Content

• To step
• Tips

Construction drawings are commonly used as a visualization aid in the construction of houses, bridges and other structures. Although these drawings are very clear to people with experience in the fields of engineering or architecture, they are difficult for laymen to interpret. By being able to read construction drawings you get a better idea of ​​the construction plans.

To step

1. Learn to what scale the drawings were made.
   • Understanding how big or small certain parts are is essential when reading construction drawings. While most construction drawings use a scale of 1 centimeter by 50 centimeters, other scales can be used in the case of very large creations. Always find out what the scale of the drawing is before you start looking at the drawing in detail. If the scale is not clearly indicated in the drawing, ask the engineer who made it for an explanation.
2. Learn what the symbols most commonly used in construction drawings mean.
   • Because these drawings are drawn on such a small scale, symbols often have to be used. While there are a wide variety of symbols, understanding some of the more common symbols can go a long way in reading construction drawings. Some of the most common symbols are the rectangle, circle and triangle. As with the scale, by consulting the engineer who created the drawing, you can learn a lot about why certain symbols were used.
3. Look for circled numbers.
   • As discussed previously, construction drawings usually have such a small scale that it is nearly impossible to add any detail. This is why engineers often add circled numbers to certain parts of the drawings. These circled numbers indicate that the portion of the drawing in question is shown in more detail on another page.
4. Understand certain abbreviations.
   • Abbreviations are a useful tool for engineers. Just like symbols, they can indicate shapes, processes and even dimensions, with just a few letters. Some of the most commonly used abbreviations in construction drawings are h, which is height, and b, which is width.
5. Collaborate with colleagues.
   • If it really doesn't work, you have to ask other professionals for help to understand the drawings better. While you may find it embarrassing to admit that you have a hard time understanding the drawing, those who work a lot with and understand such drawings will help you read them. Ask other people who know more about it and are working on the project to clarify what you don't understand; it is better that this happens at the beginning of a project than that you encounter an error in the middle of a project that has crept in because you have not read the construction drawings correctly.

Tips

• If you would like to learn how to read construction drawings, it is worth considering taking a course on this. Many colleges and universities offer introductory courses on this subject. In most cases, taking one course will give you enough knowledge to read standard construction drawings. In some cases, your employer may be willing to pay for taking such a course.