{"id":9434,"date":"2023-05-12T12:36:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-12T12:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/?post_type=ht_kb&p=9434"},"modified":"2023-11-30T13:27:24","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T13:27:24","slug":"from-etabs-to-tekla-structures","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/support.buildsoft.eu\/es\/knowledge-base\/from-etabs-to-tekla-structures\/","title":{"rendered":"From ETABS to Tekla Structures"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article explains how to send a model from ETABS to Tekla Structures, using BIM Expert.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Preparation in ETABS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you want to results to be transferred to Tekla Structures, make sure the model is calculated and that elastic results are available.<\/p>\n

If you simply want to have the geometry model in Tekla Structures, without further BIM workflows, analysis in ETABS is not required.<\/p>\n

2. Send the ETABS model to Tekla Structures
<\/strong><\/h2>\n

2.1 From ETABS to BIM Expert<\/h3>\nIn the Model tab, select \u2018Import\u2019. Next, choose the source software manufacturer, namely ‘Computer and Structures, Inc’ (CSI) . Click\u00a0 to continue.\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nChoose ‘ETABS’.\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nAlternatively, 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.\r\n\r\n
<\/span>How to add BIM Expert as plugin in ETABS<\/div>
\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Tools > Add\/Show plugins<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Click ‘Browse’ to locate the BIM Expert ETABS dll\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Go to C:\\Program Files (x86)\\BuildSoft\\BIM Expert\\Plugins\\CSI\\<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Select the dll ETABS{version}PlugInBuildSoftBIMExpert.dll, <\/em>with {version}<\/em> according to your current ETABS version open (e.g. ETABSv20PlugInBuildSoftBIMExpert.dll)<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Click ‘Open’<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Change the Menu Text name to ‘BIM Expert’<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Click ‘Add’ to add the plugin’ & ‘Ok’<\/li>\r\n \t
    • BIM Expert is now in the Tools menu<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n

      2.2.1 Settings<\/h4>\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nSelect your ETABS version, and were the model is coming from:\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • A running instance – that means, the model is currently open in ETABS<\/li>\r\n \t
      • An existing model – click ‘Browse… ‘ to open your file browser, go to the model location and select the model (an .edb file)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n \t\t
        \r\n \t\t\tLicense required<\/span> \t\t\t \t\t\t\t

        \r\n \t\t\t\t\tA valid ETABS license is required in both cases, that is importing from the running instance as well as opening an existing model. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n \t\t\t \t\t\t\r\n \t\t<\/div>\r\n \t\t\r\n\r\nOn top of the geometry conversion, you can also consider loads and results in points, bars & plates.\u00a0 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.\r\n\r\nNext, 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.\r\n

        2.2.2 Material mapping<\/h4>\r\nDatabase 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<\/em> instead of S355<\/em>). In that case, you can select the correct material from the database.\r\n\r\nTip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.<\/em>\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

        2.1.3 Section mapping<\/h4>\r\nDatabase sections (such as I, H, UB, UC, W, C, U, O, \u2610 and L sections) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs\u00a0 (e.g. name is\u00a0HEB300 – S235<\/em>\u00a0instead of HEB300<\/em>). In that case, you can select the correct cross-section from the database.\r\nTip: When searching an item in the database, type the first letters of the name to find it more quickly.<\/em>\r\n\r\nParametric sections (e.g. rectangles, circle, trapezium, …) are not in the database. They should always be added as new.\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

        2.1.4 Loads mapping<\/h4>\r\nIf 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.\r\n\r\n
        \"\"<\/div><\/div>\r\n
        \"\"<\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nDepending on the design code, you must map each combination with either\r\n