This section consists of the reference pages for the custom component commands.
The following table lists the commands used to define, create, and manage custom components.
Rectangular plate Contour plate
Not using magnetic planes:
Pick all 10 handles to bind the parts together Using 3 magnetic planes:
Pick 3 points to bind the parts together (pick 1 point on each magnetic plane)
Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component...
Synopsis This command defines a new custom component and saves it to a library for later use.
Preconditions All the necessary objects (parts, cuts, fittings, bolts, etc.) must exist in the model, because you will need to select different objects, points etc. to define the custom component. See also Exploding components (p. 62).
Description This command defines a simple custom component, which you can use in similar locations to where it was originally created. This component is not parametric and Tekla Structures does not adjust dimensions to suit any changes in the model. To create a parametric custom component, see Editing custom components (p. 69).
Command Icon Description
Detailing > Component
> Define Custom Component... (p. 112)
Starts the custom component wizard which guides you through defining a custom component.
Display variables (p.
115)
Displays a list of distance and parameter variables.
Browser (p. 119) Displays the custom component browser that shows the contents of a custom component in a hierarchical, tree-like structure.
Plane types (p. 120) Defines which planes can be selected.
Construction plane (p.
121)
The command to create your own plane.
Custom component settings (p. 122)
Allows you to edit the type or the position of a custom component or add notes after you have created the component
Create distance (p. 123) The command to create distance variables.
Create reference distance (p. 124)
The command to create variable reference distancies.
Automatic distances (p.
125)
Automatically generates distance variables for custom component objects.
Field Description More information
Type Affects how the user inserts the custom component into the model. Also defines if the custom component connects to existing parts.
Component types (p. 10)
Name Unique name for the custom
component. If the name already exists, the Next button is grayed out.
Description Short description of the custom
Usage 1. Click Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component... to start the Custom component wizard.
2. Select a Type and enter the other properties, then click Next. 3. Select the objects that the custom component will create.
4. Click Next.
5. The next step differs depending on the Type you select in step 2:
•
For connections, select the main part, click Next, then select the secondary part(s).•
For details, select the main part, and click Next.To position the detail by the main part, select Main part, and go to step 6.
To position the detail by a reference point, select Reference point, and then pick a point.
•
For seams, select the main part, click Next, then select the secondary part, click Next, then pick two points to indicate the seam location.Component identifier
To include this in drawings, include Code in the connection mark.
Mark elements Up direction The default up direction. Used only in
connections and details.
Position type Position (or origin) of the connection, relative to the main part.
Position type (p. 114)
Detail type Determines on which side of the main part the detail is located. The options are:
Intermediate detail - Tekla Structures creates all details on the same side of the main part.
End detail - Tekla Structures creates all details on the side of the main part closest to the detail.
Only affects asymmetric details (for example a one-side stiffener).
Definition point position in relation to primary part
The position you pick to create the detail, relative to the main part.
For connections, this determines where the connection is created, relative to the secondary part.
Only available for details and connections.
When checked, allows you to create many connections to the same main part, in different locations.
Only available for connections.
This is always possible for details.
Exact positions When you select this checkbox, Tekla Structures positions the seam based on the positions you pick in the model.
If you clear this checkbox, Tekla Structures uses automatic seam recognition to position the seam. This is useful especially with warped seams.
Only available for seams.
Use the center of the bounding box in positioning
When you select this checkbox, Tekla Structures positions the custom part based on the center of its bounding box (the box which surronds the actual part profile).
Only available for parts.
Field Description More information
6. Click Finish.
See also Defining a custom component (p. 62) Editing custom components (p. 69) Using a custom component (p. 106) Managing custom components (p. 106)
Position type
Synopsis Defines the position (or origin) of the custom component, relative to the main part. This command is available in the custom component wizard. Position type affects which type of main parts you can use the custom component with.
Preconditions
Description Determines the location of the objects the custom component creates, relative to main part. The options are:
•
MiddleWhere the center lines of the main and secondary parts intersect.
•
Box planeWhere the main part box and the center line of the secondary part intersect.
•
Collision planeWhere the main part and the center line of the secondary part intersect.
Display variables
Synopsis Shows all variables and lets you to add new parameter variables. You can also use it to manage distance and parameter variables.
Tekla Structures uses variables with the following features:
•
Custom Components (p. 61)•
Sketched cross sections•
Parametric modeling Preconditions To use this command, you must:Description Variables are the properties of a custom component/sketch/parametric model.
Use the Add button to add parameter variables.
To add new distance variables, use the commands
•
Create distance (p. 123) or Automatic distances (p. 125) for custom components.•
Sketch free distance, Sketch horizontal distance, or Sketch vertical distance for sketched cross sections.Use the Delete button to delete selected parameters and distances.
You define the following properties for a variable:
•
End end planeWhere the center line of the secondary part hits the end of the main part.
•
Gusset planeWhere the center lines of the main part and the first secondary part intersect. The x direction is perpendicular to the center line of the main part.
Feature Preconditions
Custom components
•
define a custom component, see Defining a custom component (p. 62)•
open the Custom component editor, see Custom component editor (p. 69)Sketched cross sections
•
open the Cross section sketch editor, see Sketched cross sectionsParametric modeling
-Usage Usage depends on the feature:
Value types The options are:
Field Description More information
Variable name A unique name for variable. Use this name to refer to the variable in the custom component/sketch/
model browser.
Custom component browser (p. 71) Sketch Browser Formula Can contain a value or a
formula. Copy values using the popup menu in the browser. See Custom component browser (p. 71).
Formulae begin with =
Creating parameters that use formulae (p.
81)
Functions to use in formulas (p. 82)
Variable value Shows the current value from the formula field.
Variable type Distance or parameter. Defining variables (p. 73)
Adding dimensions to a sketched cross section
Value type Defines the type of information to input.
Display variables (p.
115) Visibility Shows or hides the variable in
the custom component/Select profile dialog box.
Custom component dialog box (p. 100)
Label The field name in the custom component/Select profile dialog box. Maximum length is 30 characters.
Feature Usage
Custom components
•
Creating distance variables (p. 75)•
Creating reference distances (p. 77)•
Creating parameter variables (p. 80) Sketched crosssections
•
Variables Parametric modeling-Value type Description
Number A whole (integer) number. Used for quantity and multiplier.
Length A decimal (floating point) number. User for lengths and distances.
Length numbers have unit (mm, inch etc.) and are rounded to two places of decimals.
Tekla Structures enables millimeter to inch conversion for the Length and Distance list types.
Factor A decimal value without a unit. You can set the number of decimals for the value type in Tools > Options > Options... > Units and decimals. Angle A special decimal number type for storing angles, stored to 1 place of
decimals, in radians.
Material A special data type linked to the material catalog. On input you can select material from the standard material dialog.
Profile A special data type linked to the profile catalog. On input you can select profile from the standard profile dialog.
Bolt size Special data types linked to the bolt catalog. Bolt size works with Bolt standard. They have fixed naming: Px_diameter and
Px_screwdin. Do not change the fixed name.
To automatically show values for these in the component’s dialog box, x must be the same for both, for example, P1_diameter and
P1_screwdin.
Bolt standard
Bolt type For defining the bolt type (site/workshop) in the custom component dialog box. Linked to the Bolt type property of bolts in the Custom component browser.
Stud size Special data types linked to the bolt catalog. Stud size works with Stud standard. They have fixed naming: Px_size and Px_standard. Do not change the fixed name.
To automatically show values for these in the component’s dialog box, x must be the same for both, for example, P9_size and P9_standard.
Stud standard
Distance list For fields with several length values, such as bolt spacings.
Value type Description
Weld type A special data type for selecting weld type.
Weld types
Chamfer type A special data type for defining the shape of a chamfer.
Welding site A special data type for defining the welding place: workshop or building site.
Rebar grade Special data types linked to reinforcement catalog. Rebar grade, Rebar size, and Rebar bending radius work together. They have fixed naming format: Px_grade, Px_size, and Px_radius where the x is a number. Do not change the fixed name.
To automatically show values for these in the component's dialog box, x must be the same for all, for example, P1_grade, P1_size, and Px_radius.
Rebar size Rebar bending radius
Reinforcement mesh
For defining meshes in custom components. Linked to the Catalog name property of reinforcement meshes in the Custom component browser. Component
name
For replacing a subcomponent inside a custom component with another subcomponent. Linked to the Name property of objects in the Custom component browser.
Value type Description
Browser
Synopsis This command shows the browser for the following features.
•
Custom component: Custom component browser•
Sketched cross section: Display sketch browser•
Parametric modeling: Model browser Preconditions To open the browser:Description The browser shows the objects, their properties, and hierarchy included in the:
•
Custom component•
Sketched cross section Componentattribute file
For setting the properties of a subcomponent inside a custom component.
Works with Component name using the format Px_name and
Px_attrfile, where the x is a number. Do not change the fixed name.
To automatically show values for these in the component's dialog box, x must be the same for both, for example, P2_name and P2_attrfile.
Yes/No For defining whether or not Tekla Structures creates an object in a custom component. Linked to the Creation property of objects in the Custom component browser.
Value type Description
Feature Preconditions
Custom components
•
Define a custom component, see Defining a custom component (p. 62)•
Open the Custom component editor, see Custom component editor (p. 69) Sketched crosssections
Open the Cross section sketch editor, see Opening the cross section sketch editor
Parametric modeling
Click the Display model browser icon in the Tools toolbar.
Usage Usage depends on the feature:
Plane types
Synopsis This command changes the plane type.
Preconditions Open the Custom component editor. See Custom component editor (p. 69).
Description You need planes to define distance variables. For example, you can bind the reference point of a plate to the top plane of a beam.
You can change the plane type when the Create distance command is active. See Create distance (p. 123).
The table below shows an example of each plane type:
Feature Usage
Custom components Custom component browser (p. 71) Sketched cross
sections
Sketch Browser Parametric modeling Parametric modeling
Plane type Example Definition
Boundary planes The edges of a box
surrounding a profile.
Center planes The center planes of a
profile
Usage To see which planes are available in each group:
1. Select a plane type from the Custom component toolbar.
2. Move the mouse cursor over a component view. Tekla Structures highlights the available planes.
See also Creating distance variables (p. 75)
Construction plane
Synopsis This command creates a construction plane. If the plane is magnetic, the objects directly on it move with the plane.
Outline planes The outer and inner
surfaces of a profile.
Cut planes If parts contain line, part,
or polygon cuts, this option selects the cut surfaces. Fittings cannot be selected.
Component planes
Depends on which Position type the custom component originally had.
Grid planes Shows grid planes.
This plane type is only available in models and sketches.
Boundary and component planes work for most profile types, so try to use them whenever you can.
Plane type Example Definition
Preconditions
Description You may occasionally need to define your own planes. For example, when you create special model parameters for floor height, building width, etc.
Magnetic planes are also useful. You can use them to bind and move groups of objects. Rather than binding lots of handles and chamfers to faces, simply create a user plane that goes through all the handles and chamfers. Then make this plane magnetic and bind the plane to the appropriate face. When you move the plane, the attached handles and chamfers move with it.
The custom component editor contains many default planes, for more information see Plane types (p. 120).
Usage To add a construction plane:
1. Click the Create construction plane icon.
2. Pick four points.
3. Click the middle mouse button. Tekla Structures draws the plane.
4. Double-click the plane in the model. The Construction plane properties dialog box appears.
5. Type a name for the plane.
6. Select Magnetic, if you want Tekla Structures to bind touching objects to the plane. When you move a magnetic plane, objects directly on that plane automatically move with it.
7. Click Modify. See also Plane types (p. 120)
Custom component settings
Synopsis With this command you can go back and change the settings which you have used for defining a custom component.
Preconditions To use this command in the Custom component editor, you must:
•
Define a custom component, see Defining a custom component (p. 62).•
Open the Custom component editor, see Custom component editor (p. 69).Description You can do the following changes after you have created a custom component:
•
Add notes•
Change the position•
Allow multiple instancesTekla Structures only binds objects to the plane whose reference points are directly on the plane. By default the magnetic distance is 0.05 mm.
To change this use the variable XS_MAGNETIC_PLANE_OFFSET.
2. On the Type/Notes tab, insert the notes you want to add to the Description field.
To change the position type:
1. In the Customer component editor, click the Custom component settings icon.
2. On the Position tab, change the Position type. Tekla Structures repositions the planes.
The objects retain their relative position to the component planes, and they must be moved back into position manually.
In many cases you need to use a component inside another component, or make a complex connection out of simple connections. To apply multiple connections to the same main part, select the Allow multiple instances of connection between same parts checkbox. By default this checkbox is not selected.
To allow multiple instances:
1. In the Customer component editor, click the Custom component settings icon.
2. On the Advanced tab, select the Allow multiple instances of connection between same parts checkbox.
Create distance
Synopsis Creates a distance variable. You can create a distance variable from any of the following objects to a plane:
•
construction plane•
reference points of parts (only custom component objects)•
reference points of bolt groups•
chamfers•
part cut handles•
line cuts•
fittingsPreconditions To use this command in the Custom component editor, you must:
•
define a custom component, see Defining a custom component (p. 62)•
open the Custom component editor, see Custom component editor (p. 69) To use this command in a model, click Modeling > Add Distance > Fixed.Description Distances are dependencies that bind two parts together. You can also use distances to define part dimensions, bolt edge distances, gaps, etc. For example:
You define the following properties for distance variables:
Usage See Creating distance variables (p. 75).
To see all distances included in the custom component, open the Variables dialog box. For more information, see Defining variables (p. 73).
See also Automatic distances (p. 125) Plane types (p. 120)
Create reference distance
Synopsis Creates a variable reference distance between objects.
Preconditions To use this command in the Custom component editor, you must:
•
define a custom component, see Defining a custom component (p. 62)•
open the Custom component editor, see Custom component editor (p. 69) To use this command in a model, click Modeling > Add Distance > Reference.Description Use reference distances in calculations, for example, for determining the spacing of rungs in a ladder.
Distances
These distances bind plate’s reference points to the top and bottom plane of a beam
Field Description
Name Name of the distance variable.
Shown in the custom component dialog box.
Value Numeric value of distance.
Usage See Creating reference distances (p. 77).
To see all distances included in the custom component, open the Variables dialog box. For more information, see Defining variables (p. 73).
See also Plane types (p. 120)
Creating distance variables (p. 75) Automatic distances (p. 125)
Automatic distances
Synopsis Creates distance variables for picked objects.
The distance variables are created between the picked objects and the main and the secondary parts of a connection or a detail.
Preconditions Open the Custom component editor (p. 69).
Description This command attaches picked objects, or their reference points or handles, to existing planes, if the objects, or their reference points or handles, are located exactly on the plane. Tekla Structures creates distance variables from a maximum of three direction to existing planes.
Tekla Structures selects planes in the following order:
•
Construction plane (p. 121)•
Custom Components (p. 61)•
Plane types (p. 120)The command does not work with custom parts since they do not have a main part.
2. Pick any type of an object that has handles.
3. Click the middle mouse button to complete the command.
4. To check the created distances, open the Display variables (p. 115) dialog box.
For reinforcement you may have to remove some distances. If the last handle is bound to too many planes and the concrete cross-section enlarges, the other end of the reinforcement might not react to changes.
3 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.
Assumed
background 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.