Challenge

To plan a structural layout and to create grids using TSD

NNivethitha Natrayan28 Jan 2023

Tekla Structural Designer

1.Aim:

To get to know and summarize the user interface in Tekla Structural Designer (TSD).

Procedure:

Open the TEKLA software.
Go to file -> new
Varies items in the TSD interface is discussed below:
Project Workspace:
The Project Workspaceis a central location of organizing the entire model into a hierarchical structure. It is highlighted below.
It gives the information about the levels, sub models, sub structure, etc.
Expand with the help of right click to the view the select the options.
Scene Content:
The Scene Contentsidebar on the right side of the screen is used to control the displayed content in the 2D and 3D Scene Views.
Click and drag to the left to expand the view.
Click the arrow at the sides of the categories to view the drop-down sub-categories
Check boxes are available to enable and disable the respective entities.

To create two scene views:

2D views, 3D views and solver views, of the model, sub models, frames, construction levels and individual members can be displayed in tabbed windows.
For example, select grid lines in the ribbon tool draw and draw horizontal and vertical grid lines.
Select structure 3D to view 3D
Select St.Base to view 2D.
Loading drop list:
The Loadinglist is permanently docked at the bottom edge of the main window.
It helps for selecting a specific load case or load combination to the structure to add loads.
The above listed loads are default in the drop down list.
Properties windows:
The Propertieswindow facilitates the input, review and editing of model properties.

The Properties window is used to:

input data when a command is run from a toolbar.
review or edit existing properties when individual or multiple items are selected in the active scene view.
review or edit properties when a branch of the Propertieswindow is selected.

The properties displayed vary according to the selection. You can edit all of the properties, unless they are greyed out.

For instance, if the particular entity is selected in workspace the respective property will be displayed in the property window, which can be edited.

Result:

Hence the above-mentioned items are summarized.

2.Aim:

To Create a new file in TSD and set up the settings for a steel building to have member grade FE410 and concrete grade of M30 as per IS codes. The covers for the members to be as per the following input: -

MEMBERS	IN CONTACT WITH GROUND	ABOVE GROUND
Column	50mm	40mm
Slab	30mm	25mm
Pile cap	75mm
Foundation	50mm

Procedure:

Open TEKLA software.
Go to file -> New.
In the Ribbon tab select Materials icon.
Under Material option select the material type- steel as FE410 with the above settings.
Change the material type as concrete and select M30.
Click close.
Go to Home tab -> settings icon
Select structural default in the option and give the cover value for the members under Default type as S.S.L
Change the Default type as T.O.F to view the value.
Click ok

Result:

Hence the set up for the steel building is done as mentioned above.

Aim:

To create the location of columns and beams and develop a hand sketch for each plan with reference to the input drawing as per Attachment 1, 1.1, and 1.2 of the steel building plans.

Procedure:

Open given attachment 1, 1.1, and 1.2.
Copy it to the paint to draw the rough sketch of location of the beams and columns.
Create the beams in straight path for the load transfer from one end to the another end without any disconnection.
Have columns at the 4 corners and the intersection of the beams for the support as shown below.
Attachment 1:
Attachment 1.1:
Attachment 1.2:

Result:

The rough sketch of beams and columns are shown in the above plan and elevation view.

4.Aim:

To model grid lines and construction levels as per Attachment 1. 1.1 and 1.2.

Procedure:

Open the Tekla software interface.
Under Home tab select Settings icon.
In the settings dialog box select units as metric
Click ok.
To Create construction levels:
Go to Model tab -> Construction level
Select insert above to add levels
Edit the names and heights as mentioned in the plan and elevation as shown below.
To create Grid lines:
Go to Grid line icon and draw the first vertical grid 1 with the following settings in the property window.
Select Parallel quick option under grids and give distance after clicking the reference grid line 1.
Like wise create the horizontal grid line A as reference line and create the rest of the grid lines as per the drawings.
Click Dimension icon to create the dimension between two lines as shown below.