CHAPTER 2: READING BUILDING PLANS

1. INTRODUCTION - THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

2. SITUATION PLAN AND MASTER PLAN
2.1. Site plan
2.2. Site plan
3 - ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
3.1. The plans
3.1.1. Definition of a plan
3.1.2. Architectural plans
3.1.3. Quotation of architectural plans
[Link]. Values of architectural plan ratings
[Link]. Principle of plan rating
3.2. The cuts
3.2.1. A section in building drawing
3.2.2. Representation conventions
3.2.3. Quotation
[Link]. Vertical dimension lines
[Link]. Indication of levels
[Link]. Other notations and various indications
3.3. The facades
4. FORMWORK DRAWINGS
4.1. Formwork plan
4.1.1. Definition
[Link]. Principle of obtaining a formwork plan
[Link]. Naming of formwork plans
4.1.2. Representation conventions
[Link]. Nature of traits based on the elements represented
[Link]. Identification of the different structural elements
4.1.3. Quotation
[Link]. Dimension Lines
[Link]. Quotation of levels and thicknesses
4.1.4. Example of formwork plan
4.2. Vertical Cuts
4.3. Detail drawing
5. REINFORCEMENT DRAWINGS – REINFORCEMENT PLANS
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1. INTRODUCTION - THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

The construction of a building is a complex operation that requires collaboration from
many stakeholders (project owner, project manager, technical control office,
technical study offices, companies), and which is based on a set of files
including written documents (CCTP, DQE, PPSPS,...) and drawing documents.

A construction project is a single-family house, an administrative building, a

building, a renovation, a factory, an agricultural or industrial building, etc.…
The documents necessary for the realization of a construction are of two types:

THE DRAWINGS, created by architectural and specialized study offices,

-LES PIECES ECRITES, telles que les devis et les cahiers des charges.

THE DRAWINGS:
- The site plan that locates the building plot.
The site plan that defines the position of the construction on the land,
The overview drawings:
The facades
The plans of the different levels
Vertical cuts
The detail drawings
The execution drawings:
The foundation plans
The reinforced concrete plans
The framing plans
The plans for secondary trades: electricity, heating, plumbing ...

THE WRITTEN PIECES:

The descriptive estimate: This is a document that complements the mentioned drawings.
previously. It describes with the utmost precision, for each trade
(masonry, carpentry, electricity, woodworking,...), the work to be done and the materials
used.
The quantitative - estimated quote: This is a written document that lists the works.
carried out by trades, it specifies the necessary quantities of materials (quantitative) and who
estimate the projected cost of the work (estimate).
The specifications: It is a contractual document that mentions the obligations.
what companies must comply with, such as: completion date of the work, penalties in
case of delay, price revision formula, corporate responsibility,…
- The execution schedule: Also called the work plan, this document indicates for
each trade, the start and end dates of their intervention(s).

This chapter focuses on drawn pieces. Among the various graphic documents of a
construction project, we can distinguish two categories:
the drawings that define the project, established by the architectural firm;
Site plan,
Site plan,
Architectural drawings,…

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 3

the drawings that define the work of the various trades, established by the
specialized design offices, called Execution Plans for Works (PEO):
Foundation plan,
• Formwork plan,
• Reinforcement plan, ...
The execution plans of the works are the plans that are used for the realization.
of the different parts of the building. These are the ones we will mainly focus on.
we are interested.

2. SITUATION PLAN AND SITE PLAN

2.1. Geographic Orientation I
In building drawing, the plans have a geographical orientation, it allows to situate the
house with respect to the NORTH. It is represented using the compass rose or by a
arrow similar to that of a compass.

2.2. Site Plan (Figure 1)

It is an overhead view (an aerial view) of the land (to be built on or with an existing building) or of
the set of lots (subdivision) in its environment. It indicates the geographical location
of the land and informs about the means of accessing the land, its environment, and its layout.
general.
The site plan is often just a reproduction of the cadastral map, available at the town hall,
where the numbered plots of land are located.

Conventions used:
The land is identified by:
- a circle in fine line,
- a hatching,
a name (e.g., Housing estate les vallons de Sulniac).
The scales used range from
1 / 5,000 and 1 / 25,000
The geographic north is indicated by a compass.

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 4

Figure 1: site plan

2.3. Site plan (Figure 2)

Also called an implantation plan, it specifies the implantation area of the entire construction.
isolated land (a lot).
The site plan indicates:
the geographical orientation (North)
the lot number,
the surface of the land,
the name of the owner and the neighbors
the existing constructions on the land and the party walls,
the necessary dimensions for the installation,
the boundary lines of the land and the location of the cadastral markers,
the networks:

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 5

water supply,
of electricity, telephone, etc. distribution,
drainage of stormwater (EP), wastewater (EU) or sewage (EV).

Conventions used:
The outline of the construction is in a reinforced line.
The scales used range from 1/50 to 1/500.

Figure 2: Site plan

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 6

3 - ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
They are called architectural drawings or architect drawings (most often established...
by an architect) the graphic documents (plans, sections, elevations, detail drawings) that
show the dwelling as it will be once all the work is completed. The drawings
of architecture specify all the forms of construction and all its dimensions. They are
the easiest to read of all technical drawings due to the familiar appearance of the objects
represented, but the search for precise information can prove difficult.

3.1. The plans

3.1.1. Definition of a plan (Figure 3)
A "Plan" is a horizontal cut made 1 meter above the finished ground.
the floor considered.

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 7

Figure 3: Perspective view of the preserved part

(the cutting plan is located 1 m above the finished ground)

A plan being a section (Figure 4), the conventions for representing sections
apply:
reinforced trait for the outline of the parts belonging to the cutting plane,
- strong feature for the edges viewed located behind the cutting plane,
hatching or poaching of cut parts.

Figure 4: A plan

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 Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 8

Remarks:
- Cases of spans > 1 m (Figure 5).
In the case where the sills are located more than 1 m from the finished ground, the cutting plan passes 10.
cm above the curb so that all openings are represented.

Figure 5: Cases where the spandrels are > 1 m

- Cases of attic floors (Figure 6).

For the plan of an attic floor, the cut plan is located 1.30 m above the ground.
finished.

Figure 6a: Case of the attic floors.

The outlines hidden by the roof are drawn in a dashed line.

Figure 6b: cross-section of the top floor.

Representation of a staircase (Figure 7).

eme
It is accepted that the staircase is always cut at the 7th level. step

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 9

Figure 7: Representation of a staircase.

Sometimes, in the extension of the steps seen, the steps located above are represented.
of the mixed fine line cut plan (as in figure 3). This allows for better visualization of the
surface occupied by the staircase.

Other remarks.
A plan is designated by the name of the floor it represents.
Example: Ground floor plan
Finally, it can be noted that by extension, the term "Plan" is used to designate a
drawing.

3.1.2. Architectural plans (Figures 8 and 9)

All the elements of the construction are represented on the architectural plans: walls
carriers, partitions, insulation, exterior and interior openings, closets, sanitary facilities ...

Figure 8: GROUND FLOOR PLAN

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 10

Figure 9: ATTIC PLAN

3.1.3. Quotation of architectural plans

[Link]. Values of the architectural plan ratings
The dimensions of an architectural plan are the final dimensions, that is to say with finish,
flooring, ...
Descriptive lead (written document of a construction file that specifies the characteristics)
techniques of the elements implemented) allows to determine the composition of the elements
represented on the plans.
Example: on figure 8, the thickness of the façade wall (Figure 10):

Figure 10: EXCERPTS FROM THE GROUND FLOOR PLAN (Figure 8)

Reading the information contained in the descriptive estimate allows one to know that
the 315 mm height from the facade wall includes:
20 mm of exterior coating,
200 mm thick concrete block,
5 mm thick glue for the insulation,
80 mm of expanded polystyrene,
10 mm of plasterboard,
315mm total thickness for the facade wall.

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plans 11

[Link]. Principle of plan notation

The general rules of pricing that we have seen are of course still valid.
Some principles must be followed for a good reading of the drawing:
The dimensions defining interior elements of the building will be placed inside the
drawing and the dimensions defining elements placed on the exterior walls will be placed
outside the drawing.
•External quotation: 4 lines of dimensions are placed in the following order (Figure 10):
era
1 line (reference a): Dimensioning of the spandrels and openings,
th
2 line (reference b): Dimensioning from axis to axis of the openings,
th
3 line (reference c): Dimensioning of the main parts of the building,
eme
4 line (reference d): Total dimension.

Figure 10: Outside dimension

•Internal quotation: (see figure 8)

Are indicated:
the total thicknesses of the exterior walls, of the partition walls, and of the distribution partitions,
the dimensions of doors and passages,
the dimensions of each room and the closets,
and possibly the installation dimensions of the sanitary devices (sink axis by
example).
•Quote of levels:
The finished upper level of a floor is marked in a thin line circle and is expressed in
meter followed by three decimals
Example: see figures 8 and 9

Indicate that the finished level of the mezzanine part is located 2.44 m above the
finished level of ground floor.

3.2. The cuts

3.2.1. A building design section
In building design, a section is a vertical cut made from the base of the foundations.
at the ridge of the roof (Figure 11).

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 Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 12

Figure 11: A section in building drawing

L ’emplacement de la coupe doit permettre de montrer le plus grand nombre possible de

construction details :
junction between the roof and walls
wall-floor connections
position of windows and French doors,…
So, the more the building will present complex architectural forms (volumes
nested, multiple roof sections,...), the more we will represent cuts, but often, one at a time.
Two wisely chosen cups are enough to provide all the information.
necessary.
Remarks:
Always pass the cuts through the openings to allow for valuation.
Draw the doors in the closed position.
Only draw hidden edges if they are essential for understanding
the work.
Do not cut out elements that complicate the drawing and contribute nothing to the understanding such as
like a pole for example.

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 13

Figure 12: SECTION THROUGH LIVING ROOM

Figure 13: CROSS SECTION OF CHAMBER

3.2.2. Representation conventions (Figure 14)

The representation conventions for cuts apply to building cuts:

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 14

- reinforced trait for the outline of the cut parts with conventional hatching
based on the material being cut.
- strong trait for the edges seen behind the cutting plane,
- thin line to separate the different materials (concrete, reinforced concrete, masonry,
all-venant, ...

Figure 14: Representation conventions

3.2.3. Quotation
The cuts are priced using:
vertical dimension lines,
levels (positive and negative altitudes relative to level 0.000).

[Link]. Vertical dimension lines (Figure 15)

Figure 15: Vertical dimension lines

Partial dimension lines in the case of a bay: indication of the sill heights,
of bath and distance from the bottom of the lintel to the ceiling
Partial dimension lines in the case of a bay: indication of the sill heights,
of the bay and distance from the bottom of the lintel to the ceiling

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plans 15

Finish floor to finish floor potential elevation line for the floors.

•External quotation: as a general rule, one should prefer the indication of levels but
it can be placed to facilitate the execution of the work (masonry copings by
example).

[Link]. Indication of levels

The level elevations define the altitude of certain parts of the construction in relation to
a unique origin, called the reference level or origin level. This reference level
usually corresponds to the finished floor level of the ground floor. The levels are assigned
with a + sign if they are located above the reference level and a - sign if they are located
below the reference level.

•Level inside the drawing: finished floor levels; basement,

ground floor, floors.

•Level outside the drawing: all useful characteristic levels;

niveaux des fondations, niveaux d’un dallage extérieur, niveau du terrain
natural, ridge level of the roof, ...

Below is the representation used for the current levels and the level
reference. Casaetb: with NGF attachment or other marker
of altitude.

[Link]. Other references and various indications

The following dimensions are also found on the cuts:
width of the roof overhangs,
width of cantilevered structures (balcony),
chimney height
roof pitch (expressed in [%], [°] or [m.p.m])
dimensions of the framing elements (rafter purlins, ...)
- dimensions of foundation soles, ...
and indications such as:
the type of covering (slates, tiles,...)
the names of certain elements (insulation, beams, rafters,...)
the natural terrain,
the name of the cut parts, ...

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 16

3.3. The facades

The architectural plans are accompanied by the drawings of the facades, also called
elevations.

Figure 8 : FACADES

There are two ways to name the facades:

depending on the geographical orientation,

relative to the so-called main facade (the one with the entrance door).

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plans 17

4. FORMWORK DRAWINGS
The formwork drawings represent the load-bearing structure of the work stripped of all the
secondary works (rendering, floor covering, insulation, partitions, carpentry, ...). The
Formwork drawings therefore define the shapes and the so-called raw dimensions of the different
elements of the work (that is to say as they will be once the structural work is completed
completed).
The formwork drawings include:
the formwork plans (scale 1/50),
the vertical sections (scale 1/50),
detailed drawings (scale 1/10 or 1/20, see 1/5 and 1/2).

4.1. Formwork plan

4.1.1. Definition
A formwork plan is a different representation from all those we have seen.
so far. A formwork plan can be considered as a top view of the
formwork before pouring the concrete. But the horizontal elements (floors, beams and
lintels) and the vertical elements (walls and posts) do not follow the same rules:
- for horizontal structures: we draw the outlines of the formwork of the elements
vertical, the concrete being considered uncured,
for vertical works: they are represented as if they were cut by
a horizontal plane just below the level of the beams and lintels.
[Link]. Principle of obtaining a formwork plan
Let ’s take the example of the structure below, drawn with the usual rules of
representation:

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plans 18

[Link]. Designation of formwork plans

A formwork plan bears the name of the level covered by the floor represented on the
formwork plan.
er
Example: the formwork plan of 1 floor is called:
UPPER FLOOR OF THE GROUND FLOOR

4.1.2. Representation conventions

[Link]. Nature of the traits based on the represented elements
The edges of the empty formwork are represented with solid lines (the concrete is considered not poured in)
the formworks).

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 19

[Link]. Identification of the different structural elements

The beams are identified by a number followed by the indication of the section, specified in
the order width then height.
Example: 4 .300×500 [or 4(300×500)]
Beam No. 4 with a width of 300mm and a height of 500mm.

Note 1: the height of the beam includes the height of the drop + the part of the
beam located in the slab

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 20

Note 2: one may optionally add a number to the beam numbering.

indicating the floor where the beam is located
er
Example: 101⇔beam 1 of 1 floor
ème
325⇔beam 25 of 3 floor

The posts are marked:

by the uppercase letter P followed by the post number

Example: P11 or P11 (one can optionally add the numbers indicating the floor)
or by the axis markers (letter and number)
Example: see opposite

-The lintels are identified by the capital letter L followed by the lintel number Example:
L3ouL3
Vertical chains are marked by the uppercase letters CV followed by the number of
chaining Example: CV5 or CV5
Consoles are identified by the capital letter C followed by the console number and
section indications like for a beam (the bracket often becomes part of the)
beam).
Example: C1. 300×500 or C1. 300×500

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plans 21

Note: if the height of the console varies, the minimum to maximum heights are indicated.
console.

-The tiles are marked by a lowercase letter surrounded by a thin circle. The circle
is located in the middle of the fine dashed line that defines the edges of the slab.

4.1.3. Quotation
The general principles of rating apply. Spot to spot ratings are very useful for
The execution of the formwork will always be indicated. The builder should not have to do
of calculation and it is necessary to avoid repetitions.
The dimension lines are in thin lines.
It is reminded that all indicated dimensions are gross measurements (neither coated nor covered with)
sol).

[Link]. Dimension lines

External quotation on the drawing:
era
1 dimension line: width of the columns and spans of the beams (or lengths and thicknesses of
walls).
th
2 dimension line: dimensions between the axes of the posts.
th
3 dimension line: dimensions of facade setbacks if they exist.
th
4 dimension line: total dimension.

Internal quotation in the drawing:

It is indicated:
the widths of the bearing elements (beams, columns, walls) and distances between them.
the dimensions of the hoppers and their positioning dimensions relative to the closest contours
close (walls, beams).

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When the hoppers pass through the slab, measure their two dimensions if they are square.
or rectangular and by their diameter if they are round.
eme
When they do not cross the slab, they are measured by three dimensions, the 3 being always there
depth.

[Link]. Quotation of levels and thicknesses

Indications of levels:
The levels are marked in raw heights (without floor covering) in a circle with a fine line.

Raw floor at 2.68m:

Quotation of slab thicknesses:

The thickness of the slab is inscribed inside 2 circles in thin lines.
Example: Case of a solid slab of 180 mm:

Note: the following notation is also found:

Thickness quotation of a slab - Special cases:

Case of a solid slab made on precast slabs.
One distinguishes the prefabricated part (precast slab) from the cast-in-place part (concrete)
complementary).
Example: slab with a total thickness of 150 mm, including 50 mm of the precast slab:

Case of a beam slab - hollow blocks.

The height of the joist is distinguished from the cast-in-place part (distribution slab).
Example: Case of a floor with voids of 200 mm

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plans 23

Case of a slab with variable thickness.

Some slabs have a slope, for example to facilitate the drainage of water.
when they are subjected to the elements.
Example:

The water line is marked on the plan with a dashed line.

The thickness dimensioning of the slab is done at the locations where the thickness is maximum and
minimum by 2 semicircles in fine lines inside which the thickness is inscribed
correspondent.

4.1.4. Example of formwork plan

Let's take the floor shown below as an example:

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Chapter 2: Building Plan Reading 24

FLOOR FORMWORK PLAN

4.2. Vertical Cuts

The representation rules for cuttings in formwork drawings are the same as those
used for the cuts in architectural drawings.
Cuts provide information about the vertical dimensions that cannot
appear on the plans.
Example: vertical section marked on the plan of the previous page:

CUT A-A
4.3. Detail drawing
This is a large-scale representation of part of the construction of which the
dimensions are insufficiently (and/or difficult to) specified on the plans and sections.
Example: the consoleC1from the previous formwork plan:

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 25

DETAIL CONSOLE C1

5 - REINFORCEMENT DRAWINGS
The drawings of reinforcement and rebar must completely define the
reinforcements of reinforced concrete structures.
They provide:
- a complete description of each steel: diameter, length, and shape,
all the necessary instructions for setting up the shaped steel in the formwork:
number of identical reinforcements, position of reinforcements relative to each other, cover dimensions and
possible recoveries of steel bars.
The reinforcement drawings are essentially detail drawings (scale 1/10 or 1/20) where
each element (post, beam, lintel, staircase, ...) is the subject of a drawing containing a
elevation and one or more sections. But floors are generally subject to drawing for
the scale 1/50.

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plan 27

Bibliographic Reference:

H. RENAUD, Technical Drawing - BUILDING PLAN READING - Reinforced concrete

Editions FOUCHER, 2005, 158p.

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Chapter 2: Reading Building Plans 28

6. TERMINOLOGY OF DRAWINGS
1 - Drawing of details
Drawing of a part of work intended to provide all useful information on certain points
that it is impossible to specify on a general drawing.
They are established on a large scale.
2 - Overview drawing
Drawing of the entire construction.
3 - Façade drawing
Elevation of a construction.
4 - Record Drawing
Set of drawings showing the actual state of a work after its completion and established thereafter.
receiving operations.
5 - Execution plans for works (PEO)
Drawings clearly defining, concurrently with the technical specifications
detailed, the work of the various trades to be carried out. They may be accompanied
of nomenclatures and technical instructions.
6 - Overview
Scale drawing indicating the respective positions of operations in a set
and may include general observations regarding the road axes, water points,
sewage systems, gardens, etc.
7 - Master Plan
Plan that allows the identification of the land and specifies the layout of the buildings in
this one and in relation to the surroundings (the term 'site plan' should not be used).
8 - Site plan
Plan indicating the position and orientation of constructions in relation to the site
of implantation, to means of access, to the general layout of the land, to the environment and to
inlet and outlet networks.

[Link]

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