Variable properties

Tekla Structures
2021
Tekla Structures

Variable properties

Use the Variables dialog box to view, modify, and create parametric variables, and to view fixed and reference distance variables.

Tekla Structures uses variables with custom components, sketched cross sections, and parametric modeling. The examples below are given for custom components, but the same principles apply also to sketched cross sections and parametric modeling.

Option

Description

Category

Component parameters lists all variables in the component.

Model parameters lists variables in the current model (such as bindings between a part's end point and a grid plane).

Name

A unique name of a variable. Use this name to refer to the variable in the custom component editor.

To be able to correctly reference a variable, its name must be 19 characters or shorter. Variables with longer names will not work correctly when referenced.

Formula

Use this box to enter a value or a formula.

Formulas begin with =.

Value

Shows the current value of Formula.

Value type

Select a value type from the list. The type determines what kind of value you can enter for the variable.

Variable type

This property can be either Distance or Parametric.

Visibility

Use this setting to control the visibility of a variable.

Set to Show to display the variable in the custom component dialog box.

Label in dialog box

The name of the variable that Tekla Structures displays in the custom component dialog box.

The maximum length is 30 characters.

Value types

You have the following options for the value type:

Option

Description

Number

A whole (integer) number. Use for quantity and multiplier.

Length

A decimal (floating point) number. Use for lengths and distances. Length numbers have unit (mm, inch, etc.) and they are rounded to two decimal places.

Text

A text (ASCII) string.

Factor

A decimal value without a unit. You can set the number of decimals for the value type in File menu > Settings > Options > Units and decimals.

Angle

A decimal number type for storing angles, stored to one decimal place, in radians.

Material

A data type associated with the material catalog. Use to select a material grade from the Select Material dialog box.

Profile

A data type associated with the profile catalog. Use to select a profile from the Select Profile dialog box.

Bolt size

Bolt standard

Data types linked to the bolt catalog. Bolt size works with Bolt standard. They have a fixed naming format: Px_diameter and Px_screwdin. Do not change the fixed name.

To show values for these in the component’s dialog box, x must be the same for both, for example, P1_diameter and P1_screwdin.

Bolt type

For determining the bolt type (site/workshop) in the custom component dialog box. Linked to the Bolt type property of bolts in the Custom component browser.

Stud size

Stud standard

Stud length

Data types linked to the bolt catalog. Stud size, Stud standard and Stud length work together. They have a fixed naming format: Px_size, Px_standard and Px_length. Do not change the fixed names.

To show values for these in the component’s dialog box, x must be the same for all of them. For example, P9_size, P9_standard, and P9_length.

Hole type

A data type for determining whether holes are special holes and for selecting the special hole type (slotted/oversized/no hole).

Plain hole type

A data type for determining whether holes are through or blind holes.

Distance list

Use with options that have several length values, such as bolt spacings.

Use space as a separator between the distances.

Distance list total

Use for calculating the total value of several listed length values, such as bolt spacings.

Use space as a separator between the distances.

Weld type

A data type for selecting the weld type.

Chamfer type

A data type for determining the shape of a chamfer.

For more information, see Create part chamfers.

Welding site

A data type for determining the welding place: workshop or building site.

Rebar grade

Rebar size

Rebar bending radius

Data types linked to reinforcement catalog. Rebar grade, Rebar size, and Rebar bending radius work together. They have a fixed naming format: Px_grade, Px_size, and Px_radius. Do not change the fixed name.

To show values for these in the component's dialog box, x must be the same for all, for example, P1_grade, P1_size, and P1_radius.

Rebar hook type

Used for rebar set end detail modifiers, to specify the hook type.

Length adjustment type

Used for rebar set end detail modifiers, to specify how the bar length is extended or shortened, according to a specified end offset or leg length.

Bars affected

Used for rebar set modifiers, to specify how many bars are to be modified (1/1, 1/2, and so on).

Rebar stagger type

Used for rebar set splitters, to specify the stagger type (left/right/middle).

Rebar lap side

Used for rebar set splitters, to specify the side of the overlap (left/right/middle).

Rebar lap placement

Used for rebar set splitters, to determine whether the lapping bars are parallel to each other or on top of each other.

Rebar lap type

Used for rebar set splitters, to determine whether the reinforcing bars are kept straight at lap splices by offsetting entire bars, or placed slanted by offsetting bar ends.

Reinforcement mesh

For determining meshes in custom components. Linked to the Catalog name property of reinforcement meshes in the Custom component browser.

Cross bar location

Used for rebar meshes, to determine whether the crossing bars are located above or below the longitudinal bars.

Component name

Component attribute file

Use Component name for replacing a sub-component inside a custom component with another sub-component. Linked to the Name property of objects in the Custom component browser.

Use Component attribute file for setting the properties of a sub-component inside a custom component.

Component name and Component attribute file work together. They have a fixed naming format: Px_name and Px_attrfile. Do not change the fixed name.

To show values for these in the component's dialog box, x must be the same for both, for example, P2_name and P2_attrfile.

Yes/No

For determining whether or not Tekla Structures creates an object in a custom component. Linked to the Creation property of objects in the Custom component browser.

Shape

A data type associated with the shape catalog. Use for selecting a shape from the Shape Catalog dialog box.

Bitmask

For defining bolt assembly (nuts and washers) and parts with slotted holes. Linked to the Bolt structure and Parts with slotted holes properties of bolts in the Custom component browser.

The value is a five-digit series of ones and zeros. This relates to the check boxes in the bolt properties. 1 means that a check box is selected, 0 means that a check box is clear.

In the example below, the value of 10010 means that a bolt with a washer and a nut is created in the bolt assembly.

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