Tekla Structural Designer Overview

Tekla Structural Designer Overview

• Tekla Structures is a building information modeling (BIM) software
• It can model different building materials (steel, concrete, timber, glass)
• 3D modeling, 2D drawings and access to building information are possible
• Used in construction industry for steel and concrete detailing
• Precast and cast-in-situ work are supported
• Automated creation of shop drawings
• Available in various configurations and localizations

Software Interface

• Single user interface for multi-material models
• Building, analysis and report generation capabilities integrated in a single program
• Ribbon interface with tabs for different functions (Model, Load, Analyze, Design, Report etc)
• Quick Access Toolbar
• File ribbon for basic actions (new, open, save, exit) and recent documents
• Information bar displaying active command and next steps

Basic Functionality

• Select mode for editing existing items
• Selecting elements by left-clicking, or holding Ctrl+left-click for adding to selection
• Multiple selections by dragging a selection window
• Deleting elements by clicking the Delete button
• Navigating scene view by using zoom, pan, and rotate tools
• Exiting a command using Esc key
• Project Workspace: multiple tabs for structuring information (Structure, Loading, Status)

Modeling Hints & Tips

• Managing models: Define and modify head/design codes, units, object references, and attributes
• Editing the model: Copying, moving, mirroring, deleting/joining members, reversing members/panel faces, removing unused features, rationalizing, adding free points
• Editing entity properties using the Properties window or dialog box; editing properties for multiple entities
• Validation: Validation process, how to perform manual validation, how to suppress validation issues, list of validation issues

Exercise Details

• Example Exercise:
  • Structural details: Design code, dimensional properties (bays, floors, walls, columns, beams), concrete grade.
  • Loading details (loads, load cases, self-weight etc): Loads applied to various elements in the structural model for analysis and design

Modeling - Creating Elements

• Creating new models: Setting and materials, model settings
• Defining construction levels: Controls the placement of elements and determining their relative position to each other. Includes parameters for type, spacing, floor indication, and slab thickness
• Inserting architectural grid lines: Defines a structure's grid, allowing the efficient placement of elements
• Inserting additional grid lines: Creates diagonal grid lines to complete the model.
• Creating concrete walls (using Concrete Meshed Wall): Defining wall properties (thickness) and placing the walls on grid intersections
• Creating concrete columns: Method of placing concrete columns (Pick Point 1)

Modeling - Loads and Combinations

• Load Cases: Creating load cases using the Loadcase command, including default cases.
• Applying loads: Selecting load cases, assigning load type, defining directions and magnitude, and applying loads to the model using the Properties window
• Load Combinations: Creating load combinations; choosing required load cases for the combinations.
• Load Envelopes: Creating load envelopes; choosing load combinations for the envelopes.
• (Example data for this model): Loading details (loads, load cases, self-weight etc): Loads applied to various elements in the structural model for analysis and design

Analysis and Design

• Analysis and design settings: Configure analysis settings (modification factors, bar sizes, minimum spacing, etc) before running analyses
• Analysis and Design: Running design processes; reviewing analysis results.
• Reviewing design status: Review the elements status (Pass, fail or warnings) in a different view
• Designing & checking individual elements: Using 'Interactive Design' to design and check single elements (beams, columns).
• Slab design: Creating slabs and setting parameters, using one/two way slab commands
• Concrete beam design: Creating concrete beams, using Create Cast-In-Place Concrete Beam, controlling properties like size, covers, and releases.

Detail Drawings

• Drawing settings: Controlling drawing settings, including information that is displayed, colours, sections, labels and dimensions
• Generating frame element detail drawings: Methods for generating detail drawings of individual elements, including specifications for file names and locations
• Creating schedules: Creating schedules for beams, columns, and walls

Reports and Integration

• Generating reports: Using the report commands to generate reports
• Managing reports and their content: Editing standard reports or creating custom reports
• Integrating the model: The ability to import and export models in various file formats (3D DXF, .TEL formats)

Foundations

• Different Foundation Options (Pad Footings, Strip Footings, Pile Caps, Mat Foundations, Piled Mat Foundations)
• Modeling and designing different types of foundations
• Modeling of Pad Footings, Pile Caps, and Piled Matt Foundations
• Designing Pad Footings, pile caps
• Reviewing properties, such as auto design depth, size etc
• Foundation Report (pile caps)