Category 2 – Commercial/ Institutional Model Steel 

This project consists of 3 NHL sized rinks, 1 international size rink, a 6 story office tower, and a high performance building. The steel is close to 2,000 tons.The fabrication was done using CNC and MIS exports from Tekla Structures.  The project was done for the Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA).

3D Visualization in Tekla Structures was critical for keeping the project on schedule and coordinating the complex geometry of the project.The team was able to visually see problem areas and clashes between different pieces of the structure. When design problems arose, the engineers involved found the model screenshots very helpful and found that this helped speed up the process considerably.  The large project was visually broken down into different phases which allowed the fabricator to determine the best method to feed the steel through the shop.

The main challenge in the project was the trusses. They were over 300 feet long and needed to be cambered in the 3D model. All pieces in between or attached to the trusses were detailed in cambered position. There was also over 2,000 linear ft of catwalks that passed in between the bottom chord and the top chord of the trusses. The project ended up being 7,200 tons with a total of 6,300 shop drawings.

This was a large project with a tight schedule.  The model had to be split into 8 parts to reduce the model size and to manage the job over the different drafting rooms that worked on the project.  Tekla’s new Model Sharing functionality was used to synchronize in 2 different drafting rooms that were working on the same model at the same time. This saved time because more people were able to work within  the same model.  This project helped Tekla to improve and further test the Model Sharing functionality.

The entrant entered the precast in the model from the contract drawings and observed interferences that could occur with the steel. When there were interferences that occurred, those concerned were informed using RFI and 3D HTML views from Tekla Structures. By doing this, a lot of problems were solved ahead of time that could have occured in the field.  The deck provider used the Tekla model files to detail the deck. With that, they received different information that facilitated their task and also saved a lot of time.

Every piece of steel was detailed and checked in Tekla and CNC transfers were used  to fabricate all the components. By doing this, the risk of error was reduced to a minimum and everything fitted well in the field.

The Diamondback/Rockies Spring Training facility was a fast-tracked project consisting of 750 tons of steel sent out for approval in 4 weeks. Weekly coordination meetings contributed to the success of this big project.

The 2.2-million-square-foot design-build stadium; which consists of three concourse levels, three suite levels and an upper deck;  was designed
only a few hundred yards northeast of the former facility. The immense 910ft x 740ft facility is divided by only four expansion joints separating endzones and sideline structures. The service level and playing field are supported by concrete filled steel piles. Additional amenities include a wide pedestrian plaza, Hall of Fame facilities for each team, team stores, restaurants and a multitude of game-day
entertainment activities.

Due to the fast-track nature of the project, Tekla Structures was used to model and coordinate the structural steel and precast elements with the architect. The Tekla model was then handed off to the steel fabricator providing a seamless flow of information
to expedite the steel procurement and detailing. This building information model was made available to the construction manager for incorporation into a complete building systems model to coordinate MEP and building facade, virtually eliminating all potential field issues commonly encountered during normal construction projects. The success of this process reduced months from the construction schedule resulting in a win for the Owner as well as the design and construction teams.

Tekla Structures played a significant role in execution and delivery of the overall success of this project. The fast-track nature,
complexity, and degree of coordination necessary to design and construct a project of this magnitude required the immediate transfer of information between all parties. By utilizing Tekla Structures, the design team was able to create a single structural model, transfer it directly downstream to the construction manager to coordinate follow-on trades and to the steel fabricator to place material orders early and go directly into fabrication to meet the demanding schedule. Through the use of this BIM approach, the entrant has changed the way projects are coordinated and delivered setting a new standard for the design and construction industry.

This 800 ton project consists of a roof made out of trusses which have moment connections as a standard connection. The tower was built in two portions on the ground and was then lifted after all other trades were complete.  The total height of the project is 57 meters.  Nothing in the project was standard and the connections were very challenging. The project team utilized 3D modeling throughout the entire process.