1. Good to know

SAF (Structural Analysis Format) is a file format that is supported by many programs, so this workflow can also be used when you want to go

• From SCIA Engineer to PowerConnect
• From Risa to PowerConnect
• From Graphisoft / Archicad to PowerConnect
• From Allplan to PowerConnect
• From RadImpex to PowerConnect
• From AxisVM to PowerConnect
• From Sofistik to PowerConnect
• From Dlubal to PowerConnect
• From mbAECStrukturEditor to PowerConnect
• From D.I.E to PowerConnect
• From InfoGraph to PowerConnect
• From NextFEM to PowerConnect
• From MasterSap to PowerConnect
• From Prota Structure to PowerConnect
• From Karamba3D to PowerConnect

In the relevant software, make an export to SAF file and continue with the steps below.

2. Send the SAF model to PowerConnect

2.1 From SAF to BIM Expert

2.1.1 Material mapping

2.1.2 Section mapping

2.2 From BIM Expert to PowerConnect

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

2.2.1 Settings

You can choose to either

• save the model as *.bpc-file
• send the model to the current open PowerConnect instance – you see all open instances of PowerConnect

Select your choice and click  to continue.

2.2.2 Automatic detection of connection components

BIM Expert automatically detects existing connection components in the model. You get an overview of all found connection components and whether they can be transferred to PowerConnect.

Use the eye button in the ‘Show’ column to see a detailed popup window of the connection.

Possible descriptions are

• Some internal forces could not be retrieved from the analysis results
  No (or not all) internal forces are present from the source software.
• The connection is identical to connection(s) {IDs} and therefore has been grouped
  Identical connections will be treated as one connection. You must only calculate the connections one, with envelope forces.
• Connection merged with one or more parts of the following connection: {ID}
  The connection is merged with other one to create a more complex connection (e.g. two shear connections to beam-column are merged to design a double-sided shear connection)
• Connection divided into <….> connections
  A complex connection has been split up into smaller PowerConnect connections
• The connection bars/plates with following ID’s could not be recognized: {IDs}
  The connection is recognized and can be calculated with PowerConnect, execpt for these bars/plates, with given Ids
• Connection type not support
  This connection configuration cannot be calculated by PowerConnect, so it will not be transferred.

If no connections are found, you will see

2.2.3 Add connections manually via Connection Assembler

You can make your own connections by clicking ‘Modify’ (see image above).

In the next window, you see on the left hand side the BIM Expert model. In this window you see the regular scroll, 3D orbit and pan functions. On the right hand side, there is on top an overview of created connections and at the bottom, the ‘Create’ button to make new connections.

In the next step you choose the connection type

• Moment connections: beam-column, beam-beam, splice, beam-column-beam or CHS splice
• Shear connections: beam-column or beam-beam, beam-column-beam or beam-beam-beam
• Base plate connections

After selecting for example ‘Beam to column’ you select the column and next the beam element from the 3D image on the left hand side. Click once on the column element and next on the beam element. BIM Expert will list and indicate which connections are possible:

• Beam to column flange > possible, and marked with
• Beam to column web > not possible, and not marked – you can click the orange arrow at the end to fold out the details and see why this connection is not possible.

On clicking ‘Create’, the connection is added to the list of connections on top. Having selected the beam-column type, you can now continue making this type of connections, until you click ‘Change pattern’.

When the connection definition is finished, you click ‘Close’ and ‘Accept’ to continue to PowerConnect.

If you have chosen to open the model directly in PowerConnect, you will get a notification in PowerConnect on the right side. You can now choose to load the model or to delete it (by using the ‘x’).

3. Final steps in PowerConnect

All connections will appear in the node list on the left side (as from PowerConnect 2021).  Remember that all identical connections will be grouped as 1.

Connections made with the Connection Assembler might appear with a red bar and as ‘Undefined’.  The connector type must be chosen (e.g. end plate, shear plate, welded, angles etc)

Click on this connection to set the connector.

If no loads or internal forces were transferred, you should add loads in PowerConnect, in order to have a proper design of the connections.

1. Preparation in Tekla Structural Designer

The conversion is based on the .cxl file format. The .cxl file format is an XML based neutral file format that allows applications to link with Tekla Structural Designer. Tekla Structural Designer accepts and produces files in the .cxl neutral file format.

1. Create the model as usual.
2. On the BIM Integration tab, click Autodesk Revit Export. The BIM Integration wizard opens.
3. Adjust the location and rotation of the model, and click ‘Next’.
4. Select the items that are included in the model, and click ‘Next’.
5. Specify the export names of material grades, and click ‘Next’.
6. Specify the file name and location.
7. Select whether the file is exported for the first time, or whether you want to update an existing model.
8. Click ‘Finish’.

2. Send model from Tekla Structural Designer to PowerConnect

2.1 From Tekla Structural Designer to BIM Expert

In the Model tab, select ‘Import’. Next, choose ‘CXL’. Click  to continue.

The model is now in BIM Expert.

2.1.1 Material & section mapping

Most common materials and sections are mapped according to the TSD neutral file mapping conventions. If there is no match found, a default section and material will be applied. You can specify these defaults in ‘File > Settings > CXL’

2.2 From BIM Expert to PowerConnect

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

2.2.1 Settings

You can choose to either

• save the model as *.bpc-file
• send the model to the current open PowerConnect instance – you see all open instances of PowerConnect

Select your choice and click  to continue.

2.2.2 Automatic detection of connection components

BIM Expert automatically detects existing connection components in the model. You get an overview of all found connection components and whether they can be transferred to PowerConnect.

Use the eye button in the ‘Show’ column to see a detailed popup window of the connection.

Possible descriptions are

• Some internal forces could not be retrieved from the analysis results
  No (or not all) internal forces are present from the source software.
• The connection is identical to connection(s) {IDs} and therefore has been grouped
  Identical connections will be treated as one connection. You must only calculate the connections one, with envelope forces.
• Connection merged with one or more parts of the following connection: {ID}
  The connection is merged with other one to create a more complex connection (e.g. two shear connections to beam-column are merged to design a double-sided shear connection)
• Connection divided into <….> connections
  A complex connection has been split up into smaller PowerConnect connections
• The connection bars/plates with following ID’s could not be recognized: {IDs}
  The connection is recognized and can be calculated with PowerConnect, execpt for these bars/plates, with given Ids
• Connection type not support
  This connection configuration cannot be calculated by PowerConnect, so it will not be transferred.

If no connections are found, you will see

2.2.3 Add connections manually via Connection Assembler

You can make your own connections by clicking ‘Modify’ (see image above).

In the next window, you see on the left hand side the BIM Expert model. In this window you see the regular scroll, 3D orbit and pan functions. On the right hand side, there is on top an overview of created connections and at the bottom, the ‘Create’ button to make new connections.

In the next step you choose the connection type

• Moment connections: beam-column, beam-beam, splice, beam-column-beam or CHS splice
• Shear connections: beam-column or beam-beam, beam-column-beam or beam-beam-beam
• Base plate connections

After selecting for example ‘Beam to column’ you select the column and next the beam element from the 3D image on the left hand side. Click once on the column element and next on the beam element. BIM Expert will list and indicate which connections are possible:

• Beam to column flange > possible, and marked with
• Beam to column web > not possible, and not marked – you can click the orange arrow at the end to fold out the details and see why this connection is not possible.

On clicking ‘Create’, the connection is added to the list of connections on top. Having selected the beam-column type, you can now continue making this type of connections, until you click ‘Change pattern’.

When the connection definition is finished, you click ‘Close’ and ‘Accept’ to continue to PowerConnect.

If you have chosen to open the model directly in PowerConnect, you will get a notification in PowerConnect on the right side. You can now choose to load the model or to delete it (by using the ‘x’).

3. Final steps in PowerConnect

All connections will appear in the node list on the left side (as from PowerConnect 2021).  Remember that all identical connections will be grouped as 1.

Connections made with the Connection Assembler might appear with a red bar and as ‘Undefined’.  The connector type must be chosen (e.g. end plate, shear plate, welded, angles etc)

Click on this connection to set the connector.

If no loads or internal forces were transferred, you should add loads in PowerConnect, in order to have a proper design of the connections.

1. Preparation in Revit

The transfer is based on the analytical model. So in Revit, you need to create an analytical model first. You can use the Analytical Automation command in Revit or create the analytical elements manually.  The quality and coherence (connection between elements) of the analytical model is not relevant, as PowerConnect will only take the physical model into account.

2.  Send the Revit model to PowerConnect

2.1 From Revit to BIM Expert

There are 2 ways to send models from Revit to BIM Expert:

1. Starting in Revit: in the BIM Expert tab page, select ‘Export’.
   
2. Starting in BIM Expert: click ‘Model > Import’ and select the Revit plugin. In case you have multiple Revit models open, BIM Expert will ask to select your model to be transferred.
   

No matter the way you have chosen, BIM Expert will now take over.

2.1.1 Settings

You can have all (or a selection of) analytical elements exported. All elements is the most likely option.

Next, the Revit sections and materials must be mapped with BIM Expert’s section and material database. BIM Expert will try to find as many automatic mapping matches as possible. In case all sections and materials find a match, you will not see any dialogs for mapping.

2.1.2 Material mapping

Database materials such as steel (e.g. S235, ASTM-Grades), concrete (e.g. C25/30, M50) and timber (e.g. C24, D50, GL28c) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs (Concrete grade C25 instead of Concrete grade C25/30). In that case, you can select the correct material from the database.

Tip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.

If you cannot find a suited counterpart in the BIM Expert database, the material can be added as new.

2.1.3 Section mapping

Database sections (such as I, H, UB, UC, W, C, U, O, ☐ and L sections) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs  (e.g. name is HEB300 – S235 instead of HEB300). In that case, you can select the correct cross-section from the database.
Tip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.

Parametric sections (e.g. rectangles, circle, trapezium, …) are not in the database. They should always be added as new.

The model is now in BIM Expert.

2.2 From BIM Expert to PowerConnect

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

2.2.1 Settings

You can choose to either

• save the model as *.bpc-file
• send the model to the current open PowerConnect instance – you see all open instances of PowerConnect

Select your choice and click  to continue.

2.2.2 Automatic detection of connection components

BIM Expert automatically detects existing connection components in the model. You get an overview of all found connection components and whether they can be transferred to PowerConnect.

Use the eye button in the ‘Show’ column to see a detailed popup window of the connection.

Possible descriptions are

• Some internal forces could not be retrieved from the analysis results
  No (or not all) internal forces are present from the source software.
• The connection is identical to connection(s) {IDs} and therefore has been grouped
  Identical connections will be treated as one connection. You must only calculate the connections one, with envelope forces.
• Connection merged with one or more parts of the following connection: {ID}
  The connection is merged with other one to create a more complex connection (e.g. two shear connections to beam-column are merged to design a double-sided shear connection)
• Connection divided into <….> connections
  A complex connection has been split up into smaller PowerConnect connections
• The connection bars/plates with following ID’s could not be recognized: {IDs}
  The connection is recognized and can be calculated with PowerConnect, execpt for these bars/plates, with given Ids
• Connection type not support
  This connection configuration cannot be calculated by PowerConnect, so it will not be transferred.

If no connections are found, you will see

2.2.3 Add connections manually via Connection Assembler

You can make your own connections by clicking ‘Modify’ (see image above).

In the next window, you see on the left hand side the BIM Expert model. In this window you see the regular scroll, 3D orbit and pan functions. On the right hand side, there is on top an overview of created connections and at the bottom, the ‘Create’ button to make new connections.

In the next step you choose the connection type

• Moment connections: beam-column, beam-beam, splice, beam-column-beam or CHS splice
• Shear connections: beam-column or beam-beam, beam-column-beam or beam-beam-beam
• Base plate connections

After selecting for example ‘Beam to column’ you select the column and next the beam element from the 3D image on the left hand side. Click once on the column element and next on the beam element. BIM Expert will list and indicate which connections are possible:

• Beam to column flange > possible, and marked with
• Beam to column web > not possible, and not marked – you can click the orange arrow at the end to fold out the details and see why this connection is not possible.

On clicking ‘Create’, the connection is added to the list of connections on top. Having selected the beam-column type, you can now continue making this type of connections, until you click ‘Change pattern’.

When the connection definition is finished, you click ‘Close’ and ‘Accept’ to continue to PowerConnect.

If you have chosen to open the model directly in PowerConnect, you will get a notification in PowerConnect on the right side. You can now choose to load the model or to delete it (by using the ‘x’).

3. Final steps in PowerConnect

All connections will appear in the node list on the left side (as from PowerConnect 2021).  Remember that all identical connections will be grouped as 1.

Connections made with the Connection Assembler might appear with a red bar and as ‘Undefined’.  The connector type must be chosen (e.g. end plate, shear plate, welded, angles etc)

Click on this connection to set the connector.

If no loads or internal forces were transferred, you should add loads in PowerConnect, in order to have a proper design of the connections.

1. Preparation in ETABS

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

2. Send the ETABS model to PowerConnect

2.1 From ETABS to BIM Expert

In the Model tab, select ‘Import’. Next, choose the source software manufacturer, namely ‘Computer and Structures, Inc’ (CSI) . Click  to continue.

Choose ‘ETABS’.

Alternatively, models can be sent to BIM Expert directly within ETABS (Tools > BIM Expert), but you first need to add BIM Expert as a plug-in to ETABS.

2.2.1 Settings

Select your ETABS version, and were the model is coming from:

• A running instance – that means, the model is currently open in ETABS
• An existing model – click ‘Browse… ‘ to open your file browser, go to the model location and select the model (an .edb file)

On top of the geometry conversion, you can also consider loads and results in points, bars & plates.  Bar results are the most used and relevant ones, so only considering the bar results is enough. Plate results can be huge amount of data, that is currently not used any further.

Next, the ETABS material and sections must be mapped with BIM Expert ‘s materials and section. BIM Expert will try to find as many automatic mapping matches as possible. In case all sections and materials find a match, you will not see any dialogs for mapping.

2.2.2 Material mapping

Database materials such as steel (e.g. S235, ASTM-Grades), concrete (e.g. C25/30, M50) and timber (e.g. C24, D50, GL28c) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs (S355-link instead of S355). In that case, you can select the correct material from the database.

Tip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.

2.1.3 Section mapping

Database sections (such as I, H, UB, UC, W, C, U, O, ☐ and L sections) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs  (e.g. name is HEB300 – S235 instead of HEB300). In that case, you can select the correct cross-section from the database.
Tip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.

Parametric sections (e.g. rectangles, circle, trapezium, …) are not in the database. They should always be added as new.

2.1.4 Loads mapping

If you opted to consider the loads during export, the ETABS load combinations need to be categorized. Each valid ETABS combination must be categorized into Eurocode or American combinations. Use the checkbox ‘Use categories according to Limit States’ to switch between European and American combination categories.

Depending on the design code, you must map each combination with either

• Eurocode Limit States
  • ULS – Ultimate Limit State Combinations: Fundamental (FC), Seismic (SC), Fire (FI) or Accidental (AC)
  • SLS – Serviceability Limit State Combinations: Rare (RC), Frequent (FC) or Quasi-Permanent (QP)
  • Custom
• American
  • Strength
  • Service
  • Custom

On hoovering with the mouse over the combination’s name, you can see the build up of the combination (e.g. 1.35 DL + 1.50 LL).

Use SHIFT and CTRL commands as in Windows to select one or multiple items. For example, to select all, use ‘CTRL+A’ and then, select the “+” button in the corresponding column.

Envelope combinations and dynamic seismic combinations are cannot be matched, as this is not supported by BIM Expert. These types of combinations are considered non-valid and will be greyed out. Static seismic combinations can be mapped.

Remark: If you cancel that load mapping dialog, combinations are neglected and the conversion proceeds.

2.1.5 Reporting

In case of severe incidences, you get a report of the incidences. It usually concerns load cases or element behavior that are not supported by BIM Expert. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed anyway.

The model is now in BIM Expert.

2.2 From BIM Expert to PowerConnect

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

2.2.1 Settings

You can choose to either

• save the model as *.bpc-file
• send the model to the current open PowerConnect instance – you see all open instances of PowerConnect

Select your choice and click  to continue.

2.2.2 Automatic detection of connection components

BIM Expert automatically detects existing connection components in the model. You get an overview of all found connection components and whether they can be transferred to PowerConnect.

Use the eye button in the ‘Show’ column to see a detailed popup window of the connection.

Possible descriptions are

• Some internal forces could not be retrieved from the analysis results
  No (or not all) internal forces are present from the source software.
• The connection is identical to connection(s) {IDs} and therefore has been grouped
  Identical connections will be treated as one connection. You must only calculate the connections one, with envelope forces.
• Connection merged with one or more parts of the following connection: {ID}
  The connection is merged with other one to create a more complex connection (e.g. two shear connections to beam-column are merged to design a double-sided shear connection)
• Connection divided into <….> connections
  A complex connection has been split up into smaller PowerConnect connections
• The connection bars/plates with following ID’s could not be recognized: {IDs}
  The connection is recognized and can be calculated with PowerConnect, execpt for these bars/plates, with given Ids
• Connection type not support
  This connection configuration cannot be calculated by PowerConnect, so it will not be transferred.

If no connections are found, you will see

2.2.3 Add connections manually via Connection Assembler

You can make your own connections by clicking ‘Modify’ (see image above).

In the next window, you see on the left hand side the BIM Expert model. In this window you see the regular scroll, 3D orbit and pan functions. On the right hand side, there is on top an overview of created connections and at the bottom, the ‘Create’ button to make new connections.

In the next step you choose the connection type

• Moment connections: beam-column, beam-beam, splice, beam-column-beam or CHS splice
• Shear connections: beam-column or beam-beam, beam-column-beam or beam-beam-beam
• Base plate connections

After selecting for example ‘Beam to column’ you select the column and next the beam element from the 3D image on the left hand side. Click once on the column element and next on the beam element. BIM Expert will list and indicate which connections are possible:

• Beam to column flange > possible, and marked with
• Beam to column web > not possible, and not marked – you can click the orange arrow at the end to fold out the details and see why this connection is not possible.

On clicking ‘Create’, the connection is added to the list of connections on top. Having selected the beam-column type, you can now continue making this type of connections, until you click ‘Change pattern’.

When the connection definition is finished, you click ‘Close’ and ‘Accept’ to continue to PowerConnect.

If you have chosen to open the model directly in PowerConnect, you will get a notification in PowerConnect on the right side. You can now choose to load the model or to delete it (by using the ‘x’).

3. Final steps in PowerConnect

All connections will appear in the node list on the left side (as from PowerConnect 2021).  Remember that all identical connections will be grouped as 1.

Connections made with the Connection Assembler might appear with a red bar and as ‘Undefined’.  The connector type must be chosen (e.g. end plate, shear plate, welded, angles etc)

Click on this connection to set the connector.

If no loads or internal forces were transferred, you should add loads in PowerConnect, in order to have a proper design of the connections.

1. Preparation in SAP2000

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

2. Send model from SAP2000 to PowerConnect

2.1 From SAP2000 to BIM Expert

In the Model tab, select ‘Import’. Next, choose the source software manufacturer, namely ‘Computer and Structures, Inc’ (CSI) . Click  to continue.

Choose ‘SAP2000’

Alternatively, models can be sent to BIM Expert directly within SAP2000 (Tools > BIM Expert), but you first need to add BIM Expert as a plug-in to SAP2000.

2.2.1 Settings

Select your SAP2000 version, and were the model is coming from:

• A running instance – that means, the model is currently open in SAP2000
• An existing model – click ‘Browse… ‘ to open your file browser, go to the model location and select the model

On top of the geometry conversion, you can also consider loads and results in points, bars & plates.  Bar results are the most used and relevant ones, so only considering the bar results is enough. Plate results can be huge amount of data, that is currently not used any further.

Next, the SAP2000 material and sections must be mapped with BIM Expert ‘s materials and section. BIM Expert will try to find as many automatic mapping matches as possible. In case all sections and materials find a match, you will not see any dialogs for mapping.

2.2.2 Material mapping

Database materials such as steel (e.g. S235, ASTM-Grades), concrete (e.g. C25/30, M50) and timber (e.g. C24, D50, GL28c) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs (S355-link instead of S355). In that case, you can select the correct material from the database.

Tip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.

2.1.3 Section mapping

Database sections (such as I, H, UB, UC, W, C, U, O, ☐ and L sections) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs  (e.g. name is HEB300 – S235 instead of HEB300). In that case, you can select the correct cross-section from the database.
Tip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.

Parametric sections (e.g. rectangles, circle, trapezium, …) are not in the database. They should always be added as new.

2.1.4 Loads mapping

If you opted to consider the loads during export, the SAP2000 load combinations need to be categorized. Each valid SAP2000 combination must be categorized into Eurocode or American combinations. Use the checkbox ‘Use categories according to Limit States’ to switch between European and American combination categories.

Depending on the design code, you must map each combination with either

• Eurocode Limit States
  • ULS – Ultimate Limit State Combinations: Fundamental (FC), Seismic (SC), Fire (FI) or Accidental (AC)
  • SLS – Serviceability Limit State Combinations: Rare (RC), Frequent (FC) or Quasi-Permanent (QP)
  • Custom
• Armerican
  • Strength
  • Service
  • Custom

On hoovering with the mouse over the combination’s name, you can see the build up of the combination (e.g. 1.35 DL + 1.50 LL).

Use SHIFT and CTRL commands as in Windows to select one or multiple items. For example, to select all, use ‘CTRL+A’ and then, select the “+” button in the corresponding column.

Envelope combinations and dynamic seismic combinations are cannot be matched, as this is not supported by BIM Expert. These types of combinations are considered non-valid and will be greyed out. Static seismic combinations can be mapped.

Remark: If you cancel that load mapping dialog, combinations are neglected and the conversion proceeds.

2.1.5 Reporting

In case of severe incidences, you get a report of the incidences. It usually concerns load cases or element behavior that are not supported by BIM Expert. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed anyway.

The model is now in BIM Expert.

2.2 From BIM Expert to PowerConnect

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

2.2.1 Settings

You can choose to either

• save the model as *.bpc-file
• send the model to the current open PowerConnect instance – you see all open instances of PowerConnect

Select your choice and click  to continue.

2.2.2 Automatic detection of connection components

BIM Expert automatically detects existing connection components in the model. You get an overview of all found connection components and whether they can be transferred to PowerConnect.

Use the eye button in the ‘Show’ column to see a detailed popup window of the connection.

Possible descriptions are

• Some internal forces could not be retrieved from the analysis results
  No (or not all) internal forces are present from the source software.
• The connection is identical to connection(s) {IDs} and therefore has been grouped
  Identical connections will be treated as one connection. You must only calculate the connections one, with envelope forces.
• Connection merged with one or more parts of the following connection: {ID}
  The connection is merged with other one to create a more complex connection (e.g. two shear connections to beam-column are merged to design a double-sided shear connection)
• Connection divided into <….> connections
  A complex connection has been split up into smaller PowerConnect connections
• The connection bars/plates with following ID’s could not be recognized: {IDs}
  The connection is recognized and can be calculated with PowerConnect, execpt for these bars/plates, with given Ids
• Connection type not support
  This connection configuration cannot be calculated by PowerConnect, so it will not be transferred.

If no connections are found, you will see

2.2.3 Add connections manually via Connection Assembler

You can make your own connections by clicking ‘Modify’ (see image above).

In the next window, you see on the left hand side the BIM Expert model. In this window you see the regular scroll, 3D orbit and pan functions. On the right hand side, there is on top an overview of created connections and at the bottom, the ‘Create’ button to make new connections.

In the next step you choose the connection type

• Moment connections: beam-column, beam-beam, splice, beam-column-beam or CHS splice
• Shear connections: beam-column or beam-beam, beam-column-beam or beam-beam-beam
• Base plate connections

After selecting for example ‘Beam to column’ you select the column and next the beam element from the 3D image on the left hand side. Click once on the column element and next on the beam element. BIM Expert will list and indicate which connections are possible:

• Beam to column flange > possible, and marked with
• Beam to column web > not possible, and not marked – you can click the orange arrow at the end to fold out the details and see why this connection is not possible.

On clicking ‘Create’, the connection is added to the list of connections on top. Having selected the beam-column type, you can now continue making this type of connections, until you click ‘Change pattern’.

When the connection definition is finished, you click ‘Close’ and ‘Accept’ to continue to PowerConnect.

If you have chosen to open the model directly in PowerConnect, you will get a notification in PowerConnect on the right side. You can now choose to load the model or to delete it (by using the ‘x’).

3. Final steps in PowerConnect

All connections will appear in the node list on the left side (as from PowerConnect 2021).  Remember that all identical connections will be grouped as 1.

Connections made with the Connection Assembler might appear with a red bar and as ‘Undefined’.  The connector type must be chosen (e.g. end plate, shear plate, welded, angles etc)

Click on this connection to set the connector.

If no loads or internal forces were transferred, you should add loads in PowerConnect, in order to have a proper design of the connections.

This article explains how to send a Tekla Structures model to PowerConnect, using BIM Expert.

There are 2 ways to send your connections from Tekla Structures to PowerConnect:

• Connections components only (easiest, see video above):
  • connection components must be present in the model – only they will be transferred
  • requires no analytical model creation
  • additional connections via Connection Assembler are not possible
• Analysis model:
  • connection components can be present in the model and will be recognized
  • requires the creation of an analytical model
  • extra connection can be added via the Connection Assembler

Connection componentsAnalysis model

1. Preparation in Tekla Structures

The transfer is based on the connection components.  Make sure you have some in your model. The components below are supported by PowerConnect.

2. Send model from Tekla Structures to PowerConnect

2.1 From Tekla Structures to BIM Expert

Tip

In the BIM Expert menu ‘File > Settings > Tekla Structures’, opt for ‘Apply default actions in conversion’s dialogs’.

This option will reduce the number of conversion dialogs whenever possible. You only be prompted with dialogs when user input is required.

There is more than 1 way to send connections from Tekla Structures to BIM Expert. You can either start from

BuildSoft menu in the top ribbon

Applications and components sidebar

Click the BIM Expert icon or PowerConnect icon to launch the transfer. Next you need to select what items to include:

• Additional data: data that came from a previous transfer, but is not supported by Tekla Structures. This information is kept and can now be taken along in the current transfer (e.g. seismic information, soil layers, …)
• Internal forces from ‘End Conditions’.  The End Conditions tab can be found in the element’s UDA (User Defined Attributes)

Click Ok to proceed.  In the left bottom of the Tekla Structures you will see the information on what to do next:

2.1.1 Selection of elements

Select the elements and confirm your selection by clicking the middle mouse button (mouse wheel).

You will get an overview of all selected connection components:

 

2.1.2 Component bundles

If you have turned off the option to reduce the dialog windows, you will get an overview of all connections components in the model and the possibility to bundle components.

Component selection and group dialog

In this window you can do 2 things:

• Select the connections to be included in transfer, via the checkbox in the ‘Accept’ column
• Bundle connection components into larger complex connection groups:
  1. Position this window in a corner of your screen, because once you start adding groups, the window position is locked.
  2. Click ‘Add group’ to select the components.
  3. Select the components by clicking the component arrow. All components should logically be around a single node of course.
  4. Confirm the selection with the middle mouse button.
  5. The group is now listed with the reference ids of the individual components.

If there are materials of bolt elements to be mapped, they will appear in the next pop-up window.

The model is now in BIM Expert.

2.2 From BIM Expert to PowerConnect

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

2.2.1 Settings

You can choose to either

• save the model as *.bpc-file
• send the model to the current open PowerConnect instance – you see all open instances of PowerConnect

Select your choice and click  to continue.

2.2.2 Automatic detection of connection components

BIM Expert automatically detects existing connection components in the model. You get an overview of all found connection components and whether they can be transferred to PowerConnect.

Use the eye button in the ‘Show’ column to see a detailed popup window of the connection.

Possible descriptions are

• Some internal forces could not be retrieved from the analysis results
  No (or not all) internal forces are present from the source software.
• The connection is identical to connection(s) {IDs} and therefore has been grouped
  Identical connections will be treated as one connection. You must only calculate the connections one, with envelope forces.
• Connection merged with one or more parts of the following connection: {ID}
  The connection is merged with other one to create a more complex connection (e.g. two shear connections to beam-column are merged to design a double-sided shear connection)
• Connection divided into <….> connections
  A complex connection has been split up into smaller PowerConnect connections
• The connection bars/plates with following ID’s could not be recognized: {IDs}
  The connection is recognized and can be calculated with PowerConnect, execpt for these bars/plates, with given Ids
• Connection type not support
  This connection configuration cannot be calculated by PowerConnect, so it will not be transferred.

Click ‘Accept’ to continue to PowerConnect.

If you have chosen to open the model directly in PowerConnect, you will get a notification in PowerConnect on the right side. You can now choose to load the model or to delete it (by using the ‘x’).

1. Preparation in Tekla Structures

The transfer is based on the analytical model. So in Tekla Structures, you need to create an analytical model first. The quality and coherence (connection between elements) of the analytical model is not relevant, as PowerConnect uses the physical model.

Creating the analytical model fast (no quality demand)

In the top ribbon, go to the tab ‘Analysis & Design’ and click the ‘A & D models’ command

Next create a New analysis model – a Analysis Model Properties window will pop-up. The analysis model content should be ‘Full model’ – unless you want to start selecting element per element.

2. Send model from Tekla Structures to PowerConnect

2.1 From Tekla Structures to BIM Expert

Tip

In the BIM Expert menu ‘File > Settings > Tekla Structures’, opt for ‘Apply default actions in conversion’s dialogs’.

This option will reduce the number of conversion dialogs whenever possible. You only be prompted with dialogs when user input is required.

There is more than 1 way to send models from Tekla Structures to BIM Expert. You can either start from

BuildSoft menu in the top ribbon

Applications and components sidebar

Click the BIM Expert icon to launch the transfer. Next you need to select what items to include, in addition to the Analysis model:

• Additional data: data that came from a previous transfer, but is not supported by Tekla Structures. This information is kept and can now be taken along in the current transfer (e.g. seismic information, soil layers, …)
• Rigid links
• Connection: full or only haunches
• Internal forces from ‘End Conditions’.  The End Conditions tab can be found in the element’s UDA (User Defined Attributes):

Alternative method: start in BIM Expert

Alternatively, you can start in BIM Expert: click ‘Model > Import’ and select the Tekla Structures plugin. Choose the Tekla Structures version and what elements to import (see above).

No matter the way you have chosen, BIM Expert will now take over.

2.1.1 Settings

If you have more than one analytical model in Tekla Structures, you need to select the analysis model that you want to transfer

Next, the Tekla Structures sections and materials must be mapped with BIM Expert’s section and material database. BIM Expert will try to find as many automatic mapping matches as possible. In case all sections and materials find a match, you will not see any dialogs for mapping.

2.1.2 Material mapping

In case you have turned off the option to reduce dialog windows, you might see a material mapping dialog for mapping unknown materials. In the ‘reduce dialog window’ case, unknown materials will be added as new.

Material mapping dialog

Database materials such as steel (e.g. S235, ASTM-Grades), concrete (e.g. C25/30, M50) and timber (e.g. C24, D50, GL28c) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs (Concrete grade C25 instead of Concrete grade C25/30). In that case, you can select the correct material from the database.

Tip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.

If you cannot find a suited counterpart in the BIM Expert database, the material can be added as new.

2.1.3 Section mapping

In case you have turned off the option to reduce dialog windows, you might see a section mapping dialog for mapping unknown sections. In the ‘reduce dialog window’ case, unknown sections will be added as new.

Section mapping dialog

Database sections (such as I, H, UB, UC, W, C, U, O, ☐ and L sections) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs  (e.g. name is HEB300 – S235 instead of HEB300). In that case, you can select the correct cross-section from the database.
Tip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.

Parametric sections (e.g. rectangles, circle, trapezium, …) and user defined sections are not in the database. They should always be added as new.

2.1.4 Connections and component bundles

In case you have chosen to export connections and there are connections in the model, BIM Expert will now start the connection conversion.

If you have turned off the option to reduce the dialog windows, you will get an overview of all connections components in the model and the possibility to bundle components.

Component selection and group dialog

In this window you can do 2 things:

• Select the connections to be included in transfer, via the checkbox in the ‘Accept’ column
• Bundle connection components into larger complex connection groups:
  1. Position this window in a corner of your screen, because once you start adding groups, the window position is locked.
  2. Click ‘Add group’ to select the components.
  3. Select the components by clicking the component arrow. All components should logically be around a single node of course.
  4. Confirm the selection with the middle mouse button.
  5. The group is now listed with the reference ids of the individual components.

If there are materials of bolt elements to be mapped, they will appear in the next pop-up window.

The model is now in BIM Expert.

2.2 From BIM Expert to PowerConnect

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

2.2.1 Settings

You can choose to either

• save the model as *.bpc-file
• send the model to the current open PowerConnect instance – you see all open instances of PowerConnect

Select your choice and click  to continue.

2.2.2 Automatic detection of connection components

BIM Expert automatically detects existing connection components in the model. You get an overview of all found connection components and whether they can be transferred to PowerConnect.

 

Use the eye button in the ‘Show’ column to see a detailed popup window of the connection.

Possible descriptions are

• Some internal forces could not be retrieved from the analysis results
  No (or not all) internal forces are present from the source software.
• The connection is identical to connection(s) {IDs} and therefore has been grouped
  Identical connections will be treated as one connection. You must only calculate the connections one, with envelope forces.
• Connection merged with one or more parts of the following connection: {ID}
  The connection is merged with other one to create a more complex connection (e.g. two shear connections to beam-column are merged to design a double-sided shear connection)
• Connection divided into <….> connections
  A complex connection has been split up into smaller PowerConnect connections
• The connection bars/plates with following ID’s could not be recognized: {IDs}
  The connection is recognized and can be calculated with PowerConnect, execpt for these bars/plates, with given Ids
• Connection type not support
  This connection configuration cannot be calculated by PowerConnect, so it will not be transferred.

If no connections are found, you will see

2.2.3 Add connections manually via Connection Assembler

You can make your own connections by clicking ‘Modify’ (see image above).

In the next window, you see on the left hand side the BIM Expert model. In this window you see the regular scroll, 3D orbit and pan functions. On the right hand side, there is on top an overview of created connections and at the bottom, the ‘Create’ button to make new connections.

In the next step you choose the connection type

• Moment connections: beam-column, beam-beam, splice, beam-column-beam or CHS splice
• Shear connections: beam-column or beam-beam, beam-column-beam or beam-beam-beam
• Base plate connections

After selecting for example ‘Beam to column’ you select the column and next the beam element from the 3D image on the left hand side. Click once on the column element and next on the beam element. BIM Expert will list and indicate which connections are possible:

• Beam to column flange > possible, and marked with
• Beam to column web > not possible, and not marked – you can click the orange arrow at the end to fold out the details and see why this connection is not possible.

On clicking ‘Create’, the connection is added to the list of connections on top. Having selected the beam-column type, you can now continue making this type of connections, until you click ‘Change pattern’.

When the connection definition is finished, you click ‘Close’ and ‘Accept’ to continue to PowerConnect.

If you have chosen to open the model directly in PowerConnect, you will get a notification in PowerConnect on the right side. You can now choose to load the model or to delete it (by using the ‘x’).

3. Final steps in PowerConnect

All connections will appear in the node list on the left side (as from PowerConnect 2021).  Remember that all identical connections will be grouped as 1.

Connections made with the Connection Assembler might appear with a red bar and as ‘Undefined’.  The connector type must be chosen (e.g. end plate, shear plate, welded, angles etc)

Click on this connection to set the connector.

If no loads or internal forces were transferred, you should add loads in PowerConnect, in order to have a proper design of the connections.

1. Preparation in Diamonds

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

2. Send the Diamonds model to PowerConnect

2.1 From Diamonds to BIM Expert

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

The geometry model is sent to BIM Expert. All sections and materials are automatically converted and transferred, as well as the loads and results (if present). The model is now in BIM Expert.

2.2 From BIM Expert to PowerConnect

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

2.2.1 Settings

You can choose to either

• save the model as *.bpc-file
• send the model to the current open PowerConnect instance – you see all open instances of PowerConnect

Select your choice and click  to continue.

2.2.2 Automatic detection of connection components

BIM Expert automatically detects existing connection components in the model. You get an overview of all found connection components and whether they can be transferred to PowerConnect.

Use the eye button in the ‘Show’ column to see a detailed popup window of the connection.

Possible descriptions are

• Some internal forces could not be retrieved from the analysis results
  No (or not all) internal forces are present from the source software.
• The connection is identical to connection(s) {IDs} and therefore has been grouped
  Identical connections will be treated as one connection. You must only calculate the connections one, with envelope forces.
• Connection merged with one or more parts of the following connection: {ID}
  The connection is merged with other one to create a more complex connection (e.g. two shear connections to beam-column are merged to design a double-sided shear connection)
• Connection divided into <….> connections
  A complex connection has been split up into smaller PowerConnect connections
• The connection bars/plates with following ID’s could not be recognized: {IDs}
  The connection is recognized and can be calculated with PowerConnect, execpt for these bars/plates, with given Ids
• Connection type not support
  This connection configuration cannot be calculated by PowerConnect, so it will not be transferred.

If no connections are found, you will see

2.2.3 Add connections manually via Connection Assembler

You can make your own connections by clicking ‘Modify’ (see image above).

In the next window, you see on the left hand side the BIM Expert model. In this window you see the regular scroll, 3D orbit and pan functions. On the right hand side, there is on top an overview of created connections and at the bottom, the ‘Create’ button to make new connections.

In the next step you choose the connection type

• Moment connections: beam-column, beam-beam, splice, beam-column-beam or CHS splice
• Shear connections: beam-column or beam-beam, beam-column-beam or beam-beam-beam
• Base plate connections

After selecting for example ‘Beam to column’ you select the column and next the beam element from the 3D image on the left hand side. Click once on the column element and next on the beam element. BIM Expert will list and indicate which connections are possible:

• Beam to column flange > possible, and marked with
• Beam to column web > not possible, and not marked – you can click the orange arrow at the end to fold out the details and see why this connection is not possible.

On clicking ‘Create’, the connection is added to the list of connections on top. Having selected the beam-column type, you can now continue making this type of connections, until you click ‘Change pattern’.

When the connection definition is finished, you click ‘Close’ and ‘Accept’ to continue to PowerConnect.

If you have chosen to open the model directly in PowerConnect, you will get a notification in PowerConnect on the right side. You can now choose to load the model or to delete it (by using the ‘x’).

3. Final steps in PowerConnect

All connections will appear in the node list on the left side (as from PowerConnect 2021).  Remember that all identical connections will be grouped as 1.

Connections made with the Connection Assembler might appear with a red bar and as ‘Undefined’.  The connector type must be chosen (e.g. end plate, shear plate, welded, angles etc)

Click on this connection to set the connector.

If no loads or internal forces were transferred, you should add loads in PowerConnect, in order to have a proper design of the connections.

1. Preparation in UBSM

2. Send the UBSM model to PowerConnect

2.1 From UBSM to BIM Expert

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

The geometry model is sent to BIM Expert. All sections and materials are automatically converted and transferred, as well as the loads and results (if present). The model is now in BIM Expert.

2.2 From BIM Expert to PowerConnect

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

2.2.1 Settings

You can choose to either

• save the model as *.bpc-file
• send the model to the current open PowerConnect instance – you see all open instances of PowerConnect

Select your choice and click  to continue.

2.2.2 Automatic detection of connection components

BIM Expert automatically detects existing connection components in the model. You get an overview of all found connection components and whether they can be transferred to PowerConnect.

Use the eye button in the ‘Show’ column to see a detailed popup window of the connection.

Possible descriptions are

• Some internal forces could not be retrieved from the analysis results
  No (or not all) internal forces are present from the source software.
• The connection is identical to connection(s) {IDs} and therefore has been grouped
  Identical connections will be treated as one connection. You must only calculate the connections one, with envelope forces.
• Connection merged with one or more parts of the following connection: {ID}
  The connection is merged with other one to create a more complex connection (e.g. two shear connections to beam-column are merged to design a double-sided shear connection)
• Connection divided into <….> connections
  A complex connection has been split up into smaller PowerConnect connections
• The connection bars/plates with following ID’s could not be recognized: {IDs}
  The connection is recognized and can be calculated with PowerConnect, execpt for these bars/plates, with given Ids
• Connection type not support
  This connection configuration cannot be calculated by PowerConnect, so it will not be transferred.

If no connections are found, you will see

2.2.3 Add connections manually via Connection Assembler

You can make your own connections by clicking ‘Modify’ (see image above).

In the next window, you see on the left hand side the BIM Expert model. In this window you see the regular scroll, 3D orbit and pan functions. On the right hand side, there is on top an overview of created connections and at the bottom, the ‘Create’ button to make new connections.

In the next step you choose the connection type

• Moment connections: beam-column, beam-beam, splice, beam-column-beam or CHS splice
• Shear connections: beam-column or beam-beam, beam-column-beam or beam-beam-beam
• Base plate connections

After selecting for example ‘Beam to column’ you select the column and next the beam element from the 3D image on the left hand side. Click once on the column element and next on the beam element. BIM Expert will list and indicate which connections are possible:

• Beam to column flange > possible, and marked with
• Beam to column web > not possible, and not marked – you can click the orange arrow at the end to fold out the details and see why this connection is not possible.

On clicking ‘Create’, the connection is added to the list of connections on top. Having selected the beam-column type, you can now continue making this type of connections, until you click ‘Change pattern’.

When the connection definition is finished, you click ‘Close’ and ‘Accept’ to continue to PowerConnect.

If you have chosen to open the model directly in PowerConnect, you will get a notification in PowerConnect on the right side. You can now choose to load the model or to delete it (by using the ‘x’).

3. Final steps in PowerConnect

All connections will appear in the node list on the left side (as from PowerConnect 2021).  Remember that all identical connections will be grouped as 1.

Connections made with the Connection Assembler might appear with a red bar and as ‘Undefined’.  The connector type must be chosen (e.g. end plate, shear plate, welded, angles etc)

Click on this connection to set the connector.

If no loads or internal forces were transferred, you should add loads in PowerConnect, in order to have a proper design of the connections.