Tekla Structures - the Best Problem Solver in Detailing’ - affirms Advenser Engineering

“We chose Tekla software to manage the whole process from the commencement to delivery of this project so that we could support our client on job planning and project management. Tekla enabled us to maintain our quality throughout the detailing process even though we faced several challenges. The needs of the customer may be innumerable, but the solution is one word - Tekla Structures! Today, Advenser acknowledges that investing in Tekla software was one of our most decisive steps that helped open doors of larger General Contractors, Fabricators and Erectors, for us, since Tekla is the software of choice for most of them too.” 

- Mr. Harikrishnan K, Director, Advenser Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd.

Company overview

Advenser is a CAD & BIM service provider in the global AEC industry with over 16 years of experience, specialized in catering to the specific requirements of architects, builders, fabricators, engineers, and contractors.  Founded in 2007, the company has evolved to stay innovative and competitive, by adapting and updating with technological advances, renewing its capabilities and broadening its service offerings. Advenser attributes its success to its capability and enthusiasm in developing, reinventing and aligning its knowledge and expertise with that of the emerging demands in the AEC industry.  

Establishing the new 193,000 sq. ft. Fairmont Heights High School

Prince George’s County Public Schools, the owner, selected Grunley (GC) for the $80 million replacement of the old Fairmont Heights High School. Located in Hyattsville, Maryland, the new 193,000 square foot high school replaced the existing facility.

The design of the new school facility provided improved layouts that maximized the potential for usage by different community groups, plus separating the academic and administrative spaces from the full-size gymnasium, cafeteria and auditorium. The high school has new athletic facilities comprised of – a stadium, soccer field, baseball field and athletic support amenities.

For us at Advenser, the main objective/responsibility within this project was structural steel detailing along with delivering shop drawings, modelling, GA drawings, reports and bill of materials for construction.

Complex problems that the project team faced in this high school project:

• Job schedule: The project was to replace the old Fairmont Heights High School with the new 193,000 square foot high school. Since the school authorities didn’t want to interrupt the school functioning, the project timeline further got restricted and the executing team had to deliver the project on a very tight deadline.  
• Design change: The client placed a request for the initial approval drawings, but the unavailability of an accurate connection design was a hindrance to the operations during the onset of this project.
• Other trade coordination: The project consisted of a huge number of joists, concrete members and RTUs. The project team had to fix joists as per the joist manufacturer’s drawings and had to also add connections for joist supports.
• Erection of steel members: Early steel members are always “hot” while considering its significance in site erection. Similarly, embed plates, loose lintels and anchor bolt modelling were a tedious task for the executing team. 
• Large number of RFIs: Preparation and tracking of RFIs were also a huge challenge for the team
• Complicated modelling: As per the architectural designs, connections were complicated. Majority of the brace connections were changed to complex because of wind load calculation. The project team simplified these connections through the use of Tekla’s Custom Components. Further, the team included various miscellaneous modelling like stair, rail, ladder, etc.

Tekla Structures - The Best Problem Solver in Detailing

• Macro application platform: Design changes due to the unavailability of accurate connection design was a concern for the project executing team. However, Tekla Structures’ macro application came handy in modifying the connections after the final design was achieved.
• Accurate 3D models: Joist drawing coordination were executed easily by inserting the PDF as a reference. The project team also easily executed RTUs modelling as they could visualize it with the help of accurate 3D modelling. There were indeed several revisions to this, but the end deliverables were submitted without any discrepancies. IFC files were also received for coordination purposes. Tekla Structures was of a great help in this stage too. Other trade coordinators involved in the project were satisfied with the coordination output files that were exported from Tekla.
• Ease with RFIs: Close to 250 RFIs and related responses were incorporated in the Tekla model without any hustles & bustles because of its advanced options. The snapshot of the 3D model was used to communicate the exact issues with the client. This helped the project team to communicate with architect and engineers as well as with other manufacturers for smoother coordination.
• Interoperability of Tekla: This feature helped the project executing team in coordinating with the client effectively, through Trimble Connect, Tekla Model Sharing, etc. The team, could further export DXF, KSS, STP files smoothly when requested from the fabrication shops.

There were many other benefits of using Tekla Structures like during the steel member erection, the executing team placed the concrete elements and located the early steel, thereby avoiding the issues in project site. In addition, Tekla’s user field options, phasing, etc., seamlessly solved any issues related to miscellaneous items like stair, rail, and ladder that are usually very difficult to track in extensive projects like this one. Tekla organizer also helped in multiple submissions.

“One of the key factors while considering my responsibilities as a ‘AGM Engineering’ is to boost my team’s overall productivity and ensure the quickest project delivery. And in this, Tekla Structures has been an amazing tool for achieving our goals. While comparing to other software tools that would need hours to complete a task, Tekla Structures consumes only a few minutes - which is indeed an amazing thing! We are extremely satisfied with its features and look forward to continue working & growing with this industry leading tool.”
- Ms. Rekha Murali, AGM Engineering, Advenser Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd.