2. Chapter 21
Building Sections

3. Building Sections Building sections Longitudinal Building Section
Vertical “cuts” or “slices” through a structure
Longitudinal Building Section
Runs across the longest dimension of a building
Transverse Building section
Runs perpendicular to longitudinal building sections

4. Purpose of Building Sections
Illustrate type of construction such as foundation types, walls, and roof construction
Give vertical dimensions and provide information about size of structural components
Provide important information about materials and material sizes
Inform contractor or builder of special or unconventional construction methods or techniques
Show specific materials to be used

5. Types of Building Sections
Full building sections
Partial building sections
Wall sections
Detail sections

6. Full Building Section Information
Overall height dimensions and relationships
General building materials used
Foundation information
Special or unusual construction techniques and methods
Drawn at same scale as floor plan

7. Full Building Section

8. Partial Building Section Information
Shows part of structure in more detail
Cuts through half or more of structure, but not its entire length
Drawn at a larger scale—usually 3/8″ = 1′-0″ or larger

9. Partial Building Section

10. Wall Section Information
Cuts through only one (typically exterior) wall
Shows foundation system, wall system, roof system at one location in structure
Shows more specific detail than any other type of building section
Usually drawn at same scale as floor plan

11. Wall Section

12. Typical and Specific Sections
Typical section
Represents features or sizes that are used in many different places in structure
Specific section
Shows feature, method, or technique that is used only once

13. Specifying Building Section Location
Section marks are used to indicate where sections are being taken or cut. Because of the complexity of architectural drawings cutting plane lines are generally omitted Only the arrow indicating the direction of sight of the section view is shown

14. Identifying Sections
First section is labeled A–A Second section is labeled B–B Actual section drawings are labeled Section A–A, Section B–B, and so on The upper letter indicates the name of the section on the sheet The lower number refers to the sheet where the section view is drawn

15. Preparing to Draw Building Sections
Questions to be answered include:
Foundation information?
Existing grade?
Heights from finished floor to finished ceilings?
Rough openings of doors and windows?
What type of roof construction?
What kind of exterior materials?
What type of soffit?

16. CADD: Full Building Section
Collect essential size information
Select or create section layers
Draw footing and foundation wall
Locate and draw basement slab
Position and draw grade line

17. CADD: Full Building Section
Locate and draw floor joists, ceiling joists and wall and roof structures Use actual sizes rather than nominal sizes Add details and material hatch patterns Add dimensions and notes Add scale and title on appropriate layers Review your work

18. CADD: Full Building

19. CADD: Detail Section (Typical)

20. CADD: Detail Section (Typical)

21. CADD: Detail Section (Typical)