Significance of Structural Drawings in Construction Project

by Engineering Geek Expert in industrial engineering including piping,

The design of a structure involves multiple engineering disciplines. Each of them contributes a crucial role in the process. Architects' role is to give your building the appearance of your choice and make it function the way you need.

Structural engineering deals with the durability and strength of a building or structure. Structural engineers focus on the integrity and design of the construction project. They ensure that buildings' design can resist gravity, withstand the stresses and pressures, heavy winds, and more. In other words, structural engineers ensure that the construction continues standing even if the ground beneath them starts to shake.

Calculations and drawings are the two essential categories in structural design. Both contribute equally to ensure that the ability of a structure to carry the design loads is sufficient. Structural drawings enable engineers to convey a construction project’s design requirements to contractors. If you belong to the EPC industry, you might likely have come across this term. So what are structural drawings? What is its application in the construction project?

Let’s look at some critical reasons why quality structural drawings are essential for a construction project:

The structural drawing’s clarity and detailing level to determine its direct impact on the contractor’s ability. It helps to read and understand what they need to build. It conveys the types of elements, connections, location and interfaces information. Quality drawings reduce approving revision cycles and help contractors to derive an accurate estimate. It also decreases the risk of Requests for Information (RFIs) and changes orders during construction.

Quick Permit
Unless your construction project is relatively minor, you need to obtain several building permits to begin the work. The list may cover permissions for different engineering disciplines, including mechanical, plumbing, electrical, destruction work and more. It may be easier to obtain some permits by applying online or over the counter by presenting some documents.

However, the majority of permits are subject to a plan check review by the Building Department. During this process, the building officials evaluate the project compliance with local codes. Then the structural design undergoes an assessment of calculations and drawings. If the reviewer finds errors or difficulty understanding the pictures, they specify revisions to the design team. This cycle continues back and forth until the officials get delighted with the compliance. This process can delay your project for months. The submission of clear, accurate and compliant drawings helps reduce the revision cycles and streamline permitting.

Precise Quotation
Before the construction starts, your potential contractors provide an estimate for the work. It is dependent upon the drawings that the design team issues forbidding, also known as bid set. Lack of detail and imprecision can lead to miss portions or overpricing the bid. Such inaccuracies can become a major headache when the construction costs don’t align with your budget. Hence, quality drawings with a high level of detail can help contractors quote with better precision.

Avoid Additional Costs
Structural drawings help the contractor to select and install elements as well as connections. Unclear pictures may lead the contractor to look for clarification via RFI (Request for Information). It increases the chances of misinterpretation. RFIs helps protect against errors but consumes precious time and resources. So, the design team should aim for clear structural drawings to avoid RFIs.

Conclusion
We hope this article provided you an understanding of the importance of structural drawings. The quality of drawings and calculations can go a long way to make your construction project more efficient.

If you’re looking for a trusted partner for your next civil engineering project, consider hiring a team of skilled engineers offering structural stress analysis services.