Drawing Packages & Calculations

Drawing Packages

The structural drawing set communicates design intent to the contractor, translating calculations and decisions into coordinated, buildable instructions.

How Structural Sheets Fit into the Full Set

Projects include sheets from many disciplines — architectural, structural, civil, MEP, fire protection, and specialty consultants. Structural sheets carry the S-series designation (S1.01, S5.02) and share a common title block, numbering system, and drawing scale determined by the architect. Each sheet includes a title block with project information, sheet title and number, key plan, and revision history; revision blocks or deltas showing changes issued during design or construction; and key plans for orientation.

Common Components

• General notes — codes and standards, design criteria, special inspections and QA/QC requirements. Sets the framework referenced throughout the set.
• Special sheets — load maps, schedules, and other project-wide information that does not fit on standard plans.
• Framing plans — the backbone of the set. Overall plans map how the building divides into zones; partial or zoned plans give legible detail for each area.
• Elevations and sections — floor elevations relative to project datum, heights of beams, walls, and braced frames, and how elements align between levels.
• Details — how elements are actually built. Plans identify where details apply; details clarify connections, reinforcement, anchorage, and interfaces.
• Custom details — for unique or complex conditions such as odd geometries, heavy load transfers, or specialty system coordination.

Information should not be duplicated across sheets. Details should reference each other rather than repeat, which is how inconsistencies creep in.

Legends and Abbreviations

Plans rely heavily on shorthand. The ones you will see immediately: TYP (typical), U.N.O. (unless noted otherwise), V.I.F. (verify in field), (N) new, and (E) existing.

How Drawings Get Produced

• The engineer creates markups
• The drafter or BIM designer updates the model or sheets
• The engineer back-checks the updates
• Additional rounds of markups occur until complete
• Before issue, the team runs a QC checklist covering index, title blocks, notes, and special inspection forms

Projects distinguish between in-progress drawings and formally issued drawings, which require revision clouds and deltas based on client direction.

Three things to carry with you: structural drawings follow architectural conventions for gridlines, sheet sizes, scale, and naming. All information flows from the plans. And knowing your firm’s drafting standards is what makes your output consistent.

Structural Calculations

Calculations are the written record of how you analyzed and designed a structure — your reasoning, assumptions, code references, and results. A calculation package is a professional document that may be reviewed by project engineers, building officials, peer reviewers, expert witnesses, and future engineers at your own firm.

What Makes a Package Good

• Clear — easy to follow, with logical flow
• Well documented — code references, assumptions, and parameters listed
• Graphically supported — sketches, loading diagrams, and partial plans showing where the component sits and how it behaves
• Consistent — matches your drawings, design criteria, and firm standards

Typical Components

• Title page, table of contents, project description and design basis
• Project data — applicable codes, soil information or referenced geotechnical report, material properties
• Loading summary per IBC 1603 — dead loads, live loads per ASCE 7, environmental loads (snow, rain, wind, ice, flood, tornado, tsunami), and seismic loads
• Framing key plans showing where each designed element sits in the building
• Analysis model documentation — program name and version, modeling assumptions, boundary conditions, material models, special options
• Gravity system design — slabs and decks, beams and joists, columns, bearing and nonbearing walls
• Lateral system design — shear walls, braced frames, moment frames, diaphragms, collectors and drag struts
• Foundation design — shallow foundations, deep foundations, mat slabs and slabs-on-grade
• Miscellaneous items — stairs, equipment pads, anchorage and attachment details

Common Calculation Software

Most firms use a mix of hand calculations and software: Excel spreadsheets, MathCAD or Prime, EnerCalc, and Tedds for component work; ETABS, RAM Structural System, SAP2000, RISA-3D, SAFE, and Forte for modeling; and Simpson or Hilti tools for anchorage. See Software for how to use these well.

Ask your project manager how they expect calculations to be organized. Most have example packages you can model your work after, and following firm templates and naming conventions from the start saves everyone time.