Why Independent Structural Review Matters
Structural drawings may look complete — column layout, beam sections, and rebar details — while still lacking documented engineering calculations. Independent review helps identify sizes or spacings that need clarification against the project's actual loads and site conditions.
CMDA approves your building plan for regulatory compliance — setbacks, height, floor area ratio. It does not verify whether your column is large enough to carry the beam and slab loads above it, or whether your foundation is designed for the actual soil bearing capacity at your specific site.
🚨 87% of the structural drawing sets we review have at least one Major finding. 23% have at least one Critical finding — a defect that could affect the structural integrity of the building.
What Buildogram Reviews in Your Structural Drawings
Foundation Adequacy
Foundation type checked against site soil bearing capacity (SBC). Isolated footings vs. raft vs. pile foundation — based on actual soil test results.
Column Sizing
Column cross-section and reinforcement checked against actual load: self-weight, live load, and wind load combination per IS 875.
Beam Span-to-Depth
Beam dimensions verified for deflection control and shear capacity per IS 456 span-to-depth ratios.
Rebar Schedule
Diameter, spacing, and cover checked for each structural element. Minimum cover in Chennai coastal environment: 40mm for columns, 25mm for slabs.
Seismic Compliance (Zone III)
Chennai is Seismic Zone III per IS 1893:2016. Ductility requirements, beam-column joint detailing, and lateral force resisting system checked.
Wind Load (Coastal)
Basic wind speed for Chennai: 50 m/s per IS 875 Part 3. Wind pressure on walls and roof checked, especially for terraces and cantilevers.
IS Codes Referenced in Our Review
Common Defects Found in Chennai Residential Drawings
| Defect | Detail | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Columns undersized for G+2 | Designer sized columns for G+1 but owner plans G+2 later. Column will be overloaded. | Critical |
| No plinth beam specified | Independent houses often omit the tie beam at plinth level. Differential settlement risk. | Critical |
| Cover not specified | Rebar cover left to contractor discretion. In coastal Chennai, 40mm minimum is essential. | Major |
| Slab 100mm for 3.6m span | IS 456 requires minimum L/32 = 112mm for a simply supported slab of 3.6m span. | Major |
| No footing tie beams | Isolated footings without tie beams in expansive soil — lateral movement possible. | Major |
| No IS 1893 check | Drawings show no seismic zone consideration. Chennai is Seismic Zone III. | Critical |
What You Receive
- Annotated drawing set with findings
- Written review report (Critical/Major/Minor)
- Specification notes for each finding
- Revised calculation checks where applicable
- 45-minute review call with engineer
- Follow-up review of revised drawings (one round)
Pricing & Turnaround
for a standard G+1 residential drawing set
- G+2 and above: ₹9,999
- Commercial buildings: Custom quote
- Mid-construction review: ₹8,999
- Turnaround: 5 working days
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as CMDA structural approval?
No. CMDA approval is a statutory compliance check for zoning, setbacks, and permitted floor area — it is not an engineering adequacy review. CMDA does not check whether your column sizes are correct, whether your rebar cover is adequate, or whether your foundation is designed for the actual soil bearing capacity at your site. Buildogram's structural plan review fills that gap.
What file formats do you accept for drawings?
We accept PDF, DWG (AutoCAD), DXF, and scanned JPG/PNG of physical prints. For best results, send the full structural drawing set: foundation plan, column layout, beam/slab layout, reinforcement details, and section drawings. If you only have an architectural plan, we can work with that but the review scope will be limited.
How long does the structural plan review take?
Standard turnaround is 5 working days from receipt of the complete drawing set. For complex structures (G+3 and above, long spans, irregular column grids) or when additional calculations need to be verified, allow 7–10 working days. We will confirm at submission.
Who actually conducts the review?
Reviews are coordinated with structural engineering professionals based on the project scope and availability. Ask for the assigned reviewer's qualifications and applicable registration details before engagement.
What happens if critical issues are found in the drawings?
You receive a marked drawing set clearly annotating each issue with its severity (Critical/Major/Minor) and a specific fix recommendation. Critical issues must be resolved in the design before construction begins. We can also work directly with your structural engineer to clarify the technical basis for our findings.
Can you review drawings during construction, not just before?
Yes. Mid-construction reviews are sometimes more urgent — for example, if you discover that construction is proceeding differently from the approved drawings. We offer a site-and-drawings review that checks whether what is being built matches the design.
What is the difference between structural design and structural review?
Structural design is the creation of the engineering design from scratch — calculating loads, selecting column sizes, designing foundations, preparing the reinforcement schedule. Structural review is an independent check of an existing design, confirming it is correct and IS-code-compliant. Buildogram provides structural review; if your project does not yet have a structural engineer, we can refer you to one.
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