Plan & Elevation Preparation

Elevation in Civil Engineering

Elevation in civil engineering refers to the vertical view or representation of a building, structure, or site. It is a scaled drawing that shows the exterior vertical surface of a building or structure, including details about heights, windows, doors, roof lines, and architectural features. Elevations provide an accurate representation of the external appearance and scale of the building or project.

Types of Elevations

1. Front Elevation (Facade):
   • Description: The front elevation represents the view of the building from the front, typically showing the main entrance and any significant architectural features. It is usually the most important elevation as it is the first thing people see.
   • Key Features:
     • Main entrance
     • Windows, doors, and other openings
     • Architectural details such as columns, arches, and decorations
     • Signage or logos (if applicable)
2. Rear Elevation:
   • Description: This view represents the back side of the building or structure, which may not have as many features as the front elevation but still provides important information.
   • Key Features:
     • Service doors or back entrances
     • Rear windows or utility openings
     • Rooflines or other architectural features
3. Side Elevations:
   • Description: The side elevation shows the left or right side of the building or structure. It helps depict the depth of the structure and may show additional windows, doors, or external elements not visible from the front or rear.
   • Key Features:
     • Window and door placements
     • Overhangs, balconies, or external features
     • Vertical height of the structure
4. Sectional Elevation:
   • Description: A sectional elevation is a cut-through view of the building that shows the internal features along with the external details, giving a cross-sectional view of how the space is organized vertically.
   • Key Features:
     • Interior spaces, like rooms or floors
     • Stairs, doorways, and structural elements like beams or columns
     • Materials used in the construction (shown by textures or hatching in the drawing)
5. Isometric Elevation:
   • Description: Isometric views are a type of three-dimensional drawing where the building is shown in a rotated, isometric angle, providing more depth and showing multiple faces of the structure.
   • Key Features:
     • Three-dimensional representation
     • Combined view of the front, side, and top of the building
     • Depth and spatial relationships between parts of the structure