Explore the intricacies of structural engineering, focusing on the symbolic representation and practical requirements in constructing reinforced concrete structures and cutting walls. Dive into details such as the diameter of the reinforcement bars, the bending process, the use of a scale in plans, and the unique nailing programs for cutting walls.
Key Insights
- The diameter of the reinforcement bar in concrete constructions is crucial - a bar number 3 represents three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and a number 4 half an inch, and accurate bending is vital for the structure's stability.
- Structural engineering plans differ from other disciplines, as they are usually not mapped to scale, but are representative, with specific dimensions specified where necessary.
- Cutting wall symbols and the associated nailing programs play a pivotal role in the stability of a structure, particularly in earthquake-prone areas, and the same goes for the markings necessary to support door frames and windows.
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On our third page, we are showing details of the foundation and also the programming of the reinforcement bar bending. When you place reinforcement materials inside the concrete, there are certain requirements for how that metal should work together. These tables refer to different sizes of bar, and the sizes of the bars are typically the diameter of the reinforcement bar.
A bar number 3 would be three-eighths of an inch in diameter. A number 4 would be four-eighths, or half an inch, in diameter. This is information that explains how to handle the bending of the reinforcement bar inside the concrete.
One thing you will notice about the structural details is that these details are actually being drawn to scale. It is not the norm for structural details to be to scale—they are usually representative.
In general, structural details are not drawn to scale. Again, they are representative. The notes indicate what needs to be done and where dimensions are needed.
Those dimensions are specified. Structural Engineering is one of the few disciplines whose plans are not usually drawn to scale. If I zoom in on this area, you can see the note here: NTS (Not to Scale).
So again, the plans are not to scale. But looking at the dimensions, you see in this particular example that the steel continues and is superimposed on other conditions of steel due to the structural requirements that are occurring.
Right there, for example, at that intersection. These are some details of the foundation. I continue with some details of the structure.
The way Structural Engineering tends to present its information is from the bottom up, because that is how we build a building—from the ground up. The previous page was more about cement and base information. Now we are seeing the connections between the concrete and the building itself.
You can see that we are showing the shear wall program right here. Shear walls are what help the building to withstand earthquakes very well. We have a shear wall mark or a shear wall symbol.
There is also information here regarding the types of plywood and the nailing pattern that needs to be followed on those shear walls to make them work properly. In the plans, we will see these shear wall marks. You can see that we have observations, which are essentially details that we will find elsewhere within the set.
Again, we are working from the ground level up. I have some more details—these are details of the structure of the wall.
For example, if you think of this area here as a window or this area as a door, this simply shows the types of reinforcement that are needed to properly support the door head. Then I have the frame or the side of the door here.
You can see, for example, that if my opening is here, I have my vertical members here. I have my connection of support right here, which again helps keep the building in place in the event of an earthquake. So again, that's a support.
This sheet is also showing the frame of the wall. You can see that I am showing particular connections happening right here. This is the frame that shows where two corners join—where one wall intersects with another.
This information shows how the beams are intended to be placed so that they support each other properly. Also, once we finish the frame, we will place plasterboard. Plasterboard will go on the walls at this corner.
We will also take advantage of this corner condition to nail our plasterboard into the appropriate framing.