CREATING STANDARD EMBEDS FOR GLOBAL USE - Tekla · In Tekla Structures embeds are created using the custom part –functionality. ... • Assembly prefix: ... also when they are used

REVISION 2 1 (40) STANDARD EMBED CREATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMBED MANUFACTURERS 29 November 2012

REVISION HISTORY: 29 November 2012: Revision 2 (changes marked in brown color):

- 2.4.1 added parameters for Product unit and Product weight - 2.4.3 added table of labels that enable automatic translation - 2.4.4 added linking of parameters for secondary parts - 2.4.5 updated picture of properties of the main part, added picture of properties of rebar - 2.5.1 defined - Added section 7. Check the components consistency

20 November 2009: Revision 1 (changes marked in green color):

- Added section 2.2 “Defining embed weight and unit” - Added “Numbering prefix” to section 2.4 - Added section 4.3.3 “Steel corbel” - Added section 4.3.4 “Two-sided steel corbel, length is variable”

9 June 2008: Original document

CREATING STANDARD EMBEDS FOR GLOBAL USE


CONTENTS 1. GENERAL ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR STANDARD EMBEDS................................................................................................... 3 1.1.1 "Keep it simple!" ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1.2 Minimize the number of parameters ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.1.3 Use consistent creation methods ............................................................................................................................ 4

2. EMBED CREATION IN PRACTISE ....................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 CREATING OBJECTS FOR THE EMBED ....................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 DEFINING EMBED WEIGHT AND UNIT.......................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 CREATING THE CUSTOM PART FOR THE EMBED .................................................................................................... 7

2.3.1 Coordinate system ................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3.2 Custom part name .................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3.3 Input points ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3.4 Embed positioning setting ........................................................................................................................................ 7

2.4 ADDING PARAMETERS TO THE CUSTOM PART ........................................................................................................ 9 2.4.1 Parameter names ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.4.2 Example of parameterizing ....................................................................................................................................10 2.4.3 Label text translations ............................................................................................................................................10 2.4.4 Linking pararameters .............................................................................................................................................10 2.4.5 Checking the results ...............................................................................................................................................12

2.5 FINISHING THE EMBED .................................................................................................................................................15 2.5.1 Creating a thumbnail ..............................................................................................................................................15 2.5.2 Adding keywords ....................................................................................................................................................15

3. INPUT POINTS OF DIFFERENT EMBED TYPES .............................................................................................................16 3.1 GENERAL GUIDELINES .................................................................................................................................................16

3.1.1 Embed coordinate system .....................................................................................................................................17 3.1.2 Workplane ...............................................................................................................................................................17 3.1.3 Embed type categories ..........................................................................................................................................17

3.2 TYPE CATEGORY 1: EMBEDS THAT ARE RELATED TO THE SURFACE OF THE CONCRETE PART ..............18 3.2.1 Fixed size and variable size embed ......................................................................................................................19

3.3 TYPE CATEGORY 2: EMBEDS THAT ARE RELATED TO THE EDGE OF THE CONCRETE PART .....................20 3.3.1 Fixed size and variable size embed ......................................................................................................................20

3.4 TYPE CATEGORY 3: EMBEDS THAT ARE INSIDE THE CONCRETE PART ...........................................................21 4. EXAMPLES OF TYPE CATEGORY 1 ................................................................................................................................22

4.1 FIXED SIZE FASTENING PLATE ...................................................................................................................................22 4.2 LIFTING ANCHORS.........................................................................................................................................................23

4.2.1 Lifting socket ...........................................................................................................................................................24 4.2.2 Lifting anchor ..........................................................................................................................................................25

4.3 EMBEDS FOR VERTICAL SURFACE OF THE CONCRETE PART ...........................................................................26 4.3.1 Wire loop .................................................................................................................................................................27 4.3.2 Support anchor .......................................................................................................................................................28 4.3.3 Steel corbel .............................................................................................................................................................29 4.3.4 Two-sided steel corbel, length is variable .............................................................................................................30

4.4 WALL SHOE .....................................................................................................................................................................31 4.5 ANCHOR BOLT ................................................................................................................................................................32

5. EXAMPLES OF TYPE CATEGORY 2 ................................................................................................................................34 5.1 Fixed size edge anchor ....................................................................................................................................................34 5.2 Exception in type category 2: Column shoe ...................................................................................................................35

6. EXAMPLES OF TYPE CATEGORY 3: ...............................................................................................................................36 6.1 SANDWICH PANEL (SHEAR) CONNECTORS .............................................................................................................36

6.1.1 Flat (shear) anchor .................................................................................................................................................37 6.1.2 Diagonal tie .............................................................................................................................................................38

7. CHECK THE COMPONENT CONSISTENCY ....................................................................................................................39


CREATING STANDARD EMBEDS FOR GLOBAL USE

1. GENERAL

Embeds are pre-fabricated steel assemblies, used in concrete casts for connecting concrete members together or to steel members. Embeds are also block outs, electrical boxes etc. that are cast in to the concrete. In Tekla Structures embeds are created using the custom part –functionality.

The majority of embeds used in concrete casts are standard embeds, which are designed and manufactured as mass production, and do not require a manufacturing drawing produced from Tekla Structures. They are identified either by their name or product/ordering code.

The other type of an embed is a special embed, which is manufactured for a specific project. It must be designed, and a manufacturing drawing must be produced for that specific project.

These instructions cover only standard embeds, but the same principles should be used also for special embeds.

1.1 BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR STANDARD EMBEDS

1.1.1 "Keep it simple!"

There is typically a large number of embeds in every model, so the way they are created has a big impact on the size and performance of the model. So the embeds should be as light as possible.

Simplify the embed, it does not need to be fully detailed. As there is no need to produce the manufacturing drawing from TS model, the purpose of the embed is basically to indicate the space it requires in the model, to show the placement in the drawing and to appear in material lists. So all parts which in reality belong to the embed are not needed in the custom component and fine details like round or


curved objects, chamfers and small cuts should be avoided when creating standard embeds.

1.1.2 Minimize the number of parameters

For standard embeds there is normally no need for formulas and bindings. Only a basic set of parameters is needed. They are described in chapter 2.3. So, instead of having one parameterized component for all sizes of the embed, create a set of individual, non-parametric custom components. They use less space in the model, are easy to create and easy to use. Of course if embed size variations are numerous (more than 20-30), then you can consider creating a parametric embed to cover all sizes.

1.1.3 Use consistent creation methods

Follow the rules given in this document for input point locations, materials, classes, etc. so your components will:

Behave correctly when inserting in the model Be interchangeable with other components of the same type, also when used

as nested components Appear correctly in drawings and reports Work correctly in all TS environments


2. EMBED CREATION IN PRACTISE

2.1 CREATING OBJECTS FOR THE EMBED

Use undefined materials for all parts e.g. "Steel_undefined", "Misc_undefined". For rebars use grade Undefined, for bolts use standard UNDEFINED_BOLT and for studs UNDEFINED_STUD. All these are available in all environments.

Use the following numbering prefixes for all parts and rebars • Part prefix: EB_Product name (e.g. EB_Rd20) • Assembly prefix: EB_ Product name (e.g. EB_Rd20)

This way all embed parts can be easily filtered and the numbering series become small, which speeds up numbering process.

Avoid using round bars as they will slow down the performance. Use rebars or studs instead.

For round holes use the bolt –command instead of part cuts. Each part included to the embed should be welded to the assembly using

workshop welds. The parts then form a steel assembly. If bolts are used, select workshop bolts.

Attach the reinforcement to the steel parts either during creation just by picking a steel part as father part, or later on by selecting and using right click > attach to part command.

Check with Inquire > assembly, that all required objects belong to the steel assembly.

Use Class 100 for all parts and those rebars that should NOT be listed in reports and drawing templates as individual objects, but rather as a single embed entity. Such rebars are e.g. fastening plate anchor bars, which always come together with the plate, and do not need to be separately ordered.

Use Class 101 for those parts and rebars, which need to be separately ordered, and therefore must be listed in reports and drawing templates. Such rebars are e.g. lifting anchors.


2.2 DEFINING EMBED WEIGHT AND UNIT

In many cases embeds contain rebars and / or studs, which make the calculation of embed weight a bit complicated in templates. To make reporting easier, add the weight information to main part Product weight UDA. For embeds with varying length or area, use weight/meter or weight/m2.

For most embeds the ordering unit is piece, but for those that need to be ordered by length or area, add unit information to Product unit UDA. Use L for length and A for area. The default for unit is ‘piece’, and it does not need to be added to UDA.

These two UDAs are available since version 16.0.


2.3 CREATING THE CUSTOM PART FOR THE EMBED

2.3.1 Coordinate system

Create / rotate the parts so that they are oriented correctly in relation to the concrete part they belong to. Set the workplane parallel to the surface of the concrete part. See chapter 3 for more information and chapters 4, 5, and 6 for examples.

2.3.2 Custom part name

Standard embed should be named according to the product name. Use EB_ as a prefix for the product name, e.g. EB_TPA20x5. This way all embeds can easily be found in the component catalog.

2.3.3 Input points

It is important that the embed input points are defined in a consistent way. This makes placing of the embed easy and enables embeds of the same type to be interchangeable, also when they are used as nested components inside custom connections, details or seams.

Defining the input points for different types of embeds is covered in detail in chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6.

2.3.4 Embed positioning setting

Custom parts are by default positioned the same way as normal parts, i.e. according to the center point of the bounding box. The user can then adjust e.g. "At depth" setting to "Front" or "Behind" when needed. For building parts like sandwich walls this is consistent and desired behavior.


However, for most embeds the desired positioning is fixed so that they will always lay on the concrete surface. Also the desired input point (where the dimension in the drawing should point to) may be something else than one of the defaults (e.g. Front, Middle, Behind). A wire loop is an example of such embeds.

For these reasons you should CLEAR the setting "Use the center of the bounding box in positioning" when creating embeds.

Embeds created this way will by default be placed exactly to the definition point, and rotation options (Top, Front, Back, Below) will rotate the component around the input point (and not the bounding box center), which is desired in most cases.


However, At depth -settings (Front, Middle, Behind) will not work correctly for embeds created this way.

Note: studs and rebars are not taken into account when bounding box is calculated.

2.4 ADDING PARAMETERS TO THE CUSTOM PART

Although the number parameters should be minimized, there is a set of basic parameters that are needed for all embeds for drawing and report output:

Product name (e.g. Rd20) Product description (e.g. PFEIFER LIFTING SOCKET 2.0T) Product code (e.g. 05.337.032.430) Finish (e.g. Galvanized) Numbering prefix (e.g. EB_Rd20) Start number (e.g. 1)

Having them parametric enables: using the same embed with different materials (=different name, description

and product code) using different languages (name, description and unit) using company specific product codes using the same embed with different finishes using numbering prefix and start number to group embeds for reporting

purposes

2.4.1 Parameter names

In order to have consistent functionality in connections, seams and details which are using embeds, the parameters must have common names: P1a for Product name, P2a for Description, P3a for Product code, P4a for Start number, P5a for Finish and P6a for Numbering prefix.

For embeds with varying length or area the following parameters are used: P7a for Product unit and P8a for Product weight (see chapter 2.2).


2.4.2 Example of parameterizing

New variables are created using the correct parameter names:

Note that the order in which the variables have been created defines the order in the component dialog.

2.4.3 Label text translations

To enable automatic translation for different languages the labels in the dialog box should be written as shown in the column below:

Product name albl_Name Description j_Product_description Product code j_Product_code Start number albl_Start_number Finish albl_Finish Numbering prefix j_Numbering_prefix (Product unit) (j_Product_unit) (Product weight) (j_Product_weight)

2.4.4 Linking pararameters

The parameters are linked in the component browser to the following attributes:

Product name > Main part name Description > Main part's Product description UDA Product code > Main part's Product code UDA Finish > Main part's Finish-field Numbering prefix > All parts' Part numbering prefix and Main part’s

Assembly numbering prefix


Start number > All parts' Part start number and Main part’s Assembly start number

(Product unit > Main part's Product unit UDA) (Product weight > Main part's Product weight UDA)

Example of linking the parameters:

Main part: Secondary parts:


2.4.5 Checking the results

As a result, the component dialog looks like this:


If you open the properties of the main part of the embed, you can check that the values are correctly stored there:


And if you open the properties of the rebars, you can check that the values are correctly stored there:


2.5 FINISHING THE EMBED

2.5.1 Creating a thumbnail

Create a thumbnail image for the embed and save it in .bmp format. Suitable size is 96 x 96 pixels.

Use white background when creating the thumbnail. Show also the input points in the thumbnail. Do this by selecting the input points before taking the snapshot, see the example above. Save the thumbnail to any location and add it to the component in the component catalog by selecting the component > right click > Change picture.

2.5.2 Adding keywords

You can add suitable keywords for the embed in component catalog by selecting the component > right click > Edit keywords. E.g. manufacturer's name or embed brand can be added as keywords.


3. INPUT POINTS OF DIFFERENT EMBED TYPES

3.1 GENERAL GUIDELINES

When defining input points, the following aspects should be considered:

Ease of use when placing the embed Automatic dimension creation in the drawing Logical and consistent point locations for each embed type

Ease of use means that picking the points for placing the embed is easy in a typical modeling case, and controlling the rotation of the embed works in a useful way. Automatic dimensions in drawings are created to the first input point. For most embeds the desired dimensioning point is the center of the embed, so this requirement dictates the first point location. An example of a center point dimension:

Logical and consistent means that the embeds of similar type should have the same logic for input point locations, so the use of them would be consistent, and embeds will be interchangeable.


3.1.1 Embed coordinate system

In embed internal coordinate system the second point should be towards the positive X-direction and the optional third (on the left) point towards the positive Y-direction. See the picture below.

3.1.2 Workplane

When creating the embed, set the workplane parallel to the surface of the concrete part the embed relates to. In the examples of the picture above the default workplane can be used.

3.1.3 Embed type categories

There are many different types of embeds. We have divided them to three main type categories, each one having their own rules for input point definitions. They are described in detail in the following sections. In chapters 4,5 and 6 there are examples of embeds of different categories.


3.2 TYPE CATEGORY 1: EMBEDS THAT ARE RELATED TO THE SURFACE OF THE CONCRETE PART

There are two basic rules in defining input points for this type of embeds:

1. Input points are on the surface of the concrete part 2. The second input point is along the "flat" direction of the embed The "flat" direction is not always clear, e.g. for complex embeds. See the examples in chapters 4, 5 and 6 for guidance in defining the input points.


3.2.1 Fixed size and variable size embed

For fixed size embed the first point is in the center of the embed, on the concrete surface. The second point is also on the concrete surface, along the "flat" direction of the embed.

If the length of the embed is variable, then the first input point should be in the start point, and the second input point in the end point of the embed.


3.3 TYPE CATEGORY 2: EMBEDS THAT ARE RELATED TO THE EDGE OF THE CONCRETE PART

For edge embeds the input points are along the concrete part edge.

3.3.1 Fixed size and variable size embed

For fixed size embed the first point is in the center, corner of the plate. The second point is along the concrete part edge. This way the embed is easier to place on a sloped structure, and the rotation control works in a useful way.

If the length of the embed is variable, then the first input point should be in the start point, and the second input point in the end point of the embed.


3.4 TYPE CATEGORY 3: EMBEDS THAT ARE INSIDE THE CONCRETE PART

For embeds that are completely inside the concrete, and not related to the surface or edge of the concrete part, the input point definition depends on the type and purpose of the embed. No specific rules can be given, but the general guidelines defined in the beginning of chapter 3 should be applied.

See chapter 6 for examples of this type of embed.


4. EXAMPLES OF TYPE CATEGORY 1

4.1 FIXED SIZE FASTENING PLATE

Input points:

The first point is in the center of the plate, on the concrete (and plate) surface. The second point is along the longer side axis of the plate.

Notes for creation:

Use UNDEFINED_STUDs for anchors.


4.2 LIFTING ANCHORS

Embeds of similar type should be easily interchangeable. With lifting anchors this means that the second point should always point towards the center of the concrete part. For this reason the general rule of "flat" direction is not applied for some embeds, e.g. the one on the left.


4.2.1 Lifting socket

Input points:

The first point is in the center, top of the socket. The second point along the longitudinal axis of the concrete part.

Notes for creation:

Use rebars (grade "Undefined") for anchors.


4.2.2 Lifting anchor

Input points:

The first point is in the center, top of the anchor. The second point is along the longitudinal axis of the concrete part.

Notes for creation:

In order to have this embed interchangeable with other lifting anchors, the general rule of input points along the "flat" direction is not applied.

Use bolt -tool to create the holes.


4.3 EMBEDS FOR VERTICAL SURFACE OF THE CONCRETE PART

These embeds are e.g. for wall vertical connections or for supporting a wall or a beam. The input points should defined so that the fist point is on the concrete surface, second point is horizontally towards the edge of the concrete part. This way it is easier to control the angle of the embed e.g. in a case like this:

This means that the general rule of "flat" direction is not always applied, like in the examples of the picture below. However, this way the embeds of this type will be interchangeable.

Also the general rule of workplane is not applied for these embeds as they are typically placed only on the vertical edge of the concrete part. The default workplane should be used when creating these embeds, this way also placing them will be easy using the default workplane.


4.3.1 Wire loop

Input points:

The first point is in the center point of the loop, on the concrete surface. The second point is towards the side along the concrete surface.

Notes for creation:

The general rule of input points along the "flat" direction is not applied.

Use the default workplane when creating the embed.

Use rebar (grade "Undefined") for the loop.


4.3.2 Support anchor

Input points:

The first point is where the plate meets the concrete surface. The second point is towards the side along the concrete surface.

Notes for creation:





4.3.3 Steel corbel

The first point should be located according to the desired dimensioning point in the drawing. In this example it is the bottom level of the seat plate. The second point is towards the side along the concrete surface.

Notes for creation:





4.3.4 Two-sided steel corbel, length is variable

The first point should be located according to the desired dimensioning point in the drawing. In this example it is the bottom level of the seat plate. The second point is in the other end of the corbel defining the corbel length.

Notes for creation:




4.4 WALL SHOE

Input points:

The first point is in the center point of the bolt hole, on the bottom level of the plate. The second point is towards the side of the wall. This way it is easier to pick the points in the model, and control the side of the opening.

The general rule of workplane is not applied for these embeds as they are typically placed only on the bottom edge of the concrete part. The default workplane should be used when creating these embeds, this way also placing them will be easy using the default workplane.

Notes for creation:




Use bolt command to create the slotted hole.


4.5 ANCHOR BOLT

Input points:

The first point is on the top, center of the anchor. The second point is on a horizontal line from the first one.

Notes for creation:

Use a round steel beam as the "body" of the anchor. Extend it to the top level, so ASSEMBLY_TOP_LEVEL will give correct value.

Use rebars (grade "Undefined") for other round bars, also for the headings in the bottom. (Bigger sizes have been added to Undefined grade for this purpose.)

Add a stud to the component, so in drawing presentation a bolt symbol can be used to represent the anchor bolt. See the picture below for an example of bolt symbol representation.


By default studs are drawn as solid, so not with bolts symbols. To use bolt symbols also for studs the following variable must be set in the .ini file:

set XS_DRAWING_STUD_REPRESENTATION=AS_BOLT


5. EXAMPLES OF TYPE CATEGORY 2

5.1 Fixed size edge anchor

Input points:

The first point is in the center, corner of the plate. The second point is along the concrete part edge.

Notes for creation:


Do not model the round chamfers of the contour plate.


5.2 Exception in type category 2: Column shoe

Column shoe is in the edge of the concrete part, actually in the corner. So the input points should be along the edge of the concrete part. However, for dimensioning the embed correctly, the first point needs to be in the center of the hole, so these embeds are an exception of the general rule of edge embeds.

The general rule of workplane is not applied for these embeds as they are typically placed only on the bottom edge of the concrete part. The default workplane should be used when creating these embeds, this way also placing them will be easy using the default workplane.

Input points:

The first point is in the center point of the bolt hole, on the bottom level of the plate. The second point is in the concrete column corner. This way it is easier to control the angle of the embed.

Notes for creation:



Use bolt command to create the hole.


6. EXAMPLES OF TYPE CATEGORY 3:

6.1 SANDWICH PANEL (SHEAR) CONNECTORS

Shear connectors are always vertical, so defining input points along the horizontal axis enables easier placement e.g. in skew walls.

The general rule of workplane can not be applied for this type of embeds as they are not related to the surface of the concrete part.

The default workplane should be used when creating these embeds, this way also placing them will be easy using the default workplane.


6.1.1 Flat (shear) anchor

Input points:

The first point is in the start point, center of the plate. The second point is along the horizontal axis of the plate.

Notes for creation:




6.1.2 Diagonal tie

Input points:

The first point is in the midpoint, start edge of the embed. The second point is along the horizontal axis of the embed.

Notes for creation:


Use rebars (grade "Undefined").


7. CHECK THE COMPONENT CONSISTENCY

Create a new model and check the following of each component:

- Import of the custom component displays no warnings in the log file - Correct input points are used - Embed is correctly created in the model - Component name has the prefix “EB_” - Thumbnail shows correct embed and input points - Keywords are correct (if used) - Information in the component dialog is correct (translations) and useful - All objects belong to the assembly - Possible welds are workshop - If the embed is parametric – does it work?

Open the component in the Custom Component Editor and check the following:

- Geometry is as simple as possible - Rebars and studs used instead of round bars - Bolt-objects used for holes - Steel profiles (see second last picture in section 2.4.2)

• parametric (not library profiles) • material “Undefined” • class 100 or 101 • User-defined attributes (only main part):

* Product weight defined * Product unit defined if something else than ´piece´

- Rebars (see last picture in section 2.4.2) • Numbering prefix: “EB_Product name” • Name: EB • grade “Undefined” • class 100

- Bolts and studs are workshop - Correct positioning settings are used (see pictures in section 2.3.4) - Required parameters are available and linked to the correct attributes

(see pictures in section 2.4.2 and 2.4.4): • P1a - Name • P2a - Product description • P3a - Product code • P4a - Start number • P5a – Finish


• P6a – Numbering prefix (part- or assembly prefix) • P7a - Product unit (if component is parametric) • P8a - Product weight (if component is parametric)

CREATING STANDARD EMBEDS FOR GLOBAL USE - Tekla · In Tekla Structures embeds are created using the custom part –functionality. ... • Assembly prefix: ... also when they are used

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