Floor layout

Tekla Structures
2020
Tekla Structures
floor layout

Floor layout

Floor Layout creates floors built of precast filigree, double-tee, and hollow core and solid slabs. The floors may contain several layers, such as precast slabs, insulation and a cast-in-place topping. Floor Layout is most useful for non-rectangular floors that contain one or more openings that split slabs into many pieces, and when slab widths are not constant on the whole floor area. You can modify the floors using direct modification.

Objects created

  • Slabs

  • Insulation

  • Cast-in-place topping

Use for

Situation

Description

Create floor structures that have layers, for example, hollow core slabs at the bottom, insulation as the middle layer, and cast-in-place topping.

Selection order

  1. On the Concrete tab, click Slab > Floor layout.

  2. Pick the corner points of the floor.

    You can pick the points at grid lines or the reference points of supporting parts. You can change the offsets later.

    The default slab direction is from the first (P1) point to the second (P2) point. You can change this later if needed.

  3. Click the middle mouse button to create the floor.

Layer tab

Use the Layer tab to control the layer type, profile, and how the layer is created.

Layer list

Layers

Description

The layer list shows the current layers of the floor. The first layer in the list is the top layer and the last layer is the bottom layer. In the example image on the left, the FILIGREE layer is the top layer and the CIP layer is the bottom layer.

Use the buttons to do the following:

  • Click to add a new layer.
  • Click to remove the selected layer.
  • Click to change the order of the layers by moving the selected layer up or down in the list.

Layer properties

Select a layer in the layer list to define the layer properties.

Option

Description

Layer name

Enter a name for the layer. This is the layer name shown in the layer list. The name is also shown in the direct modification toolbar when you are modifying offsets .

This name is not visible in the model so you can enter any suitable name.

Layer type

Select the layer type. The Precast layer is the primary layer and any insulation parts are added to precast units. The parts created for a Cast in place layer are not added to any other cast unit.

Create layer as

Select how the layer parts are created: as beam parts, custom parts, or a single part.

Layer component

Component attributes

When the layer parts are created as custom parts, you can select a component and the component attributes.

Layer thickness or profile

When the layer parts are created as beam parts or as a single part, you can select the profile or thickness of the layer parts.

With parametric profiles, you can replace the width of the profile with the text [W]. When you do this, the beam is never cut but the desired width is achieved by setting the profile name based on the slab width.

For example, the profile could be BL80*[W].

Rotation

Select the rotation of the layer parts.

Part name

Class

Material

Pour phase

Part prefix, Start no

Cast unit prefix, Start no

Define the name, class, material, part prefix and start number of the layer parts. Define the pour phase for CIP layers.

General tab

Use the General tab to control the default part and gap width, depth position of the layers, and the direction for lining up the slabs.

Select to create slabs and parts by width or number of them from the Default part width dropdown list. The options are:

Option

Description

Default part width

Enter the default width for the slabs in the primary layer.

If you define the width of an individual slab in the slab part properties, the Default part width value is not used.

Max part width

Enter the maximum part width.

Floor layout calculates the slab width by dividing the entire floor width by the maximum width.

Floor layout then gets the number of slabs that are used to divide the entire floor width to get the optimal slab width taking the seam gap values into account in the calculation.

Note that this setting is only recommended for profiles with parametric width (See also Layer thickness or profile in Layer properties), or for slab objects.

Number of parts

Enter the number of parts to be created.

Floor layout calculates the slab width automatically by dividing the entire floor width by the number of parts.

Note that this setting is only recommended for profiles with parametric width (See also Layer thickness or profile in Layer properties), or for slab objects.

Option

Description

Default gap width

Enter the default seam gap width in the primary layer.

If you define the width of an individual gap, the Default gap width value is not used.

Same gap for all

Set the gap width at first and last edges.

Same gap for allcreates gaps that are half of the default gap width.

No gap at first and last does not create gaps.

Depth position

Select how the layers are positioned in relation to the plane of input points.

Line up direction

Select the direction for the slabs. By default, the width of the last slab may differ from the width of the other slabs.

Advanced tab

Use the Advanced tab to control the minimum angles, and the width and length of the slabs.

Option

Description

Minimum end angle

Minimum start angle

Controls how the slab ends are modeled.

When the angle of the floor edge is smaller than the minimum angle, you can select a suitable option from the list to make the slab end straight.

Minimum slab width. Slabs narrower than the minimum width are not created.

Minimum slab length. Slabs shorter than the minimum length are not created.

Maximum slab length. Slabs longer than the maximum length are not created.

Minimum required width of a single neck on either side of the slab when there is a large opening in the slab.

If either of the necks on the sides of the opening is smaller than the defined neck width, the neck is cut off completely. In addition, the total width of the necks must be bigger than the minimum slab middle zone neck width, otherwise the slab is split into two separate slabs (the width of the actual opening is the same as the width of the slab).

Minimum end nose width and length.

If there are noses on both sides of the slab, these two end noses are checked separately and cut off if the width of the single nose gets smaller than the given minimum required nose width.

Align openings by allowed widths

Select Yes to re-align the opening/cut longitudinal edges to match the allowed width zones.

The default value is No.

Create cut-outs

Select to create cut-outs for notches or openings.

Selecting to create cut-outs does not affect whether the slab is split.

Classes or names of parts to cut out

Creates automatic cut-outs for parts going through the floor layout.

Enter the names or classes for parts that need cut-outs.

Customize allowed slab width and length

You can customize the allowed slab width and length in the FloorLayout.ini file. This file can be located under the model folder, or in any of the folders defined in the XS_FIRM, XS_PROJECT or XS_SYSTEM advanced options.

If the file contains any values for a profile, these values are used and they override the minimum and maximum values entered in the Floor layout dialog box. In the Floor layout dialog box, you can define the slab width on the General tab and the slab length on the Advanced tab.

An example of the definitions in the FloorLayout.ini file:

// 
// Slab not listed below can have any width. Slab listed below can only have width inside the given range. 
// User input values will be rounded down to the nearest allowed value.
//
//							Zone 1		Zone 2		Zone 3		Zone 4		Zone 5	
// Slab widths	Profile		min. max.	min. max.   min. max.	min. max.	min. max.
SLAB_WIDTH 	P15(150X1200)   345-435 	485-575 	625-715    	765-855		905-995 	1045-1135
SLAB_WIDTH 	P18(175X1200)   392-492 	549-649    	706-806		863-963		1020-1120
SLAB_WIDTH 	P20(200X1200)   270-370 	450-560 	640-750    	830-930		1020-1120
SLAB_WIDTH 	P27(265X1200)   320-440 	540-660 	760-880    	980-1110
SLAB_WIDTH 	P32(320X1200)   380-560 	660-830    	930-1110
SLAB_WIDTH 	P32R(320X1200)  380-560 	660-830    	930-1110
SLAB_WIDTH 	P37(370X1200)   320-440 	540-660    	760-880		980-1120
SLAB_WIDTH 	P40(400X1200)   400-530 	670-800    	950-1080
SLAB_WIDTH 	P50(500X1200)   390-530 	670-810    	950-1080

/
// Min/max lengths by slab profile & width min/max
//
// 		Profile 	Width min/max 	Length min/max
SLAB_LENGTH 	P15(150X1200) 	0-1200 		1000-8000
SLAB_LENGTH 	P18(188X1200) 	0-1200 		1000-9000
SLAB_LENGTH 	P27(270X1200) 	0-1200	 	1000-12000
SLAB_LENGTH 	P32(320X1200) 	0-830 		1000-13000
SLAB_LENGTH 	P32(320X1200) 	830-1200 	1000-14000
SLAB_LENGTH 	P32R(320X1200) 	0-1200 		1000-14500
SLAB_LENGTH 	P37(370X1200) 	0-660		1000-14000
SLAB_LENGTH 	P37(370X1200) 	660-1200 	1000-15000
SLAB_LENGTH 	P40(400X1200) 	0-800 		1000-16000
SLAB_LENGTH 	P40(400X1200) 	800-1200	1000-17000
SLAB_LENGTH 	P50(500X1200) 	0-810 		1000-19000
SLAB_LENGTH 	P50(500X1200) 	810-1200	1000-20000

Default offsets

Use the Default offsets tab to set the default offsets for each layer. These default offsets will be used whenever a specific value is not given for the edge.

Description

1

Default offset for the side offset.

Offset that is parallel to the bearing direction.

2

Default offset for the end offset.

All other offsets that are not side offsets.

3

Default offset for the break line.

The default value is 10. If the break line value is 0, the objects are not split.

A

B

Define offsets for the automatically created cut-outs.

You can define separate offsets for every layer.

Detailing tab

Use the Detailing tab to select the components that are applied to all slabs in the floor.

Option

Description

Component name

Select a component that is applied to the slabs in the floor.

Component attr file name

Select the settings that are used with the component you have selected.

The list contains all the files that are available for the selected component.

Adding a component to the component name list

The component name list is empty by default. You can add components to the list:

  1. Select Add new from the list.

    The Detailing component data dialog box is displayed.

  2. Enter a suitable name in the Name in dropdown box.

  3. Click to open the Applications & components catalog.

  4. Select a component and click OK.

    The component name or number is added to the Component name box.

  5. Click OK.

When you have added the needed components, the names of the components are shown in the component name list as shown in the example image below. Select a component from the list:

The list is stored in the \attributes folder under the model folder.

If you want to predefine the list to contain your favorite components in any new models, you can copy the LayoutConfiguration.datx file from the \attributes folder under the model folder to any of the folders defined in the XS_FIRM, XS_PROJECT or XS_SYSTEM.

CIP filler part tab

Use the CIP filler part tab to create CIP filler parts into the empty areas in floors created with Floor layout. The empty areas are spaces created by offsets around the exterior and interior boundaries. There may also be empty areas when the slab is too narrow to be created with Floor layout.

CIP filler parts can also be created when:

  • The allowed slab width is smaller than the needed width.

  • The opening is larger than needed because of allowed width zones.

  • The slab is split into two because of a large opening.

  • The slab nose is not created because it is too narrow.

CIP filler part properties

Option Description

Create filler parts

Select whether CIP filler parts are created.

Minimum width

Minimum width of the part.

If the empty space is smaller than this width, the part is not created in this location.

Cast unit prefix

Start no

Cast unit prefix of the CIP filler part

Cast unit start number of the CIP filler part

Name

Class

Material

Finish

Pour phase

Define the name, class, material, finish and pour phase of the CIP filler parts.

Fill seam gaps

Select whether seam gaps are filled.

User defined tab

Use the User defined tab to set the user-defined attribute values for the slabs.

If you have defined the user-defined attributes in the part properties dialog box and want to use those values, leave the User defined tab empty.

The content of the tab may vary depending on your environment, see below how to customize the content.

Customizing the User defined tab

You can customize the content of the User defined tab using the floorlayout.objects.inp file. Note that you cannot create new user-defined attributes with the file. The user-defined attributes on the tab are existing user-defined attributes that have been defined in the objects.inp file. The floorlayout.objects.inp file has the same format as the objects.inp file.

The floorlayout.objects.inp file can be located in any of the folders set in the XS_FIRM, XS_PROJECT or XS_SYSTEM advanced options, or in the model folder.

Below is an example of the floorlayout.objects.inp file:

Modifying a floor

You can use direct modification to modify the floor. Before you start, ensure that the Direct modification switch is active. Select the floor to display the direct modification toolbar.

To modify the floor, select the appropriate command from the toolbar.

Button

Description

Add a polygonal opening.

Add a rectangular opening.

Add a break line to split the slab into two slabs.

Modify the openings or exterior boundary of the floor. This command is active by default.

Make the floor warped by offsetting one or more vertices of the exterior boundary polygon from the plane.

Modify the offsets at floor boundaries.

Modify the layout of the floor:

  • Modify the width or profile of any of the slabs in the floor.
  • Modify the side of the cut when the slab is cut to a smaller width.
  • Modify the gaps between the slabs.
  • Modify the direction of the slabs.
  • Modify the order of slabs when the slabs do not the have the same width or profiles.

Add or modify the detailing components that are only applied to certain slabs in the floor layout. The detailing components are listed on the Detailing tab.

You can apply the same detailing component settings to all slabs in the floor layout using the floor layout attributes.

Click the refresh command to rerun the component. For example, if you have new parts that should cut holes around them, the refresh command ensures that the cuts are shown correctly.

Known limitations

Floor layout is not designed to work with floors where the layout is not in one plane. Egdes can be offset from the plane only to warp the floor, not to make floors that have several planes.

The image below shows an example where Floor layout has been used to create several planes. If precast slabs are used in this way, the outcome is not correct. Use multiple Floor layout components to create precast floors with several planes.

Adding a polygonal opening

  1. Click .

  2. Pick the corner points of the opening.

    You can pick the points at grid lines or you can pick the reference points of supporting parts. You can change the offsets later.

Adding a rectangular opening

  1. Click .

  2. Pick the corner points of the opening.

    You can pick the points at grid lines or you can pick the reference points of supporting parts. You can change the offsets later.

Adding a break line to split the slab into two slabs

  1. Click .

  2. Pick the end points of the break line.

Modifying the openings and exterior boundary of the floor

  1. The button is active by default.

    The handles are shown for the exterior boundary and for all openings in the floor.

  2. Do any of the following:

    • To move an edge, drag any of the edge lines. Hold down the left mouse button when dragging.

    • To move a corner point, drag the handle in the corner.

    • To add new points to the edge, drag the handle in the middle of the edge.

    • To delete any of the points, select the handle in the corner and press the Delete key.

    • To make the floor warped, offset the vertices of the exterior boundary so that all vertices are not in the same plane.

      Drag a handle normally to move the vertices in the original floor plane.

      Hold down the Alt key while dragging to move the vertex perpendicular to the floor plane.

      Hold down the Alt and Shift keys to move the vertex both in the plane and off from the plane by snapping to any point in the model.

Modifying the offset at floor boundaries

  1. Click .

    The handles for modifying the offset are shown. If there are offsets, the offset dimensions are also shown.

  2. To adjust the offset, do one of the following:

    • Drag the edge offset lines.

    • Select one or more offset lines by holding down the Shift key.

      When you have the offset lines selected, right-click on any of the selected lines. Enter the offset value to the toolbar that is displayed and click .

Note that when you use the offset command, the direct modification toolbar shows the floor layout layers. Each layer may have different offsets. You can select which layers to modify. The simplest way is to select all layers and have the offsets equal in each layer.

Modifying the layout of the floor

  1. Click .

    The following direct modification elements are shown:

  2. To modify the layout of the floor, do any of the following:

    • To modify slab width, do one of the following:

      • To move all seams, select one seam and start dragging.

      • To add a new seam, select a seam, hold down the Ctrl key and start dragging. When you stop dragging and release the mouse key, a new seam is added to that location.

      • To make one slab smaller, select a seam, hold down the Alt key and start dragging. The slab on the left or right side is made smaller and all slabs on the other side will move with the seam.

    • To modify the profile, width, and cut side of a slab, right-click the slab handle.

      When the profile of the slab is fixed (not parametric), the slab is cut on either side when the width is smaller than the original width. The Default cut side is leading edge for the first slab and trailing edge for all others in relation to the layout direction.

      You can modify the properties of multiple slabs at the same time by holding down the Shift key when selecting slabs.

    • To modify the gap width between the slabs, do one of the following:

      • Drag the end of the gap dimension.

      • Right-click a seam line handle, enter the width and click .

        You can modify multiple gaps at same time by holding down the Shift key when selecting seam line handles.

    • To move a slab or change the order of slabs, drag the slab handles.

    • To change the direction of slabs, drag the slab direction handle.

    • To remove a slab from the layout, select the slab handles and press the Delete key.

Add and modify property strips

You can use property strips to control the properties and detailing components of indivual slabs in the floor layout.

Property strips

You can define property strips that have certain properties and detailing components, and use the property strips according to your needs in the floor layout. For example, you can change the profile and class of the individual hollow core slabs. Note that property strips only affect the main layer parts.

Property strips are added as lines in the floor layout plane. Property strips affect the parts that they are touching. You can also set property strips so that they affect through the slab line.

The image below shows an example of a property strip. The two slabs in the floor layout have a different class and profile because of the property strip.

To create a property strip in the floor layout:

  1. On the contextual toolbar of Floor layout, click to open a dialog box for defining the property strip.

  2. On the Properties tab, define the individual slab properties.

    Option Description

    Effect in layout

    Select how the parts in the floor layout are affected:

    • Hit slabs only: The property strip only affects the parts it is touching.

    • All slabs in line: All slab parts in the line are affected if one slab line is split to two or more individual parts.

    Layer thickness or profile

    Change the thickness or profile of the layer.

    Depth position

    If the profile height is different, you can adjust the alignment according to:

    • Bottom face aligned with other slabs.

    • Top face aligned with other slabs.

    Part name

    Class

    Material

    Pour phase

    Part prefix

    Cast unit prefix

    Start no

    Define the name, class, material, part prefix and start number of the layer parts. Define the pour phase for CIP layers.

  3. On the Detailing tab, select the detailing component that you want to use.

    Option Description

    Component name

    Select the detailing component from the list.

    The list of detailing components shows the components that you have added on the Detailing tab in the Floor layout dialog box.

    The content of the list may vary depending on your environment.

    You can also add new components to the list by selecting the Add new option. Note that you can only add detailing components that use one input part.

    Component attr file name

    Select the detailing component attributes that are used for the slab.

    Note that the content of the list varies depending on the component that you have selected.

  4. On the User defined tab, set the user-defined attribute values for the slabs.

    If you have defined the user-defined attributes in the part properties dialog box and want to use those values, leave the User defined tab empty.

  5. Pick the start and end points for the property strip in the floor layout.

Modify the property strip

You can also use saved attribute settings from the contextual toolbar.

Use the and buttons on the toolbar as follows:

Modify the detailing component and/or attribute file of the property strip.

Select the property strip and select the component name and/or attribute file from the list. Click the button to modify the selected property strips.

You can select multiple strips by holding down the Shift key.

Delete a property strip. Select the strip that you want to delete.

You can select multiple strips by holding down the Shift key.

You can also add new property strips by dragging an existing strip and holding down the Ctrl key.

Was this helpful?
Previous
Next