Structural Drawing: What It Is and How It�s Evolving
By Lucky Balaraman

Structural engineers use engineering formulas relating to material properties and physics to design structures which will withstand all the forces the structures may be subject to. Examples of such forces are gravity, wind shear, stresses due to aging of materials and seismic vibration.

Structural drawings are part of the language the same structural engineers use to communicate with contractors, fabricators and regulatory bodies. These drawings describe the details of an object�s supporting members, such as beams and columns, which are designed by the structural engineer.

Structural drawings are crucial in the construction of buildings, tunnels, ships, aircraft, oil drilling platforms, bridges, retaining walls, mines, infrastructure projects, automobiles and any other object subject to significant forces.

Examples of elements described in structural drawings are beams, columns, trusses, roof framing, braces, steel connections, concrete footings, pile foundations, metal decking, joists, stairs and handrails.

Structural drawings are executed by structural draftsmen. Structural draftsmen typically work under the structural engineer responsible for the structural design. Skilled structural draftsmen convert the engineer�s sketches into CAD drawings, and also check that the designs conform to the relevant statutes and building codes.

In addition they compile material takeoffs and are responsible for keeping records of all drawings produced and transmitted downstream.

During the later half of the twentieth century, structural drawings were created on the computer using specialized software. This software created two-dimensional (�2D�) images of structures; conceptualizing the actual object in its real, three-dimensional (�3D�) form took place only in the mind. This called for highly developed spatial conceptualization abilities on the part of the concerned individuals.

But the twenty-first century saw the emergence of advanced 3D software tools for structural drafting. These tools enable draftsmen to instantaneously create a 3D element (such as an I-beam) by merely entering its dimensions. Subsequently, on the screen, the element can moved, rotated and joined with other elements just as it would be in the real world.

Once an entire object has been thus drawn from 3D elements, the software automatically creates a bill of materials, and if costs are put in by the draftsman, an itemized estimate is also output.

All this translates to shorter turnaround times for the production of drawings and more accuracy in the drawing itself.

Since the time structural drawings were created on computers, they were stored in electronic form. With advances in network communication, paperless transmission of drawings from one node in a network to another became possible. The network now encircles the world (as the Internet) and structural drawings are transmitted between countries quickly and easily.

Using additional collaboration software, structural drawings are now created by teams separated by thousands of miles, faster, more accurately and with more creative input than at any time in human history. No wonder a structure can be designed in the US, drawn in India and built in the Middle East!

Lucky Balaraman runs The Magnum Group, one of India�s best-known engineering CAD services providers. The Company offers an outstanding structural drawing service that is overseen by in-house engineers and architects. To learn more about it, go to

http://themagnumgroup.net/Structural_Offer.htm

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The Land Dictates the Plan - Practical Advice for the Owner/Builder
By Larry Clark

When a potential owner/builder has decided to move toward the process of building a new home, I regularly see a bit of confusion where the �cart before the horse� comes into play. What I mean by that is owner/builders try and concentrate on the design or plan idea before they have secured land or a lot.

I understand the excitement of the plan design process and putting on paper their ideas for their dream home, and let me share some insight on why it is important to have your land purchased first. Here are some considerations before sitting down with a plan designer:

1. Does the land/lot have any covenants you are not aware of? What I mean by this is you should check with the previous owner, Realtor and County or City planning Department and see if there are any restrictions or covenants on what you can actually build there.

2. What are the setbacks for the land/lot and how will that affect the size and footprint of your proposed home? A setback is designated space, pre-determined by the local planning Department, which is not available for your home to sit on. This is usually for right-of-ways for utilities, widening the roads, etc. So for example, if the lot you are considering is 50 feet wide and you have a 5 foot side yard setback, that means you have to take off 5 feet from each side leaving you 40 actual feet for the width of the home foundation. This is an issue also for a City lot where you may want a side garage.

3. Are there height restrictions in the area? What is the maximum height of the roof from grade (level of the land) that you can build? May be a problem for a larger 2 story plan with a steep roof line.

4. Where are the views? Once you have the land and walk around it, you will get a pretty solid idea where you would like the kitchen, living areas and bedrooms to face on the lot. If you have a plan already, you may find that the existing drawing does not account for the right positioning or amount of windows that would take advantage of the view.

5. Sewer and septic. If this is an acreage lot, then you need to see if the land has �perked� and what size of septic field and system you can build and how many bathrooms you would be allowed per how many bedrooms. Your Realtor and local Heath authority should be able to answer that question. A perk test is used to see how the actual soil absorbs or retains water. A failed perk test means alternative septic systems which can be very expensive. A city lot will usually have a sewer system to tie into, but check with the Realtor or local planning department.

6. Privacy. If you find a piece of property that has steady traffic on the front street, you may change your mind on where you want your master bedroom or living area to be. If you have plans already done, this may be a re-draw.

7. Engineering. More and more States and Provinces are requesting engineering reviews on plans before they will issue building permits. If you find land that may be of interest to you, research the local Building Department and find out if structural or civil engineering is required. Better to find out now before you already have plans done that can�t be engineered for that zone.

There are many variables in the owner/builder process, especially if things are not thought out correctly or done in a specific order. I have seen too many clients spend thousands of dollars on �dream plans� only to have them restrict where they can find land, are too big for the lot they found, or just don�t take advantage of the views, slope of the land, area etc. and end up either getting new plans or giving up altogether.

I am not saying that if you have a set of drawings done that you cannot find the perfect lot for them or that you have done something wrong. What I am suggesting, is that it would be easier and more prudent in the early planning stages to have finding land as the priority before plans and increase your success for a great new home building experience.

� Larry J Clark AllPro Building Systems 2006

Larry Clark is president of Abshomes International Inc. which markets and manufactures panelized new home packages from Canada, for export worldwide. Abshomes has subsidiary Companies: AllPro Building Systems , Cabins.ca , Build and Save as well as plan resource sites Home Plans Canada which have been successfully assisting Owner/Builder clients, Contractors and Builders, since 1991.

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Thinking About Home Improvement? Then Here's a Checklist!
By Shrinivas Vaidya

Dear friends, if you are planning to improve/renovate or refurnish your home then this article can be a very useful guide and save your lot of time.

When it comes to home improvement, most people think that it's has to do with painting the house from inside out and forget about it.

But any architectural structure is much more than just walls and ceiling. There are many systems working simultaneously which keep the building under function.

Let's have a look at these systems one by one.

1) Structural System:

This includes the support system of the entire building, namely foundation, columns, beams, slabs(in R.C.C structure). The most commonly used structural systems is R.C.C. Other types include steel and wood.

While renovating a building special attention must be given to the structural support system. Slabs should be checked to be leak proof. Columns and beams which are exposed to external atmosphere must be checked for damage. R.C.C structural members are always covered with plaster. This plaster must be without damage.

In case of steel structures, anti-rust treatment must be applied wherever necessary.

In case of wooden structure anti-termite treatment must be applied wherever necessary.

2) Plumbing System:

All pipelines which carry water in and out of the structure must be checked for leakage. The main are of possible leakage is at the joints, hence must be carefully treated.

Water taps at the washbasins, inside bathrooms, kitchen sinks, toilet blocks, should be checked for good and smooth operating conditions.

3)Drainage System:

Drainage from kitchen, bathrooms, toilets should have an unobstructed and shortest path to outside chambers. Any clogging of these lines can cause overflowing of the chambers, hence should be checked and cleaned.

4)Electrical Systems:

This starts with the main supply of the electricity from the local authorities. The point of entering the main supply should be checked for any excessive disturbance in voltage levels, which might cause damage to electrical appliances inside.

All switch boards and switches in respective rooms should be checked for proper and safe functioning. Security systems such as earthing and M.C.B's should be checked for safe functioning.

5) Doors and Windows

These form an important part of any structure as far as safety is concerned. Proper functioning of the doors and window shutters is necessary. If your home has a security alarm system installed, then it must be kept updated and in proper working condition.

Door and window shutter hinges should be applied with lubricants for smooth operations. I case of sliding doors and windows, tracks which allow sliding should be dust free.

6) Glass Panes

All glass panes used on windows and doors should be dust free. Any broken or cracked glass panes should be replaced immediately.

If the building has a skylight, then it should be checked to be leak proof and clean, to allow clear and unobstructed sunlight in the interiors.

7) Flooring Materials

In most cases tiles are used for flooring. All tiles should be checked for cracks and most importantly leveling.

In every home flooring has a natural slope to avoid clogging of water if any such situation arises. Tiled flooring must be checked at joints. Any cracks in joins must be checked with proper bonding material.

In case of wooden flooring, extra care must be taken to keep the flooring termite-free.

8) Wall Plaster and Wall Paint.

All external walls must be checked from outside for a proper layer of plaster. Plaster prevents the rainwater to seep inside the structure. If external plaster gets damaged, rain water seeps inside causing dampening of walls.

All internal walls must be checked for scraping of paint.

8) Furniture and Carpentry Items.

All furniture items must be termite free and sturdy at the joints. A coat of good quality wooden polish can add life to the furniture pieces.

Other carpentry work includes door and window shutters, door and window frames.

9) Other Accessories.

This includes small thing which matter a lot, such as all the locking arrangement at doors, windows, towel rods in the bathroom/wash basins, arrangement to dry washed clothes, storage arrangements in kitchen/bathroom.

10)External Systems

This can include a solar water heater, electric pumps to push the water from underground water tank to Overhead water tank., Cable TV antennas.

All these systems must be checked for proper functioning.

From the above discussion it is clear that proper functioning of any architectural structure is dependant of many complex systems which work simultaneously.

Hence all these must be given attention and respect. Any building is just like a human body, with movable and stationary parts. If dealt with proper care can give a very healthy living experience for years to come.

I hope this article was helpful to everyone.

Copyright 2005 Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Visit TODAY to get an in-depth knowledge of Bedroom Design, Bedroom Furniture Sets and Bedroom Decorating Ideas.

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