Formwork condition for a column

Question:
How do you set up a formwork condition for a column in Tekla Structures using the Formwork placing tools?

Answer:
We can configure conditions through the Formwork placing tools - Walls. Definition of a new condition happens in two phases. First you need create the needed sub-assemblies and once you have all needed sub-assemblies available you can define a new condition by giving it a name and specifying which sub-assemblies are used in the new condition. Let's keep things simple and break it down into two exercises. First we'll create a column and add panels, ties and braces. Finally we'll set up a condition that allows Tekla Structures to generate the column and its formwork all in one go.  

 

Example 1

If you haven't already, download the Formwork Placing tools - Walls from Tekla Warehouse.  

Import Formwork placing tools

1. From the Applications & components pane, click the Access advanced features button 
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2. Select Manage extensions > Extension manager
3. Click Import…

 
Browse for the folder that contains the .tsep files. The location depends on where you saved the file when you downloaded the Formwork tools.

4. Hold Ctrl, select the .tsep file and click Open
5. Accept the terms of the license agreement and click Continue
6. Restart Tekla Structures to finalize the import

 
From Applications & components pane, you should now see the formwork placing tools.  
 

Create formwork

1. Add a column
2. From Applications & components pane, double-click Formwork wall panel
3. From Formwork panel dropdown, select Panel 1500x2700 
4. Select the Panel layout (1)
5. Click Apply and Insert new
6. Pick start point 250mm from edge of column 
7. Pick end point 250mm from edge of column

 
The panel is inserted.

8. From Formwork placing tools - Walls dialog, select Ties tab 
9. From Tie layout dropdown, select Custom array
10. Set properties as shown
    • Distance from bottom: 150mm
    • Distance from sides: 100mm
    • Vertical spacing: 2*1000mm
    • Horizontal spacing: 1300mm
11. Click Apply and Insert new
12. Select the formwork panel

 
The ties are inserted.

13. From Formwork placing tools - Walls dialog, select Braces tab
14. From Brace layout dropdown, select Single brace
15. Set properties as shown
    • Top brace type: Automatic Tube Brace
    • Angle: 60
    • Bottom brace type: None
16. ​Click Apply and Insert new  
17. Select the formwork panel on both sides

 
The braces are inserted.
 
 
 

Exercise 2

We don't have to follow all these steps in order to create the formwork each time, let's create a condition to generate all our formwork in one go. 

Create formwork condition for a column

1. From Formwork placing tools - Walls dialog, select Conditions tab
2. Select Configure... button (1)

 
The Condition setup dialog opens.

3. From Condition type dropdown, select column
4. Click create new condition button  
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     (2)
5. Give the condition a descriptive unique name

 
One condition must have at least one sub item defined, otherwise it creates nothing. 

6. Next to sub item 1: click create new sub-assembly button  
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    (3)

 
The Formwork panel sub-assembly setup wizard is launched. Follow the instructions given in the wizard.

7. Pick a point to indicate the back centre of the panel assembly, select mid point 
8. Pick a point to indicate the direction of the panel assembly 
9. Ensure the Select objects in components switch is on  
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10. Use the selection filter All Formwork  
11. Window select all items in the panel assembly
12. From Formwork panel sub-assembly setup wizard, click Next
13. Give the name of this panel assembly definition, Column_Side1_Example
14. Click Finish to save the definition into the model folder
15. From sub item 1: dropdown, select the definition Column_Side1_Example
16. From Left/right handed corner, select Mirror

 
Because we are using Mirror we need to go to sub item 3: and tell Tekla Structures to mirror the definition used at position 1.

17. From sub item 3: dropdown, select the definition Column_Side1_Example
18. Click Test condition
19. Pick a point in some free area in the model

 
The column and formwork is inserted into the model. Although the column is smaller Tekla Structures still respects the distances and the panels are inserted to the middle of the column.