What does the small circle adjacent to a column indicate?

What does the small circle adjacent to a column indicate?

• A. The column mark or number
• B. The load rating
• C. The column width
• D. The beam type

Answer: (A)

That small circle beside a column is a column tag (often called a balloon) used on structural drawings. It serves to identify the column and link it to the column schedule, where you’ll find the column number and all its details like size, reinforcement, and other specifications. It’s not showing the load rating, which would appear in a separate table or note, nor does it indicate the column width or beam type—those details are shown in different ways (dimensions for width, schedules or notes for loads, and labels directly on beams for their type). So the circle’s purpose is to tag the column for reference in the column schedule.

That small circle beside a column is a column tag (often called a balloon) used on structural drawings. It serves to identify the column and link it to the column schedule, where you’ll find the column number and all its details like size, reinforcement, and other specifications. It’s not showing the load rating, which would appear in a separate table or note, nor does it indicate the column width or beam type—those details are shown in different ways (dimensions for width, schedules or notes for loads, and labels directly on beams for their type). So the circle’s purpose is to tag the column for reference in the column schedule.