US Contractor: Masonry Modeling
Modeling masonry walls differs somewhat from modeling and detailing concrete panels. This is due to the nature of the masonry tools, which create each block that needs to be placed for a structure. Before discussing the process and best practices for masonry structures, you need to install the proper tools first.
The masonry tools (also known as the CMU Tools) need to be downloaded and installed from the Tekla Warehouse. The USA Imperial Masonry Role is found here and recommended for use with the tools. The role provides additional resources such as filters, presets, reports, and organizer settings related to masonry.
Use the following links to download and install the masonry tools and role. If you are unfamiliar with installing extensions from the warehouse, see this guidance: Import a .tsep extension to the Applications and components catalog.
- Tekla Warehouse Download: CMU Tools
- Tekla Warehouse Download: USA Imperial Masonry Role
Tekla User Assistance provides articles explaining the features and functions of these downloads. Once you have downloaded and installed them, it is recommended you review the following articles:
- TUA Article: Concrete Masonry (CMU_Tools)
- TUA Article: USA Imperial Masonry Role
Learning the Masonry Tools
Six Lessons cover how the masonry tools work and how to use them. These tutorials are considered to be at a basic to intermediate skill level. Users with basic Tekla Structures experience should have no issue following along. If you are new to Tekla Structures, then one of the recommended learning paths is strongly recommended.
A complete list of learning path options for Masonry Modelers, including the specific masonry tutorials, can be found at our US Contractor: User Resources, under the 3. Tekla Resources & Learning section, then Masonry Modeling.
The Masonry Tutorials will step users through the basics of how the tools work. Topics include creating masonry wall panels, adding details to these panels, as well as a few other basic types of structures such as columns, pilasters, and curved walls. The intent is to provide a foundation so users can move forward with the basic understanding needed to implement them
The Modeling Process
The masonry tools are a suite of extensions that provide functions for placing and editing large amounts of shapes. The tools are intended to expedite the modeling process. With that said, some detailing of masonry walls or structures lies outside of the functionality of these tools. This is discussed in the masonry tutorials but users should expect the 80/20 rule to be applicable when utilizing the masonry tools.
The general guidance for modeling partial or complete masonry structures is to utilize the tools to place blocks, reinforcement, and openings to the fullest extent that their tool dialog allows. This will suffice in many situations but where further detail is required, users will need to explode the wall component and then manually add that detail.
Generally speaking, begin by modeling on the lowest elevation or area of the structure and proceed with these general steps. This may include concrete foundations if you require them in the model to account for constructability or are a part of your scope of work. Then proceed to the first elevation or lift of walls. Repeat these steps for each element or wall you model. Feel free to group tasks together if you feel you can accomplish more at once. Then repeat for the next area or elevation. When creating your first models, keep the areas you model at one time smaller and more manageable.
- Open the CMU Wall Tool dialog and load or define your wall configuration on the various tabs.
- Place wall segments by selecting start and end points.
- Place openings using the CMU Wall Opening Tool.
- If further detailing or edits to wall segments are required, explode the component (wall).
- Tag block with additional information by populating UDA’s or using macros from the ribbon (optional).
- Adjust unique blocks as needed.
- Use direction modification to adjust existing reinforcement or add additional bars.
- Add embedments and other misc. items such as flashing or coping using the tools found on the Steel Ribbon.
Approaches to Modeling Masonry
Start Broad, Add Detail
When modeling the best approach is to start broad and then add detail. This statement is true for almost all modeling in Tekla, especially for masonry. For example, if modeling a wall with a rake or taper at the top. Model the wall to the full height, and add openings and additional rebar. Then add the rake as you can use the cutting line to cut both the block and reinforcement, reducing modeling time. Then lastly add embedments or other hardware as needed with the wall's final configuration now in place.
Model as You Would Construct
When modeling structures it is always best to model in the same fashion you would construct the structure. That is to say, begin with the lowest elevation first and work your way upwards. Most often this is your foundation. If that is outside the scope of work, proceed with the lowest part of the structure you need to model.
Model one area or elevation at a time. Add all the detail that is required for that specific area and move on to the next. The benefit of this is it requires less switching of views to achieve your current task, which saves time. It also keeps what you are modeling more visible. With nothing above you, you don't have to worry as much about view extents and clip planes. It simply helps keep things organized and visible.
Once you get more proficient in modeling, you want to consider modeling objects or structures that are adjacent to or touching your scope of work. Doing so allows you to better coordinate and compensate for their presence.
Use Presets and Saved Settings
When creating masonry walls and objects in Tekla, use the tools found in the applications and components side pane. If you have the masonry role installed, these tools are also found on the masonry ribbon for easier access.
When using the masonry components, it is best to have the dialog of the tool open that you are currently using. This allows you to load any tool presets (either Tekla’s default or those of your creation) and then make small adjustments and apply them as you model. The “Start Broad, Add Detail” approach lends itself to this practice as you are not inundated with many dialogs opening and closing frequently, providing a more streamlined workflow.
Whenever possible it is recommended to use the presets that are saved for each tool. This refers to the dropdown located at the top of the dialog box or property pane. Once you initiated a tool or selected an existing object. Each tool/object type has predefined settings you can load to populate important information. These presets also auto-populate many fields reducing the time to create concrete parts. These fields include name, material, profile, and so on.
The idea is to save time and adjust only what is needed, such as the profile. Another benefit is that using these presets will ensure that your objects will be recognized for use later in the workflow. This applies to selecting objects, reporting, drawing creation, and other tasks. It also ensures that you and other members of your team are modeling consistently. If you need to create your own presets, start with an existing one and save it with a new name, then adjust the settings as needed. Finally, save again to update your preset.
Using the “Correct” Approach
There is often more than one way to do a specific task in Tekla. Modeling certain types of parts or groups of parts can vary from user to user. Sometimes one approach provides a benefit over another. But more often than not it is a matter of preference. Knowing this or wondering if you are using the “correct” approach can often cause indecision or frustration for new users. With the masonry tools, this is not so much the case as the alternative is to model block by block manually, which is inefficient.
What users should keep in mind is that the result is what matters. So long as your parts or model are accurate, how exactly you go there is not quite as important. Finding those preferred or the most efficient methods is accomplished by “doing” or formalized training. As you continue to create more models, you will refine your approach, seek out alternative methods, and in some cases even compare notes with other users.
Focus on getting the model completed and to the level of accuracy you need. Rely on the tools in the ribbon. Feel free to explore the tools found in the Applications & Components side pane, but do not let them bog you down. If something doesn't work the way you intend, move on to an approach you know works. If you are unsure what this is then make a quick check with the Instructor, or look it up in the TUA. If all else fails, our support team can help you through it.
Working with the 80/20 Rule
When we refer to the “80/20 Rule”, it is implied that the Masonry Tools (CMU Tools) will, on average, accomplish 80% of the configuration of the wall by specifying parameters in the dialog box. For basic walls, the tool often does 100% of the work for the user. However, depending on the configuration and uniqueness of structures, additional edits may be required outside of the capabilities of the tools. Even if this is the case, the wall and other tools still perform a large amount of tasks that would otherwise take the user much longer to accomplish manually.
It is important to expect that the tool expedites the modeling process, but does not automate it. Users will need to adjust block types, rebar, and openings. They will also need to add embedments and hardware using tools found in the ribbon as well, such as the beam or item tools.
Best Practices & Tips
Masonry Models
- It is recommended that when modeling masonry structures users utilize the Masonry Role. This role provides the best environment for creating masonry models. This role is a copy of the Imperial Cast-in-Place role with added masonry features, to ensure that masons can easily model concrete structures within their scope of work or related to it.
- Masons should create models using the CIP-Rebar Detailing model template.
- Double-clicking an icon on the masonry ribbon will open that tools dialog box, where applicable.
- Basic direction modification is available for interacting with Masonry walls created with the tools.
Masonry Walls
- Utilize presets for the tool when defining the configuration or when creating your own.
- Remember that the images on each tab of the dialog can be changed to apply different settings. For example, the picture on the End Conditions tab adjusts where half blocks are placed, or if at all. The same applies to the configuration of the vertical rebar and beam rebar.
- Ensure that the field Tag blocks on the Wall Attributes tab are set “Yes”. Doing so has the tool tag the blocks as containing reinforcement or with any values applied on the Tagging tab.
- It is recommended that the Create cast unit dropdown be set to “Yes” on the Wall Attributes tab. This will create a cast unit of the masonry blocks and help work with and report on an entire wall segment if the wall component has been exploded. To interact with the cast unit, change the selection type in the bottom toolbar from “Select components” to “Select assemblies”.
- The grout fields on the Wall attributes tab refer to the mortar joint thickness. If left blank the vertical value will adopt the value from the horizontal field. Otherwise, users can specify them independently.
Masonry Wall Openings
- Utilize presets for the tool when defining the configuration or when creating your own.
- The image on the opening tab of the dialog can be changed to adjust the position of the opening to where the user clicks to insert it.
- When moving or deleting an opening placed on a wall, some blocks may not regenerate. Users can execute a refresh of the wall using the contextual toolbar.
- Ensure direct modification is turned on, select the wall, and utilize the circular arrow icon to refresh.
- Openings are made with cuts. If after redrawing the view the cut disappears, then cut visibility is turned off for that view. This can be changed via the View Properties dialog. The View properties can be accessed from the View ribbon or by double-clicking the empty space in your current view. See View Properties and Model View Settings for more information.
- If you see the opening but cannot select it, ensure that your selection type is set to Select Components. You can change your selection type from the bottom Selecting toolbar.
Rebar in Masonry Walls
- The rebar placed with the CMU Wall or CMU Opening tools are rebar sets.
- To edit the rebar outside of the tool dialog, first, ensure the wall component has been exploded.
- Editing rebar sets should be done with Direct Modification turned on and make use of the features in the contextual toolbar.
- Tutorials on using rebar sets can be found here: US Concrete & Rebar Tutorials and Tekla Structures Rebar Fundamentals. Note that videos focusing on walls and slabs are most applicable to the mechanics of rebar in masonry walls.
Hardware and Other Detail
- The CMU Wall and Opening tools do not place hardware or embedments such as joist seats, flashing, coping, or other elements.
- To create embedments, use the Steel Item tool found on the steel ribbon or embed tools found in the applications and components side pane.
- To model coping or flashing, use the steel beam tool found on the steel ribbon with the appropriate profile from the profile catalog.
- Users can create custom profiles as needed using one of these methods: Create your own profiles. Users can also import items found on Sketchup’s 3D Warehouse.
Reports and Drawings
Guidance for reporting and creating drawings in Tekla is not masonry-specific. The general resources for accomplishing these tasks in Tekla apply. Guidance and additional links to these topics can be found on the US Contractor: User Resources page, under section 3. Tekla Resources & Learning, then the sub-header Reporting and Documentation.
Please note that the USA Imperial Masonry Role provides a report template and drawing settings tailored to masonry output and can be used with the resources mentioned above.
Performance Tips for Large Masonry Models
If users run into performance issues when using the masonry tools, the first cause would be system specs.
- Ensure your computer aligns with the Recommended Specs for Tekla. This is found on our Tekla User Assistance website: Tekla Structures hardware recommendations. This is usually the cause of performance issues. All users should meet the recommended specs.
- Note that the graphics card plays a role in the visual performance of your computer and Tekla does make use of this, specifically with large amounts of items such as masonry. If your graphics card is older than what is recommended, this may be the culprit.
If you do meet the recommended specs in some or all criteria, or you do but are still experiencing some performance issues, these additional tips can help alleviate them:
- Reduce the view work area. Using small work areas, showing fewer objects at once in a view will reduce the slowing down of the software. See TUA: Define Work area
- Try using Legacy Rendering. This is an older style of rendering for model objects, current using Direct X12 is the default. You can turn this on via the File Menu → Settings → Check Use Legacy Rendering. Make sure to close all views and reopen them. See TUA: Change the rendering mode for model views
- When possible, keep CMU wall segments 40’-0” in length or less.
- Ensure all other programs on the computer that have heavy graphics performance are closed.
- If using a 4K monitor, consider reducing the resolution to a smaller one, such as 2K or 1080p via the Windows Display Settings.
The above tips can help in performance but will vary from user to user. Ensuring that users meet or exceed the Recommendation on system specs is key. If the above tips do not provide any incremental improvement, please reach out to the support team for further IT-specific troubleshooting.
You can contact support by the following methods:
- In Tekla Structures by going to the File Menu → Help → Contact Support.
- By Email: tekla.support.us@trimble.com