An advanced nuclear reactor, an international airport, a public a
rt gallery and a very impressive residential project were all winners in Tekla's 2008 North American Model Competition.
Tekla Structures, the most advanced building information modeling (BIM) solutions on the market includes an accurate, dynamic and data-rich 3D environment, which is evident in these and all the models that were submitted.
Each year Tekla hosts a North American Model Competition open to all Tekla Structures Users who have modeled projects in the software the preceding year. The North American Model Competition is held in conjunction with Tekla's Annual North American User Meeting, which was held this year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 21-23.
New categories, new submission guidelines, and new voting attracted many Tekla Structures Users to submit their 3D models. Over thirty entries from twenty-two firms submitted models in four categories:
- Category 1- Industrial
- Category 2- Commercial/Institutional
- Category 3- Sports/Public Assembly
- Category 4- Other
Participants submitted web models, descriptions of their projects, photos, and other supporting material. Online web models allowed web site visitors to peruse through the many exciting and innovative projects. Online voting opened to the public prior to the 2008 Tekla North American User.
The winners for each category were announced at the closing of the User Meeting. Each winning company received a Tekla Structures Viewer License and two free tickets to next year's User Meeting. Congratulations to the following winners!
Category 1- Atomic Energy of Canada, Advanced Candu Reactor
When given the challenge to model an evolutionary, Gen III+, 1200MWe class pressure tube reactor that would meet industry and public expectations for safe, reliable, environmentally friendly, low cost nuclear power generation Atomic Energy of Canada rose to the occasion with Tekla Structures. Derived from the well established CANDU line of reactors, the ACR-1000 was developed from valuable project-based experience in the design, construction, and operation of CANDU plants for utilities around the globe.
The reactor core consists of fuel and light water coolant in pressure tubes with a heavy water moderator. The ACR-1000 retains basic CANDU design features such as: modular, horizontal fuel channel core, low-temperature heavy water moderator, water-filled vault, two diverse shutdown systems, on-power fueling and an accessible reactor building for on-power maintenance.
To achieve outstanding safety, operation, performance and economics, the ACR-1000 incorporates a specific set of innovative features and state-of-the-art technologies. This project uses highly complex cast-in-place concrete modeling. The unique construction methodology of the nuclear field gave Atomic Energy of Canada the opportunity to test the limits of Tekla Structures which worked in favor with the project requirements.
Category 2- JPW Structural Contracting, Niagra Falls International Airport
The Niagara Falls International Airport is a 700 ton building with many unique features which are diversified from a standard structural steel building. JPW Structural Contracting did all the miscellaneous detailing for the job which began in December of 2007. The use of Tekla Structures enabled JPW to meet and exceed the unique standards the project required.
Four large stairs with railings and independent handrails at second floor levels added to the complexity of the project. The landside of this building consisted of a radiused roof that pitches both ways, 90’ radiused plate girders, 75’ King trusses and tubular glazing trusses with stainless steel rod bracing. The airside of this building is made up of more radiused beams, 180’ triangular and radiused space trusses that have a 120’ span that is unsupported. These trusses are fabricated and trucked to the site in (3) pieces that range from 55’ to 70’ long. Both the landside and the airside had significant amount of bolted moment connections.
Tekla Structures played an integral role in the project due to its capability to model unique and complex structures
Category 3- Empire Ironworks, Art Gallery of Alberta
This Project is an addition/renovation to the Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton. Empire Iron Works used Tekla Structures to complete the 85,000 SF building which provides 24,000 SF of interior exhibition space, an expanded Education Centre, Restaurant, Gallery Shop, 150 seats Theatre, and 8,400 SFof office and administration space. The exterior features patinated Zinc on the vertical surfaces, and a twisted ribbon of stainless Steel winding in and out of the 80’-0 high atrium, evoking thoughts of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
Traditional plans and specifications were able to define the scope of both the renovation work, and the construction of the 152’ long x 57’ wide x70’ high trussed box structure. The straight atrium steel and curved borealis support steel could only be defined using models from the Architect and Engineer. Extensive use of reference models (more than 100 received and 70 sent) allowed managing everything from changes, additions and revisions, to coordination with the exterior stainless steel panels, glazing, concrete, fire sprinkler pipes, and also to review any clashes and clearances.
The sub-assembly feature of Tekla Structures allowed breaking the large complicated assemblies down into simpler pieces for easier shop fabrication along with smaller, cleaner drawings.
The Tekla Structures project management tools were used to track drawing dates, material information (PO numbers, due dates) and site erection progress. Erection sequences, lotting for delivery of trailers to site, crane positioning and lifting studies were all done within Tekla Structures.
Category 4- Glenn Ihde & Company, The Lipton Residence
Lipton Residence is a very unique and visually appealing residential home project. Glenn Ihde & Company modeled in many rolled main and miscellaneous steel members. Using Tekla Structures they modeled in parabolic concrete walls the steel framed to and provided the curved deck supports.
Sequencing a zoning made this an ideal job for Tekla Structures due to the owner request instructing the natural desert landscape not to be disrupted or altered during construction. Several steel members cantilever out over the natural desert floor. This made the sequence of steel and crane location critical during erection of the steel. They were able to publish and review the model with the Contractor in order to visually aid where they could segment the zone and sequence boundaries to maintain a constant construction flow while keeping Arizona's natural beauty intact.
This project's intricacy and unique appearance make it a stand out pinnacle. It contains a wide variety of rolled members both of structural and architectural importance. Many connections required custom design attainable only with Tekla Structures.
Many thanks to all who entered this year's competition! To view all participants and webmodels visit http://www.tekla.us/modelcomp08.