Structures Detailing Manual | Jan 2008
2- Detailing Instructions |

# 2- Detailing Instructions

## 2.1 Detailing (01/05) Jan 2005- Requires EOR Constructability review of all plan details.

After receiving all pertinent data, the detailer's work may be divided into the following steps:

1.) Design Study: Carefully study the design notes and materials received from the designer and develop a good understanding of the design as well as the probable systematic construction of the structure. Carry out all instructions given in the engineering notes. Review discrepancies with the designer.

2.) Computer Programs: When using FDOT programs (Reinforcing Bar Lists, etc.), use the forms and user's manuals provided by the Structures Design Office as listed on the Structures Design Office's web site. http://www.dot.state.fl.us/structures

3.) Planning: Plan the drawings by determining which details and information need to be placed on each sheet, the scale to be used, the number of sheets required and the sequence of the sheets. See Chapter 4
.

4.) Preparation: When necessary, prepare sketches and computations to accurately draw and place details and other information on the drawings. Keep this information for future reference.

5.) Checking: Accurate drawing development requires the conscientious and cooperative efforts of the designer, detailer and checker. It is most important to find errors and mistakes before the job is advertised. Errors discovered after construction has commenced may involve extra work orders, considerable revision, added construction cost, errors and omissions recovery action and time or salary expense to the Engineer of Record and the Department. The constructability of all plan details (i.e. reinforcing cages, concrete placement allowances) is the responsibility of the Engineer-of-Record. Both the detailer and checker are obligated to produce error free drawings. It is the checker's function to check each detail for neatness, correctness, completeness, clarity and compatibility with other components; however, the detailer should not neglect his responsibility by expecting the checker to complete the drawing during the checking process. It is the duty of the detailer to thoroughly back-check all corrections. Checking is an important part of the work and sufficient time should be taken to check and back-check the drawings. This task should not be performed hastily, even on a rush job. This applies especially to CADD files. Return prints to the checker, whose final responsibility is to assure that all corrections have been made. After the drawings have been completed, give prints and pertinent data to the checkers for a comprehensive check of all dimensions, stations, elevations, sections and details. When the checking has been completed and the marked-up check prints indicating corrections, deletions or additions have been returned, verify that CADD files match check sets. The Engineer of Record is ultimately responsible for the drawing.

6.) Making Corrections: After verifying the corrections and changes, make the indicated changes to the original drawing or to the CADD drawing file (if applicable) and add the initials and date in the title block. After making changes, mark "Changes Made" on the check prints. Initial and date the prints.

## 2.2 Structures Identification Numbers

A. FDOT assigns identification numbers to bridges, overhead signs, and high-mast light poles.

B. Early in the design, the Structures Design Engineer (State or District) will obtain identification numbers from the District Structures Maintenance Engineer (Refer to Maintenance Office).

C. New numbers will be assigned to all new and replacement bridges. Widened bridges generally retain their existing numbers. If the widening joins existing structures, the District Structures Maintenance Engineer will decide which bridge number to retain.

D. Show the bridge number on the lower right side above the Title Block of all sheets.

## 2.3 Bridge Lengths and Horizontal Control

A. A bridge's length is the distance measured along the stationing line between begin and end of bridge (front faces of end bent backwall or, approach slabs for end bents with no back wall.) (See SDME EX-7.)

B. Horizontal Control Lines (See SDME EX-7.)

1.) Alignment Line: Show the alignment control line that applies within the limits of the bridge.

2.) Station Line: This is the line from which basic distances, lines and angles are referenced for locating bridge components in the field. This line is usually the same line as the Alignment Line. Use the centerline of construction, Base Line Survey, Profile Grade Line or Baseline to show the stations along the project. Refer to this as the "Station Line."

## 2.4 Financial Project Number and Federal-Aid Project Number

A. Show the Financial Project ID Numbers in the Title Block on all bridge plan including existing plans if included.

B. Do not show Federal-Aid Project Numbers (F.A.P. No.) on the bridge plans.

## 2.5 Initial Block

At any stage of plans submittal, include the initials or name of the person performing each function and the date completed for each sheet. If a function is not applicable, place a dash through the name and date block.

## 2.6 Title Block

In upper case letters, include the following information in the title block, of each plan sheet:

1.) Sheet title.

2.) Project Name (a project description and bridge location).

3.) Sheet Number.

4.) Initials (Detailers' and Designers').

5.) EOR (Consultant or FDOT logo with Engineer of Record's name, address and PE License number.)

6.) Financial Project ID Number.

7.) County.

8.) Road number.

## 2.7 Orthographic Projection

A. Use orthographic projection (a multi view system using as many dimensioned views as necessary) to show an object's features.

B. Use perspective and isometric views to clarify complicated details.

## 2.8 Views

A. Before starting a drawing, study the bridge or component and determine the views and sections required to describe it fully and to the best advantage. Plan the layout and detail accordingly, allowing sufficient space for dimensions and notes.

B. Generally, all details throughout the bridge plans shall be oriented consistently. Show layouts with stationing increasing from left to right. Detail End Bent 1 looking back station; detail all other substructure elements looking ahead station. Detail superstructure sections looking ahead station.

C. Cross-reference all sections or notes on a drawing.

D. Use a planned system to arrange details on a sheet. Do not randomly place views and sections on the drawing. Avoid crowding details on a sheet.

## 2.9 Scales

Select a scale large enough to clearly show required details when printed to 11-inch x 17-inch size with a minimum of 5/8-inch left and right margins. Do not indicate scale on the drawings. The following scales are recommended:

A. Plan and Elevation: Depending on the size of the bridge and/or how congested the sheet will be, use 1"= 10' through 1"= 50'.

B. Foundation Layout: 1"= 10' or to fit the sheet (longitudinal and lateral scales may be different and piling may be exaggerated in size for clarity).

C. Substructures

1.) Plan and Elevation views 3/8"= 1'- 0"

2.) Sections and Details 3/4"= 1'-0" or larger

D. Superstructure

1.) Plan View 1/4"= 1'- 0"

2.) Cross Sections 3/8"= 1'-0"

3.) Details 3/4"= 1'- 0" or larger.

## 2.10 Strength and Contrast of Lines

A. Contrast between various line weights should be in the width of the line and not in the intensity. Verify that all lines are legible on prints.

B. Vary the line weight to accentuate important features. Use consistent line weights for similar purposes. (See the CPCH)

## 2.11 Dimensioning

### 2.11.1 General

A. A dimension is a linear measurement used to describe an object’s size.

B. A value is a quantity used to express a magnitude. An integer used to quantify a number of items such as bars, spacing, bolts, holes, etc. (e.g., 10 spaces @ 4”, 10 ~ Bars 4A).

C. A unit is a precise quantity in terms of a reference for measurement.

D. Lineal dimension: Use a value in conjunction with a unit of measurement (e.g., 5’-6 1/4”).

E. Elevation: The unit for elevations is feet (ft). The unit is understood and should not be shown. Show value to three decimal places (e.g., 25.384).

F. Angle: Show angles to needed accuracy up to the nearest second.

G. Size: When showing size, show all units. Use industry standards such as ASTM or show the manufacturer’s size when applicable.

1.) For solid shapes such as bars - 3” x 3” x 5’-0”

2.) For W-Shapes - W 30 x 90

3.) For Channels - C 10 x 15.3

4.) For Angles - L 4” x 4” x 1/4”

5.) For Structural Tees - WT 16.5 x 59

### 2.11.2 Dimensions and Text

A. Dimensions are displayed by associating Values and Units. Show dimensions clearly, accurately and tied to a control line. Not all dimensions shown on a drawing are for construction purposes; many are engineering dimensions given for convenient reference and checking.

B. Dimensions should be kept outside the views (between Extension Lines), but occasionally may be placed inside views or at the end of a leader line.

C. Dimension lines should be spaced about 3/4-inch from the object when plotted.

D. Parallel dimension lines should be spaced 3/8-inch minimum when plotted.

E. Compressed dimensions, due to limited space, may be shown without sacrificing legibility.

F. Show dimensions in units of feet and inches. Show dimensions of 12-inches or more in feet, inches and fractions of an inch. Show dimension greater than 1-inch but less than 12-inches in inches and fractions of an inch. Show dimensions less than one inch in fractions of an inch. Some exceptions to this rule are component or member designations (i.e., 24” Square Piling, Existing 36” Steel Beam, etc.) and elevations.

G. Dimensions are to be read from the following directions:

1.) Place numerals on horizontal dimension lines so that they can be read from the bottom of the drawing.

2.) Place numerals on vertical dimension lines so that they can be read from the right side of the drawing.

3.) Place numerals on inclined dimension lines so that they can be read horizontally by rotating the sheet through the smallest possible angle.

H. Show all dimension numerals parallel to the dimension line.

I. When dimension numerals occupy more space than provided by the dimension line, show on extension lines or by leader lines to the dimension line.

J. Ensure the sum of string dimensions equals the total overall dimension.

K. When it is necessary to include a dimension between certain points in a detail, small circles may be used to emphasize the extremities of the line being measured.

L. Terminate dimension lines with arrowheads. Arrowheads should be a uniform size on the drawing.

M. Place extension lines beyond the point of the arrowhead and with a gap from the object.

N. Show leader lines with straight lines or continuous curves.

O. Mark centerlines with the centerline symbol. Do not use a centerline as a dimension line, though it may serve as an extension line.

P. Double arrowheads on a dimension line are used on partial views, in congested areas, or when it is not necessary to show the dimension line to its termination. Note dimension numerals on the line along with a description of the magnitude or boundaries in parenthesis.

Q. Label radii, surface finishes, and angles as required.

R. Show angles and bearings without hyphens.

S. For non-level surfaces with extremities not specifically defined by vertical dimensions, note to slope "down" a specific vertical dimension over a defined horizontal length or at a uniform rate.

T. For non-plumb surfaces with extremities not specifically defined by horizontal and vertical dimensions, note to bevel at a uniform rate with the bevel symbol. For the batter of non-plumb piling, note to batter with the bevel symbol or the amount of batter noted and connected to piling by leader lines with the direction of pile batter clearly shown on the drawings.

U. When dimensions are shown by methods other than described above, the unit should be provided. In this event, dimensions are defined as text (i.e., titles, sub-titles, headings, labels, notes, and free standing texts). For free standing texts, the unit may be spelled out to add clarity. If the dimensional text used to describe the size of an object is placed at the end of a leader line pointing directly to the object, show the units.

### 2.11.3 Accuracy

A. Show dimensions in feet, inches and fraction of an inch and elevations in decimal of a foot.

B. Dimension concrete to the nearest 1/8-inch.

C. Dimension structural steel to the nearest 1/16-inch.

D. Dimension reinforcing steel partial to nearest 1/4-inch; overall dimension to the nearest inch.

E. Show stations to the nearest 0.01 foot.

F. Show layout dimensions (dimensions along tangents, etc.) to the nearest 1/16-inch.

G. Show foundation layout dimensions to the nearest 1/8-inch or 0.01 foot stationing.

H. Show dead load and live load deflections to the nearest 1/16-inch.

I. Show elevations to the nearest 0.001 foot, except pile cut off elevations to the nearest 0.1-foot and water elevations to nearest 0.01 foot..

J. Show skew angles and bearings to the nearest second. Example: 69o 38' 32", N 69o 38' 32" E

K. Show other angles given such that dependent dimensions meet the above criteria to the nearest second.

L. Show spacing of reinforcing steel to the nearest 1/16-inch.

M. Show manufactured items to industry standards.

## 2.12 Symbols and Patterns

A. To simplify the construction and clarity of details, patterns may be used to represent certain materials.

B. Use only enough material indication to clarify details.

C. Verify legibility when the drawings are reproduced to 11-inch x 17-inch print size.

D. Common symbols and patterns are included in the FDOT CADD Load.

E. Use the following symbologies for material surface and outline treatment:

1.) New Construction - Solid Lines.

2.) Existing Construction - Dashed Lines.

3.) Plan surface or section area to be removed - Hatched or shaded Area.

4.) Construction Joint - Dashed line.

5.) Chamfers - Show all chamfers larger than 3/4-inch (showing a 3/4-inch chamfer is optional).

6.) Axis of symmetry - Alternated long dash/short dash lines.

## 2.13 Architectural Treatment

A. Do not use architectural treatments such as shades and shadows on bridge drawings.

B. Keep required pictorial views with shades and shadows separate from the bridge details.

## 2.14 Skew Angle and Complementary Skew Angle

A. A skew angle is the acute angle measured between a line perpendicular to the longitudinal line and the skew line itself.

B. The skew angle referred to by computer geometry programs may actually be complementary to the plan skew angle. The sum of the skew angle and the complementary skew angle is 90 degrees.

## 2.15 Section Cut Line and Identification

A. A section cut line is an imaginary line extending between right angles at the location of the section. Use section arrows to indicate the direction of the section view.

B. Place the identification letters of the section on the interior side of the cut line. For sections located on another sheet, provide cross-reference notes on both sheets.

## 2.16 Enlarged Details

When an enlarged detail of a certain area in a view is required, place a circle or an ellipse large enough to encompass the area that is to be shown in the enlarged detail. Annotate the circle/ellipse with a leader line and a label such as: See Detail "A, Sheet _". Entitle the enlarged detail: DETAIL "A". If the Detail is located on another sheet, provide cross-reference notes on both sheets.

## 2.17 Using Standard Abbreviations

A. Do not use abbreviations when the meaning may be in doubt.

B. Avoid abbreviations in titles, subtitles, and notes.

C. For Standard Abbreviations, see Design Standard 001.

D. Use periods after all abbreviations other than those on Design Standard No. 001 noted above.

E. Define abbreviations in the General Notes.

## 2.18 Arrows

A. Place North Arrows on drawings to aid in orientating the drawings to the actual site and bridge (or structure) location and orientation.

B. Use the North Arrow on all sheets requiring directional orientation.

C. Directional Arrow for Water Flow - Use an arrow to indicate direction of stream and/or tidal flow of water.

D. Direction of Stationing - Use an arrow to indicate the direction of stationing on plan views, superstructures, substructures etc., as well as orientation references of details and sections. Refer to Article 2.8 of this Section regarding plan orientation.