Tekla 15 - Analysis Manual

Tekla Structures
Analysis Manual
Product version 15.0 January 2009

2009 Tekla Corporation
2009 Tekla Corporation and its licensors. All rights reserved. This Software Manual has been developed for use with the referenced Software. Use of the Software, and use of this Software Manual are governed by a License Agreement. Among other provisions, the License Agreement sets certain warranties for the Software and this Manual, disclaims other warranties, limits recoverable damages, defines permitted uses of the Software, and determines whether you are an authorized user of the Software. All information set forth in this manual is provided with the warranty set forth in the License Agreement. Please refer to the License Agreement for important obligations and applicable limitations and restrictions on your rights. Tekla does not guarantee that the text is free of technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Tekla reserves the right to make changes and additions to this manual due to changes in the software or otherwise. In addition, this Software Manual is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. Unauthorized reproduction, display, modification, or distribution of this Manual, or any portion of it, may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and will be prosecuted to the full extent permitted by law. Tekla, Tekla Structures, Xcity, Xengineer, Xpipe, Xroad, Xpower, Xsteel, and Xstreet are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Tekla Corporation in the European Union, the United States, and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned in this Manual are or may be trademarks of their respective owners. By referring to a third-party product or brand, Tekla does not intend to suggest an affiliation with or endorsement by such third party and disclaims any such affiliation or endorsement, except where otherwise expressly stated. Portions of this software: D-Cubed 2D DCM 2008 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software III (GB) Ltd. All rights reserved. EPM toolkit 1995-2004 EPM Technology a.s., Oslo, Norway. All rights reserved. XML parser 1999 The Apache Software Foundation. All rights reserved. Project Data Control Library 2006 - 2007 DlhSoft. All rights reserved. DWGdirect, DGNdirect and OpenDWG Toolkit/Viewkit libraries 1998-2005 Open Design Alliance. All rights reserved. FLEXnet Copyright 2006 Acresso Software Inc. All Rights Reserved. This product contains proprietary and confidential technology provided by and owned by Acresso Software Inc. Of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Any use, copying, publication, distribution, display, modification, or transmission of such technology in whole or in part in any form or by any means without the prior express written permission of Acresso Software Inc. is strictly prohibited. Except where expressly provided by Acresso Software Inc. in writing, possession of this technology shall not be construed to confer any license or rights under any of Acresso Softwares intellectual property rights, whether by estoppel, implication, or otherwise. The software is protected by U.S. Patent 7,302,368. Also elements of the software described in this Manual may be the subject of pending patent applications in the European Union and/or other countries including U.S. patent applications 2004031231, 2004267695, 2005285881, 2006000484 and 200613639.
Contents
Preface ...............................................................................................................7
Audience ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 Additional help resources .................................................................................................................................... 7 Conventions used in this guide ........................................................................................................................... 8 Related guides .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Getting Started with Analysis................................................................. 11

1.1 Basics ................................................................................................................................................... 11 Following through structural analysis ............................................................................................... 13 Members, elements, and nodes....................................................................................................... 13 1.2 Determining member properties ........................................................................................................... 14 Member analysis type ...................................................................................................................... Member axis location ....................................................................................................................... Analysis member offsets .................................................................................................................. Analysis properties of plates ............................................................................................................ Spanning ................................................................................................................................... Loading ...................................................................................................................................... Analysis offsets of plates ........................................................................................................... Analysis properties of components .................................................................................................. Analysis properties of slab components........................................................................................... Analyzing composite beams ............................................................................................................ Viewing analysis results ............................................................................................................ Manual method - limitations ...................................................................................................... Support conditions ........................................................................................................................... Defining support conditions.............................................................................................................. Design information ........................................................................................................................... Properties of intermediate members ................................................................................................ Defining buckling lengths (columns) ................................................................................................ Effective buckling length ............................................................................................................ Kmode options .......................................................................................................................... 1.3 16 17 18 18 20 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 25 26 27 28 29 29 30
Fine-tuning analysis models ................................................................................................................. 31 Adding intermediate nodes .............................................................................................................. 34 Using rigid links ................................................................................................................................ 35
1.4
Analysis information and settings ......................................................................................................... 37
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A closer look at the analysis model .................................................................................................. Objects ....................................................................................................................................... Nodes connecting members and elements ............................................................................... Loads in analysis.............................................................................................................................. Load modeling code ......................................................................................................................... Analysis method ...............................................................................................................................
37 38 38 39 39 40
Loads........................................................................................................ 41
2.1 2.2 Basics.................................................................................................................................................... 41 Automatic loads and load groups ..................................................................................................... 42 Grouping loads...................................................................................................................................... 42 Load group properties ...................................................................................................................... Load group compatibility .................................................................................................................. Working with load groups ................................................................................................................. Checking loads and load groups ............................................................................................... Changing the load group ........................................................................................................... Importing and exporting load groups ......................................................................................... 2.3 Load types........................................................................................................................................ Load forms ....................................................................................................................................... Load magnitude................................................................................................................................ Temperature loads and strain .......................................................................................................... 2.4 Attaching loads to parts or locations ................................................................................................ Applying loads to parts ..................................................................................................................... Loaded length or area ...................................................................................................................... Modifying load distribution................................................................................................................ 2.5 43 43 44 45 45 45 46 48 49 49 50 50 52 52
Load types and properties..................................................................................................................... 45
Distributing loads................................................................................................................................... 49
Working with loads................................................................................................................................ 53 Changing loaded length or area ....................................................................................................... 54 Scaling loads in model views ........................................................................................................... 54 Defining varying wind loads.............................................................................................................. 55
2.6
Load reference...................................................................................................................................... 56 Load Groups... ................................................................................................................................. Create Point Load ............................................................................................................................ Create Line Load.............................................................................................................................. Create Area Load ............................................................................................................................. Create Uniform Load ........................................................................................................................ Create Temperature Load ................................................................................................................ Create Wind Load ............................................................................................................................ 56 58 59 60 61 62 63
3
4
Analysis and Design ............................................................................... 67

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3.1
Analysis model geometry...................................................................................................................... 67 Creating rules to define analysis model geometry ........................................................................... Modifying analysis model geometry ................................................................................................. Connecting or disconnecting parts in analysis ................................................................................. Defining analysis connections of parts............................................................................................. Analysis part properties.................................................................................................................... 68 70 70 71 72 76 77 77 78 78 79 80 80 81 82 82 82 83 84 84 86 87 88 88 90 90 90 93 93 94
3.2
Analysis model properties..................................................................................................................... 74 Objects in an analysis model ........................................................................................................... Analysis model filter .................................................................................................................. Member axis..................................................................................................................................... Member end connectivity ................................................................................................................. Defining nodes ................................................................................................................................. Model merging with analysis applications ........................................................................................ Analysis method............................................................................................................................... Seismic analysis............................................................................................................................... Modal analysis ................................................................................................................................. Design codes and methods.............................................................................................................. Design properties ...................................................................................................................... Contents of STAAD.Pro results files and reports .............................................................................
3.3
Load combination ................................................................................................................................. 83 Load combination properties............................................................................................................ Load combination factors ................................................................................................................. Load combination types ................................................................................................................... Creating load combinations.............................................................................................................. Automatic load combination ............................................................................................................. Automatically including loads in combinations ................................................................................. Manual load combination .................................................................................................................
3.4
Working with analysis and design models ............................................................................................ 89 Checking objects contained in an analysis model............................................................................ Adding or removing analysis objects................................................................................................ Showing analysis models and support conditions in model views ................................................... Analysis model status ...................................................................................................................... Running analysis.............................................................................................................................. Viewing analysis results ...................................................................................................................
3.5
Analysis and design reference.............................................................................................................. 94 Analysis > Analysis & Design Models... ........................................................................................... 95 New... ............................................................................................................................................... 97 Add selected objects ........................................................................................................................ 99 Remove selected objects ............................................................................................................... 100 Load combinations... ...................................................................................................................... 100 Get results...................................................................................................................................... 101
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View Analysis Parts........................................................................................................................ 102 Reset Geometry for Selected Parts................................................................................................ 102
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Preface
Tekla Structures includes complete documentation in an accessible help system. Our online help is a detailed guide to Tekla Structures concepts, tools, commands, and features, with plenty of examples. The documentation is also available in PDF format. Topics in the Preface are:
Audience (p. 7) Additional help resources (p. 7) Conventions used in this guide (p. 8) Related guides (p. 9)
Audience
This guide is aimed at structural engineers, detailers and designers who model, analyze, and design concrete and steel structures. We assume that you are familiar with the processes of structural engineering.
Additional help resources

The following resources also provide information about Tekla Structures:
Web site E-mail
http://www.tekla.com Contact your local helpdesk via e-mail:
Area office China Finland
E-mail address TeklaStructures.Support.CHI@Tekla.com TeklaStructures.Support.FI@Tekla.com
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Area office France Germany India Japan Malaysia Middle East Sweden UK US
E-mail address TeklaStructures.Support.FR@Tekla.com TeklaStructures.Support.GER@Tekla.com TeklaStructures.Support.IN@Tekla.com TeklaStructures.Support.JPN@Tekla.com TeklaStructures.Support.MY@Tekla.com TeklaStructures.Support.ME@Tekla.com TeklaStructures.Support.SWE@Tekla.com TeklaStructures.Support.UK@Tekla.com TeklaStructures.Support.US@Tekla.com
If you believe you have discovered a problem with this software, please report it to your Tekla Structures Reseller using the maintenance request form provided at Help > Tekla on the Web > Maintenance request.... Please send any comments or suggestions about Tekla Structures documentation to BetC_Documentation@tekla.com.
Tekla Extranet
Anyone with a current maintenance contract can use Tekla Extranet. Register now to get free access to our online discussion forums, hints & tips, software downloads, tutorials, and more. To register, go to https://extranet.tekla.com. You can also access Tekla Extranet from Tekla Structures by clicking Help > Online Support > Tekla Extranet.
Conventions used in this guide

Typefaces
We use different typefaces for different items in this guide. In most cases the meaning is obvious from the context. If you are not sure what a certain typeface represents, you can check it here.
Convention Bold
Usage Bold indicates the names of keyboard keys. Bold is also used for general emphasis in text. Any text that you see in the user interface appears in Arial bold. Items such as window and dialog box titles, field and button names, combo box options, and list box items are displayed in this typeface. New terms are in italic bold when they appear in the current context for the first time. Extracts of Tekla Structuress program code, HTML, or other material that you would normally edit in a text editor, appears in monospaced font. Filenames and folder paths appear in monospace. Also all the text you enter yourself appears in monospaced font.
Arial bold
Italic bold Monospace
Noteboxes
We use several types of noteboxes, marked by different icons. Their functions are shown below:
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A tip might introduce a shortcut, or suggest alternative ways of doing things. A tip never contains information that is absolutely necessary.
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. You are never required to understand this kind of information.
Related guides
Tekla Structures includes a comprehensive help system in a series of online books. You will also receive a printed installation guide with your Tekla Structures installation DVD.
Modeling Manual How to create a physical model. Analysis Manual How to create loads and run structural analysis. Detailing Manual How to create reinforcement, connections, and details. Drawing Manual How to create and edit drawings. System Manual Covers advanced features and how to maintain the Tekla Structures environment. TplEd Users Guide How to create and edit report and drawing templates. SymEd Users Guide
TEKLA STRUCTURES 15
How to use the SymEd graphical interface to manipulate symbols.
Installation Troubleshooting Guide Printed booklet explaining how to install Tekla Structures.
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TEKLA STRUCTURES 15
Getting Started with Analysis
Introduction
This chapter explains how to prepare a Tekla Structures model for structural analysis and design. It includes a general description of the principles of analysis and design and discusses the theoretical basis of the analysis method used in Tekla Structures. This chapter also explains what is included in the analysis model, and how it is included. You will also learn how to define support conditions for parts. This chapter is for engineers and designers who run structural analysis on concrete and steel structures. We assume that you have created parts. This chapter is divided into the following sections:
Audience Assumed background Contents
Basics (p. 11) Determining member properties (p. 14) Analysis information and settings (p. 37)
1.1 Basics
In this section
This section presents the basic vocabulary and concepts we use to describe structural analysis in Tekla Structures. The illustrations below show the analysis concepts and procedures.
TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis
11
Parts Loads Physical and load models Node Loads Analysis member Analysis model
Physical model Load model
A physical model includes the parts you have created using the Model Editor, and information related to them. Each part in the physical model exists in the completed structure. The load model contains information about loads and load groups. It also contains information about the building code Tekla Structures uses in load combination. To create a load model, see Loads (p. 41). Tekla Structures generates an analysis model of the physical and load models when you run structural analysis. Tekla Structures does the following in order to generate the analysis model:
Analysis model

Analysis application
Creates nodes and analysis members and elements of the physical parts Determines the support conditions for nodes Determines the connectivity between the members and nodes Distributes loads to members and elements
The analysis model also includes load combinations. Tekla Structures links with a number of analysis applications and also supports import and export with them in several formats. The analysis application you use to run structural analysis uses data from the analysis model to generate analysis results. For more information on the analysis applications that you can use with Tekla Structures, visit Tekla Extranet at https://extranet.tekla.com. You can also access Tekla Extranet from Tekla Structures at Help > Online Support > Tekla Extranet.
12
Tekla Structures analyzes parts using properties in the profile and material catalogs, including user-defined properties. If there are no profile or analysis properties in the catalog, Tekla Structures calculates them using the profile dimensions in the model.
Topics
Following through structural analysis (p. 13) Members, elements, and nodes (p. 13)
Following through structural analysis

Before analysis
Carry out the following steps before you run structural analysis in Tekla Structures: 1. Create the main load-bearing parts to form the physical model. See Parts. There is no need to detail or create connections at this stage.
To create accurate analysis models, make sure that connected parts have common reference points, for example, at grid line intersections.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
8.
Set the support conditions for parts and connections, as well as other analysis properties for individual members. See Determining member properties (p. 14). Create the load model. See Loads (p. 41). Define the analysis geometry settings and modify the geometry if needed. See Analysis model geometry (p. 67) and Modifying analysis model geometry (p. 70). Create a new analysis model and define its properties. See Analysis model properties (p. 74) and New... (p. 97). Create load combinations. See Load combinations... (p. 100). Check the analysis model in a Tekla Structures model view. See Showing analysis models and support conditions in model views (p. 90) and Checking objects contained in an analysis model (p. 90). Check the analysis parts and modify their properties if needed. See Analysis part properties (p. 72) and View Analysis Parts (p. 102).
Now you are ready to run the analysis.

See also
The following sections discuss the theoretical basis of the analysis method used in Tekla Structures. They also explain what is included in the analysis model, and how it is included.
Members, elements, and nodes (p. 13) A closer look at the analysis model (p. 37) Loads in analysis (p. 39) Load modeling code (p. 39) Analysis method (p. 40)
Members, elements, and nodes

Members
Every physical part (beam or column) that you select to include in the analysis model produces one or more analysis members. A single physical part produces several members if the part intersects with other parts. Tekla Structures splits the part at the intersection points of the member axes.
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Elements Nodes
Tekla Structures splits the plates, slabs, and panels that you include in the analysis model into analysis elements, based on their analysis properties and the parts connected to them.
Nodes connect analysis members and elements. Tekla Structures creates nodes at:
The ends of members The intersection points of member axes The corners of elements
The following properties affect the exact location of nodes: Part profiles, i.e. neutral axis and orientation Part reference lines (see Part position) Location of member axes (see Member axis location (p. 17) and Member axis (p. 77)) Location and shape of elements (see Analysis properties of plates (p. 18)) Node definition method (p. 78)
To force members to meet in the analysis model, Tekla Structures may need to merge nodes, shift or extend member axes, create rigid links between nodes, ignore minor members, etc.
The methods used to create a physical model affect the analysis model. Because of this, you may need to try different modeling methods and analysis model properties in order to create an accurate analysis model of a complex physical model. For more information on where and how Tekla Structures creates nodes, members, and elements, see A closer look at the analysis model (p. 37).
See also
Determining member properties (p. 14)
1.2 Determining member properties

You can define analysis properties for individual parts, or for an entire analysis model. This section describes the properties of the individual analysis members. To define these, use the Analysis, Loading, Composite, Start releases, End releases, and Design tabs in the part properties dialog boxes, or the Analysis tab in the connection and detail dialog boxes.
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Some analysis properties of parts are user-defined attributes. For more information, see Fine-tuning analysis models (p. 31).
For more information on using common properties for the parts in an analysis model, see Analysis model properties (p. 74).
Topics
Member analysis type (p. 16) Member axis location (p. 17) Analysis member offsets (p. 18) Analysis properties of plates (p. 18) Analysis properties of components (p. 22) Analysis properties of slab components (p. 23) Analyzing composite beams (p. 24) Support conditions (p. 25) Defining support conditions (p. 26) Design information (p. 27) Properties of intermediate members (p. 28) Defining buckling lengths (columns) (p. 29) Fine-tuning analysis models (p. 31)
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Member analysis type

Use the Analysis tab in the part properties dialog boxes to define how Tekla Structures handles individual members in the analysis. The following table lists the options. You can have Tekla Structures show the member analysis type of parts using different colors in the physical model. The Color column lists these colors.
Option
Default
Description Member can take any type of load. Columns, beams, and braces are modeled as beam members. Slabs and panels are modeled as shell elements. Temperature load is available only for beam members.
Color Light gray
Beam Shell
Member can take any load, including temperature. Member can take any load, except temperature. Use to analyze slabs, panels, and plates. Member ignored in the analysis. Member can only take axial forces, not bending or torsion moments, or shear forces. Usually used for brace members. Member can only take tensile axial forces, not moments or shear forces. If this member goes into compression, it is ignored in the analysis. Member can only take compressive axial forces, not moments or shear forces. If this member goes into tension, it is ignored in the analysis. Only applies to contour plates and concrete slabs parallel to the global xy plane. Nodes that belong to a part matching the filter will be connected with rigid links which together affect displacement. For example, you can use column_filter to connect only column nodes to rigid diaphragms.
Dark red Magenta
Ignore Truss
Red Green
Truss - Tension only
Cyan
Truss Compression only
Yellow
Rigid diaphragm
Blue
Shear wall
For rectangular concrete panels and concrete slabs using design codes ACI and BS 8110 only. Tekla Structures analyzes the concrete panel or slab as a shear wall that does not take any direct loads.
Gray
Plate Membrane Mat foundation
Same as Shell but plate, membrane, or mat foundation elements are used in the analysis application.
Aqua Lime Pink
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The analysis application that you use may not support all options.
For more information on members with the Truss, Tension only, or Compression only setting, see A closer look at the analysis model (p. 37). To have Tekla Structures indicate the member analysis type of parts in an object group using colors: 1. 2. 3. 4. Click View > Representation > Object Representation.... Select the object group. In the Color column, select Color by analysis type. Click Modify.
For more information on object representation and object groups, see Object representation settings and Object groups.
See also
Member axis location

The locations of the member axes of parts define where the analysis members actually meet, and their length in the analysis model. They also affect where Tekla Structures creates nodes. See Members, elements, and nodes (p. 13) and A closer look at the analysis model (p. 37). Use the Analysis tab in the part properties dialog boxes to define the member axis location of individual parts for analysis purposes. The options are:
Option
Neutral axis
Description The neutral axis is the member axis for this part. The location of the member axis changes if the profile of the part changes. The part reference line is the member axis for this part. See also Part position. The part reference line is the member axis for this part. The location of the neutral axis defines axis eccentricity.
Reference axis Reference axis (eccentricity by neutral axis)
Tekla Structures uses the options above for each part when you select the Model default option for the member axis location in the analysis model properties. See New... (p. 97) and Member axis (p. 77).
If you select the Neutral axis option, Tekla Structures takes the part location and end offsets into account when it creates nodes. See End offsets. If you select either of the Reference axis options, Tekla Structures creates nodes at part reference points.
See also
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Analysis member offsets

Use offsets at the ends of analysis members to shorten or lengthen members in their local x directions, for analysis purposes and to take the eccentricity effects into account. For example, if a beam only actually spans the clear distance between two supporting columns, you can use offsets to only include the clear distance in the analysis, instead of the distance between the center points of the columns. Another example is an eccentric connection between a precast concrete column and beam. To take the eccentricity of the load from the beam into account, use the analysis offsets of the beam.
Use the Analysis tab in the part properties or connection dialog boxes to define the offset at each end of a member. The options are:
Option
Manual
Description Works like end offsets for parts in the physical model. Enter a positive or negative value in the Dx field. See also End offsets. The offset is the distance between the intersection of the parts neutral axes and the intersection of the edges of the parts. Only applies to connection members and details. Works like the Manual option and a value in the Dx field for parts.
Automatic Dx
Longitudinal member offset
See also
Analysis properties of plates

When creating an analysis model, Tekla Structures creates analysis elements for contour plates, concrete slabs, and concrete panels. Use the Analysis, Spanning, and Loading tabs in the appropriate part properties dialog boxes to define how Tekla Structures creates analysis elements.
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The analysis properties of plates are:
Property
Type Plane
Description See Member analysis type (p. 16). Set to Shell to create elements in the analysis model. The plane of the plate on which Tekla Structures creates the elements. The options are:
Top plane Middle plane Bottom plane Left plane Right plane Middle plane (of left/right)
The reference points of connected parts must also be in this plane.

Element size
The approximate dimensions of the elements, in the local x and y directions of the plate. For triangular elements, the approximate dimensions of the bounding box around each element. The approximate dimensions of the elements around openings.
Holes
Some analysis properties of parts are user-defined attributes. For more information, see Fine-tuning analysis models (p. 31).
See also
Spanning (p. 20) Loading (p. 20) Analysis offsets of plates (p. 21) Design information (p. 27)
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Spanning
Use the plate spanning properties to define which parts carry loads from plates in slab-to-beam connections and wall-to-column connections:
Property
Spanning
Description The options are:

Single spanning plates carry loads in the direction
of the primary axis. Beams or columns parallel to the spanning direction are not connected to the plate, and will not carry the load from plate.
Double spanning plates carry loads along the
primary and secondary axes. Beams or columns in both directions will carry the load from plate.
Primary axis direction
Define the direction of the primary axis in one of the following ways:
Enter 1 in the axis field which is parallel to the primary axis direction. Click Parallel to part, and then select the beam in the model that is parallel to the direction. Click Perpendicular to part, and then select the beam in the model that is perpendicular to the direction.
Show direction on selected members
A red line indicates the primary spanning direction of the plate carrying the load.
The spanning settings of the plate determine the spanning of the load. The spanning setting of the load does not affect a load applied to a plate (see also Modifying load distribution (p. 52)).
Loading
The loading properties allow you to include concrete slabs as loads in the analysis model. The loading properties are:
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Property
Generate self weight load
Description The analysis model includes the part weight, for example a deck, as a load even if the part is not otherwise included in the analysis model. If the part is included in the analysis model, so is its self-weight. The option No works only with the analysis types Ignore and Rigid diaphragm.
List boxes for additional loads
Enter slab live load or additional self-weight (screed, services) using three additional loads with load group name and magnitude. The directions of these loads follow the direction of the load group to which they belong. Use this filter to ensure that area load from a slab is transferred to the correct parts, for example, beams supporting the slab. Typically you would enter the beam name as the filter value. Use to assign most of the load to the middle supports on continuous structures.
Part names
Use continuous structure load distribution
Analysis offsets of plates

You can define analysis offsets for individual corners of contour plates, concrete slabs, and concrete panels in the global x, y, and z directions. Use the Analysis offsets tab in the parts user-defined attributes dialog box. It includes Node offset fields for 12 corners.
To define analysis offsets for a plate: 1. 2. Run the analysis, or create an analysis model. Click Tools > Inquire > Object and select the plate in the model to query its corner points.
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The Inquire Object dialog box opens, listing the corner indices and coordinates:
3. 4. 5.
6.
Double-click the plate in the model to open its properties dialog box. On the Attributes tab, click the User-defined attributes... button to open the attributes dialog box. On the Analysis offsets tab, enter the x, y, and z offsets of each corner in the appropriate field, according to the index of the corner. Use the current length units and separate the x, y, and z values with spaces. Click Modify.
You can also modify analysis model geometry by moving analysis part handles. See Modifying analysis model geometry (p. 70).
Analysis properties of components

Use the Analysis tab in the connection or detail dialog boxes to define how Tekla Structures handles connections and details in the analysis.
The analysis properties of connections and details are:
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Property
Use analysis restraints
Description Set to Yes to use the analysis properties of the connection or detail in the analysis, instead of the analysis properties of the parts in the connection. You must also select Yes in the Member end release method by connection list box in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box when you create the analysis model. See Member end connectivity (p. 78).
Member selection
Use to associate the analysis properties with each connection part (Primary, 1. secondary, 2. secondary, etc.). See Support conditions (p. 25) and Defining support conditions (p. 26). See Analysis member offsets (p. 18). Tekla Structures uses this profile in the analysis, instead of the one in the physical model, in order to take the stiffness of the connection or detail into account. This means that in the analysis, Tekla Structures overrides the profile of the part in the physical model, for this length.
Restraint combination Support condition Longitudinal member offset Analysis profile
Analysis profile length
See also
Analysis properties of slab components

Use the Analysis tab in the Slab generation with polygon plate (61) and Slab generation with points (62) dialog boxes to define the analysis properties of parts created using these components. The following table lists the analysis properties of slab components. The option you select in the Analysis type list box limits the other properties you can define (see the Only use for column).
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Property
Analysis type
Description How Tekla Structures analyzes the slabs.
Only use for
Ignore: Slabs are not analyzed. Beam: Analyze each slab as a beam. Plate: Analyze each slab as a plate. Rigid diaphragm: Analyze slabs as a
rigid diaphragm. See also Member analysis type (p. 16).

Beam axis Restraints Plate plane
The location of the beam axis. See also Member axis location (p. 17). The support conditions of beam ends. The options are Pinned and Fixed. The plane on which to create the elements and nodes. If you select Top plane, Tekla Structures creates the elements on the top surface of the slab. The shape of the elements.
x and y: The approximate dimensions of the elements, in the local x and y direction of the slab. For triangular elements, the approximate dimensions of the bounding box around each element. Holes: The approximate size of the
Beam Beam Plate
Element type Element size
Plate Plate
elements around openings.

Filter
Nodes that belong to a part matching the filter will be connected to the rigid diaphragm. For example, you can use column_filter to connect only column nodes to rigid diaphragms.
Rigid diaphragm
Analyzing composite beams

Composite beams consist of a beam and studs, with a concrete slab on top of the beam. You can define the analysis properties of the slabs in composite beams, and define the width of the slab manually or automatically. To define the properties of the concrete slab in a composite beam: 1. 2. 3. Open the Beam Properties dialog box and go to the Composite tab. Select the Composite beam option in the Composite beam list box. Select a Material and enter the Thickness of the slab.
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4.
To define the effective slab width:
Manual method: Select the To the left from the beam and/or To the right of the beam radio button and enter a value in the field next to these buttons. See also Manual method - limitations (p. 25). Automatic method: For the left and right side, select the Automatic, half of span length divided by radio button and enter a value in the field next to these buttons. When you run the analysis, Tekla Structures calculates the effective slab width by dividing the span length of the beam by the value you enter.
See also
Viewing analysis results (p. 25)
Viewing analysis results

To view the analysis results for composite beams, right-click the beam and select Inquire on the pop-up menu. The analysis results include:
Element and node IDs Effective width Slab thickness Slab material Concrete strength Rib width and height Stud diameter and length
Manual method - limitations

Effective width cannot exceed the distance to the nearest beam. Effective width cannot be more than half the distance to the nearest composite beam. If there is no beam on either side of the composite beam, the slab width is zero. Use the Automatic composite beam option to have Tekla Structures calculate the slab width.
Support conditions
In structural analysis, the stresses and deflections of a part depend on how it is supported by, or connected to, other parts. You normally use restraints or springs to model connections. These determine how analysis members move, deflect, warp, deform, etc., in relation to each other, or to nodes. Member ends and nodes have degrees of freedom (DOF) in three directions. The displacement of a member end can be free or fixed, and the rotation can be pinned or fixed. If the degree of connectivity is between free, or pinned, and fixed, use springs with different elastic constants to model them. Tekla Structures uses part, connection, or detail properties to determine how to connect members in the analysis model. To define the member end conditions, use the Start releases and End releases tabs in the part properties dialog boxes. The connection and detail dialog boxes have Analysis tabs. The analysis properties of a member determine the degrees of freedom for each end of a main part or member. The first end of a part has a yellow handle, the second end has a magenta handle. See also Part position.
See also
Defining support conditions (p. 26) Determining member properties (p. 14)
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Defining support conditions

Parts
Use the Start releases and End releases tabs in the part properties dialog boxes to define support conditions. The Start releases tab relates to the first part end (yellow handle), the End releases tab to the second part end (magenta handle). To define the support conditions of contour plates, concrete slabs, and concrete panels, use the Supported list box in the Analysis Part Properties dialog box. Use the Analysis tab in the connection or detail dialog boxes to define the support conditions for the members and node in a connection. Use the Member selection list box to associate the support conditions with each connection part (Primary, 1. secondary, 2. secondary, etc.). Tekla Structures includes four predefined combinations for member ends, and an option for user-defined settings. The predefined combinations (the first four in the following table) automatically set the appropriate support conditions and degrees of freedom. The combinations are:
Plates Connections and details Support conditions
Combinatio n
Support condition Supported
Translational DOFs Fixed
Rotational DOFs Fixed
Supported
Fixed
Pinned
Connected
Fixed
Fixed
Connected
Fixed
Pinned
Use this option to define your own settings for the supports and connections at member ends. You can use springs and almost any combination of degrees of freedom.
To ensure that the part remains stable, and that all loads applied to it pass through to the other structures, avoid using combinations with too many degrees of freedom.
The support conditions of a member end can be:
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Option
Connected
Description Member end is connected to an intermediate analysis node (another part). Indicate degrees of freedom for the node.
Supported
Member end is the ultimate support for a superstructure (for example, the foot of a column in a frame). Indicate degrees of freedom for the support.
Displacements and rotations
U denotes translational degrees of freedom (displacement). R denotes rotational degrees of freedom (rotation). Define the degrees of freedom in the global coordinate system. The options are:
Option
Free Pinned Fixed Spring
More information Only applies to translational degrees of freedom. Only applies to rotational degrees of freedom. Enter translational and rotational spring constants. The units Tekla Structures uses depend on the programs unit settings. Only applies to rotational degrees of freedom. Use to specify the degree of connectivity, if it is between fixed and pinned. Enter a value between 0 (fixed) and 1 (pinned).
Partial release
See also
Support conditions (p. 25) Determining member properties (p. 14) Analysis part properties (p. 72)
Design information
Use the Design tab in the part properties dialog boxes to view and modify the design properties of individual parts in an analysis model. Design properties are properties which can vary, according to the design code and the material of the main part (for example, design settings, factors, and limits).
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The properties you see when you first open the dialog box are the properties that apply to the entire analysis model you have selected in the Analysis & Design Models dialog box. See also Design codes and methods (p. 82). To set different design properties for specific parts, modify the values in the appropriate part properties dialog box. For example, if the analysis model contains parts with different material grades, define the most common material grade using the analysis model properties. Then change the material grade of specific parts using the appropriate part properties dialog box. To omit individual members from the design check when you run the analysis, set the following properties to No:

See also
Steel parts: Check design - Enable design check of member Concrete parts: Calculate required area - Enable design check of member
Properties of intermediate members

When creating an analysis model, Tekla Structures may need to produce more than one analysis member for each physical part. This can result in intermediate members and member ends. Tekla Structures determines the analysis properties of intermediate members as follows: 1. The member analysis type and member axis location of the analysis members are the same as of the original part.
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2. 3.
4.
5.
See also
The analysis offsets of the part ends apply to the corresponding analysis member ends. Intermediate member ends do not have analysis offsets. The support conditions of all intermediate member ends are Connected. The translational and rotational degrees of freedom are all Fixed. This reflects the nature of the physical part, which is a continuous length. The effective buckling length of each analysis member is K*L. K is the length factor for buckling. L is length, a value described by the Kmode design property. For more information, see Defining buckling lengths (columns) (p. 29). The other design properties are the same for the analysis members as for the original part.
Defining buckling lengths (columns)

Tekla Structures allows you to define buckling lengths for column segments, which represent the building levels. Tekla Structures automatically divides columns into segments at the point where a support in the buckling direction exists, or where the column profile changes.
See also
Effective buckling length (p. 29) Kmode options (p. 30)
Effective buckling length

Effective buckling length is K*L, where K is the length factor and L is the buckling length. To calculate a parts effective buckling length: 1. 2. 3. Open the part properties dialog box and go to the Design tab. Select an option for Kmode. For more information about the available options, see Kmode options (p. 30). Enter one or more values in the K - Length factor for buckling field. The number of values you can enter depends on the option you selected in the Kmode field. For multiple values:
Enter a value for each column segment starting with the lowest segment, and Use spaces to separate multiple values:
4.
You can also use multiplication to repeat factors, for example, 3*2.00. To automatically calculate length values, leave the fields blank. To override one or more length values, enter values in the relevant buckling length fields. The number of values you need to enter depends on the option you selected in the Kmode field. You can use multiplication to repeat buckling lengths, for example, 3*4000.
Go to the L - Buckling length field:
5.
Create the analysis model and use the Tools > Inquire > Object command on a part. The Inquire Object dialog box opens and displays the member number and the effective buckling length for each segment:
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Kmode options
Use the Kmode options to define how Tekla Structures calculates buckling lengths. The options are:
Option
Physical member Column segment Column segment, multiple values Analytical member Analytical member, multiple values
Description L is the length of the column. L is the length of one column segment. L is the length of one column segment with user-defined factors and lengths for each column segment. L is the length of the member in the analysis model. L is the length of the member in the analysis model with user-defined factors and lengths for each member.
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1.3 Fine-tuning analysis models

Several properties and user-defined attributes enable you to control how Tekla Structures creates analysis models.
Use the analysis model geometry settings and analysis properties of parts to define how Tekla Structures creates analysis models. See Analysis model geometry (p. 67) and Analysis part properties (p. 72).
To modify the user-defined attributes, open the part properties dialog box and click the Userdefined attributes... button to open the attributes dialog box. You can also modify several properties on the Analysis and Analysis (2) tabs of the attributes dialog box:
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Attribute
Node offsets
Description Moves the part in the analysis model when members do not meet and are not connected. Controls the member longitudinal offsets.
Options/Values
Consider longitudinal model offsets
Auto (default) uses the Dx end
offset if it extends the beam, or if it shortens the beam and there is a node near the shortened position.
None Extending only uses the Dx end offset when it extends the beam, and ignores it when it shortens the beam. Always
No. of split nodes
Use to create additional nodes or analyze a beam as straight segments, for example, a curved beam. See also Adding intermediate nodes (p. 34).
Enter the number of nodes.
Split distances
To define additional nodes in the member, enter distances from the part starting point to the node. See also Adding intermediate nodes (p. 34).
Enter distances, separated by spaces, for example: 1000 1500 3000
Curved beam by straight segments Node merge distance
Use to analyze a curved beam as straight segments. Merges nodes within the distance specified into a single node. For example, use this to force truss-type analysis members to meet in the analysis model. The Keep axis attribute overrides this attribute.
Yes No
Distance
Design group (optimization) Member level (z)
Defines which design group the part belongs to. Used in optimization. Sets the same z coordinate for all nodes. Enter a value for the z coordinate.
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Attribute
Profile
Description Analysis part profile. You can use different analysis profiles at the start and end of parts if the analysis application you use supports it.
Options/Values Select a profile from the profile catalog. To use different profiles at part ends, enter two profiles separated by a pipe character, for example: HEA120|HEA140 To enable connections, enter the part IDs, separated by spaces. To prevent connection, enter negative part IDs, separated by spaces.
Connect to (part IDs)
Forces or disables connections between the analysis members you specify. Works with the Connect exclusively attribute.
Connect exclusively
Select Yes to connect the part only to the parts defined by the Connect to (part IDs) attribute. Select Yes to fix the location of member axis so that Tekla Structures does not shift the axis when it makes members meet in the analysis model. For example, use this with the
Node merge distance attribute
Keep axis
to force truss-type members to meet in the analysis model. Overrides the Node merge distance attribute.
Rigid link
Enables or disables rigid links at the start, mid, and end points of parts. Use with the Force to centric connection option in the
Analysis Model Properties
For each point: 0 = disable 1 = enable For example:
dialog box to specify which parts to use rigid links. See also Using rigid links (p. 35).
Pinned rigid link (to part names)
0 = no rigid links 100 = rigid link at start point 111 = rigid links at start, mid, and end point 001 = rigid link at end point
Connects the part using pinned rigid links to the parts you specify. Analysis plate thickness. Use to ignore small openings in plates in the analysis. Use to ignore short plate cantilevers in the analysis.
Enter the part names, separated by spaces, commas, or semicolons. You can also use wildcards (see Wildcards). Enter the size of the bounding box around the opening. Enter a cantilever length.
Thickness Minimum hole size (to consider) Short cantilever limit (to remove)
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Attribute
Mesh point IDs (add/remove)
Description Use to exclude nodes from or include nodes in plate element meshes. Only nodes created because of connected members or loads can be excluded.
Options/Values To include nodes, enter the point IDs, separated by spaces. To exclude nodes, enter negative point IDs. For example: 1203 -1205 -1206
Simple plate
Select Yes to create a simpler analysis model of plates, where cuts and openings are not considered. Select No to connect plates using rigid links, without moving nodes. Select Yes to connect plates by moving plate nodes, instead of using rigid links.
Trim plate connections
Supported
Use to define supports for plates and beams. You can create supports for the bottom edge of a wall, for all edge nodes of a slab, or for all nodes of a beam. For walls the bottom edge can be inclined.
Simply: only translations are
fixed
Fully: both translations and
rotations are fixed
Some attributes are only available if you select the Extended clash check checkbox in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. They are:
Rigid link Node merge distance Connect to (part IDs) Connect exclusively Keep axis
For more information on the Extended clash check, see Creating common nodes (p. 38).
See also
To find out how to create user-defined attributes, see Adding properties. A closer look at the analysis model (p. 37) Analysis offsets of plates (p. 21)
Adding intermediate nodes

Sometimes intermediate nodes are needed along a member, for example in frequency analysis. To create additional nodes, use the following user-defined attributes on the Analysis tab of the part properties dialog box:
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No. of split nodes
Enter the number of nodes. Tekla Structures gives equal spacing to added nodes.
Split distances
Enter the distance values from the part starting point. Tekla Structures adds nodes using these distances:
Using rigid links

You can enable or disable rigid links using the Node definition method (p. 78) in the entire analysis model. You can override this setting in specific places:
If Node definition is Force to centric connection, rigid links are generally not used, but it is possible to force rigid links in specific places. If Node definition is Use rigid links, rigid links are used, but it is possible to prevent the use of rigid links in specific places.
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To define rigid links, use the user-defined attribute Rigid link in the part properties.
The value of the attribute is a three-digit number of 1s and/or 0s.
1 = rigid link enabled 0 = rigid link disabled
The first digit is the setting for the part start point, the second digit is the setting for all intermediate points between the start and end point, and the third digit is setting for the part end point. A rigid link is created at a connection between two members if:
An eccentric connection exists. Rigid links are enabled for both parts, either as an analysis model property or user-defined attribute of parts.
If you are merging nodes of two parts, and you have set the Keep axis attribute to Yes for both parts, Tekla Structures creates a rigid link.
Example 1
The node definition method of the analysis model is Force to centric connection. If the Rigid link attribute is not set, there will be no rigid link. To create the rigid link, use the following values of the user-defined attribute Rigid link:
36
For this beam, type in 010. (Rigid link is wanted in mid beam.) For this brace, type in 100. (Rigid link is wanted at beam start point.)
Example 2
The node definition method of the analysis model is Use rigid links. If the Rigid link attribute is not set, there will be rigid links. To disable rigid link between two members, set the attribute for one part only:
For this beam, type in 101. (No rigid link is created for intermediate nodes.)
1.4 Analysis information and settings

This section generally discusses the analysis process and describes analysis settings.
Topics
A closer look at the analysis model (p. 37) Loads in analysis (p. 39) Load modeling code (p. 39) Analysis method (p. 40)
A closer look at the analysis model

This section gives detailed information on how Tekla Structures creates analysis models of physical models.
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The methods used to create a physical model affect the analysis model. Because of this, you may need to try different modeling methods and analysis model properties in order to create an accurate analysis model of a complex physical model.
See also
Objects (p. 38) Nodes connecting members and elements (p. 38)
Objects
Tekla Structures ignores the following objects in the analysis, even if you have included them in the analysis model (see Objects in an analysis model (p. 76)):

Truss members
Parts and loads that are filtered out (see Analysis model filter (p. 77)) Component objects (minor parts, bolts, reinforcing bars, etc.) Parts with the Ignore setting (see Member analysis type (p. 16))
Tekla Structures does not split members with the Truss, Tension only, or Compression only setting (truss members) when two or more truss members intersect with a normal member or with another truss member. To force truss member nodes to meet at the same point, use the user-defined attributes Node merge distance and Keep axis. For more information on user-defined attributes, see Finetuning analysis models (p. 31).
Nodes connecting members and elements

Tekla Structures first creates analysis nodes:

Creating common nodes
On member axes at the ends of parts At the intersection points of member axes At the corners of elements
Tekla Structures then checks if the analysis members have common nodes. To force Tekla Structures to find parts that clash and create common nodes for them, select Extended clash check checkbox in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. If the end points of the parts are within 10 mm of each other, Tekla Structures moves the nodes in the following order: 1. 2. Horizontal parts Other parts
Vertical parts and parts that have the user-defined attribute Keep axis set to Yes do not move. Also, supported nodes are not moved. If the part end points are not within 10 mm of each other, Tekla Structures extends each parts bounding box by 1 mm to find parts that clash.
Other methods
Tekla Structures also creates common nodes for members if:
See also
A connection exists between the members. The user-defined attribute Connect to (part IDs) forces the parts to meet. For more information on user-defined attributes, see Fine-tuning analysis models (p. 31). For more information on the nodes, see Defining nodes (p. 78).
Element nodes
This is how Tekla Structures creates nodes when plates connect with other parts:
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Connected part Beam Column Another plate
Action Tekla Structures splits the beam and creates nodes in it at the element corners. Tekla Structures creates a node at the column. Tekla Structures creates the analysis elements so that the plates have common nodes on the edges of the plates.
Loads in analysis
These are the principles that Tekla Structures follows when it processes loads in the physical model to create analysis model loads. You define which loads are included in the analysis model. Tekla Structures applies these loads to members and elements, based on each loads part name or selection filtering criteria, bounding box, and load panel properties. See Applying loads to parts (p. 50) and Modifying load distribution (p. 52). In load decomposition, the parts to which a load is applied are projected to the load plane. The load is then applied to these parts according to the load panel properties, of which the loads spanning properties and distance from each part are most important.
Point loads
A point load is applied to the nearest node, or member or element location. If the point load is not located directly on any of these, it may either snap to the nearest location or it may be split into several loads, depending on the filtering criteria, bounding box, and load panel properties. A line load is transferred to members and elements that are inside the bounding box of the line load, and that match the part name or selection filtering criteria of the load. In special cases the line load may be decomposed to point loads if it is not perpendicular to the part it is applied to. If several members receive the load, the load is distributed based on the length of each member and the distance between the load and member. Area loads are decomposed to line loads, and in special cases to point loads if they are not perpendicular to the part they are applied to. These decomposed loads are then applied to members and elements. Members inside the bounding box of the load and that match the part name or selection filtering criteria receive the load. Load panel properties, especially single or double spanning and spanning direction, also affect load decomposition. Tekla Structures binds loads to nodes or members in the analysis model. A load is a nodal load if:
Line loads
Area and uniform loads
Nodal load
It is between two nodes and the distance to the nearest node is less than 110 mm. It is not between two nodes (even outside the member) but inside the bounding box and meets the part name or selection filtering criteria.
Nodal loads do not cause parts to bend.

Member load Other loads
If a load does not meet the criteria for the nodal load, it is a member load. Member loads lie along the length of the member and cause member deformations. Temperature loads are like line loads which affect an entire member. The left, right, top, and bottom surfaces of the member a temperature load affects define the direction of the load.
Load modeling code

Use the Options dialog box to determine the building code and safety factors Tekla Structures uses in load combination.
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1. 2. 3. 4.
Click Tools > Options > Options... > Load modeling. Go to the Current code tab. Select the code in the Load modeling code list box. Change load combination factors on the appropriate tab if needed:
Tab
Current code Eurocode
Description The code to follow in analysis and load combination. The partial safety factors in limit states and reduction factors, for the Eurocode, based on load group types. The partial safety factors in limit states, for the British code, based on load group types. The partial safety factors in limit states, for the US code, based on load group types. Uniform building code, American code. The partial safety factors in limit states, for the French code for steel structures, based on load group types. The partial safety factors in limit states, for the French code for concrete structures, based on load group types. International building code. American code. American Concrete Institute publication 318.
More information
Load combination factors (p. 84)
British
AISC (US)
UBC (US) CM66 (F)
BAEL91 (F)
IBC (US) ACI
5.
Click OK.
If you have to change the code during a project, you will also need to change the load group types and check load combinations.
Analysis method
You can use either the linear (first order), or non-linear (second order, P-delta), analysis method in Tekla Structures. The non-linear method considers the non-linear nature of the geometry. This takes into account major deflections, but not the non-linear nature of materials. Tekla Structures treats materials as linear. See also Analysis method (p. 80).
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Loads
Introduction
Once you have modeled physical structures by creating parts you can start adding loads. In Tekla Structures, you can create point loads, line loads, area loads with uniform or variable distribution. You can also model temperature, wind, and seismic loads. Either attach loads to specific parts or to locations. This chapter explains how to create and group loads. It also includes a general description of load groups, load types, and load properties. Load reference (p. 56) contains step-by-step instructions for all load commands. We assume that you have created a Tekla Structures model and have a basic understanding of modeling. This chapter is divided into the following sections:
In this chapter
Assumed background Contents
Basics (p. 41) Grouping loads (p. 42) Load types and properties (p. 45) Distributing loads (p. 49) Working with loads (p. 53) Load reference (p. 56)
2.1 Basics
This section presents some Tekla Structures vocabulary and concepts to help you start to model loads.
Load model
A load model is the portion of the Tekla Structures model that includes all loads, together with the load group and building code information related to them. Each load in a load model has to belong to a load group. Each load can only belong to one load group. A load group can contain one or more loads. A load group is a set of loads that are treated alike during load combination. Load groups should contain loads caused by the same action and to which you want to refer collectively. Tekla Structures assumes that all loads in a group:
Load group
Have the same partial safety and other combination factors
TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Loads
41
Have the same action direction Occur at the same time and all together
See Grouping loads (p. 42) and Load combination (p. 83). You need to create load groups because the same action can cause different types of loads, for example, point loads and area loads. See Load types (p. 46). You can include as many loads as you like in a load group, of any load type.
Working with loads
In Tekla Structures, you can attach each load to a part for modeling purposes. You can also create floating loads that are bound to locations rather than parts. See Attaching loads to parts or locations (p. 50). Use the loads bounding box and part name filter or a selection filter to define which parts carry the load. See Applying loads to parts (p. 50).
Topics
Automatic loads and load groups (p. 42)
Automatic loads and load groups

Self-weight
Tekla Structures automatically calculates the self-weight of structural parts using the density of the material and the dimensions of the part. To automatically include the self-weight of parts in load combinations, select the Include selfweight checkbox when you create load combinations. See Creating load combinations (p. 86).
Wind loads Seismic loads
Use the Wind load generator (28) tool to define the effects of wind on a structure. See Create Wind Load (p. 63). To automatically include seismic loads in the x and y directions in load combinations: 1. 2. Define the code to follow in the seismic analysis. Define the load groups to include in the seismic analysis and their factors.
For more information, see Seismic analysis (p. 80).

See also
Load combination types (p. 84) Attaching loads to parts or locations (p. 50)
2.2 Grouping loads

Load groups should contain loads caused by the same action and to which you want to refer collectively. Tekla Structures assumes that all loads in a group:

Topics
Have the same partial safety and other combination factors Have the same action direction Occur at the same time and all together
Load group properties (p. 43) Load group compatibility (p. 43) Working with load groups (p. 44)
42
Load group properties

To define the properties of a load group, click the Load groups icon on the Loads and Analysis toolbar to open the Load Groups dialog box. The properties are:
Current Name
When you apply loads in the model, Tekla Structures applies the Current load group. You can only define one load group as Current. Each load group must have a unique name. Use load group names to define the visibility and selectability of loads. For example, you can select, modify, or hide loads based on their load group. See Filtering objects. The type of a load group is the type of action that causes the loads. Actions causing loads are building code specific. See Load modeling code (p. 39). Most building codes use some or all of the following actions and load group types:
Type
Permanent, dead, and/or prestressing loads Live, imposed, traffic, and/or crane loads Snow loads Wind loads Temperature loads Accidental and/or earthquake loads Imperfection loads
Tekla Structures automatically determines and applies the self-weight of parts. See Automatic loads and load groups (p. 42).
Direction
The direction of a load group is the global direction of the action that causes the loads. Individual loads in a load group retain their own magnitudes in the global or local x, y, and z directions. See also Load magnitude (p. 49). Load group direction affects which loads Tekla Structures combines in load combination:

Color See also
z direction groups are combined with both x and y direction groups. x or y direction groups are not combined with each other.
Use different colors for different load groups. Load Groups... (p. 56) Load group compatibility (p. 43) Working with load groups (p. 44)
Load group compatibility

When Tekla Structures creates load combinations for structural analysis, it follows the building code you select in Tools > Options > Options... > Load modeling. See Load modeling code (p. 39) and Load combination (p. 83). To accurately combine loads which have the same load group type, you need to identify which load groups:
Can occur at the same time (are compatible) Exclude each other (are incompatible)
43
To define load group compatibility, click Load groups icon on the Loads and Analysis toolbar to open the Load Groups dialog box. Enter numbers to indicate compatibility.
Compatibility
Compatible load groups can act together or separately. They can actually be one single loading, for example, a live loading that needs to be split in parts acting on different spans of a continuous beam. Tekla Structures then includes none, one, several, or all of the compatible load groups in a load combination. Incompatible load groups always exclude each other. They cannot occur at the same time. For example, a wind loading from the x direction is incompatible with a wind loading from the y direction. In load combination Tekla Structures only takes into account one load group in an incompatible grouping at a time.
Incompatibility
Tekla Structures automatically applies basic compatibility facts, such as self-weight being compatible with all other loads, or live loads being compatible with wind load. Tekla Structures does not combine loads in the x direction with those in the y direction. Compatibility indicators are all 0 by default. It indicates that Tekla Structures combines the load groups as defined in the building code.
See also
Load Groups... (p. 56) Working with load groups (p. 44)
Working with load groups

Use the Load groups dialog box to view, define, modify, and delete load groups. For example, this is where you set load group properties and indicate load group compatibility. Click the Load groups icon on the Loads and Analysis toolbar to open the dialog box:
Load group types vary according to the code defined in Tools > Options > Options... > Load modeling. If you have to change the code during a project, you will also need to change the load group types and check load combinations.
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Checking loads and load groups

To find out which load group a load belongs to, select the load in the model and click the Load groups by loads button. Tekla Structures highlights the load group in the dialog box. To find out which loads belong to a load group, select the load group in the dialog box and click the Loads by load groups button. The associated loads are highlighted in the model. If you have many loads in the model, you can show the group name and magnitude in the model view by right-clicking a load and selecting Inquire from the pop-up menu. If you have already run the analysis, Tekla Structures also highlights the parts that carry this load.
Changing the load group

To move a load to a different load group, select the load in the model, then select a load group in the dialog box and click the Change load group button.
Importing and exporting load groups

To use the same load groups in other models, you can import and export load groups.
Right-click on a load group in the Load Groups dialog box and select Export... from the pop-up menu to allow the load group to be used in other models. Right-click on the load group list in the Load Groups dialog box and select Import... from the pop-up menu to use load groups from another model.
Tekla Structures saves the load group files in the folder you specify, with the extension lgr. The default load groups are defined in the DefaultLoadGroups.lgr file, located in the ...\TeklaStructures\*version*\environments\*your environment*\system folder.
See also
Load Groups... (p. 56)
2.3 Load types and properties

Introduction
Each load has a type and properties which define it (e.g. magnitude, direction, and distribution). This section describes the different load types and the properties of each load type. Use the load properties dialog box to view or modify the properties of a load. Click Analysis > Properties and select a load type to open its properties dialog box.
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Filtering by properties Topics
You can use load types and groups in filters. For example, you can select, modify, or hide loads based on their type and load group. See Filtering objects. Load types (p. 46) Load forms (p. 48) Load magnitude (p. 49) Temperature loads and strain (p. 49) Grouping loads (p. 42) Distributing loads (p. 49)
See also
Load types
Tekla Structures includes the following load types:
46
Uniform load Area load Point load Line loads
Load type Point load Line load
Description A concentrated force or bending moment that can be attached to a part. A linearly-distributed force or torsion. By default it runs from a point to another point. You can also create a line load with offsets from the points. A line load can be attached to a part. Its magnitude can vary linearly across the loaded length. A linearly-distributed force bounded by a triangle or quadrangle. You do not have to bind the boundary of the area to parts. Area loads can have openings. A uniformly-distributed force bounded by a polygon. Uniform loads can have openings. You do not have to bind the polygon to parts.
Area load
Uniform load
47
Load type Temperature load
Description
A uniform change in temperature, that is applied to specified parts, and that causes axial elongation in parts. A temperature difference between two surfaces of a part that causes the part to bend.
Strain
An initial axial elongation or shrinkage of a part.
To ensure that load analysis is correct, use area and uniform loads for loads on floors. For example, when the layout of beams changes, Tekla Structures recalculates the loads to the beams. It will not do this if you use point or line loads on individual beams.
Load forms
Distributed loads (line and area loads) can have different load forms.
Line load
The load form of a line load defines how the load magnitude varies along the loaded length. The options are:
Option
Description The load magnitude is uniform across the loaded length. The load has different magnitudes at the ends of the loaded length. The magnitude changes linearly between the ends. The load magnitude changes linearly, from zero at the ends of the loaded length, to a fixed value in the middle of the loaded length. The load magnitude changes linearly, from zero at one end of the loaded length, through two (different) values, back to zero at the other end.
Area load
The load form of an area load defines the shape of the loaded area. It can be:
Option
Description Quadrangular
Triangular
48
For information on how to define the length or area a load affects, see Loaded length or area (p. 52).
See also
Load magnitude (p. 49)
Load magnitude
Load magnitude can occur in x, y, and z directions. The coordinate system is the same as the current work plane, so positive coordinates indicate a positive load direction. See Work plane. For example, when you create loads perpendicular to sloped parts, shifting the work plane helps you to place loads accurately. See Defining the work area.
Some types of loads can have several magnitude values. For example, the magnitude of line loads may vary along the loaded length. See Load forms (p. 48). In the load properties dialog boxes, the following letters denote magnitudes of different types:
P is for a force acting on a position, along a line, or across an area. M is for bending moments acting on a position or along a line. T is for torsional moments acting along a line.
Temperature loads and strain

Temperature loads can be caused by:
An increase or decrease in temperature A difference in temperature between the top and bottom surfaces of a part A difference in temperature between the sides of a part
Temperature changes cause axial elongation or uniform volume expansion in parts. Different surface temperatures cause parts to bend.
Strain
Strain is an initial axial elongation (+) or shrinkage (-) of a part. To define the temperature loads and strain that affect parts, click Analysis > Properties >
Temperature Load... and use the Magnitude tab.
See also
Create Temperature Load (p. 62)
2.4 Distributing loads

This section explains how to attach loads and how to define which parts, or lengths and areas of parts, carry loads.
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Topics
Attaching loads to parts or locations (p. 50) Applying loads to parts (p. 50) Loaded length or area (p. 52)
Attaching loads to parts or locations

You can attach loads to parts or locations for modeling purposes. Attaching a load to a part binds the load and the part together in the model. If the part is moved, copied, deleted, etc., it affects the load. For example, a prestressing load moves with the part to which it is attached, and disappears if the part is deleted. If you do not attach a load to a part, Tekla Structures fixes the load to the position(s) you pick when you create the load. To attach a load to parts or locations, open the load properties dialog box. On the Distribution tab, select an option in the Load attachment list box:
Option
Attach to member Dont attach
Description Attaches the load to a specific part. If the part is moved, copied, deleted, etc., it affects the load. The load is not attached but it is considered a floating load. This load is bound to the position you pick when you create the load, not to parts.
If you select the Attach to member option, you must select the part before picking the position for the load.
To define which parts carry a load, see Applying loads to parts (p. 50).
Applying loads to parts

In order to apply loads in the structural analysis model, Tekla Structures searches for parts in the areas that you specify. For each load, you can define the load-bearing parts by name or selection filter, and the search area. To do this, open the loads properties dialog box and click the Distribution tab.
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Load-bearing parts
To define the load-bearing parts by name: 1. In the Load-bearing parts list box:

2.
Select Include parts by name to define the parts that carry the load. Select Exclude parts by name to define the parts that do not carry the load.
Enter the part names.
You can use wildcards when listing the part names. See Wildcards.
To define the load-bearing parts by selection filter: 1. In the Load-bearing parts list box:

2.
Select Include parts by filter to define the parts that carry the load. Select Exclude parts by filter to define the parts that do not carry the load.
Select the selection filter in the second list box.
For more information on selection filters and filtering, see Filtering objects.
Bounding box
Use the loads bounding box to define the area to search for the parts that carry the load. The bounding box is the volume around the load that Tekla Structures searches for load-bearing parts. Each load has its own bounding box. You can define the dimensions of a bounding box in the x, y, and z directions of the current work plane. The dimensions are measured from the reference point, line, or area of the load. See also Handles (p. 54). Offset distances from the reference line or area do not affect the size of the bounding box. See Loaded length or area (p. 52).
See also
Each loads load panel properties also affect which parts receive the load. See Modifying load distribution (p. 52).
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Loaded length or area

If a line, area, or uniform load affects a length or area which is difficult to pick in the model, pick one close to it. Then use the values in the Distances fields in the load properties dialog boxes to pinpoint the length or area. You can shorten or divide the loaded length, and enlarge or reduce the loaded area.
Line load
To shorten or divide the length of a line load, enter positive values for a and b.
Area load
To enlarge the area an area load affects, enter a positive value for a. To reduce the area, enter a negative value.
Modifying load distribution

By default, Tekla Structures distributes loads using the panel method. To modify the way loads are distributed, modify the properties on the Load panel tab in the load properties dialog box. The properties are:
Property
Spanning
Description
Single: in the direction of the primary axis only Double: along the primary and secondary axes
Primary axis direction
If Spanning is set to Single, you can define the primary axis direction by picking a part in the model and setting this option to Parallel to part or Perpendicular to part. To manually define the primary axis weight when
Spanning is set to Double, you must also define
the primary axis direction.

Automatic primary axis weight Yes: Tekla Structures automatically calculates the
load portions for primary and secondary directions.

No: Enter the weight for the primary direction in the Weight field. Tekla Structures calculates the
weight for the secondary direction by subtracting this value from 1.
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Property
Load dispersion angle Use continuous structure load distribution
Description The angle by which the load is projected onto the surrounding elements.
Yes: for uniform loads on continuous slabs. For the first and last spans, the distribution of support reactions is 3/8 and 5/8, instead of 1/2 and 1/2.
No Example
When using double spanning, automatic primary axis weight and the weight value affect the proportions of the load which is applied to the primary axis and to the perpendicular axis.
If Automatic primary axis weight is Yes, the proportions will be in proportion to the third power of the span lengths in these two directions, i.e. the shorter the span, the bigger the proportion of the load. The Weight value does not matter.
If Automatic primary axis weight is No, the given Weight value (0.50 in this example) is used to divide the load.
2.5 Working with loads

To modify the properties of a load, double-click it in the model to open the relevant load properties dialog box. When you have finished, click Modify to update the properties of the load in the model.
Topics
Changing loaded length or area (p. 54) Scaling loads in model views (p. 54) Defining varying wind loads (p. 55)
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Changing loaded length or area

As well as changing load properties, you can modify loads by:

Handles
Moving line load ends Moving uniform load corners Changing the shape of openings in loads Adding corners to uniform loads
Tekla Structures indicates the load reference points (the ends and corners of line, area, and uniform loads) using handles. When you select a load, the handles are magenta.
You can use these handles to move load ends and corners: 1. 2. 3. Select the load to display its handles. Click the handle you want to move. Tekla Structures highlights the handle. Move the handle(s) like any other object. See Moving an object. If you have Drag and drop on, just drag the handle to a new position. See Moving an object using drag-anddrop.
To add corners to uniform loads, use the Modify Polygon Shape command. See Modifying the shape of a polygon.
Scaling loads in model views

You can have Tekla Structures scale loads when you are modeling. This ensures that loads are not too small to see, or so large that they hide the structure. To scale loads in model views, click Tools > Options > Options... > Load modeling and go to the Arrow length tab:
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Example
You define that point loads with magnitude of 1 kN or less are 250 mm high in the model, and point loads with magnitude of 10 kN or more are 2500 mm high. Tekla Structures linearly scales all point loads that have a magnitudes between 1 kN and 10 kN between 250 mm and 2500 mm.
Defining varying wind loads

The Create Wind Load (p. 63) command allows you to define which zones have concentrated wind load. Each zone is the height of the wall. Define the width of the zone using either dimensions or proportions. You can define up to five zones for each wall. In the example below, the loads in the global x direction are multiplied by 3 at both corners of wall 1.
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The Wind load generator (28) dialog box contains one tab for each wind direction.
2.6 Load reference

This section consists of the reference pages for the load commands. To create loads, use the icons on the Loads and Analysis toolbar or select a command from the Analysis > Loads menu. The following table lists the commands for creating loads and gives a short description of each one.
Command Load Groups... (p. 56) Create Point Load (p. 58) Create Line Load (p. 59) Create Area Load (p. 60) Create Uniform Load (p. 61) Create Wind Load (p. 63) Create Temperature Load (p. 62)
Icon
Description Displays the Load Groups dialog box. Creates a point load at a picked position. Creates a line load between two picked points. Creates an area load using three picked points. Creates a uniformly-distributed polygonal area load using at least three picked points. Creates wind loads on a structure. Defines a temperature change in a part, or a temperature difference between two part surfaces.
Load Groups...
Synopsis
This command displays the Load Groups dialog box that you can use to manage load groups.
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Description
Tekla Structures lists all the existing load groups in the Load Groups dialog box. Use the dialog box to view, define, modify, and delete load groups.
Column
Current
Description The @ symbol identifies the current load group. To change the current load group, select a load group and click the Set current button. Unique name of the load group. Load group type, based on the action that causes the loads in the group. Direction of the action that causes the loads in the load group. A number that identifies all the load groups that are compatible with each other. A number that identifies all the load groups that are incompatible with each other. The color that Tekla Structures uses to show the loads in the group.
More information Load group properties (p. 43)
Name Type
Direction
Compatible
Load group compatibility (p. 43)
Incompatible
Color
Load group properties (p. 43)
Usage
Click Analysis > Loads > Load Groups.... To define a new load group: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Click Add. Select the default load group from the list. Click the load group name to modify it. Click the load group type and select a type from the list box. Click the load group direction to modify it. To indicate compatibility with existing load groups:

7.
In the Compatible column, enter the number you have used for the load groups that are compatible with this load group. In the Incompatible column, enter the number you have used for the load groups that are incompatible with this load group.
Click OK to close the dialog box.
To modify an existing load group: 1. 2. 3. Select the load group from the list. Change the name, direction, group type, or compatibility indicators. Click OK to close the dialog box.
To delete a load group: 1. 2. 3. Select the load group from the list. Click Delete. Click OK in the warning dialog box. This also deletes the loads in the load group.
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When you delete a load group, Tekla Structures also deletes all the loads in the load group. If you try to delete the only load group, Tekla Structures will warn you. At least one load group must exist. To find out which loads belong to a load group: 1. 2. 3. Open the Load Groups dialog box. Select a load group in the dialog box. Click the Loads by load groups button. Tekla Structures highlights the loads in the model.
To find out which load group a load belongs to: 1. 2. 3. Open the Load Groups dialog box. Select a load in the model. Click the Load groups by loads button. Tekla Structures highlights the load group in the dialog box.
To move a load to a different load group: 1. 2. 3. Select the load in the model. Select a load group in the Load Groups dialog box. Click the Change load group button.
To export load groups: 1. 2. 3. 4. Select the load groups to export in the Load Groups dialog box. Right-click and select Export... from the pop-up menu. In the Export Load Groups dialog box, browse for a folder and enter a name for the load group file. Click OK.
To import load groups: 1. 2. 3. In the Load Groups dialog box, right-click on the load group list and select Import... from the pop-up menu. In the Import Load Groups dialog box, browse for the load group files (.lgr) to import. Click OK.
You can include several load groups in one load group file.
See also
Working with load groups (p. 44) Grouping loads (p. 42)
Create Point Load

Synopsis Preconditions
This command creates a point load at a position you pick. Shift the work plane to create loads perpendicular to sloped parts.
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Description
Tekla Structures creates the point load using the properties in the Point Load Properties dialog box. The filename extension of a point load properties file is lm1.
Field
Load group name
Description The load group to which the load belongs.
More information Grouping loads (p. 42) Load Groups... (p. 56)
Magnitude tab Load attachment Load-bearing parts
Load magnitudes in the x, y, and z directions of the work plane. Indicates if the load is attached to a part. Parts to which the load is applied, or not applied, on the basis of part names or selection filters. Dimensions of the bounding box in the x, y, and z directions. Properties used in the load panel load distribution method.
Load magnitude (p. 49) Attaching loads to parts or locations (p. 50) Applying loads to parts (p. 50)
Bounding box of the load Load panel tab
Modifying load distribution (p. 52)
Usage
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Double-click the Create point load icon. Enter or modify the load properties. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. If you have selected the Attach to member option, select the part to attach the load to. Pick the position of the load.
See also
Points Creating a point Using commands
Create Line Load

Synopsis Preconditions Description
This command creates a line load between two picked points. Shift the work plane to create loads perpendicular to sloped parts. Tekla Structures creates the line load using the properties in the Line Load Properties dialog box. The filename extension of a line load properties file is lm2.
Field
Load group name
Load form
Defines how the load magnitude varies along the loaded length.
Load forms (p. 48)
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Field
Description Load magnitudes in the x, y, and z directions of the work plane. Indicates if the load is attached to a part. Parts to which the load is applied, or not applied, on the basis of part names or selection filters. Dimensions of the bounding box in the x, y, and z directions. Offsets from the load end points, used to shorten or lengthen the loaded length. Properties used in the load panel load distribution method.
More information Load magnitude (p. 49) Attaching loads to parts or locations (p. 50) Applying loads to parts (p. 50)
Bounding box of the load Distances
Loaded length or area (p. 52) Modifying load distribution (p. 52)
Load panel tab
Usage
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Double-click the Create line load icon. Enter or modify the load properties. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. If you have selected the Attach to member option, select the part to attach the load to. Pick the starting point. Pick the end point.
See also
Create Area Load

This command creates an area load using three picked points. Shift the work plane to create loads perpendicular to sloped parts. Area loads affect triangular or quadrangular areas. If you select the triangular load form, the points you pick define the loaded area. To create a quadrangular load form, pick three points and Tekla Structures automatically determines the fourth corner point. Tekla Structures creates the area load using the properties in the Area Load Properties dialog box. The filename extension of an area load properties file is lm3.
Field
Load group name
Load form
Defines the shape of the loaded area.
Load forms (p. 48)
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Field
Description Load magnitudes in the x, y, and z directions of the work plane. Indicates if the load is attached to a part. Parts to which the load is applied, or not applied, on the basis of part names or selection filters. Dimensions of the bounding box in the x, y, and z directions. Offset used to enlarge or reduce the loaded area. Properties used in the load panel load distribution method.
More information Load magnitude (p. 49) Attaching loads to parts or locations (p. 50) Applying loads to parts (p. 50)
Bounding box of the load Distances Load panel tab
Usage
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Double-click the Create area load icon. Enter or modify the load properties. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. If you have selected the Attach to member option, select the part to attach the load to. Pick three corner points.
Tekla Structures automatically takes openings in plates, slabs, and panels into account. To omit openings when analyzing plates, use the user-defined attribute Minimum hole size. For more about user-defined attributes, see Fine-tuning analysis models (p. 31).
See also
Create Uniform Load

This command creates a uniformly-distributed, polygonal area load using at least three picked points. Shift the work plane to create loads perpendicular to sloped parts. Uniform load is an area load distributed uniformly on a polygonal area. The bounding polygon is defined by at least three corner points you pick. Uniform loads can have openings. Tekla Structures creates a uniform load using the properties in the Uniform Load Properties dialog box. The filename extension of a uniform load properties file is lm4.
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Field
Load group name
Load magnitudes in the x, y, and z directions of the work plane. Indicates if the load is attached to a part. Parts to which the load is applied, or not applied, on the basis of part names or selection filters. Dimensions of the bounding box in the x, y, and z directions. Offset used to enlarge or reduce the loaded area. Properties used in the load panel load distribution method.
Load magnitude (p. 49) Attaching loads to parts or locations (p. 50) Applying loads to parts (p. 50)
Bounding box of the load Distances Load panel tab
Usage
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Double-click the Create uniform load icon. Enter or modify the load properties. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. If you have selected the Attach to member option, select the part to attach the load to. Pick three corner points. (Pick the other corner points.) Pick the first point again and click the middle mouse button to finish picking.
Tekla Structures automatically takes openings in plates, slabs, and panels into account. To omit openings when analyzing plates, use the user-defined attribute Minimum hole size. For more about user-defined attributes, see Fine-tuning analysis models (p. 31).
See also
Create Temperature Load

Synopsis Description
This command defines a temperature change in a part, or a temperature difference between two part surfaces. Tekla Structures creates the temperature load using the properties in the Temperature Load Properties dialog box. The filename extension of a temperature load properties file is lm6.
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Field
Load group name
Magnitude tab
Temperature change in the part. Difference in temperature between the left and right sides of the part. Difference in temperature between the top and bottom surfaces of the part. Axial strain of the part. A positive value indicates elongation, a negative value indicates shrinkage.
Temperature loads and strain (p. 49)
Load attachment Load-bearing parts
Indicates if the load is attached to a part. Parts to which the load is applied, or not applied, on the basis of part names or selection filters. Dimensions of the bounding box in the x, y, and z directions.
Attaching loads to parts or locations (p. 50) Applying loads to parts (p. 50)
Bounding box of the load Usage
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Double-click the Create temperature load icon. Enter or modify the load properties. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. If you have selected the Attach to member option, select the part to attach the load to. Pick the starting point. Pick the end point.
To apply temperature load to an entire structure, enter the load in the Temperature change for axial elongation field and adjust the bounding box to surround all the beams and columns in the structure.
See also
Create Wind Load

Synopsis
This modeling tool creates wind loads on a structure.
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Preconditions Description
Tekla Structures creates wind loads using the properties in the Wind load generator (28) dialog box. The properties are:
Field
Wind load direction
Description The options are:
More information
Global X Global -X Global Y Global -Y Global X, -X, Y, -Y (for all
directions)
Nominal wind pressure Top level Bottom level Ground level Part names Front Left side Back Right side
The highest level of the wind loads. The lowest level of the wind loads. The level of the ground around the building. Parts to which the load is applied, or not applied. The external exposure factors for the windward, leeward, and side walls. A positive value indicates pressure, a negative value indicates suction. The internal exposure factor. The distribution of wind load along the height of the building, in terms of pressure factors. Starts from the ground level. Zones for concentrated corner loads for each wall. You can define up to five zones for each wall. Defining varying wind loads (p. 55) Applying loads to parts (p. 50)
Internal Z profile tab
Global X, Global Y, Global -X, Global -Y tabs
Tekla Structures automatically includes wind loads in load combinations. To also include wind loads from the opposite direction, select the Generate wind also in opposite direction checkbox when creating load combinations.
Wind load generator (28) automatically takes openings in plates, slabs, and panels into
account.
Usage
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Double-click the Create wind load icon. Enter or modify the properties. Click Apply or OK to save the properties. Pick points to indicate the shape of the building on the bottom level. Click the middle mouse button to finish.
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Wind load generator (28) creates area loads using the load panel
distribution method. For more information, see Modifying load distribution (p. 52).
See also
Automatically including loads in combinations (p. 88)
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Analysis and Design
Introduction
This chapter explains how to define analysis model geometry in Tekla Structures. It also includes a general description of analysis and design model properties and an overview of analysis commands. You will also learn how to create load combinations. This chapter is for engineers who run structural analysis on concrete and steel structures. We assume that you have read the Chapter 1, Getting Started with Analysis (p. 11), first and defined the support conditions for parts. This chapter is divided into the following sections:
Audience Assumed background Contents
Analysis model geometry (p. 67) Analysis model properties (p. 74) Load combination (p. 83) Working with analysis and design models (p. 89) Analysis and design reference (p. 94)
3.1 Analysis model geometry

Introduction
This section explains how to define analysis model geometry.

Analysis model geometry is a representation of analysis settings applied to a physical model.
It indicates, for example, the locations of member axes. The analysis model geometry is a means to ensure that each analysis model passed on to the analysis application is accurate. The analysis model geometry includes analysis parts, part nodes, connection nodes, and links between nodes. You can show analysis parts in Tekla Structures model views. See View Analysis Parts (p. 102).
Defining analysis model geometry
You can define analysis model geometry by using:
Analysis model geometry settings for the entire physical model and all its analysis models Analysis model geometry rules for specific parts in the physical model Analysis properties of individual parts and connections
TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Analysis and Design
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Geometry settings
Analysis model properties that control the locations of member axes and nodes
Modifying the analysis model geometry does not affect the physical model.
Analysis model geometry settings define how Tekla Structures creates analysis models of
the physical model by default. You can define limits for when to use rigid links (Rigid link limit) and when to merge nodes on a part (Merge distance on beams). To access the analysis model geometry settings, click Analysis > Geometry Settings..., or . You can also use analysis model geometry rules to control the analysis model geometry. Geometry rules specify what Tekla Structures does for specific parts in specific conditions to force members to meet in the analysis model, or to prevent them from connecting. For example, you may want Tekla Structures to merge nodes in certain conditions, and in other conditions you may prefer rigid links. Analysis geometry rules are based on selection filters. For example, you can define that parts matching the columns filter always keep their member axis locations.
See also
Creating rules to define analysis model geometry (p. 68) Modifying analysis model geometry (p. 70) Connecting or disconnecting parts in analysis (p. 70) Defining analysis connections of parts (p. 71) Analysis part properties (p. 72) Analysis model properties (p. 74)
Creating rules to define analysis model geometry

You can control analysis model geometry with rules created on the basis of selection filters. You can create rules to define how Tekla Structures handles individual parts when it creates analysis models, and how parts are connected with each other in the analysis.
Preconditions Usage
Create the physical parts and define their individual analysis properties if needed. To create analysis model geometry rules: 1. 2. . Click Analysis > Geometry Settings..., or In the Analysis Geometry Settings dialog box, click Analysis geometry rules.... The Analysis Geometry Rules dialog box is displayed. On the Part properties tab: 1. 2. Click Add to add rules to define individual analysis part properties. In the Selection filter column, select a filter for each rule. The properties defined by a rule will be applied to the parts matching the filter. 3. 4. In the Keep axis position always column:
Select Yes to fix the member axis locations of the filtered parts.
In the Merge distance on part column, define the distance within which the nodes on the filtered parts are merged to connection nodes.
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5.
In the Exact connectivity column:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Select Yes to connect parts only if their member axes intersect.
On the Part connectivity tab: Click Add to add rules to define how two groups of parts are connected with each other in the analysis. In the Selection filter 1 column, select a filter to define the first part group. In the Selection filter 2 column, select a filter to define the second part group. In the Status column:
Select Disabled to prevent connections between the part groups.
In the Linkage column, select an option:
Option (blank)
Description Merges nodes or creates a rigid link according to the rigid link limit defined in the Analysis Geometry Settings dialog box. Always merges nodes when parts matching the selection filter 1 connect with parts matching the selection filter 2. Creates a rigid link when parts matching the selection filter 1 connect with parts matching the selection filter 2. Creates a rigid link and a moment release at the nodes of parts matching the selection filter 1. Creates a rigid link and a moment release at the nodes of parts matching the selection filter 2. Creates a rigid link and moment releases at the nodes of parts matching the selection filters 1 and 2.
Merge Rigid link Rigid link, moment release at node 1 Rigid link, moment release at node 2 Rigid link, moment release at both nodes
On both tabs:
Click Move up or Move down to change the order of rules.
The order of the rules is important. On the Part connectivity tab, the last rule applicable to a part is used. On the Part properties tab, the last rule applicable to a pair of parts is used.

1.
Click Selection filter... to create a new selection filter that suits your needs. Click Test selected part or Test selected parts to see how rules affect the parts selected in the model. Click Remove to delete the selected rules.
To save the settings: To save the analysis geometry rules for later use, enter a name in the field next to the Save as button, and then click Save as. The filename extension of an analysis geometry rules file is adrules. 2. Click OK to save the rules and close the Analysis Geometry Rules dialog box.
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3.
See also
Click OK to save the rules with geometry settings and to close the Analysis Geometry Settings dialog box.
Filtering objects Analysis model geometry (p. 67) Modifying analysis model geometry (p. 70)
Modifying analysis model geometry

In addition to changing the analysis model geometry settings, you can graphically modify the geometry by moving analysis part handles, or you can use the commands in Analysis > Edit Geometry.
Preconditions
Switch View Analysis Parts on to show the analysis parts. A check mark next to View Analysis Parts on the Analysis menu indicates that the analysis parts are already visible.
Usage
To modify an analysis part by using its handles: 1. Select the analysis part to show the handles. The analysis part handles are white. 2. Select the handle you want to move.
3.
If you have Drag and Drop (shortcut D) active, just drag the handle to a new location, or use the Move commands to move handles.
Use the appropriate snap switches to snap to the correct locations, for example, Snap to perpendicular points. See Snap switches.
See also
Connecting or disconnecting parts in analysis (p. 70) Defining analysis connections of parts (p. 71) Reset Geometry for Selected Parts (p. 102)
Connecting or disconnecting parts in analysis

You can connect and disconnect individual parts in the analysis.
Usage
To connect parts: 1. 2. Select the parts to connect. Click Analysis > Edit Geometry > Connect Parts, or .
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To disconnect parts: 1. 2. Select the parts to disconnect. Click Analysis > Edit Geometry > Disconnect Parts, or .
You can view the modified analysis connections of a part in the Analysis Member Connectivity dialog box. See Defining analysis connections of parts (p. 71).
See also
Modifying analysis model geometry (p. 70) Reset Geometry for Selected Parts (p. 102)
Defining analysis connections of parts

Use the Analysis Member Connectivity dialog box, in addition to the analysis geometry settings, to define the analysis connections of a part to other parts.
Description
You can:

Usage
Force parts to connect if they do not connect according to the geometry settings. Prevent parts from connecting if they connect according to the geometry settings. Ignore the geometry settings and define all connections manually. View the analysis connections that you have modified using the Connect Parts and Disconnect Parts commands.
To view or modify the analysis connections of a part: 1. 2. Click Analysis > Edit Geometry > Edit Part Connectivity..., or Select the part. .
To use the analysis model geometry settings but override them for the part: 1. 2. 3. 4. In the Connectivity mode list box, select Automatic. Select the parts to connect to and click Add selected parts next to the Additional forced connectivity list. Select the parts to disconnect from and click Add selected parts next to the Prevented connectivity list. Click OK.
To ignore the analysis model settings for the part and define all analysis connections manually: 1. 2. 3.
See also
In the Connectivity mode list box, select Manual. Select the parts to connect to and click Add selected parts. Click OK.
Modifying analysis model geometry (p. 70) Connecting or disconnecting parts in analysis (p. 70) Reset Geometry for Selected Parts (p. 102)
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Analysis part properties

An analysis part is a representation of analysis properties applied to a physical part. It indicates, for example, the location of the member axis. You can show analysis parts in Tekla Structures model views. See View Analysis Parts (p. 102). You can use the properties of analysis parts to fine-tune analysis model geometry for specific parts, for example, for built-up sections. To access the properties of an analysis part: 1. 2. Select the part. Click Analysis > Properties > Analysis Part.... The Analysis Part Properties dialog box is displayed. The table below describes the analysis part properties. They correspond to the user-defined attributes (UDA) of parts used in the previous versions of Tekla Structures.
Property
Built-up section mode
Description Indicates the role of the part in a built-up section that consists of a main part and one or more sub-parts. In the analysis, merges the sub-parts to the main part. The options are:
Corresponding UDA

Exact connectivity Merge distance on part Keep axis position always
Automatic Not part of built-up section: Disconnects the part from a built-up section. Main part of built-up section: Always
use to define the main part of a built-up section.

Sub-part of built-up section Beam sub-part of built-up section: Defines that the main part is a beam. Column sub-part of built-up section: Defines that the main part is a column.
Select Yes to connect parts only if their member axes intersect. Merges nodes within the distance specified into a single node. Select Yes to fix the location of member axis so that Tekla Structures does not shift the axis when it makes members meet in the analysis model. Sets the same z coordinate for all nodes.
Node merge distance Keep axis
Fixed level (z) of member
Member level (z)
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Property
Replacement profile name
Description Select a profile from the profile catalog. You can use different analysis profiles at the start and end of parts if the analysis application you use supports it. To use different profiles at part ends, enter two profiles separated by a pipe character, for example: HEA120|HEA140 Defines whether the longitudinal analysis offsets Dx of the physical part are used (part properties dialog box, Analysis tab). See also Analysis member offsets (p. 18). The options are:
Corresponding UDA
Profile
Longitudinal offset mode
Consider longitudinal model offsets

Curved beam mode
Offsets are not considered Only extensions are considered Offsets are always considered Curved beam by straight segments
Defines whether a beam is analyzed as a curved beam or as straight segments. Select either:
Use curved member Split into straight segments
Use the variable XS_AD_CURVED_BEAM_SPLIT_ACCU RACY_MM in Tools > Options > Advanced Options... > Analysis & Design to define how closely straight segments follow the curved beam.
Design group No. of split nodes
Defines which design group the part belongs to. Used in optimization. Use to create additional nodes or analyze a beam as straight segments, for example, a curved beam. Enter the number of nodes. See also Adding intermediate nodes (p. 34). To define additional nodes in the member, enter distances from the part starting point to the node. Enter distances, separated by spaces, for example: 1000 1500 3000 See also Adding intermediate nodes (p. 34).
Design group (optimization) No. of split nodes
Split distances
Split distances
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Property
Rigid link
Description Enables or disables rigid links at the start, mid, and end points of parts. Use with the Force to centric connection option in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box to specify which parts to use rigid links. See also Using rigid links (p. 35). Connects the part using pinned rigid links to the parts you specify. Select Yes to create a simpler analysis model of plates, where cuts and openings are not considered. Use to ignore small openings in plates in the analysis. Enter the size of the bounding box around the opening.
Corresponding UDA
Rigid link
Simple plate model
Simple plate
Smallest hole size to consider
Minimum hole size (to consider)
Supported
Use to define supports for plates and beams. You can create supports for the bottom edge of a wall, for all edge nodes of a slab, or for all nodes of a beam. For walls the bottom edge can be inclined. The options are:
Supported

Beam offsets tab
Simply: only translations are fixed Fully: both translations and rotations are
fixed Use to move analysis part ends to force members to meet in the analysis model. You can also move analysis part ends using handles. See Modifying analysis model geometry (p. 70).
Node offsets
3.2 Analysis model properties

This section explains the properties that Tekla Structures uses to create analysis members and analyze them. These properties apply to all members in an analysis model.
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Tekla Structures also takes into account the individual analysis properties defined in the parts properties. See Determining member properties (p. 14).
Defining analysis model properties
To set the properties for a new analysis model: 1. 2. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... Click New....
To view or modify the properties of an existing analysis model: 1. 2. 3.

Analysis application Model name Topics
Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... Select the model. Click Properties....
Tekla Structures links with a number of analysis applications and also supports import and export with them in several formats. The analysis application you use to run structural analysis uses data from the analysis model to generate analysis results. Each analysis model must have a unique name, which you can define. For example, you could use a name that describes the portion of the physical model you want to analyze. Objects in an analysis model (p. 76) Member axis (p. 77) Member end connectivity (p. 78) Defining nodes (p. 78) Model merging with analysis applications (p. 79) Analysis method (p. 80) Seismic analysis (p. 80) Modal analysis (p. 81) Design codes and methods (p. 82) Contents of STAAD.Pro results files and reports (p. 82)
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Objects in an analysis model

You can define which objects to include in an analysis model. For example, you can create analysis models of:

Creation method
The entire physical and load models A particular sub structure under a specific loading A single part
To define which objects to include in an analysis model, open the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. On the Analysis model tab, select an option from the Creation method list box. The options are:
Option
Full model
Description Includes all main parts and loads, except for parts whose analysis type is set to Ignore on the Analysis tab of part dialog box. Tekla Structures automatically adds physical objects to the analysis model when they are created. Includes all the main parts and loads that are inside or partly inside the work area when you create the analysis model. Only includes selected parts. Only includes selected parts and loads, and parts created by components. To later add or remove parts and loads, use the following buttons in the Analysis & Design Models dialog box:
By work area
By selected parts By selected parts and loads

Floor model by selected parts and loads
Add selected objects Remove selected objects
Only includes selected columns, slabs, floor beams, and loads. Tekla Structures replaces columns in the physical model with supports.
Tekla Structures ignores some objects in the analysis. See A closer look at the analysis model (p. 37). Even if you select Full model, Tekla Structures does not include parts created by most components in the analysis model. The following components set the analysis properties of the parts they create, so these parts are included in the analysis model:
Truss (S78) Shed (S75) Building (S58) and (S91) Slab generation (61) and (62)
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When you create an analysis model using the Full model option, the number of objects in the Analysis & Design Models dialog box changes only when you update the analysis model.
See also
Analysis model filter (p. 77)
Analysis model filter

To use the analysis model filter to select objects to include in an analysis model, select a filter from the Filter list box on the Analysis model tab in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. The analysis model filter works in similar way to the selection filter (see Filtering objects using a selection filter), but Tekla Structures saves the settings with the analysis model properties. So you can go back and check the criteria you used to select objects. Tekla Structures automatically adds new objects you create in the physical model to the analysis model if they fulfill the criteria in the analysis model filter.
Use the analysis model filter to filter out non-structural parts, such as railings, from the analysis model.
See also
To add individual objects to an analysis model, or to remove them, see Adding or removing analysis objects (p. 90). To check which objects are included in an analysis model, see Checking objects contained in an analysis model (p. 90). Analysis model properties (p. 74) Working with analysis and design models (p. 89)
Member axis
The locations of the member axes of parts define where the analysis members actually meet, and their length in the analysis model. They also affect where Tekla Structures creates nodes. To define member axis locations for all members in an analysis model, open the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. On the Analysis model tab, select an option from the Member axis location list box. The options are:
Option
Neutral axis
Description The neutral axis is the member axis for all parts. The location of the member axis changes if the profile of the part changes. The part reference line is the member axis for all parts. See also Part position.
Reference axis
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Option
Reference axis (eccentricity by neutral axis) Model default
Description The part reference line is the member axis for all parts. The location of the neutral axis defines axis eccentricity. The member axis of each part is defined individually according to the parts properties. See Member axis location (p. 17).
If you select the Neutral axis option, Tekla Structures takes the part location and end offsets into account when it creates nodes. See End offsets. If you select either of the Reference axis options, Tekla Structures creates nodes at part reference points.
See also
To visually check the analysis model before running the analysis, see Showing analysis models and support conditions in model views (p. 90). Analysis model properties (p. 74)
Member end connectivity

You can choose to define the support conditions of individual analysis members according to the parts properties, or the support conditions of connections between parts. See Support conditions (p. 25). To have Tekla Structures use the support conditions of connections: 1. For each connection or detail, open the properties dialog box. On the Analysis tab, select Yes in the Use analysis restraints list box. See Analysis properties of components (p. 22). Open the Analysis Model Properties dialog box for an analysis model. On the Analysis model tab, select Yes in the Member end release method by connection list box.
2.
Select No in the Member end release method by connection list box to have Tekla Structures use the support conditions of individual parts.
See also
Analysis model properties (p. 74) Showing analysis models and support conditions in model views (p. 90)
Defining nodes
If physical parts collide, but their member axes do not intersect, you can have Tekla Structures create common nodes for them in the analysis model by using the Extended clash check option in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. In order to force the members to meet in the analysis model, Tekla Structures may need to use the methods described in A closer look at the analysis model (p. 37).
Node definition method
If Tekla Structures cannot merge nodes because they are outside the merge distance (XS_AD_NODE_COLLISION_CHECK_DISTANCE), you can define how to connect members. Open the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. On the Analysis model tab, select one of the following options in the Node definition list box:
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Option
Use rigid links
Image
Description Creates a node at each members axis and connects the members using a rigid link between the nodes.
Force to centric connection
Creates a single node for the members and forces them into a centric connection by extending the member axes.
With both node definition methods you can override the setting at specific places. For more information, see Using rigid links (p. 35).
Rigid links
Rigid links have the following properties in the analysis model:

See also
Profile = PL300.0*300.0 Material = RigidlinkMaterial Density = 0.0 Modulus of elasticity = 100*109 N/m2 Poissons ratio = 0.30 Thermal dilatation coefficient = 0.0 1/K
To visually check the analysis model before running the analysis, see Showing analysis models and support conditions in model views (p. 90). Analysis model properties (p. 74)
Model merging with analysis applications

Updating changes
You can merge analysis models with some analysis applications, which means that existing models in analysis applications update when changes occur in Tekla Structures analysis models. To use model merging, select Enabled in the Model merging with analysis applications list box in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. In analysis applications that support model merging, you can, for example, add special loads to analysis models, in addition to the loads created in Tekla Structures, then make changes in Tekla Structures, and still keep the model in the analysis application up to date.
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Keeping node and member numbers
With all analysis applications, model merging helps in keeping the node and member numbers unchanged when changes occur in the analysis model.
Node numbers are kept if the node coordinates stay the same. Member numbers are kept if the start and end node numbers stay the same. Old numbers are not re-used.
Resetting models
To renumber nodes and members, or to remove a Tekla Structures analysis model from an analysis application, click the Reset button next the Model merging with analysis applications list box in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box.
Analysis method
To define the analysis method for the model, open the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. On the Analysis tab, select an option from the Analysis method list box. The options are:
Option
1st order P-delta Non-linear
Description Linear analysis method. A simplified second order analysis method. This method gives accurate results when deflections are small. Non-linear analysis method
If you select P-delta, Tekla Structures takes into account the additional stresses induced by the deflections of the structure. This leads to the iteration of deflection.
Iteration
The accuracy of the second order analysis depends on the number of iterations; the longer the iteration goes on, the more accurate the analysis. Increasing the number of iterations also increases processing time and analysis model size. To limit the number of iterations in second order analysis, enter a value in the Maximum number of iterations field. You can also set the accuracy, which is the relative tolerance used to control the iteration of deflection. Iteration stops when the analysis reaches the accuracy or the maximum number of iterations you define on the Analysis tab.
See also
Analysis model properties (p. 74)
Seismic analysis
Type
To define which building code to use to generate seismic loads, use the Seismic tab in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. You can create lateral seismic loads in the x and y directions according to several codes using a static equivalent approach (z is the direction of the gravity loads). Select one of the following options in the Type list box:
Option
None UBC 1997 UBC 1994 IBC 2000 IS 1893-2002 IBC 2003
Description Seismic analysis not run. Uniform Building Code 1997 Uniform Building Code 1994 International Building Code 2000 Indian Standard. Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures International Building Code 2003
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Option
AIJ Response spectrum Properties
Description Japanese code Response spectrum specification
Depending on the code you select, you can define some or all of the following:

Seismic loads
Whether to calculate the accidental torsion Seismic zone coefficient (Zone) Importance factor Numerical coefficients Rw for the lateral loads in x and y directions Soil profile type Soil factor Site class SDS, SD1, S1 Near source factors NA and NV CT value to calculate time period Periods of structure (in seconds) in the x and y directions Response reduction factor Type of structure Damping ratio Depth of foundation below ground level
Use the Seismic masses tab in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box to define the load groups and load group factors to include in the seismic analysis. To include the self-weight of parts in the seismic analysis, select the Include self-weight as
seismic mass checkbox.
To use the same load groups from the modal analysis in the seismic analysis, click the Copy
modal analysis masses button.
To move load groups between the Selected load groups and Not selected load groups lists, select a load group and use the arrow buttons between the lists.
See also
Modal analysis
To use modal analysis properties (resonant frequency and the associated pattern of structural deformation called mode shapes) instead of static load combinations: 1. Open the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. On the Analysis model tab, select the Modal analysis model checkbox. This forces Tekla Structures to ignore static load combinations. On the Modal analysis tab, define the following properties:
2.
Property
Count of modes Max frequency
Description The number of natural mode shapes in the structure. The maximum natural resonant frequency of the structure.
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Property
Include self-weight
Description Select checkboxes to indicate the directions for which Tekla Structures includes the self-weight of parts in the modal analysis. Select to include the same load groups in the modal analysis as in the seismic analysis.
Copy seismic masses
3. 4.
To move load groups between the Selected load groups and Not selected load groups lists, select a load group and use the arrow buttons between the lists. For each load group, enter a load factor and set the mass direction, the options are:

See also
XYZ to include the load in all three directions. Model default to include the load only in the direction of the load.
Design codes and methods

Use the Design tabs in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box to define the code and method to use in structural design. The design options available vary depending on the material. The design code options available vary depending on the analysis application you use. The design method options of different materials are:
Option
None
Description Tekla Structures only runs a structural analysis and creates data on stresses, forces, and displacements. Tekla Structures checks whether the structures fulfill the criteria in the design code (i.e. whether cross sections are adequate). Tekla Structures defines the required area of reinforcement.
Material Steel Concrete Timber Steel Timber Concrete
Check design
Calculate required area
Design properties
When you select a design code and method for a material, Tekla Structures lists the design properties in the lower part of the Design tab in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. Click on an entry in the Value column to change the value of a particular property. To change the design properties of specific parts, use the Design tab in the appropriate part properties dialog box. See Design information (p. 27).
See also
Contents of STAAD.Pro results files and reports

If STAAD.Pro is the analysis application you use, you can define the contents of the analysis results files and reports in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box in Tekla Structures. Use the Output tab to define the contents of the analysis results files.
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Use the Job tab to define the contents of the STAAD.Pro reports. The properties you can include in reports are:
Property
Name Client Number Part Reference Comment Engineer Checker Approved
Field in STAAD.Pro reports

Job title, Client, Job Number, Part, and Reference fields in the report header
(displayed on each page).
Comments field in Job information item in the
report.
Engineer and Checker names appear in the report header and in the Job information field.
Acceptor name, appears in the Job information field.
See also
Running analysis (p. 93)
3.3 Load combination

Introduction
Load combination is a process in which some simultaneously acting load groups are multiplied by their partial safety factors and combined with each other according to specific rules. Load combination rules are specific to a design process and are defined in building codes. One of the most typical design processes is the limit state design. The result of the load combination process is a load combination. You can have Tekla Structures automatically create load combinations, or you can create and modify them manually.
Topics
Load combination properties (p. 83) Load combination factors (p. 84) Load combination types (p. 84) Creating load combinations (p. 86) Automatic load combination (p. 87) Automatically including loads in combinations (p. 88) Manual load combination (p. 88)
Load combination properties

Load combination properties define how Tekla Structures combines loads. The following properties control the load combination process:
Load modeling code (p. 39) Load combination factors (p. 84) Load combination types (p. 84)
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Name and ID
Load group compatibility (p. 43)
Each load combination must have a unique name. Use names that describe the load situation. Each load combination has an ID. This is an incremental number, based on order in which load combinations are created in the analysis model.
See also
Creating load combinations (p. 86)
Load combination factors

You can use values for load combination factors that are building-code specific or user-defined. To use building-code specific factors, click Tools > Options > Options... > Load modeling. On the Current code tab, select an option from the Load modeling code list box. See Load modeling code (p. 39). If you change any values on the code-specific tabs, save the properties using a new name. To do this, enter a name in the field next to the Save as button and click the Save as button.
You should not need to change these settings during the project. If you have to, you will also need to change the load group types and check load combinations.
Partial safety factors
The partial safety factors needed in the limit state design appear on the code-specific tabs. They are:

Reduction factors
Unfavorable partial safety factor in the ultimate limit state (sup) Favorable partial safety factor in the ultimate limit state (inf) Unfavorable partial safety factor in the serviceability limit state (sup) Favorable partial safety factor in the serviceability limit state (inf)
Depending on the codes you use, you may need to use other combination factors. For example, the Eurocode contains three reduction factors (0, 1, 2). Reduction factors exclude the impractical effects of simultaneous loads. Creating load combinations (p. 86)
See also
Load combination types

You can perform several types of load combination, which vary according to the building code you use. The options are:
Combination type
Load groups (LG)
Description Each load group forms a load combination. All partial safety factors equal 1.00. Combines load groups that occur persistently and transiently. Uses the partial safety factors of the ultimate limit state when combining loads.
Applies to All codes
Ultimate limit state
(ULS)
Eurocode, British, AISC
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Combination type
Serviceability limit state Rare (SLS RC)
Description Combines load groups that occur quasi-permanently and rarely. Uses the partial safety factors of the serviceability limit state when combining loads. Combines load groups that occur quasi-permanently. Uses the partial safety factors of the serviceability limit state when combining loads. Combines load groups that occur quasi-permanently. Uses the partial safety factors of the serviceability limit state when combining loads. Combines load groups and uses factors according to the French codes CM66 or BAEL91.
Applies to Eurocode
Serviceability limit state Quasi-permanent (SLS
Eurocode
QP)
Serviceability limit state
AISC
(SLS)
Normal loads Extreme loads Displacement loads Accidental loads Ultimate loads Ultimate accidental loads Loads for public structures Loads for public structures with drifted snow Loads for non public structures Loads for non public structures with drifted snow
CM66, BAEL91 CM66 CM66 CM66 BAEL91 BAEL91
Combines load groups according to the US IBC code (International Building Code)
IBC (US) IBC (US)
IBC (US) IBC (US)
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Combination type
Loads for public non concrete and masonry structures Loads for public non concrete and masonry structures with drifted snow Loads for non concrete and masonry structures Loads for non concrete and masonry structures with drifted snow Loads for public concrete and masonry structures Loads for public concrete and masonry structures with drifted snow Loads for concrete and masonry structures Loads for concrete and masonry structures with drifted snow ACI Table 1 - ACI Table 8
Description Combines load groups according to the US UBC code (Uniform Building Code)
Applies to UBC (US)
UBC (US)
UBC (US) UBC (US)
UBC (US)
UBC (US)
UBC (US) UBC (US)
Combines load groups according to the ACI code (American Concrete Institutions publication 318)
ACI
Use the Load Combination Generation dialog box to define the load combination type.
See also
Creating load combinations (p. 86) Load modeling code (p. 39) Automatically including loads in combinations (p. 88)
Creating load combinations

To create load combinations: 1. 2. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... In the Analysis & Design Models dialog box, select an analysis model and click Load combinations... to open the Load Combinations dialog box. This lists the existing load combinations, together with their ID, name, type, and the load groups they contain.
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Use the buttons in the Load Combinations dialog box to carry out various tasks. The buttons are:
Button
New...
Description Displays the Load Combination Coefficients dialog box, where you manually create load combinations. See Manual load combination (p. 88). Automatically generates load combinations based on the code and factors in Tools > Options > Options... > Load modeling. See Automatic load combination (p. 87). Deletes the selected load combination. Deletes all load combinations.
Generate...
Remove Remove all
Use the Save as and Load buttons to copy load combinations between analysis models.
Automatic load combination

To automatically create load combinations: 1. In the Load Combinations dialog box, click Generate... to open the Load Combination Generation dialog box.
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2. 3.
4.
In the upper part of the dialog box, select the checkboxes against the combinations you want to create. See Load combination types (p. 84). To automatically include the self-weight of parts or wind loads from the opposite direction, select the appropriate checkboxes in the lower part of the dialog box. See Automatically including loads in combinations (p. 88). Click Apply or OK.
Tekla Structures creates the load combinations for different load groups and limit states according to the load modeling code you select, and uses the combination factors defined in Tools > Options > Options... > Load modeling. See also Creating load combinations (p. 86) and Manual load combination (p. 88).
Automatically including loads in combinations

You can automatically include various loads in load combinations. To do this, select the appropriate checkboxes in the Load Combination Generation dialog box. The options are:
Checkbox
Include self-weight
Description Automatically includes the selfweight of parts in load combinations. This means that you do not have to model selfweight loads separately. See Automatic loads and load groups (p. 42). If the analysis model has wind loads from a specific direction (x or y), select this checkbox to include wind loads from the opposite direction (-x or -y).
Applies to All codes
Generate wind also in opposite direction
All codes
To automatically include seismic loads in load combinations, use the Seismic and Seismic masses tabs in the Analysis Model Properties dialog box. See also Seismic analysis (p. 80).
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).
See also
Creating load combinations (p. 86) Load modeling code (p. 39) Load combination types (p. 84)
Manual load combination

To create load combinations manually:
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1.
In the Load Combinations dialog box, click New... to open the Load Combination Coefficients dialog box.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Select a combination type. See Load combination types (p. 84). Enter a unique name for the load combination. Try to make the name as descriptive as possible. Use the arrow buttons to move load groups between the Loads available list and the Combinations table. Modify the combination factors in the Combinations table by clicking a value. Click Apply or OK.
See also Creating load combinations (p. 86) and Automatic load combination (p. 87).
3.4 Working with analysis and design models

This section explains how to examine and modify analysis models. Click Analysis > Analysis
& Design Models... and use the Analysis & Design Models dialog box.
Topics
Checking objects contained in an analysis model (p. 90) Adding or removing analysis objects (p. 90) Showing analysis models and support conditions in model views (p. 90) Analysis model status (p. 93)
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Running analysis (p. 93) Viewing analysis results (p. 94)

See also
Creating load combinations (p. 86) Analysis > Analysis & Design Models... (p. 95)
Checking objects contained in an analysis model

To check which parts and loads an analysis model contains: 1. 2. 3.
See also
Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... In the Analysis & Design Models dialog box, select a model. Click the Select objects button. Tekla Structures highlights and selects the parts and loads in the physical model.
Showing analysis models and support conditions in model views (p. 90)
Adding or removing analysis objects

As well as changing the properties of an analysis model, you can also modify existing analysis models by adding and removing objects.
Adding and removing objects changes the analysis model status to out of date, so you must run the analysis again. See also Analysis model status (p. 93).
To add or remove parts and loads: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. In the physical model, select the parts and loads to add or remove. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... In the Analysis & Design Models dialog box, select a model. To add the objects to the analysis model, click Add selected objects (p. 99). To remove the objects from the analysis model, click Remove selected objects (p. 100).
Showing analysis models and support conditions in model views

You can visually check analysis models in Tekla Structures, and make corrections if needed, before actually running the analysis and using the analysis application. This is particularly useful with large models, when the analysis may take some time. To have Tekla Structures show an analysis model in a Tekla Structures model view: 1. 2. 3. 4. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... In the Analysis & Design Models dialog box, select a model. If the analysis is not yet run, click the Create model button. Tekla Structures creates the analysis model. Click the Show in model button.
Tekla Structures shows the analysis members and their identification numbers, nodes, rigid links, and support conditions using the following colors and symbols:
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Object Node Rigid link Normal member (Beam)
Color Magenta Dark blue Red
Image
Truss member Truss member Tension only Truss member Compression only
Green Violet Yellow
Composite beam Plate, slab, or panel edge
Gray Light blue
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Connected Supported
To hide the model parts and view only the wire frame analysis model: 1. 2. 3. 4. Double-click the model view. In the View Properties dialog box, click the Display... button. On the Settings tab of the Display dialog box, clear the Parts checkboxes. Click Modify.
To hide the analysis model from the model view, right-click the view and select Redraw View from the pop-up menu. To show all member types and to permanently hide member or node numbers or support conditions from model views, set the following variables to FALSE in Tools > Options > Advanced options... > Analysis & Design:
XS_AD_MEMBER_TYPE_VISUALIZATION XS_AD_MEMBER_NUMBER_VISUALIZATION XS_AD_NODE_NUMBER_VISUALIZATION XS_AD_SUPPORT_VISUALIZATION
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Analysis members will appear in red.

See also
Checking objects contained in an analysis model (p. 90)
Analysis model status

The Results field in the Analysis & Design Models dialog box shows the status of the analysis model. This can be:

1. 2. 3.
Up to date Not up to date Status unknown None
Not up to date means that the model has changed. To find out more:
Click Analysis > Analysis & Design models.... In the Analysis & Design Models dialog box, select an analysis model. Click Details... to open the Details of analysis model status dialog box. This displays the status of the following:
Calculation Load combinations Analysis model properties Parts Loads Load groups
The Parts, Loads, and Load groups tabs display information about individual objects based on their ID number.
Running analysis
To run structural analysis on an analysis model: 1. 2. 3. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... In the Analysis & Design Models dialog box, select a model. Click Run.
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The analysis application starts and opens the analysis model. Some analysis applications automatically run the analysis.
Viewing analysis results

Once you have run the analysis, you can view the results. For information on analysis results, see the following topics:
Get results (p. 101) Analysis > Analysis & Design Models... (p. 95)
So that you can perform a visual check, you can have Tekla Structures use different colors to show the utilization ratio of steel parts in the physical model. To do this: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Run the analysis. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... In the Analysis & Design Models dialog box, select an analysis model. In the Model Editor, click View > Representation > Object Representation.... In the Object Representation dialog box, select the object group whose utilization ratios you want to show. In the Color column, select Color by analysis utility check.... In the Utility Ratio Ranges dialog box, set the ranges of ratio for each of the colors that Tekla Structures uses to show safe and unsafe parts. Click OK. Tekla Structures shows the utilization ratio of the steel parts in the selected analysis model using the following colors:
To show the utilization ratio of steel parts in a report, add the AD$$UtilityRatio template field in the report template you use.
3.5 Analysis and design reference

This section consists of the reference pages for the analysis and design commands. Use the commands on the Analysis menu to work with analysis and design models. The following table lists the analysis and design commands and gives a short description of each one.
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Command Analysis > Analysis & Design Models... (p. 95)
Icon
Description Displays the Analysis & Design models dialog box so that you can work with analysis and design models. Shows the analysis parts superimposed on the physical parts in all model views. Displays the Analysis Geometry Settings dialog box where you can define the automatic settings of analysis model geometry. See also Analysis model geometry (p. 67). Connects the selected parts in the analysis. See also Connecting or disconnecting parts in analysis (p. 70). Disconnects the selected parts in the analysis. See also Connecting or disconnecting parts in analysis (p. 70). Displays the Analysis Member Connectivity dialog box of a selected parts so that you can view, define, and modify the analysis connections of the part. See also Defining analysis connections of parts (p. 71). Resets the selected parts to the default analysis model geometry settings. All manual adjustments in geometry are removed.
View Analysis Parts (p. 102)

Geometry Settings...
Connect Parts
Disconnect Parts
Edit Part Connectivity...
Reset Geometry for Selected Parts (p. 102)
Analysis > Analysis & Design Models...

Synopsis Description
This command displays the Analysis & Design Models dialog box so that you can work with the analysis and design models. The Analysis & Design Models dialog box lists all existing analysis and design models. Use this dialog box to view, add, modify, run, update, and delete analysis and design models. The properties in the dialog box are:
Column
Analysis model name Analysis application
Description A unique name for the analysis model. User-definable. The analysis application or format used in the analysis of the analysis model.
More information Analysis model properties (p. 74) Analysis application (p. 12)
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Column
Creation method Results Number of parts
Description Defines which objects are included in the analysis model. Indicates whether the analysis model is up to date or not. The number of physical parts included in the analysis model.
More information Objects in an analysis model (p. 76) Analysis model status (p. 93) Members, elements, and nodes (p. 13)
When you create an analysis model using the Full model option, the number of objects in the Analysis & Design Models dialog box changes only when you update the analysis model.
Usage
The following table explains the functions of the buttons in the Analysis & Design Models dialog box:
Button
New...
Description Displays the Analysis Model Properties dialog box so that you can create new analysis models. See New... (p. 97). Deletes the selected analysis model. Displays the properties of the selected analysis model. See Analysis model properties (p. 74). Highlights and selects the parts and loads that are included in the analysis model in the physical model. See also Checking objects contained in an analysis model (p. 90). Adds the parts and loads that are selected in the physical model to the selected analysis model. See Add selected objects (p. 99). Removes the parts and loads that are selected in the physical model from the selected analysis model. See Remove selected objects (p. 100). Shows the analysis members and their identification numbers, nodes, rigid links, and support conditions of the selected analysis model in the active Tekla Structures model view. See Showing analysis models and support conditions in model views (p. 90). Same as Show in model but first updates the analysis model with changes in the physical model, analysis model geometry, or analysis properties of parts. Displays the load combinations in the selected analysis model. Also use to create new load combinations. See Load combinations... (p. 100). Updates the information on the analysis model list.
Delete Properties... Select objects
Add selected objects Remove selected objects Show in model
Update and show
Load combinations... Refresh
96
Button
Details... Run Create model
Description Displays detailed information about the status of the analysis model. See Analysis model status (p. 93). Runs the analysis on the selected analysis model. Constructs an analysis model, but does not run the analysis. Use with the Show in model button when visually checking the analysis model. See also Showing analysis models and support conditions in model views (p. 90). Starts the analysis application and opens the selected analysis model in it. Use to exit the analysis application. Saves the maximum axial force, shear force, and bending moment at the part ends as user-defined attributes in the part properties. To view these results, open a parts user-defined attributes dialog box. See Get results (p. 101). Same as Get results but only saves results for the selected parts. Closes the Analysis & Design Models dialog box.
Open application Close application Get results
Get results for selected Close See also
Working with analysis and design models (p. 89)
New...
This command displays the Analysis Model Properties dialog box and creates a new analysis model. Create the physical and load models. Define the support conditions for parts and connections. Tekla Structures creates the analysis model using the properties in the Analysis Model
Properties dialog box.
Description
To automatically include all the objects in the physical and load models in the analysis model, use the Full model creation option. To create an analysis model for specific parts and loads, select the objects to include in the model, or fit the work area to include them.
Whichever creation method you choose, you can use the Filter list box to specify which objects to include in the analysis model. See also Filtering objects. You can also later add and remove analysis objects. See Add selected objects (p. 99) and Remove selected objects (p. 100).
97
Field/Tab
Analysis application
Description The analysis application or format used in the analysis of the analysis model. To use the same application or format by default for other new analysis models, select the Set as the default checkbox.
More information Analysis application (p. 12)
Analysis model name Modal analysis model
A unique name for the analysis model. User-definable. Defines whether modal analysis properties are used instead of static load combinations. Defines which objects are included in the analysis model.
Analysis model properties (p. 74) Modal analysis (p. 81) Objects in an analysis model (p. 76) Analysis model filter (p. 77)
checkbox
Creation method
Member axis location Node definition Extended clash check
Defines which line is used as the axis of each analysis member. Defines how the nodes and node positions are defined. Toggles extended clash checking on and off. When changes occur in the analysis model, defines whether:
Member axis (p. 77) Defining nodes (p. 78) Nodes connecting members and elements (p. 38) Model merging with analysis applications (p. 79)
checkbox
Model merging with analysis application
The node and member numbers are kept unchanged. The model in the analysis application is updated.
Member end release method by connection Analysis method Maximum iterations Accuracy Job Output
Defines whether the support conditions of connections or parts are used. Defines whether second order stresses are taken into consideration. Tekla Structures repeats second order iteration until it reaches one of these values. Defines the job information in reports. Defines the contents of the analysis results file.
Member end connectivity (p. 78)
Analysis method (p. 80)
Contents of STAAD.Pro results files and reports (p. 82)
98
Field/Tab
Seismic tab Seismic masses tab Modal analysis
Description Properties required by seismic analysis. Properties required by modal analysis. Design codes for different materials. The material-specific principle used to compare stresses and material capacities.
More information Seismic analysis (p. 80) Modal analysis (p. 81) Design codes and methods (p. 82)
tab
Design code Design method
Usage
Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Model... to open the Analysis & Design Models dialog box. To create a new analysis model of the entire physical and load models: 1. 2. 3. 4. Click New.... In the Creation method list box, select Full model. Enter or modify the remaining analysis model properties. Click OK.
To create a new analysis model for specific parts and loads: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

See also
Select the objects you want to include in the analysis model, or fit the work area to include them. Click New.... In the Creation method list box, select By work area, By selected parts, By selected parts and loads, or Floor model by selected parts and loads. Enter or modify the remaining analysis model properties. Click OK.
Analysis > Analysis & Design Models... (p. 95) Working with analysis and design models (p. 89)
Add selected objects

Synopsis Preconditions Description Usage
This command adds parts and loads to the selected analysis model. Create an analysis model. Use this command when you have created analysis models using the By selected parts or By selected parts and loads method. 1. 2. 3. 4. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... Select the analysis model you want to add objects to. Select the objects to add. Click Add selected objects.
See also
Remove selected objects (p. 100) Adding or removing analysis objects (p. 90)
99
Remove selected objects

Synopsis Preconditions Description Usage
This command removes parts and loads from the selected analysis model. Create an analysis model. Use this command when you have created analysis models using the By selected parts or By selected parts and loads method. 1. 2. 3. 4. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... Select the analysis model you want to remove objects from. Select the objects to remove. Click Remove selected objects.
See also
Add selected objects (p. 99) Adding or removing analysis objects (p. 90)
Load combinations...
This command opens the Load Combinations dialog box so that you can work with load combinations. Set the code to follow in load combination in Tools > Options > Options... > Load modeling
> Current code.
Create an analysis model.

Description Usage
To create load combinations: 1. 2. 3. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... In the Analysis & Design Models dialog box, select an analysis model and click Load combinations.... In the Load Combinations dialog box, click Generate... to open the Load Combination Generation dialog box.
4. 5.
6.
Select the checkboxes against the combinations you want to create. See Load combination types (p. 84). To automatically include the self-weight of parts or wind loads from the opposite direction, select the appropriate checkboxes. See Automatically including loads in combinations (p. 88). Click Apply or OK. Tekla Structures creates the load combinations based on the selected building code.
100
To create your own load combinations and use combination factors that are not code-specific, click the New... button in the Load Combinations dialog box. See Manual load combination (p. 88).
See also
Creating load combinations (p. 86) Load combination (p. 83)
Get results
Synopsis
The Get results and Get results for selected commands save the maximum axial force, shear force, and bending moment at the part ends as user-defined attributes in the part properties. When you click Get results or Get results for selected and then save the model, Tekla Structures saves the analysis results of all load combinations in a database, analysis_results.db5, in the current model folder.
Preconditions
Use the following variables in Tools > Options > Advanced Options... > Analysis & Design to define the analysis member points whose results are saved in the database:

Description
XS_AD_MEMBER_RESULT_DIVISION_COUNT XS_AD_MEMBER_RESULT_DISP_DIVISION_COUNT XS_AD_MEMBER_RESULT_MIN_DISTANCE XS_AD_MEMBER_RESULT_GRID_SIZE
Run the analysis.
Command
Get results
Icon
Description Saves the results for each part in the selected analysis model. Saves the results for the parts that you select in the physical model.
Get results for selected
To view the results, open the user-defined attributes dialog box for the part. To access the analysis results database, use the .NET or Excel design interface. If you do not want to create the analysis results database, set XS_AD_RESULT_DATABASE_ENABLED to FALSE in Tools > Options > Advanced Options... > Analysis & Design.
Usage
To save the results of an analysis model as user-defined attributes: 1. 2. 3. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... Select the analysis model. Click Get results.
To save the analysis results of specific parts in an analysis model as user-defined attributes: 1. 2. 3. 4. Click Analysis > Analysis & Design Models.... Select the analysis model. Select the parts in the physical model. Click Get results for selected.
101
See also
Viewing analysis results (p. 94)
View Analysis Parts

Synopsis Usage
Shows the analysis parts superimposed on the physical parts in all model views. To switch View Analysis Parts on or off, click Analysis > View Analysis Parts. A check mark next to View Analysis Parts on the Analysis menu indicates that the analysis parts are already visible.
See also
Analysis part properties (p. 72)
Reset Geometry for Selected Parts

Synopsis Preconditions Usage
Resets the selected parts to the default analysis model geometry settings. All manual adjustments in geometry are removed. Use this command if you have modified analysis model geometry by moving, connecting, or disconnecting analysis parts. 1. 2. Select the parts to reset. Click Analysis > Edit Geometry > Reset Geometry for Selected Parts.
See also
Modifying analysis model geometry (p. 70)
102
Index
a
adding nodes................................................................ 34 analysis and design overview ................................................................ 67 prior to ................................................................... 13 analysis and design models ......................................... 95 analysis application ...................................................... 11 merging models..................................................... 79 analysis member offsets............................................... 18 analysis members properties ........................................................14, 28 analysis method .....................................................40, 80 analysis model geometry.............................................. 67 modifying............................................................... 70 resetting .............................................................. 102 analysis model geometry rules..................................... 68 analysis models............................................................ 11 a closer look .......................................................... 37 adding or removing objects ................................... 90 checking objects.................................................... 90 creating ...........................................................74, 97 creating geometry rules......................................... 68 defining geometry.................................................. 67 filtering objects ...................................................... 77 modifying.........................................................74, 90 modifying geometry............................................... 70 objects................................................................... 76 properties .............................................................. 74 resetting geometry .............................................. 102 running analysis .................................................... 93 seismic loads......................................................... 80 status..................................................................... 93 viewing results....................................................... 94 analysis parts properties .............................................................. 72 viewing ................................................................ 102 analysis settings ........................................................... 37 applying loads to parts ................................................. 50 area load ...................................................................... 60 attaching loads to parts......................................................... 50 automatic loads ............................................................42 in load combinations..............................................88 seismic loads.........................................................80 self-weight .............................................................42 wind load ...............................................................63
b
bounding box ................................................................50 buckling length..............................................................29
c
color by analysis type ...................................................16 color by analysis utilization check.................................94 combination factors ......................................................84 combining loads............................................................83 common nodes .............................................................38 compatibility of load groups ..........................................43 components in analysis..............................................................22 slabs in analysis ....................................................23 composite beam ...........................................................24 connecting parts in analysis .................................. 70, 71 creating analysis models.............................................. 74, 97 load combinations .................................................86 loads......................................................................56
d
defining load groups............................................................44 nodes.............................................................. 37, 78 support conditions .................................................26 degree of freedom ........................................................25 deleting load groups............................................................44 design codes and methods...........................................82 design information ........................................................27
TEKLA STRUCTURES 15
103
disconnecting parts in analysis .............................. 70, 71 distributing loads...........................................................49 DOF see degree of freedom ..........................................25
e
effective buckling length ...............................................29 elements .......................................................................13
f
filter in analysis models .................................................77 filtering analysis model objects ..........................................77
g
geometry rules of analysis models ...............................68 geometry settings of analysis models...........................67
h
handles of loads ..................................................................54
i
intermediate analysis members ....................................28 intermediate nodes .......................................................34 iteration .........................................................................80
load combination...........................................................83 automatic ...............................................................87 code .......................................................................39 creating combinations............................................86 factors ............................................................. 39, 84 manual ...................................................................88 properties...............................................................83 types ......................................................................84 load forms .....................................................................48 load groups ......................................................41, 42, 56 automatic ...............................................................42 compatibility ...........................................................43 defining ..................................................................44 deleting ..................................................................44 modifying ...............................................................44 properties...............................................................43 load model ............................................................. 11, 41 load modeling code.......................................................39 load types......................................................................46 loads ...................................................................... 41, 56 applying .................................................................50 attaching ................................................................50 automatic ...............................................................42 bounding box .........................................................50 combining ..............................................................83 creating ..................................................................56 distribution .............................................................49 forms......................................................................48 grouping.................................................................42 in analysis ..............................................................39 load panel ..............................................................52 magnitude ..............................................................49 modifying ...............................................................53 properties...............................................................45 scaling in model views ...........................................54 seismic...................................................................80 types ......................................................................46 wind load generator ...............................................63 longitudinal member offset............................................18
k
Kmode ..........................................................................29
m
member analysis type ...................................................16 member axis of all parts in analysis model..................................77 of individual parts...................................................17 member end connectivity ..............................................78 member end release method ........................................78 members .......................................................................13 keeping numbers ...................................................79 properties........................................................ 14, 28
l
line load ........................................................................59
104
TEKLA STRUCTURES 15
merging models with analysis applications ......................... 79 modal analysis.............................................................. 81 modifying analysis model geometry ...................................... 70 analysis models...............................................74, 90 load groups ........................................................... 44 loads...................................................................... 53
n
nodes......................................................................13, 38 adding ................................................................... 34 defining............................................................37, 78 keeping numbers................................................... 79
safety factors ................................................................84 scaling loads in model views .............................................54 seismic analysis............................................................80 seismic loads ................................................................80 self-weight ....................................................................42 slabs components in analysis .........................................23 spanning of loads..................................................................52 of plates.................................................................20 split nodes ....................................................................34 strain...................................................................... 49, 62 support conditions ........................................................25 defining..................................................................26
p
partial safety factors ..................................................... 84 parts analysis properties ................................................ 72 physical model.............................................................. 11 plates in analysis ............................................................. 18 point load...................................................................... 58
t
temperature load ................................................... 49, 62
u
uniform load..................................................................61 user-defined attributes..................................................31 utilization ratio...............................................................94
r
reduction factors........................................................... 84 rigid links ................................................................35, 78 running analysis ........................................................... 93
v
viewing analysis parts ......................................................102
w
wind load generator ............................................... 55, 63
TEKLA STRUCTURES 15
105

Tekla 15 - Analysis Manual

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Tekla 15 - Analysis Manual

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Tekla Structures

Product version 15.0 January 2009

Getting Started with Analysis................................................................. 11

Analysis information and settings ......................................................................................................... 37

Load types and properties..................................................................................................................... 45

Analysis and Design ............................................................................... 67

Additional help resources

http://www.tekla.com Contact your local helpdesk via e-mail:

Area office China Finland

E-mail address TeklaStructures.Support.CHI@Tekla.com TeklaStructures.Support.FI@Tekla.com

Conventions used in this guide

Italic bold Monospace

How to use the SymEd graphical interface to manipulate symbols.

Getting Started with Analysis

Audience Assumed background Contents

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

Following through structural analysis

Now you are ready to run the analysis.

Members, elements, and nodes

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

Determining member properties (p. 14)

1.2 Determining member properties

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

Member analysis type

Color Light gray

Dark red Magenta

Truss - Tension only

Truss Compression only

Plate Membrane Mat foundation

Aqua Lime Pink

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

Determining member properties (p. 14)

Member axis location

Reference axis Reference axis (eccentricity by neutral axis)

Determining member properties (p. 14)

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

Analysis member offsets

Longitudinal member offset

Determining member properties (p. 14)

Analysis properties of plates

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

The analysis properties of plates are:

The reference points of connected parts must also be in this plane.

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

Description The options are:

Show direction on selected members

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

List boxes for additional loads

Use continuous structure load distribution

Analysis offsets of plates

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

Analysis properties of components

The analysis properties of connections and details are:

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

Restraint combination Support condition Longitudinal member offset Analysis profile

Analysis profile length

Determining member properties (p. 14)

Analysis properties of slab components

TEKLA STRUCTURES 15 Getting Started with Analysis

Description How Tekla Structures analyzes the slabs.

Only use for