This example shows how to create a nested custom connection that consists of and end plate, a bolt group, welds, and two Stiffeners (1003) components. The stiffeners are optional, which means that you can choose whether or not to create them when using the component in a model.

1. Add an End plate (144) component.

   

2. Explode the end plate component.
3. Add two Stiffeners (1003) components.

   

4. Create a nested custom component that contains the stiffeners and the end plate objects.
   1. Click the Applications & components button in the side pane to open the Applications & components catalog.
   2. Click the Access advanced features button and select Define custom component....
   3. In the Type list, select Connection.
   4. In the Name box, enter End plate with stiffeners.
   5. Click Next >.
   6. Make an area selection (from right to left) to include the following objects in the nested component: the column, the beam, the stiffener components, and all the end plate objects.

      

   7. Click Next >.
   8. Choose the column as the main part of the nested component, and then click Next >.
   9. Choose the beam as the secondary part of the nested component, and then click Finish.

      Tekla Structures creates the nested component.

      

5. Select the nested component you just created.
6. Right-click and select Edit Custom Component.
7. In the custom component editor, click the Display variables button.

   The Variables dialog box opens.

8. Create the following parametric variables:
   1. Click Add to create a new parametric variable P1.
   2. In the Value type list, select Yes/No.
   3. In the Label in dialog box box, enter Create Stiffener 1.
   4. Click Add to create a new parametric variable P2.
   5. In the Value type list, select Yes/No.
   6. In the Label in dialog box box, enter Create Stiffener 2.

      

9. Link the variables to the Creation property of the two stiffeners:
   1. In the Custom component browser, browse for the uppermost Connection.
   2. Right-click Creation and select Add Equation.
   3. Enter P1 after the equal sign, and then press Enter.
   4. Browse for the second Connection.
   5. Right-click Creation and select Add Equation.
   6. Enter P2 after the equal sign, and then press Enter.

      

10. Save and close the nested component.