Tekla expands market reach in Saudi Arabia

The number and scope of construction projects currently taking place in the Kingdom have lead to wider deployment of Tekla's Xsteel solution, the industry-leading application for modelling and detailing of steel structures.

Tekla Middle East's regional executives recently hosted seminars for key clients in both Dammam and Jeddah. These executive user meetings focused on the benefits delivered by Tekla's model-based construction software, which enables contractors in the Kingdom to accurately fabricate new steel-based structures and deliver projects on time and within budget.

"Saudi Arabia has one of the most vibrant construction sectors in the Middle East, and it's imperative that engineering firms there are able to visualize steel-based structures before building activities actually begin, to maximize the use of the steel involved," commented Paul McIver, manager for Tekla Middle East.

"Model-based solutions like Tekla's enable engineers to manipulate full-scale, three-dimensional versions of the proposed structure to make sure that the design ideally fits their client's business needs and enables the detection of clashes before they occur," added McIver. He acted as a keynote speaker for Tekla's recent executive seminars in Saudi Arabia.

Within the last two quarters, several leading Saudi-based organizations have initiated or completed projects utilizing Tekla's Xsteel solution. These include Gulf Steel Works in Jubail, currently engaged in building initiatives for National Contracting Company Limited (NCC), the Middle East petrochemical giant, which has itself recently implemented Xsteel for use in its offshore division in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Gulf Steel Works has just completed an initiative utilizing Xsteel for structural work on behalf of Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) in Shoiaba and Shuqaiq. Gulf Steel Works employed Xsteel to manage the fabrication of more than 2800 tons of steel for the project.

"We have found that the utilization of software in the construction industry can actually decrease the duration of new projects as well as reduce the likelihood of costly errors, saving both time and money. Tekla's Xsteel solution and regional support have provided Gulf Steel Works with significant business advantages on a number of projects in Saudi Arabia," commented a Gulf Steel Works spokesman.

Computer-generated drawings of buildings to be constructed, produced using the Tekla solution, allow engineers in the Kingdom to view an accurate skeleton of steel connections to ensure the correct fitting of joints, as well as reduce the possibility of steel wastage. These 3-D drawings then enable Tekla's clients and their end-users to "see" in a realistic manner how exactly a building fits together, all before the groundbreaking begins at the construction site.

ENDS