Steel beam properties

Properties are listed below in the order that they appear in the Properties window.


General
Name	The automatically generated name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Group	The name of the group to which the member belongs. See: Steel member design groups
Plane	Indicates the level or frame within which the member is placed.
Characteristic	Beam
Active [Only displayed for single span beams]	Clearing this option makes single span beams inactive in the analysis. See: Inactive members
Element type	Beam
Material type	Steel
Construction	The available construction options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Attempt non-composite if auto composite solution fails [Only displayed for composite beams]	Typically, at the outset you will know which beams are to be non-composite and which are to be composite and you will have specified the construction type accordingly. However, circumstances can arise in which a beam initially intended to be composite proves to be ineffective and the auto-design process fails to find a suitable composite beam solution. Examples might be: very small beams, beams with a significant point load close to a support, beams where the deck is at a shallow angle to the beam, hence the stud spacing is impractical, beams where, for a variety of reasons, it is not possible to provide an adequate number of studs, Where Tekla Structural Designer is unable to find a section size which works compositely, you can ask for a non-composite design for the same loading. To do this simply select Attempt non-composite if auto composite solution fails in the beam properties. You may find that this facility is particularly useful when you right-click a key beam in the model in order to perform an individual member design.
Try composite section size as non-composite [Only displayed for composite beams]	Typically, at the outset you will know which beams are to be non-composite and which are to be composite and you will have specified the construction type accordingly. However, there can be instances where the composite beam is sufficiently under utilized that the same size beam would be adequate without the studs i.e. non-compositely. Irrespective of whether a suitable composite design solution exists, selecting this option will try the same section size non-compositely and if successful will retain this non-composite solution. Tip: If working to the US code (AISC 360), ensure that the Beam design section stepback option in Design Settings > Autodesign is set to a value greater than zero. A value of 3 is recommended.
Fabrication	The available fabrication options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Autodesign	See: Steel member autodesign
Design section order [Only displayed when 'Autodesign' is selected]	The design order file from which a section size will be selected. For details of managing order files, see: Manage design section orders
Gravity only	When selected, the member is designed for gravity combinations only. When unselected, the member is designed for gravity and lateral combinations. See: Designing individual members for gravity only
Rotation	Rotation of the member about its local x axis. The default (Degrees0) aligns the major properties with the global Z axis, (provided that the member has not been specifically defined within an incline plane).
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Major snap level, Minor snap level	Defines the major and minor alignment of the member relative to the insertion point.
Major offset, Minor offset	Used to offset the member from the snap point in the major and minor axis.


Span
Section	The section size
Grade	Steel grade
Linearity	Straight Curved Major Curved Minor
Chord height	This property is only displayed when Linearity is curved major or curved minor. It is the perpendicular distance from the mid point of the chord baseline to the curve itself.
Maximum facet error	This property is only displayed when Linearity is curved major or curved minor. It controls number of straight line elements that replace the curved member in the solver model. See: Analysis Model settings
Top flange cont. rest.	Define if the top flange is continuously restrained.
Bottom flange cont. rest.	Define if the bottom flange is continuously restrained.
Releases
Fixity end 1, end 2	Pinned Fully Fixed Moment pin (Mz) See: Beam end releases and partial fixity
Cantilever end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a cantilever end.
Axial load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define an axial release.
Torsional load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a torsional release.
My stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Major direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed, or Moment. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness y end 1, end 2	When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Mz stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Minor direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness z end 1, end 2	When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Wind loading
Apply open structure wind load	Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. See: Open structure wind loads
Shape factor, Cf	The default shape factor varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading Default Cf factors are taken from the document ‘Wind Loads For Petrochemical And Other Industrial Facilities’ published by ASCE.
Effective area XY
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Effective area XZ
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Live Load Reduction [ACI/AISC]
KLL	Specify the KLL factor in accordance with Table 4-2 in ASCE 7-05/ASCE 7-10. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Override calculated value	This option allows the user to specify their own percentage of load reduction to cater for situations where the automatically calculated value is inappropriate.
Imposed Load Reduction [Codes other than ACI/AISC]
Reduce imposed loads by	This property is particularly applicable to the design of transfer beams. Although the percentage of imposed load reduction is not determined automatically for beams, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to all, or individual spans. reducible loadcases are reduced combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Deflection limits
Apply span\factor	With this option checked, the limit can be defined as a Relative span/factor.
Apply abs. limit	With this option checked, the limit can be defined as an absolute value.
Torsion
Check for torsion, Apply rotational limit	Used to specify if the member should be checked for torsion, and also to apply a rotational limit if required. See: Torsion
Camber
Apply camber	Used to specify a camber to the beam if required. See: Camber
Floor vibration
Calculate natural frequency	For composite beams this is fixed to on (for EC and BS regional codes only) and is utilized during autodesign. It can also be switched on for pin ended non-composite beams. The calculated natural frequency is displayed in the results viewer.
Check natural frequency against minimum	For composite beams this is fixed to on (for EC and BS regional codes only). For pin ended non-composite beams it can be used in conjunction with the Calculate natural frequency property to impose an optional 2-step control, ‘calculate’ and ‘check’, which allows for the natural frequency value to be calculated (and displayed in Results Viewer) with or without the check. While the US regional code has no requirement for this check, it can still be requested if required. When performed, a simple (design model) approach is taken based on uniform loading and pin supports. This fairly simple calculation is provided to the designer for information only. The calculation can be too coarse particularly for long span beams and does not consider the response side of the behavior i.e. the reaction of the building occupants to any particular limiting value for the floor system under consideration. In such cases the designer has the option to perform a 1st Order Modal Analysis. See: Natural frequency checks (SLS) (Beams: EC4 Eurocode) Natural frequency checks (SLS) (Beams: BS 5950)
Minimum natural frequency	The minimum value against which the natural frequency is checked (default 4Hz).
Include self weight (beam & slab) Include other dead loads Include live loads [ACI/AISC], Include imposed loads [Other codes]	The engineer can specify the percentages of each of these loads to be included in the calculation of the maximum static instantaneous deflection, δ
Factor for increased dynamic stiffness of the concrete flange	For composite beams this factor is applied to the beam's short term modular ratio
Treat as composite [Only displayed for non-composite beams]	By selecting this option, provided there are composite slab(s) adjacent to the beam it will be treated as composite in footfall analysis but as non-composite in static design. The Effective width and Calculate effective width properties are displayed to allow the concrete flange width above the beam to be calculated.
Effective width Calculate effective width [Only displayed for composite beams]	For composite beams the effective width can either be entered directly or calculated from the geometry. See: Effective width
Size constraints
Max depth, Min depth, Max width, Min width	Size Constraints are only applicable when Autodesign is checked. They allow you to ensure that the sections that Tekla Structural Designer proposes match any particular size constraints you may have. For instance for a composite beam you may want to ensure a minimum flange width of 150mm (6in). If so you would simply enter this value as the Minimum width, and Tekla Structural Designer would not consider sections with flanges less than this width for the design of this beam. See: Size constraints
Apply max span/depth ratio Max span/depth ratio	After setting a max span/depth ratio you can check the 'Apply' button for it to be considered by auto-design. During design, only sections which satisfy the maximum ratio limit will be selected. The setting can also be reviewed and/ or copied via Review View > Show/Alter State. See: Size constraints
Floor construction [Only displayed for composite beams]
Slab item	If the beam has more than one adjacent slab item, select the slab item to be used when determine the beam's composite properties.
Angle to beam, Condition, Side	These properties are automatically detected. See: Deck Type, Angle and Condition
Shear connector type	See: Shear connector type
Welding condition [Only displayed for EC regional code]	Whether you are given a choice between 'Site welded' or 'Shop welded' will depend on the type of deck being supported and whether the deck spans parallel or perpendicular to the beam. See: Welding condition (Eurocode only)
Override effective width	Allows the automatically calculated effective width to be overridden. See: Effective width
Effective width	Select Override effective width if you require to change the automatically calculated value. See: Effective width
Calculate Effective width	Click the […] button to recalculate if required after changing the geometry. See: Effective width
Metal deck [Only displayed for composite beams]
Minimum distance to lap	See: Metal deck
Haunch width above beam for parallel decking, b₀ [Only displayed for EC regional code where the studs are 'Shop welded' and the supported deck is parallel to the beam]	If the studs are shop welded, so the decking has to stop and start, you are allowed to increase the haunch width b₀ as per EN 1994-1-1:2004 clause 6.6.4.1. See: Concrete haunch width (Composite beams: EC4 Eurocode)
Instability factor
Prevent out of plane instability	Define if out of plane stability is prevented. See: Instability factor
Seismic [Only displayed for non-composite beams]
In a seismic force resisting system	If this is the case, select the checkbox, and then specify the SFRS direction and type. Note: Design of members in seismic force resisting systems is only supported for the ACI/AISC Regional Code in the current release.
End 1 / End 2 [Only displayed for ACI/AISC regional code]
Apply SidePlate connection	Select to apply a side plate connection at the specified end(s).
Utilization ratio
Apply (to autodesign)	Selected - When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than the ratio limit. Unselected - When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than 1.0. See: Apply user defined utilization ratios
Apply (to check)	Selected - When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than the ratio limit. Unselected - When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than 1.0.
Ratio limit	The utilization ratio against which the autodesign or check is performed (when applied above).
Fire proofing
Ambient temperature utilization [Only displayed for non-composite rolled steel beams to Eurocodes]	The default is disabled and this property can be enabled/disabled on its own, but is forced to always be enabled when Check for fire resistance is enabled. When enabled, a 'Fire: Ambient Temperature' heading is included in the member design summary. Under this heading are reported the ambient ratios for 'Shear Major' and 'Moment Major'.
Check for fire resistance [Only displayed for non-composite, simply supported rolled steel beams to Eurocodes]	When the check is enabled, the additional Exposure and Required time of fire exposure properties shown below are required. See: Fire check (Eurocode only)
Protected	When Protected is selected, self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing If Check for fire resistance is also selected, the check is performed using the 'protected' time interval for critical temperature iteration, as specified in 'Design Settings' When Protected is not selected but Check for fire resistance is selected, the check is performed using the 'unprotected' time interval for critical temperature iteration, as specified in Design Settings
Exposure [Only displayed when another of the other fire proofing options is selected]	Exposed on three, or four sides
Required time of fire exposure [Only displayed when another of the other fire proofing options is selected]	The minimum time in minutes that the member must be able to withstand a standardized fire, while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
Fire check [Only displayed for the Eurocode regional code]
Use user defined load reduction factor	If selected, the load reduction factor is a user input value (default 0.65). If unselected, the load reduction factor is calculated automatically, as per Cl 2.4.2 of EN 1993-1-2 for each beam based on the applied load.
Use adaptation reduction factor κ1(kappa) to 4.2.3.3(7)	Select whether to use this factor as per clause 4.2.3.3(7)
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Work with user-defined attributes

Concrete beam properties

Properties are listed below in the order that they appear in the Properties window.


General
Name	The automatically generated name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Group	The name of the group to which the member belongs. See: Concrete beam and column groups
Plane	Indicates the level or frame within which the member is placed.
Characteristic	Beam
Active [Only displayed for single span beams]	Clearing this option makes single span beams inactive in the analysis. See: Inactive members
Element type	Beam
Material type	Concrete
Construction	The available construction options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Fabrication	The available fabrication options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Autodesign	See: Concrete member autodesign
Select bars starting from	This option controls the starting point for auto-design procedures and is therefore only displayed if Automatic design is ‘on’. It applies to both longitudinal bars and links. Minima (default) - removes the current arrangement and begins with the minimum allowed bar size. Current - the auto design commences from the current bar arrangement. See: Concrete member autodesign
Gravity only	When selected, the member is designed for gravity combinations only. When unselected, the member is designed for gravity and lateral combinations. See: Designing individual members for gravity only
Rotation	Rotation of the member about its local x axis. The default (Degrees0) aligns the major properties with the global Z axis, (provided that the member has not been specifically defined within an incline plane).
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Allow automatic join end 1, end 2	When this checkbox is selected - the end in question will be automatically joined to a suitable connecting concrete beam end during design process or when the ‘Beam Lines’ command is run, (providing the Beam Lines limiting criteria specified in Model Settings are met.)


Span
Section	The section size
Concrete type,	While you can apply both normal and lightweight concrete, design using lightweight concrete is currently beyond scope.
Concrete class [Eurocode], Grade [Other codes]	Specifies the concrete class [Eurocode], Grade [Other codes].
Concrete density class *[Eurocode only]*	For lightweight concrete only, specifies the density class.
Linearity	Straight Curved Major Curved Minor
Chord height	This property is only displayed when ‘Linearity’ is curved major or curved minor. It is the perpendicular distance from the mid point of the chord baseline to the curve itself.
Maximum facet error	This property is only displayed when ‘Linearity’ is curved major or curved minor. It controls number of straight line elements that replace the curved member in the solver model. See: Analysis Model settings
Alignment
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Major snap level, Minor snap level	Defines the major and minor alignment of the member relative to the insertion point.
Major offset, Minor offset	Used to offset the member from the snap point in the major and minor axis.
Releases
Fixity end 1, end 2	Pinned Fully Fixed Moment pin (Mz) See: Beam end releases and partial fixity
Cantilever end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a cantilever end.
Axial load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define an axial release.
Torsional load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a torsional release.
My stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Major direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed, or Moment. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness y end 1, end 2	When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Mz stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Minor direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness z end 1, end 2	When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Wind loading
Apply open structure wind load	Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. See: Open structure wind loads
Shape factor, Cf	The default shape factor varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading Default Cf factors are taken from the document ‘Wind Loads For Petrochemical And Other Industrial Facilities’ published by ASCE.
Effective area XY
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Effective area XZ
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Live Load Reduction [ACI/AISC]
KLL	Specify the KLL factor in accordance with Table 4-2 in ASCE 7-05/ASCE 7-10. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Override calculated value	This option allows the user to specify their own percentage of load reduction to cater for situations where the automatically calculated value is inappropriate.
Imposed Load Reduction [Codes other than ACI/AISC]
Reduce imposed loads by	This property is particularly applicable to the design of transfer beams. Although the percentage of imposed load reduction is not determined automatically for beams, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to all, or individual spans. reducible loadcases are reduced combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Analysis & design control
Structure supporting sensitive finishes [Only displayed for ACI/AISC and Eurocode Regional Codes]	Any beam that supports or is attached to partitions or other constructions likely be damaged by large deflections should be identified as such by selecting this property.
	ACI - The deflection method applied to the beam depends on this setting as follows: beams not required to support sensitive finishes adopt the simplified method. beams required to support sensitive finishes adopt the rigorous method.
	Eurocode - The f2 parameter used in the deflection check depends on this parameter as follows: When selected: f2 is calculated as MIN[1,7/L_eff] When unselected: f2 will be taken as 1.0.
Increase reinforcement if deflection check fails [Only displayed for Eurocode BS and IS Regional Codes]	Select in order to increase the reinforcement during the auto-design process if the deflection check fails.
Permissible increase in reinforcement	Specify the max percentage increase in reinforcement that is allowed in order to satisfy the deflection check.
Consider flanges	Select in order to consider flanges in the concrete beam design calculations - once checked additional fields are displayed for specifying an allowance for openings. Flange dimensions can only be calculated by editing the beam once it has been positioned and slabs have been defined. (In this case a ‘Calculate flanges’ button is also displayed, this can be clicked in order to automatically calculate the flange dimensions based on the adjoining slabs.) See: Flanged concrete beams
Include flanges in analysis [Only displayed when the ‘Consider flanges’ option has been selected.]	Select this checkbox to use flanged beam properties when the analysis is performed. See: Flanged concrete beams
Isolated beam (ACI only) [Only displayed for ACI code and only when the ‘Consider flanges’ option has been selected.]	Select this checkbox in order to apply ACI 318 clause 8.12.4. When the check is performed, if the flange geometry does not meet the requirements the flanges are ignored. See: Flanged concrete beams
User defined flange (left/right) [Only displayed when the ‘Include flanges in analysis’ option has been selected.]	If you clear this checkbox the flange depth and the effective flange width are determined automatically. If you select the checkbox, two new properties are displayed for defining ‘Flange width’ and ‘Flange depth’. See: Flanged concrete beams
Ignore lateral instability [Only displayed for Eurocode Regional Code]	This option allows you to ignore lateral instability for slender spans to EC2 clause 5.9(1). When selected: the slender span check is excluded from design When unselected (default): the slender span check is included.
Assume cracked	Assuming concrete sections are cracked has a direct affect on the analysis; smaller Modification Factors are applied to cracked sections causing an increase in deflection. Indirectly the design can also be affected because the sway/drift sensitivity calculations are also influenced by this assumption. See: Cracked, partially cracked, and uncracked concrete members
Design parameters [Not displayed for ACI/AISC Regional Code]
Permanent load ratio option [Only displayed for Eurocode Regional Code]	You are required to supply a value for the permanent load ratio parameter. A default of 0.65 has been assumed, but you are advised to consider if this is appropriate and adjust as necessary. See: Design parameters (Eurocode only)
Maximum crack width	The maximum center to center bar spacing for crack control is dependent on the maximum allowable crack width that is specified here.
Nominal cover beam top edge, bottom edge, section side, beam ends	The nominal concrete cover is the distance between the surface of the reinforcement closest to the nearest concrete surface (including links and surface reinforcement where relevant) and the nearest concrete surface. Different values of nominal cover can be specified to the beam edges, sides and ends.
Seismic
In a seismic force resisting system	If this is the case, select the checkbox, and then specify the SFRS direction and type. Note: Design of members in seismic force resisting systems is only supported for the ACI/AISC Regional Code in the current release.
Utilization ratio
Apply (to autodesign)	Selected - When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than the ratio limit. Unselected - When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than 1.0. See: Apply user defined utilization ratios
Apply (to check)	Selected - When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than the ratio limit. Unselected - When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than 1.0.
Ratio limit	The utilization ratio against which the autodesign or check is performed (when applied above).
Fire proofing
Protected	When Protected is selected, self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	Exposed on three, or four sides
Required time of fire exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	The minimum time in minutes that the member must be able to withstand a standardized fire, while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Work with user-defined attributes


Reinforcement
Rib type - longitudinal, Class - longitudinal	Specifies the longitudinal reinforcement properties
Rib type - link, Class - link	Specifies the link properties.
Top longitudinal bar pattern, Bottom longitudinal bar pattern	Choose from standard patterns (which can be setup in Design Options) to control the top and bottom bar arrangement when the beam is auto-designed. See: Concrete beam design fundamentals

Timber beam properties

Properties are listed below in the order that they appear in the Properties window.


General
Name	The automatically generated name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Group	The name of the group to which the member belongs. See: Timber member design groups
Plane	Indicates the level or frame within which the member is placed.
Characteristic	Beam
Active [Only displayed for single span beams]	Clearing this option makes single span beams inactive in the analysis. See: Inactive members
Element type	Beam
Material type	Timber
Construction	The available construction options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Fabrication	The available fabrication options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Gravity only	When selected, the member is designed for gravity combinations only. When unselected, the member is designed for gravity and lateral combinations. See: Designing individual members for gravity only
Rotation	Rotation of the member about its local x axis. The default (Degrees0) aligns the major properties with the global Z axis, (provided that the member has not been specifically defined within an incline plane).
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Major snap level, Minor snap level	Defines the major and minor alignment of the member relative to the insertion point.
Major offset, Minor offset	Used to offset the member from the snap point in the major and minor axis.


Span
Section	The section size
Grade	Timber grade
Linearity	Straight Curved Major Curved Minor
Chord height	This property is only displayed when ‘Linearity’ is curved major or curved minor. It is the perpendicular distance from the mid point of the chord baseline to the curve itself.
Maximum facet error	This property is only displayed when ‘Linearity’ is curved major or curved minor. It controls number of straight line elements that replace the curved member in the solver model. See: Analysis Model settings
Top flange cont. rest.	Define if the top flange is continuously restrained.
Bottom flange cont. rest.	Define if the bottom flange is continuously restrained.
Releases
Fixity end 1, end 2	Pinned Fully Fixed Moment pin (Mz) See: Beam end releases and partial fixity
Cantilever end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a cantilever end.
Axial load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define an axial release.
Torsional load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a torsional release.
My stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Major direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed, or Moment. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness y end 1, end 2	When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Mz stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Minor direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness z end 1, end 2	When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Wind loading
Apply open structure wind load	Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. See: Open structure wind loads
Shape factor, Cf	The default shape factor varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading Default Cf factors are taken from the document ‘Wind Loads For Petrochemical And Other Industrial Facilities’ published by ASCE.
Effective area XY
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Effective area XZ
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Live Load Reduction [ACI/AISC]
KLL	Specify the KLL factor in accordance with Table 4-2 in ASCE 7-05/ASCE 7-10. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Override calculated value	This option allows the user to specify their own percentage of load reduction to cater for situations where the automatically calculated value is inappropriate.
Imposed Load Reduction [Codes other than ACI/AISC]
Reduce imposed loads by	This property is particularly applicable to the design of transfer beams. Although the percentage of imposed load reduction is not determined automatically for beams, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to all, or individual spans. reducible loadcases are reduced combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Deflection limits
Apply span\factor	With this option checked, the limit can be defined as a Relative span/factor.
Apply abs. limit	With this option checked, the limit can be defined as an absolute value.
Instability factor
Prevent out of plane instability	Define if out of plane stability is prevented. See: Instability factor
Fire proofing
Protected	When Protected is selected, self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	Exposed on three, or four sides
Required time of fire exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	The minimum time in minutes that the member must be able to withstand a standardized fire, while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Work with user-defined attributes

General beam properties

Properties are listed below in the order that they appear in the Properties window.


General
Name	The automatically generated name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Plane	Indicates the level or frame within which the member is placed.
Characteristic	Beam
Active [Only displayed for single span beams]	Clearing this option makes single span beams inactive in the analysis. See: Inactive members
Element type	Beam
Material type	Timber
Construction	The available construction options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Gravity only	When selected, the member is designed for gravity combinations only. When unselected, the member is designed for gravity and lateral combinations. See: Designing individual members for gravity only
Rotation	Rotation of the member about its local x axis. The default (Degrees0) aligns the major properties with the global Z axis, (provided that the member has not been specifically defined within an incline plane).


Span
Section	The section size
Grade	The general material grade
Linearity	Straight Curved Major Curved Minor
Chord height	This property is only displayed when ‘Linearity’ is curved major or curved minor. It is the perpendicular distance from the mid point of the chord baseline to the curve itself.
Maximum facet error	This property is only displayed when ‘Linearity’ is curved major or curved minor. It controls number of straight line elements that replace the curved member in the solver model. See: Analysis Model settings
Alignment
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Major snap level, Minor snap level	Defines the major and minor alignment of the member relative to the insertion point.
Major offset, Minor offset	Used to offset the member from the snap point in the major and minor axis.
Releases
Fixity end 1, end 2	Pinned Fully Fixed Moment pin (Mz) See: Beam end releases and partial fixity
Cantilever end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a cantilever end.
Axial load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define an axial release.
Torsional load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a torsional release.
My stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Major direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed, or Moment. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness y end 1, end 2	When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Mz stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Minor direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness z end 1, end 2	When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Wind loading
Apply open structure wind load	Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. See: Open structure wind loads
Shape factor, Cf	The default shape factor varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading Default Cf factors are taken from the document ‘Wind Loads For Petrochemical And Other Industrial Facilities’ published by ASCE.
Effective area XY
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Effective area XZ
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Live Load Reduction [ACI/AISC]
KLL	Specify the KLL factor in accordance with Table 4-2 in ASCE 7-05/ASCE 7-10. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Override calculated value	This option allows the user to specify their own percentage of load reduction to cater for situations where the automatically calculated value is inappropriate.
Imposed Load Reduction [Codes other than ACI/AISC]
Reduce imposed loads by	This property is particularly applicable to the design of transfer beams. Although the percentage of imposed load reduction is not determined automatically for beams, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to all, or individual spans. reducible loadcases are reduced combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Instability factor
Prevent out of plane instability	Define if out of plane stability is prevented. See: Instability factor
Fire proofing
Protected	When Protected is selected, self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	Exposed on three, or four sides
Required time of fire exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	The minimum time in minutes that the member must be able to withstand a standardized fire, while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Work with user-defined attributes

Cold Formed beam properties

Properties are listed below in the order that they appear in the Properties window.


General
Name	The automatically generated name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Group	The name of the group to which the member belongs. See: Steel member design groups
Plane	Indicates the level or frame within which the member is placed.
Characteristic	Beam
Active [Only displayed for single span beams]	Clearing this option makes single span beams inactive in the analysis. See: Inactive members
Element type	Beam
Material type	Cold Formed
Construction	The available construction options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Fabrication	The available fabrication options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Autodesign	See: Steel member autodesign
Design section order [Only displayed when 'Autodesign' is selected]	The design order file from which a section size will be selected. For details of managing order files, see: Manage design section orders
Gravity only	When selected, the member is designed for gravity combinations only. When unselected, the member is designed for gravity and lateral combinations. See: Designing individual members for gravity only
Rotation	Rotation of the member about its local x axis. The default (Degrees0) aligns the major properties with the global Z axis, (provided that the member has not been specifically defined within an incline plane).
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Major snap level, Minor snap level	Defines the major and minor alignment of the member relative to the insertion point.
Major offset, Minor offset	Used to offset the member from the snap point in the major and minor axis.


Span
Section	The section size
Grade	Cold formed steel grade
Linearity	Straight Curved Major Curved Minor
Chord height	This property is only displayed when ‘Linearity’ is curved major or curved minor. It is the perpendicular distance from the mid point of the chord baseline to the curve itself.
Maximum facet error	This property is only displayed when ‘Linearity’ is curved major or curved minor. It controls number of straight line elements that replace the curved member in the solver model. See: Analysis Model settings
Top flange cont. rest.	Define if the top flange is continuously restrained.
Bottom flange cont. rest.	Define if the bottom flange is continuously restrained.
Releases
Fixity end 1, end 2	Pinned Fully Fixed Moment pin (Mz) See: Beam end releases and partial fixity
Cantilever end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a cantilever end.
Axial load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define an axial release.
Torsional load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a torsional release.
My stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Major direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed, or Moment. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness y end 1, end 2	When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Mz stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Minor direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness z end 1, end 2	When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Wind loading
Apply open structure wind load	Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. See: Open structure wind loads
Shape factor, Cf	The default shape factor varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading Default Cf factors are taken from the document ‘Wind Loads For Petrochemical And Other Industrial Facilities’ published by ASCE.
Effective area XY
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Effective area XZ
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Live Load Reduction [ACI/AISC]
KLL	Specify the KLL factor in accordance with Table 4-2 in ASCE 7-05/ASCE 7-10. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Override calculated value	This option allows the user to specify their own percentage of load reduction to cater for situations where the automatically calculated value is inappropriate.
Imposed Load Reduction [Codes other than ACI/AISC]
Reduce imposed loads by	This property is particularly applicable to the design of transfer beams. Although the percentage of imposed load reduction is not determined automatically for beams, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to all, or individual spans. reducible loadcases are reduced combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Deflection limits
Apply span\factor	With this option checked, the limit can be defined as a Relative span/factor.
Apply abs. limit	With this option checked, the limit can be defined as an absolute value.
Torsion
Check for torsion, Apply rotational limit	Used to specify if the member should be checked for torsion, and also to apply a rotational limit if required. See: Torsion
Camber
Apply camber	Used to specify a camber to the beam if required. See: Camber
Floor vibration
Calculate natural frequency	Can not be activated for cold formed.
Include self weight (beam & slab) Include other dead loads Include live loads [ACI/AISC], Include imposed loads [Other codes]	The engineer can specify the percentages of each of these loads to be included in the calculation of the maximum static instantaneous deflection, δ
Factor for increased dynamic stiffness of the concrete flange	For composite beams this factor is applied to the beam's short term modular ratio
Size constraints
Max depth, Min depth, Max width, Min width	Size Constraints are only applicable when Autodesign is checked. They allow you to ensure that the sections that Tekla Structural Designer proposes match any particular size constraints you may have. For instance for a composite beam you may want to ensure a minimum flange width of 150mm (6in). If so you would simply enter this value as the Minimum width, and Tekla Structural Designer would not consider sections with flanges less than this width for the design of this beam. See: Size constraints
Apply max span/depth ratio Max span/depth ratio	After setting a max span/depth ratio you can check the 'Apply' button for it to be considered by auto-design. During design, only sections which satisfy the maximum ratio limit will be selected. The setting can also be reviewed and/ or copied via Review View > Show/Alter State. See: Size constraints
Instability factor
Prevent out of plane instability	Define if out of plane stability is prevented. See: Instability factor
Seismic
In a seismic force resisting system	If this is the case, select the checkbox, and then specify the SFRS direction and type. Note: Design of members in seismic force resisting systems is only supported for the ACI/AISC Regional Code in the current release.
Utilization ratio
Apply (to autodesign)	Selected - When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than the ratio limit. Unselected - When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than 1.0. See: Apply user defined utilization ratios
Apply (to check)	Selected - When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than the ratio limit. Unselected - When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than 1.0.
Ratio limit	The utilization ratio against which the autodesign or check is performed (when applied above).
Fire proofing
Protected	When Protected is selected, self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	Exposed on three, or four sides
Required time of fire exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	The minimum time in minutes that the member must be able to withstand a standardized fire, while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Work with user-defined attributes

Cold rolled beam properties

Properties are listed below in the order that they appear in the Properties window.


General
Name	The automatically generated name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Plane	Indicates the level or frame within which the member is placed.
Characteristic	Beam
Active [Only displayed for single span beams]	Clearing this option makes single span beams inactive in the analysis. See: Inactive members
Element type	Beam
Material type	Cold Rolled
Construction	The available construction options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Fabrication	The available fabrication options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Gravity only	When selected, the member is designed for gravity combinations only. When unselected, the member is designed for gravity and lateral combinations. See: Designing individual members for gravity only
Rotation	Rotation of the member about its local x axis. The default (Degrees0) aligns the major properties with the global Z axis, (provided that the member has not been specifically defined within an incline plane).
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Major snap level, Minor snap level	Defines the major and minor alignment of the member relative to the insertion point.
Major offset, Minor offset	Used to offset the member from the snap point in the major and minor axis.


Span
Section	The section size
Grade	Cold rolled grade
Linearity	Straight Curved Major Curved Minor
Chord height	This property is only displayed when ‘Linearity’ is curved major or curved minor. It is the perpendicular distance from the mid point of the chord baseline to the curve itself.
Maximum facet error	This property is only displayed when ‘Linearity’ is curved major or curved minor. It controls number of straight line elements that replace the curved member in the solver model. See: Analysis Model settings
Top flange cont. rest.	Define if the top flange is continuously restrained.
Bottom flange cont. rest.	Define if the bottom flange is continuously restrained.
Releases
Fixity end 1, end 2	Pinned Fully Fixed Moment pin (Mz) See: Beam end releases and partial fixity
Cantilever end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a cantilever end.
Axial load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define an axial release.
Torsional load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a torsional release.
My stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Major direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed, or Moment. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness y end 1, end 2	When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘My stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the major direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Mz stiffness end 1, end 2	This property controls end fixity in the Minor direction. It is only displayed when ‘Fixity’ is Fully fixed. The choices are: Fixed (default) Spring linear Partially fixed
Stiffness z end 1, end 2	When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Spring linear, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness in terms of a linear spring value. When ‘Mz stiffness’ is set to Partially fixed, this property allows you to specify the minor direction stiffness as a percentage of a fully fixed connection. (% of 4EI/L).
Wind loading
Apply open structure wind load	Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. See: Open structure wind loads
Shape factor, Cf	The default shape factor varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading Default Cf factors are taken from the document ‘Wind Loads For Petrochemical And Other Industrial Facilities’ published by ASCE.
Effective area XY
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Effective area XZ
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Live Load Reduction [ACI/AISC]
KLL	Specify the KLL factor in accordance with Table 4-2 in ASCE 7-05/ASCE 7-10. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Override calculated value	This option allows the user to specify their own percentage of load reduction to cater for situations where the automatically calculated value is inappropriate.
Imposed Load Reduction [Codes other than ACI/AISC]
Reduce imposed loads by	This property is particularly applicable to the design of transfer beams. Although the percentage of imposed load reduction is not determined automatically for beams, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to all, or individual spans. reducible loadcases are reduced combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Instability factor
Prevent out of plane instability	Define if out of plane stability is prevented. See: Instability factor
Fire proofing
Protected	When Protected is selected, self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	Exposed on three, or four sides
Required time of fire exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	The minimum time in minutes that the member must be able to withstand a standardized fire, while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Work with user-defined attributes

Beam properties

Beam properties

Steel beam properties

Concrete beam properties

Timber beam properties

General beam properties

Cold Formed beam properties

Cold rolled beam properties