Tekla Global BIM Awards
The first Tekla Global BIM Awards model competition has come to a conclusion. Entries to the competition were the winners of regional model competitions held by Tekla area offices and resellers during 2009. The competition was divided into three categories: BIM, steel, and concrete and other projects.
The winners were decided by a jury that consisted of the world’s leading BIM experts. Their evaluation was based on the complexity of the project, life cycle of the model, and for BIM projects, on using the BIM in an extreme way, including maximized collaboration and model-based project management. In addition to the jury’s decision, there was an open vote for the best model.
See Global BIM Award winners and entries on the Tekla Website
Tekla Structures 16 is coming soon
The next main version of Tekla Structures will be released a bit earlier than in previous years, in February 2010. The release candidate version of Tekla Structures 16 is already available on the Tekla Extranet. Its new features include improved usability with snapping tools, updated Master Drawing Catalog, better object level settings, and new filtering and instant graphics on drawings.
In addition, there are many features to improve your workflow, such as better IFC data exchange, reference models, numbering, and model publishing tools. The new Tekla Structures 16 is not only better, but also better tested – it has undergone more extensive field testing than any previous version – and it is compatible with the Windows 7 operating system.
See Tekla Structures 16 RC on the Tekla Extranet (login first) and stay tuned for more information in January 2010.
“Looks like a lot of little loose ends were tied up and the version includes some nice new features that will be great in production," said beta tester
Chris Carasone from Blakeslee Prestress, Inc.
Improved solution for cast-in-place concrete
Tekla Structures has a reputation as the premium steel detailing software. However, its superior capabilities, initially developed for steel detailing, can benefit other disciplines and materials, too. By integrating reinforcement information with building materials in a 3D model, you can accurately follow the entire project from design through to construction. It is possible to achieve leaner construction and more efficient supply chain management by producing and managing all necessary building information directly from the model, also for cast-in-place concrete.
Using Tekla Structures for cast-in-place engineering and construction management, there is no need for manual drawing-based calculations, planning minutes, unnecessary drawings, or drilling. Tekla Structures guarantees automatic real-time updates for quantities, bar bending lists and schedules, pouring plans, cast units and construction drawings. The Tekla model can be used to visualize congested areas to prevent collisions and to coordinate between building systems, allowing smoother real-time collaboration, information sharing, and data transfer between the project disciplines.
Maintaining accurate, consistent and always up-to-date building information in the 3D BIM benefits the whole value chain of contracting. Stay tuned for more information about Tekla’s solution for cast-in-place concrete coming up on the Tekla website.
Building the World Expo 2010
The World Expo 2010 will be arranged in Shanghai, China, from May 1 to October 31, 2010. The expected amount of exhibiting participants is 200 and the expected number of visitors as massive as 70 million. Tekla Structures is being used to help build, disassemble and reassemble many of the Expo pavilions, including pavilions for China, the United States, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Macau, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands.
Finland’s pavilion for the Expo is called Kirnu, or ‘The Giant’s Kettle’. Tekla Structures is being used to model and manage its building information in 3D throughout the project. The use of Tekla Structures supports the pavilion being constructed as a laboratory for sustainable building. In addition to efficient structural design and lean prefabrication and construction, the Tekla model is being utilized in a variety of innovative ways: to fit in elevators, HVAC systems, and a giant canvas that will cover Kirnu’s inside atrium, as well as to assist in its interior design and later rebuilding and relocation using augmented reality technology. Read more about the Finland pavilion on the Tekla Website
Tekla key supporter of buildingSMART in the Middle East
Tekla has played an active role in bringing the buildingSMART organization to the Middle East. Tahir Sharif, managing director of Tekla ME and president of buildingSMART ME, delivered the keynote speech at the first Build Smart 2009 event in Abu Dhabi, which was held on November 15–16, 2009.
“BuildingSMART will play a crucial role in driving the transformation of the region’s construction industry; it will promote, adapt and improve standards for interoperability,” said Sharif.
BuildingSMART is a non-profit organization that promotes the advantages of technology and business process standards to improve productivity, communication, efficiency, and sustainability in construction and facilities management.
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Cad and Bim try out
Bim is pumped up about something new and interesting and Cad is dying to know what he’s going on about…
