The Stuttgart-based engineering firm 3Ki is committed to digitalization in solid construction and relies on 3D formwork and reinforcement planning in all of its projects. The young, dynamic team uses the BIM software Tekla Structures and realizes ambitious projects with a small team.
nikolaos Semertzis and Andreas Eurich founded the joint planning office in 2011. Now with eight employees, the team works on a wide range of in-situ concrete projects in building construction - from wall breakthroughs to hospitals, from single and multi-family homes to office headquarters.
The goal was always the 3D model
Initially, the office worked with different software solutions and processed parts of the projects in 2D. For Nikolaos Semertzis and Andreas Eurich, however, this way of working was not effective enough. Their aim was always to map the entire planning process in 3D and to work out the complete reinforcement and every node in the model. "We have always believed in the 3D model. It is the center of all processes. We have to be able to administer and manage everything there, including the reinforcement," explains Nikolaos Semertzis.
We have always believed in the 3D model. It is the center of all processes. We have to be able to administer and manage everything there, including the reinforcement.
Nikolas Semertzis, Managing Director, engineering office 3Ki
The team wanted an intelligent, parametric model that directly adopts all changes in 3D and also adapts them accordingly in the plan. With Tekla Structures, 3Ki found the right tool. "Above all, 3D modeling in Tekla Structures is super easy," reports Managing Director Semertzis. The error-prone nature of 2D solutions is completely eliminated. One of the biggest advantages is also the automation, adds Managing Director Eurich. Sections can be derived directly and drawings also adapt immediately when changes are made. in 2013, the team started with the first license of the BIM software; just over a year later, the office switched completely to planning in Tekla Structures.
Create formwork and reinforcement plans faster
The office has adapted its entire work processes to Tekla Structures and has thus been able to significantly optimize its workflows. "In the time it used to take us to do two projects, we now do five or six," reports Andreas Eurich. When it comes to formwork plans, 3Ki is around 300 to 400 percent faster than with its previous 3D planning solution. The team can also create the reinforcement plans much faster. The engineering office can no longer imagine formwork and reinforcement planning in 2D. "Without Tekla Structures, we would certainly not be able to implement the projects that we do today as quickly and efficiently. The software is definitely worthwhile for us. No other tool comes into question," says Managing Director Eurich.
Working with Tekla Structures has led to a good partnership with Trimble. The office has been working closely with the Trimble team for years, sharing its ideas, experience and working methods with the BIM software and thus providing impetus for the further development of the software. "Our aim is to keep improving, optimize our processes and minimize potential errors to zero," says Andreas Eurich.
