26 November 2009

An impressive coffee roastery modeled with Tekla Structures BIM (Building Information Modeling) software was chosen steel structure of the year in Finland. The project is a model example of the prevailing change in construction practices. There was a challenge both in terms of size and architectural and structural design. This is why BIM carried a central role in the project.

Paulig’s new coffee roastery in Vuosaari, Finland, comprises a total area of 35,000 square meters and combines production, office and storage facilities into one impressive complex. The 3D information model of the building created with Tekla Structures software was utilized early in the planning of the roastrery’s construction. Lemcon Ltd, in charge of the project’s management, used the Tekla model to plan and schedule tasks for construction. In addition, the model was used to procure exact amounts of building materials and manage their fabrication.

Up-to-date information means less errors

The model was used to manage the production of cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete units, and steel assemblies. This enabled sending orders to the factories well ahead of time. By looking at the structural model, the fabricator was able see if a section was ready to be erected and whether it was the right time to deliver the building elements to the site. Fluent and accurate model-based exchange of information united the whole supply chain for the project.

One of the benefits of BIM is minimizing overlapping work phases and mistakes. It is easy and efficient for all project participants to follow the building’s progession by looking at the detailed model.

”The award went to the right project,” said Risto Räty, executive vice president of Tekla Corporation and director of their Building & Construction business. ”Progressive building requires progressive technology, which is exactly what our software development is all about.”

The use of Tekla Structures software enables shorter project lead times, significant cost savings, and better building quality, improving competitive abilities throughout the value chain of construction. Last year’s (2008) steel structure winner, Maritime Center Vellamo in Kotka, was also built with the help of a Tekla building information model.

Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association (Teräsrakenneyhdistys, TRY) announced the Paulig roastery steel structure of the year last Tuesday November 24. The project was owned by Gustav Paulig Oy, architectural design by Tommila Oy, structural design by WSP Finland Oy, and managed by Lemcon Ltd.  
 
Construction of the roastery in Vuosaari, Helsinki, started in September 2007 and was completed in June 2009. The project used 520 tons of steel and approximately 4000 precast units. Altogether 3100 cubic meters of concrete was cast-in-place on the site.