This section explains some of the basic concepts and procedures you need to know to get started with structural analysis in Tekla Structures. Connect Tekla Structures to the analysis application (page 12) Structural analysis workflow in Tekla Structures (page 13).
What is an analysis model
Analysis line An analysis object that Tekla Structures creates from a physical part (beam, column or brace) or from a subsegment. Analysis node An analysis object that Tekla Structures creates at a defined point in an analysis model based on analysis part connection.
About analysis applications
Link Tekla Structures with an analysis application
NOTE If you need to uninstall and reinstall Tekla Structures and/or the analysis application for any reason, you must also reinstall the link after installing Tekla Structures and/or the analysis application.
Structural analysis workflow in Tekla Structures
Import the calculation results into Tekla Structures, examine them (page 109) and use them, for example, in connection design. If the analysis results required changes to the model in the analysis application, import the changes into Tekla Structures.
Set the load modeling code
Tekla Structures saves the settings in the \attributes folder under the current model folder with the filename extension .opt. To use the saved settings later, select the settings file name in the Load list, and then click Load.
Group loads together
Load group properties (page 103) Set the current load group (page 20) Load group compatibility (page 20) Delete a load group (page 21). Create or modify a load group (page 18) Work with taxes and load groups (page 41) Load group properties (page 103).
Create loads
Uniform Load Properties (page 107) Define properties of a load (page 22) Link loads to parts or locations (page 32). Temperature Load Properties (page 108) Define Properties of a Load (page 22) Link Loads to Parts or Locations (page 32).
Attach loads to parts or locations
Change the loaded length or area of a load (page 35) Change the distribution of a load (page 36). Modify the position or layout of a load (page 38) Move a load end or corner using handles (page 40).
Apply loads to parts
In addition to selection filters or part name filters, you can use a load's bounding box to search for the parts that carry the load. You can define the dimensions of a bounding box in the x, y, and z directions of the current work plane.
Change the loaded length or area of a load
Offset distances (page 35) from the reference line or area do not affect the size of the bounding box.
Modify the distribution of a load
If Auto Weight on Primary Axis is Yes, the ratios are proportional to the cube of the span lengths in these two directions. If Auto Weight on Primary Axis is No, the specified Weight value (0.50 in this example) is used to distribute the load.
Modify the location or layout of a load
Move a load end or corner using handles
Scale loads in model views
Check loads and load groups
You can create reports of loads and load groups, and use them to check load and load group information. When you select a row that contains an ID number in a load report, Tekla Structures highlights and selects the corresponding load in the model.
Move loads to another load group
Export load groups
Import load groups
Create the analysis models so that they contain only the most important structural parts that you need to analyze and design.
Objects included in analysis models
Check which objects are included in an analysis model (page 52) Change the content of an analysis model (page 53). Remove objects from an analysis model (page 60) Modify the contents of an analysis model (page 53).
Create an analysis model
If you want to create an analysis model for specific parts, select them in the model. See which objects are included in an analysis model (page 52) Change the properties of an analysis model (page 53).
Check which objects are included in an analysis model
This section explains how to change analysis models and how to work with analysis model objects.
Modify the properties of an analysis model
Click OK in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box to save the rules as properties of the current analysis model. Click OK in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box to save the rules as properties of the current analysis model.
Add objects to an analysis model
Remove objects from an analysis model
Create an analysis node
The node is located on an analysis component, but does not connect it to other analysis components. Create a analysis node (page 61) Analysis node properties (page 137) Analysis model objects (page 9) Merge analysis nodes (page 63).
Create a rigid link
Merge analysis nodes
Modify properties of an analysis part (page 66) Define end releases and support conditions (page 68) Define design properties for analysis parts (page 71) Define location of analysis parts (page 75).
About analysis part properties
These default analysis properties override the current analysis properties and will be used when you add the part to an analysis model. When you create analysis models and then view the analysis properties of a part, Tekla Structures displays the properties according to the selected analysis model.
Modify the properties of an analysis part
If you have previously modified the analysis properties of this part, Tekla Structures displays these default analysis properties in the Part Analysis Properties dialog box (for example, Beam Analysis Properties). If you have not modified the analysis properties of this part, Tekla Structures displays the current analysis properties in the Part Analysis Properties dialog box (for example, Beam Analysis Properties - Current Properties).
Define end releases and support conditions
Before you begin, in the Analysis and Design Models dialog box, select the analysis model in which you want to define the support conditions. If you do not want to display the support condition symbols in model views, set the variable XS_AD_SUPPORT_VISUALIZATION to FALSE in the File menu --> Settings --> Advanced Options --> Analysis & Design.
Define design properties for analysis parts
Before you begin, in the Analysis and Design Models dialog box, select the analysis model in which you want to modify the analysis part properties. Before you begin, in the Analysis & Design Models dialog box, select the analysis model in which you want to define the buckling lengths.
Define the location of analysis parts
In the Analysis and Design Models dialog box, select the analysis model in which you want to change the properties of analysis parts. Offsets move the analysis part from the default location of the analysis axis.
Copy an analysis part
If you have changed the location of analysis parts with handles, you can reset selected analysis parts to default analysis settings. In the Analysis & Design Models dialog box, select the analysis model in which you want to reset the parts.
Delete an analysis part
The combination of loads is a process in which some simultaneously operating groups of loads are multiplied by their partial safety factors and combined with each other according to special rules. Load combination rules are specific to the design process and are defined in building or design codes.
About load combinations
This is an increasing number, based on the order in which load combinations are created in the analysis model. You can set Tekla Structures to automatically create load combinations, or you can create and edit them manually.
Create load combinations automatically
If the analysis model has imperfection loads, Tekla Structures automatically creates load combinations with both the positive and negative directions (x and -x, or y and -y). Set the load modeling code (page 16) Load combination factors (page 113) Load combination types (page 113) Create a load combination (page 82) Modify a load combination (page 83) Delete load combinations (page 85).
Create a load combination
Modify a load combination
Copy load combinations between analysis models
Delete load combinations
This section explains how to export, import, merge, and view analysis and design models, and how to save and view analysis results. Export a model from Tekla Structures to an analysis application (page 89) Import changes from Tekla Structural Designer to an analysis model (page 92) Merge analysis models using analysis applications (page 96).
Check warnings about an analysis model
Tekla Structures displays a warning dialog box listing the problem types encountered when creating the analysis model. If you select a row with an object ID, Tekla Structures highlights and selects the corresponding object in the model, such as an analysis part, beam or node, a load, or a physical part.
Export a model from Tekla Structures to an analysis application
A Tekla Structural Designer model file (.tsmd) is created in the folder you specified with the file name you specified. Working with analysis and design models 92 Import changes from Tekla Structural Designer to an analysis model.
Import changes from Tekla Structural Designer to an analysis model
Click Select, then select a location for the import model's datum point in the Tekla Structures model. Structures model, but which are not in the import file, select the Delete current objects check box.
Merge analysis models using analysis applications
The prefix distinguishes objects created in Tekla Structures from objects created in SAP2000. Tekla Structures merges the models the next time you export a Tekla Structures analysis model to SAP2000 to perform an analysis.
Save analysis results
When you merge a new analysis model, change the other analysis model properties as necessary. You can save the results per part in a calculation model or for specific parts.
View the analysis results of a part
After performing the analysis, you can save the maximum axial force, shear force, and bending moment at the ends of the part as user-defined attributes in the part properties. To save results for specific parts, select the parts in the physical model and then click Get Results for Selected.
Show analysis class in model views
Show analysis bar, member, and node numbers
Show the utilization ratio of parts
Save analysis results as part user-defined attributes (page 109) View the analysis results of a part (page 109). This section provides information about the various analysis and design settings that you can change in Tekla Structures.
Load group properties
Type The type of a load group is the type of action that triggers the loads. Direction The direction of a load group is the global direction of action that causes the loads.
Load properties
Use the Surface Load Properties dialog box to view and modify surface load properties. Use the Uniform Load Properties dialog box to view and modify uniform load properties.
Load combination properties
In the load combination process, Tekla Structures uses partial safety factors and, for example, reduction factors for load groups to generate the load. Normal Loads Combines load groups and uses factors according to the French CM66 or BAEL91 codes.
Analysis model properties
Analysis Application The analysis application (page 12) or format used in the analysis of the analysis model. Defines whether the changed analysis model is merged with the previously exported model in the analysis application.
Analysis part properties
Top left The analysis axis is located at the top. left corner of the part. Bottom right The analysis axis is located in the. lower right corner of the part.
Analysis node properties
Rotation If you selected Custom node supports, you can define the rotation of the node. If you select Rotated, you can define the rotation, or you can set the rotation according to the current work plan by clicking Set rotation according to the current work plan.
Analysis rigid link properties
Define the translational (U) and rotational (R) degrees of freedom (displacements and rotations) of the node in the global x, y, and z directions. Start or End Defines which of the predefined or custom release combinations is used for a hard link start or end.
Analysis bar position properties
Analysis area position properties
Analysis area edge properties
All information detailed in this manual is provided with the warranty as detailed in the license agreement. The elements of the software described in this manual are protected by various patents and possibly pending patent applications in the United States and/or other countries.
