How Does the Quality of Graphical Information Relate to the Quality of...

I think the measurements are more critical than the graphic representation.....How the project fits into the tapestry of the surrounding structures is where the graphical information becomes critical....that's why nothing beats an accurate scale model...

http://architectural-models.com/newsite/galairport.html

Certainly a clear set of plans that are easily readable comes to mind...

...anybody that has worked on a project where the plans have had multiple changes penciled in can sympathize....this is how mistakes are made, somebody messing up the plans with a lot of change of mind revisions, confuses the issue, and when the foreman is unreachable somebody has to make a judgement based on confusing information...this can bring the entire project to a standstill, leading to cost overruns and target dates missed...

"...that's why nothing beats an accurate scale model..."

A scale model is just a 3D graphic! The key word is accurate. Even if the measurements are shown correctly, an inaccurate drawing/model is misleading/deceptive/confusing.

I'll put as much effort into this as you have.

Unit 8: Graphical Detailing in Construction and the Built ... - Edexcel

Project Management for Construction: Quality Control and Safety ...

This homework assignment seems pretty straightforward Keiran, what exactly are you having a problem with?

Break down the question you have posted (yes the last two paragraphs are the homework question right) and think about it.

What could be unclear on a drawing, who could be responsible and how could it come about in the first place. Come up with possible examples of errors that you think could occur.

Include that standards are important and following them greatly reduces misunderstandings if everyone is following the same guidelines. Also helps fill in the gaps in understanding so the drawings don't have to be overly complicated to convey what is to be built.

Really quite simple.

If you guys would like to read, I have finished my reply for the question. Please do let me know if you think I have not done it sufficiently.

When clarifying poor working drawings, one would feel distressed to find a constructor who would actually agree with the engineer, as well as what the documents mean. With that aside, everyone can agree that bad drawings cost engineers a lot of time as well as money.

Drawings that are constructed correctly will go a long way to prevent problems in communication during the project. The crucial part is to identify the drawbacks/difficulties of poor drawings as well as finding solutions to overcome them.

I think that the measurements are more critical than the graphic representation... For example, how the project fits into the tapestry of the surrounding structures is where the graphical information becomes critical... that's why nothing would beat an accurate scale model.

Standards are important and following them greatly reduces misunderstandings if everyone is following the same guidelines. Also helps fill in the gaps in understanding so the drawings don't have to be overly complicated to convey what is to be built.

(http://architectural-models.com/newsite/galairport.html )

Certainly a clear set of plans that are easily readable comes to mind.

Anybody that has worked on a project where the plans have had multiple changes pencilled in could sympathise. This is how mistakes are made, for example, somebody messing up the plans with a lot of change of mind revisions, confuses the issue, and when the foreman is unreachable somebody has to make a judgement based on confusing information...this can bring the entire project to a standstill, leading to cost overruns and target dates missed...

Pinpointing Difficulties

Poor working drawings will most likely present problems such as incomplete details, missing drawings, excessive information, and “alien” symbols that are not standard. Drawings that are accurate can even have problems which would most likely lead to misjudgement.

This problem should be the main concern for a drafter because when drawings are inaccurately produced, it makes it harder to build, as well as bid. Another problem that could arise is that if there are details missing from the end of a drawing set, this may not be noticed by anyone. So, when it comes to the actual construction of that area, the workers will have to proceed without navigation or they will need to stop construction until the drawings are re-done and fixed.

Issues that go with oversized products are more complex than incorrectly sized components. With oversized products, for example an oversized overcurrent device, this could mean failure for what it’s intended use is.

Readability

Error of illustrations can cause comparable problems. Confusing line styles and weights, swarmed images and absence of facilitated subtle elements all add to poor appearance and can cover the illustration's plan. For instance, if existing equipment is separated with narrow-weight lines yet those outlining new gear are drawn with lines just possibly thicker, the refinement can be lost.

An issue that seems to become more and more common with poor working drawings is crowding. Traditionally, system plans were created at a one-eighth scale. With projects nowadays, they want a different scale. This can cause problems with the drawing because once the plan has been made at a smaller scale, people are hesitant to rescale. This would cause the drawing to become very crowded, causing the appearance to lack the professional look.

Legal Consequences of Poor Drawings

Some legal issues are generally linked with poor construction documents:

Permit hassles – Details that are missing on drawings would lead to the design team asking questions. There could potentially be legal liability for delays in distributing a permit due to the problems with the plans.

Coordination Problems – This kind of problem could make it difficult for the architect to do his/her coordination review. The engineer responsible for this problem could potentially have to spend time answering the architects questions.

RFI’s (requests for information)– If some details have failed to be included on the drawing, the contractor is likely to ask for the missing details at a later date.

Incorrectly referenced details - They are worse because they cause the contractor to spend valuable time sorting through the details, or he/she may ignore them.

Another main cause for confusion would be:

· Nonstandard symbols

These would be found on construction drawings. They could cause a contractor to bid on the job incorrectly. The British standards are a good reference to use.

Solutions

Depending on the skill of the contractor, for example, an experienced one who is short on time could potentially fill in the blanks. If the scope of the drawing is not very clear, the can give a bid qualification. This would take the responsibility of their shoulders and gives it back to the engineer.

Although no urgent, a messy drawings appearance most likely causes the greatest number of problems in bidding as well as installation. It also has the biggest effect on what the contractors profit will be.

Looks good.

Turn it in and see what the prof thinks!

Yep.

Even a careful drawing may be misleading. My friend, a UK engineer, told me the story of a part which did not fit. It turned out that the drawings had been prepared in another country where the norm was third angle projection, while the UK norm is first angle projection.

That is why in most businesses' quality control systems, any drawing goes through a second-person technical check, and approval of the drawing for use is carried out by a third person.

Lol. Homework problem. This worth $10 to answer.

It doesn't...
What is on paper does not necessarily effect reality...
One can make things perfectly well with no drawings or documentation. Conversely one can produce stuff of poor quality that doesn't funtion despite copious wonderful drawings and documents.
You can't beat skill and intelligence.
Del

The phrase ‘Garbage in, garbage out’ very much applies here.

The drawings are a graphical representation of the desired finished product. The detail and care with which the drawings are prepared is the detail and care with which the project will be constructed. An engineered building (warehouse, shop outbuilding, mini-storage facility, etc) is generally scant in true construction details, these details usually being standardized by each building manufacturer, and don’t really matter with regards to aesthetics or functionality of the finished building.

" a poorly presented drawing ".

As you may of seen here on cr4, there is a topic, " guess the architecture " , although the line drawing is gained from an already established structural entity, this is the reversal of what is generally known as an artist's rendering.

It is therefore up to engineers and draft person's to refine a presented idea into a conglomerate definition.

This is a very broad and vague question which, only a broad and vague answer can be given. Communication is the key here. Effective communication only happens when the "speakER" uses language understood by the "speakEE". Any answer to this question has to tailored to that relationship, which at this point is unknown.

Yes, when it comes to bolted connections.

The incident at Hyatt in Kansas City may have been avoided... but I believe the contract went away the original design of fastener of the walkway. Better graphics may have avoided the catastrophe. But with the Hyatt, even the original design was little or no better. A lot of engineering licenses were suspended.

But more importantly, it would be the documentation (sign off in change orders as well as approvals, phone calls and other informal conversations) that are important after construction begins.

The drawings were probably very detailed and measurements specific!

All too often, the glitzier the pictures, then the chintzier the materials...