Tekla Structures’ Profile Catalog is a central database that defines the cross-sectional shapes, material properties, and fabrication details for structural members used in Tekla models. It enables accurate modeling, clash-free detailing, and efficient fabrication data export across steel, concrete, timber, and cold-formed sections.
profitab.inp: The master text file defining profile names and their mathematical formulas.profitab.*.inp (e.g., profitab.US.inp): Country-specific overrides.prf. files: Binary cache files (Do not edit manually; regenerate via catalog tools).The Tekla Structures Profile Catalog is more than just a list of shapes; it is the foundational database that translates design intent into constructible reality. By combining extensive industry-standard libraries with the flexibility to define custom geometries, it empowers engineers and detailers to build with precision. Mastery of the Profile Catalog is a fundamental step for any professional looking to leverage the full power of Tekla Structures.
The Tekla Structures Profile Catalog is a foundational component in model-based structural design and fabrication workflows. This monograph examines its origins, data structures, role in interoperability, customization and extension, lifecycle management, and implications for digital fabrication and construction automation. It synthesizes technical details, practical workflows, and research directions, aiming to serve engineers, BIM managers, fabricators, and researchers integrating Tekla in advanced construction ecosystems. tekla structures profile catalog
Use this for shapes that are variations of standard types (e.g., an I-beam with a sloped inner flange).
MY_WIDE_300).h from 300 to 350, tw from 10 to 12.The Profile Catalog in Tekla Structures is a centralized, parametric database of cross-sectional shapes used in structural modeling. It replaces the legacy profdb.bin file from older versions (pre-2017) and provides a more flexible, user-friendly interface for managing, searching, and customizing profiles. The catalog supports standard shapes (I-beams, channels, angles, hollow sections) as well as parametric and user-defined profiles. Its efficient management is critical for accurate detailing, material estimation, and connection design. profitab
1. Extensive Parametric Library The catalog functions as a parametric library. When a user selects a profile—say, a W12x26—the software automatically understands the depth, flange width, web thickness, and fillet radius. This parametric intelligence ensures that when drawings are generated or reports are run, the geometric data is accurate and consistent.
2. Clashing and Analysis Integration Because the profiles contain precise geometric data, they are essential for interference checking (clash detection). A generic cylinder might be used as a placeholder for a pipe, but the Profile Catalog allows the user to model the exact flange protrusions and web depths, ensuring that clashes are detected in tight spaces before construction begins. Furthermore, this data is crucial when exporting models to analysis and design software like SAP2000, ETABS, or STAAD.Pro. Conclusion The Tekla Structures Profile Catalog is more
3. Custom Profile Creation While standard libraries cover the vast majority of construction needs, unique architectural or structural requirements often arise. Tekla allows users to create custom profiles. These can be defined manually by inputting coordinates or by sketching the shape directly within the software. Once created, these custom profiles behave just like standard ones, complete with weight calculations and collision properties.