Tnx detailing guide_170_enu

Tekla Structures
Detailing Guide
Product version 17.0
December 2010
© 2010 Tekla Corporation

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TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 3
Conventions used in this guide
Typographical
conventions
The following typographical conventions are used in this guide:
Noteboxes The following types of noteboxes are used in this guide:
Font Usage
Bold Any text that you see in the user interface appears in bold. This font
is used, for example, for window and dialog box titles, box and
button names, and list items.
Italic bold New terms are in italic bold when they appear in the current context
for the first time.
Monospace Extracts of program code, HTML, or other material that you would
normally edit in a text editor, appear in monospaced font.
This font is also used for file names and folder paths, and for any
text that you should type yourself.
A tip might introduce a shortcut, or suggest alternative ways of doing
things.
A note draws attention to details that you might easily overlook. It can
also point you to other information in this guide that you might find
useful.
You should always read very important notes and warnings, like this
one. They will help you avoid making serious mistakes, or wasting your
time.
This symbol indicates advanced or highly technical information that
is usually of interest only to advanced or technically-oriented readers.

Contents
Conventions used in this guide ........................................................................................................................... 3
1 Getting Started........................................................................................... 9
1.1 Basics of components............................................................................................................................. 9
Component concepts ....................................................................................................................... 10
Component dialog box..................................................................................................................... 11
Selection order................................................................................................................................. 13
Up direction...................................................................................................................................... 13
Automatic and default properties ..................................................................................................... 14
General tab ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Design and Design type tabs ........................................................................................................... 16
1.2 Component catalog............................................................................................................................... 17
Using the component catalog........................................................................................................... 18
Symbols ..................................................................................................................................... 19
Pop-up menus ........................................................................................................................... 20
Thumbnail images............................................................................................................................ 21
Descriptions and keywords.............................................................................................................. 21
Grouping components...................................................................................................................... 22
Copying components to another folder ............................................................................................ 22
Customizing and saving components .............................................................................................. 22
1.3 Using components................................................................................................................................ 23
Creating components....................................................................................................................... 24
Example: Adding an end plate ......................................................................................................... 24
Example: Adding a base plate and anchor rods .............................................................................. 25
Example: Adding a beam to column connection.............................................................................. 26
Viewing components........................................................................................................................ 27
Modifying components..................................................................................................................... 27
Conceptual components .................................................................................................................. 27
Converting a conceptual component to a detailed component .................................................. 28
Tips on working with components.................................................................................................... 29
1.4 Defining parts and plates...................................................................................................................... 29
Using the dialog box......................................................................................................................... 29
Dimensioning parts .......................................................................................................................... 30
Plates ........................................................................................................................................ 30
Beams ....................................................................................................................................... 30

Part position number ................................................................................................................. 31
Using the Components tab ........................................................................................................ 31
Defining materials ............................................................................................................................ 32
Using the Components tab ........................................................................................................ 33
1.5 Defining bolts and welds....................................................................................................................... 33
Using the Bolts tab........................................................................................................................... 33
Defining bolts ................................................................................................................................... 35
Increasing bolt length ................................................................................................................ 35
Creating holes.................................................................................................................................. 35
Number of bolts and spacing ........................................................................................................... 36
Bolt group orientation....................................................................................................................... 36
Bolt group pattern............................................................................................................................. 37
Edge distance .................................................................................................................................. 37
Bolt position...................................................................................................................................... 37
Vertical bolt position .................................................................................................................. 38
Horizontal bolt position .............................................................................................................. 38
Defining slotted holes....................................................................................................................... 39
Deleting bolts ................................................................................................................................... 40
Defining bolt assemblies.................................................................................................................. 41
Welds............................................................................................................................................... 41
1.6 AutoConnection .................................................................................................................................... 42
Using AutoConnection ..................................................................................................................... 42
1.7 AutoDefaults ......................................................................................................................................... 45
Using AutoDefaults .......................................................................................................................... 45
How to use AutoDefaults effectively................................................................................................. 46
Checking AutoDefaults properties.................................................................................................... 46
Checking AutoDefaults rules............................................................................................................ 46
1.8 Using the joints.def file.......................................................................................................................... 46
About joints.def ................................................................................................................................ 47
How joints.def works ................................................................................................................. 47
How to read joints.def ................................................................................................................ 47
Entering values .......................................................................................................................... 48
Connections that use joints.def........................................................................................................ 48
Defining general defaults ................................................................................................................. 48
Defining bolt diameter and number of rows ..................................................................................... 50
Clip angle, shear plate, and end plate connections ................................................................... 50
Gusset connections ................................................................................................................... 50
Diagonal connections ................................................................................................................ 51
Defining other bolt and part properties............................................................................................. 51
Gusset connection properties .................................................................................................... 52
Diagonal connection properties ................................................................................................. 55
Profile type-dependent bolt dimensions .................................................................................... 56

6 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
How Tekla Structures uses joints.def............................................................................................... 57
1.9 Using Excel in connection design ......................................................................................................... 58
Setting up Excel files........................................................................................................................ 59
Sample implementation.................................................................................................................... 59
Indicating component status............................................................................................................. 62
2 Custom Components.............................................................................. 65
2.1 Defining custom components................................................................................................................ 66
Exploding components..................................................................................................................... 66
Defining a custom component.......................................................................................................... 66
Custom component types................................................................................................................. 70
Custom component basic properties................................................................................................ 72
Custom components in a new Tekla Structures version .................................................................. 73
2.2 Editing custom components.................................................................................................................. 73
Custom component editor ................................................................................................................ 74
Custom component browser ............................................................................................................ 76
2.3 Defining variables.................................................................................................................................. 78
Creating distance variables.............................................................................................................. 79
Creating reference distances ........................................................................................................... 81
Using magnetic construction planes................................................................................................. 84
Creating parameter variables........................................................................................................... 85
Creating parameters that use formulae............................................................................................ 86
2.4 Functions to use in formulas................................................................................................................. 87
Arithmetic operators ......................................................................................................................... 87
Logical statement ............................................................................................................................. 88
Reference function ........................................................................................................................... 88
Mathematical functions..................................................................................................................... 89
Statistical functions........................................................................................................................... 90
Data type conversions...................................................................................................................... 91
String operations .............................................................................................................................. 91
Trigonometric functions.................................................................................................................... 93
Framing condition functions ............................................................................................................. 93
2.5 Defining custom component properties................................................................................................. 95
Adding an option to create parts ...................................................................................................... 95
Defining bolt size and standard........................................................................................................ 96
Defining bolt group location.............................................................................................................. 97
Replacing a sub-component............................................................................................................. 99
Changing the properties file ........................................................................................................... 101
Defining meshes in custom components........................................................................................ 102
Creating surface treatments in custom components...................................................................... 105
2.6 Managing and using custom components........................................................................................... 105

Custom component dialog box....................................................................................................... 105
Customizing the dialog box............................................................................................................ 107
Changing the order of fields .................................................................................................... 108
Changing the location of fields ................................................................................................ 108
Renaming tabs ........................................................................................................................ 109
Adding more tabs .................................................................................................................... 109
Adding pictures ........................................................................................................................ 110
Preventing modifications ......................................................................................................... 110
Using a custom component............................................................................................................ 111
Managing custom components ...................................................................................................... 111
Exporting and importing .......................................................................................................... 112
Protecting custom components with passwords ............................................................................ 113
Performing actions on custom components................................................................................... 113
Using Excel with custom components............................................................................................ 114
Using ASCII files with custom component ..................................................................................... 114
Tips on working with custom components ..................................................................................... 115
2.7 Custom components reference........................................................................................................... 116
Detailing > Component > Define Custom Component................................................................... 117
Position type................................................................................................................................... 119
Display variables............................................................................................................................ 120
Browser.......................................................................................................................................... 124
Plane types .................................................................................................................................... 125
Construction plane........................................................................................................................ 126
Custom component settings........................................................................................................... 127
Create distance ............................................................................................................................. 128
Create reference distance ............................................................................................................. 129
Automatic distances ...................................................................................................................... 130
3 Reinforcement ....................................................................................... 133
3.1 Getting started with reinforcement...................................................................................................... 133
3.2 Basic reinforcement properties........................................................................................................... 134
Hooks............................................................................................................................................. 135
Concrete cover............................................................................................................................... 137
Spacing reinforcing bars ................................................................................................................ 138
Omitting reinforcing bars................................................................................................................ 138
User-defined attributes of reinforcement........................................................................................ 139
Meshes........................................................................................................................................... 139
3.3 Working with reinforcement ................................................................................................................ 140
Placing reinforcement .................................................................................................................... 140
Attaching reinforcement to parts.................................................................................................... 141
Modifying reinforcement................................................................................................................. 141
Changing reinforcement shape ............................................................................................... 141

Using reinforcement handles ................................................................................................... 142
Using adaptivity ....................................................................................................................... 143
Ungrouping a reinforcement .................................................................................................... 145
Grouping reinforcements ......................................................................................................... 147
Adding points to a reinforcement ............................................................................................. 148
Removing points from a reinforcement .................................................................................... 149
Splitting reinforcing bar groups ................................................................................................ 150
Splitting reinforcing bars in a group ......................................................................................... 150
Combining two reinforcing bars or reinforcing bar groups into one ......................................... 150
Exploding reinforcement .......................................................................................................... 150
Reinforcement geometry validity.................................................................................................... 151
Conceptual reinforcements ............................................................................................................ 151
Converting conceptual reinforcements to detailed reinforcements .......................................... 151
Customizing reinforcement meshes............................................................................................... 151
Defining custom reinforcement components.................................................................................. 153
3.4 Single bars, bar groups, and meshes ................................................................................................. 154
Reinforcing bar............................................................................................................................... 155
Reinforcing bar group..................................................................................................................... 156
Curved reinforcing bar group.......................................................................................................... 158
Circular reinforcing bar group......................................................................................................... 160
Reinforcement mesh ...................................................................................................................... 161
Reinforcement strand pattern......................................................................................................... 163
Reinforcement splice...................................................................................................................... 166
4 Reinforcing bar bending types ............................................................ 167
4.1 Reinforcement in templates ................................................................................................................ 188
5 User-defined reinforcing bar bending shapes.................................... 191
5.1 Defining your own reinforcing bar bending shapes............................................................................. 191
5.2 Defining rules for reinforcing bar bending shapes manually............................................................... 193
Reinforcing bar bending shape rule settings.................................................................................. 193

Getting Started
1 Getting Started
Introduction Once you have created a frame of parts in your Tekla Structures model, you will need to
connect those parts to complete the model. Tekla Structures contains a wide range of
components that you can use to automate the process of creating a model.
This chapter explains the basics about components - what they are and how to create them
using Tekla Structures. We will begin with the basic concepts, followed by a general
description of components properties. Finally, we will show you how to use components in
practice.
Contents This chapter is divided into the following topics:
• Basics of components (p. 9)
• Component catalog (p. 17)
• Using components (p. 23)
• Defining parts and plates (p. 29)
• Defining bolts and welds (p. 33)
• AutoConnection (p. 42)
• AutoDefaults (p. 45)
• Using the joints.def file (p. 46)
• Using Excel in connection design (p. 58)
1.1 Basics of components
Introduction Components are tools that you can use to automatically create the parts, welds, and bolts
required to connect parts. They are linked to main parts, so, when you modify a main part, the
associated component also changes.
Benefits The main benefits of working with components are:
1. You can save the properties of a component using an easily-identifiable name and keep it
for future use. For example, you could save the properties of a W12x65 column base plate
connection as W12x65.j*, and use it for several projects.
2. When you modify the size of a profile, Tekla Structures automatically modifies the
relevant components.

Getting Started
3. When you copy or move objects, Tekla Structures automatically includes all the associated
components.
Topics Component concepts (p. 10)
Component catalog (p. 17)
Component dialog box (p. 11)
Selection order (p. 13)
Up direction (p. 13)
Automatic and default properties (p. 14)
General tab (p. 15)
Design and Design type tabs (p. 16)
Component concepts
Components are tools that automate tasks and group objects so that Tekla Structures treats
them as a single unit. Components adapt to changes in the model, so that Tekla Structures
automatically modifies a component if you modify the parts it connects.
This is an example of how to apply a connection:
Component types Components have the following subtypes:
Select the main part.
Select the secondary part.
To see information about the connection, click the connection symbol.
The connection automatically creates the required parts, fittings, bolts,
etc.

Getting Started
System and
custom
components
Tekla Structures contains hundreds of system components by default. You can also create
your own components, custom components. They have following subtypes:
• connection
• detail
• part
• seam
All components are stored in the Component catalog (p. 17). To open the component catalog,
use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F.
See also Custom Components (p. 65)
Exploding components (p. 66)
Component dialog box
The component dialog box is in two sections.
Upper part Use the upper section of the dialog box to save and load predefined settings. For more
information, see Save, Load, Save as buttons. For some components the upper section also
contains buttons for accessing the bolt, weld and DSTV dialog boxes.
For information on handling the saved properties, see Connection properties files.
Componen
t type Description Examples Symbol
Connection Connects two or more parts, and
creates all the required objects such
as cuts, fittings, parts, bolts, and
welds.
Two-sided clip
angle, bolted
gusset.
Corbel connection
(14)
Detail Adds a detail or a reinforcement to a
main part. A detail is only connected
to one part. When you create a detail,
Tekla Structures prompts you to
select a part, followed by a point to
locate the detail.
Stiffeners, base
plates, lifting
hooks
Beam
reinforcement, pad
footing
reinforcement
Modeling
tool
Automatically creates and assembles
the parts to build a structure, but does
not connect the structure to existing
parts. Modeling tools can include
connections and details.
Stairs, frames,
towers

Getting Started
Lower part The lower section of the dialog box is divided into tabs. This is where you define the properties
of the parts and bolts that the component creates. The most common tabs that appear here are:
• Picture illustrates the component. It shows just one example, but you can usually use one
component in many situations.
• Parts is where you define the properties of the parts the component creates
• Parameters is where you set parameters to control the component (for example, for
stiffeners, end plates, chamfers, etc.)
• Bolts is where you define the number of bolts and their edge distances
• General is where you define the direction of the connection or detail and AutoDefaults
rules
Tabs
Tekla Structures uses the automatic property value
The parts the component creates appear in yellow
The green symbol indicates the correct direction for the connection or
detail.
The parts you select appear in blue.
Tekla Structures uses the default property value

Getting Started
See also Defining parts and plates (p. 29)
Defining bolts and welds (p. 33)
Selection order
To create a connection you need to select or pick existing parts or points. The default selection
order for a connection is:
1. Main part
2. Secondary part(s)
3. If there is more than one secondary part, click the middle mouse button to finish selecting
parts and create the connection.
Some connection dialog boxes illustrate the selection order for parts using numbers, as shown
below. Select the parts in the order shown in the picture:
Details The default selection order for a detail is:
1. Main part.
2. A point in the main part to show the location of the detail.
Modeling tools The default picking order for a modeling tool is:
1. Pick one to three point(s) to show the location of the objects the modeling tool creates.
Up direction
The up direction of a connection or a detail indicates how the connection is rotated around the
secondary part, relative to the current work plane. If there are no secondary parts, Tekla
Structures rotates the connection around the main part. The options are: +x, -x, +y, -y, +z, -z.
The Picture tab in the dialog box shows the up direction Tekla Structures will use. Tekla
Structures also indicates the up direction in the connection symbol:

Getting Started
Manually defining
up direction
To manually define the up direction:
1. Double-click the connection symbol to open the connection dialog box.
2. On the General tab, change the x, y, or z direction. Try positive directions first.
3. Click Modify to use the new values.
Automatic and default properties
Some connection dialog boxes contain list boxes that show property options as graphics. You
can select system defaults, AutoDefaults, or have Tekla Structures automatically set the
properties.
System default
properties
If you leave fields in connection dialog boxes blank, Tekla Structures uses the system default
properties. Manual entries, default, automatic and properties in the joints.def file, all
override these system defaults. You cannot change system default properties.

Getting Started
Default and
automatic
properties
See also Using the joints.def file (p. 46)
General tab
Connections and details have the same General tab. It contains the following properties:
Icon Description More information
To have Tekla Structures use a default
property in a connection, select the
option marked with this symbol.
If you use AutoDefaults for the
connection, Tekla Structures uses the
property defined in the AutoDefaults
rules. If you are not using AutoDefaults,
Tekla Structures creates the connection
using the system default property.
If AutoDefaults have been used, the
actual picture in the default option does
not necessairly match the outcome.
Using AutoDefaults
(p. 45)
To have Tekla Structures automatically
determine which option to use for a
property, select the option marked with
this symbol.
Example, Boomerang bracing
connection (60):
Use the Automatic option on the
Gussetbolt1 tab to have Tekla
Structures determine how the clip angle
is connected to the gusset plate and
beam.

Getting Started
Design and Design type tabs
Some component dialog boxes include a Design tab, others include a Design type tab. Use the
options on these pages to check if the component will bear the UDL (uniform distributed load),
according to AISC (ASD) specifications. This design check is intended for use with imperial
units.
The Design tab also contains options to:
• Use AutoDefaults rule groups to automatically modify component properties to take the
calculated load. To define which AutoDefaults rule group to use, go to the General tab and
select the rule in the AutoDefaults rule group list box.
For more information, see Reaction forces and UDL.
Field Description More information
Up direction Rotates the connection around
the secondary part or detail
around the main part.
The fields next to the image
define rotation angle around
the x- and y-axis of the
secondary. The upper one is
for y- and the lower one for x.
Up direction (p. 13)
Position in
relation to
primary part
Available only for details.
Select a checkbox next to the
images to indicate the
position of the definition
point of the detail, relative to
the main part.
Use the Horizontal offset and
Vertical offset fields to define
the horizontal and vertical
alignment of the detail,
relative to the main part.
Locked Prevents modifications. Locking objects
Class A number given to all parts
the connection creates. You
can use class to define the
color of parts in the model.
Color settings for
parts
Connection
code
Identifies the connection.
Tekla Structures can display
this connection code in
connection marks in
drawings.
AutoDefaults
Rule Group
Automatically sets connection
properties according to the
selected rule group. To switch
AutoDefaults off, select the
rule group None.
Using AutoDefaults (p.
45)
AutoConnectio
n Rule Group
Automatically switches the
connection to another
according to the selected rule
group.

Getting Started
• Use information in an Excel spreadsheet to check connection design and automatically
update component properties to bear the UDL. This is useful when you want to check
connection design according to other design codes. See Using Excel in connection design
(p. 58).
Design tab To check the design of a component that has a Design tab page:
1. Go to the Design tab and select Yes in the Use UDL listbox.
2. To use information in an Excel spreadsheet in the UDL calculation, select Excel in the
External design listbox.
3. Enter the information you want to use in the calculation in the remaining fields.
4. Select a connection in the model and click Modify. To view the results of the check, right-
click the component symbol and select Inquire from the pop-up menu.The inquire object
window opens, which contains a summary of the design checks and related information.
See also Using Excel in connection design (p. 58).
Design type tab To check the design of a component that has a Design type tab page:
1. Open the component properties dialog box.
2. Go to the Design type tab and select Yes in the Check connection list box. Tekla
Structures will check the connection each time it is used or changed in a model.
3. Enter the information you want to use in the calculation in the remaining fields.
4. Select a connection in the model and click Modify.
5. Tekla Structures checks the component. A green component symbol indicates that the
connection will bear the UDL, red indicates it will not.
6. To view the results of the check, right-click the component symbol and select Inquire from
the pop-up menu.The inquire object window opens, which contains a summary of the
design checks and related information, for example:
• The first row shows the part checked, the name of the check and a reference to the AISC
specification.
• The second row shows the applied and allowed force and how much capacity has been
used.
• The third row shows the results and possible solutions. In this example the primary angle
plate was not thick enough. Tekla Structures has indicated the minimum thickness required
to bear the UDL.
1.2 Component catalog
Tekla Structures contains a component catalog, where all components and sketched cross
sections are stored. See also Sketched cross sections.
To open the component catalog, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F, or click the Search
component icon on the component toolbar (see Component catalog example (p. 18)).
Topics Using the component catalog (p. 18)
Thumbnail images (p. 21)
Descriptions and keywords (p. 21)
Primary angle, Gross shear [AISC ASD F4-1 (p5-49)]
applied = 250.00, allowable = 190.80, capacity = 1.31
FAIL (t = 0.5000, tmin = 0.6551)
Example of design check information in the Inquire object
dialog box.

Getting Started
Grouping components (p. 22)
Customizing and saving components (p. 22)
Using the component catalog
To open the component catalog, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F, or click the Search
component icon on the component toolbar.
You can do the following with components and sketched cross sections:
• search using name, number, or keywords
• start creating
• view properties
• collect your own favorites
• define keywords
• edit or add descriptions
• import/export
Component
catalog example
This example shows the search results for the search term "Part":
Search
View folders
View details
View thumbnails
Show/ hide descriptions

Getting Started
Creating new
folders
By default, components are grouped in folders based on their type and framing condition. You
can add and remove components, and create folders and subfolders.
To create new folders in the Folders tree view, right-click a level in the tree and select an
option from the pop-up menu:
• Create New Folder to create folder at the same level
• Create New Sub-folder to create a folder one level below
Information on the folders you create is stored in the
ComponentCatalogTreeView.txt file that is located in the
..TeklaStructuresModels<model>attributes folder.
For more information, see Copying components to another folder (p. 22).
Modifying
Search and
Folders views
• The default view settings for the Search view are stored in the
ComponentCatalog.txt file that is located in the ..Tekla
Structures<version>environments<environment>system folder.
If you modify the file, the Search view and the Search results branch in the Folders view
change.
• The default tree settings for the Folders view are stored in the
ComponentCatalogTreeView.txt file that is located in the ..Tekla
Structures<version>environments<environment>system folder.
If you modify the file, the Folders view changes.
Symbols
The first column in the catalog indicates the component types with following symbols:
Create a component using the component tool you used last with its
current properties.
Double-click the name to set the properties and create the component.
Component description
Custom components have yellow symbols.
System components have blue symbols.
To sort a column, click the header cell.
You can create a list of favorite components. To add a component to your
list, right-click the component name in the component catalog, and then
select Add to Favorites in the pop-up menu.
Symbo
l Component type
System connections
System detail
System modeling tool
Custom connections and seams

Getting Started
Pop-up menus
System
components
Right-click a system component in the Search view list to open a pop-up menu containing the
following commands:
• Properties...
• Edit Keywords...
• Add to Favorites
• Add to Search Result...
• Remove from Search Result
• Change picture...
• AutoDefaults...
• Import...
Custom
components
Right-click a custom component in the Search view list to open a pop-up menu containing the
following commands:
• Properties...
• Edit keywords...
• Remove from Search result
• Change Picture...
• Export...
• Import...
• Edit Custom Component
• Delete Custom Component
Sketched cross
sections
Right-click a sketch in the Search view list to open a pop-up menu containing the following
commands:
• Properties...
• Edit Keywords...
• Remove from Search Result
• Export...
• Import...
• Change Picture...
• Delete
See also Thumbnail images (p. 21)
Descriptions and keywords (p. 21)
Custom details
Custom parts
Sketched cross sections
Symbo
l Component type

Getting Started
Grouping components (p. 22)
Managing custom components (p. 111)
Sketched cross sections
Thumbnail images
Most system components have a default thumbnail image in the component catalog, which
shows you a typical situation where the component can be used. For example, this is what the
thumbnail image for Bolted gusset (11) connection looks like:
To edit a thumbnail image for a component:
1. Create an image and save it in bmp format in ..Tekla
Structures<version>ntbitmaps folder.
2. Press Ctrl + F to open the component catalog.
3. Right-click the component and select Change picture...
4. Locate the thumbnail and select it.
5. Click OK.
6. Tekla Structures links the thumbnail to the component.
Descriptions and keywords
Descriptions To view a component description, select the component in the Component catalog.
Use the button to show or hide descriptions.
You can create new descriptions and edit existing ones:
• The default component descriptions are stored in the xslib.db1 file, located in the
model folder.
• To add or edit a description, type text in the description field. When you select another
component in the component catalog, Tekla Structures prompts you to save the description
you added or edited. After you have saved the description, save the model also.
• Edited component descriptions are model-specific.
Keywords To add or edit keywords, right-click a component in the component catalog, and select Edit
keywords...
Keywords you add or edit are saved in ComponentCatalog.txt file in the current model
folder.
You can combine ComponentCatalog.txt files and move them to the system
folder:..Tekla
Structures<version>environments<environment>system.
To create the image, you can use Create View > Default Views of
Component and Screenshot commands, for example.

Getting Started
Grouping components
To create a new folder based on the results of a search:
1. In the Component catalog, enter your search criteria and click Search.
2. To group the search results in a new folder, click Store.
3. In the Store search result dialog box, enter a name for the folder and click OK.
4. The new folder appears in the tree.
Removing
components from
groups
To remove components from a group, right-click the component and select:
• Remove, if it is a default group.
or
• Remove from search result if the folder was created from a search.
Copying components to another folder
To copy components from one folder to another:
1. In the component catalog, click the Folders icon to open the Folders view.
2. Go to the folder where the component to be copied is located.
3. Select the component, right-click and select Copy.
4. Go to the folder where you want to copy the component.
5. Right-click and select Paste.
Customizing and saving components
Many components are suitable for use in different situations. You can define the properties of a
component to use in a specific situation, then save a copy in the component catalog to use in
similar situations.
For example, we’ll use the Bolted gusset (11) component to connect a single brace at the base
plate of column.
If the copying does not succeed for some reason, store the component
temporarily to a new folder.
1. Click the Search icon and search for the component to be copied.
2. Select the component and click Store to create a new folder for the
component.
3. In the Folders view, go to the new folder and copy the component
from there to the desired folder.

Getting Started
1. To save a copy of the component, we’ll right-click the component symbol in the model,
and select Publish in catalog.... The Publish in catalog dialog box appears.
2. We can add the component to a specific group. By default, the component is added to the
All group.
3. By default the component uses the same thumbnail image as the original component. To
change the thumbnail, see Thumbnail images (p. 21).
1.3 Using components
Introduction This section explains how to use components. It also includes examples.
Topics Creating components (p. 24)
Example: Adding an end plate (p. 24)
Example: Adding a base plate and anchor rods (p. 25)
Example: Adding a beam to column connection (p. 26)
Viewing components (p. 27)
Modifying components (p. 27)
Conceptual components (p. 27)
Converting a conceptual component to a detailed component (p. 28)
Tips on working with components (p. 29)

Getting Started
Creating components
You create different types of component in different ways. For example, you select existing
parts to indicate which members a connection or a detail is attached to. You need to pick
points to indicate the location or length of a detail or a modeling tool. See also Selection order
(p. 13).
When you create connections, Tekla Structures prompts you to select the main part (the part
secondary parts connect to), then the secondary part(s). For an example of using a connection,
see Example: Adding an end plate (p. 24).
Status Tekla Structures uses different-colored component symbols to show the status of connections
and details:
Example: Adding an end plate
This example shows how to create an end plate connection. The End plate (144) connection
connects two beams, or a beam to a column, using a bolted end plate.
To create the end plate connection:
1. In the component catalog, enter 144 and click Search.
2. Double-click the End plate (144) component. Tekla Structures displays the component
dialog box and starts the End plate (144) command.
3. Click Apply to create the component using the default properties.
4. Tekla Structures prompts you to select the main part (column) and then the secondary part
(beam). Tekla Structures creates the connection.
Color Status Tip
Green
Component created
successfully.
Yellow
Component created, but
has problems.
Often occurs when bolts or
holes have an edge distance
less than the default value for
that component.
Red
Component failed. A common reason is that the
up direction is not
appropriate. See Up
direction (p. 13).
When applying a component that you are unfamiliar with, accept the
default properties and apply the component. Then look to see what needs
to be modified. This is quicker than trying to set the values for the
component before seeing what the component actually creates.

Getting Started
5. Select the next main part or interrupt the command.
If you need to change the number of bolts or plate dimensions, for example, you need to modify
the component. For more information, see Modifying components (p. 27).
If you use incorrect properties, Tekla Structures may fail to create the component. For more
information, see Creating components (p. 24).
Example: Adding a base plate and anchor rods
Component catalog contains several base plate details. This example shows how to create a
base plate and anchor rods.
Before you start:
• create a column
• create an elevation view
To add a base plate to a column:
1. Open an elevation view.
2. Open the component catalog.
3. Enter base plate in the Search field and click Search.
4. To view pictures of the components in the search results, click the Thumbnails icon .

Getting Started
5. Click Base plate (1004). This component creates a base plate with anchor bolts.
6. The prompt Pick part appears on the status bar. Select the column.
7. The prompt Pick position appears on the status bar. Pick the point at the base of the
column to indicate where to create the base plate.
8. Tekla Structures creates the base plate.
9. Examine the component to see if you need to make any changes.
10. Check that the connection symbol is green, which indicates that the connection was
created successfully.
11. Change the dimensions of the anchor rods.
To make it easier to select components, click the Select component icon .
12. Double-click the component to open the Tekla Structures Base plate (1004) dialog box.
13. Go to the Anchor rods tab. Change the dimensions of the anchor rods.
14. To change only this base plate, select Ignore other types in the list in the top section of the
dialog box:
15. Click Modify. Tekla Structures changes the dimensions of the anchor rods.
16. Click OK to close the dialog box.
17. Right-click and select Interrupt from the pop-up menu to end the command.
Example: Adding a beam to column connection
Component catalog contains several beam to column connections. This example shows how to
create a beam to column connection.
Before you start:
• create a beam and a column
• create an elevation view
To create a beam to column connection:
1. Open the component catalog.

Getting Started
2. Select Beam to column connections in the list. The list of beam to column connections
appears in the main pane.
3. Select Column with stiffeners (186).
4. The prompt Pick main part appears on the status bar. Select the column.
5. The prompt Pick secondary part appears on the status bar. Select the beam.
6. Tekla Structures creates the connection.
7. Click OK to close the dialog box.
8. Right-click and select Interrupt from the pop-up menu to end the command.
10. Examine the component to see if you need to make any changes.
Viewing components
You can create several views of a component to view it from different viewpoints.
To create views of a component:
1. Click the component symbol to select the component.
2. To create views, right-click and select Create View > Default Views of Component
from the pop-up menu.
Tekla Structures creates four views: front, end, top, and perspective.
Modifying components
To modify a component, double-click the component symbol in the model. The component
dialog box appears. This is where you modify the component properties.
You can also indicate which connections and details are affected by the modifications:
• Modify connection type: If you have selected several connections details, clicking the
Modify button modifies all the selected connections and details irrespective of their type. If
the connection type is not the same as in the dialog box, Tekla Structures changes the
connection type.
• Ignore other types: Tekla Structures only modifies connections and details of the type
shown in dialog box.
Conceptual components
Conceptual components are meant to be used as reference information for further fabrication
detailing. Conceptual components look similar to detailed components but do not include the
option to change part numbering or assembly numbering settings.
To check dimensions, such as bolt locations and edge distances, work in
the Component front view and use the Measure tool.
If you have Select component switched on , you do not have to
pick component symbol, but you can just pick any object belonging to a
component. This is the only method for selecting custom parts, because
they do not have any symbol.

Getting Started
Conceptual components can be created only with Engineering and Reinforced Concrete
Detailing configurations. However, you can edit conceptual components in Full, Steel
Detailing, or Precast Concrete Detailing configurations.
Conceptual components can be converted to detailed components that include all the
information needed for fabrication, such as assemblies, cast units, and reinforcing bars. The
conversion to detailed components can be done in Full, Steel Detailing, or Precast Concrete
Detailing configurations.
Modifying part properties, such as the size of the component main part, does not automatically
convert a detailed component to a conceptual one, or vice versa. For example, if you use the
Engineering configuration and modify the model, detailed components do not convert back to
conceptual components.
See also Converting a conceptual component to a detailed component (p. 28)
Converting a conceptual component to a detailed component
An individual conceptual component that has been created with Engineering or Reinforced
Concrete Detailing configuration can be converted to a detailed component in Full, Steel
Detailing, and Precast Concrete Detailing configurations.
To convert a conceptual component to a detailed component:
1. Select the component symbol.
2. Click Detailing > Component > Convert to Detailing Component.
See also Conceptual components (p. 27)
Component Symbol Configuration Description
Conceptual
Rectangular
Engineering
Reinforced
Concrete Detailing
Conceptual component
does not create
assemblies or cast units.
The dialog box is the
same as in detailed
component, but does not
contain fields for part
and assembly positions.
Detailed
Round
Full
Steel Detailing
Precast Concrete
Detailing
Detailed component
contains part and
assembly numbering
fields, and creates
needed assemblies and
cast units.
Detailed components can be converted to conceptual components in
Engineering and Reinforced Concrete Detailing configurations.
If you want to convert a detailed component to a conceptual component
in Engineering or Reinforced Concete Detailing configuration, right-
click and select Convert to Conceptual Component.

Getting Started
Tips on working with components
No component
created
If you have difficulty applying a component, check the status bar for prompts. For example,
you may need to click the middle mouse button to stop selecting parts, before Tekla Structures
creates the component.
Many parts found If you are applying a connection that only allows for one secondary part, you may see the
message Many parts found on the status bar. This means that Tekla Structures cannot
determine which parts to connect. You may have several parts in the same location, or the view
may be set too deep.
Switch parts on/
off
If the component does not create the parts you need by default (for example, stiffener plates),
look for a switch to turn them on. If there is no switch, try entering a value in the thickness field
for that part (for example, on the Stiffeners tab).
If the component creates parts you do not need, look for the switch to turn them off. If there is
no switch, enter a zero (0) in the thickness field for that part.
Entering valid
profiles
You need to specify profiles for some components. If a component fails, try entering a valid
profile.
1.4 Defining parts and plates
Use the Parts tab to define the parts that Tekla Structures creates when you use a component.
Topics Using the dialog box (p. 29)
Dimensioning parts (p. 30)
Defining materials (p. 32)
Using the dialog box
Some components list all parts on one tab, others list parts on separate tabs as shown in the
following examples.
One Parts tab Where there is one tab, the label is usually Parts or Plates.
Default: Tekla Structures creates stiffeners or uses
value retrieved from AutoDefaults.
Automatic: Tekla Structures creates or omits stiffeners
depending on the situation in the model.
Tekla Structures does not create stiffeners
Tekla Structures creates stiffeners.

Getting Started
Several Parts
tabs
Parts can also appear on separate tabs. For example, in connection 56, Corner tube gusset, the
parts appear on both the Gusset and Brace conn tabs.
Dimensioning parts
Use the Parts tabs to dimension specific part types in components.
Plates
Enter the following dimensions for plates:
You do not have to enter these dimensions for every component type, as Tekla Structures
determines the plate shape differently for different components. For example, in end plate
connections, Tekla Structures calculates width and height using the number of bolts and bolt
edge distances. Click Help in a component dialog box to check which dimensions you need to
enter.
Beams
To specify a library or parametric profile to use for beams:
To delete a part, enter zero (0) in the t (thickness) field.
Dimension Description
t Plate thickness
b Plate width
h Plate height

Getting Started
• Enter the profile name.
• Or click , and select a profile from the profile catalog.
Part position number
Use the Pos_no field to enter the part position number for each part the component creates.
This overrides the settings on the Tools > Options > Options... > Components tab. Specify a
prefix and a start number, as shown below.
Some component dialog boxes have a second row of Pos_no fields for you to enter the
assembly position number.
Using the Components tab
To set the default prefix and start number for all the parts that components create, click Tools >
Options > Options... > Components. You define different prefixes and start numbers
according to the part’s relationship to other parts in the component. Separate the prefix and part
number using the character (for example, p1).
The profile must exist in the profile catalog.
Prefix
Start number

Getting Started
Defining materials
To define the materials for the parts that components create, click against the
Material field. Tekla Structures opens the Select Material dialog box. Click a material type,
then click the material to use for the part.
Prefix
Part number

Getting Started
Using the Components tab
To set the default part material for the parts that components create, click Tools > Options >
Options... > Components tab, and use the Part material field. Tekla Structures uses this
default if you leave the Material field blank in the component dialog box when you apply the
component.
1.5 Defining bolts and welds
Use the Bolts or Welds tabs to define which bolts, assemblies, and welds to use in specific
components.
Topics Using the Bolts tab (p. 33)
Defining bolts (p. 35)
Creating holes (p. 35)
Number of bolts and spacing (p. 36)
Bolt group orientation (p. 36)
Bolt group pattern (p. 37)
Edge distance (p. 37)
Bolt position (p. 37)
Defining slotted holes (p. 39)
Deleting bolts (p. 40)
Defining bolt assemblies (p. 41)
Welds (p. 41)
Using the Bolts tab
This illustration shows the properties you can set on the Bolts tab of component dialog boxes:

Getting Started
Slotted hole dimensions
Slotted to create slotted hole in part
Check bolt components to include (bolt, washer, screw).
Shank length protruding from the nut
Bolt spacing - vertical
Number of bolts

Getting Started
Defining bolts
Use the following fields on the Bolts tab to specify the type of bolts to use in individual
components:
Increasing bolt length
To allow for additional material thickness, increase the length of the bolt on the Bolts tab. For
example, you could use this for painted parts.
Enter extra bolt length
Tekla Structures uses this value in bolt length calculation. See Bolt length calculation.
Creating holes
To only create a hole, deselect all the components in the illustration on the Bolts tab.
Enter bolt order number of bolt to delete.
Edge distance
Bolt spacing (horizontal)
Number of bolts
Bolt group pattern
Horizontal
Vertical
Dialog box
text Description
Bolt size Must be defined in the bolt assembly catalog. See also The
bolt and bolt assembly catalogs.
Bolt standard The bolt standard to use inside the component. Must be
defined in the bolt assembly catalog.
Tolerance Gap between bolt and hole.
Thread in mat Indicate if the thread can be inside bolted parts when using
bolts with a shaft. Has no effect if using full-threaded
bolts.
Site/Workshop Location where bolts should be attached.

Getting Started
Number of bolts and spacing
Use the Bolts tab to specify the number of bolts and bolt spacing, both horizontally and
vertically.
Enter the number of bolts in the shorter field, and the spacing between bolts in the longer field,
as shown below. Use a space to separate bolt spacing values. Enter a value for each space
between bolts.
Example For example, if there are 3 bolts, enter 2 values.
The settings above result in this bolt group layout:
Bolt group orientation
Some connections include the following options on the Bolts tab to orientate bolt groups:
Number of bolts
Bolt spacing
Option Description
Square.
Staggered in the direction of the secondary part.
Sloped in the direction of the secondary part.

Getting Started
Bolt group pattern
For some components you can select different bolt group patterns. You have the following
options:
Edge distance
Edge distance is the distance from the center of a bolt to the edge of the part. Enter top, bottom,
left, and right edge distances on the Bolts tab. A dimension line on the illustration shows each
dimension. See also Using the joints.def file (p. 46).
Bolt position
In the list box on the Bolts tab, select an option to indicate how to measure dimensions for
vertical and horizontal bolt position.
Then enter the dimension in the fields indicated below. If you leave this field blank, Tekla
Structures uses a system default value.
Option
Edge distance dimension line
Enter edge distances here

Getting Started
Vertical bolt position
Use these options to indicate how Tekla Structures measures vertical dimensions:
Horizontal bolt position
Use these options to indicate how Tekla Structures measures horizontal dimensions:
Enter dimensions
Measure dimension from....
Option Dimension from Illustration
Top Upper edge of secondary part to
uppermost bolt.
Middle Centerline of bolts to centerline of
secondary part.
Bottom Lower edge of secondary part to
lowest bolt.

Getting Started
Defining slotted holes
To define slotted holes in components:
1. Open the component properties dialog box and click on the Bolts tab. Different bolt
groups may appear on different tabs in different dialog boxes.
2. Set Hole type to Slotted.
3. Select which parts have slotted holes from the Slots in list box. Select No to create round
holes.
4. To shape slotted holes, enter the x or y dimensions of the hole. To produce a round hole,
enter zero (0) for both dimensions.
Option Dimension from Illustration
Left Left edge of secondary part to far
left bolt.
Middle Centerline of bolts.
Right Right edge of secondary part to far
right bolt.

Getting Started
Slotted hole length = x or y dimension + Bolt size + Tolerance
You can also use the Bolt command to modify bolt groups after creating components. For more
information, see Holes.
Deleting bolts
To delete bolts from a bolt group:
1. Double click the component symbol to open the component dialog box.
2. Go to the Bolts tab.
3. Check Delete.
4. Enter the bolt number(s) of the bolt(s) to delete, separated by a space. Bolt numbers run
left to right and top down.
5. Click Modify to change the selected component.
6. Click OK to exit the component dialog box.
Example You start with this bolt group:
You enter the following bolt numbers:
The bolt group now looks like this:
For some components you can specify which parts have slotted holes
using the Bolts tab. For example, Clip angle (141), Shear plate simple
(146).

Getting Started
Defining bolt assemblies
On the illustration on the Bolts tab, check the pieces to use in the bolt assembly (bolt, washers,
and nuts).
To change the bolt assemblies in the current component:
1. Click the component symbol to select it.
2. Check the pieces to use.
3. Check Effect in modify.
4. Click the Modify button.
Welds
To define the properties of the welds Tekla Structures uses in a component, click the Welds
button in the component properties dialog box. Tekla Structures displays the appropriate weld
dialog box.
The illustration identifies each weld using a number. For each weld, use row 1 to define the
arrow side of the weld, and row 2 for the other side.

Getting Started
See also Welds
1.6 AutoConnection
Introduction Use AutoConnection to automatically select and apply connections with predefined properties
to selected parts. Use AutoConnection to have Tekla Structures automatically create similar
connections for similar framing conditions.
Topics Using AutoConnection (p. 42)
Using AutoConnection
Use AutoConnection to have Tekla Structures automatically create connections using a
predefined set of rules, or rule group.
Creating
connections
To create connections using AutoConnection:
1. Pick the parts to connect.
2. Click Detailing > AutoConnection... to display the AutoConnection dialog box.
3. Select a rule group in the first list box on the Rule groups tab as shown below.

Getting Started
4. Click the Create connections button.
When you use AutoConnection, Tekla Structures ignores the properties in the connection
dialog boxes and creates connections using the properties defined in the rule group. Tekla
Structures does not modify existing connections.
You can change the properties of connections you create using AutoConnection.
Additional
options
Use the options on the Advanced tab to indicate which rule groups you want to use for each
Framing condition (beam to beam web, beam to beam flange, etc.). You also have the option
not to apply a rule group, or to apply a specific connection.
Rule group for AutoConnection
Rule group for AutoDefaults

Getting Started
Example You can use a rule group for all framing types other than beam to column flange, and indicate a
particular connection to use for that framing type.
Options Use Connection selection to indicate your preferences for each framing condition. You have
the following options:
Use Parameters selection to indicate which connection properties you want to use. The
options are:
Option Result
None Tekla Structures does not create a connection.
AutoConnection Tekla Structures applies the connection defined in
the rule group you have indicated in the first list
box on the Rule groups tab.
A named connection Click Select to pick from a list of available
connections. Click a connection, then OK.
Tekla Structures creates the connection you specify
using the default properties. See Automatic and
default properties (p. 14).
Option Result
AutoDefaults Tekla Structures applies the properties of the rule
group you have indicated in the first list box on
Rule groups tab.
No AutoDefaults Tekla Structures applies the default connection
properties. See Automatic and default properties
(p. 14).

Getting Started
1.7 AutoDefaults
Introduction Use AutoDefaults to automatically apply connections. When you use AutoDefaults, Tekla
Structures automatically creates connections with predefined properties.
For example, you can use AutoDefaults to automatically adjust the thickness of each base plate
you create, according to the main part profile. If the main part profile changes, Tekla Structures
will also automatically adjust the thickness of the base plate.
Topics Using AutoConnection (p. 42)
Using AutoDefaults (p. 45)
How to use AutoDefaults effectively (p. 46)
Checking AutoDefaults properties (p. 46)
Checking AutoDefaults rules (p. 46)
Using AutoDefaults
With AutoDefaults you can have Tekla Structures apply connection properties using a
predefined set of rules. You can use AutoDefaults together with AutoConnection to define
connection properties, or separately to define the properties of a single connection.
To use AutoDefaults for a single connection:
1. Open the connection dialog box.
2. On the General tab, select a rule group (the rule group cannot be None).
3. On all the tabs, set the fields that you want AutoDefaults to override to Default by
selecting the options marked with the arrow symbol.
4. Click Apply to create the connection using AutoDefaults.
To quickly set all the fields in a dialog box to Default, load <Defaults>
in the connection dialog box.

Getting Started
How to use AutoDefaults effectively
Use default values when you create a connection, then use AutoDefaults to modify the
properties.
If you manually modify connection properties after using AutoDefaults, Tekla Structures will
not automatically update the connection properties, even if AutoDefaults is active.
AutoDefaults does not change connection properties that have been modified. It only modifies
connection properties in fields containing the default properties.
For example, you have manually set a base plate thickness of 20 mm in the Base plate dialog
box of a connection. AutoDefaults is active and sets plate thickness according to the main part
profile. If you modify the main part profile, Tekla Structures does not update the base plate
thickness. It remains at 20 mm.
Checking AutoDefaults properties
To check the properties AutoDefaults has applied to a connection:
1. Double-click the connection symbol to open the connection dialog box.
2. In the list box in the upper left corner of the dialog box, select <AutoDefaults>.
3. Click Load. Tekla Structures shows the applied properties in the fields. You can also see
all the combined properties used for that connection.
Checking AutoDefaults rules
You can check which rules AutoDefaults has used for a particular connection.
1. Select the connection symbol and right-click.
2. Select Inquire.
Tekla Structures shows the rule group and rule sets that the connection passed. You can also see
all the properties files used for that connection.
1.8 Using the joints.def file
This section explains how to use the joints.def text file to set the default properties for
different connection types. Not all connections use joints.def.
Topics About joints.def (p. 47)
Defining general defaults (p. 48)
Defining bolt diameter and number of rows (p. 50)
Defining other bolt and part properties (p. 51)
How Tekla Structures uses joints.def (p. 57)
Connections that use joints.def (p. 48)
If you are new to using joints.def, we suggest you read each of the
topics in this section thoroughly before making any changes.

Getting Started
About joints.def
Changing the joints.def file changes the default values for different connection types. You
can open the joints.def file in any standard text editor.
If you use joints.def, you can still use some system default properties. To force Tekla
Structures to use the system default for a particular property, give it the value -2147483648 in
joints.def.
By default, Tekla Structures includes the joints.def file in the system folder.
Tekla Structures searches for joints.def in the standard search order.
How joints.def works
For each connection type, Tekla Structures follows these steps to assign bolt and part
properties.
1. Tekla Structures determines bolt diameter and number of bolts according to the following
criteria:
2. Tekla Structures uses bolt diameter to assign other bolt and part properties.
How to read joints.def
Lines beginning with // are comment lines. They are there to help you read the file, Tekla
Structures does not use the information in comment lines.
The first few lines contain some general settings:
Set the following line to the unit of measure appropriate to the version you are using (for
example, inches in the Imperial version).
To have Tekla Structures use the default values in joints.def, set the following line to 1.
Set it to 0 to have Tekla Structures use the system defaults.
Properties for each connection type appear in individual sections, as shown below. Each section
begins with a header row containing the column labels. Do not add columns to the file.
Tekla Structures only uses the values in joints.def for blank fields.
AutoDefaults and manual entries override joints.def.
Connection type According to
Clip angle Secondary beam height
Shear plate Secondary beam height
End plate Secondary beam height
Gusset Length of angle profile
Diagonal Profile height

Getting Started
Entering values
When you edit joints.def:
• Enter absolute values or names
• Do not use feet and inch symbols
• Ensure that profiles exist in the profile catalog
• Ensure bolts exist in the bolt catalog.
Connections that use joints.def
Only the following connections use joints.def
Defining general defaults
If Tekla Structures cannot find a property for a connection in the connection-specific sections
of joints.def, it looks for the default property in the General section.
Example In clip angles, Tekla Structures uses the default bolt diameter in the General section if the
secondary beam height is larger than the highest value in the Clip angle section of
joints.def.
The properties in the General section of joints.def are:
Connections Connections
Two sided angle cleat (25) Boomerang bracing cross (60)
Beam with stiffener (129) Corner bolted gusset (57)
Column with shear plate (131) Boomerang tube diagonal (59)
Bolted moment connection (134) Corner tube gusset (56)
Clip angle (141) Boomerang wrapped diagonal (58)
Two sided end plate (142) Corner wrapped gusset (63)
Two sided clip angle (143) Bolted gusset (11)
End plate (144) Bracing cross (19)
Shear plate simple (146) Tube gusset (20)
Welded to top flange (147) Tube crossing (22)
Welded to top flange S (149) Gusset wrapped cross (62)
Moment connection (181) Wrapped cross (61)
Column with stiffeners W (182) Welded gusset (10)
Full depth (184)
Full depth S (185)
Column with stiffeners (186)
Column with stiffeners S (187)
Column with stiffeners (188)
Bent plate (190)
Shear plate tube column (189)

Getting Started
Properties Description
boltdia Bolt diameter.
pitch Distance from the center of one bolt to the center of
the next.
clipweld Weld size.
angle-cc-inc Tekla Structures adds bolt to bolt distance and web
thickness, then rounds the result up by this value.
Complies with US AISC standard.
lprofgapinc Tekla Structures rounds the angle profile gap up by
this value. Complies with US AISC standard.
lsize Size of the angle profile.
copedepth Determines notch size.
copelength Determines notch size.
boltedge Edge distance.
webplatelen Haunch plate height (h).
webplatewid Haunch plate width (b).
beamedge Distance from the upper edge of the angle profile to
the top of the secondary beam.
knifeclr No longer used.
clipedge Edge distance for bolts (clip angles only).
gap No longer used.
shearplatethk Shear plate thickness.
endplatethk End plate thickness.
shearweld Size of weld.
cliplsize Size of angle profile (clip angles only).
flangecutclear Flange cut clearance.
slotsize Size of slotted hole.
clipslots Which part gets slotted holes:
1 for beam
2 for angle profiles
3 for both
Refers to the Slots in list box options on the Bolts
tab. See individual connection help for details.

Getting Started
Defining bolt diameter and number of rows
Before you start, read How joints.def works (p. 47). Use the rows beginning with
BOLTHEIGHT in each connection-specific section of joints.def to define the default bolt
diameter and default number of bolt rows for the following connection types:
• Clip angle, shear plate, and end plate connections (p. 50)
• Gusset connections (p. 50)
• Diagonal connections (p. 51)
Clip angle, shear plate, and end plate connections
Tekla Structures calculates the default bolt diameter and number of rows vertically according to
the height of the secondary beam. You can enter the following properties:
Gusset connections
Tekla Structures calculates the default bolt diameter and number of bolt rows horizontally
according to the length of the angle profile. You can enter the following properties:
clipattach How the clip angle is attached to the secondary and
main parts:
1 is Both bolted
2 is Main bolted / Secondary welded
3 is Main not welded
4 is Main welded / Secondary bolted
5 is Both welded
6 is Main not bolted
7 is Secondary not welded
8 is Secondary not bolted
9 is Both bolted / welded
Refers to the attachment type list box options on the
Bolts tab. See individual connection help for details.
copedepthinc Tekla Structures rounds cope depth up using this
value.
copelengthinc Tekla Structures rounds cope length using this value.
Properties Description
Property Description
name Use the name BOLTHEIGHT
part Use the part name ANGLECLIP
sec.beam.height Maximum height of secondary beam for a certain
number of bolts
diameter Bolt diameter. Must exist in the bolt catalog.
number_of_bolts Number of bolts vertically

Getting Started
Diagonal connections
Tekla Structures calculates the default bolt diameter and number of bolt rows horizontally
according to the profile height. You can enter the following properties:
Defining other bolt and part properties
Before you start, read How joints.def works (p. 47). Once Tekla Structures has used
joints.def to calculate bolt diameter, it uses the result to assign other properties to bolts
and parts, according to connection type.
Example Enter the default properties for bolts and parts in clip angle connections in the rows beginning
ANGLECLBOLTPART in the CLIP ANGLE section of joints.def.
Propertieslookup
table
The table below lists the properties you assign for bolts and parts for each connection type.
Gusset and diagonal connections have additional properties. See Gusset connection
properties (p. 52) and Diagonal connection properties (p. 55).
Key to lookup
table
part Use the part name GUSSET
lproflength
or
angleproflength
Length of angle profile
diameter Bolt diameter. Must exist in bolt catalog
number_of_bolts Number of bolts horizontally
part Use the part name DIAGONAL
conn.pl.height
or
profileheight
Profile height
diameter Bolt diameter. Must exist in bolt catalog.
number_of_bolts Number of bolts horizontally
Connection type Full name
C Clip angle
S Shear plate
E End plate
G Gusset
D Diagonal

Getting Started
Gusset connection properties
Enter these additional default properties in the row beginning GUSSETDEFDIM. Not all gusset
connections use all these properties:
Connection Type
C S E G D
name Identifies the connection
type.
Example GUSSETBOLTPART
for gusset connections.
* * * * *
bolt diameter Bolt diameter. Must exist in
the bolt catalog.
See also Profile type-
dependent bolt dimensions
(p. 56)
* * * * *
shear plate
thickness
Thickness of shear plate *
end plate
thickness
Thickness of end plate *
gusset thickness Thickness of the gusset *
conn. plate
thickness
Thickness of the connection
plate
*
angle profile
or L profile
Name of the angle profile to
use:
• Must exist in the profile
catalog
• Enter the exact name
• Example:
L100*100*10
* * *
number Number of bolts in each row:
• vertically
• horizontally
* * * * *
pitch Distance between bolts from
the center of each bolt. For
vertical and horizontal bolts
* * * * *
edge distance Distance from the center of a
bolt to the edge of the part.
For vertical and horizontal
bolts
* * * *
vert.bolt
firsthole
Position of the first vertical
row of bolts
* * *

Getting Started
Option Description
Affects
plate
shape
name GUSSETDEFDIM
boltdia_def Bolt diameter for all bolt groups. Leave the Bolt
size field blank in the dialog box to have Tekla
Structures use the value in joints.def.
tol_prim See illustration.
tol_sec See illustration.
dist_diag_prim Clearance between the first secondary part
selected and the main part.
dist_diag_sec Perpendicular distance from last secondary part
selected to the nearest secondary.
angle_first_corner See illustration. Yes
angle_sec_corner See illustration. Yes
dist_between_diag Clearance between braces.
first_bolt_from_lin
e
Bolt edge distance for the bolt groups on the
Gusset tab.
corner_dx See illustration.
corner_dy See illustration.
movey On the Gusset tab:
movey
movez On the Gusset tab:
movez
dist1 The length of the edge of the gusset plate that is
perpendicular to the lowest brace.
Yes
dist2 The length of the edges of the gusset plate
perpendicular to the braces.
Yes
dist3 The length of the edge of the gusset plate
perpendicular to the uppermost brace.
Yes
tol_lprof See illustration.
tol_stiffener Tolerance of stiffener.
chamfer_dx Dimensions of stiffener chamfer on the Gusset
tab:
chamfer_dy
chamfer_corner_dx chamfer_corner_dx
chamfer-corner_dy
chamfer_corner_dy

Getting Started
The illustration below shows the properties on the Picture tab of the Boomerang wrapped
diagonal (58) connection dialog box.
side_length
diafit_length Fit length in Bracing cross (19) connection.
Leave this field empty on the Parameters tab to
have Tekla Structures use the value in
joints.def.
tol_lprof
corner_dy
corner_dx
dist_diag_sec
tol_sec
angle_sec_corner
Option Description
Affects
plate
shape

Getting Started
Diagonal connection properties
Enter these additional default properties for bolts and parts in the rows beginning
DIAGDEFDIM. Not all diagonal connections use all these properties:
dist3
dist_between_diag
dist2
dist1
dist_diag_prim
tol_prim
name DIAGDEFDIM
boltdia_def Bolt diameter for all bolt groups. Leave the Bolt
size field blank in the dialog box to have Tekla
Structures use the value in joints.def.
dist_gus_diag Gap between the gusset plate and the brace. If
tube profiles are closed with end plates, the gap
between the gusset plate and the end plate.
dist_in Depth of the cut in the brace. Enter a negative
value to prevent the connection plate from being
inside the tube brace.
dist_dv Distance from the edge of the brace to the edge of
the connection plate. This dimension changes the
width of the connection plate.
sec_cut_tol On the Brace conn tab:
sec_cut_tol
slot_length_tol
slot_length_tol
tube_cut_tol On the Brace conn tab:
tube_cut_tol
conn_cut_dx On the Brace conn tab:
conn_cut_dy
conn_cut_dx
conn_cut_dy

Getting Started
This illustration shows the properties that appear on the Picture tab of the Tube crossing (22)
connection:
Profile type-dependent bolt dimensions
For some connections, such as Clip angle (141) and Two sided clip angle (143), Tekla
Structures calculates the bolt size according to the profile size.
In this type of connections, Tekla Structures takes the bolt size from the PROFILE TYPE-
DEPENDENT BOLT DIMENSIONS section of joints.def file if you leave the corresponding
fields blank on the Bolts tab:
round_plate_tol On the Brace conn tab:
end_plate_thk
flanges_cut_angle On the Brace conn tab:
flanges_cut_angle
dist_flanges_cut
dist_skew_cut
dist_flanges_cut
dist_skew_cut
end_plate_thk End plate field t in the Tube diag tab.
dist_dv
dist_in
dist_gus_diag

Getting Started
The options are:
Example To find the bolt dimensions to be used with an L6X6X1/2 profile in a clip angle connection:
1. Tekla Structures searches the rows beginning PROFILEBOLTDIM for L6X6X1/2 in the
PROFILE TYPE-DEPENDENT BOLT DIMENSIONS section of joints.def.
2. If there is no match, Tekla Structures searches the rows beginning ANGLECLBOLTPART in
the CLIP ANGLE section of joints.def.
How Tekla Structures uses joints.def
This example explains how Tekla Structures calculates bolt diameter and other properties using
joints.def. We are using a Bolted gusset (11) connection. The height of the diagonal
profile is 10".
• Tekla Structures calculates bolt size and number of bolts according to profile height. It
searches the BOLTHEIGHT rows for a profile height of 10".
• The profile height is greater than 8.0 but less than 12.0, so Tekla Structures uses the row
with the profile height 8.0. This sets the bolt diameter to 0.75.
• Tekla Structures assigns the bolt and part properties according to the bolt diameter. It
searches the DIAGBOLTPART rows for a bolt diameter of 0.75.
Option Description
width Width of the profile
one bolt firsthole For single bolts, distance from the heel of the
profile angle to the first hole.
two bolts firsthole For two bolts, distance from the heel of the
profile angle to the first hole.
pitch Distance between bolts from the center of
each bolt. For vertical and horizontal bolts.

Getting Started
Result
Tekla Structures does not use the connection plate thickness or angle profile properties in this
connection.
1.9 Using Excel in connection design
You can link system components and Excel spreadsheets, so when a component is applied or
modified, an associated Excel spreadsheet application can be run. The configuration
information is passed from the component to the spreadsheet, calculation run within the
spreadsheet and component properties passed back to the connection.
Tekla Structures includes sample spreadsheet for connection design and a template spreadsheet
you should use to create your own spreadsheet applications to use with Tekla Structures
components.
Before you start:
• Create the connections and parts.
• Create the Excel spreadsheet for connection type, or use a predefined file. See more in
Setting up Excel files (p. 59).
To use the Excel spreadsheet for connection design:
1. Double-click the connection to open the connection properties dialog box.
2. Go to the Design (or Design type) tab and select Excel in the External design list box.
3. Click Modify.
4. The connection properties are transferred from Tekla Structures to a connection type
specific Excel spreadsheet, where the properties are calculated.
5. The calculated properties are saved to an output file.
6. The modified properties are transferred back to Tekla Structures and the connection is
modified according to the changes.
Topics Setting up Excel files (p. 59)
Sample implementation (p. 59)
Indicating component status (p. 62)
Property Value
Bolt diameter 0.75
Number of bolts horizontally 2
Edge distance horizontally 1.5
Edge distance vertically 1.5
Distance between bolts horizontally 2.5
Distance between bolts vertically system default
You can use Excel in connection design for all steel components that
have the Design tab in their properties dialog box.

Getting Started
Setting up Excel files
The following list describes what kind of files are needed for performing connection design
with Excel:
• Visual Basic script file linking Tekla Structures with external software.
• Excel spreadsheet containing calculations.
• Component type specific spreadsheet, which contains predefined calculations.
• When you run the connection design, the connection properties and information of the
main and secondary parts are transferred to the Input and Component sheets of the
spreadsheet.
• Connection specific result file, which displays the modified connection properties is
stored to model folder.
• This file is created automatically from the Calculation sheet of the spreadsheet.
• The file is updated each time you modify the connection.
• Calculation results can be stored as Excel spreadsheet, HTML or PDF format,
depending on how calculation spreadsheet is configured.
File names and
locations
Excel.vb file (located in the ..Tekla
Structures<version>environmentscommonexceldesign folder) defines
the Excel spreadsheet file names and the locations. Excel searches for the spreadsheet in the
following order and with following name:
1. File named component_ + number or name + .xls, from the current model
folder: ..<model>exceldesign
For example, ..test_modelexceldesigncomponent_144.xls
2. File name and path defined with advanced option
XS_EXTERNAL_EXCEL_DESIGN_PATH:
XS_EXTERNAL_EXCEL_DESIGN_PATH
(=%XS_DIR%environmentscommonexceldesign) + "component_"
+ number + ".xls"
By default, the result file is stored in the model folder and named with component ID. For
example, component_9502_res.xls.
Sample implementation
Below is descibed the contents of an Excel spreadsheet which is used for End plate (144)
connection:
When user clicks Modify in the End plate (144) properties dialog box, Excel.vb file calls
Excel spreadsheet named component_144.xls.
Contents The sample spreadsheet includes the following sheets:
Inputs (user inputs on connection dialog).
• Tekla Structures transfers the component properties from the component properties dialog
box to this sheet.

Getting Started
Component
• Tekla Structures transfers the component geometry and information on the main and
secondary parts (for example, part profiles) into this sheet. The component attributes in the
spreadsheet are the same as in the corresponding .inp file. See more about .inp files in
Input files.
• This sheet includes calculations (the calculations can be as Visual Basic macros in the
sheet).

Getting Started
Calculation
• Summary of calculation is collected to the Calculation sheet. This page or full Excel
spreadsheet can be stored as a report of the calculation.

Getting Started
Outputs
• Excel adds the modified values to the Output sheet. These values are tranferred back to the
connection and connection in the model is modified accordingly.
Indicating component status
When you use Excel in connection design, you can have Tekla Structures use different colored
component symbols to indicate the status of a component in the model.
To do this, include the error attribute on the Output page of the Excel spreadsheet for the
component. The possible values are:

Getting Started
Value Color Status
1 Green Bolt edge distances are sufficient.
Passes the connection design check using the UK
and US design codes embedded in the system.
2 Yellow Bolt edge distances are insufficient according to
the value in Tools > Options > Options... >
Components.
3 Red Tekla Structures cannot calculate the component
properties. Possible reasons include:
• Incorrect connection direction
• Incorrect workplane
• Inappropriate connection selected
• The connection design check was carried
out using the embedded UK and US design
codes and the connection cannot support the
loading defined by the user.

Getting Started

Custom Components
2 Custom Components
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. Tekla Structures creates a dialog box for the custom
component, which you can easily customize, if required.
You can then use custom components in the same way as any Tekla Structures system
component.
You can also edit custom components to create parametric custom components that
automatically adjust to changes in the model.
Audience This chapter is aimed at people who know how to use Tekla Structures components.
Contents This chapter includes the following topics, which are the steps you follow to create custom
components:
• Defining custom components (p. 66)
• Editing custom components (p. 73)

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