Tekla Structures

Tekla Structures
Name	Tekla Structures
Developer	Trimble Inc.
Initial release	1995
Latest release	2024
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Genre	Building information modeling
License	Proprietary

Tekla Structures is a parametric building information modeling (BIM) software product for structural engineering, steel detailing, precast concrete design, and construction management. It is developed by Trimble Inc., targets multidisciplinary teams including structural engineers, detailers, fabricators, and contractors, and integrates workflows across design, fabrication, and site assembly. Tekla Structures supports collaboration with many industry standards and vendors and is used worldwide on landmark projects and routine infrastructure work.

Overview

Tekla Structures is a BIM application that enables creation of detailed 3D structural models with precise geometry, material definitions, connections, and fabrication information. It connects to project delivery platforms such as Trimble Connect and competes with other structural and BIM platforms like Autodesk Revit, Bentley Systems' OpenBuildings, Nemetschek Group products, and Graphisoft ARCHICAD. The software is adopted by engineering consultancies, fabricators, construction contractors, and infrastructure owners including firms that operate in markets served by Arup, AECOM, Bechtel, Fluor, and Skanska. Tekla integrates with standards and organizations such as buildingSMART International, the International Organization for Standardization, the American Institute of Steel Construction, and Eurocodes for regional compliance.

History and Development

Tekla Structures originated in the 1990s from Tekla Corporation, which developed earlier detailing tools and penetrated markets for steel detailing and precast modelling. After mergers and acquisitions involving companies like Trimble Navigation, Tekla became part of Trimble Inc., aligning with Trimble's surveying and construction hardware divisions. Over successive releases Tekla Structures incorporated parametric objects, connection libraries, and model-based workflows influenced by research from institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Imperial College London, and Technische Universität München. The product evolved alongside competing milestones in the BIM movement represented by Autodesk's evolution of AutoCAD and Revit, Bentley's MicroStation lineage, and Nemetschek's consolidation of structural workflows.

Features and Functionality

Tekla Structures offers an extensive feature set for modelling, documentation, and production:

- Advanced 3D modelling: parametric components, custom components, and user-defined attributes enable detailed representations used by firms like ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel, and Nippon Steel. It supports complex geometry types that parallel capabilities in Dassault Systèmes' CATIA and Siemens NX for large-scale assemblies. - Steel and concrete detailing: bolted and welded connection libraries, shop drawings, and NC output for CNC machines from manufacturers like Bystronic, Trumpf, and Esab. Connection design features reference codes from AISC, Eurocode, and CSA Group standards. - Fabrication and production data: nested parts, plate unfolding, and DXF/DWG export integrate with fabrication software such as Tekla Structures' downstream partners and ERP solutions like SAP and Oracle Primavera. - Clash detection and coordination: model checking and interference tools that complement services provided by Solibri, Navisworks, and BIM 360, supporting construction sequencing used by firms like Turner Construction and Balfour Beatty. - Construction management: erection plans, lift drawings, logistics data, and phase modelling for contractors including Bechtel and Vinci. - API and customization: Open API and Tekla Structures Extensions allow automation and integrations with Visual Studio, Python scripts, and middleware used by technology vendors like Trimble, Hexagon, and Procore.

Applications and Industry Use

Tekla Structures is applied across sectors including high-rise buildings, stadiums, bridges, power plants, petrochemical facilities, shipbuilding conversions, and offshore platforms. It has been used on projects involving global contractors and engineering consultancies such as Jacobs, CH2M, Worley, and Arup. Infrastructure owners and authorities including Network Rail, Rijkswaterstaat, and Port of Rotterdam use Tekla-enabled deliverables for maintenance and asset management. Fabricators for oil and gas modules, tunnel segments for projects led by Bechtel and Salini Impregilo, and precast suppliers for firms like Elematic employ Tekla for shop documentation and logistics.

File Formats and Interoperability

Tekla Structures supports native model formats and exchange formats to enable multidisciplinary collaboration. Supported exports/imports include Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) used by buildingSMART, DWG/DXF for interoperability with Autodesk AutoCAD, CIS/2 for steel information exchange, and STL for additive manufacturing workflows. The software integrates with Navisworks for federated model review and with Trimble Connect for cloud collaboration. APIs and connectors enable data flow to ERP systems, CNC controllers, and project management platforms like Oracle Primavera and Microsoft Project.

Licensing and Support

Tekla Structures is offered under a proprietary commercial license managed by Trimble. Licensing options include node-locked and network floating licenses, subscription models, and enterprise agreements used by large contractors and fabricators. Support and training are provided through Trimble's regional offices, authorized resellers, and certified training centers; partner ecosystems include software vendors, engineering consultancies, and academic institutions such as Luleå University of Technology that run certified courses. Professional services for implementation, custom development, and migration are commonly procured from systems integrators and Trimble Professional Services.

Reception and Impact

Tekla Structures is recognized for its strength in detailed structural modelling and fabrication workflows, earning adoption among steel detailers and precast concrete suppliers. Industry analysts and trade publications compare its capabilities with Revit, Bentley, and specialty detailing systems; professional associations such as AISC and the Concrete Centre cite Tekla-enabled workflows in case studies. Critics note the learning curve relative to generalist BIM tools and the need for robust hardware similar to requirements for software from NVIDIA-driven visualization platforms. Tekla's impact is visible in improved prefabrication accuracy, reduced site rework for contractors like Skanska, and digitized handoffs between designers, fabricators, and asset owners.

Category:Building information modeling software