Concrete

Giving edge to construction firms

Published

11 years ago

July 31, 2015

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Use of softwares in construction is very common but using specialised software tools like Tekla BIM for engineering and construction industry is giving edge to Indian firms.

Precast technology is a proven construction technology with many leading developers in the Middle East, Europe and the US having executed multiple projects leveraging the same. Besides speeding up the construction process, it also enhances the quality of final construction output and is a fast emerging alternative to the traditional construction practices.

Tekla India, a prominent technology firm providing Building Information Modelling (BIM) software for engineering and construction industry, announced a strategic alignment with Precast India Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (PIIPL), a leading precast company in India. Coming together these two industry leaders is of great importance for the Indian construction industry, as it seeks to move towards more advanced building methods, like precast concrete construction.

BIM
In order to avoid the delays in delivery, shortage of labour and boost product quality, developers and builders are fast adopting precast technology, as it allows for quality delivery at a faster pace and results in significant cost advantage for them. Precast construction enables developers to save up to 60 per cent time compared to projects using cast in situ construction methods. In other words, if traditional construction methods take one year to complete a project, the precast construction takes just about 4-5 months to complete a project of a similar scale. Tekla Structures makes it so easy to work on third-party applications and in parallel, its information-rich 3D BIM technology helps to augment project quality and delivery by reducing errors and improving reliability. It further enables to seamlessly generate construction deliverable documentation from the same 3D project model. Tekla?s technologies such as the open BIM tools are focused on optimising collaboration and smooth information flow between the software solutions so that managing construction of buildings becomes easier and smarter. Model for preconstruction: Quickly create accurate 3D model of job; Plan to pour: Use the 3D model to get organised, estimate and efficiently prepare to pour. Accurate concrete pour models: Tekla offers a purpose-built solution for concrete construction. One can use it at any stage of the design and construction process and have easy to use tools to create concrete models that behave like real concrete. Knowing the quantities: With Tekla, one can generate accurate quantities faster. Because all information are created in 3D, it is easier to adapt to changes in design during the bidding phase.

Rebar without clashes: With Tekla, one can model and visualise large amounts of fully detailed rebar quickly and easily. Fast clash detection lets one find and resolve faults before fabrication. One can produce placing drawings and schedules and foresee and avoid difficulties in installation.

With BIM technology, one or more accurate virtual models of a building are constructed digitally. They support design through its phases, allowing better analysis and control than manual processes. When completed, these computer-generated models contain precise geometry and data needed to support the construction, fabrication, and procurement activities through which the building is realised.

Why use BIM?
There are many benefits of using BIM. Companies that utilise BIM like Skanska and Barton Malow, have reported benefits for scheduling, estimation and risk analysis, more collaborative processes and better facility management. BIM also provides an opportunity to try out solutions in advance before building the structure on site with a constructable model, the structure can be prototyped virtually. Project parties can understand and review the design more easily, which guarantees its accuracy and completeness, visualise and evaluate alternatives in terms of cost and other project parameters. BIM has gathered compliments for improved communication between project parties and generally better quality.

For a concrete contractor, an accurate 3D Tekla model delivers benefit at every stage of the construction process. Quantity assessment is fast and accurate, giving better estimates. It helps to save time and money and reduces site errors which is very important.

Projects completed using Tekla technology
Mumbai Airport Terminal 1B building: The modification was undertaken to expand the terminal and modify the existing facilities to optimise the requirements for the coming decades and provide world class facilities to passengers. This terminal building is a marvel of design, engineering, and technology.

Mumbai?s Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the busiest airport in India, and caters to cargo and passenger flights. Pratibha Pipes & Structural Ltd and its associates used Tekla Structures software to model this complex framework, thus ensuring highly effective detailing and optimised fabrication of this exceptional structure.

Tekla Structures used for modelling and detailing of the entire structure. The main feature of the project was its shape, the shape of the rafter. Tekla Structures made it simple and easy to complete the project within specified time. It took around 15 days for the detailers to fix the geometry of the rafter as per the requirement of architect and client. "Placing the purlin on curvature of the main rafter and all welded connections was made easy with Tekla Structures to give aesthetic look to this massive structures, " says Ajay Kulkarni of then Pratibha Pipes & Structural (PPSL). He added, "Detailing of the model using Tekla Structures software made fabrication and erection easier and helped us fix our erection methodology for the structure."

Rabale Railway Station: Located in the planned city of Navi Mumbai, it is an extension to the Mumbai suburban rail network. The station is a cutting edge unique master-piece of architectural design. The station has futuristic design, form, and use of materials is enough to turn heads and make one pause in wonder. Tekla Structures 3D BIM technology was used by Techflow Engineers to model and detail such complex structures.

Tekla BIM
Tekla provides a BIM software environment that can be shared by contractors, structural engineers, steel detailers and fabricators, as well as concrete detailers and manufacturers. The highly detailed as-built 3D models created, combined and distributed with Tekla software enable the highest level of constructability and production control. Centralising building information into the model allows for more collaborative and integrated project management and delivery. This translates into increased productivity and elimination of waste, thus making construction and buildings more sustainable.

PIIPL
Precast India Infrastructures is a joint initiative between Bhate Raje Construction Company and Panchshil Developers. The company was founded in 2010 with a production facility in Wade Bolhai, on the outskirts of Pune.

Tekla
Tekla drives the evolution of digital information models to provide greater competitive advantage to the construction, infrastructure and energy industries. Established in 1966, Tekla has customers in over 100 countries, offices in over 20 countries, and a global partner network. Tekla Building & Construction is part of Trimble Buildings, a group focused on technology solutions that improve collaboration, efficiency and accuracy across the Design-Build-Operate (DBO) lifecycle of construction.

Concrete

Jammu Division Begins First Cement Rail Traffic to Anantnag

Cement Loading From Kathua for Anantnag to Begin on September 14

Published

3 days ago

September 21, 2026

admin

Jammu Railway Division has placed an indent for the first movement of cement by rail within the division, linking Shaheed Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua Railway Station with Anantnag Railway Station. Loading for the consignment is scheduled to begin on September 14.

Concrete

Hard Worker Wins Three Honours at Kyoorius Design Awards

Ramco Cements’ brand secures Grand Prix and two Blue Elephant honours.

Published

3 days ago

September 21, 2026

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The Ramco Cements Limited’s construction chemicals brand, Hard Worker, has won three honours at the Kyoorius Design Awards 2026, including the Grand Prix – Grey Elephant in the Design in Action category.

The brand also secured two Blue Elephant honours, one for Design in Action and another for Packaging, recognising the design approach behind its brand identity and packaging.

Launched in 2025, Hard Worker entered the construction chemicals segment with the brand promise, “Hard-working products for hardworking people.” Its visual identity uses animals and birds to represent product benefits. The camel represents the water-retention capability of Hard Worker Eco Plaster, while the cheetah represents the speed and performance of Hard Worker Block Fix.

The visual language has been extended across packaging, retail, communication, literature, digital platforms and other brand touchpoints. Hard Worker uses bold colours, distinctive animal illustrations and simple visual storytelling to communicate product benefits across markets and audiences, including construction workers and applicators.

“For Hard Worker, design was never an afterthought. It was fundamental to how we wanted to build the brand. In a category that is largely functional, we wanted to create a brand that people could recognise, understand and remember instantly. The Kyoorius recognition is a wonderful validation of this design-led approach,” said Mr. AV Dharmakrishnan, CEO, The Ramco Cements Limited.

Mr. Balaji K. Moorthy, Executive Director – Marketing, Ramco Cements said “In a category where communication has traditionally been product-led and functional, we wanted Hard Worker to stand apart by making design an integral part of the brand experience. From the distinctive animal-led packaging to our communication across consumer and trade touchpoints, every element was designed to make the brand more memorable and the product benefits easier to understand.”

Within its first 12 months, Hard Worker crossed Rs 3.5 bn in sales. The latest recognition follows six honours secured by the brand’s campaign at the Kyoorius Creative Awards earlier in 2026, including the Grey Elephant Grand Prix for its Eco Plaster film.

The Kyoorius Design Awards recognise outstanding design work in India’s visual communications sector across multiple categories and platforms. The 2026 awards were announced on 12 September in Goa.

The Ramco Cements Limited is part of the Ramco Group and operates across cement and allied building-material solutions. Hard Worker is its construction chemicals brand, offering solutions across key construction applications.

Concrete

Cement Firms to Invest Rs. 130 bn in Green Energy by FY28

Cement companies plan to expand clean energy capacity to 6 GW by FY28

Published

1 week ago

September 17, 2026

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India’s major cement companies are set to raise their clean energy capacity to 6 GW by March 2028 from around 4 GW at the end of March 2026, according to ratings agency ICRA. The planned expansion is expected to involve investments of Rs. 130 bn over the next two years.

The additional capacity could generate annual savings of Rs. 62 bn to Rs. 67 bn, resulting in an estimated payback period of 1.8 to 2.2 years. Cement is an emission-intensive industry, and leading producers have established net-zero roadmaps covering the next 15 to 20 years.

The calcination process accounts for 57 to 60 per cent of the sector’s total emissions, while fuel combustion contributes 27 to 30 per cent and electricity consumption accounts for 10 to 13 per cent. ICRA said the figures highlighted the need for a broad decarbonisation strategy involving green power, blended cement, alternative fuels and improvements in clinker efficiency.

Green energy is considered one of the most commercially attractive decarbonisation options because it can reduce emissions while lowering operating costs. Every 5 per cent increase in green power replacement can reduce power and fuel costs by Rs. 15 to Rs. 16 per tonne. A 25 per cent replacement level could therefore save Rs. 75 to Rs. 80 per tonne and expand operating margins by 140 to 160 basis points.

Cement producers are also assessing carbon capture, utilisation and storage, although high implementation costs, energy requirements and limited transport and storage infrastructure are expected to slow commercial adoption. The government has proposed Rs. 200 bn over five years to support deployment across key sectors. Meanwhile, companies are targeting thermal substitution rates of 10 to 15 per cent over the next three to five years, compared with the current industry level of around 6 per cent.