TORR MUS Oko The Institution of Structural Engineers Communication of structural design A Report of The Institution of Structural Engineers: April 1975 (reprintea march 1982)Constitution of the Com D.R.R. Dick, BSc, CEng, FiStructE, FICE (Chairman) J.W. Beavington, CEng, MIStructé, MICE S. Champion, PhD, MSc(Eng), CEng, FiStructé, FICE J.A. Dertington, BSc(Eng), DIC, CEng, FiStructE, FICE (D. Eckett, deputy) S.S. Heighway, CEng, MIStructE F.T. Hodgson, BArch, DIC, CEng, FiStructé, ARIBA P.A, Rutter, CEng, MIStructé, MICE W. J. Shirley, CEng, FiStructé, FICE R.M. Silber, CEng, FiStructé, FIAS D.N. Smith, CEng, MiStructe G. Somerville, BSc(Eng), PhD. CEng. MiStructE, MICE C.B, Stone, CBE, DSO, BSc, CEng, FiStructE, FICE R.G. Taylor, BSc(Eng), CEng. FiStructé, FICE K.C. White, BSo(Eng), CEng. FiStructé, MICE Ex officio during Presidential year: W. GN. Geddes, BSc, CEng, FiStructé, FICE (1972) Kenneth Severn, MC. MA, CEng. FiStructé. FICE (1972-1973) LR. Creasy, CB, OBE, BSc, CEng. FiStructé, FICE (1973-1974)Contents Foreword Communication of structural design Terms of reference Scope of report Conceptual design Conditions of contract Tender documents Working drawings ‘Temporary works Site supervision Feedback Economic European Community ‘Communication links Schedules - Network activity* Introduction B Feasibility B1 Design Team meetings B2_ Preliminary site survey B3 Feasibility of structure B4 Structural feasibility report C Outline proposals C1 Design Team meetings C2 Architect's outline proposals C3. Structural Engineer's site investigation C4. Integration of services C5. Structural outline proposals C8 Co-ordinated proposals for outline costings C7 Presentation of complete outline proposals with cost estimates D_ Scheme design D1 Design Team meetings D2 Scheme design information D3 Approvals E Detail design £1 Design Team meetings £2 Detail design information F Production information FI Design Team meetings 2 Production information G Bills of quantities G1 Contract bills of quantities Page 6 @amonaawyss " " 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 14 14 *See footnate on page 11Tender action Appraisal of tenders Project planning Set-up procedures Construction methods Contract programming Preliminary pile testing Finalization of programme Operations on site Construction information Contract meetings Monitoring of construction Completion Practica! completion End of defects liability period Feedback Feedback from owner/user Page 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 16 16 16 16 16Foreword Structural design calls for knowledge and skill in a wide variety of advanced technologies; its end product is a contribution to and never the whole of a modern building structure. Environmental and sociological considerations make it essential that before decisions are taken the structural designer obtains the fullest pos formation fromhis colleagues in the design team. His choices thereafter in fulfilment of his responsibilities must be ‘communicated to and understood by every member of that team. This report, which may be regarded as the Structural Engineer's Plan of work, provides fa checklist of recommended lines of communication which, if followed, will effectively link the design and construction processes. Better understanding between all parties will lead to greater efficiency, can result in greater economy and will undoubtedly. contribute to greater safety, which the public at large is entitled to expect the building industry professions to achieve in the practice of their skills. The philosophy of the structural designer—his objectives and responsibility—are set down in the report Aims of structural design first published by the Institution in 1969. Communication of structural design is @ companion report that guides the structural designer in his relationship with his client, other members of the design team and all concerned with the creation of a building that pleases through its fulfilment of function with safety and economy.Scope of report Conditions of contract Communication of structural design Effective communications in any organization are a vital necessity and not least in the building industry where so many different technologies are involved. As has been pointed ‘out in many reports over the last decade, the fact that design is normally separated from ‘construction makes effective communication all the more important. In April 1972, the Council of the Institution decidad to form a committee to report on this subject and gave it the following terms of reference: “To study and advise on the problems arising from the interdependence of the design and the construction of modern building structures and the systems of communication, particularly at the interface between design and construction.” This report is, therefore, limited to the building industry and does not embrace the total field of the construction industry. Use was made of the RIBA Plan of work to establish the lines of communication as ‘seen from the point of view of the structural designer, and these form the basis of the ‘schedules in this report. It will be seen that considerable amplification hes been made with particular reference to the tender and construction periods. It is essential that the Design Team, ie. the Architect, the Structural Engineer, the Building Services Engineer and anyother specialists, are brought together at the earliest Possible moment g0 that all can contribute to the final concept. The Design Team will be assisted throughout all stages of the project by the Quantity Surveyor. With the growing departure from traditional materials, more and more of the building components requite study by engineers as to their innate properties and as to their suitability for manufecture and erection. Such studies may involve prototype sub-assemblies, test piles to select optimum piling systems, or even some development work at research laboratories. During this time close liaison should be maintained with the enforcement officer of the Local Authority or, in the Inner London area, with the District Surveyor. Only when the basic scheme drawings of each member of the Design Team, including the Building Services Engineer, have been completed should detailed working drawings ‘be commenced as these conceptual design drawings constitute the brief for all subsequent operations. As this report relates to the building industry, the Standard form of building contract issued by the Joint Contracts Tribunal has been assumed to be applicable, The respon- sibility of the engineers in the Design Team for design is self-evident, and yet they have no authority under the conditions of contract as between the Client and the Contractor. It is appreciated that one person, i.e, the Architect, should have ultimate authority under the contract, but it is recommended that the Architect should define to the Contractor those spheres of authority that he wishes to delegate to the Engineer, and the conditions of contract should be amended to cover this point. ‘The form of contract normally used for government contracts is the General conditions of Government contracts for building and civil engineering works (Form CCC/Wks/1), and the remarks above are generally applicable when Form CCC/Wks/1 is used, This report is not applicable when the ICE Conditions of contract are usad in buil structures, e.g. in underground car-park construction, “This is uevally knawn as the FIBA Form of Contract and exists in four edtionsWorking drawings Temporary works Site supervision Feedback European Economic ‘Community Communication inks Where complete working drawings are provided at tender stage—and this Is obviously desirable—the problem of communication with the contractors is greatly diminished. Where, howaver, the tender documents consist of small-scale architect's drawings, accompanied by bills of quantities, these are regarded, except in the case of the simplest buildings, as completely inadequate in communicating the conceptual design to the contractors, and should always be accompanied by the Engineer's basic designs. If Contractors are invited to submit alternative designs, then these must be brought up toan adequately definitive stege before being accepted by the Design Team; otherwise communication suffers, and the brief for subsequent operations will be inadequate. Sufficient time must be allowed to contractors to submit alternative designs where this is allowed. Asthe billsof quantities constitute part of the documentation for communication of design, itis essential that the Structural Engineershould always have had the opportunity to comment on their content, in as far a6 they relate to items for which he has design responsibility, prior to their issue to tenderers, The proliferation of prime cost items in the bills of quantities must be resisted in all cases where it arises from lack of decision in the conceptual design. If effective communications are to be maintained between members of the Design Team, itis essential that each member proceeds to closely related level of detail at any one time. Thisis seldom achieved in the case of building services because of current practices in the industry and, therefore, constitutes @ weak communications link which has an adverse effect on co-ordination of design. ‘The Contractor is entitled to foreknowledge of the order and rate of issue of working drawings, and these should be scheduled and agreed with the Contractor, Finally, the Design Team should maintain close liaison with the Contractor and manufacturers, if known, during the working drawing stage to ensure that the working details accord with the Contractor's and manufacturer's methods of working, and thet specifications and tolerances are within practicable limits. Where special characteristics are required in the temporary works, the Design Team should clearly indicate these to the Contractor. Where the loads on such temporary works arise from features in the conceptual design, then the Design Team must give the Contractor guidance on the amaunt and nature of such loads to enable him to design the ‘temporary works. However careful the Design Team has been to maintain close communication with the Contractor, there remains the interpretation on a day-to-day basis of the designer's, intentions, This interpretation in the case of large or complex structures requires fully qualified resident engineers with an understanding of the designer's intentions which should be matched with equivalent experience of the construction of similar structures from the Contractor's side. Economies by the building owner frequently mean that such resident engineers ate not provided, and this creates the danger of severance of the ‘communication link, ‘There are lessons to be learnt fram every building project, and each member of the Design ‘Team should keep a diary of events from which a final report for future guidance can be compiled. The importance of feedback during the construction stage cannot be over- emphasized. It should be mentioned that a limited study was made of the practices in other countries in Europe which demonstrated the variations between the individual countries and between them end the United Kingdom. It was, therefore, decided to confine this report to existing British practices. ‘This report has been prepared from the viewpoint of the Structural Engineer and his role in the building industry. This role has been viewed, on the one hand, from the lines of ‘communication he should have with others concerned with the design and implementa~ tion of any building projects, and on the other hand, from the adequacy of those links due to custom in the industry, or the current documentation used to communicate between the parties.The construction industry has a responsibility to the public, not merely for their safety, but also for the environment in which they live. A few spectacular accidents, both in this country and overseas, have infinitely more impact on the public than the multitude of projects safely completed every year. Nevertheless, it is considered that the multi-disciplinary nature of construction, wit its attendant specialization in education and training, necessitates a very careful examina- tion of the communication links and documentation on a continuing basis. These links are of importance in all building projects, but ate of equal importance in the education and training of those engaged in the industry ‘The report doss nat attempt to cover the many variants adopted for the total design and construction of a project, such as Managing Contractors and Project Managers in charge of the Design Team. The communication links are not varied in principle in such cases but only in detailIntroduction Schedules - Network activity” ‘The schedules form a framework containing the sequence of operations in which the Design Team is involved on any job, from the inception stage to the completion of the work, and have been prepared under a series of headings corresponding to the network activities given in the RIBA Plan of work. ‘This framework is considered necessary in order to clarify the lines of communication and to define the extent af the operations in which the Design Team is involved. It would ‘appear that the basic design team of Architect, Structural Engineer, Quantity Surveyor ‘and Services Engineer is involved all through these procedures. It should be recognized that the framework presented in the table is general and that the programme of activities is in fact very flexible in practice and will frequently diverge from the general outline given. In addition, some of the stages (as envisaged by the RIBA Plan of work) will overlap on many jobs. Also, it should be realized that not all the two- way communication channels are as important as one another The levering of the Schedules does not start at A but follows the BA Plan af wrk. "on Safe FEASIBILITY Bt Design Team| Discuss function, profile and basic content of = . meetings | Duilding, ‘Agree intial briefsto be cariad out by members of | Design Team, set ume limits and discuss any cost limitations ‘Agree lines of communication betwoen membersof | —» elele Design Team. 82 Preliminary | Seek out existing local geological information, > © | Local geologist: [stestudy | records of underground services and any other Intute of Impediments, Confirm end/or supplemant available Geological data by personal observation of site and adjacent Sciences local buildings residents ang nearby devel- ‘pers: statutory underiakings 83 Feasibility | Study aternative structural soloions and by > elelele © | Fue otticer ofstracture | continuous liaison with other mambers of the (outside Design Teamwork towards a mutually agreeable London) outline schome. Ascerain Enforcing Authority's District Fequirementsn relation 10 each poseible solution Surveyor orthe Lest Authority (inLondon) Ba Structural | Prepare report for inclusion in overall feasibility > elele easily |repor. indicating influences which have effected report | final outline recommendations where such & feasibility repor is required OUTLINE PROPOSALS ct Design Tesm) Discuss fessibiity report including associated costs. | —> elelele mestings | Agree ina building coment. method and programme {or producing co-ordinated outine information and ‘mathod of selecting main Contractor (whether by [competitive tender or negotiation). | 2 Architect's |Architectto produce consolidated outline proposes. |] —» elelele futine and distibute to Client and Design Team. proposals 3 structural | Confiem adequacy of any available topographical | ° ° Engineer's | survey of ste o liaise wth Architect in production of siteinvest- | any necessary further information. tations. | Inaigateground explorations, indicating alldate |] —>- . Siteinvestigation required ofthe ste investigation Contractor and Contractor ting up clear lines of communication with the ste during the exploratory work Provide continuous Supervision of works onsite and prepare report on Contractors performance with observations en all rmattors which could influence the interpretetion of the evidence produced by the Contractor. Receive Contractors facwualrepor. and where appropriate, his recommensatine in relation tothe proposed development. Prepare comprehensive reportto include assassment | = elelele ‘of conditions as fevealed by the site survey, highlighting any factors thet would significantly affoct the assumptions made during Stage B. Also ‘dentity al factors tet will haveadesign orcost Influence st any stagein the development the project. [At this tage ti algo importante identity any > elelele special factors that could possibly aig because of ‘round works on site and which the Contractor wi be required to cover in his tender. os Integration ofsenvices sto be established fullyin principleandin | = e| je ('detal to enable all basic parameters Influencing the stuctual solution tbe determined. 42wet ee itt = li al: E/s QUTLINE PROPOSALS (continued) ee Sructurel | Prepare outine structural dais showing ~ ail ie rac | felminar foundetion proposals tye and form of Sroooeals [Structure rusts Archtactand Clentinformationon | = |i: ‘uperimpoted loads asin rom paricular pace £2$e ans choice of non-structural material, c6 | co-ordine- | Comtinutoto preparation of co-ordinated propossis, | = elelele Joa arte | Speduang encuch matters eernatve types and osestor | euelty factual mate Petane | Estabeh banc specteation requirements =e elelele Sostings ° Astend meetings, discuss proposalsandobiain |= elelele Instuctons to proceed Sage O SCHEME DESIGN Dt [Design Team] Agree the design information nacessarytoroduce | elele meetngs "| centec: bil of Quanity and specications fr Ghisinng tendersinegotetions with Contactors, forobtamngrecestary approves ofthe Enforcing 3 ‘Runontier ante programe othe prouction cans nformetion. 2 ——_|seeme | nvestinate ternative detai'slutions 0 thebasie | el elele| | reicary Seugn’__ | stucturet probleme (including aerate design by ee ‘Arotmetion | the Contractor, considering proprietary eather Speciit Sub. Mecano eoneruction Discuss methods ot ere Beructon wih Contacte iappointed. On basis SRronsgenng tetinoand develop outinesroposals Sha produce oll svuctural information lesding ; Gost chock ofthe scheme design 2 approvels | iniiate discussions with Enforcing Autnontyon | a . . Interpretation of ste conditions. design toscing on ructore wing feces, working sess int Ebmtte Enforcing Authority poposatsin format | = . ‘ Se datasheet calculations androwings showng Snetomyofdengn ancepprecisvon ofstuctural Stabiityatalfatages of construction. Show evidence Storocodurestoenaure adequate contol of he work Snd highlight eny unusual pect, Submit epecifc fequeet for elastions or special contain Otten Enforamg Author eppova. DETAIL DESIGN 8 Desig eom Finalize bees or oroducton fal son ie elele moetnge [:nformevon £2 |oenail_—_ | Develop propossis trom Stage D2andproduce | . |designin- | necessary detail information, 7 sy ' maton PRopUCTION INFORMATION 1 ‘Design Team Agroscrooranmeforproduction of he consructon |e s fmeatnos inform. theco-ouanationotmintrmation syeye iteeubmission o Enforcing Autnorty for | approval. " we is ie Production | Produce al information necessary or construction | > * ‘iomation [tlisenwitnConnactor speared slelele Ke 13aw ten nin ies Sree Conta ILLS 0} ct \Contract bills of quantities F QUANTITIES Lisise with Quantity Surveyor during preparation of contract bils of quantities agreeing particularly the form anc content ofthe structural contact drawings ‘and specifications and any special instruction, Warning or advice that needs tobe incorporated inthe preambles. ‘vrange forsight of drat form of ble of quantities before printing Provide additional information roguted by tenderers Including te following Tender drawings in the form of detalled gener arrangements. Design criteria for emporary works including factors of tery Inappropriataceses drawings, calculations and other necessary documents showing a notional scheme for tarporary works. In such cases the documents must ndleate th the opaortnity to propase alternate methods of carrying out the temporary works but that any ‘such proposals attime of tender must be Supported by all information for hei validity to becheckea. ‘A.copy ofthe comprehensive report on ground ‘conditions propared in Stage C3. Specifications of materials and workmanship, Where the achievement of design aime is ‘dopendent on a panicularsequance of construc tion during ether excavation or the construction of the superstructure that sequence, including any {temporary bracing, must be clearly se out in {ender documents and the sequence of issue of {drawings by the Design Team indicated Any unusual features requiring special [consideration during construction must be llustated or otherwise adequately described, TENDER HI ACTION \Appraisal loftenders Contractor (if net already selected on principle of egatiations), n particular where compion structural workisinvolved, PROJEC an 2 14 7 PLANNT Set-up procedures [Construct- fon methods Setup cloarlines and methods of communications between the Contractor and the several members of the Design Team in order to ensure effective co: ‘ordination of ingividual contributions tothe ral building process. Asrango for appointment of resident enginger on large or complexjobe. Establish positively the ole fang euthonty of the Engineer's represemative (ifappointed) onsite. 7 particulary the procedures tobe adapted in ton te variations introduced for whatever reason {uring the construction process. and for the contol inepection and testing ofall works, nclucing offsite Tobsicstion,precasuing et Discuss and agree method of constuction including temporary works and any special design plications. Submission for approval of detailed drawings an. calculations for temporary works ‘Approval by Enforcing Authestty aftemporary works {design in cases of major importence,‘aes igor ein PROJEC as [Convact programm. Preliminary ptetoetng Finliation ot pro- Jormme PLANNING (continued) [Agree commencement and completion dates of [Gontact Appaintment of Sub: Contractor. ‘Submission for agreement af preliminary contact programme Produce schadula of outstanding information and Sores cntestoriesuc range or etl submission ofl infor requved asa praliminery to eormencin [Sonatuction (og testing authorty. mix dosign falelations amples of mete, where rlevantagre locations ard procedures for [constructing endtesting of preliminary and working piles including alfactore tat may influence tho fain Contractors programe suchas time equited {or constuction anatastng provision for noise abatement, special provision of accessroutes and Fardstending for lent and equiprent, rove of spo and effect of pling operations on any work tat rmaly wish a execute [suring the same period o vi [Rgrae main Contractors provisional programme. During construction and testing of preliminary sles airtin close ison with ping Sub-Cartactorn [dar to engurecomatet aaraness of al factors suhichcocld nfuance the interpretation ofthe test Tesults, Enforcing Authontyto see preliminary pile ‘Gn completion oftestsasses all data obtained and ‘conn r modify the pile design. /Agre in! ite design wth Enforcing Authority andinform main Convactor of any modifications mrodusedeinee Stages. Agree main Contractor's tale programme 21). Piling Sub- Contactor Ping Sub- Contractor Piling Sub Contractor TONS ON Conetruc= ion infor ‘mation Monitring of onstution 1d reduce theconetruction Information stilvequted ‘Eemineimalicetons on design of specialist Sub- Contractors detoies drawings [Rpprove and co-ordinate Contractor's and Sub Contractor's drawings with specialetentionto Interfaces. 10 c0- ordinate al aspects ofthe constuction. Examine changesin method of constuction proposed by Contactr Notty contractor of design changes. Notty Enforing Authority of deen chan fsingduring constuction ‘Monitoring progres of worksto expedite programme. Day-to-day rintermttent superision by Engineer srprovantatives (see Stage Jt) /Rocogntion end recording of unforeseen concitons ang departures from the design information. it hy 4 Specials Sub Contractors Specials Sub Contractors 15T em — [ret Yaciyacpn They a oe gl 8 Gel as 35) 8 |52| 3: compLetion u Precicsl | Utofremsining ndremesia| worketobeiesued | —= ee Completion | porto Cent ct Fractal Compleon, 12 [enor | Pareipmionot Design Team infinalinepection, | mills dsiects | approvals. greement of fina account and Tabity | production ofrecord document panied FEEDBACK MM | Faedbsek | Arrange feecbsck ingle of bling i Owner/user fomewnor/ where diferent Fomebert 16