CC Jul-Aug 2021

CASE study
Light metal framing
Tekla Structures is the key to successful off-site manufacturing and erection of light metal
framework
Off-site is a popular topic within
construction right now, frequently
heralded as being the future of
the industry and the key to building
better, greener and faster. Light metal
framing is one such example of off-site
construction, favoured for its durability,
versatility, speed and cost-effectiveness,
with BIM at the core of helping to bring it
to life. Two companies operating within
the light metal framing (LMF) sector are
Design & Consultancy Ltd and
Frameclad, who together have been
benefitting from the added value that a
model-based workflow brings.
Design & Consultancy specialise in
steel framing systems, particularly load
bearing structures, and wors closely with
Frameclad, a light-gauge steel
manufacturer. Despite both companies
being relatively new, with Design &
Consultancy operating since 2016 and
Frameclad manufacturing since 2014,
the two have grown substantially in that
time, with Modern Methods of
Construction (MMC) and off-site key to
this growth.
Paul Winwood, Managing Director at
Frameclad said: "The off-site and LMF
sector have both been growing
significantly recently, thanks in part to the
significant push made by the UK
government on MMC - now it's all about
keeping that momentum going. Even
recently, while other industries have been
affected by the coronavirus restrictions,
we were able to keep on working. In fact,
it's one of the many benefits of off-site
construction, being well-suited to this
new way of working.
"Quality is key within MMC; it's all about
bringing factory quality products and
components into the construction site
setting. And modelling tools and modelbased
software are a key part of
achieving this."
A user of Tekla Structures since the
company's outset, Design & Consultancy
is well-accustomed to the benefits of a
model-based workflow, taking the
information and drawings supplied by
Frameclad, the end client and architect
to first create a base building model in
Tekla Structures, before then detailing
the individual steel framing profiles.
Nik Teagle, Director at Design &
Consultancy, explained further: "For us,
it's all about designing with manufacture
and assembly in mind. Through Tekla,
we're able to constantly develop the way
we detail frames and the fixings and
connections we use, all based off
feedback received from Frameclad.
"However, perhaps one of the main
benefits of the software for us is the
library of LMF components - both
standard and bespoke. As well as
utilising the library of standard frames
and profiles offered by Tekla, we also
have the ability to create our own
catalogue, containing frames,
connections and components unique to
Frameclad. In addition to custom macros
and ribbons, with Tekla Structures you
really have the flexibility to make the
software your own.
"In turn, this of course helps to save
time and provide a more efficient
process. Within the LMF sector,
repetition, both within and between
projects, is a common occurrence. Here,
with a library of parts readily available, it
mitigates the need to remodel all frames
and systems on every new project."
Once the Tekla model is completed and
approved, this is then used by Design &
Consultancy to generate the detailed
fabrication drawings (including frame
weights and dimensions), panel
references and part marks and project
reports, before being shared with
Frameclad.
Paul said: "While we don't use Tekla
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July/August 2021