Modify a rebar assembly

You can modify the rebar assembly structure by adding more objects, or by changing the main object of a rebar assembly, for example.

Note:

The active selection switch controls whether you can select reinforcement objects or assemblies when you use the different rebar assembly commands.

Add objects to an existing rebar assembly

You can add more objects to a basic rebar assembly, or to any level of a nested rebar assembly.

Note that you can only add parts to rebar assemblies as sub-assemblies. See the 'Create a nested rebar assembly' instructions below.

Ensure that the Select objects in assemblies or Select objects in components selection switch is active.
Select the objects that you want to add.
Right-click and select Assembly > Add to assembly.
Select the rebar assembly to which you want to add the objects.

Create a nested rebar assembly

You can add parts, assemblies, and rebar assemblies as sub-assemblies in a rebar assembly on a lower level in the assembly hierarchy.

Ensure that the Select assemblies selection switch is active.
Select the parts and assemblies that you want to add to the rebar assembly.

They will become sub-assemblies in the nested rebar assembly.
Right-click and select Assembly > Add as sub-assembly.
Select the rebar assembly to which you want to add the parts and assemblies.

Alternatively, you can use the Rebar > Assembly > Add as sub-assembly command on the ribbon.

Check and highlight objects in a rebar assembly

Use the Inquire tool to check which objects belong to a particular rebar assembly.

On the ribbon, click the down arrow next to , and then select Assembly objects to inquire the rebar assembly objects.
Select a rebar assembly. Ensure that you are on the intended assembly hierarchy level.

Tekla Structures highlights all the objects that belong to the same rebar assembly. The main reinforcement object is highlighted in orange and the other rebar assembly objects in yellow.

Change the main object of a rebar assembly

By default, the main object in a rebar assembly is the reinforcement object with the highest weight. You can change the main object in a rebar assembly.

If needed, check what is currently the main object of the rebar assembly.

Use the Inquire tool to check which objects belong to a particular rebar assembly.
Ensure that the Select objects in assemblies or Select objects in components selection switch is active.
Select the new main object.
Right-click and select Assembly > Set as new main object of assembly.

Tekla Structures changes the main object.

Alternatively, you can use the Rebar > Assembly > Set as main object command on the ribbon.

Note that if you remove the main object from a rebar assembly, the remaining reinforcement object with the highest weight is automatically set as the new main object.

Change the coordinate system of a rebar assembly

By default, the main reinforcement object of a rebar assembly sets the local coordinate system of the rebar assembly. The coordinate system then defines the orientation, length, width, and height of the rebar assembly for drawings and reports. If a rebar assembly is not shown the way you want in drawings and reports, even though you changed the main object, you can adjust the coordinate system of the rebar assembly.

Ensure that the Direct modification switch is active.
Select a rebar assembly.
On the contextual toolbar, click Define or remove coordinate system.

Tekla Structures shows a blue direct modification handle at the origin, and the red, green, and blue axis handles and rotation handles that you can use to adjust the coordinate system of the rebar assembly.
To move the coordinate system to a new location, drag the handle that is located at the origin.
To move the coordinate system along any of the coordinate axes, drag the relevant axis handle to a new location.
To rotate the coordinate system around any of the coordinate axes, drag the relevant rotation handle to a new location.

Press Tab to rotate the coordinate system in 90-degree steps in the direction of the selected rotation handle.
To move or rotate the coordinate system by specifying a distance or angle:
1. Select an axis handle or a rotation handle.
2. Type the value by which you want the handle to move.
  
  When you start typing, Tekla Structures displays the Enter a Numeric Location dialog box.
3. Click OK or press Enter to confirm the value.
To revert to the original coordinate system, click again on the contextual toolbar.