Handbook of Construction Tolerances

The comprehensive guide to construction tolerances, newly revised and updated How much may a steel frame be out of plumb? What are the expected variations of a precast concrete panel? What is required to successfully detail finish materials on masonry? Updating and expanding on its popular first edition, the Handbook of Construction Tolerances, Second Edition remains the only comprehensive reference to the thousands of industry standard tolerances for the manufacture, fabrication, and installation of construction materials and components-- including all-important accumulated dimensional variations. Covering new materials and techniques developed since the book was first published, the Second Edition of this easy-to-use reference features: * More than 100 drawings illustrating the tolerance concepts * New sections on measuring compliance with tolerance standards; right-of-way construction; autoclaved aerated concrete; tilt-up concrete panels; interior stone wall cladding; structural insulated panels; decorative architectural glass; laminated architectural flat glass and bent glass * New guidelines on how to incorporate tolerance requirements in drawings and specifications * New information on how to apply tolerance information during contract administration With the Handbook, architects, engineers, contractors, interior designers, lawyers, and others involved in the construction industry will be armed with the information they need to design and detail more accurately, write better specifications, establish normal practice and standards of care, supervise construction, settle worksite disputes, and save time and money at every stage of building.

Table of Contents:
List of Tables xi Acknowledgments xiii Introduction xv Part 1: Construction Tolerances Chapter 1: Building Layout and Sitework 3 1–1 Horizontal Building Layout 3 1–2 Vertical Building Layout 7 1–3 Concrete Paving 8 1–4 Asphalt Paving 10 1–5 Pedestrian Paving 13 1–6 Grading and Sitework 15 1–7 Right-of-Way Construction 17 Chapter 2: Concrete 23 2–1 Reinforcement Placement for Flexural Members 23 2–2 Reinforcement Placement in Walls and Columns 25 2–3 Reinforcement Placement of Prestressing Steel 25 2–4 Concrete Slabs on Grade 29 2–5 Footings and Anchor Bolts 31 2–6 Piers 32 2–7 Cast-in-Place Plumb Tolerances 35 2–8 Cast-in-Place Sectional Tolerances 35 2–9 Cast-in-Place Concrete Elements in Plan 37 2–10 Cast-in-Place Stairs 37 2–11 Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Panels 39 2–12 Architectural Precast Concrete Panels 41 2–13 Precast Ribbed Wall Panels 43 2–14 Precast Insulated Wall Panels 43 2–15 Hollow-Core Slabs 47 2–16 Precast Stairs 47 2–17 Precast Pilings 49 2–18 Prestressed Concrete Beams 49 2–19 Prestressed Single Tees 53 2–20 Prestressed Double Tees 55 2–21 Precast Columns 57 2–22 Prestressed Tee Joists or Keystone Joists 57 2–23 Precast Column Erection 59 2–24 Precast Beam and Spandrel Erection 61 2–25 Precast Floor and Roof Member Erection 63 2–26 Precast Structural Wall Panel Erection 63 2–27 Precast Architectural Wall Panel Erection 67 2–28 Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Panel Erection 69 2–29 Autoclaved Aerated Concrete 69 2–30 Tilt-Up Concrete Panels 73 Chapter 3: Steel 75 3–1 Mill Tolerances for W and HP Shapes 75 3–2 Mill Tolerances for Length of W and HP Shapes 79 3–3 Mill Tolerances for S and M Shapes and Channels 81 3–4 Mill Tolerances for Structural Angles and Tees 82 3–5 Mill tolerances for Pipe and Tubing 85 3–6 Steel Column Erection Tolerances 87 3–7 Location of Exterior Steel Columns in Plan 89 3–8 Steel Beam/Column Connections 91 3–9 Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel 91 3–10 Elevator Shaft Tolerances 94 Chapter 4: Unit Masonry 97 4–1 Concrete Unit Masonry Manufacturing 97 4–2 Concrete Unit Masonry Reinforcement Placement 99 4–3 Concrete Unit Masonry Construction 103 4–4 Prefabricated Masonry Panels 103 4–5 Brick Manufacturing 104 4–6 Brick Wall Construction 107 4–7 Glazed Structural Clay Facing Tile 107 4–8 Facing, Load-Bearing, and Non-Load-Bearing Clay Tile 112 4–9 Terra Cotta Manufacturing and Erection 115 4–10 Glass Block Manufacturing and Erection 116 Chapter 5: Stone 119 5–1 Granite Fabrication 119 5–2 Marble Fabrication 121 5–3 Limestone Fabrication 123 5–4 Granite and Marble Installation 125 5–5 Limestone Installation 127 5–6 Fabrication and Installation Tolerances for Slate 128 5–7 Cast Stone Fabrication and Installation 129 5–8 Interior Stone Wall Cladding 129 Chapter 6: Structural Lumber 133 6–1 Glued Laminated Timber Fabrication 133 6–2 Manufacturing Tolerances for Structural Lumber 133 6–3 Plywood Manufacturing 136 6–4 Particleboard Manufacturing 139 6–5 Fiberboard Manufacturing 141 6–6 Rough Lumber Framing 143 6–7 Wood Floor Framing and Subflooring 145 6–8 Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss Fabrication 146 6–9 Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss Erection 148 6–10 Prefabricated Structural Wood 150 6–11 Structural Insulated Panels 151 Chapter 7: Finish Carpentry and Architectural Woodwork 153 7–1 Manufacturing Tolerances for Board Lumber 153 7–2 Site-Built Cabinets and Countertops 155 7–3 Site-Built Stairs and Trim 156 7–4 Standing and Running Trim 158 7–5 Architectural Cabinets 160 7–6 Modular Cabinets 163 7–7 Countertops 163 7–8 Flush Paneling 167 7–9 Stile and Rail Paneling 170 7–10 Stairwork 172 7–11 Frames, Jambs, and Windows 174 7–12 Screens 176 7–13 Blinds and Shutters 177 7–14 Architectural Flush Doors 178 7–15 Stile and Rail Doors—Size and Flatness 181 7–16 Stile and Rail Doors—Joint Tightness and Flushness 183 7–17 Architectural Woodwork Installation 185 Chapter 8: Curtain Walls 189 8–1 Aluminum Curtain Wall Fabrication 189 8–2 Aluminum Curtain Wall Installation 191 8–3 Storefront and Entrance Manufacturing 193 8–4 Storefront Installation 195 Chapter 9: Finishes 197 9–1 Light-Gauge Framing for Gypsum Wallboard 197 9–2 Wallboard Partitions, Ceilings, and Trim 199 9–3 Glass-Reinforced Gypsum Products 200 9–4 Installation of Lath and Plaster 202 9–5 Floor and Wall Tile 204 9–6 Terrazzo Flooring 207 9–7 Wood Flooring 208 9–8 Stone Flooring 210 9–9 Acoustical Ceiling Installation 210 9–10 Linear Metal Ceiling Installation 213 9–11 Stainless Steel Ornamental Metal Products 214 9–12 Copper Alloy Ornamental Metal Products 216 9–13 Extruded Aluminum Tubes 218 9–14 Aluminum Rods, Bars, and Shapes 220 Chapter 10: Glazing 223 10–1 Manufacturing Tolerances for Flat Glass 223 10–2 Manufacturing Tolerances for Patterned and Wired Glass 223 10–3 Tempered, Heat-Strengthened, and Spandrel Glass 227 10–4 Sealed Insulated Glass Units 228 10–5 All-Glass Entrances 230 10–6 Decorative Architectural Flat Glass 233 10–7 Laminated Architectural Flat Glass 233 10–8 Bent Glass 235 Chapter 11: Doors and Windows 239 11–1 Standard Steel Doors and Frames 239 11–2 Insulated Steel Door Systems 239 11–3 Detention Security Hollow Metal Doors and Frames 241 11–4 Standard Flush Wood Doors 241 11–5 Standard Stile and Rail Doors 244 11–6 Wood Swinging Patio Doors 246 11–7 Installation of Wood Doors 246 11–8 Wood Windows 249 11–9 Aluminum Windows and Sliding Doors 251 11–10 Steel Windows 251 Part 2: Accommodating Construction Tolerances Guidelines for Accommodating Construction Tolerances 255 Joint Design 255 Accumulated Tolerances 258 Chapter 12: Cast-in-Place Concrete Systems 261 12–1 Concrete Frame Tolerances 261 12–2 Joint Tolerances 263 12–3 Detailing for Cast-In-Place and Precast Systems 264 12–4 Detailing Brick on Cast-in-Place Concrete 266 12–5 Detailing for Stone on Concrete Systems 269 12–6 Detailing for Curtain Walls on Concrete Frames 271 12–7 Detailing Doors in Cast-in-Place Concrete 273 12–8 Detailing Windows in Cast-in-Place Concrete 275 Chapter 13: Precast Concrete Systems 277 13–1 Combined Precast Concrete Frame Tolerances 277 13–2 Joint Tolerances 278 13–3 Detailing for Precast Systems 279 13–4 Detailing for Precast and Steel Systems 281 13–5 Detailing Masonry and Precast Systems 283 13–6 Detailing Doors in Precast Concrete 286 13–7 Detailing Windows in Precast Concrete 286 Chapter 14: Steel Frame Systems 289 14–1 Accumulated Column Tolerances 289 14–2 Accumulated Steel Frame Tolerances 290 14–3 Detailing for Steel Structural System Tolerances 293 14–4 Detailing for Precast on Steel 295 14–5 Detailing for Brick on Steel 295 14–6 Detailing for Stone on Steel Systems 297 14–7 Detailing for Curtain Walls on Steel Frames 299 Chapter 15: Masonry Systems 303 15–1 Masonry Joint Tolerance 303 15–2 Detailing Brick and Masonry Systems 303 15–3 Detailing for Stone on Masonry Backup 305 15–4 Detailing Interior Stone on Masonry 306 15–5 Detailing Doors in Masonry 309 15–6 Detailing Windows in Masonry 309 Chapter 16: Timber and Carpentry Construction 313 16–1 Detailing Wood Joints 313 16–2 Detailing for Timber Columns 315 16–3 Detailing for Timber Beams 315 16–4 Detailing for Prefabricated Structural Wood 317 16–5 Detailing for Paneling on Site-Built Substrates 320 16–6 Detailing for Cabinetry and Site-Built Substrates 320 Part 3: Measuring Compliance and Documenting Construction Tolerances Chapter 17: Methods of Measurement 325 17–1 Measuring Devices 325 17–2 Measuring Length 326 17–3 Measuring Angles 327 17–4 Measuring Slopes 327 17–5 Measuring Flatness, Level, and Smoothness 329 Chapter 18: The Uncertainty of Measurement in Construction 333 18–1 The Expression of Measurement 334 18–2 Expressing Uncertainty 334 18–3 Units of Measure 338 18–4 Significant Figures and Rounding 339 18–5 Metric Conversion 340 Chapter 19: Documenting and Enforcing Tolerances 343 19–1 Documenting Tolerances on Drawings 343 19–2 Documenting Tolerances in Specifications 344 19–3 Contract Administration 344 19–4 Tolerances and Accessibility 344 Sources 347 Index 357

About the Author :
DAVID KENT BALLAST, AIA, CSI, a registered architect, has owned Architectural Research Consulting in Denver since 1981. The consulting firm offers applied research, technical advice, specifications, and information management services to architects, interior designers, and others in the construction industry. Since 1987, Ballast has been an instructor in Interior Construction and Basic Drafting at Arapahoe Community College. He is the author of a number of books on construction technology.