3.

DIMENSIONS
Dimensioning
This is the provision of exact/actual length, breadth, height, sizes and positions of holes, grooves, doors, windows, walls,
beams, columns, roofs etc. and such other details relating to the manufacture of that object or erection of building elements or
structures.
Or
Is the provision of exact/actual length, breadth, height, sizes and positions of different elements and features of the buildings
or structures.
Dimension
Is the exact length, breadth, height, sizes and positions of different elements and features of the buildings or structures.

Purpose of dimensions
The purpose of dimensions is to provide a clear and complete description of an object. A complete set of dimensions will
permit only one interpretation needed to construct the part. Maintaining scale only does not make a drawing sufficient for
construction. By direct measurement from the drawing according to the scale is very difficult, time consuming and such parts
cannot be constructed accurately.

Elements of dimension system

i. Dimension line: Dimension line is a thin continuous line. It is terminated by arrowheads touching the outlines,
extension lines or centre lines.
ii. Extension line: An extension line is also a thin continuous line drawn in extension of an outline. (Formerly, the 8.1.S.
had recommended that a gap of about 1 mm should be kept between the extension line and an outline or object
boundary.) It extends by about 3 mm beyond the dimension line.
iii. Arrowhead: An arrowhead is placed at each end of a dimension line. Its pointed end touches an outline, an extension
line or a centre line. The size of an arrowhead should be proportional to the thickness of the outlines. The length of
the arrowhead should be about three times its maximum width. It is drawn freehand with two strokes made in the
direction of its pointed end. The space between them is neatly filled up.
iv. Leader: A leader or a pointer is a thin continuous line connecting a note or a dimension figure with the feature to
which it applies. One end of the leader terminates either in an arrowhead or a dot. The arrowhead touches the outline,
while the dot is placed within the outline of the object.

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Dimensioning systems
The two systems of placing dimensions are
a. Aligned system and
b. Unidirectional system.
a. Aligned system
In the aligned system the dimension is placed perpendicular to the dimension line in such a way that it may be read from the
bottom edge or the right-hand edge of the drawing sheet. The dimensions should be placed near the middle and above, but
clear of the dimension lines.

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 b. Unidirectional system.
In unidirectional system all dimensions are so placed that they can be read from the bottom edge of the drawing sheet. The
dimension lines are broken near the middle for inserting the dimensions. This system is mainly used on large drawings - as of
aircrafts, automobiles etc. where it is inconvenient to read dimensions from the right-hand side.

Unit of dimensioning
As far as possible all dimensions should be given in millimeters, omitting the abbreviation mm. Even when it is not convenient
to give dimensions in millimeters and another unit is used, only the dimension figures are written.
But a foot note such as 'all dimensions are in centimeters’ is inserted in the title block. The height of the dimension figures
(as stated earlier) should be from 3 mm to 5 mm.

General rules for dimensioning

i. Dimensioning should be done so completely that further calculation or assumption of any dimension, or direct
measurement from the drawing is not necessary.
ii. Every dimension must be given, but none should be given more than once ie. should not be duplicated
iii. A dimension should be placed on the view where it’s use is shown more clearly.
iv. Dimensions should be placed outside the views, unless they are clearer and more easily read inside.
v. Mutual crossing of dimension lines and dimensioning between hidden lines should be avoided. Dimension lines
should not cross any other line of the drawing.
vi. An outline or a center line should never be used as a dimension line. A center line may be extended to serve as an
extension line.
vii. Aligned system of dimensioning is recommended.
viii. A zero must be placed before decimal point if the number is less than 1.

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