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  7. Manage bolts and bolt assemblies

Manage bolts and bolt assemblies

Tekla Structures
Modified: 12 Dec 2022
2025
Tekla Structures

Manage bolts and bolt assemblies

In the bolt catalog and the bolt assembly catalog, you can add, modify, and delete bolts and bolt assemblies.

Add a bolt to the catalog

You must add individual bolt elements, such as bolts, nuts, and washers, to the bolt catalog before you can define bolt assemblies and use them in a model.

You cannot use a bolt if it does not belong to a bolt assembly. Ensure that the catalog also includes nuts and washers that work with the new bolt so that you can create a bolt assembly.

Tip:

You can also add bolts, nuts, and washers by importing them into the bolt catalog.

  1. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Bolt catalog to open the Bolt Catalog dialog.
  2. If you want to create a new bolt, nut, or washer based on an existing one, select an existing bolt, nut, or washer in the Bolts list.
  3. Type a unique name in the box below the Bolts list.

    You can enter a maximum of 40 characters in the name box.

  4. From the Type list, select an option to define the bolt element type.
  5. Define the other properties of the new bolt, nut, or washer.

    You can enter a maximum of 25 characters in the Standard box.

    Use different names for bolt, nut, washer, and stud standards to distinguish bolt element types from each other when defining bolt assemblies.

  6. Click Add.
  7. If the catalog does not include nuts and washers that work with the new bolt, click Update, then add the nuts and washers in the same way as you added the bolt.
  8. When you have finished adding all bolts, nuts, and washers, click OK.

    The Save confirmation dialog opens.

  9. Select Save changes to model folder, then click OK.

A new screwdb.db file that contains your new parts is created in the current model folder. You can copy this file to the firm folder or to a model template to use it in other new projects.

Next, add a bolt assembly to the catalog to define the parts that make up the bolt type.

Add a stud bolt to the catalog

A stud is special type of bolt that is welded to steel parts to transfer loads between steel and concrete. You cannot use studs unless you have defined a stud assembly that contains the assembly's name and material.

  1. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Bolt catalog to open the Bolt Catalog dialog.
  2. Enter values for the following properties:

    • Name: Name for the stud bolt.

    • Type:

    • Standard: This name is needed when creating a bolt assembly for the stud.

    • Diameter: Shank diameter.

    • Length: Stud length.

    • Weight: Stud weight.

    • top thick: Head thickness.

    • top diameter: Head diameter.

    The units depend on the settings in File menu > Settings > Options > Units and decimals.

  3. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Bolt assembly catalog to open the Bolt Assembly Catalog dialog.
  4. Select the standard for the stud bolt.
  5. Set all the other bolt assembly elements to None.

  6. To create studs in the model, create bolts and select the stud assembly standard.

Modify bolt information in the catalog

  1. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Bolt catalog to open the Bolt Catalog dialog.
  2. Select a bolt from the list.
  3. Modify the properties.
  4. Click Update.
  5. Click OK.

    The Save confirmation dialog appears.

  6. Select Save changes to model folder to save the changes in the screwdb.db file in the current model folder, and then click OK.

Delete a bolt from the catalog

  1. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Bolt catalog to open the Bolt Catalog dialog.
  2. Select a bolt from the list.

    Use the Shift and Ctrl keys to select multiple bolts.

  3. Click Delete.
  4. Click OK.

    The Save confirmation dialog appears.

  5. Select Save changes to model folder to save the changes in the screwdb.db file in the current model folder, and then click OK.

Add a bolt assembly to the catalog

After you add bolts to the bolt catalog, add new bolt assemblies to the bolt assembly catalog to define the parts that make up the bolt type.

You cannot use a bolt if it does not belong to a bolt assembly. The bolt assembly can contain bolts or studs, but not both.

  1. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Bolt assembly catalog to open the Bolt Assembly Catalog dialog.
  2. Type a unique name in the box below the Bolt assemblies list.

  3. Define the other properties of the new bolt assembly and select the washer and nut types.

    You can enter a maximum of 30 characters in the Standard box. For all the other properties, you can enter a maximum of 25 characters.

    The values in the Standard and Grade boxes can be used in reports.

  4. Click Add.
    The new bolt assembly is highlighted in the Bolt assemblies list.
  5. Click OK.

    The Save confirmation dialog opens.

  6. Select Save changes to model folder, then click OK.

A new assdb.db file is created in the current model folder. You can copy this file to the firm folder or to a model template to use it in other new projects.

Modify bolt assembly information in the catalog

  1. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Bolt assembly catalog to open the Bolt Assembly Catalog dialog.
  2. Select a bolt assembly from the list.
  3. Modify the properties.
  4. Click Update.
  5. Click OK.

    The Save confirmation dialog appears.

  6. Select Save changes to model folder to save the changes in the assdb.db file in the current model folder, and then click OK.

Delete a bolt assembly from the catalog

  1. On the File menu, click Catalogs > Bolt assembly catalog to open the Bolt Assembly Catalog dialog.
  2. Select a bolt assembly from the list.
  3. Click Delete.
  4. Click OK.

    The Save confirmation dialog appears.

  5. Select Save changes to model folder to save the changes in the assdb.db file in the current model folder, and then click OK.
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