How to make construction drawings?

[byggingenjören97]

That sounds too good to be true. While it may be rare for there to be errors in the calculations, designing a house involves much more than calculations. And believe me, there's probably not a single project where there isn't some form of error in the projected documents. Even though there are quality systems and guidelines, mistakes can be made.
Welcome to reality

Of course, I take everything that's said with a pinch of salt. However, you have misunderstood me. I never said that errors never occur.

 

[Paco64]

Hello! There were quite a few comments so I haven't read through all of them, so you may have already received the following tips.
I have worked as a designer for 35 years and can honestly say that regardless of education, it's the commitment that will determine whether you become a good designer or not. With the enthusiasm you show here, I am COMPLETELY convinced that you will do brilliantly. The profession takes a lifetime to learn and the more you learn, the more you realize that you don't understand, so the learning never ends.
Learning to design details is very experience-based, but there are some shortcuts you can take to create a good foundation and understanding of construction, as construction today is not just the supporting framework but really most of what makes up a house.
The books I would recommend you take a look at include the “Moisture Handbook”, a bit dated but very simply written and very explanatory, where you can learn why different things are where they are in the construction, pros and cons. Then I would also recommend browsing through HusAMA. You will immensely benefit from being able to navigate it, and there are countless details you can look at that are "correctly" executed.
If I were you, I would visit various material suppliers' websites and check out different materials, read what they are for, and then look at their installation instructions, where you will also find many details on how things should look and, of course, how the materials are installed. If you check out sites like Paroc, Sundolitt, Gyproc, there's plenty of information to find, and there's no stopping there: green roofs, sealing layers, radon seals, high-performance insulation (like PIR), etc.
If you want to build models in 3D, immerse yourself in Revit as much as you can.
But don't forget, no one expects you to know much from the start, but if you have the commitment and the desire to learn, ask questions, take advice and tips, and perhaps most importantly, take it slooooowly, you will be awesome!!
Wishing you the best of luck in the future!!!

 

[Bengt Svejdur]

Yes, I already know that. I'm not that dumb haha. We have studied strength of materials.

But in order to build a house, the reasonable workflow must be that you make a construction drawing, elevation drawing, and a floor plan with the materials and dimensions you have in mind, and then perform a strength calculation to see if it withstands all the loads that may occur.

 

[byggingenjören97]

But to be able to build a house, it must reasonably be that the workflow is to make a construction drawing, facade drawing, and a floor plan with the materials and dimensions you have in mind, and then perform a structural analysis to see if it withstands all the loads that may arise.

Yes, I know? I don't know where you're going with this. I'm not denying what you say

 

[Bjober]

But in order to build a house, the logical process must be that you create a construction drawing, facade drawing, and a floor plan with the materials and dimensions you have in mind, and then perform a load-bearing calculation to see if it holds for all the loads that may arise.

But TS's problem seems to be that he is studying a construction drawing but doesn't understand what he sees. Then construction drawing cannot be step 1.
Something else must come before that.
A needs assessment. What do we want to create?
What should the construction withstand or perform?
Protect us from weather and wind if we are building a house, for example. Withstand heavy loads on all floors. Keep the warmth indoors.
Make a simple sketch.
Have a clear overall picture of what we want to create.
Then you start designing.
TS has said 100 times that it is not calculation, drawing, or reading drawings that is the problem so we must start before that point.
If you are clear that you want to create a house and have read about what houses usually look like and how they are traditionally built, then we can take the example TS mentioned with wall construction.
If we want to create a studded wall, you draw vertical studs. Without exact dimensions.
Choice of insulation thickness, sheathing, and the weight the wall should bear will then provide the dimensions in later calculations.
If we want to incorporate intermediate floors, the wall will also have to bear this load, and studs should be integrated into the construction. Gradually, this evolves into a complex drawing, and when TS comes in and reads this drawing, he understands nothing at all.
Must not the first step then be to backtrack the process and study "what does the drawing represent"? Find out the purpose of the construction, study the big basic features.

 

[seniorkonsult]

But TS's problem seems to be that he is studying a construction drawing but doesn't understand what he sees. Then construction drawing cannot be step 1.
Before that, there must be something else.
A needs assessment. What do we want to create?
What should the construction withstand or perform?
Protect us from the weather and wind if we are building a house, for example. Withstand carrying heavy load on all floor levels. Keep the warmth indoors.
Make a simple sketch.
Have a clear idea of the overall picture of what we want to create.
Then we start constructing.
TS has said 100 times that it is not calculation, drawing, or reading drawings that is the problem, so we must start before that point.
If you have a clear idea that you want to create a house and have read about how houses usually look and are traditionally built, we can take the example TS mentioned with wall construction.
If we want to create a studded wall, we draw vertical studs. Without exact dimensions.
The choice of insulation thickness, paneling, and the weight the wall should bear will then give the dimensions in later calculations.
If we want to add intermediate floors, the wall will also need to bear this load, and studs should be integrated into the construction. Gradually, this grows into a complex drawing, and when TS comes in and reads this drawing, he understands nothing at all.
Shouldn't the first step then be to backtrack the process and study "what does the drawing represent"? Find out the purpose of the construction, study the major fundamental aspects.

Yes, TS, you say you can draw and can read drawings. Then it becomes strange when you write that you don't understand anything of what is shown in the drawing?

 

[byggingenjören97]

Hi! There were quite a few comments, so I haven't read through all of them, so you may have already received the following tips. I have worked as a designer for 35 years myself and can honestly say that regardless of education, the commitment is what will determine whether you become a good designer or not. With the commitment you show here, I am COMPLETELY convinced that it will go brilliantly for you. The profession takes a lifetime to learn, and the more you learn, the more you realize you don't understand, so the learning never ends. Learning to design details is very experience-based, but there are a few shortcuts you can take to create a good foundation and an understanding of construction. Construction today is not just the load-bearing structure but almost everything in a house. The books I would recommend you to look at are "Fukthandboken," although a bit dated, it is very simply written and very explanatory. You can learn why different things are where they are in the construction, their pros and cons. Then I would also browse through HusAMA. You will have an incredible benefit from being able to find your way in it, and there are countless details you can look at which are "correctly" executed. If I were you, I would visit different material suppliers' websites and bring out different materials, read what they are for, and then look at their installation instructions. There you also have many details on how it should look and, of course, how the materials are installed. If you go to e.g. Paroc, Sundolitt, Gyproc, there is a lot to gather. Then there’s no end to it—green roofs, waterproofing, radon sealing, high-performance insulation (like PIR), etc. etc. If you want to build models in 3D, learn as much Revit as you can. But don't forget, no one expects you to know much from the start, but if you have the commitment and the desire to learn, ask questions, take advice and tips, and perhaps most importantly, hurry sloooowly, you will be great!! Best of luck in the future!!!

Wow! Thanks for the tips!! I have borrowed several books from the library now and already learned a bit about external walls And I've just scratched the surface! As you say, the learning never ends. I'm actually going to pick up the moisture handbook now that I've reserved Waiting for AMA Hus to become available for loans. Will definitely take a look at various suppliers' websites

I was recently interviewed for a startup with only 4 employees, so it feels like I'll have more responsibility and less help there than at a larger company. So I don't want to sit there and be like "how do you do it?" or "what is a vapor barrier?" if I get the job. So while I'm waiting for an answer, I thought it couldn't hurt to study and read a bit on my own to be a little more prepared I've worked a lot with Revit at Chalmers. I was even a teaching assistant there, helping students with the program. So I’m quite comfortable with the digital side of things Now I want to delve into detail drawings and the building physics behind it Do you also produce construction drawings as part of your work, or what do your duties look like?

 

[byggingenjören97]

But TS's problem seems to be that he is studying a construction drawing but does not understand what he sees. Then the construction drawing cannot be step 1.
Before that, something else must come.
A needs assessment. What do we want to create?
What should the construction withstand or perform?
Protect us from weather and wind if we are building a house for example. Withstand carrying heavy loads on all floors. Keep the heat indoors.
Make a simple sketch.
Have a clear overall picture of what we want to create.
Then you start constructing.
TS has said 100 times that it is not the calculation, drawing, or reading of the drawing that is the problem so we need to start before that point.
If you have a clear idea that you want to create a house and have read about how houses usually look and are traditionally built, we can take the example that TS mentioned with wall construction.
If we want to create a stud wall, you draw vertical studs. Without exact dimension.
Choice of insulation thickness, paneling, and weight the wall will bear then give the dimensions during later calculations.
If we want to add a floor platform, the wall will also need to carry this load and the studs should be integrated into the construction. Over time this grows into a complex drawing and when TS comes in and reads this drawing, he does not understand anything at all.
Shouldn't the first step be to backtrack the process and study "what does the drawing represent"? Find out the purpose of the construction, study the major foundational elements.

Amen to that. You understand me exactly.

 

[seniorkonsult]

Wow! Thanks for the tips!!
I've borrowed several books from the library now and already learned a bit about exterior walls And I've just scratched the surface of it all! As you say, the learning never ends. I'm actually going to pick up the moisture handbook now that I've reserved Waiting for AMA Hus to be available for loan. I'll definitely take a look at different suppliers' websites

I was recently interviewed for a startup with only 4 employees, so it feels reasonable that I will have more responsibility and less help there than at a larger company. So I don't want to sit there and be like "how do you do this?" or "what is a vapor barrier?" if I get the job. So while I'm waiting for an answer, I thought it couldn't hurt to study and read a bit on my own to be a little more prepared I've worked a lot with Revit at Chalmers. I was even a teaching assistant where I helped students with the program. So I'm quite comfortable with the digital side of it all Now I want to dig into detailed drawings and the building physics behind it Do you also produce construction drawings as part of your job or what does your work involve?

Great start! Keep it up!
Read Bjobers' latest post #140?

 

[byggingenjören97]

Yes, OP, you say you can draw and can read drawings. It becomes strange then when you write that you don't understand anything of what is shown on the drawing?

You have misunderstood me. There is a difference between being able to understand what is drawn and understanding why it is drawn that way. If I look at a drawing, I can of course read the drawing. I know how the insulation looks, how the air gap looks, how the vapor barrier looks and so on. But I don't understand what purpose it serves and why it is located exactly there. I don't have problems with drawing or being able to read a drawing. It's the building physics behind the drawing.

 

[GoC]

Amen to that. You understand me exactly.

What's missing in the account is the connection to practical construction.
It can be well thought out and correctly calculated. But..... If not impossible, at least very complicated and cost-driving.
Let me give an example from my job where we received a claim for damages from the developer because the contractor demanded extra payment due to the reinforcement in the correctly calculated bridge foundation being placed so tightly that it was almost impossible to cast the concrete between all the steel. A nice slender sufficiently strong construction it was, but the connection to how it was supposed to be built was missing.
So my advice is still to study and have understanding for the practical craftsmanship, how exactly it will be built. It is often a large deficiency among many engineers.

 

[byggingenjören97]

What is missing in the account is the connection to practical construction.
It can be well thought out and accurately calculated. But..... If not impossible, it is at least very complicated and cost-driving.
I can give an example from my job where we received a claim for damages from the builder because the contractor demanded extra payment due to the reinforcement in the correctly calculated bridge foundation being placed so closely that it was almost impossible to get the concrete between all the steel. It was a nicely slender and sufficiently strong construction, but the connection to how it should be built was missing.
So my advice is still to study and understand the practical craftsmanship, precisely how it should be built. It is often a significant shortage among many engineers.

How can I get some of that knowledge?

 

[SNf]

Hello! There were quite a few comments, so I haven't read through them all, so you may have already received the following tips.
I have worked as a designer for 35 years myself and can honestly say that regardless of education, the commitment is what will determine whether you become a good designer or not. With the commitment you show here, I am COMPLETELY convinced that it will go brilliantly for you. The profession takes a lifetime to learn, and the more you learn, the more you realize that you don't understand, so learning never ends.
Learning to design details is very experience-based, but there are some shortcuts you can take to create a good foundation and an understanding of the construction, for construction today is not just the load-bearing structure but really most of the house.
The books I would recommend you to look at include "Fukthandboken", admittedly a little old but very simply written and very explanatory, where you can learn why different things are where they are in the structure, advantages and disadvantages. I would also sit and browse through HusAMA. You will have an incredible joy in being able to find things in it, and there are also countless details you can look at that are "correctly" executed.
If I were you, I would then go into various material suppliers' websites and pick out different materials; read what they are for and then look at their installation instructions. There you will also find many details on how it should look and, of course, how the materials are installed. If you go to, for example, Paroc, Sundolitt, Gyproc, there is lots to collect; there is no stop, green roofs, waterproofing, radon sealing, high-performance insulation (like PIR) etc. etc.
If you want to build models in 3D, immerse yourself in Revit as much as you can.
But don't forget, no one expects you to know a lot from the start, but if you have the commitment and the desire to learn, ask questions, take advice and tips, and perhaps most importantly, move sloooowly, you will become awesome!!
Best of luck in the future!!!

Hello again, I would like to add a reflection (based on my own experience ); Don't be too afraid to also be healthily critical of experience. Sometimes it's important to question and think new despite many people disagreeing with you. Not smart in the first period at the first job, but eventually, it can be a good way to dare to find new paths and new constructions across technology areas and old routines. If you succeed, everyone will cheer. If it turns out less well, at least you tried. Try to have good advisors who can hold back if the leap seems too uncertain. To dare is always to lose one's footing for a little while.
Best regards,
Sn

 

[GoC]

How can I gain some of that knowledge then?

I hinted at it earlier when I described how we at Teknis got to do carpentry and masonry as part of our education.
The best school is to be out on construction sites.
Or why not, design your own insulated guest house and then try to build it according to your drawings.
But some form of internship at a large house construction is probably the best school. To be able to follow a construction from the first groundbreaking until the building is put into use. Understand in which order you build different parts of the structure, what machines are used, and what possibilities/limitations are involved.
That is, to get the whole picture, you need to understand the construction process, find smart solutions that lead to quick building. Time is money.

 

[useless]

How can I gain some of that knowledge then?

By reading books and installation instructions and being out in the real world. The reason for building the way it is done depends on these factors:
- 49.5% Tradition and old habits. Nothing beats a proven design.
- 49.5% It is most cost-effective because everyone knows how it should be constructed and avoids spending expensive work hours figuring out what the designer had in mind.
- 1% innovation.