Introduction This section discusses the principles you need to consider when planning numbering. Tekla Structures uses numbers to identify parts, cast units, and assemblies when producing drawings and reports, and exporting models. You must have Tekla Structures number the model parts before you can create single-part, assembly, cast unit, and multdrawings, or some export files from a model. Tekla Structures uses part numbers in many tasks, for example:
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Connecting a drawing with the right part, cast unit, or assembly.•
Reporting the properties of identical parts, cast units, and assemblies.•
Identifying part information for export another program.See Numbering (p. 168) for information on how to set up and carry out numbering.
Defining numbers to be used for parts
Numbering series You use a numbering series to divide steel part, cast unit, and assembly numbers into groups.
For example, you can allocate separate numbering series to different phases or part types.
You can also select the part first and then select Assembly > Set as New Main Part of Assembly from the right-click pop-up menu.
You can also select the assembly first and then select Assembly > Set as New Main Sub-Assembly from the right-click pop-up menu.
By default, the steel part mark prefix is P, the concrete part prefix is Concrete, and the starting number is 1. You do not have to specify a part prefix (for example, you may want to omit the part prefix for minor parts).
When you run numbering (see Numbering (p. 168)), Tekla Structures compares parts that belong to the same series with each other. All identical parts in the same numbering series are given the same part number.
Cast units andassemblies
Tekla Structures numbers concrete cast units and steel assemblies using the same principles as it follows when numbering parts. The default starting number is 1. The prefix varies based on the part type.
Part numbering does not affect cast unit and assembly numbering. For more information on cast units and assemblies, see Cast units and assemblies (p. 72).
Overlapping series
When planning numbering, ensure that you reserve enough numbers for each series. If one series overflows into another, Tekla Structures might allocate the same number to different parts.
Tekla Structures warns you about series overlaps. View the numbering history log to check which numbers overlap. See Log files in the online help.
What affects numbering
Identical parts Tekla Structures treats parts as identical, and so gives them the same number, if the following basic part properties are the same:
By default, a part retains its number, as long as only one part has that particular number, regardless of the settings in the Numbering setup dialog box.
Assembly and cast unit numbering may affect part numbering, if the vari-able XS_USE_ASSEMBLY_NUMBER_FOR is set.
Part property Condition
Part geometry Including the location, size, and number of holes, if you select the Holes checkbox in the Numbering setup dialog box.
Tekla Structures gives parts the same number if the parts are identical in the fabrication or casting. If a part is deformed after fabrication or casting (for example if the part is cambered, shortened, or warped), the final geometry on site and in the model may be different.
Numbering series
Name If you select the Part name checkbox in the Numbering setup dialog box.
Profile
Class and phase do not affect numbering. Tekla Structures gives the same number to identical parts that belong to different classes or phases.
Additional properties
Tekla Structures treats parts as different, and so numbers them differently, if the following properties differ:
Cast units and assemblies
Tekla Structures numbers cast units and assemblies in the same way as it does parts. The orientation of assemblies also affects numbering if you select the Beam orientation and Column orientation checkboxes in the Numbering setup dialog box.
See also For more information on numbering settings, see Numbering (p. 168).
Material Finish
You can set the degree of tolerance for part geometry in the Numbering setup dialog box. If the geometry of parts differs within this degree of tolerance, Tekla Structures treats the parts as identical for numbering purposes.
Part property Condition
Property Condition
User-defined attributes If a user-defined attribute has the variable special_flag set to yes, Tekla Structures takes this user-defined attribute into account when numbering.
For more information on defining user-defined attributes, see Adding properties and Inter-preting objects.inp in the online help.
Pop marks E.g. if two parts have different pop marks, or one part has pop marks and the other one does not, Tekla Structures gives the parts different numbers. See Pop marks in the online help.
Beam orientation If you select the Beam orientation checkbox in the Numbering setup dialog box.
Column orientation If you select the Column orientation checkbox in the Numbering setup dialog box.
Reinforcement If otherwise identical concrete parts have different reinforcement and if you select the Reinforcing bars checkbox in the Numbering setup dialog box, Tekla Structures gives the parts different numbers. See Reinforcement and Numbering reinforcement.
Cast-in embeds If you select the Embedded objects checkbox in the Numbering setup dialog box.
Surface treatment If you select the Surface treatment checkbox in the Numbering setup dialog box.