Once you have received your metal building drawings, the next step is to gather the information a structural engineer will need to design the foundation.

Providing complete and current documents helps the engineer understand the project, identify missing information, and prepare an accurate scope of work.

You do not need to understand every technical detail before contacting an engineer. However, having the following information available can help the process begin more efficiently.

1. Metal Building Manufacturer Drawings

Start with the complete drawing package supplied by the metal building manufacturer.

These documents help the foundation engineer understand:

• Building dimensions
• Frame spacing
• Column locations
• Building height
• Roof configuration
• Bracing locations
• Openings
• Base plate information
• Structural design criteria

Send the entire package rather than selecting only a few pages. Information that seems unrelated to the foundation may still affect the design.

2. Anchor Bolt Plan

The anchor bolt plan shows where the metal building columns connect to the foundation.

It may include:

• Anchor bolt locations
• Bolt quantities and sizes
• Column centerlines
• Base plate dimensions
• Building dimensions
• Required bolt projections

The anchor bolt plan is necessary for coordination, but it is not usually a replacement for the complete foundation design.

The foundation engineer still needs to determine how the bolts, columns, footings, piers, grade beams, and slab work together.

3. Column Reactions and Foundation Loads

Column reactions are among the most important items in the manufacturer’s package.

They describe the forces the metal building transfers into the foundation, which may include:

• Downward loads
• Horizontal loads
• Uplift
• Wind reactions
• Snow reactions
• Seismic reactions
• Other loading conditions

The engineer uses these loads to size and reinforce the foundation components.

Whenever possible, provide the manufacturer’s unfactored column reactions. If this information is not included in the drawings, ask the metal building supplier or manufacturer to provide it.

Without accurate reactions, the engineer may not be able to finalize the foundation design.

4. Project Address and Permitting Jurisdiction

The engineer needs the exact location of the proposed building.

The project address helps determine:

• Applicable building codes
• Wind speed
• Snow load
• Seismic requirements
• Frost depth
• Local amendments
• Permitting authority

Two identical metal buildings can require different foundations because they are located in different jurisdictions.

Provide the city, county, and state if a formal street address has not yet been assigned.

5. Intended Building Use

Explain how the building will be used now and whether you expect the use to change later.

Examples include:

• Personal storage
• Garage
• Workshop
• Agricultural building
• Equipment storage
• Commercial shop
• Warehouse
• Barndominium
• Small business building

The intended use can affect both the foundation and slab design.

The engineer may also need to know whether the building will contain:

• Heavy equipment
• Vehicle lifts
• Storage racks
• Floor drains
• Radiant heating
• Interior walls
• Offices
• Mezzanines
• Future additions

Providing this information early reduces the risk of changes later.

6. Slab Requirements

Do not assume that every concrete slab is designed the same way.

Tell the engineer what the slab will need to support, including:

• Passenger vehicles
• Trucks
• Tractors
• Equipment
• Storage racks
• Machinery
• Concentrated loads
• Interior partitions
• Future improvements

The foundation design and slab design may be related, but they are not always the same scope. Clarifying expectations early helps ensure the proposal includes the services you need.

7. Site Plan and Property Information

Provide a site plan if one is available.

The plan may help the engineer understand:

• Building location
• Property lines
• Finished floor elevation
• Slopes
• Retaining conditions
• Nearby structures
• Access constraints
• Grading conditions

If the site has unusual conditions, photographs can also be helpful during the initial review.

8. Soils Report, If Available

A geotechnical or soils report may provide:

• Allowable soil bearing pressure
• Settlement information
• Expansive soil conditions
• Groundwater conditions
• Site preparation recommendations
• Foundation recommendations

Not every project begins with a soils report, and requirements vary by jurisdiction.

Do not delay contacting an engineer because you do not have one. Send the information you currently have, and the engineer can help determine whether additional soil information is necessary.

9. Plan Review Comments

If the project has already been submitted for permit, send the complete correction notice or plan review comments.

Do not send only the structural comment that appears most relevant. Other comments may affect the engineering scope or reveal information the engineer needs to coordinate.

Providing the full review can help avoid repeated submissions and unnecessary delays.

Make Sure the Documents Are Current

Metal building drawings sometimes change after the initial package is issued.

Before sending documents to the foundation engineer, confirm that you are providing the latest version.

Revisions can affect:

• Building dimensions
• Column locations
• Anchor bolt layouts
• Base plates
• Door openings
• Bracing
• Column reactions

The foundation engineer, builder, supplier, and concrete contractor should all work from coordinated documents.

To understand other problems that can slow the project down, read Common Metal Building Foundation Mistakes That Delay Permits or Construction. (link to other blog)

Start With What You Have

You do not need to assemble a perfect engineering package before asking for help.

Start by sending:

• Manufacturer drawings
• Project address
• Building use
• Available reaction information
• Available site documents
• Plan review comments, if applicable

Vector Engineers can review the information and help identify what is missing before foundation design begins.

Our team works with owners, owner-builders, builders, contractors, and metal building suppliers on site-specific foundation designs throughout the United States.

Send us your metal building drawings and project information to request a foundation design quote.