Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Custom Components
1 Introduction.......................................................................................... 5
2 Creating steel custom components ..................................................... 7
2.1 Lifting bracket detail................................................................................................................................ 7
Defining a lifting bracket detail ........................................................................................................... 8
Opening the lifting bracket in custom component editor .................................................................. 10
Creating distance variables to control the gusset plate shape and position .................................... 10
Creating distance variables to control the base plate position ......................................................... 13
Editing the name and visibility of the distance variables .................................................................. 13
Testing a distance variable .............................................................................................................. 14
Creating variables to control the profile and material of the gusset plate and base plate................ 14
Creating variables to control bolt size and bolt standard ................................................................. 17
Testing the lifting bracket detail........................................................................................................ 18
Changing a thumbnail image for the lifting bracket .......................................................................... 19
Adding an image to the lifting bracket dialog box............................................................................. 20
Moving variables onto the image ..................................................................................................... 22
2.2 End plate connection ............................................................................................................................ 24
Defining an end plate connection..................................................................................................... 25
Opening the end plate connection in custom component editor ...................................................... 27
Creating distance variables to control the top notch ........................................................................ 28
Editing the top notch distance variables........................................................................................... 32
Creating variables to control the notch depth and notch clearance ................................................. 33
Adjusting the end plate length to beam depth.................................................................................. 34
Creating variables to control the end plate width and thickness ...................................................... 37
Defining the end plate material ........................................................................................................ 39
Adjusting the end plate to a new beam size..................................................................................... 40
Creating variables to control the bolts.............................................................................................. 43
Defining bolt size and bolt standard ................................................................................................. 45
Defining bolt distances ..................................................................................................................... 46
Testing the end plate connection ..................................................................................................... 47
2.3 Stiffener detail....................................................................................................................................... 48
Defining a stiffener detail.................................................................................................................. 49
Opening the stiffener detail in custom component editor ................................................................. 50
Creating distance variables to control the stiffener shape ............................................................... 51
Creating distance variables to control the stiffener position............................................................. 55
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 1
Creating variables to control the stiffener thickness ......................................................................... 56
Testing the stiffener detail................................................................................................................. 57
Creating variables to control plate class and creation of stiffener plates .......................................... 58
Adding a list in the stiffener dialog box ............................................................................................. 59
Adding images in the list................................................................................................................... 61
Dimming unavailable variables in the stiffener dialog box ................................................................ 62
Hiding unavailable variables in the stiffener dialog box .................................................................... 63
2.4 Ladder custom part................................................................................................................................ 64
Defining a ladder part........................................................................................................................ 66
Opening the ladder part in custom component editor ....................................................................... 68
Creating distance variables to control the ladder length ................................................................... 69
Creating variables to control the number and spacing of the rungs.................................................. 70
Creating variables to control the bottom rung offset ......................................................................... 72
Creating variables to control the ladder width................................................................................... 73
Creating variables to control the stringer and rung profiles .............................................................. 75
Creating a variable to control the rung connections.......................................................................... 76
Testing the ladder part...................................................................................................................... 77
Creating an image for the ladder part dialog box.............................................................................. 77
Adding the image to the ladder part dialog box ................................................................................ 78
Positioning the image and parameters ............................................................................................. 80
Renaming and adding a tab page..................................................................................................... 82
Testing changes in the ladder part dialog box .................................................................................. 83
2.5 Skewed beam connection ..................................................................................................................... 83
Defining a skewed beam connection ................................................................................................ 84
Opening the skewed beam connection in custom component editor................................................ 86
Creating variables to control clearance from the beam flange.......................................................... 87
Creating a variable to control the plate profile .................................................................................. 89
Creating variables to control the vertical position of the plate and bolts ........................................... 90
Creating variables to fix the plate on the beams .............................................................................. 92
Creating a dummy part and variables to control the plate length...................................................... 94
Testing the skewed beam connection............................................................................................... 99
2.6 Cell beam part ..................................................................................................................................... 100
Opening the cell beam part in custom component editor................................................................ 101
Creating a data file.......................................................................................................................... 102
Creating variables to control cell diameter and spacing ................................................................. 103
Creating variables to control the cell position ................................................................................. 106
Creating a variable to control the number of cells........................................................................... 107
Linking a variable to the beam profile ............................................................................................. 108
Testing the cell beam part............................................................................................................... 108
2.7 Nested custom connection .................................................................................................................. 109
Creating custom connection objects ............................................................................................... 109
Defining the custom connection...................................................................................................... 110
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 2
Opening the custom connection in custom component editor ....................................................... 112
Replacing the dummy part with the system component ................................................................. 113
Creating variables ........................................................................................................................... 115
Linking variables to control the plate properties.............................................................................. 116
Linking variables to control the bolt properties................................................................................ 117
Testing the nested custom connection ........................................................................................... 121
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 3
4 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
1 Introduction
Tekla Structures contains a set of tools for defining intelligent connections, parts, seams, and
details called custom components. You can create your own components, similar to Tekla
Structures system components.
The following custom component types can be created:
• connections
• parts
• details
• seams
Tekla Structures creates a dialog box for the custom component that you can easily customize if
required. You can create custom components either by exploding and modifying an existing
component or by creating the component objects individually. You can also edit custom
components to create intelligent custom components that automatically adjust to changes in the
model.
This advanced training manual consists of ten examples, seven steel detailing and three
concrete detailing, and frequently asked questions. The examples focus on creating intelligent
custom components that adjust to different situations.
The TS_Custom_Components_Advanced_Training.zip file contains example
models that include the necessary model objects so that you can start creating the custom
components right away.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 5
6 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
2 Creating steel custom
components
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 7
Editing the name and visibility of the distance variables (p. 13)
Testing a distance variable (p. 14)
Creating variables to control the profile and material of the gusset plate and base plate (p.
14)
Creating variables to control bolt size and bolt standard (p. 17)
Testing the lifting bracket detail (p. 18)
Changing a thumbnail image for the lifting bracket (p. 19)
Adding an image to the lifting bracket dialog box (p. 20)
Moving variables onto the image (p. 22)
Before you start, ensure that you have the example model
Lifting_Bracket open.
4. Click Next.
5. Select all the objects that belong to the detail (the two plates, bolts, holes, weld and
beam).
8 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
6. Click Next.
7. Select the beam as the main part.
8. Click Next.
9. Select the middle point of the beam as the insertion point.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 9
Opening the lifting bracket in custom component editor
Use the custom component editor to modify the custom component.
To open the lifting bracket in the custom component editor:
1. Right-click the custom component in the model.
2. Select Edit Custom Component in the list.
The custom component editor opens showing the custom component editor toolbar, the
component browser and four views of the custom component.
Creating distance variables to control the gusset plate shape and position
Bind the gusset plate handles to the base plate to create distance variables. You can use the
variables to control the shape and position of the gusset plate.
Before you start, ensure that the part representation is set to rendered.
Part surfaces and available planes can be selected only in rendered
views.
10 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
2. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (from left to right) to select all the gusset
plate handles.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 11
You can select either the Boundary planes or Outline planes option in
the custom component editor toolbar to be able to highlight and select
the base plate face.
6. Select both handles on the left side of the gusset plate and bind them to the left edge of
the base plate.
12 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
7. Select both handles on the right side of the gusset plate and bind them to the right edge
of the base plate.
You have created the required distance variables for the gusset plate.
You have created the required distance variables for the base plate.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 13
The Variables dialog box opens.
2. Change Visibility of the two 55 mm distances to Show.
The two variables are shown in the lifting bracket dialog box.
3. Change names for the two 55 mm distances in Label in dialog box.
4. Change Visibility to Hide for the rest of the distance variables.
Creating variables to control the profile and material of the gusset plate and
base plate
Create variables to control the profile and the material of the gusset plate and the base plate.
To create the variables:
1. Click Add in the Variables dialog box to create a new variable.
14 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
The variables created by the user get the prefix P (parameter).
5. Right-click Profile in the custom component browser and select Copy Value in the list.
6. In the Variables dialog box, paste the profile value to Formula of the new variable.
7. In the custom component browser, right-click gusset plate’s Profile and select Add
Equation in the list.
8. Enter P1 in Profile .
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 15
This links the P1 variable to the gusset plate’s profile.
9. Create a new variable in the Variables dialog box and link it to the gusset plate’s and
base plate’s material in the custom component browser.
10. Create a new variable and link it to the base plate’s profile in the custom component
browser.
16 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
You have created the variables that control the profile and the material of the gusset plate and
the base plate.
The bolt size and bolt standard variables must always have the same
prefix, otherwise they do not work. In this example, the prefix is P4 for
both.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 17
7. Link the variables to the bolt size and bolt standard in the custom component browser.
You have created the variables that control the bolt size and bolt standard.
18 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
4. Change the properties in the lifting bracket dialog box and click Modify to see the
changes in the model.
2. Click Tools > Screenshot > Custom... to open the Screenshot dialog box.
3. Click Pick view and select the view of the detail.
4. Select Print to file.
5. Click Options... to open the Screenshot Options dialog box.
6. Select White background and click OK.
7. Click Capture in the Screenshot dialog box.
8. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the model folder.
9. Browse to the screenshots folder under the model folder.
10. Convert the image into the 24-bit bitmap format by using an image editor.
11. Press Ctrl + F to open the component catalog.
12. Right-click the lifting bracket detail in the component catalog.
13. Select Change picture....
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 19
14. Browse to the screenshots folder, select the bitmap image and click OK.
The thumbnail image is changed in the component catalog.
The input (.inp) file controls the contents of the dialog box.
4. Use the example image (in the images_for_dialog_box folder under the model
folder) or create a new image and save the image to the ..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\nt\bitmaps folder.
20 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
5. Add the following line in the .inp file: picture("Lifting_Bracket", 260,
170)
Lifting_Bracket is the image name.
260, 170 is the image size.
6. Save the .inp file and then close and reopen the model to see the changes in the lifting
bracket dialog box.
To make the image visible, you need to edit the parameter rows to move them
downwards in the dialog box.
7. Edit the first parameter in the .inp file to look like this: parameter("Gusset plate
profile", "P1", profile, text, 10)
The last value (10) in the parameter row is the line number. One line is approximately 25
pixels high.
8. Save the .inp file and then close and reopen the model to see the changes in the lifting
bracket dialog box.
9. Change the line number for each parameter in the .inp file.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 21
10. Save the .inp file and then close and reopen the model to see the changes in the lifting
bracket dialog box.
22 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
4. Remove the label and change the position of the Dim 1 distance variable:
parameter("", "D1", distance, number, 80,140,80)
Label
X coordinate
Y coordinate
Length of text box
5. Save the .inp file and then close and reopen the model to see the changes in the lifting
bracket dialog box.
6. In the .inp file, remove the label and change the position of the Dim 2 distance
variable: parameter("", "D3", distance, number, 450,140,80)
7. Save the .inp file and then close and reopen the model to see the changes in the lifting
bracket dialog box.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 23
The distance variables are now correctly positioned.
24 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Creating variables to control the end plate width and thickness (p. 37)
Defining the end plate material (p. 39)
Adjusting the end plate to a new beam size (p. 40)
Creating variables to control the bolts (p. 43)
Defining bolt size and bolt standard (p. 45)
Defining bolt distances (p. 46)
Testing the end plate connection (p. 47)
Before you start, ensure that you have the example model End_Plate
open.
4. Click Next.
5. Select all the objects that belong to the connection.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 25
6. Click Next.
7. Select the first beam as the main part.
8. Click Next.
9. Select the second beam as the secondary part.
26 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
10. Click Finish.
Tekla Structures displays a component symbol for the new component and the end plate
connection is added to the component catalog.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 27
Creating distance variables to control the top notch
First create the distance variables that control the notch.
Before you start, ensure that the part representation is set to rendered.
Part surfaces and available planes can be selected only in rendered
views.
28 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
2. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (from left to right) to select all the handles
of the cut.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 29
You can select either the Boundary planes or Outline planes option in
the custom component editor toolbar to be able to highlight and select
the planes.
30 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
6. Select both front handles and bind them to the edge of the beam flange.
7. Select both rear handles and bind them to the beam web.
Make sure you have set the plane type as Outline planes.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 31
Editing the top notch distance variables
Edit the top notch distance variables to make some of them hidden in the end plate dialog box.
1. Click the Display variables button in the custom component editor toolbar.
The Variables dialog box opens and shows the distance variables that you have created
by binding the planes.
32 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Creating variables to control the notch depth and notch clearance
Create variables to control the notch depth and the notch clearance from the secondary beam
flange.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 33
6. Change Formula of variables D3 and D4 to =P1, and of variables D5 and D6 to =P2.
34 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
2. Bind the handle to the upper side of the beam.
3. Select the end plate bottom handle and bind the handle to the underside of the beam.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 35
4. Open the Variables dialog box and change Visibility of the new variables to Hide.
36 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
The plate upper side now automatically follows the notch depth and the plate underside
follows the beam depth.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 37
6. Select the end plate in the model to highlight it in the custom component browser.
7. To link variable P5 to Profile in the custom component browser, right-click Profile and
select Add Equation.
38 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
8. Set Profile to =P5.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 39
Adjusting the end plate to a new beam size
Link the end of the secondary beam to the end plate by binding the fitting to the end plate. Then
link the end plate to the main beam so that possible changes in plate or web thickness are taken
into account.
To adjust the end plate to a new beam size:
1. Select the fitting.
40 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
3. Select the plate to link the end plate to the main beam.
4. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (from left to right) to select both the end
plate handles.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 41
5. Bind the handles to the face of the main beam web.
42 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
6. To make the variables follow the end plate thickness, change Formula to =P4.
7. Change Visibility of variables D12 and D13 to Hide.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 43
3. Change Visibility of the new variable D14 to Hide.
44 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Defining bolt size and bolt standard
To define the bolt size and bolt standard:
1. Add two new variables.
2. For the first variable, change Value type and Label in dialog box to Bolt size.
3. For the second variable, change Value type and Label in dialog box to Bolt standard.
4. Copy bolt size and bolt standard values from the custom component browser to the
corresponding Formula.
5. Edit the variable names so that they have the same prefix.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 45
Bolt size and bolt standard variables must always have the same prefix,
otherwise they do not work. In this example, the prefix is P8 for both.
6. Link the variables to Size and Bolt standard in the custom component browser.
6. Link variable P9 to Bolt group distance x and variable P10 to Bolt group distance y in
the custom component browser.
46 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Testing the end plate connection
Save the end plate connection and then test it.
To test the end plate connection:
1. Save the connection and close the custom component editor.
2. Double-click the end plate in the model.
The end plate dialog box opens.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 47
3. Change the properties in the end plate dialog box and click Modify to see the changes in
the model.
48 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
The example consists of the following sections:
Defining a stiffener detail (p. 49)
Opening the skewed beam connection in custom component editor (p. 86)
Creating distance variables to control the stiffener shape (p. 51)
Creating distance variables to control the stiffener position (p. 55)
Creating variables to control the stiffener thickness (p. 56)
Testing the stiffener detail (p. 57)
Creating variables to control plate class and creation of stiffener plates (p. 58)
Adding a list in the stiffener dialog box (p. 59)
Adding images in the list (p. 61)
Dimming unavailable variables in the stiffener dialog box (p. 62)
Hiding unavailable variables in the stiffener dialog box (p. 63)
Before you start, ensure that you have the example model Stiffener
open.
4. Click Next.
5. Select the stiffeners and the beam as the objects that form the custom component.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 49
6. Click Next.
7. Select the beam as the main part.
8. Click Next.
9. Select the middle point of the beam as the reference point.
Switch to the plane view to select the middle point more easily.
50 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Creating distance variables to control the stiffener shape
Before you start, ensure that the part representation is set to rendered.
Part surfaces and available planes can be selected only in rendered
views.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 51
Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (left to right) to select the
handles.
52 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
7. Bind the handles to the face of the top flange.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 53
11. Bind the handles to the inside face of the top flange.
12. Select the stiffener on the left and create distance variables for the stiffener as in steps 3
to 10.
13. Open the Variables dialog box in the custom component editor.
14. Click Add to create a new variable.
15. Enter a name for the new variable in Label in dialog box.
16. Change Formula of the new variable to 10.
17. Change Formula to =P1 for the variables that got values during binding the handles.
This means that the P1 variable controls the distances of the variables.
18. Change Visibility of variable P1 to Show and the other variables to Hide.
54 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
You have now created distance variables that control the stiffener shape.
2. Bind the handles to the vertical plane using the Component planes option.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 55
You have now created distance variables that control the position of the stiffeners.
4. Select the beam in the custom component editor to highlight the beam (primary part) in
the custom component browser.
5. Right-click Web thickness of the primary part in the custom component browser and
select Copy Reference.
56 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
6. Paste the reference value to Formula after =1.5*.
This means that if P2 is less than 12 and greater than 10 then the thickness is 12. If P2 is
greater than 12 then the thickness is 16. If none of these conditions is met, the thickness
is 10.
9. Link variable P3 to Profile of both contour plates in the custom component browser.
You have now created and linked the required variables to control the stiffener thickness
according to the web thickness.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 57
To test the stiffener detail:
1. Save the detail and close the custom component editor.
2. Double-click the stiffener in the model.
The stiffener dialog box opens.
3. Test the stiffener with different values in the stiffener dialog box and by changing the
beam profile.
3. Link variables P5 and RightC to the right stiffener plate in the custom component
browser.
4. Link variables P6 and LeftC to the left stiffener plate in the custom component browser.
58 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Adding a list in the stiffener dialog box
Add a list in the stiffener dialog box to make selections more easily.
To add a list:
1. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the folder that contains the model folders.
2. Go to the CustomComponentDialogFiles folder.
3. Open the .inp file with a text editor.
The input (.inp) file controls the contents of the dialog box.
This means that the label Stiffener Type is displayed in the stiffener dialog box.
5. Add another attribute in the .inp file:
attribute("P4", "", option, "%s", none, none, "0.0", "0.0",
374,85,90)
{
value ("Left", 0)
value ("Right", 0)
value ("Both", 1)
}
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 59
This means that the list contains three options, and Both is the default value. The list
options are linked to variable P4 that controls the creation of the stiffener plates.
6. Delete the following parameter line:
parameter("Left(0)/Right(1)/Both(2)", "P4", integer, number, 2)
7. Edit the line numbers so that there are no empty rows between the variables in the dialog
box.
60 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Adding images in the list
Add images in the list to replace text with easy-to-understand images.
To add the images:
1. Use the example images (in the images_for_dialog_box folder under the model
folder) or create new images and save the images in the ..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\nt\bitmaps folder.
The images that are used in custom component dialog boxes must be in
the bitmap (.bmp) format.
2. Click File > Open Model Folder to open the model folder.
3. Go to the CustomComponetDialogFiles folder.
4. Open the .inp file with a text editor.
5. Change the option texts of the list to the filenames of the images.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 61
7. To see the changes in the stiffener dialog box, re-open the model and double-click the
stiffener.
62 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
The logic is the following:
Selecting CC_left returns value 0, CC_right returns 1 and CC_both
returns 2.
toggle_field:RightC=0
When 0 (left) is selected, RightC is dimmed.
toggle_field:LeftC=1
When 1 (right) is selected, LeftC is dimmed.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 63
Adding the exclamation marks in the conditions determines that the
unavailable variables are hidden instead of dimmed.
64 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
A custom part creates a group of objects which may contain connections
and details. A custom part gets no symbol and has same position
properties as beams.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 65
Defining a ladder part
Before you start, ensure that you have the example model Ladder open.
4. Click Next.
5. Select all the objects that belong to the part.
66 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
6. Click Next.
7. Select the grid intersection as the first position and the second position 4200 mm above
the first.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 67
8. Click Finish to finish defining the part.
Tekla Structures displays a component symbol for the new component and the ladder
part is added to the component catalog.
68 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Creating distance variables to control the ladder length
A custom part which has not been edited appears in its predefined size
despite the points picked for creating it.
To control the ladder height with the second input point, bind the stringer
top handles to the component plane.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 69
2. Select both stringers.
3. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (left to right) to select both stringer
handles.
70 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
2. Click Add four times to create four new variables.
3. Rename the new variables, change their visibility and change the Value type to Number
for variable P4.
4. Right-click one of the stringers in the custom component editor and select Inquire in the
list.
5. Copy the stringer ID value in the Inquire Object dialog box.
6. Change Formula to =fTpl("LENGTH",<stringer ID>) for variable Stringer
Length.
Always check the ID number of the object that you use with the
reference function.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 71
The formula counts the number of rungs. First, the rung spacing and distance to the first
rung is subtracted from the stringer length. Then the remaining value is divided by the
rung spacing and rounded down by using the floor() function.
9. Link variables P3 and P4 to the properties of the Array of objects component in the
custom component browser.
You have created the variables that control the number and spacing of the rungs.
72 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
3. Bind the handles to the component plane at the bottom of the stringers.
4. Change Formula to =P2 for the two new variables and hide both variables.
You have created the variables that control the bottom rung offset.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 73
4. Select both the stringers and the bottom rung in the custom component editor.
5. Hold-down the Alt key and use area selection (left to right) to select the handles.
74 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
You have created the variables that control the ladder width.
3. Copy the rung and stringer profile values from the custom component browser and paste
them to corresponding Formula of the new variables.
4. Link variable P6 to both stringers and variable P7 to the bottom rung in the custom
component browser.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 75
You have created the variables that control the stringer and rung profiles.
The variable automatically receives the suffix _name when Value type
is set to Component name.
4. Right-click Name under Connection in the custom component browser and select Copy
Value in the list.
76 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
You have created the variable that controls the connections between the stringers and rungs.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 77
3. Edit the image in an image editor.
The first pixel in the top left corner of a bitmap must be of the same color
(gray) as the background of the dialog box.
4. Save the image as a bitmap file (file extension .bmp) in the ..\Tekla
Structures\<version>\nt\bitmaps folder.
78 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
The input (.inp) file controls the contents of the dialog box.
Image name
Image width
Image height
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 79
X distance from left edge of dialog
Y distance from top edge of dialog
The number of parameter rows affects the size of the dialog box. A tab
page can contain 25 parameter rows. If there are more than 25 visible
parameter rows, Tekla Structures creates another tab page.
80 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
X coordinate
Y coordinate
Length of text box
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 81
Renaming and adding a tab page
Rename a tab page and add another to the ladder part dialog box.
To rename and add a tab page:
1. Open the input file with a text editor.
2. Replace the text Parameters 1 with Picture in the tab_page row.
82 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Testing changes in the ladder part dialog box
To test the changes:
1. Enter Standard in the Save as box in the dialog box.
2. Click Save as to save the default values.
3. Change values in the dialog box and click Modify to see the changes in the ladder part.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 83
Creating a variable to control the plate profile (p. 89)
Creating variables to control the vertical position of the plate and bolts (p. 90)
Creating variables to fix the plate on the beams (p. 92)
Creating a dummy part and variables to control the plate length (p. 94)
Testing the skewed beam connection (p. 99)
Before you start, ensure that you have the example model
Skewed_Beam open.
3. Click Next.
4. Select all the objects (plates, bolts, weld, fitting and beams) that belong to the
component.
84 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
5. Click Next.
6. Select the first beam as the main part.
7. Click Next.
8. Select the second beam as the secondary part.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 85
Opening the skewed beam connection in custom component editor
Use the custom component editor to modify the skewed beam connection.
To open the skewed beam in the custom component editor:
1. Right-click the skewed beam connection in the model.
2. Select Edit Custom Component in the list.
The custom component editor opens showing the custom component editor toolbar, the
component browser and four views of the custom component.
86 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Creating variables to control clearance from the beam flange
Create variables to control the clearance from the beam flange so that it maintains its value if
the slope of the beam changes.
Before you start, ensure that the part representation is set to rendered.
Part surfaces and available planes can be selected only in rendered
views.
2. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (left to right) to select all the fitting
handles.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 87
4. Select Boundary planes in the Custom component editor toolbar.
5. Move the pointer over the main beam face to highlight it.
10. Change Formula to 10 and enter Clearance in Label in dialog box for the new
variable.
88 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
11. Change Formula to =P1 for the three distance variables to link them to variable P1.
You have created the variables that control the beam flange clearance.
4. Select the plate in the custom component editor to highlight it in the custom component
browser.
5. Browse to Profile under Part (the plate) in the custom component browser.
6. Right-click Profile and select Add Equation in the list.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 89
7. Enter P2 to link the profile to variable P2.
You have created the variable that controls the plate profile.
Creating variables to control the vertical position of the plate and bolts
To create the variables:
1. Select the plate.
2. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (left to right) to select the plate handles.
90 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Dimensions appear in the custom component editor view.
4. Change Visibility of the two new variable to Hide.
5. Click Add to create a new variable.
6. Change Formula to 50 and enter Beam Top to Plate in Label in dialog box.
7. Link distance variables D4 and D5 to variable P3.
You have created the variables that control the vertical position of the plate.
8. Select Center planes in the toolbar.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 91
11. Bind the handles to the plate center.
You have created the variables that control the vertical position of the bolts.
92 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
3. Select both plate handles and bind them to the outline plane of the secondary beam web.
There are now three new distance variables in the Variables dialog box.
4. Change Visibility of the three new variables to Hide.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 93
5. Browse to Flange thickness1 under Part (plate) in the component browser.
6. Right-click Flange thickness1 and select Copy Reference in the list.
A warning about cycle may appear. You can ignore the warning.
You have created the variables that fix the plate on the beams. The plate now maintains its
position relative to the face of both beams, even if the slope of the beam or the thickness of the
plate changes.
94 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
1. Create a concrete beam in the position as instructed in the images below.
2. Bind both handles of the concrete beam to the web of the secondary beam.
3. Bind both handles of the concrete beam to the flange of the main beam.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 95
4. Change Visibility to Hide for the four new variables.
5. Change Formula to =P1 for the variable that controls the distance between the concrete
beam start point and the main beam flange.
6. Click Refresh in the custom component browser to show the dummy part in the
browser.
7. Set Creation to =0 for the concrete beam in the custom component browser.
96 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
Now the concrete beam does not appear in the model.
8. Select the plate and the bolts.
9. Bind the three handles to the start face of the concrete beam as shown below.
Hide the main beam to see the start face of the concrete beam.
10. Change Visibility to Hide for the three new distance variables.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 97
13. Change Formula values for distance variables D15, D16 and D17 to link the distance
variables to variables P4, P5 and P6.
14. Link the Bolt Spacing variable to the bolt group in the custom component browser.
18. Link the three new variables to the bolt properties in the custom component browser.
98 TEKLA STRUCTURES 17
You have created the dummy part and the variables that control the beam length.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 17 99
2.6 Cell beam part
In this example you create a data file that contains information on cell diameter and cell
spacing. Then you edit the custom component to read the information from the data file. As a
result, when you change the beam profile, cell diameter and spacing are changed accordingly.
Before you start, ensure that you have the example model Cell_Beam
open.
Enter a space at the end of each row. Otherwise the information is not
read correctly.
3. Save the data file with the extension .dat in the model folder.
7. Select the part cut in the custom component editor to highlight it in the custom
component browser.
8. Right-click Profile under Part cut in the custom component browser and select Add
Equation in the list.
This means that the profile gets value D150 with the current variable values.
10. Link variable P2 to dist_between_elem under Component in the custom component
browser.
You have created the variable that controls the number of cells.
4. Change the beam profile and click Modify to see the changes.
The cell diameter and spacing should change automatically.
3. Create a dummy concrete beam as a temporary connection between the steel beam and
column.
The dummy part is needed because you can not create a custom
connection directly from another connection. You can later replace the
dummy part with a system component.
6. Click Next.
7. Select the column as the main part.
6. Click Refresh to see the nested connection in the custom component browser.
Creating variables
Create variables that you want to show in the nested custom connection dialog box.
To create the variables:
1. Click the Display variables button in the custom component editor toolbar to open the
Variables dialog box.
You added the end plate connection using the default properties, because
they are not shown in the custom component browser. You can now
change the properties of the nested system component one by one and
check the changes in the custom component browser. This way it is
easier to link the variables to the correct component properties.
4. Click Modify.
5. Check General properties under Connection in the custom component browser.
6. Click Refresh.
7. Look for the newly visible property under General properties.
9. Enter P1.
Variable P1 is now linked to the plate thickness property of the nested system
component.
10. Change the end plate width in the End plate (144) dialog box and click Modify.
11. Refresh the custom component browser and look for the newly visible property.
12. Link variable P2 to bpl1.
Variable P2 is now linked to the plate width property of the nested system component.
3. Refresh the custom component browser and look for the newly visible property.
4. Link variable P3_diameter to diameter.
5. Change Bolt standard in the End plate (144) dialog box and click Modify.
6. Refresh the custom component browser and look for the newly visible property.
7. Link variable P3_screwdin to screwdin.
9. Refresh the custom component browser and look for the newly visible property.
10. Link variable P4 to rb1 and lba.
11. Change the bolt horizontal spacing in the End plate (144) dialog box and click Modify.
12. Refresh the custom component browser and look for the newly visible property.
13. Link variable P5 to lwd.
15. Refresh the custom component browser and look for the newly visible property.
16. Link variable P6 to nb.
17. Change the bolt vertical spacing in the End plate (144) dialog box and click Modify.
Before you start, ensure that you have the example model
Sandwich_Panel open.
4. Select the outer panel in the model to highlight it in the custom component browser.
5. Copy the profile value of the outer panel from the custom component browser, and add it
to Formula of P1.
6. Copy the profile values of the insulation and inner panel from the custom component
browser, and add them to Formula of P2 and P3.
5. To link variables of outer, inner and insulation layers to the appropriate materials in the
custom component browser, right-click Material and select Add Equation.
5. Change the properties in the sandwich panel dialog box and click Modify to see the
changes in the model.
A custom seam creates seam objects and connects parts along their
length and along a line picked with two points.
The component symbol is green.
Before you start, ensure that you have the example model
Panel_to_Panel open.
4. Click Next.
5. Select all the objects that belong to the custom seam.
Before you start, ensure that the part representation is set to rendered.
Part surfaces and available planes can be selected only in rendered
views.
To create distance variables to control the tubes, reinforcing bars and cuts:
1. Select the tube, reinforcing bar and cuts at one end of the panel.
2. Hold down the Alt key and use area selection (from left to right) to select all the end
handles.
Before you start, ensure that you have the example model Precast_Base
open.
4. Click Next.
5. Select all the objects that belong to the precast base connection, including fittings and
cuts.
Before you start, ensure that the part representation is set to rendered.
Part surfaces and available planes can be selected only in rendered
views.
You now have 18 distance variables that control the positioning of the column shoe,
anchor bolt and cut at the corner.
9. Click the Display variables button in the custom component editor toolbar to open the
Variables dialog box.
2. Change Value type and Label in dialog box for the new variable.
3. Select the column shoe at the corner for which you created the distance variables.
The column shoe (component) is highlighted in the custom component browser.
6. Right-click Name under Component in the custom component browser and select Add
Equation in the list.
7. Enter P1_name.
3. Select the anchor bolt at the corner for which you created the distance variables.
The anchor bolt (component) is highlighted in the custom component browser.
4. Right-click Name under Component in the custom component browser and select Copy
Value in the list.
6. Link variable P2_name to the anchor bolt name in the custom component browser.
3. Change Formula to =P3 for the variable with the longer distance between the cut handle
and the pad footing.
Select a distance variable in the Variables dialog box to show the related
distance in the custom component editor views.
You have created the variable that controls the height of the cut.
4. Click Add to create a new variable.
5. Change Formula, Value type and Label in dialog box for the new variable.
6. Select the cut at the corner to highlight the cut in the custom component browser.
3. Change Formula to =P5 for the two variables that control the distance between the bolt
handles and the pad footing.
You have created the variable that controls the anchor bolt height.
3. Link the anchor bolt component as instructed in Creating a variable to control the
component type of the anchor bolt (p. 160).
4. Link the cut profile and height as instructed in Creating variables to control the cut
size (p. 161).
5. Link the bolt height as instructed in Creating a variable to control the anchor bolt
height (p. 162).
This section contains answers to frequently asked questions about custom components. The
questions and answers are divided to the following categories:
General (p. 165)
Creating distance variables (binding) (p. 166)
Editing variables (p. 167)
Custom component browser (p. 169)
Editing an input file (p. 170)
4.1 General
Question 1 Are there "best methods" how to create custom components?
Not really. However, multiplication is faster than division. For example, P1*0.5 is faster than
P1/2.
Question 2 Can I change the settings of the custom component editor views?
Yes. Click View > View Properties...to open the View Properties dialog box and change the
settings as required. Then save the settings with the name that corresponds with the custom
component editor view that you want to modify:
• custom_object_editor_front_view
• custom_object_editor_end_view
• custom_object_editor_top_view
• custom_object_editor_perspective_view
Boundary planes work for most profile types, so try to use them rather
than outline planes whenever you can.
Question 5 What does the Add fixed distance command do on the custom component editor toolbar?
With the command you select the plane first and then the handle or chamfer to bind.
Question 6 What does the Create distance variables automatically command do on the custom
component editor toolbar?
The command automatically binds the selected part to their handles’ contact planes. Tekla
Structures selects planes in the following order:
1. construction planes
2. planes of main and secondary parts
Question 3 Is there a limit to the length of the variable label (Label in dialog box)?
Yes, the limit is 30 characters. You can add more characters in an input file, if required.
Question 4 I want to have two separate values for the plate width and plate thickness. How can I use these
values to make a profile name, for example PLT200*100? How do I stop the values from
having decimals?
Use the int() function to convert decimal numbers to integers.
In the example below, P2 is the plate width and P3 is the plate thickness. Use the following
formula to make the profile:
="PLT"+int(P2)+"*"+int(P3)"
Question 2 Is there any way to show user-defined attributes in the custom component browser?
Yes, you need to change the required value from the default setting. The default values are not
shown in the custom component browser.
Question 2 Why can I not use Tab 4 when I edit an input file?
Tab 4 is reserved for the General tab.