1. Reading Structural Drawings
Nicole Baer, P.E.
President, Structural Engineering Institute – Maryland Chapter
October 2011

2. Typical Drawing Order General Information Site/Civil Landscape
Architectural
Structural
Mechanical
Electrical
Plumbing

3. 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

4. Which Plan Do I Need? Architect MEP Engineer Structural Engineer
Plans through middle, looking down
MEP Engineer
Plans through middle, looking up
Structural Engineer
Plans at floor, looking down

5. Structural Drawing Symbols
Identity Symbols
Moment Connection
Line Symbols
Pinned Connection
Cantilever
Hidden Line Supports Below
Solid Line Supports Above
Material Symbols
Reference Symbols
Text Symbols

6. Structural Notes and Specifications
General Information
Codes, Symbols,
Basis of Design
Design Loads
Live Loads
Dead Loads
Wind Loads
Seismic Loads
Strength of Materials

7. PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan
Spread Footing
Soil Capacity, Footing Depth, Footing Size

8. PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan
Spread Footing
Soil Capacity, Footing Depth, Footing Size

9. PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan
Spread Footing
Soil Capacity, Footing Depth, Footing Size

10. PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan
Spread Footing
Soil Capacity, Footing Depth, Footing Size

11. PLAN #1 – Foundation Plan
Deep Foundations
Caissons, Piles with Pile Caps, H-Piles, Micro-piles

12. PLAN #2 – Floor Plan Steel Framing
Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types

13. 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

14. 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

15. PLAN #2 – Floor Plan Steel Framing
Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
Moment Connection
Pin Connection (Same Elevations)
Pin Connection (Diff Elevations)

16. PLAN #2 – Floor Plan Steel Framing
Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
Moment Connection

17. PLAN #2 – Floor Plan Steel Framing
Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
Pinned Connection, Same Elevation

18. PLAN #2 – Floor Plan Steel Framing
Steel Sizes, Elevations, Connection Types
Pinned Connection, Diff Elevations
OR:

19. PLAN #2 – Floor Plan Concrete Framing
Beam Sizes, Slab Reinforcing, Relative Elevations

20. PLAN #2 – Floor Plan Concrete Framing
Beam Sizes, Slab Reinforcing, Relative Elevations

21. PLAN #2 – Floor Plan Concrete Framing
Beam Sizes, Slab Reinforcing, Relative Elevations
5/8” diameter bars,
180 Deg Hook Bars
12” on center, T:
Top layer

22. PLAN #2 – Floor Plan Concrete Framing
Beam Sizes, Slab Reinforcing, Relative Elevations

23. 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….

24. Sections Project Specific Information Exterior Wall to Framing
Stairwells and Openings
Exterior Grade

25. Sections Project Specific Information Exterior Wall to Framing
Stairwells and Openings
Exterior Grade

26. Sections Project Specific Information Exterior Wall to Framing
Stairwells and Openings
Exterior Grade

27. Schedules Types of Schedules Method of Scheduling, General
Column Schedules – Steel, Concrete
Beam Schedules – Concrete, Sometimes Steel
Footing Schedules
Pier Schedules
Shear Wall Schedules
Method of Scheduling, General
Assign a “Mark” (B-1)
Refer to Schedule for Size, Reinforcing, Lengths
Refer to Typical Detail for Definitions

28. Schedules Column Schedules Vertical Extent Foundation Elevation
Splice Locations

29. Reading Structural Drawings
Questions?