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Tekla Structures

Introduction to Custom Components, Concrete

February 2010
2010 Tekla Corporation

2010 Tekla Corporation and its licensors. All rights reserved. This Software Manual has been developed for use with the referenced Software. Use of the Software, and use of this Software Manual are governed by a License Agreement. Among other provisions, the License Agreement sets certain warranties for the Software and this Manual, disclaims other warranties, limits recoverable damages, defines permitted uses of the Software, and determines whether you are an authorized user of the Software. All information set forth in this manual is provided with the warranty set forth in the License Agreement. Please refer to the License Agreement for important obligations and applicable limitations and restrictions on your rights. Tekla does not guarantee that the text is free of technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Tekla reserves the right to make changes and additions to this manual due to changes in the software or otherwise. In addition, this Software Manual is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. Unauthorized reproduction, display, modification, or distribution of this Manual, or any portion of it, may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and will be prosecuted to the full extent permitted by law. Tekla, Tekla Structures, Xcity, Xengineer, Xpipe, Xroad, Xpower, Xsteel, and Xstreet are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Tekla Corporation in the European Union, the United States, and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned in this Manual are or may be trademarks of their respective owners. By referring to a third-party product or brand, Tekla does not intend to suggest an affiliation with or endorsement by such third party and disclaims any such affiliation or endorsement, except where otherwise expressly stated. Portions of this software: D-Cubed 2D DCM 2008 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software III (GB) Ltd. All rights reserved. EPM toolkit 1995-2004 EPM Technology a.s., Oslo, Norway. All rights reserved. XML parser 1999 The Apache Software Foundation. All rights reserved. Project Data Control Library 2006 - 2007 DlhSoft. All rights reserved. DWGdirect, DGNdirect and OpenDWG Toolkit/Viewkit libraries 1998-2005 Open Design Alliance. All rights reserved. FlexNet Copyright 2006 Flexera Software Limited. All Rights Reserved. This product contains proprietary and confidential technology provided by and owned by Flexera Software Limited Of Schaumburg, IL, USA. Any use, copying, publication, distribution, display, modification, or transmission of such technology in whole or in part in any form or by any means without the prior express written permission of Flexera Software Limited is strictly prohibited. Except where expressly provided by Flexera Software Limited in writing, possession of this technology shall not be construed to confer any license or rights under any of Flexera Softwares intellectual property rights, whether by estoppel, implication, or otherwise. The software is protected by U.S. Patent 7,302,368. Also elements of the software described in this Manual may be the subject of pending patent applications in the European Union and/or other countries including U.S. patent applications 2004031231, 2004267695, 2005285881, 2006000484 and 200613639.

Contents
1 2 3
Introduction................................................................................................ 5 Finding your custom components........................................................... 7 Custom component types ........................................................................ 9
3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Custom parts .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Custom connections ............................................................................................................................. 10 Custom details ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Custom seams...................................................................................................................................... 13

4 5 6 7 8

Custom component wizard..................................................................... 15 Custom parts ........................................................................................... 17


5.1 5.2 Creating a custom part ......................................................................................................................... 17 Using a custom part.............................................................................................................................. 18

Custom connections ............................................................................... 21


6.1 6.2 Creating a custom connection .............................................................................................................. 21 Using a custom connection................................................................................................................... 23

Custom details......................................................................................... 25
7.1 7.2 Creating a custom detail ....................................................................................................................... 25 Using a custom detail ........................................................................................................................... 26

Custom seams ......................................................................................... 29


8.1 8.2 Creating a custom seam....................................................................................................................... 29 Using a custom seam ........................................................................................................................... 31

9 Modifying custom components ............................................................. 10 Using custom components in another model ......................................
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10.1 Exporting custom components ............................................................................................................. 35


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10.2 Importing custom components.............................................................................................................. 35

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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 parametric custom components that automatically adjust to changes in the model.

TEKLA STRUCTURES 16 Introduction

TEKLA STRUCTURES 16 Introduction

Finding your custom components

Tekla Structures stores all the custom components you have created in the component catalog. To find your custom components: 1. 2. Click Detailing > Component > Component Catalog... (Create Component) or press Ctrl + F. Select Custom from the list next to the Store button.

Tekla Structures displays the custom components in the bottom pane.

TEKLA STRUCTURES 16 Finding your custom components

TEKLA STRUCTURES 16 Finding your custom components

Custom component types

You can create four different types of custom components:

custom parts custom connections custom details custom seams

The custom component types can be identified with the following symbols in Component
Catalog.

Symbol

Type Custom parts Custom connections and seams Custom details

3.1 Custom parts


See below for examples of custom parts:

Sandwich panel

TEKLA STRUCTURES 16 Custom component types

Lifters

Standard embeds/inserts

Standard beams

3.2 Custom connections


See below for examples of custom connections:

Base detail

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Double tee to L beam

Column cut out

Wall panel connections

3.3 Custom details


See below for examples of custom details:

Door and window

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Column patterns

Hollowcore end details

Lifting details

Mock joint/reveal

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Side pocket

3.4 Custom seams


See below for examples of custom seams:

Double tee connection

Panel to panel grout tube connection

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Custom component wizard

Use the Custom Component Wizard to define the properties of a new custom component.

The wizard gives step by step instructions for each phase of the process. Some of the steps are different for different types of custom components.

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TEKLA STRUCTURES 16 Custom component wizard

Custom parts

5.1 Creating a custom part


The following example teaches you how to create custom parts. A standard lifter is used as an example. To create a custom part: 1. Create the required part.

2. 3.

Click Detailing > Define custom component... The Custom Component Wizard opens. Do the following in the Type/Notes tab: Enter a name for the custom part

4. 5.

Enter a description for the custom part if required

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select the objects in the model as instructed by the wizard.

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6. 7.

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select two points in the model as instructed.

8.

Click Finish. The custom part is ready.

5.2 Using a custom part


In this example, you will learn how to use a previously created custom part. To use a custom part: 1. Click Detailing > Component > Component Catalog... (Create Component) or press Ctrl + F. The Component Catalog dialog box opens. Select Custom from the list next to the Store button. Select the part you want to use. In the model, pick the first point. Pick the second point to create the part.

2. 3. 4. 5.

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TEKLA STRUCTURES 16 Custom parts

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Custom connections

6.1 Creating a custom connection


The following example teaches you how to create custom connections. This example is a connection between a column (main part) and the end of a beam (secondary part). To create a custom connection: 1. Create the required connection.

2. 3.

Click Detailing > Define custom component... The Custom Component Wizard opens. Do the following in the Type/Notes tab: Select Connection from the Type list


4. 5.

Enter a name for the custom connection Enter a description for the custom connection if required

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select the objects in the model, including the column (main part) and the beam (secondary part). Make sure you select everything for the connection (bolts, cuts, welds).

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Tekla Structures ignores the grids and component symbols when you select objects to include in the component.

6. 7.

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select the column (main part) as instructed.

8. 9.

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select the beam (secondary part) as instructed.

10.

Click Finish to create the custom connection.

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6.2 Using a custom connection


The following example teaches you how to use a previously created custom connection. To use a custom connection: 1. Click Detailing > Component > Component Catalog... (Create Component) or press Ctrl + F. The Component Catalog dialog box opens. Select Custom from the list next to the Store button. Select the connection you want to use. Select the column (main part) in the model. Select the beam (secondary part). The connection is created.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

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Custom details

7.1 Creating a custom detail


The following example teaches you how to create a custom detail of a steel base detail. To create a custom detail: 1. Create the required detail.

2. 3.

Click Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component.... The Custom Component Wizard opens. Do the following in the Type/Notes tab: Select Detail from the Type list


4. 5.

Enter a name for the custom detail Enter a description for the custom detail if required

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select the objects that form the custom detail as instructed. Make sure you select the column (main part) and bolts, cuts, and welds.

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You can access the new custom detail via the Component catalog dialog box.

Tekla Structures ignores the grids and component symbols when you select objects to include in the component.

6. 7. 8. 9.

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select the column (main part) in the model. Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select Reference point and pick the end point of the column in the model as instructed.

10.

Click Finish to create the custom detail.

7.2 Using a custom detail


The following example teaches you how to use custom details. To use a custom detail: 1. Click Detailing > Component > Component Catalog... (Create Component) or press Ctrl + F.

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2. 3. 4.

Select Custom from the list next to the Store button. Select the detail you want to use. Select the column (main part) in the model.

5.

Pick the input point (end point of the column).

6.

The detail is created.

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Custom seams

8.1 Creating a custom seam


The following example teaches you how to create custom seams. A weld preparation is used as an example. To create a custom seam: 1. Create the required seam.

2. 3.

Click Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component.... Do the following in the Type/Notes tab: Select Seam from the Type list


4. 5.

Enter a name for the custom seam Enter a description for the custom seam if required

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select the objects in the model, including two panels. Make sure you select the ledge and all the cuts.

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Tekla Structures ignores the grids and component symbols when you select objects to include in the component.

6. 7.

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select the main part as instructed.

8. 9.

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Select the secondary part as instructed.

10. 11.

Click Next. The instructions change in the Custom Component Wizard dialog box. Pick the two points as instructed.

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12.

Click Finish to create the custom seam.

8.2 Using a custom seam


The following example teaches you how to use custom seams. To use a custom seam: 1. Click Detailing > Component > Component Catalog... (Create Component) or press Ctrl + F. The Component Catalog dialog box opens. Select Custom from the list next to the Store button. Select the custom seam you want to use. Select the lower panel (main part) in the model.

2. 3. 4.

5.

Select the upper panel (secondary part) in the model.

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6. 7.

Pick the two points. The custom seam is created.

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TEKLA STRUCTURES 16 Custom seams

Modifying custom components

The Custom component editor can be used to modify custom components and to create intelligent, parametric custom components. You can open a custom component in the Custom component editor even if you have already used it in a model. When you have edited the custom component, you can choose to apply the changes to all copies of the custom component, or to save the component with a new name. To modify custom components: 1. Click Detailing > Component > Component Catalog... (Create Component) or use the shortcut Ctrl+F. The Component Catalog opens.

2.

Select Custom from the list. This filters the Custom Component dialog box to show the custom components available in the model. Right-click the custom component you want to modify and select Edit custom component from the pop-up menu. The Custom component editor opens. It shows the Custom component editor toolbar, the Custom component browser and four views of the custom component.

3.

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4.

Modify the custom component properties. You can add and modify, for example, the following properties:

Create fields for material grade, profile, bolt size, and other properties Define part dimensions, spacings, gaps, etc. Bind component objects to model objects so that component objects adjust for new beam size or profile Create formulas to calculate values, for example, for calculating bolt edge distance using bolt size

5.

Close the custom component editor by clicking the icon. Tekla Structures prompts you if you want to save the custom component with its original name. If you answer yes, the copies of the custom component in the library and the model will be overwritten. You can also save the modified custom component with a new name keeping both the old and the new custom component.

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Using custom components in another model

To use your custom components in another model, you need to first export the components and then import them into the model you want to use.

10.1 Exporting custom components


1. 2. Click Detailing > Component > Component Catalog... (Create Component) or press Ctrl + F. Right-click the component you want to export and select Export... from the pop-up menu. The Export components dialog box opens. Browse to the folder where you want to save the component. Enter a name for the export file. By default, the file extension is .uel. Click OK to export the custom component.

3. 4. 5.

10.2 Importing custom components


1. 2. 3. 4. Click Detailing > Component > Component Catalog... (Create Component) or press Ctrl + F. Right-click the list of custom components and select Import... from the pop-up menu. The Import Components dialog box opens. Browse to the file you want to import. Select the file and click OK to import.

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