Dimensioning Structural Residential Drawings

[TimmyH76]

To what extent to you all dimension residential structural drawings? There are so many changes with residential construction I'm leary of putting to many dimensions on them. When we do we always make the CYA note about coordinating with architectural drawings. We had an architect make changes from the time we sealed drawings to the time the drawings were issued for construction w/o letting us know! Anyone else having these problems? Thanks.

 

[csd72]

This is a common problem in Australia, where most engineers do not put dimensions on their drawings.

One way is to refer to the specific drawing revision of the architecturals that you worked off, but this is not full proof as architects sometimes make changes without changing revision.

A scottish guy I worked with once said that in Scotland his company would not accept revised architecturals unless they had been clouded. Sounds reasonable to be but architects may disagree.

csd

 

[AlmostPE]

You only need to dimension the foundation. Yes, we do have this problem when you deal with "bad" architects. I am sure your company has a note somewhere on your general note to tell on the architect and contractor to check your dimensions.

 

[PMR06]

We dimension our drawings just as we would a commercial job. It's still a structure.

On residential, especially with late changing clients, we will note the architectural drawing name/number/revision, etc that the structural set was based upon. It's another level of CYA policy, and another thing code reviewers or inspectors can catch.

 

[jike]

We have had this problem on occasion with commercial drawings also. Overlaying X references have helped somewhat.

The faster projects go and the more individuals care about themselves rather than teamwork, the greater the chance of these things happening.

 

[DonPhillips]

I will typically place the maximum span of all members in the coded notes. It gives the guys in the field a little wiggle room, otherwise, they may call to seek an extra inch or two.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[connect2]

Don't see how you can send out dwgs. with out dimensions? regardless residential or commercial. Structure goes up first. Anyways if you don't dim it, you will at the shop drawing review stage which is never pleasant. changes in the design? just records and accounting. Gotta love architects, where would the world be without them? Thats a question by the way.
Jikes,
yes x-refs are essential.
Don Philips,
extraordinary tolerances, 'an inch or two'.
AlmostPE,
Haven't you had this handle for a long time, just kidding. You have to dim. the whole structure, but yes we pay particular attention to the foundation, and require others to field measure the placement of anchor bolts, piers, pilasters, lb walls etc...., placed within the tolerances of the respected material standard.
csd72,
wish I lived in Aussie land where its ok not to dim. your dwgs.
PMR06,
Exactly.

 

[csd72]

connect2,

yes, they refer to the architects drawings for dims and the shop draftsman has to calculate exact dims.

They dont get someone else to design their connections though, it is all done by the same engineer.

Not necessarily better or worse, just different (with different pitfalls).

csd

 

[msquared48]

Professionally, if the Architect does not provide grid lines, I will set them, and provide dimesioning at the foundation aswneeded to set everything.

Additionally, I will extend these grid lines up through the rest of the structural plan drawings. Should it become necessary to precisely locate additional critical framing lines or points, I will add dimensions as required off the same grid line system, sometimmes adding additional grid lines of my own.

These grid lines also make great talking references for phone conversations to work out problems.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering