Tekla Structural Designer
Building design and building information modeling (BIM) software
CAD software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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What is Tekla Structural Designer
Tekla Structural Designer is a structural analysis and design application used to model, analyze, and design building structures such as steel and reinforced concrete frames. It supports workflows for structural engineers who need code-based design checks, load generation, and design documentation outputs. The product emphasizes integrated analysis and design within a single model and interoperability with other BIM and detailing workflows in the Tekla ecosystem.
Integrated analysis and design
The product combines structural modeling, analysis, and code-based member design in one environment. This reduces the need to export models between separate analysis and design tools for common building workflows. It supports iterative design changes while maintaining a consistent analytical model and design results.
Building-focused load workflows
Tekla Structural Designer includes building-oriented load generation and combinations to support typical multi-story building design tasks. It is designed around common structural systems (e.g., steel and concrete frames) rather than general-purpose geometry alone. This can streamline early-to-detailed design iterations compared with tools that require more manual load setup.
Interoperability with BIM ecosystem
The product supports exchanging models and data with broader BIM and coordination workflows, including other Tekla tools. This helps connect structural design intent to downstream detailing and project coordination. It can reduce rework when moving from analysis/design to fabrication-level detailing, depending on project standards and model quality.
Primarily structural engineering scope
Tekla Structural Designer focuses on structural analysis and design rather than full multidisciplinary building authoring. Teams that need architectural modeling, MEP design, or comprehensive BIM authoring may still require additional tools. As a result, it often sits alongside broader CAD/BIM platforms rather than replacing them.
Learning curve for new users
Effective use requires understanding structural analysis concepts, design code settings, and modeling conventions. Configuration of design parameters and interpretation of results can take time for new users. Organizations may need training and internal standards to ensure consistent outputs across projects.
Licensing and ecosystem dependence
Some advanced workflows depend on integrations and file exchange with other products and formats, which can introduce coordination overhead. Licensing costs and module availability can affect which capabilities are accessible to a given team. Firms with heterogeneous toolchains may need additional validation steps to ensure model fidelity across platforms.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription (Named User, annual) | Contact Tekla sales / local distributor (no public list price) | Annual recurring subscription (Named User). Includes Tekla Structural Designer; may include Tekla Portal Frame Designer and Tekla Connection Designer for certain regions. Subscription includes software updates, online licensing (Tekla Online), and local Tekla support. See vendor for regional details and quoted price. |
| Tekla Structural Design Suite (subscription) | Contact Tekla sales / local distributor (no public list price) | Suite subscription bundles Tekla Tedds + Tekla Structural Designer (+ Portal Frame Designer & Connection Designer where applicable). Annual recurring subscription; contact local distributor for quote. |
| Perpetual (on-premises) | Contact Tekla sales / local distributor (no public list price) | Perpetual licenses (Sentinel RMS) are discussed in vendor docs; activation keys (PAKs) required for new major releases and maintenance/upgrade terms apply. Note: Tekla has simplified license offerings and sells Named User subscriptions for new customers since Sept 1, 2023. |
Notes: Official Tekla/Trimble site does not publish list prices; customers must contact their local Tekla distributor or Trimble sales for quotes.
Seller details
Trimble Inc.
Westminster, Colorado, USA
1978
Public
https://www.trimble.com/
https://x.com/TrimbleCorpNews
https://www.linkedin.com/company/trimble/
