Technical Terms Encountered in Drafting Foundation Plans

Foundation - is the part of the building below the surface of the ground which is sometimes called the
substructure.

Footing - is an expansion at the lower end of a wall, pier or column to distribute the load into the
ground.

External Reference - is a DWG, DWF, DWFx, raster image, DNG, or PDF file incorporated into a drawing
for reference only.

Layer Filters - are settings that screen out, or filter, layers you do not want to display in the list view
pane of the Layer Properties Manager.

Library Path – is the path AutoCAD that searches by default to find an xref file, including the current
folder and locations set in the Options dialog box.

Limit Dimensioning - is a method of dimensioning in which the upper and lower limits are given, instead
of the specified dimension and tolerance.

Limits - are the size of the virtual drawing area in model space. They are largest and smallest numerical
values a feature can have.

Linear Parameter - creates a measurement reference between two points.

Line Conventions - are standards related to line thickness, type, and purpose.

Line Spacing - is the vertical distance from the bottom of one line of text to the bottom of the next line.

Line type Scale - is the lengths of dashes and spaces in line types.

Truss - is the framework, typically consisting of rafters, posts, and struts, supporting a roof, bridge, or
other structure.

Mono Truss - is a truss has only one slope as opposed two (half of a common truss).

Hip Truss - is a truss erected to sustain the angle-rafters of a hip-roof.

Beam - is a long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal spanning an opening or part of a building,
usually to support the roof or floor above.

Joist - is a length of timber or steel supporting part of the structure of a building, typically arranged in
parallel series to support a floor or ceiling.

Lateral Bracing - refers to any piece (wood or metal) on a bridge that help keep the top chord from
bending horizontally.

Schedule Bracing - is a structural member, such as a beam or prop, used to reinforced a framework, such
a supporting beam in a building.

Using CAD to Draw Foundation Plans

The six steps used to draw a foundation plan manually are similar to
the steps used when drawing with AutoCAD. Below are the sequence in

coming up a Foundation Plan based on standard but you may also innovate

some techniques which are familiar with you

1. Firstly, plan your drawing. This includes planning where the drawing will

be created and stored, the needed layers, line types, and what loads will

need to be supported. Because you do not have the same kind of

accuracy problems when working with CAD as you have with manual

drafting, the CAD floor plan may be used as an accurate basis for

drawing the foundation plan.

2. Next display the floor plan, and then begin the foundation drawing directly

over the floor plan on another layer.

3. Draw the outer side of the stem walls using the OSNAP command.

4. Freeze all floor-related information once the outline of the floor plan has

been traced.

5. Use the OFFSET command to lay out the thickness of the stem walls and

footings. Corners can be adjusted by using the FILLET or TRIM

command.

6. Change the lines representing the footings using the CHANGE

PROPERTIES command. By following the step-by step instructions for a

particular foundation type, the plan can be completed.

7. Use the dimensions used on the floor or framing plan. Show the existing

dimensions so that they are displayed on the foundation drawing, or use

the COPY command to place the needed dimension in the drawing. Use

a layer such as BASE DIM for placing dimensions required by the floor

and foundation plans.

8. Place any dimensions that were not placed on previous plan views as

needed on the foundation plan. This will include the locations of openings

in the stem wall for any doors into the garage, foundation supports, and

braced wall anchor locations. Openings in the exterior envelope that will
be above a wood floor system do not need to be located on the

foundation plan.
9. Type general notes and store them as a WBLOCK to be reused on future foundation plans. Many
drafters also store lists of local notes required for a particular type of foundation as a WBLOCK and
insert them into a drawing. Once inserted into the foundation plan, the notes can be moved to the
desired position.

10. Store the foundation plan when completed separately from the floor plan to make plotting easier.
Storing the foundation plan with the floor and framing plan will save disk space, and proper use of
layering can ease plotting. All foundation walls, bearing footings, and support beams will be in their
correct locations

Types of Shallow Foundations

Consisting of a single large continuous rectangular or circular slab under a building, the mat (or raft)
foundation carries and distributes an entire load of a structure. Raft foundations can support a number
of columns and walls at once and spread the load out under the entire footprint of the building.

2. Spread Footing

Footings are the bottom part of a foundation that actually touches the ground. They help transfer the
weight of the building directly to the soil, as well as prevent moisture from seeping into the structure,
which can cause mold and mildew problems. Different types of foundations use different types of
footings: concrete footings are common, but stone, brick, and wood footings also exist.

Isolated footings: With isolated footing (or “isolated column footing”), each column has a separate
footing in order to distribute its load uniformly over the soil.

Combined footings: In this type of footing, a single base supports two or more columns together.

Continuous footings: With this type of footing, more than two columns in a row share a base. You may
use continuous footing when you have soil with low load-bearing capacity and/or columns spaced too
close together for individual footings.

Grillage footing: Grillage foundations provide stability when excessive column weight—such as in high-
rise buildings—and weak soil prevent the construction of a deep foundation.

Raft footing: Raft footing provides common footing to multiple columns, ensuring uniform weight
distribution when the column load is excessive or the load-bearing capacity of the soil is low.

Strip footing: Strip footing runs beneath load-bearing walls to help maintain the stability of a structure.

3. Basement Foundation

Basement foundations serve the same purpose as regular foundations: to distribute a building’s weight
evenly and protect it from moisture and water. Unlike typical foundations, however, basement
foundation walls are fully submerged in the soil to create working or storage space below the ground
level.
4. Crawl Space Foundation

Typically elevated a few feet off the ground, crawl space foundations are deeper than standard
foundations but more shallow than basement foundations. These foundations leave a small protected
space of about three to four feet high under the house, providing access to drainage pipes, plumbing,
and other elements running beneath the house, but not enough room for most people to stand.

5. Concrete Slab Foundation

The most common type of foundation, slab foundations consist of a 6- to 8-inch concrete pad
underneath a structure. The load your foundation needs to bear determines the thickness of the slab.
Although less suited to extremely cold climates that get a lot of freezing temperatures and snow and
earthquake-prone areas, slab foundations tend to be relatively cheap, easy to build, low maintenance,
and energy efficient.

Types of Deep Foundations

6. Pile Foundation

Pile foundations consist of long, slender cylinders made of strong material. When pushed into the stable
ground deep below the surface, pile foundations transfer the load to the desired depth and support the
structure above.

A number of specific ground conditions call for pile foundations, including a layer of weak soil at the
surface, high groundwater levels, deep drainage systems, or soil that is impossible to excavate to the
desired depth. Pile foundations are also used on structures with heavy, concentrated loads, such as
water tanks, bridges, or high-rise buildings.

Common materials used to create pile foundations include concrete, steel, and timber—and each type
has disadvantages and advantages. Steel can take heavier loads and reach greater depths, but may cost
more and corrode over time. Wood foundations are economical and easy to install but can’t always
penetrate hard soil.

Sheet piles: Offering lateral rather than vertical structural support, sheet piles resist pressure from
external sources like water and loose dirt. Builders may use them to construct retaining walls, protect
from riverbank erosion, isolate the foundation from adjacent soil, and confine the soil to increase its
load-bearing capacity.

Load-bearing piles: This kind of pile transfers the load from a vertical structure into a stronger layer of
soil deeper below the surface.

End-bearing piles: With this type of pile, the bottom end rests on a particularly strong layer of soil or
rock. Loads pass through the pile, bypassing weaker layers of soil and safely transferring the forces to
stronger layers underground.
Friction piles: This type of pile also transfers the load of the building above to the soil below, but it works
on a different principle. The frictional force between the surface of the pile and the soil surrounding the
pile transfers the forces to the soil.

Soil-compactor piles: Unlike other types of pile foundations, soil-compactor piles do not bear any direct
loads themselves. Instead, they are inserted into the ground at close intervals to increase the stability
and bearing capacity of the soil.

7. Caisson Foundations

Caisson foundations consist of prefabricated hollow boxes or cylinders that serve as watertight retaining
structures. Also known as pier foundations, caissons provide underwater support for bridge piers,
concrete dams, or ship repairs.

Caisson foundations can be built at or near the surface of the ground and then sunk to the desired
depth. To create this kind of deep foundation, engineers auger a hole in the ground, excavate or dredge
material from within the caisson, and then fill it with concrete. Caissons can be drilled into bedrock or
other suitably stable soil layers below the water surface.

Caisson foundations come in various types:

Open caissons: Generally used in the formation of a pier, open caissons have an open top and bottom.
After being sunk into the water, these caissons are pumped dry and then filled with concrete.

Pneumatic caissons: Mainly used for underwater construction, pneumatic caissons have a pressurized
working chamber that prevents mud and water from entering.

Monolithic caissons: These large single-column caissons are made of reinforced concrete.

Sump caissons: Often used by offshore oil drillers to recirculate contaminated water, sump caissons
have the ability to pump water from below.

Box caissons: Typically made of heavy timber, these watertight structures are closed at the bottom and
open at the top. They are typically floated to their intended location and then sunk into place with a
masonry pier.

8. Buoyant Foundation

Designed to support heavy loads on soft soil surfaces, buoyant foundations act as floating substructures.
Whether you know them as floating raft foundations, hollow box foundations, or compensated
foundations, the purpose remains the same: to reduce the load intensity over the soil.

Buoyant foundations balance the weight of excavated soil with a structure of the same weight, reducing
settlement in soft or weak soil. Also useful for home building in flood-prone areas, buoyant foundations
elevate structures above high water levels.

Drafting Structural Floor and Roof Framing Plans

Floor Plan - is the top cross-sectional view of the floor area of a house.
Floor Framing Plan - the plan that is drawn of the roof area used to show the shape of the roof.

Roof Framing Plan – is the plan that is drawn of the roof area used to show the shape of the roof.

Green roof – is a roof system consisting of some type of vegetation growing in soil, planted over a
waterproof membrane.

Cool roof – is a roof that features highly reflective materials. It can be something as simple as finishing
the roof by painting it with a coating of light-colored water sealant.

Ridge – is the horizontal intersection between two or more roof planes and represents the highest point
of a roof

Drafting Structural Floor Plans The foundation plan shows not only the concrete footings and walls but
also the members that are used to form the floor system. Two common types of floor systems are used
in residential construction: floor systems built at grade level and floor systems with a crawl space or
basement below the floor system. Both on-grade foundations and crawl space floor systems have their
own components and information that must be put on a foundation plan.

Traditional manual drafting setup tasks such as selecting drawing orientation and identifying the working
and drawing areas are not as critical when using CAD. A CAD drawing can be rotated as needed to
properly orient the view on the sheet. If necessary, a north arrow symbol is inserted and rotated to the
exact north direction.

Alternatively, if appropriate, you can easily modify the drawing scale to fit the plot on the original sheet.
Care in centering the drawing on the sheet is not as important with CAD, because the drawing can be
moved at any time. Most CAD applications use a virtual drawing area that is infinite in size. This allows
you to draw a floor plan at actual size, or full scale, and then scale the drawing to fit a specific sheet for
plotting. When using this system, you can focus on the floor plan layout, without having to concentrate
on scaling objects. CAD has transformed the traditional process of setting up and laying out a drawing,
by offering significant flexibility. Still, effective layout planning and preparation is critical. Determine the
proper drawing orientation, sheet size, working area, scale, and drawing area before you begin drawing
to increase productivity and limit costly and time-consuming mistakes

Sequence for Drawing Structural Floor Plan in AutoCAD

Check off the features used with this floor plan drawing checklist and drawing sequence in AutoCAD.
Note that each of these items are not required but rather guide in ensuring all the standard features of a
floor plan is observable.

 Exterior walls.

 Interior walls.

 Furring over concrete walls (if used).

 Masonry veneer (if used).

 Swing direction; clearance from walls, cabinets, and traffic.

 Door sizes or symbols for door schedule key.

 Windows: Proper symbols; clearance from walls, cabinets, and traffic.

 Window sizes or symbols for window schedule key.

 Skylights located and specified.

 Base cabinets.

 Upper cabinets.

 Closets and storage: Closets and wardrobes labelled and with shelf

and pole or additional shelves and drawers, storage closet, linen with

shelves, pantry with shelves, special storage features noted.

 Appliances: Cooktop/range, hood with vent or vent, oven, double

oven, microwave, refrigerator, lazy Susan, washer and dryer with vent,

trash compactor.

 Utilities: Furnace, air conditioner, water heater with platform and

straps.

Floor Framing Plans

Framing plans for each floor are drawn using the floor plan as a base.

The floor plan layers that contain the walls, windows, doors, cabinets, and

plumbing fixtures should be displayed, with all other floor information frozen.

With the proper material displayed, complete the framing plan in the same

order that was used with manual methods.

1. Layers can be added to contain materials for the framing plan. Each

new layer is given the prefix of UPPR FRAM, MAIN FRAM, or LOWR

FRAM to make it easy to identify required layers for plotting.

2. Sub-names for ANNO, DIMN, TRUSS, LATR, and BEAM layers must

also be added.

3. Complete the drawing by adding major framing members first, and

required to support joists or trusses, and then place a marker to

represent each joist type. The joist markers can be stored as a block,

and then inserted and stretched to the needed size.

4. Lateral bracing information can be added to the drawing using blocks.

Schedules for one-level and multilevel construction bracing can be

created, and the appropriate schedule can be inserted into the

drawing.

5. Symbols to represent each type of bracing can also be created as

blocks and inserted into the required position throughout the drawing.

Because the upper level materials are different from the lower braces,

lateral symbols should be placed on layers that are level specific. This

allows the lower floor lateral information to be displayed on the

foundation plan without repeating the schedule. This requires the

creation of layers such as UPPR FRAM LAT SYMB, MAIN FRAM LAT

SYMB, or LOWR FRAM LAT SYMB.

6. Symbol information should be placed on a different layer than the

lateral schedule. With the framing and lateral information represented,

place dimensions to represent all walls, openings, and framing

materials.

7. Dimension layers should be divided by level; some dimensions such as

the overall and major jogs will be the same on all levels. This

information can be placed on a layer titled BASE DIMS.

8. Wall-to-wall, and wall-to-opening dimensions should be placed on a

layer that is specific to each level of the structure such as MAIN

FRAME EXT DIMS.

9. Annotation can now be placed to locate all framing materials.

10.Notes should also be placed on layers that are level-specific. Local

that is level-specific.

Drafting Roof Framing Plans The roof framing plan can be created using the roof or floor plan as a base
drawing. Upper and lower framing plans are created using the floor plans for the starting points. Two
major methods are available to create these drawings. Information can be added to the base drawings
and controlled by layers, or information can be added to a separate drawing and referenced to the
original. If the roof plan is to be controlled by layers, it is important to remember that the base floor
plan is plotted at a scale of 1/4" = 1'−0" and the roof framing plan is usually plotted at a much smaller
scale. Because you are drawing in model space, you are working at full size, but you will need to adjust
the line scale and the text scale factors for the appropriate scale on the roof framing plan. One
alternative in creating a roof plan is to place the needed roofing materials using the floor plan as a base.
This method can be especially helpful on a complicated stick-frame roof. If the floor plan is used as a
base for a roof framing plan, show all of the walls printed in matted lines using grayscale, and show all
roofing materials using black lines. Layer Method of Drafting Roof Framing Plans 1. Once the layout
method is selected, add layers to contain materials for the roof plan. For this example, the drawing will
be controlled using layers within the base drawing. 2. Give each new layer the prefix of ROOF FRAM to
make it easy to identify required layers for plotting. 3. Add sub-names for ANNO, DIMS, TRUSS, and
BEAM. Complete the drawing by working from the roof down to the foundation, and by adding major
framing members first, and then working toward smaller members. 4. Draw standard trusses first in the
center section of the roof, and then the hip trusses are represented. 5. Finally, draw trusses are drawn
at each edge. With all materials represented, dimensions should be placed to locate material limitations,
beam locations, and overhang sizes. 6. Provide notation to specify each material and framing member
size that has been represented. Drafting Roof Framing Plans using CAD A roof framing plan can be drawn
using a CAD program following procedures similar to those used for a manual drawing. The drawing can
be created in the file containing the floor plan. 1. Start by freezing all floor plan material except the
exterior walls, furniture, and skylights. 2. Create layers to contain the roof plan using the ROOF prefix.
Layer names such as ROOF WALL, ROOF LINE, ROOF OUTL, ROOF ANNO, ROOF DIMN, or layer names
based on the NCS should be used to keep the roof information separate from the floor plan information
and to ease plotting. 3. Draw the outline of the residence on the ROOF WALL layer by tracing the outline
of the walls on the floor plan, and then freeze the walls of the floor plan. 4. Complete the plan using the
appropriate step-by-step process for the required roof type. Using the OFFSET command, the lines that
represent the walls can be placed to represent the roof outline. 5. Use the PROPERTIES command to
assign the lines to the appropriate layer, and to assign the required line weight and line type. 6. When
the roof plan is completed, a copy can be saved as a BLOCK with a title ROOF.

What are Roof Framing Plans?

Roof framing plans are layouts of the roof structure for constructing or renovating any building. They
can also include shop drawings of prefabricated roofing elements, such as trusses, wooden panels, pre-
planted green sections, insulation, and waterproofing membranes.
Roof manufacturers and contractors use these diagrams to get comprehensive and precise
measurements of the structure, with specifications of shapes, design, materials, and installation of each
section for framing purposes.

Rafters and Trusses

In general, architects have two options—roof rafter stick framing and trusses—to design the load-
bearing support of the structure. Trusses are wooden strips joined to form a solid beam and assembled
in a triangular shape for a roof slope design.

Roof Rafters

A rafter is a structural element or a roof framing board, usually cut into 2X10 or 2X12 inch-sized beams.

A typical gable roof framing plan comprises the dimensions, designs, assembly, and other structural
details of the rafters fabricated on-site. Constructors require custom CAD drafting solutions to get the
description of unique patterns, styles, and materials of rafters installed with the roof frames.

Rafters are recommended for residential renovations, including sheds, cottages, ranch-style homes, and
net zero homes.

Trusses

Professional woodworkers fabricate trusses at a factory, typically for the roofs of large spanning
structures such as commercial spaces, community centers or hubs, cathedrals, etc.

These structural roof framing elements, such as architecture designed for extreme cold, can withstand
harsh weather conditions. Their size varies from 2X4 to 2×6 and 2X8 inches.

Roof trusses distribute the load on exterior walls instead of interiors, adding more space options for
open floor plans.

Ridge Board

A ridge board is a non-structural component of a preassembled roof frame. It connects two opposite
rafters on the top. It adjoins rafters intersecting at one point and forming slopes to connect with ceiling
joists on the other ends, creating a triangular shape of the rafter roof frame.

Ceiling Joist

It’s a wooden piece connecting the lower ends of the rafters. Horizontally spanning from both exterior
walls, it completes the frame’s triangular shape and forms the structure’s base or ceiling.

Ceiling joists are included in preassembled roof framing plans as they transfer the flooring weight to the
support beams. Hence, they are carefully manufactured using precise measurement details.

Tail

The lower ends of the rafter are tails, and as they extend beyond the walls, they form roof eaves.
Collar Tie

The horizontal elements connecting two rafters on top are collar ties. Their placement is parallel to the
ceiling joist, supporting the roof’s structural design.

type of roof framing plan

Flat Roof Framing Plan

This type of roof framing plan is suitable for space remodeling projects. People who own mansions,
cottages, and condominiums renovate and expand their building spaces.Flat roof frames use timber
material; each piece is placed horizontally at a specific gap. This placement forms a cage-like pattern as
another layer is installed vertically over the first one.

Hip Roof Framing Plan

These roofing frames denote a gentle slope on the sides and a downward design toward the side walls.
Hip roof framing plans include four rafters meeting at the ridge board in the center. Hence, the pointed
structure of these roofs resembles a pyramid-like design.

Shed Roof Framing Plan

One of the most basic roof framing plans for pent or skillion roofs. As the name itself defines, shed roofs
are shaped like a shed, which is a single-pitch roof. These roofing framing plans shed are drafted with 3D
floor plans of tiny homes, cabins, patios, shelters, garages, etc. They combine the advantages of flat and
roof frames, depending on the specific project requirements, such as space, dimensions, and site
weather conditions.

Gable Roof Framing Plan

This roof framing plan presents the details of rafters, ridge boards, ceiling joists, and overhangs to guide
fabricators and get the proposed gable roof design.