CompuServe Messages

In addition, I know of one local structural engineering firm that refuses to use electronic bases given them by architects — they always re-draw everything in-house. This is apparently because one architect gave them an electronic base plan where ONLY the DIMENSION text had been changed, not the actual elements. They had, of course, just assumed that the drawing was correct, ignored the text-dimensions, and did their calculations & sizings from it. Luckily, the error was found before the fabrication of the steel had started (THAT would have been costly), but they pretty much had to start over, as far as their calcs go. They just can't afford to take the chance that it'll happen again.