Scales for Plan Details - For Structural Drawings! 2

[umrce]

I know this is a structural forum but my question is directed to structural/civil engineers. My supervisor talks has told me in vertical structures such as buildings, the plan details are commonly drawn in various scales: 1/2", 3/4" etc. and that these scales are specific to the detail being drawn (structural steel, foundations, structural concrete). I mostly work on bridges in my office where the scales are not provided and the DOT doesn't care what we use so I'm curious, is what he's talking about true of our industry? Maybe it is more regional or it just depends on who's teaching you? I'd like everyone's input. Thanks!

 

[DaveAtkins]

Most of the time, I ask my drafter to draw details at 3/4" = 1'-0". Occasionally, if a detail is complicated, I will ask for 1-1/2" = 1'-0". Some structural engineers allow concrete details to be drawn at 1/2" = 1'-0".

DaveAtkins

 

[jayrod12]

For me there is no set scale to draw the details at. They generally end up being 3/4"=1'-0" however if it is a small detail we will increase the scale to say 1" or 1 1/2", and large building cross sections are drawn at 1/2" or 1/4" as required to fit on the page.

 

[OHIOMatt]

We provide a scale on all plans, details, sections, elevations etc. Then of course we have a note that the drawings are not to be scaled.

 

[Archie264]

It varies per building and in the commercial world there are no hard and fast guidelines but when using feet and inches plan views are usually shown in either 1/4" = 1'-0" or 1/8" = 1'-0" and sections are in most commonly shown in 3/4" = 1'-0". But, there is no requirement that I'm aware of for them to be in any particular scale so use what best fits the paper.

 

[Archie264]

Whoops, I got interrupted and in the time it took me to get back to it you got your response.

 

[JStephen]

If you have multiple people doing the same kind of work, it helps if they're all doing it more or less the same way. IE, use the same scales other people in your office are, or what your predecessor used, if there is any consistency.

 

[dhengr]

Rmf338:
I think consistency within the office or on any given set of plans is a good thing, in terms of the final presentation and readability of the documents. Otherwise, the scale should be large enough to show what has to be shown, so that the project gets built correctly, and with the min. number of RFI’s. You should always ask yourself, what is the min. I must show to get the intended construction done, what’s new, what’s different, what’s unexpected, and must be detailed further? And, remember the builder is not as familiar with what you intend, as you are. Where do details change and will the builder understand this, or do I need a new detail? What do I need to show and note in the detail to make it clear? Sometimes, you will literally detail the rebar or struct. stl. in the detail because your arrangement is important to your design. From the structural standpoint, try to use as few different details as is practical and possible. This leads to economical construction, and efficient work on the job, and clean, readable plans. This despite the fact that on many of today’s buildings and projects the designer doesn’t think he/she is doing good work if things aren’t complicated and changing every few feet. Make the needed changes btwn. the structure and the facade, or as part of the special condition. Proportions in your drawings and details are important. While both are cantilevers, for example, a 4' deep beam 2 or 3' long and an 18" deep beam which is 10' long, are two very different animals. Good, clean structural design is difficult and thought provoking, anyone can throw it together and send it out the door. Then they spend their time answering RFI’s and get a more costly bldg.

 

[msquared48]

Plans at 1/8 or 1/4. Cross sections the same as the plan to relate.

Sections and details at 3/8, 3/4/ 1-1/2 or 3 depending on complexity

Mike McCann, PE, SE

 

[Ingenuity]

Plans at 1:100, steel sections/details at 1:10, concrete section/details at 1:20...oh wait, we are metric, like the other 203 nations