10 Characteristics of a Good Design Drawing

1. A clear definition of design codes (i.e., seismic requirements, how detailing is impacted and which version of the AISC Manual the design is based on).

2. Provide the reactions on the design drawings, not just an arbitrary uniform load of full capacity statements (is this based on ASD or LRFD?). State whether connection design is a requirement of the fabricator/detailer and then define the loads; don’t just put 50% UDL.

3. Provide a clear definition of lateral system components and the load paths (axial drag struts, transfer forces, etc.) and define whether the moment connections are part of the lateral system or are gravity moments.

4. Clearly define any CVN requirements.

5. Framing considerations: Avoid acute angles and weird skewed connections and account for some erection efficiency. Shallow members should not carry deeper members, and beams and braces should go to column centers.

6. Consider tolerances (long slots at connections to embeds, short slots at beam-to-beam connections, when to use girt and purlin connections and when to use shims).

7. Bolt types and sizes. We should not be detailing and constructing ¾-in., 7⁄8-in., 1-in. and 11⁄8-in. and 1¼-in. bolts all on the same same job. This is not value engineering. In addition, properly define SC connections vs. bearing
connections.

8. Properly define all edge of slab conditions, including interior and roof openings, any frames that may be required, etc. This also means properly defining slab thicknesses and properly denoting slab thickness changes or steps.

9. Define all painted steel, intumescent painted steel, galvanized steel and fireproofed steel. There are four AESS classifications, not just one.

10. Properly dimension all members, with all top of steel (TOS) notations for elevations, ridge lines, eaves, etc.