Reading Structural Drawings

Nicole Baer, P.E.

President, Structural Engineering Institute – Maryland Chapter

October 2011

General Information

Site/Civil

Landscape

Architectural

Structural

Mechanical

Electrical

Plumbing

Typical Drawing Order

General Information Codes, Symbols, Basis of Design

Plans Foundation, Floors, Roof

Elevations Height and Exterior Finish

Sections Wall Type, Framing Direction

Details Connections, Typical Conditions

Schedules Column Type, Beam Types

Typical Discipline Drawings

Architect Plans through

middle, looking down

MEP Engineer Plans through

middle, looking up

Structural Engineer Plans at floor,

looking down

Which Plan Do I Need?

Symbols Identity Symbols

• Moment Connection Line Symbols

• Pinned Connection• Cantilever• Hidden Line Supports Below• Solid Line Supports Above

Material Symbols Reference Symbols Text Symbols

Structural Drawing Symbols

General Information Codes, Symbols, Basis of Design

Design Loads• Live Loads• Dead Loads• Wind Loads• Seismic Loads

Strength of Materials

Structural Notes and Specifications

Spread Footing Soil Capacity, Footing Depth, Footing Size

PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan

Spread Footing Soil Capacity, Footing Depth, Footing Size

PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan

Spread Footing Soil Capacity, Footing Depth, Footing Size

PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan

Spread Footing Soil Capacity, Footing Depth, Footing Size

PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan

Deep Foundations Caissons, Piles with Pile Caps, H-Piles, Micro-piles

PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan

Steel Framing Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

Steel Framing Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

STEEL SHAPE:W: Wide Flange (I-Beam)18: 18” Height46: 46 plf

STEEL JOIST:20: 20” HeightLH: Long Span

Steel Framing Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

T.O.S. = Top Of Steel (Actual)

W18 is 5” BELOW REFERENCE

No Call Out = At REFERENCE

Steel Framing Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

Moment Connection

Pin Connection (Same Elevations)

Pin Connection (Diff Elevations)

Steel Framing Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

Moment Connection

Steel Framing Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

Pinned Connection, Same Elevation

Steel Framing Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

Pinned Connection, Diff Elevations

OR:

Concrete Framing Beam Sizes, Slab Reinforcing, Relative Elevations

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

Concrete Framing Beam Sizes, Slab Reinforcing, Relative Elevations

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

Concrete Framing Beam Sizes, Slab Reinforcing, Relative Elevations

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

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Concrete Framing Beam Sizes, Slab Reinforcing, Relative Elevations

PLAN #2 – Floor Plan

Repeating Information Width of Slab “Strips” Define “Standard” Steel Connections Slab on Grade Details Wall Brace Details Joist to Beam Connections Define Column Bases Define Bearing Plates Column Tie Layouts Lintel Sizes Concrete Beam Depth and Flange Defined Footings with Pier Construction Interior Column Isolation JointsThe List Goes On….

Typical Details

Project Specific Information

Exterior Wall to Framing

Stairwells and Openings

Exterior Grade

Sections

Project Specific Information

Exterior Wall to Framing

Stairwells and Openings

Exterior Grade

Sections

Project Specific Information

Exterior Wall to Framing

Stairwells and Openings

Exterior Grade

Sections

Types of Schedules Column Schedules – Steel, Concrete Beam Schedules – Concrete,

Sometimes Steel Footing Schedules Pier Schedules Shear Wall Schedules

Method of Scheduling, General1. Assign a “Mark” (B-1)2. Refer to Schedule for Size,

Reinforcing, Lengths3. Refer to Typical Detail for

Definitions

Schedules

Column Schedules Vertical Extent Foundation Elevation Splice Locations

Schedules

Reading Structural Drawings

Questions?