Tekla Structures is a 3D building information modeling software able to model structures that incorporate different kinds of building materials, including steel, concrete, timber and glass. Tekla allows structural drafters and engineers to design a building structure and its components using 3D modeling, generate 2D drawings and access building information. Tekla Structures was formerly known as Xsteel (X as in X Window System, the foundation of the Unix GUI).
Features Tekla Structures is used in the construction industry for steel and concrete detailing, precast and cast in-situ. The software enables users to create and manage 3D structural models in concrete or steel, and guides them through the process from concept to fabrication. The process of shop drawing creation is automated. It is available in different configurations and localized environments.
Tekla Structures is known to support large models with multiple simultaneous users, but is regarded as relatively expensive, complex to learn and fully utilize. It competes in the BIM market with AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, DProfiler and Digital Project, Lucas Bridge, PERICad and others. Tekla Structures is Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) compliant.
Modeling scopes within Tekla Structures includes Structural Steel, Cast-in-Place (CIP), Concrete, Reinforcing Bar, Miscellaneous Steel and Light Gauge Drywall Framing. The transition of Xsteel to Tekla Structures in 2004 added significant more functionality and interoperability. It is often used in conjunction with Autodesk Revit, where structural framing is designed in Tekla and exported to Revit using the IFC or DWG/DXF formats.
Applications Engineers have used Tekla Structures to model stadiums, offshore structures, pipe rack structures, plants, factories, residential buildings, bridges and skyscrapers. Tekla Structures was used in the construction design for various projects around the world, including:Tekla Global BIM Awards Winners Announced , 08 January 2014, ConstrusoftTekla Announces Global BIM Awards 2013 Winners, JAN 9, 2014, ForConstructionPros.com Grandstand Replacement, Daytona International Speedway (USA)Daytona International Speedway Grandstand Replacement , McGill, USA, Tekla AwardsTekla launches structural design software, JEDDAH, April 9, 2015, TradeArabia, "The Abu Dhabi Airport – Midfield Terminal Complex, the King Abdullah Financial District and King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and National Museum of Qatar are among the Middle East projects that have used Tekla Building Information Modeling" Frontstretch Grandstands, Daytona International Speedway (USA)Daytona International Speedway-Frontstretch Grandstand Project , Barton Malow, USA, Tekla Awards Denver International Airport Expansion (USA)Denver International Airport Expansion , Anatomic Iron Steel Detailing, USA, Tekla Awards San Jose Earthquakes Stadium (USA)San Jose Earthquakes Stadium , Steel Systems Engineering, Inc. USA, & Intelligent Engineering, UK, Tekla Awards BB&T Ballpark (Charlotte, USA)BB&T Ballpark , Concrete and coordination by Wayne Brothers Inc., Rebar by Harris Steel, Charlotte, USA, Tekla Awards Spillway Replacement, Manitoba Hydro (USA)KGS Group Tekla North American BIM Award , KGS WebsiteManitoba projects win in North American BIM Awards, Construction Canada, September 5, 2012Manitoba Hydro Spillway Replacement , KGS Group, Manitoba, Canada, Tekla Awards National Stadium Roof, Singapore Sports Hub (Singapore)Singapore Sports Hub - National Stadium Roof , Arup Singapore, Singapore, Tekla Awards Red Bear Student Center, University of Saskatchewan (Canada)University of Saskatchewan - Gordon Oakes - Red Bear Student Center , IKONA DRAFTING SERVICES PHILIPPINES INC., Canada, Tekla Troja Bridge (Prague)New Troja Bridge in Prague , Excon, a.s., Czech Republic, Tekla Awards Tesco Supermarket (Sheringham, UK)Tesco Sheringham , Pinnacle Sheringham, UK, Tekla Awards Baylor University Stadium (Australia)Baylor University Stadium , BDS Vircon Steel Detailers, Australia, Tekla Awards Canopée des Halles, Forum des Halles (Paris, France)Canopée des Halles, Paris , Société Fayat métal, Tekla Awards Sutter Medical Center (California, USA)Sutter Medical Centre, Castro Valley , Tekla UAE Expansion, Chennai International Airport (India)Chennai Airport Erweiterung , Tekla UAE Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Seoul)SAMSUNG C&T USES TEKLA TO MAKE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE FREE-FORM BUILDING POSSIBLE , Tekla Capital Gate (Abu Dhabi)Capital Gate Tower, TeklaTorre Capital Gate, Tekla UAE Midfield Terminal Complex, Abu Dhabi Airport (Abu Dhabi) King Abdullah Financial District (Saudi Arabia)King abdullah financial district , Arabian International Company (AIC - JORDAN), Saudi Arabia, Tekla Awards King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Saudi Arabia)King Abdulaziz Center For World Culture , Zamil Structural Steel Company Ltd, Saudi Arabia, Tekla Awards National Museum of Qatar (Qatar) Hilton Garden Inn (UAE)Hilton Garden Inn , Emirates Precast Construction L.L.C., United Arab Emirates, Tekla Awards Puuvilla Shopping Centre (Finland)Puuvilla Shopping Centre , Tekla AwardsShopping Center Puuvila, Skanska College Football Hall of Fame (Atlanta, GA)Second and Goal Optus Stadium (Perth, Australia)
Tekla Structures was used extensively for the steel design of Capital Gate at Abu Dhabi, UAE. Files exported from Tekla facilitated faster steel fabrication. One of the architects, Jeff Schofield, stated that "it was the right time in history and we had the right technology to make this happen".
The Manitoba Hydro Spillway Replacement was designed using Tekla Structures to "successfully model and co-ordinate its design", a project that won the TEKLA 2012 North American BIM Award for "Best Concrete Project". It was the "first hydroelectric project that has seen steel, concrete, and rebar fully detailed using Tekla Structures".
Stable version release - history dates Tekla Structures 16.0 - March 2010 Tekla Structures 17.0 - February 2011 Tekla Structures 18.0 - March 2012 Tekla Structures 19.0 - March 2013 Tekla Structures 20.0 - February 2014 Tekla Structures 21.0 - March 2015 Tekla Structures 2016 - March 2016 Tekla Structures 2017 - March 2017 Tekla Structures 2018 - March 2018 Tekla Structures 2019 - March 2019 Tekla Structures 2020 - March 2020 Tekla Structures 2021 - March 2021 Tekla Structures 2022 - March 2022 Tekla Structures 2023 - March 2023 Tekla Structures 2024 - March 2024 Tekla Structures 2025 - March 2025 Tekla Structures 2026 - March 2026
See also Comparison of CAD editors for CAE
References