BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

CE 8 BUILDING SYSTEM DESIGN

Engr. Hebe M. Cuenco-Uy, MECE

College of Engineering
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Learning Packet 2
UNIT 2: TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
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UNIT 2: TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION

2.0 Intended Learning Outcome

 Identify the provisions required in building design document

 Design technical clear drawings appropriate for a building design

2.1 Introduction

An outline of the provisions required in building design documents. First, we discuss about
space planning. Next, calculations and technical specifications. Then, the quantity survey
and cost estimates. Finally, the building permit.

PRE – ASSESSMENT
Answer the following in your own perspective:

Describe thoroughly the importance of the provisions required in building design document.

Evaluation Criteria:
Quality/Craftmanship 40%
Creativity/Originality 30%
Effort/Perseverance 20%
Timeliness 10%
Total 100%

2.2 Topics/Discussion

Technical documentation provides written documentation of the design factors and the
choices the engineer has made in the design to satisfy the business and technical
requirements. The design documentation also aids in the implementation of the design. In
many cases where the design architect is not responsible for the implementation, the design
documents ensure the successful implementation of the design by the implementation
engineer.

Documentation can vary from project to project. Many consulting companies and resellers
have standard documentation templates that they use when designing solutions. A properly
documented design should include the following information: space plan (design drawings),
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calculations, technical specifications, quantity survey and cost estimates, and building
permit.

2.2.1 Space Planning

Space planning is an important part of building design and is used to determine how a space
(or spaces) should be laid out and used. It may be undertaken as part of the building design
process, or as a stand-alone exercise looking at how best to plan an existing space, or a space
that is being developed (for example, a tenant determining how to fit out their part of a new
development). It can be used for very simple spaces such as hotel bedrooms, through to very
complex industrial buildings.

Issues to Consider by Designers in consultation with the Client Before Planning

 Budget and time constraints.
 The separation of activities into zones.
 The intended use/s of the space.
 The number of occupants.
 The space required per occupant.
 The main focal points of the space.
 The need for or availability of windows
and doors.
 Access into and from the space, and the
function of adjacent spaces.
 Circulation within the space.
 Access and use of the space for people
with disabilities.
 The requirement for furniture, fixtures
and fittings.
 The number of people who are likely to
use the space.
 Whether the space should be balanced
and symmetrical, unbalanced or a
combination.
 Security, safety and privacy.
 Legislative requirements.
 Lighting IT and other building services
requirements.
 Energy targets and sustainability
requirements.
 Environmental requirements, such as
noise, lighting, ventilation,
temperature, and so on.
 Environmental controls.
 Welfare facilities.
 Views.
 Colours and branding.
 Planting.
 The need for flexibility or future
growth.

Once considerations such as those listed above have been resolved, a space plan (design
drawings) can be created.

Design drawings are developed to a level of detail necessary to prepare a clear, coordinated
visual depiction of all aspects of the works. Major project elements including overall layout,
earthworks equipment, mechanical, electrical, structural, and water supply systems are
designed and depicted through coordinated scale drawings and detailed elevations and
plans.

Design drawings for construction contain all the information necessary for the construction
contractor to bid on and build a particular project. Typically, the preparation of design
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drawings provides a detailed record of the design and structural requirements of the works.
A contract or tender document often references design drawings. Design drawings should
show details on layout, measurements, plan, cross-sectional and vertical profiles. This
information is prepared as scale drawings of the works to be constructed. Design drawings
should be presented in such a way that 1) the project can easily be understood, 2) they
visually communicate the concept to the lot feeder and the construction contractor, 3) they
are legible, and 4) they include all information from previous revisions and updates.

Figure 2.1
Sample Floor Plan
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Aspects that should be included in design drawings:

 site layout and the location of the works to be constructed
 plan views
 detailed designs and cross-sectional profiles of the works
 dimensions and units gradients
 titles and scales that meet the required standards and units
 adequate labelling
 elevations that are referenced to metres
 be dated and signed by the designer

2.2.2 Calculations

The design of a building involves many disciplines, and each of them contributes an
important element to the process. Architects give your building the appearance of your
choice and make it function the way you want. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
engineers design the systems that let your occupants enjoy comfortable temperatures, fresh
air, the convenience of electricity, potable water, and sanitation services.

Structural engineers make your building stand. They design structures to defy gravity,
withstand heavy winds, and continue standing even as the ground beneath them starts to
shake. Engineers support their design with structural calculations - a complex, little-known
tool that lacks the glory of architectural design. If you are planning a construction project,
you’ve likely heard of them. You may have wondered what they were, or whether they
applied to your project.

2.2.2.1 Structural Calculations

They are the math behind your building’s ability to stay upright. Engineers use them to
determine the loads that a building must withstand and the properties of members that
comprise its structure. These include piers, piles, footings, columns, joists, beams, slabs,
trusses, and rafters, as well the various connection mechanisms that hold the structure
together.

From a budget perspective, quality calculations can help you economize on your project. On
average, the materials and labor involved in erecting a building’s structure can add up to
20% of the total construction costs. With such a large portion of your budget at stake, your
structural calculations must afford the most efficient way of constructing a compliant, sturdy
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building. An experienced engineering team will pinpoint structural efficiencies through

their calculations and help your project meet its intended budget.

In the permitting process, the accuracy of structural calculations plays a critical part. Building
department officials examine them for compliance with all applicable local codes; non-
compliant calculations are sent back for revisions to the engineering team, thus delaying the
permit process and your scheduled construction date. Quality structural calculations, on the
other hand, can streamline permitting and get you building faster.

2.2.2.2 Fitting Structural Calculations into the Design Process

Architectural planning is the first stage of the design process. This phase gives you-the client-
a chance to share your vision with the architect, and communicate your intentions regarding
the building’s appearance, function, and cost. The architect then interpolates your
conceptions into the design and lays them out in a set of drawings. The next step is to design
a structure that can support the building’s architectural features. The engineers in charge of
this process will perform several calculations during this process.

Figure 2.2
Process in Designing Building Structure
First, engineers must predict what loads they expect to act on the building. Referred to as specified loads, these
include:
live loads, which are imposed by the occupants, furniture, vehicles, and equipment
dead loads, caused by the weight of the building itself
loads inflicted by the forces of nature, such as wind, earthquakes, and snow
Engineers can find most of these loads in National Structural Code of the Philippines.

Next, engineers must work out the design loads - the loads they intend the structure to handle. These are higher
than specified loads, as buildings are typically designed to withstand more loads than they are likely to bear.

With loads established, engineers can design the structure. At this stage, building code dimension tables will be
used to find out the appropriate sizes of structural members. These tables allow the user to arrive at unknown
variables, such as the depth of a beam or the width of a column, by looking up established values, such as dead
and live loads.

Engineers will also calculate members’ stiffness and strength. Stiffness refers to a member’s ability to resist
deformation when subjected to a force. Stiffness is expressed as a ratio of force to deformation, and is measured in
pounds per inch when the force is tensile or compressive, or pounds per degree for rotational, shear, and torsional
forces.

A material’s strength tells us the maximum load that it can withstand before deforming or failing. To arrive at a
member’s strength, engineers would calculate its bending or shear stress, depending on what stresses are expected
to act on the member.

Once the structural design is complete and sent for plan check review by your local building department, the
correctness of structural calculations will become an important factor in streamlining the permit process.
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2.2.3 Technical Specifications

A contract or tender document often references technical specifications about the specific
requirements and construction standards for various elements of a project. This includes
how the work will be done, the quality of workmanship and methods of testing. Typically,
construction projects require construction of various elements and use of various materials.
More than one technical specification may be required for the whole project. For example, a
construction project may require individual technical specifications for earthworks, erosion
and sediment controls, concrete works, fencing, building works, roads, electrical systems,
and water reticulation systems.

For small projects, the material and construction specifications may be documented in the
form of notes on the design drawings. For larger projects, a separate specification document
is more practical. Designers will usually have suitable standard technical specification
documents. However, as a guide a specification might include 1) descriptive title, number,
identifier etc. of the specification, 2) date of last effective revision and revision designation,
3) a logo or trademark to indicate the document copyright, ownership and origin, 4) Table of
Contents (TOC) if the document is long, 5) person or office responsible for questions on the
specification, updates and deviations, 6) the significance, scope or importance of the
specification and its intended use, 7) terminology, definitions and abbreviations to clarify the
meanings of the specification, 8) references and Standards used or to be complied with, 9)
test methods for measuring all specified characteristics, 10) material requirements: physical,
mechanical, electrical, chemical, 11) targets and tolerances, 12) acceptance testing, including
performance testing requirements and tolerances, 13) workmanship, 14) certifications
required, 15) safety considerations and requirements, 16) environmental considerations and
requirements, 17) approval authority considerations and requirements, 18) quality control
requirements, acceptance sampling, inspections, acceptance criteria, 19) person or office
responsible for enforcement of the specification, 20) completion and delivery, and 21)
provisions for rejection, reinspection, rehearing, corrective measures.

Technical specifications may specify a performance goal (a performance standard) or

procedures used to meet the performance goal (design standard). A performance standard
permits flexibility and change. For example, a performance specification for a feed
processing system may specify that the capacity be a nominated tons per hour.
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Figure 2.3
A Typical Table of Contents for an earthworks and concrete specification

2.2.4 Quantity Survey and Cost Estimates

Before commencing work over the project, quantity for all materials and its entire cost is
determined. Therefore, Quantity Survey or estimation is the art or knowledge in which
materials quantity and entire cost are determined. It is also generally known as Estimating.

Quantity survey plays a vital role in estimation and construction of any relevant project. It
will help in the determination of all related applicable costs and materials quantity so that all
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those factors are determined, and funds are released for the project in case if acceptable. If
funds are less, then certain alterations can be conducted so that the project can span within
the fixed funds. These alterations can be brought in the specifications of the project, or the
project is conducted in stages so that the project can end within the released funds. The
project should not be underacted in any case.

Estimation is conducted in two ways despite the nature of the project whether the project is
of construction, sewerage system, canal digging, or road construction, and so forth. Initially,
Rough Cost Estimate is conducted that will help in the determination of the cost. Finally, the
Detailed Estimate is conducted if funds are released.

Quantity Surveyor is the person who estimates. This person is also known as Evaluator or
Estimator. Estimation cannot be done without understanding the drawing of the relevant
project. One should be skilled in understanding and reading the drawings. Drawings,
specifications, and rates data are imperative for estimation.

Types of Estimate in Civil Engineering

Original Estimate Repair Estimate

Estimate prepared for a newly proposed project.
This project can be a constructional project of
building, canal, or road, and so forth.
Two ways:
•Rough Cost Estimate – this type of Estimate is
done for any project before commencing about
its fruitfulness and cost that will be expended
on it.
•Detailed Estimate – in this method of
estimation, each item of the project is
determined and multiplied with its Unit of Rate
to acquire the cost. Every type of cost is
involved in Detailed Estimate. Therefore, it is
considered a better estimation method.
Repair and maintenance are done in buildings
and other structures in order to maintain and
look after them. It is the estimate prepared to
find the cost applying over the repair.
Different types of Repair Estimates have been
listed below.
a. Annual Repair Estimate – buildings and other
structures are repaired every year to keep them
maintained and usable.
b. Quadrennial Repair Estimate – done after
every four years despite annual repair which is
known as Quadrennial Repair.
c. Special Repair Estimate – estimation when
tenure is not fixed.

2.2.5 Building Permit

A building permit is your local government’s authorization to perform the construction

activities related to your project. Not to be confused with approvals, this compliance
enforcement mechanism scrutinizes your project’s adherence to local codes. In the
Philippines, there are several codes that a project must comply with to get the permits
associated with the work.
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Building Permit Requirements:

Properly filled-up application forms duly signed and sealed by engineers concerned:
 Building Permit Forms (5 copies)
 Electrical Permit Forms (3 copies)
 Sanitary Permit Forms (3 copies)

1. Five (5) Complete Set of Detailed Plans

2. For construction of 2-storey building:
 Structural Design Analysis — signed and sealed by Civil Engineer at every page
3. For construction of more than two-storey building:
 Boring and Plate Load Test
 Seismic Analysis
4. Proof of Property
 Photocopy of Transfer Certificate if Title (TCT)
 Photocopy of tax Declaration of Property-lot (Certified True Copy) — 5 copies
 Photocopy of Current Tax Receipt (5 copies)

If property is not registered under the name of the applicant, submit 5 copies of any of the following:
 Contract of Lease
 Contract of Sale
 Affidavit of Consent of the Lot Owner for the construction of building/house
 Deed of Absolute Sale
5. Permit Billboard (0.60 X 0.90 Plywood with the following contents):
6. Bill of Materials and Specification (5 copies)—signed and sealed by an engineer or an architect at every page
7. Locational Clearance
8. Photocopy of PTR # and PRC license of all concerned engineers and architects
9. Clearance from the DPWH if the construction is located along National Highway
10. DOLE Clearance

Video Lessons:

What Is Space Planning? - Basics & Architecture

https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-space-planning-basics-architecture.html

6 Basic Procedure in Structural Design

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXzSyKq7wdU

Types and Uses of Construction Specifications

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FfOUfIbfF4

What is Quantity Surveying | Estimation and costing | Civil Engineering Edu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHc-V6K6j5Q
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BUILDING PERMIT Requirements | Philippines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9iS5s4ZGdg

POST – ASSESSMENT

Summative Test 2

Explain thoroughly in your own words:

Define and interpret the relationships of floor plans, structural analysis, technical
specifications, and cost and estimates for a construction project.

Exercise 2

Prepare or create detailed elevations of the typical five-storey building (type of occupancy of
your choice) applying the provisions of the building codes and regulations in the Philippines
and provisions required in building design document, with the following but not limited to
requirements: Front, Rear, and Side Elevations.

Evaluation Criteria:
Quality/Craftmanship 40%
Creativity/Originality 30%
Effort/Perseverance 20%
Timeliness 10%
Total 100%

2.3 References

Architectural Code of the Philippines.

https://united-architects.org/assets/files/media-files/Architectural%20Code.pdf

Estimation and its Types. https://Civilpie.com

National Electrical Code of the Philippines.

https://www.academia.edu/33808118/National_Electrical_Code_of_the_Philippines

National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.

https://www.academia.edu/29988840/Revised_National_Plumbing_Code_of_the_Philipp
ines_pdf
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National Structural Code of the Philippines 2015.

https://ia801605.us.archive.org/12/items/NSCP2015/NSCP-2015.pdf

Sanitation Code of the Philippines.

https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/code_on_sanitation_phils.pdf

Seembu. 2016. How to Get a Building Permit in the Philippines

https://medium.com/@seembu/how-to-get-a-building-permit-in-the-philippines-
f4ae3684c06d

Space Planning Basics | First in Architecture. www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk

The Fire Code of the Philippines.

https://bfp.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/RA9514-RIRR-rev-2019.pdf

The National Building Code of the Philippines.

http://www.iibh.org/kijun/pdf/Philippines_02_IRR_of_NBC_of_the_Philippines.pdf

The Philippine Green Building Code.

http://www.iibh.org/kijun/pdf/Philippines_05_Green_Building_Code_of_Philippones_Y
2015.pdf

Why Structural Calculations Are Important in Design?

https://designeverest.com/blog/why-structural-calculations-are-important-in-design

2.4 Acknowledgment

The images, tables, figures, and information contained in this module were taken from the
references cited above.
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