The BIM link between Tekla Structures and IDEA Connection is now bidirectional. The following describes how to activate and use the Tekla - IDEA link.

How does it works?

1. Run IDEA Statica 

2. Open your project in Tekla and on the “IDEA CBFEM” icon

3. Select a connection

4. Select all its parts

5. Press "space bar" of keyboard

6. Select components

7. Press "space bar" of keyboard

8. Minimize the Tekla window - save the dialog window (hidden behind).

You can then transform a connection modeled in Tekla Structures into a properly analyzed and designed connection in IDEA StatiCa in a couple of minutes.

How to activate the link

Download and install the latest versions of

• 64-bit IDEA StatiCa
• Tekla Structures 21.0, 21.1 or 2016

After installation of both programs, run one of the bat files (depending on Tekla Structures version) in the folder where IDEA StatiCa was installed:

Idea4Tekla210.bat, Idea4Tekla211.bat or Idea4Tekla2016.bat

Run this command again if you reinstalled either of the programs or moved the installation folder.

Known limitations

Link now works for a wide variety of connections/joints. However, please take into account yet unsupported functionality:

Holes in members. Workaround: Import the whole joint and manually add these in IDEA StatiCa Connection

Welded and composed cross-sections. Workaround: Properly define cross-sections in Tekla

Cuts by CHS.  Workaround: Everything is imported, cuts “by surface” have to be added manually.

Anchoring and base plate. Workaround: Import the whole joint and manually add these in IDEA StatiCa Connection

Remarks

Be aware that there is not a proper description of rounding of hot-rolled sections in Tekla Structures, IDEA StatiCa Connection defines missing values by itself

Always check imported bolts/welds and add necessary data if missing in Tekla Structures

We are continuously adding profile types (huge variety in Tekla Structures)