How To Read Civil Engineering Drawings ?

Civil engineering drawings are essential tools which are being used by professionals in the construction industry to communicate with design details and specifications to builders, architects, Engineers, and Client . Understanding how to read these drawings is crucial for anyone interested in a career in civil engineering. In this blog post we share the most important and most understandable topic of Civil Engineering that is civil engineering drawings and we will provide some tips for interpreting the civil engineering drawing accurately.

Different Types of Civil Drawing :

Before knowing drawing in details we have to know about how to read civil drawing and understand the types of drawing and there uses in civil engineering.

1. Site Plan
2. Floor Plan
3. Structural Plan
4. Elevation Plan
5. Section Plan
6. Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Drawings

Site Plan :

Site plans are drawings that show the layout of a construction project in relation to the surrounding area. These drawing includes the information about Roads, Landscaping, Utilities, and Other Site Details.

Floor Plan:

Floor plans are the type of drawing that show the layout of a building’s floors. These drawing includes the information about Walls, Doors, Windows, Fixtures, Furniture and other details.

Structural Plan:

Structural Plan are drawings that shows the structure plan . These drawing includes the Information about Dimension and Placement of Foundation, Beam, Column, Satir case, Slab, Reinforcement details and Concrete & Mortar Grade.

Elevation Plan:

Elevations plan are the type of drawings that show the external appearance of a building or a structure. These type of drawing include the information about the height, width, and depth of the building, as well as details on windows, doors and other items from all directions i.e. EAST, WEST, NORTH, SOUTH elevation

Section Plan:

Sections are the types of drawing that show a cut-through view or the section of a building or a structure. These drawings include the information on the internal layout, materials, and structural details of the building. There should at least two Section Plan in any building plan for easy understandable of building height and elevation the section should be cut mostly in north to south and east to west.

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Plan

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) are Drawing that Shows the Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Drawing. These type of Drawing Include the information about the location of Air Condition ducts, Plumbing pipes, and electrical wiring. these drawing also specify the materials and equipment that will be used for these systems.

Symbols and Conventions Used in Civil Engineering Drawings

In Civil engineering we use variety of symbols and convention to communicate in design details and specifications in civil engineering Drawing . Understanding these symbols is essential for accurate interpretation of the drawings. Here are the most common symbols and conventions that are used in civil engineering drawings:

1. Scale (Scale in Civil Engineering drawing refer to a scale in drawing which help a site engineer to measure the object weather the drawing  scale is enlarged or reduced drawing that is proportional to the original object.)
2. North Arrow (The True North Arrow is shown in every drawing so that the building or a structure is in right direction)
3. Dimensions (Dimension are shown in all drawing for the reference that the structure is build right and is accurate as per plan)
4. Symbol (Symbol is most important because symbol provide us the reference of object where it is build or installed. Eg. : PB – PLINTH BEAM , FB – FLOOR BEAM, ETC.)
5. Abbreviations (Abbreviation are used in drawing due to less space for full word. Eg. : W/C – Water Closet, O.T.S – Open To Sky, W- Window, D- Door ETC.)