Tekla Middle East, a leading supplier of model-based operational software for the construction and energy sectors, is fast expanding its client base in Saudi Arabia, a company official said.

He said the number and scope of construction projects currently taking place in Saudi Arabia had led to wider deployment of Tekla's Xsteel solution, the industry-leading application for modelling and detailing of steel structures.

"Model-based solutions like Tekla's enable engineers to manipulate full-scale, three-dimensional versions of the proposed structure to make sure that the design ideally fits their client's business needs and enables the detection of clashes before they occur," Tekla Middle East manager Paul McIver said.

McIver was keynote speaker at Tekla's recent executive seminars held in Dammam and Jeddah which focused on the benefits delivered by Tekla's model-based construction software.

Within the last two quarters, several leading Saudi-based organisations have initiated or completed projects using Tekla's Xsteel solution. These include Gulf Steel Works in Jubail, currently engaged in building initiatives for Middle East petrochemical giant National Contracting Company Limited (NCC), which has itself recently implemented Xsteel for use in its offshore division in Abu Dhabi.

Gulf Steel Works has just completed an initiative using Xsteel for structural work on behalf of Saline Water Conversion Corp in Shuaiba and Shuqaiq.