conventional symbols for rivets driven in the shop and
in the field.
Figure 7-7, view B, shows the same truss with only
the names of some members and the sizes of the gusset
plates (a, c, and d) between the angles.
Figure 7-7, view C, is the same truss with only a few
of the required dimensions to make it easier for you to
read the complete structural shop drawing.
DRAWINGS OF STEEL STRUCTURES
Blueprints used far the fabrication and erection of
steel structures usually consist of a group of different
types of drawings, such as layout, general, fabrication,
erection, and falsework. These drawings are described
in the following paragraphs.
Layout drawings are also called general plans and
They provide the necessary
information on the location, alignment, and elevation of
the structure and its principal parts in relation to the
ground at the site. They also provide other important
details, such as the nature of the underlying soil or the
location of adjacent structures and roads. These
drawings are supplemented by instructions and
information known as written specifications.
General plans contain information on the size,
material, and makeup of all main members of the
structure, their relative position and method of
connection, as well as the attachment of other parts of
the structure. The number of general plan drawings
supplied is determined by such factors as the size and
nature of the structure, and the complexity of operations.
General plans consist of plan views, elevations, and
sections of the structure and its various parts. The
amount of information required determines the number
and location of sections and elevations.
Fabrication drawings, or shop drawings, contain
necessary information on the size, shape, material, and
provisions for connections and attachments for each
member. This information is in enough detail to permit
ordering the material for the member concerned and its
fabrication in the shop or yard. Component parts of the
members are shown in the fabrication drawing, as well
as dimensions and assembly marks.
Erection drawings, or erection diagrams, show the
location and position of the various members in the
finished structure. They are especially useful to
personnel performing the erection in the field. For
instance, the erection drawings supply the approximate
weight of heavy pieces, the number of pieces, and other
The term falsework refers to temporary supports of
timber or steel that sometimes are required in the erection
of difficult or important structures. When falsework is
required on an elaborate scale, drawings similar to the
general and detail drawings already described may be
provided to guide construction. For simple falsework,
field sketches may be all that is needed.
Construction drawings are those in which as much
construction information as possible is presented
graphically, or by means of pictures. Most construction
drawings consist of orthographic views. General
drawings consist of plans and elevations drawn on
relatively small scale. Detail drawings consist of sections
and details drawn on a relatively large scale; we will
discuss detail drawing in greater depth later in this chapter.
A plan view is a view of an object or area as it would
appear if projected onto a horizontal plane passed through
or held above the object area. The most common
construction plans are plot plans (also called site plans),
foundation plans, floor plans, and framing plans. We will
discuss each of them in the following paragraphs.
A plot plan shows the contours, boundaries, roads,
utilities, trees, structures, and other significant physical
features about structures on their sites. The locations of
the proposed structures are indicated by appropriate
outlines or floor plans. As an example, a plot may locate
the comers of a proposed structure at a given distance
from a reference or base line. Since the reference or
base line can be located at the site, the plot plan provides
essential data for those who will lay out the building
lines. The plot also can have contour lines that show the
elevations of existing and proposed earth surfaces, and
can provide essential data for the graders and