class - Can I add an object to a struct in VB.net? -

i have data struct piece of lumber. i've built class handle dimensions (architectural, metric, etc... ) i'd make data type of length member of struct. vb says can't use 'new' in definition unless make member 'shared'. if make member 'shared' can't see data when try access member in code.

 public structure pieceinfo     dim projectnumber string     dim projectname string     dim buildingtype string     dim buildingnumber string     dim blevel string     dim batch string     dim trussname string     dim span single     dim piecename string     dim lumbertype string     shared piecelength new clsdimension     shared stocklength new clsdimension     dim leftspliceplate string     dim rightspliceplate string end structure 

how can use "clsdimension" object data type "length" members of struct?

as comments indicate: should change struct class because want reference it. , due structs being value types , classes being reference types, want:

public class pieceinfo     dim projectnumber string     dim projectname string     dim buildingtype string     dim buildingnumber string     dim blevel string     dim batch string     dim trussname string     dim span single     dim piecename string     dim lumbertype string     shared piecelength new clsdimension     shared stocklength new clsdimension     dim leftspliceplate string     dim rightspliceplate string end class