Terminology and Symbols:

Construction

I NFORMATION found on construction

drawings can appear to be complicated.
However, symbols and the correct terms
can help clarify and communicate
instructions between the architect, drafter,
contractor, carpenter, and manufacturer.
The terms and symbols are commonly used
across construction trades. It is similar to
learning another language; without knowing
the correct terms and symbols, it is almost
impossible to understand what construction
drawings are intended to communicate.

Objectives:

þ 1. Review basic construction plans and elevation drawings.

2. Interpret construction terminology and symbols.

Key Terms:

Ñ backfill
building section view
shear wall
sheathing
top plate
topographical plan
elevation sill plate truss
girder structural members truss plan
joist stud typical detail
joist hangers symbol valley
rafter terminology vapor barrier
shear panel tie

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 Construction Plans, Elevations,
and Section Drawings
Trade and professional organizations have developed standard terminology and symbols
used in construction. A symbol is a graphic figure or mark that represents a particular item on
the construction documents. Terminology is the technical or special words used in business,
art, and science as well as more specialized fields. The drafter, architect, and engineer use sym-
bols and terminology to communicate the design to the manufacturer, contractor, and carpen-
ter.

NOTES
Construction documents have a range of information that must be clearly communicated
and organized. In addition to graphic drawings, notes and symbols are used to clarify and rep-
resent information. You must use precise and standard notes. The notes include the specific
terminology used to describe or explain a design feature or part. The symbols and notes are
logically placed on the drawing and point to the location they reference. A construction note
uses a leader that extends directly from the note to the object where it applies.

SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Symbols and abbreviations are used to save space. Then the drafter is able to include all the
necessary information on the construction documents. Several types of symbols are used in
construction. Symbols used in
construction are numerous.
Mechanical and electrical symbols
are used in elevation, plan, or sec-
tion drawings to communicate
design and construction informa-
tion. Most symbols used in eleva-
tion drawings communicate
design direction and are
representational in appearance.

Symbols
Symbols on a section drawing
show the object as if it were sliced
vertically; it represents the com-
position of the object. Symbols
used to represent an object on a FIGURE 1. Symbols used for construction materials range from looking
similar to the real material to a simple graphic, such as lines or dots. They
plan usually look like the object; may be represented differently in elevation, plan, and section drawings.

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 most construction information is represented graphically. Section drawing symbols are usually
representative of the actual material makeup, and others are standard graphic representations.
Material symbols are used to fill in the outline of a shape or object on the drawing. The symbol
represents the material for each object. For example, repetitive diagonal lines represent brick;
the symbol for concrete is small dots; and medium to large polygons represent sand and gravel.
As with object symbols, a material’s symbol may be different in an elevation or plan drawing
than in a section drawing. In some cases in which a large area is covered with the same mate-
rial, the symbol may only be used in a small portion of the drawing. Material symbols are
shown in a material legend located at the beginning of the construction documents. The leg-
end includes all the materials used in the drawing; the symbol for the material is located in a
small rectangle next to the material name.

Equipment and Fixture Symbols

Equipment and fixture symbols are present on construction drawings, both plans and eleva-
tions. Many symbols use an abbreviation (or number) located within a square, circle, or other
basic geometry to communicate the specific type. Included in the construction drawings are a
series of schedules. Schedules show the symbol and list all the important information about
the equipment and/or fixtures.

Door Symbol
A door symbol or (tag) is located next to the door on the plan drawing. A door schedule
(located next to the door symbol) is also present to show the door as it looks in the elevation
plan. It may also be assigned a number or an abbreviation. Windows, room finishes, electrical
equipment, mechanical equipment, and other plan elements also have schedules that include
the related symbols and/or abbreviations.

Miscellaneous Symbol
A separate symbol schedule may be generated for use on large construction sites or when
some non-standard symbols are in use.

FURTHER EXPLORATION…
ONLINE CONNECTION: How to Read Construction Documents
Learning to read construction documents can take some time and practice. Most information is in a
coded form or represented by an abstract graphic. It is absolutely necessary to learn what all the symbols
and terms mean and how they are represented on a drawing. To learn more about how to read construc-
tion drawings please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw_HdCH6wBI.

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 Construction Terminology and Symbols
Construction terminology and symbols have developed over many years due in large part to
the influx of technology applications in building construction. Although there is no specific set
of standard terms and symbols that every architect, contractor, engineer, builder, and installer
uses, the following are commonly used in the industry.

TERMINOLOGY
Backfill is the process of refilling an excavation, usually with excavated material that has
been compacted and/or replaced with aggregate. The replacement of the earth (or other mate-
rial) is often associated with a trench or pier excavation around and against a basement founda-
tion, with the use of a form, the construction of a retaining wall or a bulkhead.

t A building section view is a drawing that shows a view along an imaginary “cut-
through” of a building indicating structural and construction elements.
t An elevation is a drawing that shows vertical dimensions and the exterior appearance of
the materials of a structure; how the structure looks perpendicular to its surface.
t A girder is a beam that supports floor joists.
t A joist is one in series of parallel framing members (horizontal) that supports a floor or
ceiling load; a structural member that spans from wall to wall, wall to beam, or beam to
beam. Joists are supported by beams or bearing walls.
t Joist hangers are metal
devices, shaped like a “U,”
that are used to connect two
joists or a joist and a beam at
right angles to each other.
Joist hangars are nailed on
the side of girders or other
beams in order to support
ceiling or floor joists.
t A rafter is one in a series of
structural members of a roof
designed to support roof
loads. It is an internal vertical
beam that holds up the roof
load and is part of the roof’s
framework. (The rafters of a
flat roof are sometimes FIGURE 2. Joist hangers are the standard connection between a joist and a
wall or a beam. They are engineered and are quickly put in place. There are
called roof joists.) several types, each for a different condition; two common types can be seen
in this image.

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 t Shear wall (shear panel) is a wall composed of braced panels to counter the effects of
lateral loads acting on a structure.
t Sheathing is a layer of boards, plywood, gypsum board, or other wood or fiber materials
nailed to the outside face of studs for exterior siding. (May also be nailed to joists and raf-
ters of a building to strengthen the structure.)
t A sill plate is the bottom horizontal framing member of a wall or building to which ver-
tical members are attached. The sill comes in contact with masonry or concrete founda-
tions.
t Structural members are the components that frame and support a building. When
strength is required in a structure, lumber that is 2-inches or more thick and 4-inches or
more wide is used.
t A stud is the vertical structural member of a frame wall (wood or metal) to which inte-
rior and exterior wall coverings are applied. Most wall studs are placed 16 inches on cen-
ter.
t A tie is a horizontal beam used to prevent two other structural members from spreading
apart or separating. It is a structural component used to resist tension. There are tension
ties, collar ties, and rafter ties.
t A top plate is the horizontal member on top of a wall section. It is a piece of lumber laid
horizontally on top of the studs to tie them together and form a base for the framing
above (a floor or a roof).
t A topographical plan is a drawing that shows the various elevations used on the con-
struction site as well as the main physical features (e.g., buildings, fences, rivers, roads,
trees, lakes, etc.).
t A truss is a prefabricated, triangulated timber or metal structures used to support a roof.
Trusses are formed of one triangle or a series of triangles in a single plane. Trusses sup-
port a load over a long span and transmit all of the weight to the exterior walls; then none
of the interior walls are “load-bearing.” Trusses go up quickly and they are incredibly
strong. Configurations include: W trusses, M trusses, Scissor trusses, and Gable trusses.
t A truss plan is a drawing that shows every truss in a roof system.
t A typical detail is a drawing that shows the standard method of construction for a spe-
cific material joint or connection. For example: streets, sanitary sewers, and greenway
construction.
t A valley is the inside corner formed by intersecting roofs. Valleys are the “lowest” point
of a roof where rafters from different angles come together.

A vapor barrier is a sheeting material (usually polyethylene film, roofing paper, or foil)
applied to the warm side of a wall or floor (wood and concrete) to prevent the absorption and
condensation of moisture. Without a vapor barrier, moisture can pass through a building’s
envelope, penetrate, collect, and cause damage including the formation of molds and fungi.
Without a vapor barrier, water travels from the ground through the concrete and cause the loss
of bond or destruction of the floor covering.

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 FIGURE 3. Building material symbols are used in construction drawings to show the finish material for a project, such as a
floor or wall. Symbols are also used to show the internal material of construction systems and are used in detail drawings to
show the make-up of walls, floors, and ceilings.

SYMBOLS
Construction symbols are defined either in a
schedule, such as a structural schedule, or in a
legend. Architectural symbols include building
materials.

t Structural symbols include steel beams,

columns, and lintels.
t Wall symbols include those for exterior and
interior walls.
t Door and window symbols are also more
FIGURE 4. Structural symbols are generally simple and
defined in the schedule. basic, showing the shape and size of the structural
member.

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 FIGURE 6. Miscellaneous symbols, such as those
shown here, are used to reference another drawing
or schedule. Most are standard, and they are
FIGURE 5. The symbols used on construction drawings for doors and
sometimes located in a symbol legend.
windows are simplified graphics of the door or window appearance.
Each type of door and window has its own symbol.

t Miscellaneous graphic symbols and tags are used to reference other information that may
be found on schedules or on additional drawings.

Summary:

2 Construction documents have a range of information all of which must be clear and
organized for all readers. In addition to graphic drawings, there are notes and sym-
bols used to clarify and represent information.

Most of the symbols used in elevation drawings look like the actual material or
object. The symbols used in a section drawing show the object as if it were sliced
vertically and represent the composition of the object. Plan symbols that represent
an object usually look like the object; and most of the construction information is
represented graphically. Some of the section symbols are representative of the actual
material makeup. Others are just standard graphic representations.

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 Many equipment symbols use an abbreviation (or number) that is located within a
square, circle, or other basic geometry. There are standard symbols and terms that
are used by contractors, architects, engineers, installers, and builders.

Checking Your Knowledge:

´ 1. Which drawing shows a view along an imaginary cut-through of a building?

2. What is the term for the vertical structural member in a wall?
3. What material prevents moisture from penetrating a building?
4. Which drawing shows what the exterior of a structure looks like perpendicular
to its surface?
5. Which drawing shows every truss used to make up a roof system?

Expanding Your Knowledge:

L A great way to learn more about reading construction symbols and terms is to visit a
construction company or an architectural firm. These professionals use these sym-
bols and terms all the time and can help explain the importance of using them cor-
rectly. Plan a trip to one of these offices and prepare a list of questions before hand.

Web Links:

: Blueprint Reading and Sketching

http://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-books/blueprint-reading-and-
sketching.html

Construction Dictionary and Glossary of Construction Terms

http://www.builderspace.com/glossary.html

Construction Trade: Technical Schools and Training

http://www.khake.com/page84.html

Video: How to Read Construction Drawings and Floor Plans

http://video.about.com/architecture/How-to-Read-Construction-Drawings-
and-Floor-Plans.htm

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