6 reasons why our customers trust Tekla Structures
Structural engineers, detailers, contractors, and many other stakeholders are already making the most of Tekla Structures and creating, reviewing, and sharing Tekla's truly constructible models to deliver their projects on time and within budget.
In this article, our customers share why they prefer Tekla Structures over other BIM software and how they have used it in their projects.
1. Tekla Structures is intuitive and easy to use
Whether you are willing to move away from 2D construction documentation or want to change your software to create truly constructible models, Tekla Structures is an easy tool to start with.
Tekla's interface, the flow, and the commands' similarity with other software makes you feel comfortable exploring the software functionalities and gives you the self-confidence to start your Tekla journey on the right foot.
"Tekla is more user-friendly than other software with good assistance, customizable, and with constant updates and improvements being made." Crystal Williamson, Design Manager, Intelligent Steel.
Intelligent Steel Ltd (formerly known as Icarus LSF) designed, manufactured, and constructed Vita Student Westgate, a large student accommodation scheme of over 280 units in Newcastle, United Kingdom. Before using Tekla Structures for modeling and data output of GA drawings, panel drawings, CSV data, and reports, they were using other metal framing systems. They found Tekla more user-friendly than the other software.
Read the full story: Just in time - Light steel frame technology for speed and efficiency
2. You can get a visual information-rich model with a high level of detail and with all information at hand
Tekla Structures enables you to work smoothly on truly constructible models. It means that you can add the level of detail you need to work efficiently and genuinely understand the construction project without sacrificing the smoothness of the work.
Other information, such as values for your estimates and quantity take-off, for schedules or project management, drawings, and various documentation, are linked to the model so you can see, evaluate and change the data on the model without worrying about reviewing calculations sheets, writing notes to PDF versions or doing manual changes to printed documents. Everything is automatically changed. You can use reference models from other disciplines to get a deeper understanding of all the moving parts of the projects and the implications of your work. All the information you need is readily available for you and your team to evaluate options and scenarios and make more educated decisions.
"We have a good structural Tekla model and a lot of useful information in it. It provides us with the quantities, kilograms, concrete cubic meters, and square meters needed in cost calculations. The model provides quantities for the schedule, and the schedule and model can be linked to each other. This makes it easier to plan the work and communicate with subcontractors." Janne Salin, BIM Specialist at YIT Construction Ltd.
Tripla in Central Pasila is one of Finland's largest construction sites – actually, five construction sites were put together. Complementary construction on a busy railway station used by 50,000+ passengers daily, project size, and continuous railroad traffic present the Tripla construction site with challenges that are easier to overcome with good software, collaboration, and an open BIM approach.
Read the full story: Tripla: BIM from laser scanning to structures and virtual presentation of offices
3. Parametric model creation will speed up your modeling process
Parametric modeling speeds up the detailing work, brings extraordinary accuracy, and enables efficient change management. Parametric design lets you define logical rules describing the model, the relationship between its different parts, and a set of parameters to drive the logic. For example, the parametric design enables you to define the dimensions and relationships between specific components, such as beams, so you don't need to model hundreds of those manually. As the project moves forward, it is possible to make changes to the design, and the model will adapt to the changes according to the logic. This means that there is no need to change individual items one by one.
Despite the assumption that parametric design is only for complex geometrical projects, the truth is that it benefits construction projects of all sizes and shapes.
European route E6 is a 3,000-kilometer highway running the entire north-south length of Norway. A project was kicked off in 2020 to expand a busy piece of road that connects the city of Trondheim to the region’s airport from two lanes to four. The Norwegian road authorities called in the Spanish conglomerate ACCIONA. ACCIONA’s engineering division created a design joint venture with Danish engineering consultancy Ramboll. This transformation project includes three new highway bridges, three new tunnels, and multiple overpasses and culverts.
“When you create such detailed models in the design phase, you need to be open to making modifications in terms of alignment, pile positions, and the dimensions of objects. There are always change requests. The only way to enable these changes in an effective way is by using parametric design tools. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to maintain maximum quality,” Jesús Espinós Andrés, ACCIONA’s BIM Structures Engineer.
Read the full story here: BIM transforms E6 highway in Norway
4. You can easily create, store, change, and share Intelligent Structural components
Creating intelligent, parametric components that adjust to change can be helpful if your work requires creating many complex model objects that must be copied across several projects. Tekla Structures enables you to create these components, store and easily access them, and use them in other locations in the same model. If you make changes to the components and save those, the changes will be automatically applied to all copies of those components, saving you time. Custom components can be imported and exported as .uel files between models, shared with your colleagues, and stored in a model template that is available with each new model based on the used template.
The Kirri-Tikkakoski Road project is one of Finland’s largest single infrastructure contracts, constructed as a single project. The project includes 29 bridges designed and implemented using Tekla Structures software and Trimble Connect. The use of BIM accelerated the design process by between 20 and 25 weeks, resulting in significant cost savings, improved quality, and a longer bridge lifespan.
“Because there are so many bridges in the project, we decided to produce structural solutions that can be replicated from one bridge to another. We designed infrastructure that is high-quality and will deliver a long service life.” Jarmo Niskanen, Project Manage, The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
Read the full story: Highway 4 in Finland is a fully model-based project with 29 bridges
5. Create one constructible model for easy drawing creation, change, and management
Using Tekla constructible model as a source of truth enhances accuracy and streamlines the construction work. The model serves as a source for drawings and other construction deliverables. When the model is updated, drawings are automatically updated, ensuring the team has the latest information and requirements. Tekla Structures drawings contain many features and tools that help you create and manage your drawings efficiently.
The space north of London’s King’s Cross railway station has been undergoing urban transformation for more than 15 years. Global engineering firm Arup has been involved in much of the work, including designing the structural elements for one of the final development projects: King’s Cross R8.
“We had to produce a number of drawings for the network-rail approval process. Although these needed to be done at an earlier stage than we would typically do on projects, they allowed the client to fast-track the approvals process prior to the main contractor starting on site. Using Tekla to automate the BIM model was essential for this work. As the design scheme evolved, we were able to respond very quickly thanks to Tekla’s automation-enabling tools.” Gordon Clannachan, Senior Structural Engineer and project lead, Arup.
Read more: Tekla’s parametric design and coordination keeps London King’s Cross project moving
6. Collaborate better with easy data extraction and interoperability with other software and tools
Construction is not a one-person show. To successfully execute any construction project, you, as a designer, detailer, contractor, or subcontractor, play a vital role in making the projects successful but need the help of each other to execute the whole project. As a team member, you must be well-informed and updated to truly understand the project and its moving parts and make more educated decisions when required.
Tekla Structures interoperability enables you to work smoothly with various construction project parties, regardless of their tools. From design intentions to detailed models to fabrication order or onsite execution, connected workflows and the Tekla Open BIM approach let you integrate the work and get the information flow you need to execute your job. In addition, Tekla Structures let you create a truly constructible model that different parties can use as a source of truth. Data can be easily extracted for various purposes, such as quantity take-offs and estimates, project management, logistics management, etc.
The Blominmäki Wastewater Treatment Plant site in Finland covers eight hectares. The complex comprises 22 above-ground administration and processing buildings along the exit roads with a total area of 12,700 m2. The total area of the excavation where the wastewater is treated is about 81,700 m2.
During the project execution, a particular challenge has been managing the different project teams’ extensive design data. Data has been created using different tools and in different formats. The teams have been able to share data and access the project’s shared model with 35 gigabits of design data.
“There has been such a large amount of data in the model that it would have been virtually impossible to send it between partners. Only a few software solutions are able to manage such a volume smoothly, and here Tekla is absolutely superior.” Teemu Ahonen, Project Manager, AFRY Oy.
Tekla Structures is famous for its accurate modeling capabilities, which empower our customers worldwide to create precise and detailed models of diverse structures. Tekla Structures facilitates collaboration between different stakeholders involved in a project. Detailers can easily share models with engineers, architects, and contractors, improving communication and coordination. Finally, Tekla Structures is a powerful tool that enables various stakeholders to plan, visualize, align, and build more efficiently.