1. Preparation in PowerConnect

Make sure the model is calculated and that elastic results are available.

2. Send the PowerConnect model to Tekla Sturctures

2.1 From PowerConnect to BIM Expert

2.2 From BIM Expert to Tekla Structures

In the Model tab, select ‘Export’. Next, choose the destination software, namely Tekla Structures. Click  to continue.

2.2.1 Settings

Choose ‘Export considering an analysis model’ and hit ‘Continue’.

Select the desired version of Tekla Structures, select the desired options and click ‘Export’.

2.2.2 Material mapping

In case not all sections or materials can be automatically mapped, you will see a dialog window to map BIM Expert’s materials with Tekla Structures materials. Click on the button with the 3 dots  to open Tekla Structures’ material library and search for a match.

Alternatively, you could type in the Tekla Structures’ material name directly.

2.2.2 Section mapping

In case not all sections can be automatically mapped, you will see a dialog window to map BIM Expert’s section with Tekla Structures’ sections. Click on the button with the 3 dots  to open Tekla Structures’ section library and search for a match. Tekla Structures’ section library depends on the environment that you have chosen. If no sections at all can be mapped, you might want to restart Tekla Structures with a different environment.

2.2.3 Connections and components

Whenever possible BIM Expert will convert connections to Tekla Structures components. You will first get an overview of all connections that are recognized as components. When clicking the little eye button , you get a pop-up window showing the connections.

If you do not want to import certain connections, you can leave them out by unchecking the ‘Accept‘ box.

For each connection component (and if not filled out yet from a previous exportation), you need to select the corresponding parts in the Tekla Structures model.  Click ‘Select’ to select the appropriate part from you model.

Once all accepted components are correctly linked to the parts in the model, you can click ‘Ok’.

If there are materials of sections to be mapped, they will appear in the next pop-up window. In the column ‘Bolt Assemblies Tekla Structures’ you can set a (different) bolt material.

The components are now added to the Tekla Structures model.

3. Final steps in Tekla Structures

You will see the already defined connections.

This article explains how to send one or more PowerConnect connections to Idea Statica Connection, using BIM Expert.

1. Preparation in PowerConnect

Make sure the connections have a unique name.

2. Send the PowerConnect model to Idea StatiCa Connection

2.1 From PowerConnect to BIM Expert

In the File menu tab, select ‘Export > Export to BIM Expert’  or simply use F8.

The (physical) connection models will sent to BIM Expert. All sections, material, stiffeners, bolts and welds are automatically converted and transferred. The connections are now in BIM Expert.

2.2 From BIM Expert to Idea StatiCa Connection

In the Model tab, select ‘Export’. Next, choose the destination software, namely Idea StatiCa. Click  to continue.

2.2.1 Settings

2.2.1.1 Version

Select the desired version of Idea StatiCa.

2.2.1.2 Model type

Choose between model types analysis or physical:

• The analysis model will only send independent analytical bars, as defined in the analytical model:
  • When bars are continuous in reality and grouped into a physical group, this is ignored.
  • Existing connections (e.g. from Tekla Structures, Revit or PowerConnect) are also ignored. Only the analysis members will remain. All physical elements (bolts, welds, connection plates, … ) will be ignored in the transfer.
• The physical model will send physical elements, that is
  • Continuous bars (if properly grouped)
  • Connections including all physical elements (bolts, welds, connection plates, … ). Connections are always in the physical model defined.

If you choose physical model, it is recommended to opt for ‘Use data from analysis model’, as this will use the load and result information from the analysis model.

It is good practice to check ‘Export loads’ and Export results’ unless you want to define the loads again in Idea StatiCa Connection.

2.2.1.3 Destination

Select the destination ‘Idea StatiCa Connection’.

2.2.2 Select nodes and connections

In the next window you get an overview of the model, where nodes and connections can be selected to be transferred. On the left side, ‘Connections in Idea StatiCa’ holds a list with all connections to be sent to Idea. The list is empty by default.

Depending on the choice of model (analysis or physical) and whether there are physical connections present in the model, this window can have different layouts.

Hit ‘Continue’ to continue the transfer to Idea StatiCa.

2.2.3 Saving the model

Choose a folder to save the conversion files (IOM etc).  We recommend to have a separate BIM Expert folder, where all your models are stored.

2.2.4 Open the model in Idea Checkbot

Idea Checkbot will launch automatically.  A ‘New’ tab, a new project is proposed and the project name and project folder are filled out accordingly. Click ‘Create project’ to start.

2.2.5 Load the nodes

Click ‘Import > Bulk’ to load all nodes. Depending on the number of nodes selected and the amount of results in model, this can take a while.

Select a connection from the list of project items and click ‘Open’ to open it in Idea StatiCa Connection.

3. Final steps in Idea StatiCa Connection

You will see the already defined connections. You need to add the loads before running analysis in Idea StatiCa Connection.