CE 303: Introduction to

Construction
Blueprint Lab

Objectives

How to read Foundation Plans

Commercial Framing Illustrations
Reinforced Concrete
Residential Framing Illustrations
Dimensioning
Plumbing Plans
HVAC Plans
Electrical Plans/Wiring Diagrams
Masonry Symbols
Welding Symbols

Foundation Plans

Details of construction for the

footings and foundation walls
Footings and walls must be very
carefully laid out, as the rest of the
building relies on their accuracy
Slab-on-grade is a concrete slab
poured directly on the subgrade
(basement floors, main floors,
garage floors, etc..)

column
centerline

column footings

Foundation Wall
and Footing

reinforcing
steel

Plan View

T/F 96-6

A
sometimes dashed
sometimes solid
Section View
T/F = Top of Footing Elevation

Footer

Slab-on-Grade Plan View

no joints

saw cut pattern

Commercial
Framing

Framework constructed of structural steel

and/or reinforced concrete.
Framework is designed to transfer loads to
columns of steel, thus eliminating the
need for load bearing walls.
Two types of floor and roof framing
systems.
One-way floor system (Girders run parallel to
each other)
Two-way floor system (Beams and girders run
in both directions)

Commercial
Framing (cont)

Steel Beam and Column Designations

W20x48

Standard Wide Flange (W) Shape

20 nominal depth
48 lbs. per linear foot

Reinforced Concrete
floor systems - one way

Concrete beam

Girder (resting on column)

Reinforced Concrete
floor systems - two way waffle

Waffle Pan or dome system

Commercial
Framing (cont)

Open web joists are used in

commercial and industrial
construction.
Support loads more efficiently than
beams and are more economical.

Designation:
60DLH15

D: Deep; L: Long-span; H: High Strength

60: 60 depth; 15: indicates range of span
from 70 to 120, from a load table.

Residential
Framing

Similar to commercial framing

Beams and joists used to support floors

Wood members used instead of

structural steel and concrete.
More members used in residential
frames (weaker material and no
large columns.)
Weight of floor supported by wall
instead of columns.

Wood Framing

widely-used, widely-known
affordable
durable
dependable
flexible construction methods

Dimensioning

for exterior walls

given to outside of stud

for interior
given to edge of stud or
centerline of stud

check drawing carefully to verify the

dimensioning practice followed for any
given set of plans

Plumbing Symbols

Plumbing Information

shown on architectural floor plan

HVAC Systems

heating
ventilating
air-conditioning
produces the movement of air
within a building
involves controlling air
temperature
humidity
cleanliness

HVAC Symbols

HVAC Plan

Electrical Symbols

Electrical Prints

Electrical Prints

Wiring
Diagrams

wiring details
correspond to a
specific piece of
equipment

power sources
sensors
gauges
other equipment

panel schedules
lighting schedules
equipment schedules
on-line diagrams

Various Joints in
Concrete
Construction

Welding Symbol

basic symbol

Welding Symbols

Location of Weld

means all-around