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Add user-defined materials

Tekla Structural Designer
Modified: 12 Mar 2024
2024
Tekla Structural Designer

Add user-defined materials

You can add user-defined materials from other sources or suppliers into the material databases as and when required.

Warning:

If you add data to a material database, you are responsible for both its accuracy and applicability to the selected design code.

Warning:

If you edit a user-defined material which is already used in multiple models, the properties might be different in each - the only way to ensure the properties are synchronised with the current database is to open each model and run Update from Database.

Add user-defined sections

You can add user defined steel, timber, cold rolled, or cold formed sections to the material databases.

A user defined steel section can take the form of a custom, or a compound section, a compound section being one that comprises of 2 chords or more connected by battens or lattice or welded.

  1. On the Home ribbon, click Materials.

    The Materials dialog box opens.

  2. Go to Sections,
  3. Select the unit system.
  4. In the regional code list, select the region.
  5. In the material list, select either steel, timber, cold rolled, or cold formed as required.
  6. Click Manage Sections.

    The Sections dialog box opens.

  7. In the country list, select the database country.
  8. In the Page pane on the left, select the desired geometry.
    Note: If you cannot find the desired shape, ensure that the Geometry filter does not filter it out.
  9. Click Add...
  10. Enter values for each of the requested variables.
  11. Click OK.
The new section size is now displayed in the Item pane.

Add user-defined materials

  1. On the Home ribbon, click Materials.

    The Materials dialog box opens.

  2. Go to the Material page.
  3. Select the required regional code.
  4. Select the required material type.
  5. If the required grade is not listed for the selected regional code, click Add...

    The Add Grade dialog opens.

  6. Type in the grade properties.
  7. Click OK to return the Materials dialog box

    The new grade is shown in the list of available grades.

  8. To make the new grade the default for the selected regional code in new models, select the grade and click >> Default.

Add user-defined masonry using Tedds

  1. On the Home ribbon, click Materials.

    The Materials dialog box opens.

  2. Go to the Material page.
  3. Select the required regional code.
  4. Select the Masonry material type.
  5. Click Add...

    The Add Masonry Grade dialog opens.

  6. Click Define using Tedds

    A Tedds dialog opens to allow you to select the construction details.

  7. Select the material, unit, and bond type.
  8. Select the unit strength.
  9. Click Dimensions...
  10. Enter the required dimensions, then click OK
  11. Click Mortar Details...
  12. Enter the required details, then click OK
  13. Click Finish
  14. Click OK to return the Materials dialog box
    The new grade is added to the available grades in the database.
  15. (Optional) - to make the new grade the default for the selected regional code in new models, select the grade and click >> Default.
Note:

The properties held in the material database are always the isotropic properties for a fully grouted wall.

Add user-defined reinforcement

  1. On the Home ribbon, click Materials.

    The Materials dialog box opens.

  2. Go to the Reinforcement page.
  3. Select the required regional code.
  4. Select the country to assign the reinforcement to.
  5. Select the required type and rib type.
  6. If the required class of reinforcement is not listed for the selected regional code, click Add... on the right side of the Available classes list.

    The New Reinforcement Class dialog opens.

  7. Type in the reinforcement class properties.
  8. Click OK to return the Materials dialog box

    The new class is shown in the list of available grades.

  9. To make the new class the default class for the combination of the selected regional code and country, select the class and click >> Default.
  10. If the required size of reinforcement is not listed for the selected class, click Add... on the right side of the Available sizes list.

    The New Reinforcement Bar Size dialog opens.

  11. Type in the properties of the first bar size.
  12. Repeat steps 10 and 11 for all bar sizes that you require.
  13. When you are finished, click Close.

Add user-defined decking

  1. On the Home ribbon, click Materials.

    The Materials dialog box opens.

  2. Go to the Decking > Metal Decking page.
  3. Select the required Country.
  4. If the required profile is not listed for the selected country, click Add... on the right side of the Available Profiles list.

    The Add Metal Profile dialog opens.

  5. Enter the profile properties and details as requested.
    1. Select the Manufacturer, or 'NO NAME' if the manufacturer is not listed.
    2. Enter the Name of the decking
    3. Select the Geometry as trapezoidal or re-entrant
    4. Select the Ends condition as closed or open. (All existing decks in the database are open, with the exception of 'Sigmat Sigdeck 100' which is available for the UK Eurocode only and is closed - as illustrated in the picture below.)
      )
    5. Enter the profile details.
  6. Click OK to return the Materials dialog box

    The new profile is shown in the list of available profiles.

  7. To make the new profile the default for the selected country, select the profile and click >> Default.
  8. If the required gauge is not listed for the selected profile, click Add... on the right side of the Available Gauges list.

    The Add Metal Gauge dialog opens.

  9. Type in the properties of the first gauge.
  10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for all gauges that you require.
  11. When you are finished, click Close.

Add user-defined precast concrete planks

  1. On the Home ribbon, click Materials.

    The Materials dialog box opens.

  2. Go to the Decking > Precast Concrete Planks page.
  3. Select the required Country.
  4. If the required plank is not listed for the selected country, click Add... on the right side of the Available Precast Concrete Planks list.

    The Add Precast Concrete Planks dialog opens.

  5. Enter the plank properties as requested.
  6. Click OK to return the Materials dialog box

    The new plank is shown in the list of available planks.

  7. To make the new plank the default for the selected country, select the plank and click >> Default.
  8. If the required depth is not listed for the selected plank, click Add... on the right side of the Available Depths list.
  9. Type in the properties for the first plank depth.
  10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for all depths that you require.
  11. When you are finished, click Close.

Add user-defined shear connectors

  1. On the Home ribbon, click Materials.

    The Materials dialog box opens.

  2. Go to the Shear Connectors page.
  3. Select the required regional code.
  4. Select the required country.
  5. If the required source of connector is not listed for the selected regional code, click Add... on the right side of the Available sources list.

    The Add Source dialog opens.

  6. Type in the name and short name.
  7. Click OK to return the Materials dialog box

    The new source is shown in the list of available sources.

  8. If the required diameter of connector is not listed for the selected source, click Add... on the right side of the Available sizes list.

    The Add Connector dialog opens.

  9. Type in the properties of the first connector.
  10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for all diameters that you require.
  11. When you are finished, click OK.

Add user-defined shear connectors

  1. On the Home ribbon, click Materials.

    The Materials dialog box opens.

  2. Go to the Shear Connectors page.
  3. Select the required regional code.
  4. Select the required country.
  5. If the required source of connector is not listed for the selected regional code, click Add... on the right side of the Available sources list.

    The Add Source dialog opens.

  6. Type in the name and short name.
  7. Click OK to return the Materials dialog box

    The new source is shown in the list of available sources.

  8. If the required diameter of connector is not listed for the selected source, click Add... on the right side of the Available sizes list.

    The Add Connector dialog opens.

  9. Type in the properties of the first connector.
  10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for all diameters that you require.
  11. When you are finished, click OK.

Add user-defined bolts

  1. On the Home ribbon, click Materials.

    The Materials dialog box opens.

  2. Go to the Bolts page.
  3. Select the required unit system.
  4. Select the required regional code.
  5. If the required bolts are not listed for the selected regional code, click Add....

    The New Bolt dialog opens.

  6. Type in the properties.
  7. Click OK to return the Materials dialog box

    The new bolt is shown in the list of available classes and diameters.

Add user-defined welds

  1. On the Home ribbon, click Materials.

    The Materials dialog box opens.

  2. Go to the Welds page.
  3. Select the required unit system.
  4. Select the required regional code.
  5. If the required leg lengths are not listed for the selected regional code, enter the leg length then click Add....

    The new leg length is shown in the list of available leg lengths.

    Note: If working to the United States regional code, you can add Electrodes in a similar way.
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