COWI maximizes efficiency with Tekla’s superior rebar detailing capabilities

“Tekla reduced the detailing time and could automatically recognize openings and cut-outs and create splicing as required. Rebar automatically got updated according to concrete geometry changes, and the associated drawings and schedules were automatically updated too. The accuracy of 3D modelling in Tekla Structures helped the high-speed railway project delivery team to deliver an error free project.” 

Mr.  Prosenjit Barman, BIM Specialist, COWI, India

Company overview

COWI is an international consulting group, specializing in engineering, environmental science and economics, with headquarters in Lyngby, Denmark. It has been involved in more than 50,000 projects in 175 countries and has approximately 7,300 employees. COWI was founded in 1930 by civil engineer Christen Ostenfeld. Wriborg W. Jønson became a partner 16 years later. From 1946 to 1973, the company operated as a partnership under the name of Chr. Ostenfeld & W. Jønson. In 2008 the firm bought Flint & Neill, a UK civil and structural engineering consultancy specializing in bridges. 

Construction of the new high-speed railway between London and Birmingham

High-Speed 2 (HS2) is going to be the new high-speed railway between London and Birmingham in the UK. It is one of the biggest projects in Europe and is going to provide a fast, comfortable, and sustainable connection between the capital and the second largest city in the UK to help develop the North of the country. A second phase of the project will connect Birmingham with the other cities further North.

HS2 will have two classes of trains capable of operating at the line’s design speed of 400 km/h (250 mph). One class is dedicated for HS2 track, the other operates on both HS2 track and existing conventional track.

Edgcote Viaduct is one of the longest viaducts in the project with a total length of 515m. It is in the C3 package and located close to the village with the same name. The viaducts consist of 5 precast W beams in each span, which are made continuous by in-situ diaphragms, and an in-situ slab on top. The deck accommodates two tracks, which are in a curved alignment. The deck is longitudinally fixed in the South Abutment, with the North Abutment being longitudinally free and equipped with a rail expansion device. Bored piles are used in all foundations, including abutments and piers.

Delivering the best within the specified timeline, only with Tekla

The most challenging part was to deliver the complex geometry of the project within a specified time also maintaining the superior quality. The rail level and 3D rail tracks of the viaduct were the difficult part. The rail track was variable throughout the viaduct and the only constant was the center of the track to the outer area of the deck. The variable nature of the rail track meant that throughout the viaduct, the deck width will be variable and there is a possibility of change in the rail alignment in future.

“Tekla was chosen in this project because of the capabilities the software has to offer. On one hand Tekla allows us to create a fully tagged BIM model required by the project. On the other hand, it allows us to have an efficient workflow to create drawings, reinforcement details and bar bending schedules. In addition, Tekla can be integrated with other parametric software, which allowed us to model the bridge  parametrically. Finally, the 3D reinforcement details have been a powerful tool to communicate with the client, which has been very valued and well received. In summary, Tekla is an efficient, powerful, and flexible software that makes our lives easier!” Mr. Fernando Madrazo Aguirre, Project Lead, HS2, COWI