Struggling with construction drawings? There’s a trick here!

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This post was last edited by liaifeng on 2020-5-28 21:07. Struggling with construction drawings? There’s a trick here! Introduction: Construction drawings serve as the basis for building a house; they are the \"language of engineering\". They specify what kind of building is to be constructed, as well as its shape, dimensions, construction methods, and technical requirements. Learning the correct method of reading drawings is essential to achieving twice the result with half the effort. 1. Determine priorities: http://img.civilcn.com/d/file/zhishi/sgjs/2020-05-26/a2350534c1440bc545bb075cb3959c04.jpg Once you have a set of drawings, it’s important to know which ones to look at first and which ones later; there should be a hierarchy among them. Generally, it is carried out in the following order: 1. Carefully read the design specifications to understand the general overview of the building, its location, elevations, material requirements, quality standards, construction considerations, as well as any special technical requirements, in order to form a preliminary impression ； 2. Next, examine the floor plan to understand the building’s planar shape, bay dimensions, depth, column layout, the arrangement of various rooms and the traffic flow, as well as the locations of doors and windows. This helps to form a conceptual understanding of the building’s layout, which serves as a foundation for examining the elevation and sectional views ； 3. Examine the elevation view to understand the building’s orientation, number of floors and variations in floor height, as well as the requirements for doors, windows, and exterior decorations ； 4. Examine the sectional view to gain an overall understanding of the elevation changes in various parts of the section as well as the conditions inside ； 5. Finally, examine the structural diagram to understand the relationship between architectural drawings such as floor plans, elevations, and sections, and structural diagrams, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the entire project ； 6. Additionally, it is necessary to carefully read the detailed drawings or node diagrams indicated by the reference symbols in the floor plans, elevations, sections, etc., ensuring a combination of fine and coarse details as well as the proper integration of different scales. Only by proceeding step by step can one understand the design intent and comprehend the design drawings; in other words, it is generally advisable to first read the instructions before looking at the drawings, with the preferred order being plan, elevation, and section ； Check the nodes and details, and refer to the building structure simultaneously – this will yield twice the result with half the effort. 2. Remember the dimensions: http://img.civilcn.com/d/file/zhishi/sgjs/2020-05-26/42da997fe50674dcd4c95e866763c1b4.jpg. Although construction projects come in various forms, different shapes and effects are achieved through changes in the dimensions of their various components. As the saying goes, \"Nothing can be accomplished without rules or standards.\" If a drawing does not specify dimensions such as length, width, height, and diameter, construction workers will not be able to carry out the work according to that drawing. However, there are many dimensions on the drawings; for the actual operators, it is neither necessary nor possible to remember all of them. However, some of the main dimensions of the building, as well as the specifications, models, locations, and quantities of the key components, must be firmly remembered. This helps to deepen the understanding of the design drawings, facilitates construction work, and reduces or prevents construction errors. Generally speaking, it is important to keep in mind the following dimensions: remember the width and depth of the space, and do not forget the length and width as well as the horizontal and vertical axes. The floor height and overall height are crucial; structural dimensions must be remembered, and the correct model of each component is essential. Foundation dimensions are key, and structural strength cannot be overlooked. It is also important to keep track of the cross-sectional areas of beams and columns, and to ensure that proper openings for doors and windows are provided. 3. Understand the relationships: http://img.civilcn.com/d/file/zhishi/sgjs/2020-05-26/9f2ba44ec1fe4e14f5b1d06160b929bc.jpg When examining the drawings, it is essential to understand the relationships between each one. Because a single drawing cannot detail the specific dimensions, construction methods, and requirements of various parts of a project. Many drawings are necessary to describe the construction methods and requirements for a particular component from different perspectives. The practices and requirements for these different parts constitute the overall picture of a complete building. Therefore, there is a close connection between each sheet of a set of construction drawings. When examining the drawings, it is essential to use the axis numbers and positions indicated on the plan as a reference, ensuring that: \"with the drawings in hand and the axes in mind, no matter how complex things may seem, one never strays from those axes.\" These are the basic foundations and standards. The main relationships between the drawings are, generally speaking: the axis serves as a reference point; numbers must match, elevations should be indicated with circles, and levels need to be equal. The position is determined from the cross-sections, while detailed information is provided in the detail sheets. If standard drawings are used, leader lines are used to specify requirements and methods of execution. It’s important to obtain the relevant specifications for civil engineering and installation work, to clarify the materials and standards for holes, ditches, and trenches. Information related to architecture and structure can be found in the appropriate drawings, and it’s necessary to compare them carefully. Therefore, understanding the relationship between various drawings is an important aspect of reviewing them; it is a fundamental measure for identifying problems and reducing or avoiding errors. 4. Identify the key points: http://img.civilcn.com/d/file/zhishi/sgjs/2020-05-26/1c7fcc7e4dcb100e7636a3bc5bab5578.jpg When reviewing construction drawings, it is essential to identify the key points in each drawing; only by grasping these key points can one understand the essence of things and make fewer mistakes. Generally, the following aspects should be focused on. ① Floor plan: Some of the common errors that occur during construction share certain characteristics. Such as whether the door opens inwards or outwards, whether the axis is centered or slightly off-center, the orientation in terms of east, south, west, and north, and the thickness of the wall in terms of how many bricks it consists of. Doors have an opening direction in the floor plan, while windows do not; the opening direction must be determined by referring to the detailed drawings. It is necessary to determine whether the axis is in the center or off-center on the wall, which floor is in the center and which one is off-center, so as to avoid errors in the axis alignment ； To avoid mistaking all axes for the midline. It is necessary to determine the orientation of the building; for those with a compass indicated on the diagram, the compass should be used as a reference, while for those without a compass, the orientation indicated on the general plan and the general specifications should be followed. In the floor plan of a general building, it should follow the rule that the north is at the top and the south at the bottom, with the west on the left and the east on the right. The wall thickness at each axis and in each section also needs to be carefully checked; it is essential to determine exactly which walls are one brick thick and which are half a brick thick, as any mistake is not allowed. ② Elevation view: It is essential to know the elevation dimensions of door and window openings in order to avoid mistakes when marking up the elevation stakes and preparing for the window sills. ③ Section view: One should mainly master the floor elevations and roof elevation. In some cases, it is also necessary to understand details such as indoor openings, the elevation of interior doors, floor finishing methods, as well as roof insulation and waterproofing techniques through cross-sections. ④ Structural diagram: It is essential to understand the design requirements, specific dimensions, positions, interconnections among various elements such as foundations, walls, beams, columns, slabs, and roof systems, as well as the materials used. 5. Understand the characteristics: http://img.civilcn.com/d/file/zhishi/sgjs/2020-05-26/e916e77fb96eb0fd73693b0e5757c433.jpg Industrial buildings need to meet various production process requirements, which results in different characteristics in their design and construction. In areas such as acid treatment workshops, where resistance to acids is required for walls, floors, etc., different treatment methods must be employed ； The precision instruments workshop has specific requirements for dust prevention, as well as constant temperature and humidity control for doors, windows, and walls. Civil buildings also have different characteristics due to their various uses. In the case of theaters, due to the special acoustic requirements, there are different treatment methods and technical specifications for the ceilings and walls. Therefore, when familiarizing oneself with each set of woodworking construction drawings, it is necessary to understand the characteristics and requirements of that particular project, including the following aspects: ① The treatment methods for the foundation and the technical standards that need to be met ； ② Requirements for the treatment of special areas ； ③ Quality standards for materials or technical requirements for special materials ； ④ Areas that require attention or are prone to problems ； ⑤ Special construction techniques for new processes, new structures, new materials, etc ； ⑥ Some technical specifications and special requirements proposed in the design ； ⑦ At key structural locations ； Only by understanding the characteristics of a construction project can one comprehend the design drawings more thoroughly and ensure that the project’s specific requirements are met. 6. For reference, see http://img.civilcn.com/d/file/zhishi/sgjs/2020-05-26/d9f5033908d8576fdbe2111ddb971874.jpg. A complete set of construction drawings includes not only various types of drawings but also various tables that detail the methods, dimensions, specifications, and models for each individual construction task; these tables are an integral part of the construction drawings. The following are some of the tables commonly found in construction drawings. 1. The table of indoor and outdoor construction methods mainly explains the specific procedures for various parts inside and outside, such as how to construct the exterior plinth or how to lay the floor in a particular room. 2. The doors and windows schedule lists all the door and window types required for a building, their height and width dimensions (or opening sizes), as well as the quantity needed for each type of door and window. 3. The component table lists the specifications, dimensions, models, and required quantities of various components, based on the numbers and names of beams, columns, and slabs needed for the project. 4. Reinforcement schedule: The types, diameters, specifications, dimensions, shapes, quantities, and weights of the reinforcement required in various reinforced concrete structures such as beams, columns, slabs, and foundations. When reviewing construction drawings, it is best to first compare the various data that one has understood from the drawings with the data in the relevant tables. If they match exactly, it proves that there are no errors in either the drawings or one’s understanding. If discrepancies such as incorrect models, mismatched specifications, or different quantities are found, one should check again carefully to gain a deeper understanding and improve one’s knowledge of the design drawings; this also helps to identify any errors in the drawings and tables promptly. 7. Meticulousness: http://img.civilcn.com/d/file/zhishi/sgjs/2020-05-26/12ae1624ecc47945798a7f78b2b6f354.jpg One must be careful, thorough, and meticulous when examining blueprints. Not a single piece of data or dimension in the construction drawings, not a single legend or symbol, and not a single textual description can be overlooked casually. For those parts of the drawings that are unclear or lack dimensions, one must never proceed with construction based on one’s own imagination, estimates, or guesses; otherwise, even a small mistake can lead to significant errors. Furthermore, a relatively complex design drawing is often created by several professional designers, and for various reasons, there may be some discrepancies in the dimensions. If the overall dimensions do not match the detailed dimensions ； Two sizes: large sample and small sample ； The positions of walls and beams on the architectural drawings do not match those in the structural drawings ； The total elevation or floor elevation does not match the markings in the detailed or structural drawings ； Due to the designers’ negligence, there are some areas that were missed in marking or annotation. Therefore, construction workers must be meticulous when reviewing the drawings in order to identify such issues, and then work together with the designers to resolve them and prevent errors from occurring. 8. The three integrations: http://img.civilcn.com/d/file/zhishi/sgjs/2020-05-26/073e46e9960c6ff523263136ce1f9888.jpg When studying civil engineering construction drawings, it is essential to take into account other professional drawings as well, in order to gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the entire project. Especially for large-scale projects, there are general layout plans, earthwork balance diagrams, installation drawings for water, heating, electrical, and sanitary systems, construction drawings for equipment foundations, as well as diagrams of pipes, ducts, and cables both indoors and outdoors. These drawings from various specialties together form the complete overall picture of a construction project. These technical drawings must complement each other and reinforce one another. Therefore, when reviewing civil engineering drawings, it is important to ensure three types of integration. 1. The integration of architecture and structure means that when viewing architectural drawings, it is necessary to compare them with structural drawings simultaneously. 2. Integration of indoor and outdoor areas: When examining the construction drawings of a particular project, it is necessary to consult the general layout plan as well, in order to understand the project’s exact location, orientation, surrounding environment, and absolute elevation within the building area ； It is also necessary to understand the layout of various outdoor pipelines and their impact on the construction of this project, as well as how to address flood control and drainage issues at the site. 3. Integration of civil engineering and installation: When reviewing the civil engineering drawings, it is necessary to also consult the installation drawings for this project. It is essential to determine the location and size of any openings or grooves that need to be created, and these must be prepared properly during construction ； Check the specifications and quantities of the embedded parts and pipes carefully, and make sure to install them in a timely manner. It means that when reviewing the civil engineering drawings, one must pay close attention to whether the entrances, locations, sizes, elevations of various pipes and trenches match those indicated in the installation drawings ； What size should the openings reserved for equipment be, where should they be located, and in which areas should metal fittings or pipes be embedded? 9. Mastering skills: http://img.civilcn.com/d/file/zhishi/sgjs/2020-05-26/220722266b29476e2eefccd3d050f62d.jpg Reading drawings is similar to performing other tasks; in addition to proficiency, skills are also important. The techniques for reading drawings vary from person to person, and here are a few tips. 1. Take notes as you go: When viewing the drawings, note down the construction methods and dimensions of the key parts, as well as any issues that need to be addressed. Go through each drawing one by one, take notes for each one, and resolve the difficulties encountered to reinforce your understanding. 2. Start with a rough overview, then go into detail: first take a quick look at all the drawings to get an overall understanding, and then examine each one carefully 2–3 times. Upon closer inspection, the focus is on understanding the detailed methods, addressing one by one the questions that arose during a brief overview, thereby enhancing comprehension and memory. 3. Compare repeatedly to identify patterns: After taking a general look at the drawings, place the relevant ones side by side and compare them again and again to uncover the underlying patterns and connections, thereby strengthening the understanding of the drawings. 4. Marking on the drawings to enhance memory: For easier viewing of the drawings and to strengthen memory, it is possible to mark dimensions, specifications, model numbers, etc., from certain drawings on commonly used drawings, such as on floor plans. This helps to strengthen memory and is useful for identifying problems. 10. Overall concept: http://img.civilcn.com/d/file/zhishi/sgjs/2020-05-26/3fd9958f2254951c86b3af61232e5732.jpg By going through these steps, an overall understanding of the project to be constructed can be formed; the characteristics, shape, size, layout, and requirements of the building become clear. With this overall concept, one can proceed with confidence during construction, thereby reducing or avoiding mistakes. Therefore, when studying the drawings, one must never focus only on individual sheets and ignore the overall picture, nor rush to start work. Only by forming an overall concept of the building can one deepen their memory and understanding of the project.