Introduction to Estimating, Plan Reading and Construction Techniques

To understand Construction Estimating one must also understand plan reading and construction techniques. This book is designed to teach the construction student these three core skills in equal measure. Using hundreds of plans, sketches, and photos, the book builds case studies of the major construction divisions including concrete, masonry, carpentry, and more. Over forty cases are divided into sections following a specially designed format: Plans: Scale drawings of floor plans, sections, or elevations. Plan Interpretation: The drawings are explained with comments. Scope of the Work: A written description of the boundaries of the work is given for each section. Construction Techniques: The construction processes and their sequence are explained. The Takeoff: A takeoff is shown at the end of each section. This approach helps foster confidence in plan reading, building methods, arithmetic, takeoffs, and estimates. The various products and terms used in the industries of structural steel, doors and hardware, and roofing are defined. The shop drawing process is explained, which is so important in many industries, as well as the role of and difference between manufacturers, fabricators, and suppliers/distributors. The book ends with a study of "front end" documents, including Division 00 General Conditions, AIA 201, and Division 01 General Requirements, and a chapter on Ethics. This textbook can be used to teach a variety of classes including plan reading, construction techniques, and estimating 1 and 2 (takeoffs and pricing).

Table of Contents:
Introduction Section 1 How Parts 3, 4, and 6 are covered in this textbook Section 2 Plans and sketches for Parts 3, 4, and 6 Section 3 Plan interpretation of Parts 3, 4, and 6 Section 4 Scopes of work for Parts 3, 4, and 6 Section 5 Construction techniques for Parts 3, 4, and 6 Section 6 Takeoff formats of Parts 3, 4, and 6 Section 7 How Parts 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are covered in this textbook Section 8 Terminology Section 9 Parts 11 and 12, contract documents and ethics PART 1: Plans and specifications 1 Reading plans Section 1 Drawing illustrations Section 2 The interpretation of plans 2 Plan types Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Architects and engineers Section 3 Plan iterations from schematic to permit sets Section 4 Civil engineering plan sets Section 5 Architectural plan sets Section 6 Structural plan sets Section 7 Mechanical plan sets Section 8 Plan Revisions 3 The specifications Section 1 Introduction Section 2 The old 16 divisions and the new CSI master format Section 3 Three parts of every specification PART 2: Estimating 1 Quantities Section 1 Quantity surveys or takeoffs? Section 2 Takeoff rules and standard procedures Section 3 Summary 2 Pricing Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Unit price sheet Section 3 P/S sheet Section 4 Church estimate 3 A short history of bonding and liens Section 1 The Heard and Miller acts Section 2 Bid bonds Section 3 Payment bonds Section 4 Performance bonds Section 5 Bonding companies Section 6 Liens PART 3: Concrete 1 Introduction Section 1 Ruling body, the American Concrete Institute Section 2 Form reinforce and pour Section 3 Concrete takeoffs Section 4 Formwork takeoffs Section 5 Concrete reinforcement Section 6 Excavation and grading Section 7 Summary 2 Isolated concrete pads Section 1 Drawings and photos of concrete pads Section 2 Earthforming concrete pads Section 3 Overexcavation and edgeform concrete pads up to 12″ high Section 4 Plywood forms for concrete pads over 12″ high 3 Continuous concrete footings Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Centerlines and rectangles Section 3 Footings and backfill Section 4 Footing stepdowns 4 Slabs on grade Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Fill dirt and slab thickened edges Section 3 Thickened slabs Section 4 Embeds 5 Monolithic slabs Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Changing triangles into rectangles Section 3 Brick ledges Section 4 Basketball courts and keyways 6 Concrete walls Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Wall formwork design Section 3 Blockouts Section 4 Retaining walls and waterstop Section 5 Concrete walls 7 Concrete columns Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Foundation piers Section 3 Columns, chamfer strips, and recesses 8 Concrete beams Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Tie beams and beam bottoms Section 3 Concrete beams Section 4 Rake beams 9 Elevated concrete slabs Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Slab on deck Section 3 Second floor porch and stairs PART 4: Masonry 1 Products and metrics Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Masonry contractors and products Section 3 Block openings Section 4 Counting block Section 5 Counting concrete in blocks Section 6 Bricks 2 Foundation blocks Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Header blocks Section 3 Elevator shaft Section 4 Lintel blocks 3 Single-story block walls Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Block wall case study Section 3 Wall length quiz Section 4 Bond beams and precast U lintels Section 5 Block columns and outs 4 Multiple block wall heights Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Material bin block walls Section 3 Block walls and door headers Section 4 Block walls 5 Sloping block walls Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 12″ block Section 3 Special block 6 Brick Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Brick veneer Section 3 Solid brick walls PART 5: Steel 1 Structural steel Section 1 Introduction Section 2 The AISC and the steel manual Section 3 Drawings Section 4 Subcontractors and suppliers Section 5 Structural steel products Section 6 Steel connections Section 7 Construction techniques Section 8 Estimating Section 9 A short history of American steel 2 Steel joists and steel decks Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Ruling bodies, SJI and SDI Section 3 Steel joist products and profiles Section 4 Steel deck products and profiles Section 5 Steel joist designations and characteristics Section 6 Joist and deck suppliers and contractors Section 7 Joist and deck plans Section 8 Steel joist bearing, bridging, and extensions Section 9 Construction techniques Section 10 Joist and deck fireproofing Section 11 Estimating 3 Miscellaneous steel Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Shop drawings Section 3 Wrought iron architecture and ornamental metals Section 4 Fabrication Section 5 Handrails and guardrails Section 6 Bollards Section 7 Stairwells and metal pans Section 8 Campus stair tower plans Section 9 Stair tower takeoff Section 10 Photo of three misc. steel projects PART 6: Carpentry 1 Products and metrics Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Wood components not shown on plans Section 3 Lumber types and metrics Section 4 Units of measure Section 5 Conversion factors Section 6 Measuring areas and lengths of inclined surfaces Section 7 Carpentry takeoffs Section 8 Waste factors 2 Floor framing Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Boardwalk Section 3 First floor framing Section 4 Second floor framing 3 Wall framing Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Frame wall case study Section 3 4″, 6″, and 12″ stud walls Section 4 Three-wall addition Section 5 Two-story platform framing Section 6 Sloping walls 4 Ceiling and roof framing Section 1 Photos and drawing(s) Section 2 Roof framing case study Section 3 Trusses, sheathing, and soffit Section 4 Ceiling joists and chases Section 5 Roof framing PART 7: Thermal and moisture protection 1 Asphalt shingles Section 1 Introduction Section 2 The shingle product Section 3 Construction techniques Section 4 Estimating 2 Metal flashing Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Common flashings Section 3 Wall flashing Section 4 Curbs and gutters 3 Metal roofing Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Substrates for metal roofs Section 3 Architectural metal panels Section 4 Structural metal panels Section 5 Metals and metal problems 4 Moisture protection and waterproofing Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Vapor barriers (retarders) Section 3 Waterproofing and dampproofing Section 4 Estimating PART 8: Door and window openings 1 Doors, frames, and hardware Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Ruling body, the Door and Hardware Institute Section 3 Suppliers and distributors Section 4 Door frames Section 5 Plans and door schedules Section 6 Submittals and shop drawings Section 7 Egress and fire ratings Section 8 Lock terminology Section 9 Construction techniques Section 10 Dudley job estimate PART 9: Finishes 1 Metal studs Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Ruling bodies, SSMA and SFIA Section 3 Designations Section 4 Products Section 5 Estimating Section 6 Wood blocking 2 Gypsum board Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Ruling body, the Gypsum Association Section 3 Gypsum products Section 4 Gypsum identification Section 5 Handling and storage Section 6 Smoke barriers Section 7 Fire resistance Section 8 Techniques Section 9 Joint compound Section 10 Estimating PART 10: Specialties Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Suppliers and distributors Section 3 Submittals Section 4 Wood blocking Section 5 Schoolhouse plans, specifications, and legends Section 6 Schoolhouse estimate PART 11: Construction documents 1 What is (and isn’t) a contract document Section 1 Construction documents Section 2 The project manual Section 3 The drawings and technical specifications Section 4 Addenda Section 5 The generals and their conditions Section 6 The contract between owner and contractor, articles 5.3.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.2 2 Division 00 General Conditions Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Owners and users of facilities Section 3 The architect’s authority Section 4 The contractor’s responsibility Section 5 The contractor’s submittals Section 6 Change orders Section 7 Claims Section 8 Delays Section 9 Payment Section 10 Closeout Section 11 Unforeseen fire line case Section 12 Gooseneck faucet case 3 Division 01 General Requirements Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Pre-bid Section 3 The bid Section 4 Preconstruction Section 5 During construction and the project site PART 12: Ethics Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Bad practice Section 3 Estimating Section 4 The bid price Section 5 The bid date Section 6 Plans Section 7 Payment Section 8 Performance Glossaries Concrete glossary Masonry glossary Steel joist and steel deck glossary Carpentry glossary Doors and hardware glossary Index

About the Author :
Gary Anglin is a construction firm owner with over 35 years' experience and former Adjunct Professor at the Rinker School of Building Construction, University of Florida, USA.