Create cast units
In Tekla Structures, each modeled concrete part is considered as its own cast unit. When you model concrete parts in Tekla Structures, you need to create cast units when you have several concrete parts which should be cast as one monolithic structure. For example, a single cast unit could consist of a column with corbels. The cast unit can then have the production drawings, quantity reports, and exports showing the content of the cast unit.
Concrete cast units are technically considered as assemblies, and they have similar commands available as steel assemblies. In some cases, the assembly commands need to be used for cast units as well.
Create a cast unit
You need to specify which parts form the cast unit. Cast units can include reinforcement, as well as concrete parts.
- On the Concrete tab, click .
- Select the objects you want to include in the cast unit.
- Click the middle mouse button to create the cast unit.
Check and highlight objects in a cast unit
Use the Inquire tool to check which objects belong to a particular cast unit or assembly.
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On the ribbon, click the down arrow next to
, and then select Assembly objects.
Change the cast unit main part
The main part in a concrete cast unit is the one with the largest volume of concrete. You can change the main part in a cast unit.
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Ensure that the Select objects in assemblies
selection switch is
active.
Define the cast unit type of a part
You must define the cast unit type of concrete parts. Tekla Structures checks the cast unit type of the main part each time you create or modify a cast unit. It is important to use the correct cast unit type, because some functionalities, for example numbering, are based on the cast unit type.
Some best practices when you are working with cast units
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Always check that all the concrete parts and related accessories are connected to the cast unit.
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Cast units always have a main part. The main part in a cast unit is usually the part with the largest volume of concrete. You can change the main part. Always ensure that the main part is the intended one as the cast unit gets many of its properties from the main part. Keep the possible sub-assembly hierarchy clear.
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Cast units get their position numbers according to the numbering settings. Identical cast units have the same position number and they are included in the same drawing. In addition to the position numbers, you can assign other identifiers to separate the cast units with the same drawing and position number.
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The cast unit drawings contain all the hierarchical content included in the cast unit. Always check that all of the concrete parts, cuts, reinforcement, and surface treatment are connected to the correct parts and that embeds are added as sub-assemblies to the cast unit. This ensures that all the objects are included in the drawings.
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To indicate the casting direction of a precast concrete part, you can define which part face you want to face upwards in the casting form. Therefore, this face will be the front face view in the fabrication drawing. Casting direction affects the numbering of parts. By modeling beams and interior walls from left to right, bottom to top, the default front face is towards the viewer, and any fixed part marks are oriented upright. When using wall layout for exterior walls, model in the clockwise direction.
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If you copy fully detailed cast units in a model, use the command. With this command, all objects in a cast unit are copied to other similar cast units without individually selecting each object to copy. This means that, for example, secondary parts, sub-assemblies, components, and cuts and fittings are copied with the cast unit.
Additionally, you can
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inquire the cast unit’s general properties, such as volume and weight which are automatically calculated
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inquire the cast unit’s own properties, such as position number
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inquire the cast unit’s main part properties
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list all parts, rebars and sub-assemblies of the cast unit.