Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
(OP)
Hey dudes and dudettes ...
I am an ex-framer of custom homes (10-years) turned structural engineer (17 years). I have worked for three structural engineering firms so far and each one has had differing structural drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan. I will try to explain each one:
Method 1:
Foundation Plan--cut through the center of all window and door openings at the first level. You see the wall sections from first level, jamb lines from first level, but no wall headers
Second Floor Plan--cut through the center of all window openings at the second level. You see floor framing and wall sections from second level, jamb lines from second level, jamb lines from first level (dashed if openings do not stack), and wall headers from first level.
Third Floor Plan--cut through the center of all window openings at the third level. You see floor framing and wall sections from third level, jamb lines from third level, jamb lines from second level (dashed if openings do not stack), and wall headers from second level.
Roof Plan--cut above roof. You see roof framing, walls dashed and headers from third level.
Main drawback (other than it looking like a drafting error if openings do not stack) is that it takes two architectural background to create one structural floor plan.
Method 2:
Foundation Plan--cut through the center of all window and door openings at the first level. You see the wall sections from first level, jamb lines from first level, but no wall headers
Second Floor Plan--cut UNDER the sole plate of the second floor walls. You see floor framing from second level; all first level walls dashed and wall headers from first level.
Third Floor plan--cut UNDER the sole plate of the third level walls. You see floor framing from third level; all second level walls dashed and wall headers from second level.
Roof Plan--cut above roof. You see roof framing; third level walls dashed and headers from third level.
Main drawback is that it is confusing as hell and does not appear to reflect what's going on in the architectural drawings
Method 3:
Foundation Plan--cut just above wall headers at first level. You see wall sections from first level; all window/door openings and corresponding headers at first level.
Second Floor Plan--cut just above wall headers at second level. You see floor framing and wall sections at second level; all window openings and corresponding headers at second level.
Third Floor Plan--cut just above wall headers at third level. You see floor framing and wall sections at third level; all window openings and corresponding headers at third level.
Roof Plan--cut above roof. You see roof framing; all walls below as dashed; no headers
Main drawback is that it is more difficult for structural engineers to track loads through building if openings do not stack.
What is your experience?
How do your firms show wood framed structures in plan?
What do you believe is the most efficient way?
I am an ex-framer of custom homes (10-years) turned structural engineer (17 years). I have worked for three structural engineering firms so far and each one has had differing structural drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan. I will try to explain each one:
Method 1:
Foundation Plan--cut through the center of all window and door openings at the first level. You see the wall sections from first level, jamb lines from first level, but no wall headers
Second Floor Plan--cut through the center of all window openings at the second level. You see floor framing and wall sections from second level, jamb lines from second level, jamb lines from first level (dashed if openings do not stack), and wall headers from first level.
Third Floor Plan--cut through the center of all window openings at the third level. You see floor framing and wall sections from third level, jamb lines from third level, jamb lines from second level (dashed if openings do not stack), and wall headers from second level.
Roof Plan--cut above roof. You see roof framing, walls dashed and headers from third level.
Main drawback (other than it looking like a drafting error if openings do not stack) is that it takes two architectural background to create one structural floor plan.
Method 2:
Foundation Plan--cut through the center of all window and door openings at the first level. You see the wall sections from first level, jamb lines from first level, but no wall headers
Second Floor Plan--cut UNDER the sole plate of the second floor walls. You see floor framing from second level; all first level walls dashed and wall headers from first level.
Third Floor plan--cut UNDER the sole plate of the third level walls. You see floor framing from third level; all second level walls dashed and wall headers from second level.
Roof Plan--cut above roof. You see roof framing; third level walls dashed and headers from third level.
Main drawback is that it is confusing as hell and does not appear to reflect what's going on in the architectural drawings
Method 3:
Foundation Plan--cut just above wall headers at first level. You see wall sections from first level; all window/door openings and corresponding headers at first level.
Second Floor Plan--cut just above wall headers at second level. You see floor framing and wall sections at second level; all window openings and corresponding headers at second level.
Third Floor Plan--cut just above wall headers at third level. You see floor framing and wall sections at third level; all window openings and corresponding headers at third level.
Roof Plan--cut above roof. You see roof framing; all walls below as dashed; no headers
Main drawback is that it is more difficult for structural engineers to track loads through building if openings do not stack.
What is your experience?
How do your firms show wood framed structures in plan?
What do you believe is the most efficient way?






RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
-Foundation is foundation and doors (pour through only...)
-Next level framing (floor or roof) shows the wall supporting the framing and all headers, post, beams that are required. bearing lines above are dashed if not supported by a wall below.
-roof is same as a floor but with slopes shown.
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
So you would call out your shear wall and holdown info on the second level floor plan?
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
I normally like to intermix the architectural plan with this method of structural framing plans during the design process as all the vertical and horizontal discontinuities do show up.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
As an ex-framer, I can tell you that I can build anything you put in front of me ... no matter where/how it is shown. Of course, drawing clarity and organization is always a plus. Same is true of the GC's/Framers in the Pacific NW (area where I practice) as every engineering firm out here seems to show wood buildings in a slightly different way.
As a structural engineer looking for more efficient ways to produce clear, concise, and constructable documents ... I have to say that I prefer Method 3. It has a one-to-one correspondence with the architectural drawings (i.e. their first floor cad background is our first floor cad background, etc.) ... and it saves drafting time on wood framed projects where our fee is typically low and the projects are typically complex. Everything required to construct a level, and everything required to support the next level up, is shown on one drawing.
The only drawback of Method 3, as I see it, is tracking loads during design if openings do not stack. However, the architectural drawings will ALWAYS have exterior building elevations that we can use as reference (for non-stacked openings) so it really only becomes an issue for the interior bearing walls.
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
-Foundation and first floor framing
-First floor walls and the system that they support (second floor joists)
-Second floor walls and roof
Hold downs will be shown on each plan as shown. I often show the location on the foundation since they need to be embedded or attached to the foundation.
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
As an engineer with 45 years in the construction industry and always producing my own drawings, I feel compelled to comment.
First, to hell with common convention. Focus on what the guy in the field has to build, particularly if you want it built according to your plan.
1. Foundation plan shows exactly that - footing & foundation walls up to the underside of the level it supports.
2. First floor plan shows the first floor structure period. Include all supporting structure elements if the foundation walls do not continue up to the first floor sills. Anything above the top of the joists is irrelevant for the guy constructing it. If there are considerations for subsequent construction above the joists, call it out or provide the appropriate details.
3. Second floor plan shows the second floor structure and all that supports it, i.e. from the top of the first floor joists up to the top of the second floor joists. Again, if there are considerations for subsequent construction above the joists, call it out or provide the appropriate details.
4. Roof plan shows all structural elements from the top of the second floor joists on up.
This is just my NTBH opinion and how I approach a structure. Others may disagree. What matters is how easy it is for the guy who has to build it. It may require some coaching for him to understand your drawing, but once he does, it will go smoothly.
I find that overlaying the structural plans on the architectural plans can often be confusing as hell for the field. Unfortunately we engineers are always squeezed on time and fees and the focus is sometimes more on how to analyze and less on how to build.
Ralph
Structures Consulting
Northeast USA
RE: Drafting standards for showing wood framed buildings in plan
EIT
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