Tekla BIM software benefits steel construction

Tekla’s Building Information Modelling (BIM) software enables steelwork contractors to move beyond 3D modelling and embrace the future of construction according to a leading industry spokesman.

Robert Berry, Director of Engineering and Innovation at Caunton Engineering, said the company has experienced a wide range of benefits since adopting BIM, from reduced time spent on tenders and more productive design team meetings to smoother progress on site and reduction in remedial works.

“The industry needs better design and BIM can help us deliver it. Having a Building Information Model allows our structural engineers to very quickly understand the building and produce a compliant design in less time – we believe there could be a time saving of as much as 25% where a good-quality BIM model is available.”

The other key benefit is Tekla’s interoperability – it can exchange information accurately and completely with a wide range of other software packages. Although most steelwork contractors use Tekla Structures to design and manufacture structural steelwork, Berry explains the software can be used to model other construction materials: “That’s opened up more meaningful relationships for us with other specialists. Tekla Structures also creates data in IFC format, which is an essential prerequisite for the open BIM process.”

“Together Tekla Structures, Tekla Structural Designer, BIMsight and Field3D make a very competitive offering,” said Berry.

“Ultimately, if you’re in the business of designing and manufacturing, you’ll be able to use Tekla tools to do quite a lot more than you would with other packages.”