Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 11

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Draw a foundational plan of a simple building.
• Draw the front elevation from the plan.
• Apply South African building symbols and abbreviations.
• Dimension plans and elevations correctly.
• Identify and use different line types.

Lesson summary

In Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD), civil drawing forms the backbone of representing structures and infrastructure. Foundational plans and elevations are critical for visualizing the layout and vertical appearance of buildings before construction. They provide all stakeholders – architects, engineers, contractors, and clients – with a common understanding of the project. In South Africa, this skill is particularly relevant as our country continues to develop infrastructure and housing solutions. Understanding foundational plans and elevations ensures accurate construction, reduces errors, and ultimately saves time and resources.

Lesson notes

2.1 Foundational Plan: A foundational plan (also sometimes referred to as a floor plan) is a horizontal section view of a building, typically taken at a height of approximately 1 meter above the floor level. Imagine slicing through the building horizontally and looking down. It shows the arrangement of rooms, walls, doors, windows, stairs (if applicable), and other structural elements. It's the map of the building. The foundation plan goes further to show the extent of the building foundation which is below the finished floor level.

Key Elements of a Foundational Plan: Walls: Represented by thick lines, indicating their thickness and location. Pay attention to different wall types (external, internal, load-bearing, non-load-bearing) as they may have different thicknesses. In South Africa, standard brick walls are typically 230mm or 115mm thick.

Doors: Shown with a curved line indicating the direction of swing. Standard door sizes in South Africa are 813mm or 762mm wide.

Windows: Represented by parallel lines indicating the window frame and glass.

Fixtures: Symbolic representations of sanitary fixtures (toilets, sinks, showers), kitchen appliances (stoves, refrigerators), and other built-in elements.

Dimensions: Clearly indicated using dimension lines, extension lines, and arrowheads. Dimensions should be accurate and unambiguous.

Notations: Labels identifying rooms, features, and materials.

Setting Out Lines: Lightly drawn lines that are the basis for positioning walls and other elements accurately.

Ground Level (GL): The ground level is represented using a short horizontal line and the notation "GL".

Finished Floor Level (FFL): The finished floor level represents the height of the floor surface within the building. It is represented using a short horizontal line and the notation "FFL".

Damp Proof Course (DPC): The damp proof course is a horizontal barrier (typically made of plastic or bitumen) to prevent moisture from rising through the walls. In the foundational plan, it is represented using a dashed line at the height above the ground level.

South African Context: In South Africa, the National Building Regulations (NBR) dictate minimum room sizes and other building standards that must be reflected in foundational plans. 2.2 Elevation: An elevation is a vertical view of a building, showing how it looks from the outside. Think of it as a flat, two-dimensional rendering of one side of the building. Usually, four elevations are created: front, rear, left side, and right side. We're focusing on the front elevation in this lesson.

Key Elements of an Elevation: Walls: Showing their height, materials, and any surface features (e.g., cladding, plaster).

Roof: Showing its shape, slope, and material.

Doors and Windows: Showing their size, style, and placement.

Ground Line: A horizontal line representing the ground level.

Overhangs: Showing the extent of eaves and other projecting elements.

Dimensions: Vertical dimensions indicating heights of walls, doors, windows, and roof.

Notations: Indicating materials, finishes, and other relevant information.

Drawing Elevations from Plans: The elevation is derived from the foundational plan. The plan gives you the horizontal positions of elements (doors, windows, walls), and you then add the vertical dimensions and features. 2.3 Standard Symbols and Abbreviations: Familiarity with standard EGD symbols and abbreviations is crucial for clear communication. Some common examples in civil drawings include: BRK: Brick CONC: Concrete GL: Ground Level FFL: Finished Floor Level DPC: Damp Proof Course WC: Water Closet (toilet)

Basin: Wash Basin S: Sink RH: Right Hand LH: Left Hand Symbols for materials like brick, concrete, and wood are standardized and must be used consistently. A key or legend should be included on the drawing to clarify any less common symbols or abbreviations. Refer to SANS 10143 (Drawing practice - Engineering drawings) for more details. 2.4 Line Types: Different line types convey different meanings: Object Lines: Thick, continuous lines representing visible edges.

Hidden Lines: Dashed lines representing edges that are hidden from view.

Construction Lines: Thin, light lines used for setting out and layout. These are erased after use.

Dimension Lines: Thin, continuous lines with arrowheads at the ends, indicating the extent of a dimension.

Extension Lines: Thin, continuous lines extending from the object to the dimension line.

Center Lines: Long dash, short dash lines indicating the center of a circle, arc, or symmetrical object.

Example 1: Drawing a Simple Foundational Plan Let's draw a foundational plan of a small rectangular room, 4m x 3m, with a 230mm brick wall, a door (813mm wide) centered on one of the 4m walls, and a window (1200mm wide) centered on the opposite 4m wall. Let's assume the top of the DPC is 150mm above the ground level. The FFL is 300mm above ground level.