Bolts are used in a model as predefined assemblies made up of components such as bolts, washers, nuts, etc.
The bolt catalog contains bolt assembly elements, such as bolts of different size and length, nuts, washers, etc.
The bolt assembly catalog contains bolt assemblies.
When bolt assemblies are used in a model, the program automatically handles bolt length, number of washers, nuts, etc.
Topics Viewing or modifying the bolt catalog (p. 135) Saving a modified bolt catalog (p. 137) Viewing or modifying bolt assemblies (p. 137) Creating studs (p. 139)
Merging bolt catalogs (p. 141) Exporting the bolt catalog (p. 141)
When creating your own material definition file, ensure that materials with extended material names are listed before ones with similar, simpler names, or they will both be given the same symbol. For example, SM400B must be listed before SM400.
Viewing or modifying the bolt catalog
To view individual bolt elements, such as bolts, washers, and nuts:
Click Detailing > Bolts > Bolt Catalog... to access the Bolt Catalog dialog box.
Filter The Filter option is used to limit the list of entries from the catalog which are displayed. Read The filter (p. 116) for more on filtering techniques.
Layout The Modify bolt catalog dialog box contains a list box. Single click an entry on the list to access its properties.
The following table explains the terms used for the properties of bolts, washers and nuts, in the Bolt catalog dialog box.
An example of the properties of a typical bolt:
Term What does it mean? When is this value used?
add. dist Length of the part of the bolt that protrudes from the nut
Bolt length calculation
top thick Thickness of bolt head Drawing the bolt (e.g. to screen) thread len The length of the threaded
part of the bolt shaft
This is not used in bolt length calculation (value is 0) if the bolt is fully-threaded.
washer tol Tolerance between the washer inner diameter and the bolt diameter
When searching for the correct-sized washer for the bolt. Not used in bolt length calculation.
span size Size of the wrench needed Drawing the bolt (e.g. to screen) top diam Diameter of the hexagon For information only
calc thick Calculation thickness of a nut or washer
Used in bolt length calculation real thick True thickness of a nut or
washer
For information only inner diam Inner diameter of a nut or
washer
For information only outer diam Outer diameter of a nut or
washer
For information only
An example of the properties of a typical nut:
An example of the properties of a typical washer:
Saving a modified bolt catalog
Click Update to save the changes in memory until OK is clicked.
When you modify a catalog and click OK to exit a dialog box prompts for a choice between two options:
The first option saves the modified bolt catalog to the current model folder. The second acts like the Windows Cancel button and does not save the modified catalog.
Viewing or modifying bolt assemblies
To view or modify bolt assemblies:
Click Detailing > Bolts > Bolt Assembly Catalog... to access the Bolt Assembly Catalog dialog box. Click an entry on the list to access its properties.
The Bolt assembly catalog dialog box contains two fields for assembly names, Short name and Standard, which are used in different areas of the program.
The illustration below shows the possible components of the assembly. The program chooses the appropriate components when the assembly is used.
Field Description When is this value used?
Short name
This name is used in marking and reports. It is usually the commercial name for a specific bolt.
Drawing the bolt (e.g. on the screen)
Standard This is the full name and is show in the list box in the Bolt properties dialog box invoked from the Model Editor.
Bolt length calculation
The value given for additional length can affect either individual or all diameters of one bolt assembly. See the illustration above.
The value for length can either be absolute or relative to diameter. See the illustration above.
Defining
additional length for bolt
calculation
Use the Add. dist... button to control how much of the bolt protrudes from the nut. It is useful for performing a quick update of the entire bolt catalog. This value is used in bolt length calculation.
For more information, read Bolt length calculation (p. 146).
Creating studs
A stud is special type of bolt that is welded to steel parts to transfer loads between steel and concrete.
Does value for additional length affect all or individual diameters?
Enter additional length value here.
Click here to specify whether the value is absolute or relative to diameter.
Clicking Add. dist updates the Add. dist values of all bolts which use the selected bolt standard and have the selected diameter.
To create and use studs:
1. Click Detailing > Bolts > Bolt Catalog... and create a stud bolt in the bolt catalog. Enter the following properties:
2. Click Detailing > Bolts > Bolt Assembly Catalog... and create a stud bolt assembly.
3. To create studs in the model, use the Bolt command and select the stud assembly standard.
Property Value
Name Name for the stud bolt.
Type
Standard This name is needed when creating bolt assembly for the stud.
Diameter Shank diameter.
Length Stud length.
Weight Stud weight.
top thick Head thickness.
top diameter Head diameter.
Select the standard for the stud bolt.
Set all the other assembly component to NONE.
Merging bolt catalogs
The import and export options work together and are used to merge catalogs. It is a useful technique when:
•
Upgrading to a new version of the program, when you want to retain a customized bolt catalog from the previous version. Read Upgrading to a new version (p. 141) for a specific example of this.•
Combining bolt catalogs stored in different locations.•
Sharing information from the bolt catalog with other users.Exporting the bolt catalog
To export the entire bolt catalog:
1. Open the model containing the required bolt catalog.
2. Click Detailing > Bolts > Export Bolt Catalog.
3. Tekla Structures writes the bolt catalog to the file screwdb.lis in the current model folder.
Importing the bolt catalog
To import the bolt catalog:
1. Open the model to which you want to import the bolt catalog.
2. Copy the screwdb.lis file you want to import to the current model folder.
3. Click Detailing > Bolts > Import Bolt Catalog to import the bolt catalog file
screwdb.lis from the current model folder. Tekla Structures does not replace entries in the existing catalog that have the same names as the entries in the import file.
4. Check the status bar for error messages. To view errors, check the Tekla Structures log by clicking Tools > Display Log File > Session History....
Upgrading to a new version
Example This is an example of how to use import and export when you upgrade to a new version of Tekla Structures. This technique ensures that you retain any customization made to your existing catalog and that only catalog additions from the new version are merged.
Basically you will export the new catalog to your existing one. This prevents Tekla Structures overwriting existing catalog entries, or creating duplicates. The following steps explain how to do this when changing from one version of the program to another.
The export and import method for the bolt catalog is different to that used for the profile and materials catalogs.
This method exports the entire bolt catalog. To export only part of the bolt catalog, edit the export file to contain only the required elements.
1. Open a model in the new version. Do not save the model, or you will not be able to use it in previous versions.
2. Click Detailing > Bolts > Export Bolt Catalog. The program will create the export file screwdb.lis in the current model folder.
3. Open the same model in the previous version.
4. Click File > Catalog > Bolts > Import. The program imports from the file screwdb.lis in the current model folder. Existing entries with the same name as in the imported catalog are not replaced.
5. The merged catalog is now available in the previous version.
6. To use the merged catalog in the new version, first rename the screwdb.db file in the new version folder \environments\*your_environment*\profil\.
7. Copy the screwdb.db file (which contains the merged bolt catalog) from the previous version folder ..\environments\*your_environment*\profil\ to the new version folder ..\environments\*your_environment*\profil\.