whitepaper teklastructuresengineeringoffices v200611 web(1)

Copyright © 1992-2007 Tekla Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Tekla is either registered trademark or trademark of Tekla Corporation in the United States and other countries.

WHITE PAPER

For Structural Engineering

Table of Contents i (14)

White paper Tekla Structures© Tekla Corporation for Structural Engineering

Table of Contents

1. Overview of Tekla Structures .............................................................................................................................................. 2 1.1 Managing Building Information ................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Parametric Modeling ................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Graphical User Interface............................................................................................................................................. 4

2. The Contents and Options for Tekla Structures, Standard Design Configuration.............................................................. 5 3. Modeling............................................................................................................................................................................... 6

3.1 Using Your Design Know-how.................................................................................................................................... 6 3.1.1 Component Libraries .............................................................................................................................................. 6 3.1.2 Parametric Modeling and Customized Libraries & Settings .................................................................................. 7

3.2 Graphical Input............................................................................................................................................................ 7 3.3 Navigation Within the Project Model........................................................................................................................... 8 3.4 Building Objects .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 3.5 Catalogs ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9

4. Interfaces, Output and Reports ......................................................................................................................................... 11 4.1 Interfaces and Input/Output with Other Systems ..................................................................................................... 11 4.2 Reports and Drawings .............................................................................................................................................. 12 4.3 Publishing the Project Model on the Web ................................................................................................................ 12

5. Collaboration...................................................................................................................................................................... 14 5.1 Collaborating with the Building Model ...................................................................................................................... 14 5.2 Privileges and Locking.............................................................................................................................................. 14

6. Integration of Analysis and Design – an Open Approach ................................................................................................. 16 6.1 Analysis Model .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 6.2 Run the Analysis ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 6.3 Design ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18 6.4 Viewing the results.................................................................................................................................................... 18

7. The Tekla Advantage......................................................................................................................................................... 19 Tekla believes the information in this publication is accurate as of its publication date. Such information is subject to change without notice and is subject to applicable technical product descriptions. Tekla is not responsible for inadvertent errors. Copyright © 1992-2006 Tekla Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

1 Overview of Tekla Structures 2 (14)


1. Overview of Tekla Structures

Tekla Structures software is the 3D building information modelling (BIM) solution that can take any building project all the way from sales and conceptual design to detailing, manufacturing and construction. Its innovative tools provide new possibilities to create an intelligent model of any size or complexity with ease and precision as well as to coordinate between materials, and its advanced 3D models contain all the information required for the different phases of a building project. Tekla Structures encompasses specialized configurations for structural engineers, steel detailers and fabricators, precast concrete detailers and manufacturers, as well as constructors. The software has thousands of users in more than 80 countries.

Tekla Structures 3D building model can be shared throughout the building process in design, detailing, fabrication, and erection phases, to create a smooth flow of information. You can create drawings, reports or any other output from the building model. In contrast to 2D based working, the usage of the Tekla 3D model results in efficiency and accuracy with increased overall productivity within the whole design process.

1.1 Managing Building Information

With Tekla Structures, you create a complete 3D model that simulates a real-world structure containing all geometrical and structural information of a building project. Specify the layout of the structure, by pointing and clicking, and the components appear on the screen as real sections. Tekla Structures uses OpenGL technology, which allows you to view the model in a variety of different display modes. You can rotate and ”fly through” your model, regardless of size, which gives a variety of options for viewing and checking your model’s components. Tekla Structures allows you to actually model and detail your structure using the true 3D model; there’s no switching back and forth between 2D and 3D views – you simply model, detail and revise as you go. Or use 2D and 3D views simultaneously – Tekla Structures gives you the flexibility to choose.

FabricationFabrication

ConstructionConstruction

Engineering

Steel detailing

Precast detailing

Other Design

Rebar detailing

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1.2 Parametric Modeling

Tekla Structures is specifically designed to support parametric 3D modeling of buildings, whether constructed from steel, concrete or other materials. The parametrics have been designed in the software architecture since the very beginning. Connections, components as well as the database have been organized to support the parametrics. The parametrics is fully user definable, providing the opportunity to customize modeling to match your needs.

You can design a connection or a custom component of your own without any programming. You can just model the component and freely modify or add the parameters that you want to use in relation to the component. An automatic user interface displays all your input parameters. You can also customize the interface, as you wish.

1.3 Graphical User Interface

With the graphical user interface of Tekla Structures you can start designing right away – quickly and easily. Tekla Structures environment is designed for the building environment and is user-friendly and easy to learn. You have the tools you need conveniently at hand to quickly model your structure.

Tekla Structures makes 3D easier than 2D. You have the freedom to execute and combine generic commands as you like. The menus are very compact and powerful and thus easy to learn and use. When you want to try an alternative structure or when you make a mistake, you can always try out and see the results immediately. The unlimited Undo/Redo commands give you the freedom to correct mistakes and try different options.

Tekla Structures includes a context-sensitive online Help that gives you the guidance you need for each working phase and/or command.

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2. The Contents and Options for Tekla Structures, Standard Design Configuration

Tekla Structures, Standard Design is the typical configuration for engineers. The configuration contains the modeling of a construction and all general arrangement (GA) drawings, reports, and other output. Standard Design also includes all analysis and design integration links to products such as ETABS, StaadPro, S-FRAME, GTStrudl, and Dlubal RFEM and RSTAB, as well as built-in connection design calculations and links to Excel to perform component or connection design.

Some examples of modules and configuration that can be added to Tekla Structures for Structural Engineering (Standard Design configuration) are

• Tekla Structures for Steel detailing – the detailing of steel into the same 3D structures.

• Tekla Structures for Precast detailing – an option for precast detailing into the same 3D model

• Tekla Structures for Rebar detailing – the modeling and detailing of reinforced concrete and cast units into the same 3D structure.

Please ask your Tekla Structures contact person about the options [email protected] or www.tekla.com .

TS Steel detailing

TS Precast detailing

TS Rebar detailing

Collaborative Core

Intelligent 3D Building Model

3 Modeling 5 (14)


3. Modeling

Tekla Structures features a fully object-oriented and parametric software architecture, which allows you to create an intelligent 3D model. Intelligence keeps the model consistent whenever you make changes. Move a component and the model and all affected drawings will automatically become updated in respect to the changed situation. Tekla Structures makes the routine design work simple and leaves you the freedom to concentrate on real design issues.

An additional benefit of the Tekla architecture is the capability to handle large models. A natural consequence of the efficiency with large models is the compact 3D model size. This saves disk space. You can also share or send the compact models over the web – even by email.

3.1 Using Your Design Know-how

Tekla Structures has a wide range of functionality for modifying and fine-tuning the shape of the parts. You can cut parts with lines, polygons and also with any other parts. Correspondingly you can also add material to your parts and still manage them as one solid component. You can trim part ends to planes and define the shape of polygon. The component can also easily be modified by adding or deleting corners or by moving the existing corners.

The Tekla Structures model includes all the objects that you can find in a real building structure.

The connection and member design check in Tekla Structures allows you to check for design errors. These checks are presented both in an on-screen dialog box and a printable HTML document, featuring a graphical representation of each connection or member.

3.1.1 Component Libraries

Tekla Structures Standard Design -configuration includes a range of components and connections. The library covers typical connections from simple connections, like end plates and bracing stubs, to more complex connections, like box girders and space frame connections. The library also includes a wide variety of tools for creating intricate structures like staircases, handrails, trusses and towers. To include a stair run, for example, just click the appropriate tool and pick up the reference points. Tekla Structures will automatically create the stair, which you can later on manage through its properties or by dragging the handles.

3.1.2 Parametric Modeling and Customized Libraries & Settings

There will always be specific needs, which no standard component or connection library will cover. To create a unique connection or your own generic component, simply modify an existing one or build your own – then save it for future use in your own custom library. Tekla Structures parametric modeling provides you with the opportunity to easily create and maintain a connection and component library of your own. You can add on screen any dimension parameters and controls for any object attributes you need. There is no need to do any programming – just model the object and re-use it.

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There's also another opportunity to make your experience work for you. Tekla Structures makes carrying out the routine design work simple by using tools to automate the modeling process. To store your design know-how, simply set your preferences by defining rules for connection parameters, as well as for automatically created connections. Tekla Structures will then not only update components, but also re-evaluate connection parameters based on your experience as changes are made. Rules can be based on practically any attribute of connected component, or on reactions from integrated analysis & design software (see options).

3.2 Graphical Input

Tekla Structures has an advanced graphical input system, which greatly helps you when creating and managing your models. The mouse cursor automatically recognizes the snap points you have enabled – end points, center points, intersections etc. You also have the possibility to overwrite the snaps and input e.g. offsets with a straightforward typed input.

When there's a need to modify the structure you can just drag and drop either individual part reference points (handles) or groups of selected parts to new places. Naturally Tekla Structures also includes a full range of move and copy functionality. You can for example copy and paste parts from one plane to any 3D plane.

Tekla Structures provides advanced tools for creating construction graphics to help you in modeling.

• 3D Grids • Construction points • Construction lines and circles • Connection planes

With Tekla Structures you also have an option to utilize the models created by partner companies. You can show in your model, for example, the architect's layouts or the piping models created by plant designers (such as in software from PDMS, PDS, Cadmatic or in the HVAC model from MagiCAD). This is naturally a big benefit as you can already at this stage easily track down any inconsistencies.

3.3 Navigation Within the Project Model

Tekla Structures is widely known as an easy-to-use system. A big part of that honour belongs to the viewing system, which provides freedom to view the model as you want. You can really see what you are doing and what you have done. It makes 3D design easier than 2D.

Tekla Structures uses the OpenGL technology in viewing the models. If you want you can work all the time in rendered views. You can rotate and fly through the model regardless of the size of the model. There is no need to have several static views presenting the same detail.

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The viewing system of Tekla Structures provides tools enabling you to define exactly what you want to see and how you wish to see it:

• Rotate and fly through the model regardless of the model size • Switch on and off object groups of the model • Switch on and off details of the model • Switch on and off individual objects of the model • Work in 3D or 2D views or any view plane • Manage the visible area and depth in views • Define the working coordinate system to any 3D plane

3.4 Building Objects

When modeling with Tekla Structures you can just place the building objects in their right positions. Depending on the material you are working with you have tools to create all the typical parts such as beams, columns, plates, slabs, walls, polygon beams etc. You can define the properties of any components before creating them or, later on, even modify the way that you select a group of different components or, just modify some selected attributes of certain parts without touching the others.

You can also define your own properties to any object. These attributes can be listed in reports or you can reference them into drawings.

In Tekla Structures the parts also have properties included for analysis and design. You can define supports at the ends of members as well as define the connection rigidity between model parts.

When you meet a situation where typical building objects in Tekla Structures are not suitable for your project, you can easily define your own parametric components. Tekla Structures provides tools to create new parametric cross-sections as well as higher-level structural objects. A simple example would be a welded profile consisting of separate plate profiles. Just model one instance, parameterize it, and store it to your library for further use. More complex examples could be e.g. trusses or some prefabricated beams. With regards to concrete an example of a complex parametric element would be a wall panel.

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3.5 Catalogs

Tekla Structures has localized libraries of materials. When installing the system you just select the environments you want to use. If later on you meet a specific requirement for particular profiles, which you didn't install the first time, you can easily upgrade your libraries at any time to include these.

You can easily add new entries to your catalogs. You can define new parametric shapes and store their standard properties into your library.

You can also create libraries of your standard components. Typically these contain some standard components, which are not fabricated but bought-in or subcontracted in bigger batches. Especially in concrete structures there are a lot of cast-in components of this type.

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4. Interfaces, Output and Reports

Tekla Structures includes interfaces to the most typical graphic formats. You can import construction graphics or reference models in DXF, DWG or DGN format. Showing the plant model as a reference while modeling the structure is vital in tracking the potential problems between building frame and plant equipment. Correspondingly you can also send your building frame to a plant designer in DGN or DWG format to provide them with the same opportunity. Tekla Structures also provides links to several design and analysis as well as plant packages including Frameworks Plus, PDMS, and CATIA.

4.1 Interfaces and Input/Output with Other Systems

Tekla Structures includes a number of links that facilitate data transfer with other systems (AutoCAD, Revit, MicroStation, PDMS, PDS, Frameworks Plus, ERP systems etc.). Tekla Structures also gives possibility to incorporate the IFC models.

The links allow you to exchange models quickly and accurately throughout the design process. You can view the architect's or plant designer's model at the same time you are building up your own model. Correspondingly the other parties can have your detailed structures in their model for clash checking etc.

You can manage the model and other information with versatile interoperability. One way of transferring the updated information is by importing and exporting files. The contents and formats of the files can be defined based on any status or other project information that you have defined to be shared. This enables interoperability with various ERP systems.

• Import links • ASCII • FEM (DSTV, S-Frame, Monorail, Staad, Stan-3D, Bus) • CAD (SDNF, Calma, HLI, Plantview, XML)

• Export links • ASCII • FEM (DSTV, MicroSAS, Staad) • CAD (SDNF, Calma, HLI, Plantview, XML)

Through its ability to share models between different organizations, Tekla Structures makes effective collaboration between the detailer, designer and engineer a reality in the construction phase. Outside the tightly integrated Tekla Structures model there are stakeholders who can exploit the model through the links. The opportunity to exchange data greatly increases the value of design while improving quality.

4.2 Reports and Drawings

Tekla Structures automatically generates drawings and reports, at any time throughout the process. With Tekla Structures, you can create everything from general arrangement drawings to unlimited material reports.

Your drawings are never compromised. Tekla Structures drawing editing incorporates fully interactive editing tools to change what ever you want on drawings.

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Tekla Structures makes revisions easy. All drawings are fully associative with the model. When you change the model, all your drawings will be updated automatically to match the modified structure no matter if they were automatically created or manually modified. For example, if you change the elevation plans, Tekla Structures recognizes the change and automatically adjusts the relevant connections, drawings and material lists to correspond.

As there is one central database at the heart of Tekla Structures, reports and drawings are never out of date regardless of revisions in the model.

You can define the drawing presentation and reports according to your company standards. The customizable drawing settings provide you full control of the drawing presentation, marking, dimensioning and layouts, basically everything you can see on the drawing. If you need a new drawing – or a new report type – just modify and save it with the included template editor and it is ready to be used.

4.3 Publishing the Project Model on the Web

To improve communication between stakeholders in the process you can always send a snapshot of your rendered model, a web note via email, or even publish the model to the web.

You can export any structural model to publish it on the web. To accelerate information sharing between parties in the project, you can export the web pages containing the model directly from Tekla Structures and publish the pages online for your project team to view with Tekla Web Viewer.

More information on the web viewer can be found at

www.tekla.com/go/webviewer

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5. Collaboration

Tekla Structures supports multiple users working simultaneously on the same project. This unique model sharing technology makes it possible to collaborate when modeling large projects. You and your partners can work together on the same model at the same time – even in different locations. This increases accuracy and quality because you always use the most up-to-date information.

Project data needs to be shared with everybody in the project. Tekla Structures manages this automatically. All parties see the same model as it was last saved or issued. Model sharing works over LAN or over the Internet. The integration between other systems that was described in Chapter 4 is vitally important in the collaboration as well.

5.1 Collaborating with the Building Model

Tekla Structures can be used to share the work between people in designing or detailing a building. The model sharing capability can be used to transfer the designed building to detailing, not only by drawings but also by transferring the model itself. This advances the building project and the detailing can be continued upon the engineered design.

5.2 Privileges and Locking

Permissions and privileges of changing the information are essential in everyday work regardless of the technology used. Tekla Structures provides tools for defining the permissions to change the model and to access the data. You can, for example, define that certain objects are read-only or totally hidden from a certain group of Tekla Structures users, who are sharing the model with you.

Concurrent engineering in big projects means that parts of the project are still in the engineering or detailing stage while other parts can be in fabrication or even erected. In addition to the privileges and permissions, Tekla Structures model sharing tools provide possibilities to lock parts. In this way you can ensure that unintentional changes do not happen.

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6. Integration of Analysis and Design – an Open Approach

Tekla Structures has several integrated analysis and design links to products such as STAAD.Pro, ETABS, S-FRAME, GTSTRUDL and Dlubal.

The workflow of integration starts within Tekla Structures, where the 3D model contains all the geometric elements needed to be analyzed and designed by the engineer. Within TS, the member boundary conditions, member releases, loads, and even design parameters can be established.

Tekla Structures has all the typical loads that you need to perform the analysis and design of building structures:

• Discrete point loads, bending moments and torsion moments can be attached to parts.

• Distributed line load is a linearly distributed force or torsion with offsets and linearly varying magnitude across the loaded length.

• Linearly distributed area loads with a triangle, quadrangle or polygonal shape. • Wind load generator recognizes the shape of the building and creates the loading

system based on the given environmental conditions. • Temperature loads including both linear gradients and temperature changes. • Seismic loads for seismic design (UBC)

All distributed linear and area loads are loading the model, not the individual members directly. You can define that you will load, for example, only the primary beams, which are inside the loaded area. This means that you can easily make modifications to the structure. No need to re-enter the loads if you change the structure.

You can group loads, which you want to refer collectively to and which are caused by the same action. This implies that the loads in a group have the common partial safety and reduction factors and the same action direction. They also occur always at the same time and all together.

Tekla Structures automatically performs the load combination, in which simultaneously acting load groups are multiplied by their partial safety factors and combined with each other according to your local codes. Tekla Structures generates all the possible load combinations and, in the analysis, applies them to the structure and determines the maximum stresses in the different cross sections of the structural parts. You also have the freedom to modify load combinations yourself manually.

6.1 Analysis Model

When starting the structural analysis, Tekla Structures automatically generates an analysis model of the corresponding physical and load models. The operation includes:

• creating nodes and analysis elements of the physical parts, • determining the support conditions for nodes, • determining the connectivity between the elements and nodes, and • dividing the loads to the elements.

The analysis model is automatically generated from the physical 3D model and can be viewed with the Tekla model. This gives the engineer a unique opportunity to study the assumptions about load paths, eccentricities and constructability within a real world 3D

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model. Once the model is used for passing the information to the analysis engine and for viewing the analysis and design results, all modifications to the structure are made to the physical model.

Tekla Structures allows the user to create several analysis models created from the same physical model. You can also define which objects are included in the analysis model. This means that when designing of the model is proceeding and a lot of secondary parts added, you can still analyze the original model created in the engineering stage.

When generating the analysis model each physical part that you select into the analysis model produces one or more analysis elements. The part is split at the intersection points of the parts' axes. Tekla Structures manages also the offsets and boundary conditions of the elements based on the analysis information, which you have stored into the physical model.

6.2 Run the Analysis

When the structure or the loading changes, Tekla Structures automatically detects that the analysis is out of date. To calculate the revised situation just push the analysis button and you have the up-to-date calculation results.

6.3 Design Tekla Structures supports several major design codes for both steel and concrete:

• AISC ASD, AISC LRFD, BS, EC3, US cold rolled and AISI for steel design • EC2, ACI 318 and British codes for concrete design

For steel structures, Tekla Structures performs check design including checks of all the criteria of the appropriate design code. The results are degrees of capacity utilization of the stress level and stability.

For concrete structures, the design calculates the theoretical reinforcement areas along the beam axes. These areas can then be used when detailing the model with the concrete detailing functionality of Tekla Structures.

Analysis and Design results can be used further in connection design.

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6.4 Viewing the results

Naturally you can also view the analysis model with all its details: nodes, elements, supports, loads etc. Results of the analysis model are retrieved and listed first within Tekla Structures before the model is updated. The user sees the objects in the results list and chooses to accept or deny the changes. Also, member end reactions are automatically retrieved into Tekla Structures.

Examples of alternatives to look at the analysis results.

You can print out the graphically presented results as well as the numeric reports when ever you want. When changes do happen, just perform the analysis and check the new results. The definitions of the previous round stay in the system and you automatically get the same definition to use.

7. The Tekla Advantage

Tekla has provided the world with innovative and creative software solutions since 1966. Today Tekla's products have thousands of users in more than 80 countries worldwide. The Tekla strategy is simple, yet powerful: innovative technology combined with reliable customer support and a strong commitment to developing long-term customer relationships.

Tekla is committed to provide our customers with the most advanced software available. We invest heavily in research and product development. This means that each new version of our software is the latest and most modern solution available in the world. Tekla’s advanced technology is your future-proof against obsolescence.

For more information, please go to www.tekla.com .

whitepaper teklastructuresengineeringoffices v200611 web(1)

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