How to make construction drawings?

[seniorkonsult]

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, etc. etc. But I don't understand what its purpose is and why it is located right there. I don't have a problem with drawing or being able to read a drawing. It's the building physics behind the drawing.

Your answers are largely found in the Fukthandboken!

 

[byggingenjören97]

I hinted a bit about 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 garden shed 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 shovel to the building being put into use. Understanding in what order different parts of the framework are built, which machines are used and what possibilities/limitations lie in it. In other words, to achieve the whole picture, you need to understand the construction process, find smart solutions that allow for quick building. Time is money

An internship would be quite educational. But I'm looking for a job. Are there any books or websites you can recommend, even if they're not as educational as practical experience? Because that's the only way I can learn things at the moment.

 

[byggingenjören97]

Your answers are largely found in the Moisture Handbook!

I'll pick it up later at the library where it's waiting for me! But isn't that book only about moisture? Doesn't construction involve much more than just moisture? For example, heat flow, sound insulation, connections between, for instance, wall and roof, etc.? Where can I read about the other aspects as well?

 

[useless]

As mentioned; it is more important to understand how type constructions look than why. Sure, it can be fun to delve into it and challenge current practices, but if you start with that at your new job, you won't last long.
Therefore, the advice is still to read AMA, manufacturer instructions, etc.

 

[patrikd84]

What is missing in the account is the connection to practical construction. It can be well thought out and correctly calculated. But..... It is if not impossible, at least very complicated and cost-driving. I can give an example from my job where we received a claim for damages from the client when the contractor demanded extra payment because the reinforcement in the correctly calculated bridge foundation had been placed so tightly that it was almost impossible to get the concrete down between all the steel. It was a nice, slender, 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 craft, just as it should be built. It is often a major shortcoming among many engineers.

How did it turn out? Did the contractor get a wrong or right judgment?

I personally regroup the reinforcement if it becomes too tight and show with some detail, so that there are casting openings at regular intervals.

The very idea of thinking about everything that needs to happen before it looks like the drawing was missing in my education, I realized that quickly when I entered the field. It's important to have that early on, so it becomes a better end product.

 

[GoC]

How did it turn out? Did the contractor get it wrong or right?

I myself group the reinforcement if it becomes too tight and show it with some detail, so that there are casting openings at regular intervals.

I realized quickly when I went out there that considering everything that needs to happen before it looks like the drawing was missing in my education. It's important to understand early on, so it becomes a better final product.

I don't have any insight on that. I just remember it was a discovered issue. But it probably cost some money.
Was on this bridge, wondering if it wasn't the foundation for the pylon.

 

[patrikd84]

I have no insight on that. Just remember that it was a revealed issue. But probably cost a few kronor.
Was on this bridge, wonder if it was the foundation for the pylon.
[image]

That's usually how it goes, simpler and cheaper

In any case, it turned out to be a nice bridge!

 

[byggingenjören97]

As mentioned; It is more important to understand how type constructions look than why. Sure, it can be fun to delve into it and challenge current practices, but if you start doing that at your new job, you won't last long. Therefore, the advice is still to read the AMA, manufacturer's instructions, etc.

Then all civil engineers from Chalmers wouldn't last long at their jobs. But that's not the case. As many have written and said before, not much is expected from a new graduate. You learn most things on the job. Otherwise, I know roughly how typical constructions usually look. However, I am interested in why they look just that way.

 

[GoC]

Then all civil engineers from Chalmers wouldn't last long in their jobs. But that is not the case. As many have previously written and said, not much is expected of a recent graduate. You learn most things on the job. Otherwise, I roughly know how typical constructions usually look. However, I am interested in why they look that way.

Are you sure that's the case? Unfortunately, I think it will be tough for newly graduated civil engineers in the coming years. Many are currently furloughed, and construction is declining. Unfortunately, the house building industry seems to be quite hard hit as a result of the pandemic.
But that doesn't help you in your quest for knowledge.

 

[byggingenjören97]

Yes, I'm sure. There's not even a debate about it. Why is it so meritorious to have graduated from Chalmers for employers then? And why do all newly hired civil engineers do so well professionally? What you're saying doesn't reflect the reality. Sorry if I sound harsh, but that's not quite correct. The market is certainly affected due to the pandemic, but it's not entirely hopeless either. Many companies are completely unaffected and work as usual. I've been to several job interviews and am waiting for responses. The situation won't look like this forever either. Additionally, there are plans to build hundreds of thousands of new homes, etc., in the coming years in Gothenburg, while many engineers from older generations retire. So the demand for civil engineers will increase significantly.

 

[richardtenggren]

My feeling is that they always look for newly graduated with 10 years of experience type

If there are large projects, it’s easier to involve beginners who can grow into their role. Unfortunately, it becomes harder in smaller projects or maybe small projects that you run alone, if you can't be almost self-sufficient. However, it is very rewarding in terms of experience to run your own smaller projects.

 

[GoC]

Yes, I am sure. There isn't even any debate about it. Why is it so advantageous for employers to have graduated from Chalmers then? And why are all newly hired construction engineers doing so well professionally? What you're saying does not reflect the reality. Sorry if I sound arrogant, but that's not entirely correct. The market has indeed been affected due to the pandemic, but it's not entirely hopeless either. Many companies are completely unaffected and continue to work as usual. I've been to several job interviews and am waiting for responses. The situation won't remain like this forever either. Moreover, there are plans to build hundreds of thousands of new homes, etc., in the coming years in Gothenburg while many engineers from older generations are retiring. So, the demand for construction engineers will increase significantly.

You might be right. I'm not aware, except that our consulting business in the construction sector, where I am employed, has clearly noticed a significant downturn from private actors. I recommend, if you have the choice, to start with a large consulting firm that has greater opportunities and more experience and routines for receiving and training new employees.

 

[patrikd84]

After just returning from parental leave, I have understood that many of our competitors (large consulting firms in construction) have furloughed staff. We have not done this in house or bridge (I believe industry has) as far as I understand it. We are hiring a newly graduated calculation engineer this year, which is similar to previous years - however, no civil engineer. It has been 1-2 newly graduates per year in recent years.

The occupancy rate is noticeably lower than before the pandemic.

 

[byggingenjören97]

You might be right. I have no insight except that our consulting business in the construction sector, where I am employed, has clearly noticed a significant downturn from private actors. I recommend you, if you can choose, to start at a large consulting firm that has greater opportunities and more experience and routines for welcoming and training new employees.

Of course, that would be the dream! But as a recent graduate, you can't set your demands too high. You just want to get your foot in the industry if you know what I mean. You don't want to play Russian roulette as a recent graduate. Instead, you grab the first offer you get. Especially during these corona times. Now you're also applying for jobs you're totally uninterested in. Better than being unemployed. But I was lucky and found a few jobs that I'm actually interested in But otherwise, I agree with you. A larger company that is happy to welcome new graduates is what we ideally want. But it's not so easy to land a dream position as your first job, and nowadays, there's a higher chance of winning the lottery twice in a row. I'm now waiting for a decision from a newly started consulting company with only 4 employees. If I get fired for being too "difficult," so be it. I can't do more than what I already have, i.e., completed a university degree just like the company owners did before they landed their first jobs. Then at least I also get experience (and a salary), which is better than twiddling my thumbs on the couch at home.

 

[byggingenjören97]

Having just returned from parental leave, I have understood that many of our competitors (large consulting firms within construction) have furloughed staff. We haven't done that in housing or bridge (I think the industry has) as I understand it. We are hiring a newly graduated calculations engineer this year, which is similar to previous years - however, no construction engineer. It's been 1-2 newly graduated per year in recent years.

The occupancy rate is clearly lower than before the pandemic.

Yes, it seems to vary from company to company. I've been to some interviews where they have said that their company is not affected at all and that they work as usual. Other companies have had to stop the entire recruitment process, including one company that offered me a position but had to cancel everything.