How to make construction drawings?

[byggingenjören97]

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

Exactly. That's not what I'm referring to. I'm referring to the theory behind the actual design/drawing. Not the drawing technique itself

 

[MetteKson]

Now, I didn't end up as a structural engineer, so I can't give specific recommendations. But reading drawings and understanding the whole picture does a lot. Try to keep the mindset going. Be open to other possibilities as well. For example, site manager at a construction company, further education, etc. What you've learned are the basics and the mindset as an engineer.

In these Corona times, you can take the opportunity to take a single course in technical drawing and CAD. I read that there are some distance courses in these subjects when I googled. I am considering CAD myself since it's been a long time since I worked with modeling and the creation of drawing materials. The courses are offered by universities and colleges all over Sweden, and the teaching is digital. The courses are about +- 10 credits. You get more credits, which is a merit.

 

[byggingenjören97]

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 typically an architect's area. Two-thirds of all employees at an architectural firm were building engineers. The constructor's responsibility was limited to sizing 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.

Exactly! I am interested in the theory/building physics behind the drawing/design itself Where can I read about it? All the literature I find in the subject area only shows how things look. No one explains the theory behind it.

 

[useless]

Why is there insulation 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 particular way? The building physics behind the drawing, simply How does one learn that?

Shouldn't that be exactly what you learn in the civil engineering program?
Are you sure you attended the right courses?

 

[byggingenjören97]

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

Interestingly, I have almost the exact opposite problem. I have a decent theoretical background (civil engineering, technical physics) so I think I can grasp the physics fairly quickly. But I lack the formal qualification to take a job as a structural engineer, which I'm quite interested in otherwise.

Yes, I try, but it's difficult. It's like learning a language. A hundred different components for a hundred different purposes for a hundred different situations and circumstances. I started the thread to see if there's a "best" way to learn. Like if there was any literature or the like that explains most of it.

 

[GoC]

Do you have any tips on something I can learn a bit about or at least try to become familiar with before I get my first job as a newly graduated? I think construction drawings are really interesting, but right now I don't understand anything about it. I don't like the idea that I have to wait to start working to be able 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 not understanding a thing from day one if I get the job. They certainly don't expect me to be Einstein right away, but I still want to prevent a rough start as much as possible, as there will probably be a bit more responsibility on my shoulders with it being a small startup company.

What you need is practical experience in building construction.
A bit typical for civil engineers, you learn a lot of theory and think that more studies can replace practical experience.
I assert that an academic degree is only proof that one can acquire theoretical knowledge.
Experience and competence, on the other hand, are gathered by practicing one’s knowledge, learning from others who are more experienced, and learning from the mistakes one makes.
In fact, all academics who are to design things to be built by people should also have practical training/internship to gain an understanding of what they are designing.

 

[byggingenjören97]

In these Corona times, you can take the opportunity to take a few courses in drawing techniques and CAD. I read that there are some distance courses in these subjects when I googled. I'm considering CAD myself as it has been a long time since I worked with modeling and drawing documentation. The courses are organized by universities and colleges all over Sweden, and the teaching is digital. The courses are around +- 10 credits. You earn more credits, which is a merit.

I'm not interested in drawing techniques. I already know that and it's one of the easiest to learn at university. In this thread, I'm referring to the actual theory behind the drawings/design. So not the drawing technique but the physics behind the drawing.

 

[byggingenjören97]

Shouldn't that be exactly what you learn in civil engineering education?
Are you sure you took the right courses?

No, it's not. I specialized in building construction at Chalmers University and we didn't learn any of this. I wish we did, but we didn't All existing civil engineers nowadays who studied at Chalmers are doing great in working life, so apparently, it wasn't a problem.

 

[byggingenjören97]

What you need is practical experience in house building. It's a bit typical for civil engineers, you learn a lot of theory and believe that more studies can replace practical experience. I claim an academic degree is only proof that you can acquire theoretical knowledge. Experience and competence, however, are gathered by exercising your knowledge, learning from others more experienced, and learning from the mistakes you make. Really, all academics who are supposed to design things that will be built by humans should also have practical education/internships to understand what they are designing.

I totally agree with you! 100%!! All construction engineers have it good in the working life today so apparently, it was no problem for them. But I agree that it would have helped tremendously with more practical knowledge! But now I don't have that Do you have any tips on what I can do to gain any knowledge at all instead of just being powerless and twiddling my thumbs until I get a job?

 

[Hochiha]

You just have to accept that you are a supergreen. Enjoy having more experienced people to interrogate. Now, 5 years after graduation (albeit in another profession), I am still confused, but the questions lack answers or are much more situation-dependent.

 

[bossespecial]

Start by drawing a completely ordinary house, assuming you might still have some of your student licenses? There's a lot to gain from the träguiden. Calculate U-values to determine wall and roof thicknesses. Also read up a bit on moisture projection, there's quite a bit about it online. Different foundation techniques can also be good to know. If you went to Chalmers, you might still live in Gbg, in which case pile foundation is always something you must be familiar with.

 

[joakim_j]

I am trying, but it's difficult. It's like learning a language. A hundred different components for a hundred different purposes for a hundred different situations and circumstances. I started the thread to see if there's a "best" way to learn. Like if there was any literature or something that explains most of it.

Yes, of course, it's difficult, otherwise, everyone would do it There's a lot of literature, but the time for that was probably in school...

I would start like this. Find a construction drawing (detail) you want to understand. Consider what the different parts do, what their purpose is, and how they interact. When you feel there's something that just seems mysterious, ask here on the forum!

Another fun thing is to look up one of the hot debates (vapor barrier vs vapor brake, isodrän under basement floor or not, air gap under roofing or not) and read through the arguments and try to form your own opinion. Don't assume anyone "has the answer," but think it through yourself!

 

[GoC]

I completely agree with you! 100%!! All civil engineers have it good in the workforce today, so it apparently wasn't a problem for them. But I agree that more practical knowledge would have helped immensely! But I don't have that now Do you have any tips on something I can do to gain any knowledge at all instead of just being powerless and twiddling my thumbs until I get a job?

You should get a good pair of binoculars and go out and study construction sites with new builds.
It's about being able to combine the knowledge of how something is built with how to calculate the strength and design of the structure.
I now work in road design, but it's the same there. You need to gain experience from more than just theoretical studies, preferably participate in a road construction to get both material and machinery understanding, as well as the order in which the finished road is built.
You could watch interesting YouTube clips and films about house construction.

 

[MetteKson]

I am not interested in drawing techniques. I already know that and it's among the easiest things to learn at university. In this thread, I am referring to the theory behind the drawings/design. So not the drawing technique but the physics behind the drawing.

Ok, then I misunderstood your question.

 

[SysterNett]

What specialization did you study in your final year?