Creating structures that stand out

Andrew Bellerby, managing director Tekla UK, discusses Building Information Modelling

Monday, 13 October 2008

3D BIM is revolutionising the building industry. Architecture has become more ambitious in recent years as construction methods have improved. This has made the design process more complex than ever before and engineering companies are increasingly turning to 3D Building Information Modelling (BIM) software to help solve design and structural modelling challenges.

The technology behind some of today's most iconic buildings

BIM offers a comprehensive approach to modelling and detailing enabling closer collaboration between the different parties involved in a building project, including architects and designers, steel and concrete detailers and manufacturers, structural engineers as well as contractors. Consistent drawings and reports containing full structural information can be shared across the building project team for more efficient optimisation of structural solutions. Multi-user capabilities enable fast, efficient throughput and fluent collaboration with other parties involved in the project. This allows the eye-catching, complex designs of modern buildings to become a reality. 

Many of today's modern building are uniquely designed and 3D BIM really comes into its own when solutions have to be customisable. It allows tailored building components to be modelled accurately to dramatically decrease potential errors on-site. Often, library components simply aren't sufficient and it is imperative that several tailored alternatives be created with accurate cost estimates. Not only does 3D BIM provide the production management and casting data from the model, it integrates the entire structural workflow from sales and conceptual design right through to detailing, manufacture and erection. Mapping a fully integrated drawing also ensures that, crucially, everything will fit together on the construction site.

Tekla Structures software is behind some of the most iconic modern buildings in cities around the world.

Wembley Stadium, London, UK

The new Wembley Stadium is the tallest stadium in the world and the only one to sport an aircraft warning beacon. With a seating capacity of 90,000, it is the second largest stadium in Europe and is the world's largest football (soccer) stadium. 215,000 tons of concrete and 24,000 tons of steel were used in its construction. The foundations of the new stadium go up to 35 meters deep. The iconic arch, which is pitched at 112 degrees, weighs 1,750 tons with a 315 meter (1,033 feet) span and supports the world's biggest single span roof. It removes the need for pillars, which could obscure attendants' views, and supports 5,000 tons of the roof structure. The southern roof can be retracted to allow air and light onto the pitch, preventing shadows and improving TV broadcasts and making this a stadium that truly stands out from any other in the world.

Tekla Structures was used as an analysis tool, examining the different construction stages of the project and visually indicating the progress of activities. 

CCTV Towers, Beijing, China

The new China Central Television (CCTV) Headquarters building, built to broadcast the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is like an upside-down asymmetric U involving two L shaped high-rise towers linked at the top and the bottom at an angle to form a loop. It consists of a series of horizontal and vertical sections establishing it as an earth-bound structure and not a traditional skyscraper. The structure of this building was a particular challenge to the engineering contractors involved, who needed to design a plan to construct the two 60° leaning towers that are bent at 90° at the top and bottom.

Used in the connection design and erection phases of the project, designers modelled the connections in Tekla Structures to accurately calculate and design the complicated steel connections. The connection design also involved seismic design, as there are strict seismic requirements for Beijing buildings that engineers had to meet. 

Ski Dubai, UAE

A unique mountain-themed attraction, Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. It is located inside the Mall of the Emirates and offers a 3000 square meter indoor snow setting for skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing - an opportunity to enjoy real snow in the desert all year round. Tekla Structures was used for steel detailing to complete the complex snowdome structure. Built like an upside-down letter L, with its highest point towering 85 meters above the main highway, the snowdome has a diameter of more than 200 meters (and a total area of 22,500 square meters, including 25 stories of indoor slopes). The longest run is 400 metres, with a vertical drop of more than 60 metres. The runs have a 60° curve on the way down to make them more challenging. For snowboarders there is also a 90-meter quarterpipe and what is claimed to be the largest indoor snow park in the world.

Without using Tekla Structures, the engineers involved would have needed around ten detailers and the detailing phase would have taken two months longer. Tekla Structures provided time savings, error-free detailing and 100% accuracy. It meant integration of the software with the existing working environment was easy. 

pic caption: Iconic buildings around the world in which Tekla has been involved

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