3 BIM integration

To simplify your work, Tekla Structural Designer allows you to both export
data to different file formats, and import files to Tekla Structural Designer.
Click the following links to find out more:
• Import a project from a Structural BIM Import file (page 109)
• Import a project from a TEL file (page 110)
• Import data from a 3D DXF file (page 116)
• Working collaboratively with Trimble Connect (page 117)
• Export a model to Tekla Structures (page 126)
• Export to Tekla Connection Designer (page 127)
• Export to Tekla Portal Frame Designer (page 128)
• Export to Tekla Tedds (page 132)
• Export a model to Autodesk Revit (page 135)
• Export a model to IFC (page 136)
• Export to and import from Westok Cellbeam (page 137)
• Export to and import from FBEAM (page 138)
• Export a model to ADAPT (page 143)
• Export a model to STAAD (page 147)
• Export a model to Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis (page 148)
• Export a model to the cloud (page 149)
• Export to IDEA StatiCa Connection Design (page 152)

BIM fundamentals (Playlist)

BIM integration 108 Import model data

3.1 Import model data
Tekla Structural Designer allows you to import model data from other
applications.
Click the following links to find out more about importing a model into Tekla
Structural Designer:
• Import a project from a Structural BIM Import file (page 109)
• Import a project from a TEL file (page 110)
• Import data from a 3D DXF file (page 116)

Import a project from a Structural BIM Import file

1. On the BIM Integration toolbar, click Structural BIM Import.

The BIM Integration wizard opens.
2. Use the […] button to browse and select the appropriate CXL file.
The remainder of the fields are populated with the settings read directly
from the file.
3. Click Next to continue.
The Import Options page shows the settings related to the file, it will
indicate if this is a first time import or an update, and allows the user to
choose Metric or Imperial for the units, a design code and the default level
type. The level type can later be adjusted in the construction levels dialog
if required.
4. Click Next to continue.
The Relocate Import Model page allows for models to be moved to
around the datum position in Tekla Structural Designer from a real world
co-ordinate. The extent of the model can be seen from the information
displayed on the right hand side of the dialog.
5. Click Next to continue.
The Integration Filter will be displayed. The five options shown here
allow you to verify if grids, levels etc. are to be imported. Please note that
the settings held in the Delete Existing… and four Update… columns
should not be used when performing a First Time Import and are only
used when synchronizing changes into an existing Tekla Structural
Designer model.
6. Click Next to continue.
Mapping of materials to recognised grades will be shown now. Here you
can view the different materials recognised in the incoming CXL file and
the options to alter materials with a more preferred grade.

BIM integration 109 Import model data

7. Click Next to continue (if available).
Following on from Material mapping, the dialog for Decking mapping will
be shown (if applicable). Again this allows users to view the decking types
being imported and have the option of overwriting the details if required.
8. Click Finish
After the file has completed processing, the model will be displayed within
the Structural 3D view and you can then proceed with validation of the
structure before applying any analytical information.

BIM fundamentals (Playlist)

Integration with Tekla Structures (Playlist)
Integration with Autodesk Revit (Playlist)

Revit-TSD Integration

Import a project from a TEL file

Before importing a project from a TEL file, you are advised to be aware of the
restrictions. Then, you can proceed to follow the detailed instructions to
perform the import.

Restrictions
When importing TEL files, note the following points:

Round tripping Does not exist in TEL file imports.

This means that the import data is
used to create new objects in the
model, not to update existing ones.
All existing objects and data are
maintained.
Data that is imported • Project summary (new models
only)
• Project name, engineer, etc.
• Support conditions
• Any associated UCS
• Spring supports, including
linear and non-linear

NOTE In S-Frame, for non-linear

spring the default is
F_max = 0. This does not

BIM integration 110 Import model data

 mean that the spring has
zero capacity, but F_max
is simply ignored.
This is not the case in
Tekla Structural Designer.
In Tekla Structural
Designer, F_max =0
means the spring has zero
capacity. Hence for
models with compression-
only springs imported
from S-Frame, all
nonlinear spring supports
with F_max = 0 will need
editing, or analysis will fail.

• 1D elements
• Imported as analysis elements.
However, contiguous elements
are not merged into members
(straight or curved).
• Replicated by additional
relatively stiff 1D elements.

NOTE Automatic supports

are not created, for
example, under
columns.

• Panels - area load only

• Created as roof or wall panels
without openings
• Panels - shell: tri, quad, or mixed
• Created as meshed concrete
walls (vertical planes only) or 2-
way spanning slab items
• Material properties are
mapped manually during the
import.
• Thickness
• Panels - rigid or independent
diaphragm
• Created as 1-way spanning slab
items.

BIM integration 111 Import model data

 • Material properties are
mapped manually during the
import.
• Thickness
• Panels - holes
• Created as slab or wall
openings.

NOTE The holes must be

rectangular for walls
and rectangular or
circular for slabs.
Otherwise, Tekla
Structural Designer will
generate a warning.

• Loadcases (linear only)

• Nodal loads
• Settlement loads
• 1D element loads, including
uniform temperature loads
• Area panel loads, not including
uniform temperature loads
• Combinations
Exclusions • Units: the Tekla Structural
Designer model units are not
changed to match the TEL file
units. However, values are
converted to the Tekla Structural
Designer model units.
• There is no special handling for 2D
files. 2D files are imported in the
same plane as they are defined in
S-Frame (the X-Y plane), and
default constraints are not
imported.
• Default constraints are not
imported, and no warning is
generated. Default constraints are
supports applied to all nodes
without exception internally
during analysis. Default
constraints are not displayed in
the S-Frame interface. For models

BIM integration 112 Import model data

 marked as 2D, default constraints
restrict displacement to the X-Y
plane and are as follows: Fz, My
and Mz fixed. Default constraints
may be manually applied in 3D
models, and the S-Frame model
can be examined to confirm their
nature. The import does not
replicate default constraints. To
ensure equivalence, default
constraints must be applied
manually to all nodes, either in the
S-Frame model prior to import, or
in Tekla Structural Designer
subsequently.
• The import does not create any
physical members. S-Frame
physical members are treated like
any other 1D element and
imported as a single analysis
element. In particular, Tekla
Structural Designer does not
merge contiguous elements into
members (straight or curved) or
identify columns, beams, and so
on. No warnings are generated.
In addition, for S-Frame physical
models please note the following:
• Intermediate nodes that do not
form the ends of other
elements are not imported. If
such nodes have supports
applied, the model will not be
equivalent and should be
adjusted to ensure
equivalence.
• If physical members have
tapered sections, the sections
should be sub-divided in S-
Frame before importing to
Tekla Structural Designer to
produce an equivalent model.
• Alternatively, the S-Frame
model can be converted to an
analytical model in S-Frame
prior to import, using the S-
Frame command for this.

BIM integration 113 Import model data