing bars .......................................................105

component catalog ..........................................................14component design

checking ......................................................................13components

concepts ........................................................................ 8conceptual ..................................................................24copying ........................................................................19creating view..............................................................23detailed ........................................................................24dialog box ..................................................................... 9publish in catalog .....................................................19symbols ........................................................................16thumbnails..................................................................18types ............................................................................... 8using Excel..................................................................66viewing ........................................................................23

conceptual components.......................................... 24, 25concrete cover ...................................................................76connect

beam to column ........................................................23connection library, see component catalog ..............14connections

beam to column ........................................................23defining bolt assemblies .........................................38

copyingcomponents ................................................................19

custom reinforcement meshes....................................105customizing

connections ................................................................39modeling tools ...........................................................39reinforcement ............................................... 105, 107

ddefault properties .............................................................12default values

setting with the joints.def file ..............................54defaults.zxt .........................................................................47Design type tab .................................................................13detailed components ............................................... 24, 25detailing

automating .................................................................25

eedge distance

bolts ..............................................................................34editing

connection properties..............................................47Excel .....................................................................................67

example ....................................................................... 67using for components.............................................. 66

Excel.vb................................................................................ 67exploding

reinforcements ........................................................107exploding reinforcements.............................................107

fformulas

rebar shape manager.............................................114framing conditions ........................................................... 40

ggeneral tab ......................................................................... 12geometry

reinforcement ............................................................ 99grouping

mesh ...........................................................................101reinforcement ..........................................................101reinforcing bar group ............................................101

hhandles

of reinforcement ....................................................... 96holes

creating ....................................................................... 32

iindicating component status with Excel design...... 70iterating

AutoDefaults .............................................................. 52

jjoints.def

about ............................................................................ 55bolt and part properties.......................................... 59bolt properties in clip angle connections .......... 58bolt properties in diagonal connections ............ 59bolt properties in end plate connections........... 58bolt properties in gusset connections ................ 58bolt properties in shear plate connections........ 58connections that use joints.def ............................ 56defining bolt diameter and number of

rows ...................................................................... 58defining global defaults.......................................... 56entering values.......................................................... 56example of how Tekla Structures uses ............... 65how it works .............................................................. 55

142

interpreting.................................................................55

mmaterials

defining........................................................................29mesh .....................................................................................89

bent...............................................................................89grouping ....................................................................101polygonal.....................................................................89ungrouping ...............................................................100

modeling toolswhen to customize ...................................................39

modifyingreinforcement ............................................................95

movingreinforcement splice ................................................94

oomitting reinforcing bars ...............................................78

ppart position number .......................................................28parts

defining........................................................................27dialog box tabs ..........................................................27dimensioning..............................................................27part position number ...............................................28setting default prefix and start number.............29

platesdefining........................................................................27dimensioning..............................................................28

prestressed strandsdebonding ...................................................................92

propertiesautomatic....................................................................12default..........................................................................12system default ...........................................................12

publish in catalog .............................................................19

rreaction forces...................................................................54rebar .....................................................................................83

bending types...........................................................116rebar group .........................................................................84rebar mesh ..........................................................................89rebar shape manager

bending shapes........................................................108formulas ....................................................................114rebarshaperules.xml ...............................................108

rules ............................................................................110reinforcement

adaptivity .................................................................... 97adding points ...........................................................102basic properties ......................................................... 74bending radius........................................................... 74bending shapes........................................................108bending types .................................................. 74, 108customizing ..............................................................107defining as custom components ........................107exploding...................................................................107geometry ..................................................................... 99grouping ....................................................................101hooks ............................................................................ 75in templates .............................................................137invalid geometry ....................................................... 99modifying .................................................................... 95omitting bars ............................................................. 78prestressed strands................................................... 92rebar shape manager.............................................108rebarshaperules.xml ...............................................108reinforcing bar shape catalog ............................... 81removing points ......................................................103spacing......................................................................... 78splice ............................................................................ 94strands ......................................................................... 92ungrouping ...............................................................100user-defined attributes........................................... 79

reinforcement mesh......................................................... 89customizing ..............................................................105

reinforcement splicemoving ......................................................................... 94

reinforcing bar group....................................................... 84adding points ...........................................................102circular......................................................................... 88combining .................................................................105curved .......................................................................... 87grouping ....................................................................101removing points ......................................................103splitting .....................................................................104ungrouping ...............................................................100

reinforcing bar groupsreinforcing bar shape catalog ............................... 81

reinforcing bar shape catalog ....................................... 81reinforcing bars ................................................................. 83

adding points ...........................................................102bending types ..........................................................116combining .................................................................105reinforcing bar shape catalog ............................... 81removing points ......................................................103

removing pointsbent mesh .................................................................103reinforcement ..........................................................103reinforcing bar.........................................................103reinforcing bar group ............................................103

143

reportson reinforcement ....................................................137

rule groups..........................................................................40creating........................................................................41

rule sets ...............................................................................40creating........................................................................42editing..........................................................................42priority .........................................................................47

rules ......................................................................................48bending shapes........................................................110rebar shape manager .............................................110

rules.zxt ...............................................................................43

ssetting up Excel files........................................................67shape catalog.....................................................................81shear force calculation....................................................54slotted holes

defining........................................................................36spacing reinforcing bars .................................................78spiral reinforcing bar groups .........................................84splice.....................................................................................94splitting

reinforcing bar group.............................................104reinforcing bars in a group ..................................104

strand patternreinforcement ............................................................92

system default properties...............................................12

ttapered reinforcing bar groups..................................... 84thumbnail images............................................................. 18

uUDL ....................................................................................... 54ungrouping

mesh ...........................................................................100reinforcement ..........................................................100reinforcing bar group ............................................100

up direction ........................................................................ 11user-defined reinforcement attributes....................... 79

vviewing

components................................................................ 23

wwelds

defining ............................................................... 30, 38

zzxt files ........................................................................ 43, 47

Documents

Tekla Structures 18 Detailing Guide