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  7. Specify the column type and section size

Specify the column type and section size

Tekla Structural Designer
Modified: 11 Jun 2024
2025
Tekla Structural Designer

Specify the column type and section size

Before you can place a column you must first specify the column type and an initial section size.

Specify the type of column

On the Model tab, do one of the following:
To Do this
Specify a steel column

  1. In the Steel group, click the arrow under

  2. In the list, select Column.

  3. In the Properties window, ensure the properties are set as required.
To Do this
Specify a plated or compound steel column

  1. In the Steel group, click the arrow under

  2. In the list, select Plated.

  3. In the Properties window, ensure the properties are set as required.
To Do this
Specify a concrete filled steel column

  1. In the Steel group, click the arrow under

  2. In the list, select Concrete Filled.

  3. In the Properties window, ensure the properties are set as required.
To Do this
Specify a concrete encased steel column

  1. In the Steel group, click the arrow under

  2. In the list, select Concrete Encased.

  3. In theProperties window, click Encasing section.
  4. Click the arrow on the right side of Encasing section.
  5. In the list that appears, select <New\Edit...>
  6. In the dialog, enter the size of encasing concrete section.
  7. If needed, click Add to define an opening within the encasing section, then define the opening size and offsets.
  8. Click OK.
  9. In the Properties window, ensure the properties are set as required.
To Do this
Specify a cast-in-place, or precast concrete column

    1. In the Concrete group, click the arrow under

    2. In the list, select Concrete Column for cast-in-place, or Precast.

  • In the Properties window, ensure the properties are set as required.
To Do this
Specify a timber column
  1. In the Timber group, click Column
  2. In the Properties window, ensure the properties are set as required.
To Do this
Specify a cold formed column
  1. In the Cold Formed group, click Column
  2. In the Properties window, ensure the properties are set as required.

Specify the size of steel, cold formed and timber columns

  1. Specify the type of column, (see the instructions above for how to do this).
  2. In the Properties window, click Section.
  3. Click the arrow on the right side of Section.
  4. In the list that appears, select <New\Edit...>

    The Select Section dialog box opens.

  5. Select the desired section size, and click Select.
    Tip:

    To define a custom section, click Add...

  6. Before proceeding to create the column, adjust the remaining properties in the Properties window according to your needs.

Specify the size of plated or compound steel columns

  1. Specify the type of column, (see the instructions above for how to do this).
  2. In the Properties window, click Section.
  3. Click the arrow on the right side of Section.
  4. In the list that appears, select <New\Edit...>

    The Select Section dialog box opens.

  5. In the Select Section dialog box, choose the required compound section type from the left hand pane.
  6. Select the desired section size, and click Select.
    Tip:
    If the desired section is not listed, you can add it as follows:

    1. Click Add...

    2. Type the sections, plate dimensions, and gaps according to your needs.

    3. To add the section to the list, OK.

      The section is automatically added to the materials database. Therefore, you do not need to redefine it in other models.

    4. Select the section in the Select Section dialog box.

  7. Before proceeding to create the column, adjust the remaining properties in the Properties window according to your needs.

Specify the size of cast-in-place, or precast concrete columns

  1. Specify the type of column, (see the instructions above for how to do this).
  2. In the Properties window, click Section.
  3. Click the arrow on the right side of Section.
  4. In the list that appears, select <New\Edit...>

    The Section dialog box opens.

  5. Select the column shape.
  6. Define the dimensions of the column.
    Note:

    Only click Add if you want to create a hollow column.

    Then, to define the void:

    1. In the tabular part of the dialog, select the shape and dimensions of the void.
    2. Leave the minor and major offsets as 0.0 to position the void centrally in the column, or adjust as necessary to create an offset.
  7. Click OK
  8. Before proceeding to create the column, adjust the remaining properties in the Properties window according to your needs.
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