Reading Structural Drawings
Nicole Baer, P.E.
President, Structural Engineering Institute –
Maryland Chapter
October 2011
Typical Drawing Order
 General Information
 Site/Civil
 Landscape
 Architectural
 Structural
 Mechanical
 Electrical
 Plumbing
Typical Discipline Drawings
 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
Which Plan Do I Need?
 Architect
 Plans through
middle, looking
down
 MEP Engineer
 Plans through
middle, looking up
 Structural
Engineer
 Plans at floor,
looking down
Structural Drawing Symbols
 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 Notes and Specifications
 General Information
 Codes, Symbols,
Basis of Design
 Design Loads
•
•
•
•
Live Loads
Dead Loads
Wind Loads
Seismic Loads
 Strength of Materials
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
 Spread Footing
 Soil Capacity, Footing Depth, Footing Size
PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan
 Deep Foundations
 Caissons, Piles with Pile Caps, H-Piles, Micro-piles
PLAN #2 – Floor Plan
 Steel Framing
 Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
PLAN #2 – Floor Plan
 Steel Framing
 Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
STEEL SHAPE:
W: Wide Flange (I-Beam)
18: 18” Height
46: 46 plf
STEEL JOIST:
20: 20” Height
LH: Long Span
PLAN #2 – Floor Plan
 Steel Framing
 Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
T.O.S. = Top Of Steel (Actual)
W18 is 5” BELOW
REFERENCE
No Call Out = At
REFERENCE
PLAN #2 – Floor Plan
 Steel Framing
 Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
Moment Connection
Pin Connection (Same
Elevations)
Pin Connection (Diff
Elevations)
PLAN #2 – Floor Plan
 Steel Framing
 Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
Moment Connection
PLAN #2 – Floor Plan
 Steel Framing
 Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
Pinned Connection, Same
Elevation
PLAN #2 – Floor Plan
 Steel Framing
 Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
Pinned Connection, Diff
Elevations
OR:
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
 Concrete Framing
180 Deg Hook Bars
#5@12 T:
5/8” diameter bars,
12” on center,
Top layer
 Beam Sizes, Slab Reinforcing, Relative Elevations
PLAN #2 – Floor Plan
 Concrete Framing
 Beam Sizes, Slab Reinforcing, Relative Elevations
Typical Details
 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 Joints
The List Goes On….
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
 Project Specific
Information
 Exterior Wall to
Framing
 Stairwells and
Openings
 Exterior Grade
Schedules
 Types of Schedules
 Column Schedules – Steel, Concrete
 Beam Schedules – Concrete,
Sometimes Steel
 Footing Schedules
 Pier Schedules
 Shear Wall Schedules
 Method of Scheduling, General
1. Assign a “Mark” (B-1)
2. Refer to Schedule for Size,
Reinforcing, Lengths
3. Refer to Typical Detail for
Definitions
Schedules
 Column Schedules
 Vertical Extent
 Foundation Elevation
 Splice Locations
Reading
Structural Drawings
Questions?