In January 2023, an impressive ten-storey parking garage was inaugurated in Arenastaden, Solna. The Signalbron parking garage, created by ProDesign, is not only a practical solution to the parking needs of the area but also an architectural masterpiece. The site for Signalbron arose when a piece of land was left over during the construction of Arenastaden. This was used wisely and enabled the creation of a circular parking facility that would serve not only the ice rinks, the new office and bath house, but also ICA's new headquarters. ProDesign took on the assignment on behalf of Strängbetong and delivered a final product that is not only functional but also visually impressive. The round parking garage with hexagonal pattern on the facade is illuminated and gives a modern touch to the area.
Lars Rettne, one of the founders of ProDesign and the technical manager of the project, has extensive experience in design and started working with Tekla Structures almost 20 years ago. His experience came in handy for the project and helped to solve its technical challenges. Daniel Oden, an administrator and expert in BIM development in Tekla Structures, was the design manager and played an important role in the construction of the model. Together with the project's structural engineer and designers, they worked to design and create a geometrically complex frame for the Signalbron project, using precast concrete to create a helical structure.
Challenges of geometrically complex design
The construction of the Signal Bridge was an engineering challenge. With its helical design, it required advanced geometries and calculations. Challenges included creating unique elements for each part of the structure, which made fabrication complicated. In addition, the project required solutions to complex stabilization issues to ensure the stability of the structure. "It's geometrically simple parts, but then it's made up of an incredibly complicated shape. The complexity of this project was getting the spiral function right." says Daniel Odén.
Tekla's central role
Tekla played a central role in the design of the Signal Bridge. The entire structure was designed in Tekla, which enabled detailed and accurate modeling of the complex geometry. Using Tekla, the team was able to create and visualize 3D models that facilitated coordination with other software and provided clear drawings for fabrication and assembly. One of the favorite features of Tekla according to Daniel Odén for this project was "Copy special rotate", which was used extensively for copying in circles and vertically, especially for the helical outer structure.
Advantages of a detailed model
One of the advantages of using Tekla Structure's model-based solution was the ability to model reinforcement in 3D, which provided a detailed overview of how different parts of the structure interacted. "It's always nice to be able to see in detail how things relate to other parts of an element. A TT:deck is a complex element to make reinforcement for." Says Daniel Odén.
Tailor-made components and cooperation with other actors
For each project that ProDesign works on, they tailor components in the software specifically for what that design requires. In the Signalbron project, they created components for the nodes and solved the repetition by using components for a fully cone-shaped TT deck that they could then copy. The collaboration with the other actors worked smoothly using IFC models as a basis, which facilitated the integration with their model.
Results and Future
The Signalbron project demonstrated ProDesign's ability to handle complex geometries and deliver high-quality solutions using Tekla Structures. Despite the challenges, the team managed to complete the building within the specified time frame. "The experience gained from this project will be valuable for future projects, especially when it comes to the design of geometrically complicated structures and the use of Tekla Structures to optimize the construction process," says Lars Rettne.
ProDesign's reputation as experts in complex frameworks has been further strengthened by the success of the Signalbron parking garage. Combining technical expertise with advanced tools, they continue to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions for complex construction projects.
Lasse Olsson Photo
