ASTM E577-85(2002)

Standard Guide for Dimensional Coordination of Rectilinear Building Parts and Systems (Withdrawn 2011)

ABSTRACT
This guide covers the application of dimensional coordination in building design and the fabrication of rectilinear building parts and systems. A minimum number of preferred dimensions are recommended to give a range of alternatives that should result in economies in design, detailing, production, and construction. Dimensional coordination should be used where benefits in documentation, fabrication, installation, and maintenance can be established, but is not intended to eliminate uncoordinated custom design. Dimensional coordination of buildings and rectilinear building parts is based on the application of three related concepts such as modular reference grids of lines or planes to define reference locations in space, controlling dimensions in the horizontal and vertical plane as means of controlling the location of major building elements and rectilinear building parts, and coordinating dimensions for building components to reduce variety of sizes and to promote a better fit within the controlling reference system therefore minimizing wasteful cutting or fitting on site. The reference system for dimensionally coordinated design may consist of: a standard modular grid of dimensions; a multimodular grid of two or three dimensions, which may use different modules in different directions; or, a selected set of reference planes or lines spaced at modular intervals but without the use of a regular grid. The reference system is used in design and detailing decisions to locate building parts that may or may not be shown on working drawings.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the application of dimensional coordination in building design and the fabrication of rectilinear building parts and systems. A minimum number of preferred dimensions are recommended to give a range of alternatives that should result in economies in design, detailing, production, and construction. Dimensional coordination should be used where benefits in documentation, fabrication, installation, and maintenance can be established, but is not intended to eliminate uncoordinated custom design.
1.2 Specifically, the guide covers:
1.2.1 Descriptions of terms used in dimensional coordination.
1.2.2 The basis for the dimensional coordination of building parts and systems in the design of buildings.
1.2.3 Preferred horizontal and vertical dimensions for building parts and for the coordination of systems.
1.3 This guide does not state preferred dimensions and sizes for building components, except for general principles.
1.4 Basic guidelines for dimensioning in modular drawing practice are given.
1.5 Where practicable, recommendations in international standards prepared by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have been taken into account.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This guide covers the application of dimensional coordination in building design and the fabrication of rectilinear building parts and systems.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings, this guide was withdrawn in January 2011 in accordance with section 10.5.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 26-Dec-1985
• Withdrawal Date: 31-Dec-2010
• ICS: 91.010.30 - Technical aspects
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.21 - Serviceability

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E577-85(1999) - Standard Guide for Dimensional Coordination of Rectilinear Building Parts and Systems
• Effective Date: 27-Dec-1985
• Referred By: ASTM E1612/E1612M-94(2022) - Standard Specification for Preformed Architectural Compression Seals for Buildings and Parking Structures
• Effective Date: 27-Dec-1985
• Referred By: ASTM E1399/E1399M-97(2022) - Standard Test Method for Cyclic Movement and Measuring the Minimum and Maximum Joint Widths of Architectural Joint Systems
• Effective Date: 27-Dec-1985
• Referred By: ASTM E1783/E1783M-96(2017) - Standard Specification for Preformed Architectural Strip Seals for Buildings and Parking Structures
• Effective Date: 27-Dec-1985

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E577– 85 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Guide for
Dimensional Coordination of Rectilinear Building Parts and
Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E577; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
The concept of coordinating the dimensions of buildings and building parts with the dimensions of
manufactured components and assemblies by means of a common dimensional factor, or module, was
pioneered in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. The terms “modular coordination” and
“dimensional coordination” were adopted for the use of the basic building module and preferred
dimensions in building design, production, and construction.
In 1939, the American Standards Association (now ANSI) organized project A62, a cooperative
study of dimensional coordination, resulting in the issue of a series of standards concerning the subject
between 1945 and 1971. Responsibility for the continuation of the work was transferred toASTM and
under the general supervision of Committee E06 on Performance of Building Constructions.
Subcommittee E06.62, Coordination of Dimensions for Building Materials and Systems, has the
specific task to develop standards in this field, including metric versions that use the international
building module of 100 mm.
In 1976, ASTM Committee E06 approved ANSI/ASTM E577 to set voluntary standards for the
dimensional coordination of rectilinear building parts and systems in either metric (SI) or inch-pound
units, using a basic incremental dimension (M) with the value 100 mm in SI units, or 4 in. in
inch-pound units.
Subcommittee E06.62 has now prepared companion standards in acceptable metric and inch-pound
units so that designers wishing to apply the principles of dimensional coordination can select
preferences in line with the measurement system used in their documentation. Except for the
dimensions ascribed to the basic building module and, therefore, its multiples, the companion
standards are identical in text.
1. Scope maintenance can be established, but is not intended to elimi-
nate uncoordinated custom design.
1.1 This guide covers the application of dimensional coor-
1.2 Specifically, the guide covers:
dination in building design and the fabrication of rectilinear
1.2.1 Descriptions of terms used in dimensional coordina-
building parts and systems. A minimum number of preferred
tion.
dimensions are recommended to give a range of alternatives
1.2.2 The basis for the dimensional coordination of building
thatshouldresultineconomiesindesign,detailing,production,
parts and systems in the design of buildings.
and construction. Dimensional coordination should be used
1.2.3 Preferred horizontal and vertical dimensions for build-
where benefits in documentation, fabrication, installation, and
ing parts and for the coordination of systems.
1.3 This guide does not state preferred dimensions and sizes
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance
for building components, except for general principles.
of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.21 on Service-
1.4 Basic guidelines for dimensioning in modular drawing
ability.
practice are given.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2002. Published October 2002. Originally
´1
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 1984 as E577 – 76 (1984) .
1.5 Where practicable, recommendations in international
DOI: 10.1520/E0577-85R02.
standards prepared by the International Organization for Stan-
The standards replace ANSI/ASTM E577-76 and supersedes ANSI A62.1-
dardization (ISO) have been taken into account.
1957, A62.5-1965, and A62.7-1969.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E577– 85 (2002)
2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2.1.1 basic building module (basic module)—a unit dimen-
sion used as the standard increment in the dimensional coor-
dination of buildings and building parts.
2.1.1.1 Discussion—For dimensional coordination in metric
(SI) units, the basic building module has the internationally
agreed value of 100 mm; the basic building module is
designated by the symbol M; for example: 100 mm = 1 M;
1200 mm = 12 M. For dimensional coordination in inch-pound
units, the basic building module has the value of 4 in.; the basic
building module is designated by the symbol M; for example:
4 in. = M;48in.or4ft0in.=12 M.
2.1.2 building part—a piece or unit of building material
including joints, or an item of building equipment. Rectilinear
FIG. 2 Changes of Level at Floors or Roofs
building parts have sides that are at right angles to each other.
2.1.3 ceiling height—the dimension that extends from the
coordinating interface of a wall component at the floor to its
2.1.10 coordinating dimension—a preferred dimension be-
coordinating interface at the ceiling (see Fig. 1 (B)).
tween coordinating planes or lines that is a whole multiple of
2.1.4 ceiling space dimension—the dimension measured
the module and used in the coordination of building parts and
from the wall-to-ceiling interface to the lowest point of the
components, including allowances for joints and tolerances.
horizontal structural elements, generally applicable only for
2.1.11 coordinating line or plane—the theoretical line or
suspended ceilings and includes the ceiling construction and
plane by reference to which one building part or component is
the plenum above, if any (see Fig. 1 (F)).
coordinated with another.
2.1.5 change in level—the vertical difference between two
2.1.12 custom dimension—any dimension that is not a
adjacent floor or roof planes, or both (see Fig. 2).
whole multiple of the basic module.
2.1.6 clear structure height—the clear distance between the
2.1.13 dimension—a linear distance, such as length, width,
highest point of the horizontal structure of one story to the
height, depth, or thickness.
lowest point of the horizontal structure of the story above (see
2.1.14 dimensional coordination—a comprehensive ap-
Fig. 1 (D)).
proach to the coordination of the geometry of buildings,
2.1.7 controlling dimension—a modular coordinating di-
building parts, components, and systems, through a set of
mension between controlling planes, for example, story height,
dimensional preferences derived from the basic module; a
ceiling height, distance between axes of columns, thickness of
relationship between sizes and dimensions of building parts
controlling zone.
that will permit their assembly and erection without modifica-
2.1.8 controlling plane or line—a plane or line that repre-
tion or adjustment (see Fig. 3).
sents a major building space reference in dimensional coordi-
2.1.15 dimensionally coordinated product—building prod-
nation.
uct, the dimensions of which are established in conformance
2.1.9 controlling zone—a zone between controlling planes.
with this guide, and which include allowances for joint
thicknesses and dimensional tolerances (see Fig. 4).
2.1.16 floor-ceiling thickness—the dimension from the ceil-
ing plane to the finished floor plane of the story immediately
above (see Fig. 1 (C)).
2.1.17 horizontal structure thickness—the vertical dimen-
sion of the structural floor or roof system; in the case of
structural floors, the dimension between the structural floor and
the lowest point of that structural floor system (see Fig. 1 (E)).
2.1.18 intermediate controlling dimension—a preferred di-
mension used for control of openings or other elements; for
example, door heads and jambs (see Fig. 5).
2.1.19 joint—the space formed by two adjacent building
parts or components, when these are put together, fixed, or
combined with or without a jointing product (see Fig. 4).
2.1.20 modular coordination—dimensional coordination
A—Story height
employing the basic building module or multimodules.
C—Floor-ceiling thickness
D—Clear structure height
2.1.21 modular grid—a reference grid with lines or planes
E—Horizontal structure thickness
at right angles, the spacing of which are either the basic
F—Ceiling space dimension
building module or multiples. The spacing of lines or planes in
G—Thickness of finished floor
FIG. 1 Preferred Vertical Dimensions a modular grid need not be the same in difference directions.
E577– 85 (2002)
Axial Controlling Lines Boundary Controlling Lines
FIG. 3 Preferred Horizontal Dimensions
FIG. 4 Dimensionally Coordinated Product
Parallel Reference Planes Oblique Reference Planes
FIG. 6 Neutral Zones
2.1.28 system—an integration of building parts that perform
one or more specific functions.
3. Basis for Dimensional Coordination of Buildings and
Sizing of Building Parts
3.1 Dimensional coordination of buildings and rectilinear
building parts is based on the application of three related
concepts:
3.1.1 Modular reference grids of lines or planes to define
reference locations in space;
3.1.2 Controlling dimensions in the horizontal and vertical
plane as means of controlling the location of major building
FIG. 5 Intermediate Controlling Dimensions elements and rectilinear building parts; and,
3.1.3 Coordinating dimensions for building components to
reduce variety of sizes and to promote a better fit within the
2.1.21.1 M—basic modular dimension (see 2.1).
controlling reference system, therefore minimizing wasteful
2.1.22 multimodule—a preferred multiple of the basic
cutting or fitting on site.
building module used for horizontal or vertical dimensional
4. Dimensional Reference System
cont
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