Tekla Structures

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Custom Components

Advanced Training Manual

June 2011

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1 Introduction... 5

2 Creating steel custom components ... 7

2.1 Lifting bracket detail... 7

Defining a lifting bracket detail ... 8

Opening the lifting bracket in custom component editor ... 10

Creating distance variables to control the gusset plate shape and position ... 10

Creating distance variables to control the base plate position... 13

Editing the name and visibility of the distance variables... 13

Testing a distance variable ... 14

Creating variables to control the profile and material of the gusset plate and base plate... 14

Creating variables to control bolt size and bolt standard ... 17

Testing the lifting bracket detail... 18

Changing a thumbnail image for the lifting bracket... 19

Adding an image to the lifting bracket dialog box... 20

Moving variables onto the image ... 22

2.2 End plate connection ... 24

Defining an end plate connection... 25

Opening the end plate connection in custom component editor ... 27

Creating distance variables to control the top notch ... 28

Editing the top notch distance variables... 32

Creating variables to control the notch depth and notch clearance ... 33

Adjusting the end plate length to beam depth... 34

Creating variables to control the end plate width and thickness ... 37

Defining the end plate material ... 39

Adjusting the end plate to a new beam size... 40

Creating variables to control the bolts... 43

Defining bolt size and bolt standard... 45

Defining bolt distances... 46

Testing the end plate connection ... 47

2.3 Stiffener detail... 48

Defining a stiffener detail... 49

Opening the stiffener detail in custom component editor... 50

Creating distance variables to control the stiffener shape ... 51

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Creating variables to control the stiffener thickness ... 56

Testing the stiffener detail... 57

Creating variables to control plate class and creation of stiffener plates... 58

Adding a list in the stiffener dialog box ... 59

Adding images in the list... 61

Dimming unavailable variables in the stiffener dialog box ... 62

Hiding unavailable variables in the stiffener dialog box ... 63

2.4 Ladder custom part... 64

Defining a ladder part... 66

Opening the ladder part in custom component editor... 68

Creating distance variables to control the ladder length... 69

Creating variables to control the number and spacing of the rungs... 70

Creating variables to control the bottom rung offset ... 72

Creating variables to control the ladder width... 73

Creating variables to control the stringer and rung profiles ... 75

Creating a variable to control the rung connections... 76

Testing the ladder part... 77

Creating an image for the ladder part dialog box... 77

Adding the image to the ladder part dialog box ... 78

Positioning the image and parameters ... 80

Renaming and adding a tab page... 82

Testing changes in the ladder part dialog box ... 83

2.5 Skewed beam connection ... 83

Defining a skewed beam connection ... 84

Opening the skewed beam connection in custom component editor... 86

Creating variables to control clearance from the beam flange... 87

Creating a variable to control the plate profile ... 89

Creating variables to control the vertical position of the plate and bolts... 90

Creating variables to fix the plate on the beams ... 92

Creating a dummy part and variables to control the plate length... 94

Testing the skewed beam connection... 99

2.6 Cell beam part ... 100

Opening the cell beam part in custom component editor... 101

Creating a data file... 102

Creating variables to control cell diameter and spacing ... 103

Creating variables to control the cell position ... 106

Creating a variable to control the number of cells... 107

Linking a variable to the beam profile ... 108

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Opening the custom connection in custom component editor ... 112

Replacing the dummy part with the system component ... 113

Creating variables... 115

Linking variables to control the plate properties... 116

Linking variables to control the bolt properties... 117

Testing the nested custom connection ... 121

3 Creating concrete custom components ... 123

3.1 Sandwich panel custom part ... 123

Defining a sandwich panel custom part ... 124

Opening the sandwich panel in custom component editor ... 128

Creating distance variables to control the sandwich panel length ... 130

Creating variables to control the sandwich panel height and thickness... 131

Creating variables to control the sandwich panel material... 133

Testing the sandwich panel custom part... 134

3.2 Panel-to-panel seam ... 135

Defining a panel-to-panel seam... 135

Opening the panel-to-panel seam in custom component editor ... 141

Creating distance variables to control the tubes, reinforcing bars and cuts ... 143

Creating variables to control the tube position... 145

Testing the panel-to-panel seam ... 147

3.3 Precast base connection ... 148

Defining a precast base connection... 149

Opening the precast base connection in custom component editor ... 152

Adding components to the cast unit... 154

Creating distance variables to control the position of the objects... 155

Creating a variable to control the component type of the column shoe... 158

Creating a variable to control the component type of the anchor bolt... 160

Creating variables to control the cut size... 161

Creating a variable to control the anchor bolt height ... 162

Repeating the creation of variables for remaining corners ... 162

Testing the precast base connection ... 163

4 Frequently asked questions ... 165

4.1 General... 165

4.2 Creating distance variables (binding) ... 166

4.3 Editing variables ... 167

4.4 Custom component browser... 169

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1 Introduction

Tekla Structures contains a set of tools for defining intelligent connections, parts, seams, and details called custom components. You can create your own components, similar to Tekla Structures system components.

The following custom component types can be created:

•

connections

•

parts

•

details

•

seams

Tekla Structures creates a dialog box for the custom component that you can easily customize if required. You can create custom components either by exploding and modifying an existing component or by creating the component objects individually. You can also edit custom components to create intelligent custom components that automatically adjust to changes in the model.

This advanced training manual consists of ten examples, seven steel detailing and three concrete detailing, and frequently asked questions. The examples focus on creating intelligent custom components that adjust to different situations.

The TS_Custom_Components_Advanced_Training.zip file contains example models that include the necessary model objects so that you can start creating the custom components right away.

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2 Creating steel custom

components

2.1 Lifting bracket detail

In this example you create an intelligent custom detail of a lifting bracket. As the detail is intelligent, you can adjust the variables of the lifting bracket to suit different situations.

The example consists of the following sections:

Defining a lifting bracket detail (p. 8)

Opening the lifting bracket in custom component editor (p. 10)

Creating distance variables to control the gusset plate shape and position (p. 10) Creating distance variables to control the base plate position (p. 13)

A custom detail creates component objects and connects them to a main part at a picked location. The component symbol is green.

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Editing the name and visibility of the distance variables (p. 13) Testing a distance variable (p. 14)

Creating variables to control the profile and material of the gusset plate and base plate (p.

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Creating variables to control bolt size and bolt standard (p. 17) Testing the lifting bracket detail (p. 18)

Changing a thumbnail image for the lifting bracket (p. 19) Adding an image to the lifting bracket dialog box (p. 20) Moving variables onto the image (p. 22)

Defining a lifting bracket detail

To define a lifting bracket detail:

1. Click Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component... to open the Custom Component Wizard.

2. Select Detail in the Type list.

3. Enter a name for the detail in the Name box.

4. Click Next.

5. Select all the objects that belong to the detail (the two plates, bolts, holes, weld and beam).

Before you start, ensure that you have the example model

Lifting_Bracket open.

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6. Click Next.

7. Select the beam as the main part.

8. Click Next.

9. Select the middle point of the beam as the insertion point.

10. Click Finish to finish defining the detail.

Tekla Structures displays a component symbol for the new component and the lifting bracket detail is added to the component catalog.

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Opening the lifting bracket in custom component editor

Use the custom component editor to modify the custom component. To open the lifting bracket in the custom component editor: 1. Right-click the custom component in the model. 2. Select Edit Custom Component in the list.

The custom component editor opens showing the custom component editor toolbar, the component browser and four views of the custom component.

Creating distance variables to control the gusset plate shape and position

Bind the gusset plate handles to the base plate to create distance variables. You can use the variables to control the shape and position of the gusset plate.

Before you start, ensure that the part representation is set to rendered. Part surfaces and available planes can be selected only in rendered views.

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2. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (from left to right) to select all the gusset plate handles.

3. Right-click and select Bind to Plane in the list.

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5. Click the face to bind the handles.

Distances appear in the custom component editor views.

6. Select both handles on the left side of the gusset plate and bind them to the left edge of the base plate.

You can select either the Boundary planes or Outline planes option in the custom component editor toolbar to be able to highlight and select the base plate face.

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7. Select both handles on the right side of the gusset plate and bind them to the right edge of the base plate.

You have created the required distance variables for the gusset plate.

Creating distance variables to control the base plate position

Bind the base plate handles to the beam to create distance variables that control the base plate position.

To create distance variables for the base plate: 1. Select the base plate.

2. Select both handles and bind them to the top face of the beam.

You have created the required distance variables for the base plate.

Editing the name and visibility of the distance variables

Edit the distance variables to make some of them visible in the lifting bracket dialog box. To edit the distance variables:

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The Variables dialog box opens.

2. Change Visibility of the two 55 mm distances to Show. The two variables are shown in the lifting bracket dialog box. 3. Change names for the two 55 mm distances in Label in dialog box. 4. Change Visibility to Hide for the rest of the distance variables.

Testing a distance variable

To test a distance variable:

1. Change Formula of D1 from 55 to 100 and press Enter. The dimension of the gusset plate edge changes.

2. Reset the distance value back to 55.

Creating variables to control the profile and material of the gusset plate and

base plate

Create variables to control the profile and the material of the gusset plate and the base plate. To create the variables:

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2. Change Value type of the new variable to Profile.

3. Enter Gusset plate profile in Label in dialog box of the new variable. 4. Select the gusset plate in the custom component editor.

5. Right-click Profile in the custom component browser and select Copy Value in the list.

6. In the Variables dialog box, paste the profile value to Formula of the new variable.

7. In the custom component browser, right-click gusset plate’s Profile and select Add Equation in the list.

8. Enter P1 in Profile .

The variables created by the user get the prefix P (parameter).

Selecting an object in the custom component editor highlights the object in the custom component browser and vice versa.

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This links the P1 variable to the gusset plate’s profile.

9. Create a new variable in the Variables dialog box and link it to the gusset plate’s and base plate’s material in the custom component browser.

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You have created the variables that control the profile and the material of the gusset plate and the base plate.

Creating variables to control bolt size and bolt standard

Create two new variables for controlling the bolt size and bolt standard. To create variables to control bolt size and bolt standard:

1. Click the Add button twice in the Variables dialog box to create two new variables. 2. Set Value type of the first variable to Bolt size.

3. Set Value type of the second variable to Bolt standard.

4. Copy bolt size and bolt standard values from the custom component browser to the corresponding Formulas in the Variables dialog box.

5. Edit the variable names to have the same prefix in Name.

6. Enter names for the variables in Label in dialog box.

The bolt size and bolt standard variables must always have the same prefix, otherwise they do not work. In this example, the prefix is P4 for both.

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7. Link the variables to the bolt size and bolt standard in the custom component browser.

You have created the variables that control the bolt size and bolt standard.

Testing the lifting bracket detail

Save the lifting bracket detail and then test it. To test the lifting bracket detail:

1. Save the detail in the custom component editor.

2. Close the custom component editor.

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4. Change the properties in the lifting bracket dialog box and click Modify to see the changes in the model.

Changing a thumbnail image for the lifting bracket

Take a screenshot of the lifting bracket detail and change the thumbnail image in component catalog.

To take a screenshot and change the thumbnail image:

1. Adjust the view and hide unnecessary objects to have a clear view of the lifting bracket.

2. Click Tools > Screenshot > Custom... to open the Screenshot dialog box. 3. Click Pick view and select the view of the detail.

4. Select Print to file.

5. Click Options... to open the Screenshot Options dialog box. 6. Select White background and click OK.

7. Click Capture in the Screenshot dialog box.

8. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the model folder. 9. Browse to the screenshots folder under the model folder.

10. Convert the image into the 24-bit bitmap format by using an image editor. 11. Press Ctrl + F to open the component catalog.

12. Right-click the lifting bracket detail in the component catalog. 13. Select Change picture....

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14. Browse to the screenshots folder, select the bitmap image and click OK. The thumbnail image is changed in the component catalog.

Adding an image to the lifting bracket dialog box

Add an image to the lifting bracket dialog box and adjust the position of the image. To add an image to the dialog box:

1. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the model folder. 2. Go to the CustomComponentDialogFiles folder. 3. Open the .inp file with a text editor.

4. Use the example image (in the images_for_dialog_box folder under the model folder) or create a new image and save the image to the ..\Tekla

Structures\<version>\nt\bitmaps folder.

The input (.inp) file controls the contents of the dialog box.

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5. Add the following line in the .inp file: picture("Lifting_Bracket", 260, 170)

Lifting_Bracket is the image name.

260, 170 is the image size.

6. Save the .inp file and then close and reopen the model to see the changes in the lifting bracket dialog box.

To make the image visible, you need to edit the parameter rows to move them downwards in the dialog box.

7. Edit the first parameter in the .inp file to look like this: parameter("Gusset plate profile", "P1", profile, text, 10)

The last value (10) in the parameter row is the line number. One line is approximately 25 pixels high.

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The parameter rows are now nicely under the image.

Moving variables onto the image

Move distance variables onto the image to make it easier to use them. To move the variables:

1. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the model folder. 2. Go to the CustomComponentDialogFiles folder. 3. Open the .inp file.

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4. Remove the label and change the position of the Dim 1 distance variable:

parameter("", "D1", distance, number, 80,140,80)

6. In the .inp file, remove the label and change the position of the Dim 2 distance variable: parameter("", "D3", distance, number, 450,140,80)

Label X coordinate Y coordinate Length of text box

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The distance variables are now correctly positioned.

2.2 End plate connection

In this example you create a beam-to-beam end plate custom connection. You can easily adjust the variables of the connection to suit different situations.

Defining an end plate connection (p. 25)

Opening the end plate connection in custom component editor (p. 27) Creating distance variables to control the top notch (p. 28)

A custom connection creates component objects and connects the secondary part end to the main part. The component symbol is green.

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Creating variables to control the end plate width and thickness (p. 37) Defining the end plate material (p. 39)

Adjusting the end plate to a new beam size (p. 40) Creating variables to control the bolts (p. 43) Defining bolt size and bolt standard (p. 45) Defining bolt distances (p. 46)

Testing the end plate connection (p. 47)

Defining an end plate connection

To define an end plate connection:

2. Select Connection in the Type list.

3. Enter a name for the connection in the Name box.

4. Click Next.

5. Select all the objects that belong to the connection.

Before you start, ensure that you have the example model End_Plate open.

Use area selection (left to right) to select the objects.

Make sure you select all the cuts and fittings and so on that you want to include in the component.

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6. Click Next.

7. Select the first beam as the main part.

8. Click Next.

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10. Click Finish.

Tekla Structures displays a component symbol for the new component and the end plate connection is added to the component catalog.

Opening the end plate connection in custom component editor

Use the custom component editor to modify the end plate connection. To open the end plate in the custom component editor:

1. Right-click the custom component in the model. 2. Select Edit Custom Component in the list.

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Creating distance variables to control the top notch

First create the distance variables that control the notch.

To create distance variables for the top notch: 1. Select the notch cut.

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2. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (from left to right) to select all the handles of the cut.

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5. Select the plane.

Distances appear in the custom component editor views.

You can select either the Boundary planes or Outline planes option in the custom component editor toolbar to be able to highlight and select the planes.

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6. Select both front handles and bind them to the edge of the beam flange.

7. Select both rear handles and bind them to the beam web.

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Editing the top notch distance variables

Edit the top notch distance variables to make some of them hidden in the end plate dialog box. 1. Click the Display variables button in the custom component editor toolbar.

The Variables dialog box opens and shows the distance variables that you have created by binding the planes.

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Creating variables to control the notch depth and notch clearance

Create variables to control the notch depth and the notch clearance from the secondary beam flange.

To create variables to control notch depth and notch clearance:

1. Click the Add button twice in the Variables dialog box to create two new variables.

2. Enter Notch Depth in Label in dialog box of variable P1. 3. Enter Notch Clearance in Label in dialog box of variable P2. 4. Change Formula to 30 for variable P1.

5. Change Formula to 10 for variable P2.

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6. Change Formula of variables D3 and D4 to =P1, and of variables D5 and D6 to =P2.

Adjusting the end plate length to beam depth

Adjust the end plate length to suit the beam depth. To adjust the end plate length:

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2. Bind the handle to the upper side of the beam.

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4. Open the Variables dialog box and change Visibility of the new variables to Hide.

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The plate upper side now automatically follows the notch depth and the plate underside follows the beam depth.

Creating variables to control the end plate width and thickness

To create variables to control the end plate width and thickness:

1. Add new variables P3 and P4 for Plate Width and Plate Thickness.

2. Copy the plate width and plate thickness values from the custom component browser to the corresponding Formula.

3. Add a new variable P5 for Plate Profile.

4. Edit the formula of variable P5 to ="PL"+P4+"*"+P3 and change Value type to Profile.

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6. Select the end plate in the model to highlight it in the custom component browser.

7. To link variable P5 to Profile in the custom component browser, right-click Profile and select Add Equation.

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8. Set Profile to =P5.

Defining the end plate material

To define the end plate material:

1. Add a new variable P6 for Plate material.

2. Copy the plate material from the custom component browser to Formula. 3. Change Value Type to Material.

4. To link variable P6 to material in the custom component browser, right-click Material and select Add Equation.

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Adjusting the end plate to a new beam size

Link the end of the secondary beam to the end plate by binding the fitting to the end plate. Then link the end plate to the main beam so that possible changes in plate or web thickness are taken into account.

To adjust the end plate to a new beam size: 1. Select the fitting.

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3. Select the plate to link the end plate to the main beam.

4. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (from left to right) to select both the end plate handles.

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5. Bind the handles to the face of the main beam web.

Select the Outline planes option in the custom component editor toolbar.

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6. To make the variables follow the end plate thickness, change Formula to =P4. 7. Change Visibility of variables D12 and D13 to Hide.

Creating variables to control the bolts

Allow the bolt group to follow the changes in the end plate values. This way you can decrease the risk of unexpected clashes that may result from bolt positioning.

To define the distance from the top flange to the first bolt: 1. Select the bolt group and the top handle.

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3. Change Visibility of the new variable D14 to Hide.

4. Add a new variable.

5. Enter Top flange to 1st Bolt in Label in dialog box. 6. Change Formula of variable P7 to 70.

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Defining bolt size and bolt standard

To define the bolt size and bolt standard: 1. Add two new variables.

2. For the first variable, change Value type and Label in dialog box to Bolt size. 3. For the second variable, change Value type and Label in dialog box to Bolt standard. 4. Copy bolt size and bolt standard values from the custom component browser to the

corresponding Formula.

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6. Link the variables to Size and Bolt standard in the custom component browser.

Defining bolt distances

To define bolt distances: 1. Add two new variables.

2. For the first variable P9, change Value type to Distance list and Label in dialog box to Bolt Dist X.

3. Change Formula to 2*60.

4. For the second variable P10, change Label in dialog box to Bolt Dist Y. 5. Change Formula to 80.

6. Link variable P9 to Bolt group distance x and variable P10 to Bolt group distance y in the custom component browser.

Bolt size and bolt standard variables must always have the same prefix, otherwise they do not work. In this example, the prefix is P8 for both.

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Testing the end plate connection

Save the end plate connection and then test it. To test the end plate connection:

1. Save the connection and close the custom component editor. 2. Double-click the end plate in the model.

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3. Change the properties in the end plate dialog box and click Modify to see the changes in the model.

2.3 Stiffener detail

In this example you create a stiffener detail and edit its dialog box to make it easier to adjust the stiffener for various situations.

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Defining a stiffener detail (p. 49)

Opening the skewed beam connection in custom component editor (p. 86) Creating distance variables to control the stiffener shape (p. 51)

Creating distance variables to control the stiffener position (p. 55) Creating variables to control the stiffener thickness (p. 56) Testing the stiffener detail (p. 57)

Creating variables to control plate class and creation of stiffener plates (p. 58) Adding a list in the stiffener dialog box (p. 59)

Adding images in the list (p. 61)

Dimming unavailable variables in the stiffener dialog box (p. 62) Hiding unavailable variables in the stiffener dialog box (p. 63)

Defining a stiffener detail

To define a stiffener detail:

2. Select Detail in the Type list.

3. Enter a name for the detail in the Name box.

4. Click Next.

5. Select the stiffeners and the beam as the objects that form the custom component. Before you start, ensure that you have the example model Stiffener open.

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6. Click Next.

7. Select the beam as the main part. 8. Click Next.

9. Select the middle point of the beam as the reference point.

10. Click Finish to finish defining the detail.

Tekla Structures displays a component symbol for the new component and the stiffener detail is added to the component catalog.

Opening the stiffener detail in custom component editor

Use the custom component editor to modify the stiffener detail. To open the stiffener detail in the custom component editor: 1. Right-click the custom component in the model.

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Creating distance variables to control the stiffener shape

To create distance variables to control the shape of the stiffeners: 1. Select the stiffener on the right in the custom component editor. 2. Select the two handles next to the beam web.

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4. Move the pointer over the face of the web to highlight it.

5. Click the web to bind the handles.

6. Select the two outside handles of the stiffener.

Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (left to right) to select the handles.

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7. Bind the handles to the face of the top flange.

8. Select the two bottom handles of the stiffener.

9. Bind the handles to the inside face of the bottom flange.

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11. Bind the handles to the inside face of the top flange.

12. Select the stiffener on the left and create distance variables for the stiffener as in steps 3 to 10.

13. Open the Variables dialog box in the custom component editor. 14. Click Add to create a new variable.

15. Enter a name for the new variable in Label in dialog box. 16. Change Formula of the new variable to 10.

17. Change Formula to =P1 for the variables that got values during binding the handles. This means that the P1 variable controls the distances of the variables.

18. Change Visibility of variable P1 to Show and the other variables to Hide. The variables created by the user get the prefix P (parameter).

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You have now created distance variables that control the stiffener shape.

Creating distance variables to control the stiffener position

To create distance variables to control the position of the stiffeners: 1. Select all the handles of both stiffeners.

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You have now created distance variables that control the position of the stiffeners.

Creating variables to control the stiffener thickness

Control the stiffener thickness so that it is one and a half times the web thickness rounded up to the next available plate thickness. The available thickness values are 10, 12 and 16 mm. To create the variables to control the thickness of the stiffener:

1. Click Add in the Variables dialog box to create a new variable.

2. Change Formula to =1.5* and Visibility to Hide for the new variable. 3. Enter a name for the variable in Label in dialog box.

4. Select the beam in the custom component editor to highlight the beam (primary part) in the custom component browser.

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6. Paste the reference value to Formula after =1.5*.

7. Create a new variable and change its Value type to Number.

8. Change Formula to =if (P2 < 12 && P2 > 10) then 12 else if (P2 > 12) then 16 else 10 endif endif for the new variable.

This means that if P2 is less than 12 and greater than 10 then the thickness is 12. If P2 is greater than 12 then the thickness is 16. If none of these conditions is met, the thickness is 10.

9. Link variable P3 to Profile of both contour plates in the custom component browser.

You have now created and linked the required variables to control the stiffener thickness according to the web thickness.

Testing the stiffener detail

Save the stiffener detail and then test it.

A reference function refers to the property of an object, such as the web thickness of a part. If the object property changes, so does the reference function value.

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To test the stiffener detail:

1. Save the detail and close the custom component editor. 2. Double-click the stiffener in the model.

The stiffener dialog box opens.

3. Test the stiffener with different values in the stiffener dialog box and by changing the beam profile.

Creating variables to control plate class and creation of stiffener plates

Create five variables to control which stiffener plates are created and what is the class of the plates.

To create the variables:

1. Open the custom component editor to edit the stiffener detail. 2. Create five new variables and edit them as shown below.

3. Link variables P5 and RightC to the right stiffener plate in the custom component browser.

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Adding a list in the stiffener dialog box

Add a list in the stiffener dialog box to make selections more easily. To add a list:

1. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the folder that contains the model folders. 2. Go to the CustomComponentDialogFiles folder.

3. Open the .inp file with a text editor.

4. Add a new attribute in the .inp file:

attribute(" ","Stiffener Type",label,"%s",none,none,"0","0", 20, 85)

This means that the label Stiffener Type is displayed in the stiffener dialog box. 5. Add another attribute in the .inp file:

attribute("P4", "", option, "%s", none, none, "0.0", "0.0", 374,85,90) { value ("Left", 0) value ("Right", 0) value ("Both", 1) }

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This means that the list contains three options, and Both is the default value. The list options are linked to variable P4 that controls the creation of the stiffener plates. 6. Delete the following parameter line:

parameter("Left(0)/Right(1)/Both(2)", "P4", integer, number, 2)

7. Edit the line numbers so that there are no empty rows between the variables in the dialog box.

8. Save the .inp file.

9. To see the changes in the stiffener dialog box, re-open the model and double-click the stiffener.

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Adding images in the list

Add images in the list to replace text with easy-to-understand images. To add the images:

1. Use the example images (in the images_for_dialog_box folder under the model folder) or create new images and save the images in the ..\Tekla

Structures\<version>\nt\bitmaps folder.

2. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the model folder. 3. Go to the CustomComponetDialogFiles folder. 4. Open the .inp file with a text editor.

5. Change the option texts of the list to the filenames of the images.

The images that are used in custom component dialog boxes must be in the bitmap (.bmp) format.

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7. To see the changes in the stiffener dialog box, re-open the model and double-click the stiffener.

Dimming unavailable variables in the stiffener dialog box

Create conditions to dim unavailable variables based on the stiffener plate selection in the stiffener dialog box.

To dim the unavailable variables:

1. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the model folder. 2. Go to the CustomComponentDialogFiles folder. 3. Open the .inp file with a text editor.

4. Add the following line to the end of the attribute P4 line.

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6. To view the changes in the stiffener dialog box, re-open the model and double-click the stiffener.

Hiding unavailable variables in the stiffener dialog box

Add conditions in the .inp file to hide unavailable variables instead of dimming them in the stiffener dialog box.

To hide the unavailable variables:

1. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the model folder. 2. Go to the CustomComponentDialogFiles folder. 3. Open the .inp file.

4. Add the following line to the end of the attribute P4 line:

"toggle_field:!RightC=0;!LeftC=1"

The logic is the following:

Selecting CC_left returns value 0, CC_right returns 1 and CC_both returns 2.

toggle_field:RightC=0

When 0 (left) is selected, RightC is dimmed.

toggle_field:LeftC=1

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5. Save the inp file.

6. To view the changes in the stiffener dialog box, re-open the model and double-click the stiffener.

2.4 Ladder custom part

In this example you create a ladder custom part and edit the part’s dialog box to be intuitive and easy to use. As the custom part is intelligent, you can adjust its variables to suit different situations.

Adding the exclamation marks in the conditions determines that the unavailable variables are hidden instead of dimmed.

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Defining a ladder part (p. 66)

Opening the ladder part in custom component editor (p. 68) Creating distance variables to control the ladder length (p. 69)

Creating variables to control the number and spacing of the rungs (p. 70) Creating variables to control the bottom rung offset (p. 72)

Creating variables to control the ladder width (p. 73)

Creating variables to control the stringer and rung profiles (p. 75) Creating a variable to control the rung connections (p. 76) Testing the ladder part (p. 77)

Creating an image for the ladder part dialog box (p. 77) Adding the image to the ladder part dialog box (p. 78) Positioning the image and parameters (p. 80)

Renaming and adding a tab page (p. 82)

Testing changes in the ladder part dialog box (p. 83)

A custom part creates a group of objects which may contain connections and details. A custom part gets no symbol and has same position properties as beams.

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Defining a ladder part

To define a ladder part:

2. Select Part in the Type list.

3. Enter a name for the custom part in the Name box.

4. Click Next.

5. Select all the objects that belong to the part.

Before you start, ensure that you have the example model Ladder open.

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6. Click Next.

7. Select the grid intersection as the first position and the second position 4200 mm above the first.

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8. Click Finish to finish defining the part.

Tekla Structures displays a component symbol for the new component and the ladder part is added to the component catalog.

Opening the ladder part in custom component editor

Use the custom component editor to modify the custom component. To open the ladder part in the custom component editor:

1. Select the ladder part in the model.

2. Right-click and select Edit Custom Component.

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Creating distance variables to control the ladder length

To create distance variables to control the ladder length:

1. Select Component planes in the custom component editor.

A custom part which has not been edited appears in its predefined size despite the points picked for creating it.

To control the ladder height with the second input point, bind the stringer top handles to the component plane.

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2. Select both stringers.

3. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (left to right) to select both stringer handles.

4. Right-click and select Bind to Plane.

5. Highlight the component plane at the end of the stringers.

6. Click the plane to bind the stringer handles.

Creating variables to control the number and spacing of the rungs

The bottom rung was created manually and it was multiplied with the Array of objects component. Create variables for the rung number and spacing and link the variables with the component. Then use the component to automatically calculate the number of the rungs. To create variables to control the number and spacing of the rungs:

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2. Click Add four times to create four new variables.

3. Rename the new variables, change their visibility and change the Value type to Number for variable P4.

4. Right-click one of the stringers in the custom component editor and select Inquire in the list.

5. Copy the stringer ID value in the Inquire Object dialog box.

6. Change Formula to =fTpl("LENGTH",<stringer ID>) for variable Stringer Length.

7. Change Formula values for variables P2 and P3.

8. Change Formula to =floor((P1-P2-P3)/P3) for variable P4. The variables created by the user get the prefix P (parameter).

Reference functions consist of the following syntax:

fTpl("template attribute", object ID)

Always check the ID number of the object that you use with the reference function.

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The formula counts the number of rungs. First, the rung spacing and distance to the first rung is subtracted from the stringer length. Then the remaining value is divided by the rung spacing and rounded down by using the floor() function.

9. Link variables P3 and P4 to the properties of the Array of objects component in the custom component browser.

You have created the variables that control the number and spacing of the rungs.

Creating variables to control the bottom rung offset

Create variables to control the distance from the floor level to the bottom rung. To create the variables:

1. Select the bottom rung.

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3. Bind the handles to the component plane at the bottom of the stringers.

4. Change Formula to =P2 for the two new variables and hide both variables.

You have created the variables that control the bottom rung offset.

Creating variables to control the ladder width

To create variables to control the ladder width:

1. Create a new variable in the Variables dialog box.

2. Change Formula to 450 and Visibility to Show for the new variable. 3. Enter a name for the new variable in Label in dialog box.

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4. Select both the stringers and the bottom rung in the custom component editor. 5. Hold-down the Alt key and use area selection (left to right) to select the handles.

6. Bind the handles to the central component plane.

Six new distance variables appear in the Variables dialog box.

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You have created the variables that control the ladder width.

Creating variables to control the stringer and rung profiles

To create the variables to control the stringer and rung profiles: 1. Create two new variables in the Variables dialog box.

2. Change Value type to Profile for both variables and enter a name for the new variables in Label in dialog box.

3. Copy the rung and stringer profile values from the custom component browser and paste them to corresponding Formula of the new variables.

4. Link variable P6 to both stringers and variable P7 to the bottom rung in the custom component browser.

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You have created the variables that control the stringer and rung profiles.

Creating a variable to control the rung connections

Create a variable to control the connections between the stringers and rungs. To create the variable:

1. Click Add to create a new variable in the Variables dialog box. 2. Enter a name for the variable in Label in dialog box.

3. Change Value type to Component name.

4. Right-click Name under Connection in the custom component browser and select Copy Value in the list.

5. Paste the value to Formula of the P8_name variable.

6. Link variable P8_name to both connections in the custom component browser. The variable automatically receives the suffix _name when Value type is set to Component name.

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You have created the variable that controls the connections between the stringers and rungs.

Testing the ladder part

Test the ladder part by changing values in the ladder dialog box. To test the ladder part:

1. Save the ladder part in the custom component editor.

2. Exit the custom component editor.

3. Double-click the ladder part to open the ladder dialog box.

4. Save the default values as Standard.

You can then later easily load the default values.

5. Change values in the ladder dialog box and click Modify to see the changes in the ladder part.

Creating an image for the ladder part dialog box

Create a new image for the ladder part dialog box by using an existing component image as a basis.

To create an image:

1. Open the dialog box of the component Ladder (S35). 2. Take a snapshot of the image in the dialog box.

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3. Edit the image in an image editor.

4. Save the image as a bitmap file (file extension .bmp) in the ..\Tekla Structures\<version>\nt\bitmaps folder.

Adding the image to the ladder part dialog box

To add the image:

1. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the folder that contains the model files. 2. Go to the CustomComponentDialogFiles folder.

3. Open the .inp file with a text editor.

The first pixel in the top left corner of a bitmap must be of the same color (gray) as the background of the dialog box.

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4. Add the following line in the input file:

picture ("ladder", 65, 260, 100, 50)

The input (.inp) file controls the contents of the dialog box.

Image name Image width Image height

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5. Save the input file.

6. Close and reopen the model to see the changes in the dialog box.

Positioning the image and parameters

Change the position of the image so that it is completely visible and move some parameters onto the image to make the dialog box easier to use.

To position the image and parameters: 1. Open the input file with a text editor.

2. Remove the parameter names from variables P2, P3 and P5.

3. Enter x and y coordinates and change the text box length for variables P2, P3 and P5. X distance from left edge of dialog

Y distance from top edge of dialog

The number of parameter rows affects the size of the dialog box. A tab page can contain 25 parameter rows. If there are more than 25 visible parameter rows, Tekla Structures creates another tab page.

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4. Change the row number for variables P6, P7 and P8_name.

6. Close and reopen the model to see the changes in the dialog box. X coordinate

Y coordinate Length of text box

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Renaming and adding a tab page

Rename a tab page and add another to the ladder part dialog box. To rename and add a tab page:

1. Open the input file with a text editor.

2. Replace the text Parameters 1 with Picture in the tab_page row.

3. Enter the following line to add another tab page:

tab_page("", " Parts ", 2)

4. Move variables P6, P7 and P8_name inside the parentheses under the new tab page. 5. Change the row number for variables P6, P7 and P8_name.

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Testing changes in the ladder part dialog box

To test the changes:

1. Enter Standard in the Save as box in the dialog box. 2. Click Save as to save the default values.

3. Change values in the dialog box and click Modify to see the changes in the ladder part.

2.5 Skewed beam connection

In this example you create a custom component that connects a skewed beam to a shear plate of a beam. As the connection is intelligent, you can adjust the variables of the skewed beam to suit different situations.

Defining a skewed beam connection (p. 84)

Opening the skewed beam connection in custom component editor (p. 86) Creating variables to control clearance from the beam flange (p. 87)

A custom connection creates component objects and connects the secondary part end to the main part. The component symbol is green.

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Creating a variable to control the plate profile (p. 89)

Creating variables to control the vertical position of the plate and bolts (p. 90) Creating variables to fix the plate on the beams (p. 92)

Creating a dummy part and variables to control the plate length (p. 94) Testing the skewed beam connection (p. 99)

Defining a skewed beam connection

To define a skewed beam connection:

2. Change Type to Connection and enter a name for the connection.

3. Click Next.

4. Select all the objects (plates, bolts, weld, fitting and beams) that belong to the component.

Before you start, ensure that you have the example model

Skewed_Beam open.

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5. Click Next.

6. Select the first beam as the main part.

7. Click Next.

8. Select the second beam as the secondary part.

9. Click Finish to finish defining the connection.

Tekla Structures displays a component symbol for the new component and the skewed beam connection is added to the component catalog.

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Opening the skewed beam connection in custom component editor

Use the custom component editor to modify the skewed beam connection. To open the skewed beam in the custom component editor:

1. Right-click the skewed beam connection in the model. 2. Select Edit Custom Component in the list.

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Creating variables to control clearance from the beam flange

Create variables to control the clearance from the beam flange so that it maintains its value if the slope of the beam changes.

To create the variables: 1. Select the fitting.

2. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (left to right) to select all the fitting handles.

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4. Select Boundary planes in the Custom component editor toolbar.

5. Move the pointer over the main beam face to highlight it.

6. Click the face to bind the handles.

Dimensions appear in the custom component editor views.

7. Click the Display variables button to open the Variables dialog box.

8. Change Visibility to Hide for the three distance variables.

9. Click Add to create a new variable.

10. Change Formula to 10 and enter Clearance in Label in dialog box for the new variable.

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11. Change Formula to =P1 for the three distance variables to link them to variable P1.

You have created the variables that control the beam flange clearance.

Creating a variable to control the plate profile

To create a variable:

1. Create a new variable in the Variables dialog box. 2. Change Value type to Profile for the new variable.

3. Change Formula to PL10*180 and enter Plate Profile in Label in dialog box.

4. Select the plate in the custom component editor to highlight it in the custom component browser.

5. Browse to Profile under Part (the plate) in the custom component browser. 6. Right-click Profile and select Add Equation in the list.

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7. Enter P2 to link the profile to variable P2.

You have created the variable that controls the plate profile.

Creating variables to control the vertical position of the plate and bolts

1. Select the plate.

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Dimensions appear in the custom component editor view. 4. Change Visibility of the two new variable to Hide. 5. Click Add to create a new variable.

6. Change Formula to 50 and enter Beam Top to Plate in Label in dialog box. 7. Link distance variables D4 and D5 to variable P3.

You have created the variables that control the vertical position of the plate. 8. Select Center planes in the toolbar.

9. Select the bolts.

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11. Bind the handles to the plate center.

Dimensions appear in the custom component editor view.

You have created the variables that control the vertical position of the bolts.

Creating variables to fix the plate on the beams

Bind the start handle of the plate to the web face of the main beam and both plate handles to the web face of the secondary beam.

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3. Select both plate handles and bind them to the outline plane of the secondary beam web.

There are now three new distance variables in the Variables dialog box. 4. Change Visibility of the three new variables to Hide.

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5. Browse to Flange thickness1 under Part (plate) in the component browser. 6. Right-click Flange thickness1 and select Copy Reference in the list.

7. Paste the reference value to Formula of variables D9 and D10.

You have created the variables that fix the plate on the beams. The plate now maintains its position relative to the face of both beams, even if the slope of the beam or the thickness of the plate changes.

Creating a dummy part and variables to control the plate length

You can control the plate length but this is not very straightforward because of the slope. Also, A warning about cycle may appear. You can ignore the warning.

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1. Create a concrete beam in the position as instructed in the images below.

2. Bind both handles of the concrete beam to the web of the secondary beam.

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4. Change Visibility to Hide for the four new variables.

5. Change Formula to =P1 for the variable that controls the distance between the concrete beam start point and the main beam flange.

6. Click Refresh in the custom component browser to show the dummy part in the browser.

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Now the concrete beam does not appear in the model. 8. Select the plate and the bolts.

9. Bind the three handles to the start face of the concrete beam as shown below.

10. Change Visibility to Hide for the three new distance variables.

11. Create three new variables.

12. Change Visibility to Show and enter names and the required values for the new variables.

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13. Change Formula values for distance variables D15, D16 and D17 to link the distance variables to variables P4, P5 and P6.

14. Link the Bolt Spacing variable to the bolt group in the custom component browser.

15. Bind the bolt handles to the plate face.

16. Create three new variables.

17. Change Name, Formula, Value type, Visibility and Label in dialog box for the new variables.

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You have created the dummy part and the variables that control the beam length.

Testing the skewed beam connection

Test the skewed beam connection by changing values in the skewed beam dialog box. To test the skewed beam connection:

1. Save the skewed beam connection in the custom component editor.

2. Exit the custom component editor.

3. Double-click the skewed beam connection to open the skewed beam dialog box. 4. Change values in the dialog box and click Modify to see the changes in the skewed beam

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2.6 Cell beam part

In this example you create a data file that contains information on cell diameter and cell spacing. Then you edit the custom component to read the information from the data file. As a result, when you change the beam profile, cell diameter and spacing are changed accordingly.

Opening the cell beam part in custom component editor (p. 101) Creating a data file (p. 102)

Creating variables to control cell diameter and spacing (p. 103)

A custom part creates a group of objects which may contain connections and details.

A custom part does not get any component symbol. A custom part has the same position properties as a beam.

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Testing the cell beam part (p. 108)

Opening the cell beam part in custom component editor

Use the custom component editor to modify the cell beam part.

To open the cell beam part in the custom component editor: 1. Right-click the cell beam part in the model.

2. Select Edit Custom Component in the list.

Before you start, ensure that you have the example model Cell_Beam open.

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Creating a data file

Create a data file that contains information on hole diameter and spacing. When you use a data file, you do not need to save a lot of information in the component itself. You can store the data file in a central location and update the information easily.

To create a data file:

1. Open a standard text editor.

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First column is the beam profile, second column is the hole diameter and third column is the hole spacing.

3. Save the data file with the extension .dat in the model folder.

Creating variables to control cell diameter and spacing

Create variables and use functions to read cell diameter and spacing values from the data file. To create the variables:

1. Click the Display variables button to open the Variables dialog box. 2. Click Add three times to create three variables.

3. Enter names for the variables in Label in dialog box.

4. Change Formula to IPE300 and Value type to Profile for variable P3.

5. Change Formula of variable P1 to =fVF("Cell.dat", P3, 2)

Enter a space at the end of each row. Otherwise the information is not read correctly.

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The value is read from the data file automatically. The logic is the following:

6. Change Formula of variable P2 to =fVF("Cell.dat", P3, 3)

7. Select the part cut in the custom component editor to highlight it in the custom component browser.

8. Right-click Profile under Part cut in the custom component browser and select Add Equation in the list.

File name of the data file

Key value of the row (in this example, the key value is read from variable P3)

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9. Enter "D"+P1.

Variable P1 is now linked to the part cut profile (cell diameter).

This means that the profile gets value D150 with the current variable values.

10. Link variable P2 to dist_between_elem under Component in the custom component browser.

Tekla Structures - Custom Components