How to make construction drawings?

[byggingenjören97]

Now, I can't say that this is generally the case, but my impression is that those who calculate and graduate from school today have a civilingenjör degree, while those who draw/model have a byggingenjör degree or have studied a YH program in it. Then a curious and diligent bygging. could certainly be allowed to perform certain calculations if there is a burning interest since you study some of the subject. Drawing techniques vary between different disciplines in construction, so teaching a too strict template during education I don't think would do much good. Last but not least, each company has its way of designing its drawings and a drawing manual that describes this.

It's not strange to feel like you don't know anything "useful" when you start working, the practical can't be fitted into today's education. To gain that, a sabbatical year within a construction contractor is required, I would guess.

I share that impression too. I am a högskoleingenjör with a great interest in both drawing/modeling and calculating. Högskoleingenjörs are usually called designers/building engineers, while civilingenjörer are called calculation engineers or civilingenjörer. That's according to my experience But that's a completely different discussion topic

I've also understood that every company has its own template. Do you have any tips on things I can study/learn on my own while I'm looking for a job instead of just twiddling my thumbs on the couch at home? So that I am at least familiar with certain things when I start working and to impress the boss. I find it really fun and interesting, so I don't like that I have to wait to get a job to gain understanding of it. I don't mean that I want to learn it at the same level as an engineer with 10 years of experience, but at least become familiar with it and gain some understanding of it. For now, I literally know nothing about k-drawings. I look at existing drawings and understand absolutely nothing about why it's constructed that way.

 

[fgo]

Nice! Do you have any tips on things I can study/learn on my own while I'm looking for a job instead of just twiddling my thumbs at home on the couch? I'm not intending to learn it independently at the same level as a construction engineer with 15 years of experience. But is there any way I can at least prepare myself so that I get an okay start when I finally set foot in the industry, so it doesn't end up being a bumpy start? Anything.

I didn't end up as a structural engineer, so I can't give specific recommendations. But reading drawings and understanding the big picture helps a lot. Try to keep the mindset active. Be open to other opportunities as well, e.g., site manager at a construction company, further education, etc. What you have learned are the basics and the mindset as an engineer.

 

[byggingenjören97]

After 30 years in the consulting industry, including several years as a manager at various levels, I can only conclude that through higher academic education you only learn theory and how to calculate. Working as a consultant/designer is something you learn on the job. It's best if you also get to be out on construction sites to see what reality looks like and how what you're supposed to/have designed works to build. But 90% of what you work with daily you learn on the job, the remaining 10% you bring from school.

Do you have any tips on something I can learn a little about or at least try to become familiar with before I land my first job as a recent graduate? I find k-drawings really interesting but right now I don't understand anything about them. I don't like the idea that I have to wait to start working in order to gain any understanding of it at all I was recently at a job interview for a very small company where they want to hire someone who can quickly get started with making detailed drawings. So I'm afraid I'll be sitting there without having a clue from day one if I get the job. They probably don't expect me to be Einstein right away but I still want to prevent a rocky start as much as possible, given that there will likely be a bit more responsibility on my shoulders when it's a small startup company.

 

[byggingenjören97]

Didn't you have any associations where it was practiced alongside studies? Like the Electrical Section's Technical Department or the robotics association? Though it might be harder to practice construction privately.

No, nothing like that. You're guessing pretty accurately. Hard to practice construction privately

 

[byggingenjören97]

Interesting thread, but also a bit alarming. The basics of accounting technique (projection theory, drawing symbols, line thicknesses, etc.) should have been taught at Chalmers. If not, get a book on this quickly. Beyond that, it's just practice that matters. You have to think three-dimensionally and understand that a drawing is just a horizontal or vertical section through a 3-D model. Today's youth, who are not taught to draw with pen and paper (or drawing film), probably have a steeper learning curve. Today's computer-aided technology is not only beneficial. Most K-drawings are made using A-drawings as a basis.

I'm not referring to drawing technique. I learned that in high school and even more at Chalmers. However, that's not what the thread is about. I mean how the construction is built/drawn as it is. Why is it designed in that way? What is the purpose of all the components, how do they work together, and why was it decided to do it that way? That's what I'm referring to. So, the engineering thinking behind the actual design of what you draw. How do you learn that, I wonder?

 

[byggingenjören97]

Much of how to construct standardized things at a detailed level is described in the AMA books.

It just says something like "Do this, use this material and these measurements". Okay, but I don’t understand why. I am interested in understanding the theory behind the actual construction drawing and not just drawing without understanding why.

 

[justusandersson]

Drawing technique has probably never been highly valued in civil engineering education, unfortunately. I have personally been involved in teaching future civil engineers in a practical subject, and their presentations were quite disheartening. I don't understand why this has happened. My grandfather (born in 1884), who had a simpler electrical engineering education, was a whiz at drawing technique and projection theory. For a university engineer, I believe the best practice could be at a medium to large architectural firm. Then the individual learns to draw.

 

[byggingenjören97]

30 years ago I thought it was a drag to draw a bunch of figures on foil etc. What was it good for?

Today, when I draw electrical schematics, design solar power systems, and create documentation for engineers who need to calculate structural integrity etc. I also drew blueprints and plans for my own house.

Now I am very pleased to have learned from the ground up.

I wonder how much of that can be self-taught. Can I somehow learn certain things on my own even if it's just extremely little? Or do I just have to sit and twiddle my thumbs on the couch until I land a job?

 

[byggingenjören97]

Now, I didn't end up as a structural engineer so I can't come up with specific recommendations.
But reading drawings and understanding the big picture helps a lot.
Try to keep the mindset going.
Be open to other opportunities as well, like a site manager at construction companies, further edu, etc.
What you've learned is the basics and the mindset of an engineer.

That's what I'm doing right now. I'm looking at drawings, but I don't understand a thing. How can I gain an understanding of why it is constructed the way it is? Is it only through work that I can get that understanding? Am I really so powerless that I just have to twiddle my thumbs on the couch until I land a job where I learn it?

 

[byggingenjören97]

Technical drawing has probably never been particularly valued in civil engineering programs, unfortunately. I've personally been involved in teaching future civil engineers in a practical subject, and their presentations were quite disappointing. I don’t understand why it has become like this. My grandfather (born 1884), who had a simpler electrical engineering education, was an ace at technical drawing and projection learning. For a university engineer, I think the best practice can be at a medium to larger-sized architecture firm. There, they can learn to draw.

Never had a problem with technical drawing. Among the easiest things to learn at university. There's a difference between being an ace and just being okay. We had a course where we learned technical drawing and had to make our own detailed drawings, which would then be reviewed by real engineers. We only learned how to draw but never the theory behind it. I get a little bit irritated about it when I think about it now haha.

 

[sinuslinus]

Isn't it building physics you're thinking of? For example.

 

[useless]

It only says something like "Do this, use this material and these measurements." Okay, but I don't understand why. I am interested in understanding the theory behind the actual construction drawing and not just drawing without understanding why.

But then it's not the drawing technique itself you're interested in, right?

 

[justusandersson]

From post #20, I understand that I have misunderstood the thread. It's not about drawing techniques but about building construction. The interesting question is who owns the design? Previously, this was a typical architectural area. Two-thirds of all employees at an architecture firm were structural engineers. The constructor's responsibility was limited to dimensioning the different elements. (Of course, the structural design was a joint responsibility.) As architects' technical competence has decreased (though not unequivocally), the boundary between architect and constructor has changed. A good way to study building construction is to read about older (not historical) construction methods.

 

[joakim_j]

That's what I do currently. I look at drawings, but I don't understand a thing. How am I supposed to understand why it's constructed the way it is? Is it only through a job that I can gain that understanding? Am I really so powerless that I just have to twiddle my thumbs on the couch until I land a job where I learn it?

I believe you can learn by reading the drawings. Oh, you look at them and "don't understand a thing." Find out then! That's what engineers are for. Ask here on the forum, read online, compare different constructions and notice what is the same and what is different. Think about why it's made the way it is.

Interestingly enough, I have almost the exact opposite problem. I have a decent theoretical background (Master of Science in Engineering Physics), so I think I can grasp the physics quite quickly. But I lack the formal qualification to get a job as a structural engineer, which I'm quite keen on otherwise.

 

[byggingenjören97]

Isn't it building physics you're thinking of? As an example.

Yes, something like that! I'm interested in understanding why the drawing looks the way it does. Why is the insulation right there, for example? Why is there an air gap in that way? What do all the other parts do and why is it designed in that way? The building physics behind the drawing, simply How do you learn that?