2.3.8 The position of a column in Tekla Structures
Tekla Structures v21.1
Go to the “Steel Column Properties” menu to the “Position”
tab.
Tekla Structures v2021
Go to the “Steel Column Properties” menu to the “Position”
section.
A column is just a vertical segment. In the current case study,
the column’s reference line passes through the symmetry center of
the I-beam.
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
There are 9 basic positions of the reference line in TS. Let’s
examine an arbitrary shape to get a clear understanding of the reference
line positions.
Software inscribes the object's shape (profile) into a square box.
Further, it selects the central and extremum points of the square box.
A point has two coordinates defined by the axes X and Y. Thus pointing
out the reference line is done by selecting the appropriate coordinates
within the square box . Vertical and horizontal axes are interrelated for
an automatic coordinate determination.
As a final result, we have 3 (three) vertical s and 3(three) horizontal
coordinates, which in sum give 3*3=9(nine) basic positions of the reference
line.
Let’s examine the above on the I-beam shape example:
As you can see, the coordinates of the column are centered at the
point (2;2) defined by the axes X and Y. Please refer to the below
picture:
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
The “Horizontal” position field (referring to the X-axis coordinates)
works similarly to the “Vertical” position field (referring
to the Y-axis coordinates).
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
Toggle between all the 9 (nine) possible reference line positions and
see how the I-beam position changes in the model. Do not forget to select
the I-beam column in the model and to press the “Modify”
button subsequent to the position value set up.
Also, Tekla Structures is available on a “mini toolbar” which
is useful for editing various values of parameters of an object. This toolbar
is automatically popping up when selecting an object.
The toolbar ribbon is available on the "Position" switch, represented
as a circle. Thus pointing to any sector of the circle (each sector corresponds
to one of the 9 (nine) basic reference lines positions), or moving the
green key point along the circle line, executes the position change. Exercise
using the mini toolbar for changing the I-beam’s reference line position.
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
In the new TS versions the hotkey combinations of ALT+ arrow up, ALT+
arrow down, ALT+arrow right, ALT+ arrow left are switching the object’s
reference line position.
Try out using these key combinations as well.
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
Pay attention that each "Position" field has an adjacent box
next to it, used to define additional extension values for positioning
the object with reference to an axis. The adjacent field values can be
both positive and negative. In practice, these fields are rarely used.
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
Note that employing these fields is not recommended for moving the objects.
Exercise positioning the I-beam’s reference line horizontally at
the value of 500 mm. Compare your results to those presented below:
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
And now, proceed the same way by setting a negative value of - 500mm for
the horizontal position parameter. Upon completion, restore the value of
the horizontal positioning parameter to 0.
Let’s test the vertical positioning parameter value by setting it
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
Upon completion, restore all the values to 0.
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
The “Rotation” field
In the standard "Column Properties" menu, at the "Position"
tabpage, there is the “Rotation” subfield which rotates an
object around its reference axis.
The “Rotation” field is defined by the 4 (four) basic
selectable options, each of them executing the +90 degrees turn, corresponding
to the following values: 0, 90, 180, 270 degrees. Examine all the
rotation options.
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
As a case study, let's create columns and allocate them along the
grid perimeter as it is shown in the below picture. Also create columns
at the center of the plan with the reference lines passing through the
columns’ symmetry axis.
You should get results similar to the ones presented below. Now, switching
the column profile type automatically modifies the visual representation
of the objects, but does not affect the dimensions of the whole structure.
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
The “Column levels” fields
The “Levels” section fields specify the coordinates of the
top and bottom points of a column in the global system of coordinates of
a project. Let’s set the value for the bottom column level at -6000
mm. Check the model:
Tekla Structures v21.1
Tekla Structures v2021
Now, set up the top level value of the column at +1000mm.