Introduction There are two ways to create bolts:
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Create a single bolt group•
Apply a component that automatically creates bolt groups.This section concentrates on creating single bolt groups. For more information on using components to automatically create bolt groups, see Defining bolts and welds in the Detailing Manual.
You can create different part marks for holes and bolts in drawings.
You cannot use bolt elements (such as screws, washers, and nuts) while you are creating holes, as Tekla Structures uses the same command to create bolts and holes.
Creating assemblies
You can use bolts to create and connect assemblies. You can create nested assemblies by connecting sub-assemblies to an existing assembly, or you can just connect more parts to
creating the connection determines the main and secondary parts of the assembly, or the assembly hierarchy.
For more information on creating assemblies, see Cast units and assemblies (p. 72).
Bolt catalog Tekla Structures treats bolts as pre-defined assemblies made up of individual elements (bolts, washers, nuts, etc.).
Tekla Structures stores bolt assemblies in the bolt assembly catalog. The individual elements (bolts of different size and length, nuts, washers, etc.) are contained in the bolt catalog. For more information on catalogs, see Bolt and bolt assembly catalogs in the online help.
Creating a bolt group
See Bolt in the online help for detailed instructions on how to create a bolt group.
Work plane The work plane only affects the rotation of the bolt group. The points you pick determine the position of the bolt group.
Bolted parts It is important that the points you pick to create the bolt group are close enough to the parts you want to connect. The cut length property of a bolt group defines how far along the bolt axis the parts must be in order to hit the bolt group.
Bolt group origin Dimensions are relative to the bolt group origin, which is the first point you pick when creating a bolt group. Tekla Structures sets the x direction of a bolt group using the second point picked.
These points are shown as crosses in the illustration below. The dashed line indicates the x direction.
Connect part/
assembly Bolt type Result
As sub-assembly Workshop Nested assembly with the assembly you are bolting as a sub-assembly.
The first part you pick deter-mines the assembly to which you are bolting.
As sub-assembly Site
As secondary part Workshop Basic assembly with the part you are bolting as a secondary part.
The first part you pick usually becomes the main part in the assembly.
As secondary part Site No assembly created.
See also Creating by modifying (p. 107)
Creating by modifying
You can also create a new bolt group by modifying an existing one. In most cases it is easier to create bolt groups by applying a component including bolt groups, using the following method:
1. Apply a component.
2. Explode the component.
3. Modify the bolt group.
Changing bolted parts
You can change which parts a bolt group connects using the command Detailing > Bolts > Edit Bolted Parts. This command prompts you to reselect the main and secondary parts. Tekla Structures automatically updates bolt length to suit these changes. For more information, see Bolt length calculation in the online help.
Creating holes
Tekla Structures creates holes in the same way as bolts, but you do need to change some of the properties in the Bolt properties dialog box. You can create the following types of holes:
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Round•
Oversized•
Slotted•
TappedCreating round holes
To create a round hole, follow the steps in Creating a bolt group (p. 106). Tekla Structures calculates the diameter of a round hole as the sum of:
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Bolt size•
Tolerance (hole)To only create a hole, clear all bolt element checkboxes in the Bolt properties dialog box, as shown below:
Creating slotted holes
You also use the Bolt properties dialog box to create slotted holes.
1. Select the checkboxes against Parts with slotted holes to indicate which parts should be slotted.
2. To only create a slotted hole, clear all the Include in bolt assembly checkboxes.
3. Select Slotted in the Hole type list box.
4. Enter the allowance for the slotted hole in the x and y directions of the bolt group using the Slotted hole X or Slotted hole Y fields.
Clean these checkboxes to create a mere hole
Tekla Structures counts the pieces of steel from the head of the bolt down.
For example, if you select the second checkbox from the head of the bolt, Tekla Structures slots the second piece of steel from the head of the bolt.
Tolerance
Slotted hole X or Y Bolt size
5. If the bolt connects several parts, you may want to rotate alternate holes by 90 degrees. This allows the bolt to move in different directions. To do this, select Even or Odd in the Rotate slots list box.
Creating oversized holes
Use the Bolt properties dialog box to create oversized holes.
1. Select the checkboxes against Parts with slotted holes to indicate which plies of connection get oversized holes.
2. To only create a hole, clear all the Include in bolt assembly checkboxes.
3. Select Oversized in the Hole type list box.
4. Enter the allowance for the oversized hole in the Oversize field. You can also use a negative value to create smaller (tapped) holes.
Bolt group shape
You have the following options for bolt group shape:
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Array for rectangular•
xy list for any shape•
Circle for circularTekla Structures uses the values in Bolt dist X and Bolt dist Y to determine how many bolts the bolt group contains, as shown in the table below:
You indicate the x direction of the bolt group when you create the bolt group (see Creating a bolt group (p. 106)).
Crossing slotted holes to odd or even parts Parallel slotted holes
Shape Bolt dist X Bolt dist Y
Array Spacing between bolts, in the x direction of the bolt group.
Spacing between bolts, in the y direction of the bolt group.
xy list x coordinate of each bolt, from the bolt group point of
y coordinate of each bolt, from the bolt group point of
Bolt properties The bolt properties are:
Bolt length
Tekla Structures calculates bolt length automatically, using the material thicknesses of the connected parts, and other factors. The following settings in the Bolt group properties dialog box affect bolt length calculation:
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Thread in material•
Cut length•
Extra lengthThread in material indicates if the thread of the bolt can extend beyond the bolted parts. Tekla Structures does not use this value when calculating the length of full-threaded bolts.
Cut length indicates the area Tekla Structures should search for parts that belong to the bolt group. Using cut length you can determine whether the bolt will go through one flange or two.
In the illustration below, A is the cut length and B is the bolt origin. Tekla Structures calculates the search area as A/2 in both directions from point B.
Tekla Structures warns you if the cut length is too small (i.e. the bolt group contains no parts) and makes the bolt length 100 mm.
Field Description
Bolt size Bolt sizes available in the selected bolt standard.
Bolt standard Bolt assembly standard, which is defined in the bolt catalog.
Bolt type Indicates if bolts are assembled on-site or in the shop.
If you want to force a bolt to be a certain length, enter a negative value for length (e.g. -150).
Using Extra length to increase the material thickness Tekla Structures uses when calculating bolt length. For example, you might need extra bolt length to allow for painting. You can also build additional lengths into bolt assemblies .
See also Bolt catalog
Bolt length calculation Clash check (p. 134)
Bolt group location
Tekla Structures determines the location of the bolt group using the following values:
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Bolt group x axis•
Work planeThe two points you pick to create the bolt group determine the bolt group point of origin and its x direction.
Position on plane Position on plane moves the bolt group perpendicular to the bolt group x axis.
Position at depth Position at depth moves the bolt group perpendicular to the current work plane.
Rotation Rotation defines how far the bolt group is rotated around the x axis, relative to the current work plane. For example, you can use this field to indicate on which side of the connected parts you want the bolt head to be.
Offsets You can also use offsets to change the position of the bolt group. Offsets move the bolt group by moving the x axis of the bolt group.
The starting point values Dx, Dy and Dz move the first end of the bolt group, relative to the bolt group x axis. The end point values move the second end of the bolt group.
If there are large gaps between connected parts, the gap is added to the length of the bolt. Tekla Structures calculates bolt length using the the total distance between the first and last surfaces.
Front Top
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Dz moves the end point perpendicular to the current work plane.Example An example showing the parameters of a bolt group.
Bolts created using the bolt properties: