Tekla Structures
Arvin Eugenio

Breaking the Boundaries of Analysis & Design

2003 was a breakthrough year for Structural BIM (Building Information Modeling), a period when Tekla Oy shape-shifted its widely renowned Xsteel into Tekla Structures. This made it the first 3D modeling software to fully integrate the BIM process from conceptual design to fabrication and erection . Among the several available configurations under the new name, Tekla Structures for Engineering (also called Tekla Structures with STAAD.Pro, Tekla Structures A&D and XStaad) was a breakthrough product on its own. Utilizing Research Engineers Inc.’s STAAD.Pro engine, this module allowed a user to create a model of any size and produce analysis results within the same Tekla Structures environment, thus overcoming the obstacle of importing/exporting. This product could lessen errors made via the whole ‘transfer of data’ process as it was also convenient for engineers. It was only a matter of time before the structural engineering community caught on to this new technology and yet this product’s existence would be short-lived.

Around mid-November 2005, Bentley Systems, Inc. acquired the worldwide operations of REI, including the STAAD product line, customer agreements and relationships, and REI offices in Yorba Linda, Calif.; Bristol, UK; and other parts of Europe and Asia. As of May 10th, 2006, promotion and sales of Tekla Structures for Engineering was temporarily suspended*.

One vs. Many

To date, the only engineering programs one can save in Tekla Structures in native file formats are STAAD.Pro and Softek’s S-Frame. Other platforms such as ETABS, ROBOT & RAM (Also now owned by Bentley) had to go the CIS2 (CIM Steel Standards 2) route. In the case of SAP, the method of file exchange would have to be SDNF (Steel Detailing Neutral File). Of course these file transfer paths, both CIS2 and SDNF have their own merits. Nevertheless, these transfer protocols cannot be termed fully ‘seamless’, as diverse platforms and varied technologies often create different results. In using these paths, the tendency is to create a conversion file to accurately transfer data from one program to the next - the end product reaching a fairly satisfactory level. This was the advantage of ‘XStaad’.

Nevertheless, the cons outweigh the pros in utilizing one single analysis and design engine from a macro point of view. As the advantages and benefits of interoperability became clearer, offices with different engineering programs were compelled to purchase the STAAD engine. From a marketing standpoint, this may have been an effective way to outsell and possibly render other A&D programs obsolete; should Bentley have chosen to pursue this.

Tekla Oy, anticipating the possible pullout of the STAAD.Pro engine, opted for a different direction and steered towards an open A&D approach, allowing different engineering platforms to take advantage of their 3D modeling and detailing software. In order for this to occur, An Application Programming Interface (API) Link would have to be in place in order to allow data to be exchanged with other Engineering applications and to allow interested software developers to link their technology seamlessly with Tekla’s own.

The API Link Edge

Tekla sees great advantage in utilizing this link. Once released, any results from analysis performed by another application can be transferred back to Tekla Structures and automatically incorporated into the model. Tekla claims this process to be ‘seamless and lossless, which significantly shortens project lead times’. A&D software providers are now encouraged to join Tekla in creating a single modeling and calculation environment for users, the latter offering full support for interested parties. This translates to users now benefitting from the use of their A&D tool of choice (or whichever is available and handy in their workplace) for a tighter integration with Tekla Structures. And based on the Microsoft .NET technology, Tekla’s API will eventually attract more third party applications to communicate with the program.

Discussions are currently ongoing with several A&D vendors expressing their desire to collaborate. Locally, Softek is the first to join the bandwagon and already has a pre-release version of S-Frame to work with V12 sub releases. Dowco has submitted the following list** of A&D solutions to Tekla for the local Canadian market:

RAM
ROBOT
RISA
SAP
S-FRAME
SODA
STAAD

*Those owning previous Tekla Structures for Engineering licenses can download a special version of V12 via the Extranet in order to install this module. Users are advised to stay tuned for further announcements. Queries related to this issue may direct their concerns to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

**Interested parties who know of any other A&D platforms not mentioned above can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will forward the information to Tekla.