Author: admin

  • How to identify the WCS (World Coordinate System) vs the UCS (User Coordinate System) in Tekla?

    Pop-quiz: how do you identify the local coordinate system vs the world coordinate system?

    The answer is below:

    Green box denotes the WCS. The UCS is denoted in two places. The UCS is the “work plane”.

  • Create a Precast Wall Panel – Using Tekla’s Open API

    Create a Precast Wall Panel – Using Tekla’s Open API

    If you are inserting panels via the Tekla API, you need to be aware or have an understanding of the panel’s local coordinate system.

    The x-axis denotes the vector from the start to end point.

    This may be in stark contrast to a beam’s local coordinate system (or at least according to your intuition).

    The Z axis represents the height of the beam.

    This is what you’ll get.

    Try the following code sample:

    Reference Links:

    https://gist.github.com/benkoshy/3ca6f46564d348685097f1196767f86a

    Checkout Tek1’s blog posts for more content on the Tekla Open API. https://www.tek1.com.au/category/tekla-api/

    If you need to hire us to do your Tekla API work, please send us your proposal to [email protected]

  • Overall Bending Dimensions for 180 degree and 90 degree cogs and Hooks for rebars used in Precast Panels

    Overall Bending Dimensions for 180 degree and 90 degree cogs and Hooks for rebars used in Precast Panels

  • Importance of Gap between Slab Edge and Panel Face

    It is important to leave a small gap between precast panel face and slab edge to avoid unnecessary stresses on the panel and the slab.

    Keeping the slab edge incontact with the panel causes thermal expansion stresses both on the slab and Cocnrete.

    To avoid crack in the slab, it is recommended to introduce an artificial crack about 1 meter from the panel

    Importance of gap between Panel and Slab to avoid un necessary stresses in precast

  • Minimum Recomendeds Sizes for Precast Panels

    Given below si minimum recommended sizes for Precast Panel legs and spandrels. However if the sizes are smaller the detailer will have query with the engineer.

    Minimum recommended leg width – 600 mm

    Minimum Spanders depth 900 mm

    They also depend on what is the length.

    Minimum sizes for precast legs and Spandres Panels

  • Panel To Rafter Connections

    Bad connections can cause precast to crack.

    Here is and example of a bad precast connection.

    Avoid connections which Tie Precast panels rigidly not giving any room for shrinkage expansion

    Bad Rafter to Precast Panel Connections
    Good Rafter to Precast Panel Connection

  • Shed Detailing

    Tek1 now provides Shed Engineering and detailing

    Here is examples of some jobs we have modelled or detailed all from single client

    We also provide Engineering Design for sheds at fast turn around time

  • Procedure for starting jobs

    1. Check the terms.
    2. If the terms demand a deposit DO NOT START. Please check with Ben periodically to see when you can start.

    What does do not start mean?

    • Do not open the drawings.
    • do not read the drawings.
    • do not write RFIs.
    • Do not communicate with the client.
    • Do not do any modelling.
    • And DEFINITELY DO NOT SEND DRAWINGS.
    • Do not start means DO NOT START.

    Reason:

    • If you start, without getting the deposit paid, then you will not get the deposit paid.
    • And clients will know that they can take us for a ride.
    • Because we will not be internally consistent.

  • How can I earn the Big Bucks at Tek1?

    Juniors enter the firm. They complain they have “low wages”. Then they also complain that their earnings are “not stable”……but others are earning HUUUGE dollars.

    Please note – as we improve in our firm, we are always looking towards better pay. But better pay can only come with better skills. And more innovation for the benefit of clients.

    Bonuses

    • Biggest bonus we’ve ever paid in one month to one senior guy was about $6000. Which is a huge, huge bonus. For one month. Add on the wages to that. That’s not bad.

    Wages

    • Top TLs earn anywhere between 1.7 – 2.6 lakhs per month.
    • Then EBs and bonuses come on top of that.

    But why am I not earning that much?

    • It is because you don’t know (much), if at all anything.
    • If you KNOW – then CLIENTS will pay you for your knowledge.
    • If you don’t know then clients will not pay for mistake and ignorance.
    • Clients hire us to help make THEM money.

    How can I earn more?

    • Learn. If i ask you to read a memo – read it and learn it. Don’t pretend you read it, and then lie to cover up your ignorance.
    • Learn the standards: we have standards available. Learn them. Read them.
    • Read Tek1 Memos: We write memos so you can learn and improve.
    • Follow TL instructions: a great way of learning.

    For Bonus Points:

    • Publish what you learn: Every time you learn something that is useful – help other people learn by publishing your learnings on our blog!
    • Publish tutorial videos on Loom: this helps our staff internally and builds confidence with clients.
    • Publish a portfolio of your work: Firstly for your own benefit, and also for clients who will hire you, after seeing your work.
    • And if nothing else – you can use your online presence to BID UP offers from other firms if you want to leave.

    How to maintain a low wage for life:

    • Don’t bother learning.
    • Don’t read standards.
    • Make mistakes, destroy your clients and and apologise and say: “i will take care next time” without actually changing anything.
    • Rather than learning and improving at Tek1 – simply jump from job to job every 12 months for higher increments. That is a strategy that will work in the short run, but probably may not be the best in the long run. Because wherever you go – people will pay you only for what you know.
    • Hurt your clients with mediocre work.

    We will rapidly increase your bonuses / billables if you rapidly learn: We’ve done this with at least two guys. I can’t name them publicly.

    June 2026 – Top Bonuses for Juniors

    Employee A:

    • Join date: 11/12/2023
    • EB and Bonus for June 26: 31454.40
    • Not bad for someone with under 3 years experience.

    Employee B:

    • Join Date: 11/08/2025
    • EB and Bonus for June 26: 19842.48
    • Not bad for someone under 3 years.

    June 2026 – Top Gross Take Home for Juniors

    Employee C:

    • Join Date: 11/08/2025
    • Gross Take Home: 60842
    • Not bad for someone under 3 years.

    Employee D:

    • Join Date: 01/06/2023
    • Gross Take Home: 45930
    • Not bad for someone under 3 years.

    This is just a random month. Some months may be higher. Some lower.

    Consistency

    The best way to have a consistent income is to do consistently great work. There is no other way.